Help with MB/CPU & case selection

imported_roar

Junior Member
Jan 6, 2005
4
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Hello to all.

This is my first post. I am looking to put a new system together and looking for information and advice. It will not be a game machine, but rather, a graphic computer for website development and video editing. I am looking recommendations and opinions on a Motherboard/CPU combinations and quiet cases. I am currently running a P4 2.53 on an Asus MB with an ATI 9800 AIW graphics card and Window 2000. I just got my wife an $400 HP ?box? running a Athlon XP 3000+, integrated graphics, and Windows XP home, that seems to be faster than my P4! Can?t have that!!!
 

Terumo

Banned
Jan 23, 2005
575
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If you're on a budget and don't have time: find a case that has 120mm fans (like the Sonata). It moves more air but it's quieter (some have dba levels of 14, which is indeed whisper quiet). PSU also with a 120mm fan, or risk using a fanless PSU. Use a 120mm fan if possible to cool the processor (92mm could do if it's tight), or if you don't OC, a heatpipe setup (no fan). Use silicon damper for the backs of the fans and those rubber gommets to connect the fan to the case. Get the Seagate SATA drives (quietest SATAs) - Sonata case has a unique HD placement to reduce noise from them. Everything sleeved and secured too. That'll reduce much of the noise without the work.

If you're interested in a challenge: get acoustic foam and cut it to fit around the door, bottom and top of the case. Attach it with double sided tape (like what's used to attach mirrors to the wall). Acoustic matting (the old asphalt type) is also good -- cheaper -- but your home might smell like an oil refinery for a week. That would help take out most of the annoying rattling and whir of even the 120mm fans. With foam, you'll need the 120mm fans as it'll increase the temps inside the case.

For the greatest challenge, have the time and money to maintain it: try watercooling, Peltiers, or if you really have the cash, a vapor cooler (which is basically a mini air conditioner for the PC, and without the risks of water coolers or Peltiers).
 

Deckham

Junior Member
Dec 23, 2004
17
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Hello to all.
This is my first post.

roar
Junior Member
Posts: 2

Sorry - couldn't resist.
Carry on.....
 

2Xtreme21

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2004
7,044
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Originally posted by: Deckham
Hello to all.
This is my first post.

roar
Junior Member
Posts: 2

Sorry - couldn't resist.
Carry on.....

He made his second post in this thread and it was after his original post. Therefore, logically, it was his first post at the time of his first post.
 

imported_roar

Junior Member
Jan 6, 2005
4
0
0
Terumo: Thanks for all the great ideas...now if I could just pick a processor & motherboard!

...all the best...