Quiet computer upgrade

[CallMeJoe]

I'm considering an upgrade to my NF7-S/Mobile 2400+ system, with quiet operation as my first priority. I am looking at 2 Mobo/CPU options:

Abit KN9 with Athlon 64X2 4200+ (65W Windsor)
or
Asus P5NSLI with E6300 Core 2 Duo

Since this will entail new memory and GPU interfaces, I would also add:

Gigabyte GV-NX73T256P-RH (silent pipe 7300GT)
GeiL GX21GB6400DCK 2x512MB PC6400
Scythe Mine CPU cooler

This will be installed in my first generation Antec Sonata case with Enermax Noisetaker 485 PSU, Evercool 120 mm exhaust fan, Seagate HDDs and Samsung DVD-RW. The Mobo selection is mainly because I don't want to have to replace my IDE optical and HDDs, and these appear to be the best available with two IDE ports. We now come to my questions:

How big a performance difference would I see between the Core 2 Duo and the Athlon 64X2?

How big a heat problem is the passively cooled Asus Nvidia 570 SLI northbridge?

Are there any miscellaneous comments on this system build?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

all modern pcs should perform identically at least 75% of the time. how do you use the computer?

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
How do you use the computer?

Internet, Audio processing (AtoD through Extigy and audio cleaning), Photo editing, Word processing.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

what's the budget?

 

[CallMeJoe]

Trying to stay around $500.

 

[Boyo]

I would go with the Core Duo route. It's going to be faster.

 

[Loop2kil]

i wouldn't limit the choices for MB based on available IDE channels, as you can add a $10 IDE controller card to any PC and they work great for those older IDE Hard drives and cd/dvd drives

 

[The Boston Dangler]

AMD Opteron 165 $156
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103588

ASUS A8N-E $77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) $109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

XFX PVT73PUDJ3 GeForce 7600GS $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150170

$462 bfeore s+h.

Edit:
This is a nice board with passive cooling
ASUS A8R-MVP $87
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131584

 

[CallMeJoe]

Loop2kil: Integrated IDE controllers preferred because add-on cards obstruct airflow and make good cable management harder.

Dangler: Good choices, but I'd rather do AM2 socket for AMD because of energy efficient CPU availability. Also, Gigabyte has 256MB 7600GS passively cooled card at the Egg for $15 less.

Boyo: How much faster on what tasks? Is it worth the extra heat of that Asus northbridge?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

GIGABYTE GA-M55SLI-S4 $83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128321

The only times you would perceive the differences between AMD and Intel products is when you're crunching huge files. Even then, it's tough to justify the extra expense for a few seconds off of a minute long task.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Dangler: Excellent selection. Nice layout, full features, even has firewire (which the KN9 doesn't). I'll definitely add it to my list.

 

[Howard]

Why the Scythe Mine?

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: Howard
Why the Scythe Mine?

Well reviewed at Silent PC Review. Quiet (though not completely silent) with very good cooling.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: CallMeJoe

Originally posted by: Howard
Why the Scythe Mine?

Well reviewed at Silent PC Review. Quiet (though not completely silent) with very good cooling.

On my C2D system in sig I'm using a Thermalright XP90c. I keep my fan speed on the lowest setting and my cpu never gets too hot. I bet you could omit the fan on the Scythe and still have adequate cooling, especially if you aren't gaming or anything.