Mostly Silent Gaming Build

[XLNC]

Hi all, hoping for some input on my gaming build with some emphasis towards silence.

1. It will be used for gaming, general use, and running some virtual machines (Unix, Linux.)
- I expect to play Metro 2033, Crysis 1&2, BF3, etc. Mostly shooters.
- I also plan to setup RAMdisks to improve gaming performance and web surfing.
- Will eventually add more HDs in RAID1 for backup.
- Considering joining some sort of distributed computing effort.
2. Already purchased some parts, so remaining budget is $1000. I'm okay with spending more, as long as it's spent wisely.
3. Buying from U.S. of A.
4. No brand preference. Choosing Nvidia due to possible advantage with compute, PhysX, tessellation etc. Let me know if I'm wrong.
5. See below.
6. I read other threads, and bought components in #5 based on that.
7. I will be overclocking, but noise/heat level is more important.
8. Will be gaming on Dell U2410 at 1920x1200.
9. Want to build mid-April. On the fence about waiting for Z68. If boards will be out in mid May as reported, might wait for that. Thoughts?
10. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but can't we be civil?

UPDATE: BUILD COMPLETE!
CPU: Core i5 2500k
RAM: 16GB Ripjaws DDR3 1600 RAM
PSU: Corsair AX 750
Card Reader: Nippon Labs w/ eSATA
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-C14
MB: Asus P8P67 Pro
SSD; Samsung 470 128GB SSD
GPU: MSI GTX 570 Twin Frozr II
DVD-RW: Sony Optiarc Black 24x.
HDD; Samsung F3 1TB HDD.
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate, have license. Also, Ubuntu and maybe Unix.
Case: Fractal Design R3

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'm considering the Raven RV02 as the case for my Sandy Bridge build when I get around to it.

Heat rises, and the RV02 lets the GPU heat rise away from the CPU.

 

[zi0n.]

I wouldn't drop 90$ on a cooler.. I would get a hyper 212+ and call it a day. Also.. it's fine don't get an OCZ but get a sandforce based SSD like an http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226152 Everything else looks pretty good. Also, I wouldn't bother using a 8800gts as PhysX, first because if you want a silent rig that is an old card and its probably noisy and then you'll get more heat too.

 

[XLNC]

@Dave, I considered the FT02 at one point, bit $250 is a hefty price tag. Plus I'm not crazy about either case's looks.

@zi0n I like how the newegg page for Mushkin SSD highlights "Sandforce drive with 34nm NAND" as an advantage. Transition to 25nm has been a disaster. I've been wary of Sandforce in general, so I'm looking into this more. Looks like a good buy though.

As for the cooler, I figured I could go cheaper but I've heard many good things about Noctua as a stand up company and thought I'd "vote with my wallet." They have some cheaper coolers but this seems like the most silent. Also, I told myself my next build will be a high end machine so figured a good cooler will come in useful then.

You're probably right about the 8800 GTS as PhysX card. I might try it out to see if it makes a difference, but I'm sure the compounded heat will be a problem. Just thought I'd ask.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Scythe Slipstream 68.54cfm @ 24.00dBA

 

[Zap]

First thing is that you should accept higher noise while you game. You should have sound playing anyways, so not like you'll hear it.

Second thing is to choose a case that is designed to be quiet over one that is designed to have "good airflow" if you want it to be quiet.

Third is to save some money on the cooler. If reviewers can overclock a Sandy Bridge CPU to 4.5GHz using the stock Intel cooler, that tells me these new CPUs don't put out much heat. Likely whatever you use will be quieter than the graphics card under load. Just remember to use a CPU fan that is 4-pin PWM so the BIOS/UEFI can control it, and to enable a Smart Fan profile so it can automatically slow down the PWM fan when the extra cooling is not needed.

If you really want the CPU to be cooled quietly, then get a Scythe Ninja 3.

 

[XLNC]

Second thing is to choose a case that is designed to be quiet over one that is designed to have "good airflow" if you want it to be quiet.

That's what I'm leaning towards as well. Plus, I got email from Fractal saying it won't be out till May, which probably means June. I'm going to switch the case from the Arc to Fractal R3.

Third is to save some money on the cooler.

Okay, you guys win. Don't know why but the CPU cooler became a personal choice rather than a logical one. I'm switching it to the Noctua NH-C14. It's still $90, but comes with two NF-P14 fans, which are $30 each. Going to take off one of those to use elsewhere on the case.

Updated post.

 

[XLNC]

As for the SSD, I think I'll be waiting till last minute to make up mind on that. Lot happening now.

 

[JBDan]

I just got the R3 and while it is quiet, it is very cheaply made. I'm accustomed to rigid steel cases, well 2 ex-Antecs (P180 and SOLO) and the rigidity/thickness construction on the R3 is not close. I'm sticking with the R3 as the other 2 are going to family builds, but I'm on the lookout already as to what will replace it. It is very flimsy especially the rear panel and the HD cages. So much so you can bend and torque them with your hand

It definitely has some pro's (cable management, large enough but not too big, sharp looking from outside, quiet, many many fan options) but if your looking for a solid case this isn't the one.

As for the Noctua fans I have 3 (2+ years) they are excellent, but the Scythe FDB's are neck and neck with them in all categories imo.

