Silent Gaming Build -- Please Rate & Help Me Out!

[6spd]

My main concern is noise level, so I'm aiming to get a very quiet setup. I've already purchased the main components, but I need advice on what kind of case fans and CPU cooler I need to get, and whether the CPU cooler will physically fit with my current setup.

Case: Fractal Design R3
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K
MOBO: Asus P8Z68V-LX
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 560 Ti 448
Sound card: HT Omega Striker 7.1
SSD: Corsair Force Series GT 240 GB
HDD: Western Digital 500 GB 7200 RPM
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8 GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600
PSU: Corsair Pro Series Gold AX650
CD-RW: Standard, cheap ASUS CD-RW

So, I've already purchased the above components. I need to place an order for some case fans and a CPU cooler. I'm looking for quiet and whether these will fit with my current setup.

Could you please rate my current build and also provide me with some recommendations for the fans and cooler? For what it's worth, I'm only going to be playing games and the odds of me over clocking anything are pretty much 0%. I only want the aftermarket CPU cooler because I was told that the stock one sucks and is very loud when you start playing games. And since I'm not looking to over clock, having an ultra-quiet cooler takes precedence over actual cooling efficacy.

Thanks!

 

[Charlie98]

If you want quiet, why are you adding more case fans? If you are not OC'ing, extra fans seem unnecessary.

 

[6spd]

For added precaution I guess.. fans are cheap anyway and as long as they're quiet, I don't mind buying a couple.

 

[philipma1957]

THE cooler master 212 evo is quiet. cost about 35 dollars.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...3299297&sr=1-1

I have one and it works. I have a i5 2500k it is a good cpu. I would buy the cooler master and set the gear up see how cool you run and how loud you run.

Then decide on more fans. I like this fan but it is a 7 inch fan don't know if it fits in your case.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details


remember the thing you need to do is listen to your gpu it may be really loud at many fan levels. 25 % to 40% should not be very loud but if those fan levels do not cool the gpu off and you run the fan at 60 at 75% the rig will be loud.



http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-448-core-review/9


this is a review that says the gpu is not that noisy. same review does recommend a fan or two for case cooling

 

[6spd]

Thanks Philip. I actually was checking out the 212 evo you pointed out. I'm just not sure whether it'll fit with my current build and case.

As for the fans, I guess the reason why I want the case fans is so I get enough circulation so as to make sure the GPU does not run at a higher %age.

 

[6spd]

Also, is the motherboard on this build good? I went into a Micro Center only looking to purchase a CPU, but I bought the MOBO on a whim due to the $50 off deal. Should I exchange it for a 'better' board?

 

[6spd]

For case fans, how does the Antec TrueQuiet 120mm look?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835209050

Reviews say it's really quiet but doesn't move a lot of air. I think this is fine with my build, though, since it seems I won't really need these for major cooling purposes anyway.

 

[Charlie98]

Just FYI, I put a Lamptron fan controller in my build, with all but the CPU fans (212+ w/push-pull setup) on it. That way I have absolute control over how much noise I'm getting out of the fans. With normal computing I have just the bottom and top fans on @ 50% but bump them up a hair and add the front fan when I'm doing something heavier.

Another thought, my Corsair TX750 PSU doesn't have the quietest fan on the planet, I don't know about the AX series...

 

[Ken g6]

First rule of ATGH: Post before you buy.

I don't see anything really wrong there, although some things are more expensive than necessary and that Corsair SSD is more likely to fail than one with a Marvell controller. The good news is the mobo is just fine.

 

[6spd]

Yeah.. I had some guidance before posting here so I pretty much went ahead with the basic components.

Does anyone have any suggestions for QUIET CPU coolers and case fans? I've been bouncing around the 212 evo cooler, the corsair water coolers, passive cooling, etc. and I can't make up my damn mind!!

 

[mfenn]

Is that the triple-fan version of the GPU? If so, it should be OK for noise levels.

I don't really see any point in adding any more fans to the R3. The stock fans are pretty good, and I don't thing you'd see any benefit from replacing them with Noctuas or whatever because you have other components that will be above that noise level.

As for HSF, here ya go.

 

[lehtv]

Adding fans to R3 will make a difference but debatable if it's worth it. If you add more fans and tone them down a bit with a controller you'll get better acoustics but also better cooling which helps your GPU keep itself quiet under load. It does add to the cost quite a bit but I did that exact thing myself (R3 with 5 fans and a controller) and I'm very happy with it. For CPU cooling I can recommend the Scythe Mugen 3, it will keep itself practically silent at idle (300-500RPM) and it spins up only when you do something properly intensive with the CPU. Will handle a proper OC even with the quietest bios fan profile so you don't need to trade quietness for overclockability.

 

[DSF]

Personally, I'd stick with the stock fans and see how you like it before you bother ordering new fans. If it's not good enough for you it would only take a couple days for new fans to arrive if need be.

The R3 also comes with a fan controller, right? So you could just tone down the stock fans until you find a balance of noise and cooling that you find acceptable. I think you're going to discover though, that cooling is fine.

My current gaming rig is in an Antec Solo, which is just about the same size as that R3. I ran an 8800GT passively cooled with no problems, even under load, and that's with one medium-RPM intake and one low-RPM exhaust. A graphics card with active cooling and a CPU with an aftermarket cooler should be just fine.

Remember, it doesn't make a lick of difference whether your temps are 35 degrees or 75 degrees C as long as they're low enough to keep everything running.

 

[6spd]

Thanks guys. I'm leaning towards getting the 212 evo but am open to other suggestions.

Does anyone else have any advice?