Building computer, need feedback

Alfapitcher · Post by **Alfapitcher** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:49 am

Okay so I decided to skip trying to upgrade my HP computer and instead building a new computer from scratch, keeping only the harddrives and the graphiccard from the old one. The goal is to make a computer that is moderatly fast, not used for games, but very very quiet. Extremely quiet even. During the past week I've done some research and this is the system I’m thinking of buying:

* Case - Antec Case Performance One P180 - 1 325:-
* Motherboard - Asus P5B iP965 4DDR2-DIMM 3PCI 4PCIe SATA Raid Audio GB-LAN Socket775 ATX
* RAM - Corsair Value Select VS2GBKIT667D2 2x1024MB Kit (tot. 2GB) DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz CL5
* Processor - (Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 2MB(1+1) FSB1066 Boxed (with cpu-cooler!) Socket 775)
* Processorcooling - Noctua NH-U12F 120mm Quadra-heatpipe 5000 cm2 with noctuafan 8 dB(A)
* Poweradapter - Seasonic S12-430

From old computer:
* Geforce 7900 gtx
* 2x250 SATA harddrives.
* Luna 2
* Pulsar 2

Any comments? Do you know of any poweradapter that’s even quieter? Is 430 Watts enough to run this computer?

Im thankful for all the help I get.

Regards Henrik

Post by **garyb** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:39 am

instead of spending money on the fancy cpu cooler, spend it on the twinx ram(it's not much more than value select anyway).

many of the antec cases already come with a top quality power supply, why not get one of those?

even if you don't agree with my thinking, you should have a great machine to use.

Post by **garyb** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:42 am

the silentium kit looks pretty nice.

isolating the pc is relatively easy anyway, but the lack of noise is a real plus, still.

Alfapitcher · Post by **Alfapitcher** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:27 am

The price of the processorfan is one fifth of the price of 2 gb ram (like 50 euro). Im just tired of computers that makes noise. But it's true that antec has some cheaper cases that comes with a poweradaptor. Im gonna read some reviews.

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:10 pm

all I can say is that I have a Silentmaxx fanless PSU of which the noise of the electronic is louder than a BeQuiet's fan

Instead of covering the inside of the PC case with acoustic mats I'd prefer a less resonant case. The ugly industrial racks made of solid steel (heavy) can take a lot of heat and noise.

It's all in vain if you don't find a solution for your harddisks, btw.
A Samsung 5200 rpm thingy is almost unhearable, but probably not what you'd expect in a DAW

cheers, Tom

Post by **garyb** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:47 pm

just make a box with a fan and intake and exhuast hose that leads outside, or move the computer to another room. easier and cheaper.....

Alfapitcher · Post by **Alfapitcher** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 1:49 am

At most I spend 150 euro extra (compared to if I would buy the cheapest case and cheapest fans), and for that I get a really quiet (and good looking) computer. It's not that big deal really. As it is now I actually avoid sitting with my stationary computer because of the noise. Besides hopefully I'll be able to keep this case many years to come. I mean the things that really hurts in my wallet is the processor and the ram (!!!).

I read some review about the antec P150 and it seems like some (or alot of?) people have experienced problems with the power adapter that comes with the case. We're talking destoyed hardware (read the review on silentpcreview.com).

Maybe in 20 years, when Im rich and if computers still need a cooling system, I'll build a computer with passive watercooling system. Im looking forward to that day.

Oh by the way, what is twinx ram?

[ This Message was edited by: Alfapitcher on 2006-10-15 02:57 ]

wayne · Post by **wayne** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 2:09 am

My Corsair twinx is a matched pair of 512 sticks.

Post by **garyb** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:09 am

it's all good.
antec supplies are generally very good, among the best. dunno why the ones in the p150 would be otherwise, but by all means, buy another if you like.

i'm sure the cooler is good as well. you asked for comments and i made 'em.

i would get the premium ram as it's almost the same price as the value ram. as stated, the twinx is matched pairs(with heatsinks).

Alfapitcher · Post by **Alfapitcher** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:32 am

Gary, I love your comments.

Are matched pairs are much faster?

[ This Message was edited by: Alfapitcher on 2006-10-15 10:33 ]

hifiboom · Post by **hifiboom** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:56 am

On 2006-10-14 10:29, stardust wrote:
http://www.deltatronic.de

(die totale Preisverarsche, oder?

hab mal nen bisschen rumgeklickt und war bei knapp 4000€ für etwas was ich locker für 2000€ auch zusammenbaue.
okay silent. aber naja geht auch günstiger)

in english : way to expensive.... !?

[ This Message was edited by: hifiboom on 2006-10-15 10:57 ]

Post by **garyb** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:01 pm

yes, the premium matched pairs are slightly faster(lower rated latencies), but also they are more reliable(top quality sticks with heatsinks). as pairs they are nicely priced and almost the same price as the cheapies, so you might as well get the better sticks.

darkrezin · Post by **darkrezin** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:31 pm

That antec case is a bit crap.. PSU is at the bottom of the case so it's quite difficult to route the internal power wires around the case to the mobo/drives etc without pressing against Scope cards.

As soon as I can be bothered I'm going to change cases.

Alfapitcher · Post by **Alfapitcher** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:37 pm

Darkrezin, do you have a p180 now? Cant you just buy extensioncords to the mobo wire?

darkrezin · Post by **darkrezin** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:56 pm

Maybe, but I need another case for an older machine at some point anyway so I'll just change it and use the P180 for the other machine.

hifiboom · Post by **hifiboom** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:07 pm

On 2006-10-15 15:58, stardust wrote:
On 2006-10-15 10:56, hifiboom wrote:
On 2006-10-14 10:29, stardust wrote:
http://www.deltatronic.de
(die totale Preisverarsche, oder?

hab mal nen bisschen rumgeklickt und war bei knapp 4000€ für etwas was ich locker für 2000€ auch zusammenbaue.
okay silent. aber naja geht auch günstiger)

selbst ist der Mann

Bausatz + eigene Komponeneten -> unter 2000€

in English: DIY not the off the shelf ones

für ne Stunde Arbeit 2000€, guter Stundenlohn.

Alfapitcher · Post by **Alfapitcher** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:23 pm

Yes you have persuaded me. Actually I think I'll 1 gig of twinx Ram to begin with. That'll be even cheaper. And then I'll buy another gig if I feel that I need it and when the price is lower. What do you think?

darkrezin · Post by **darkrezin** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:28 pm

1 GB works well for me with Scope + Logic + SoundForge. I'd say it's a good idea, RAM is expensive right now.

Post by **garyb** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 7:00 pm

1gb is usually plenty.
if you are using tons of streaming samples you may need more, otherwise....

darkrezin · Post by **darkrezin** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:34 pm

Yeah I keep streaming samples to a minimum, and bounce them whenever possible.

I'd love to put a little more in to give a bit more headroom, but unfortunately Logic freaks out with more than 1GB

Still it works well if you're sensible.