 

[mfenn]

I wouldn't drop 90$ on a cooler.. I would get a hyper 212+ and call it a day. Also.. it's fine don't get an OCZ but get a sandforce based SSD like an http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226152 Everything else looks pretty good. Also, I wouldn't bother using a 8800gts as PhysX, first because if you want a silent rig that is an old card and its probably noisy and then you'll get more heat too.

:thumbsup: Pretty much exactly what I would have said.

OP, if you're worried about firmware issues, the C300 is no rose garden either. I think that they've moved past the drive bricking issues, but I don't consider them to be as mature as 34nm Sandforce drives.

 

[betasub]

Time to part company with your old 8800GTS-512. It's surely far noiser than your choice of new graphics card, & the extra heat/power-draw will only make the whole system hotter and noiser.

 

[XLNC]

Thanks to everyone for their input. Ordered everything except the case, updated original post.

I just got a new desk (Ikea Galant) so suddenly I can accommodate a full tower case. Is it worth getting with future upgrades in mind? I'm not a fan of HAF cases (ugly), so if you had $200 to spend on a full tower, which would it be.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

The Corsair 650D, I had it at one time for a build for my brother but i gave him my old Lian Li PC 60

It was very hard to return the Corsair 650D

I have an 800D and I love it :thumbsup:

 

[Doclife]

If you want a silence, good airflow and solidly built case, consider the Antec P183. Front filters minimize the amount of dust getting into your case and they are easy to clean also.

 

[XLNC]

@BTRY, I was really excited about the 650D, but few things bugged me. I highly dislike windowed side panels, and I don't see it for sale with mesh side panel. Plus, the front fans are said to be weak and not all that quiet, so I'd end up having to replace them. Does it even accept after market 200mm fans?

@Doclife, did you mean P193? The P183 is somewhat lacking with cooling.

Man, even with all these cases out there, once you start getting picky the choices dry up.

 

[Doclife]

I do mean the P183. You can mount 2 x 120mm additional fans in the front, the back and top fans are provided. The middle drive cage can be removed to make room for an extra long video card and/or to provide a less restrictive air flow to the video card.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

@BTRY, I was really excited about the 650D, but few things bugged me. I highly dislike windowed side panels, and I don't see it for sale with mesh side panel. Plus, the front fans are said to be weak and not all that quiet, so I'd end up having to replace them. Does it even accept after market 200mm fans?

@Doclife, did you mean P193? The P183 is somewhat lacking with cooling.

Man, even with all these cases out there, once you start getting picky the choices dry up.

I can't remember if it had 200mm fans, but if it did, of course you can change them out

 

[mfenn]

I do mean the P183. You can mount 2 x 120mm additional fans in the front, the back and top fans are provided. The middle drive cage can be removed to make room for an extra long video card and/or to provide a less restrictive air flow to the video card.

:thumbsup: You can also make the top fan an intake to promote really chilly CPU temperatures.

 

[50]

Can anyone comment on the H50 as a CPU cooler? I want to OC but don't want to be too loud

 

[fffblackmage]

Can anyone comment on the H50 as a CPU cooler? I want to OC but don't want to be too loud

I don't have any experience using the H50, but I'm pretty sure the Cooler Master 212+ will do the job just as well, but for cheaper.

I don't actually use the fan with the 212+; I have a weird habit of using these tower heatsinks fanless. I've at least tried the fan before, and it's decently quiet as long as you throttle the fan speed using the "Smart Fan" feature on the mobo (or whatever your mobo's brand calls it).

 

[mnewsham]

Can anyone comment on the H50 as a CPU cooler? I want to OC but don't want to be too loud

Depends on what you are OC'ing, if only OC'ing an i5-2500k then the hyper 212+ is fine for ~4.5Ghz OC. Using the H50 on the same i5 MIGHT get you 4.6Ghz MAYBE. But at this speed you are running into a voltage wall and NOT a temp wall. If you are OC'ing an older i5/i7 or a C2D/C2Q then the H50 might be worth it. Depends on the CPU. Honestly the H50 is NOT as good as quality air cooling. (Noctua NH-D14 im looking at you :hmm: ) IMHO the only real reason to go water is if you can afford to get a full water setup for motherboard MOSFET's, GPU's, and CPU(s). This however can easily cost $500+.

 

[XLNC]

Went ahead and ordered the Fractal R3 Black. I realized I was being too picky, and that no one case out there is perfect for me. Being in Michigan, heat isn't an issue for 8 months out of the year, so airflow isn't critical. Silence however, is. If I find this case inadequate for my next build two years down the road, oh well. I'll have to buy a new case like everyone else.

Thread complete. Thanks again for all the suggestions. I'll post some pics when I have rig built.

 

[betasub]

"Mostly silent": hmm, well I guess most of your chosen parts are silent, but the ones with moving parts are merely quiet.

Good luck with the build.

 

[Davidh373]

Good build. I dunno if I missed something reading through the thread but you certainly don't need 16GB RAM.

 

[XLNC]

Good build. I dunno if I missed something reading through the thread but you certainly don't need 16GB RAM.

I'm not convinced of that yet. I think the area of RAMdisks for gaming remains largely untested. I've read several threads from other forums where a guy comes in wondering if a RAMdisk will help load times and stuttering, and the thread usually ends with someone saying "try it." Well, I'm going to try it. And I won't be afraid to admit it if it's useless.

I plan on doing some benchmarks, will create another thread in memory subforum with results.