Building quiet PC from scratch, what to get?

[vvs_75]

Originally Posted by cerbie

I hope that helps and doesn't confuse you too much.

No you didn't confuse me, you scared hell of me!

Thanks for your help! Your guide for dummies will help me through out the process.

[vvs_75]

Originally Posted by Hookem

Here are some pics of the CM690, Intel Q6600, Corsair 520HX, Abit IP35-Pro, 2x2gig G.Skill, MSI 9600GT, Thermalright 128SE with 3 6400AAKS's.

Thanks for the pics. Sometimes pictures tell more that words.

I am definitely will get Corsair 520HX.
After seeing HTPC cases, having hard time to decide if the nice look worth the trouble. Plus they are more expansive then regular tower cases. Does they worth the trouble?

[alxwang]

I was using the follow part to build mine:

The case is:
Antec P182 ATX Black Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 1X3.5 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB Audio Firewire (P182)

Use 3-4
Noctua NF-S12-1200 120MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan 1200RPM 81M3/H 17DBA Molex to create 2 stable but quiet air flow - one for CPU one for video card

Use this without fans
Thermalright IFX-14 Heatpipe CPU Heatsink Cooler LGA775/AM2

Use this PS and install HD in front of it so the heat of HD will be suck out too.
Corsair CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX Triple 12V 50A 24PIN ATX Modular Power Supply 120MM Fan 2X PCI-E

For the video card use the asus fanless one:
ASUS Radeon HD 3450 600MHZ 512MB 800MHZ DDR2 PCI-E DVI-I HDCP VGA HDTV Out Fanless Video Card(or something like it)

If you want you can upgrade the 2 case fan from antic to Noctua and install a fan speed control.

Just my 2 cents about quiet a PC.

[LeonvB]

I noticed no one really looks for smaller enclosures, so I'll throw in another option:

Enclosure: In-win BK635 ::::::::::IN WIN::::::::::
It has a decent 80+ efficient PSU. Can hold 2x 3.5" drives, and a 5.25" drive (DVD-burner or Blu-ray). It supports normal components and full height cards in all slots in the smallest package I know of. It's specificly made to Intels specs, and very, very quiet when paired with stock Intel components.

Board: Intel DG45ID Intel® Desktop Board DG45ID - Overview
It only has one PCI slot, but really: do you need more? On-board video is capable of playing Bluray. Seen it: it works. And on-board video uses less power than most normal videocards. Plus it's passive.

CPU: If you want to use it for HD video: E7200 or E8x00. You'll want to wait till monday to get this one. Otherwise just get an E2200 (or lower).

[compuryan]

If you are trying to build a really quiet pc, I would avoid smaller cases. The cramped spaces tend to cause things to get hot inside, and thus your fans will have to blow more air to keep things cool (making things noisier). A bigger case has more room for the heat to radiate.

[Hookem]

Well HTPC cases have gotten much better...But generally speaking they are not very expandable...Most only hold 2 hard drives...Some just one...They usually have very poor theramal performance...The power supply's are really not good for a modern computer...Alot of them are limited to microATX boards.

I bought a Antec Fusion and put together a system using a Abit AN-M2HD microATX board.

Promptly took it out and sold the case.

I have not looked at them lately.

But the nice ones are very expensive.

Unless you are going to use it in a HTPC enviorment like sitting under your TV with your surround sound system then I would stay away from them.

On the case thing...Just make sure you buy a case that has 120m/m fans.

The CM690 is not a small case.

I personally like Lian-Li cases...Here are some pics of the PC7B Plus II





It is a mid tower with a windowed door...That is why all the wires are stuck out there where you can see them...It has UV black lights and all the blue stuff lights up.

I have some other pics of it if you would like to see them with the door on all finished up.

[Hookem]

If you can say how much you want to spend it would be much easier to recommend a complete parts list, soup to nuts, that will give you the best bang for the buck within your budget.

[david21]

Originally Posted by FasterThanEver

Basic choices:
- Hard disk - make sure it's big enough to hold your current and anticipated music collection. I've used both Seagate and Western Digital and found them reliable and fairly quiet. If I need another hard drive now, I'd consider a Western Digital green power 1 TByte drive. uses less power than conventional 1 TB drives and is probably a bit quieter. Hard disk manufacturers all have production problems so your experience may depend on your luck. All hard disks are functionally similar for 2 channel audio playback.
Bill

+1 on the GreenPower drives. The have a few of these drives and they're the quietest drives I've ever owned. Best part is that they produce VERY little heat even under heavy loads.

[david21]

Originally Posted by Hookem

I have some other pics of it if you would like to see them with the door on all finished up.

Now that's a nice and clean looking rig you got there!

[compuryan]

Hookem, I have that exact same case, the PC-7b, I absolutely love it. It really has that "elegant simplicity" thing to it, don't you think? heres an older pic of mine, I have since changed some things:


Lian-Li cases are always an excellent choice.