Quiet Midrange Gamers Build @ ~$1100 CAD
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 1:39 pm
Hello, everyone!
This is the PC that I sought advice for a few weeks back (first attempt at a quiet PC). I just wanted to share my thoughts/experiences with everyone to contribute to the SPCR community. Thanks for all the help!
For reference, the original post
Pictures at the bottom of the post
Parts List (also see Sig)
Case: Antec P183 V3 w/ single 120mm Scythe Slip Stream (SY1225SL12M) on exhaust
MB: MSI P67A-G43
PSU: Antec True Power New 650W
CPU: Intel core i5 2500k w/ Scythe Mugen 2 Rev B in Push-Pull configuration, double 120mm Scythe Slip Stream PWM (SY1225SL12LM-P)
RAM: Corsair XMS3 2x2GB 1600MHz 9-9-9-24
GPU: Radeon 6850 w/ Gelid Icy Vision
SSD: Kingston SSDNow V100 64GB
HDD: Western Digital 1TB Green (WD10EARS)
ODD: Some DVD drive from Samsung
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
Networking: D-Link DWA-552 Wireless NIC
Accessories Used
Fractal efs rubber grommets to mount the exhaust fan
8 Zip ties to mount the second Scythe Slip Stream onto the HSF
Gelid's PWM Y-splitter
Configuration
CPU @ 4.4GHz and 1.26V
Gelid Vision connected to MB-Sys_fan2 and set to 23% / 750rpm via Speedfan
CPU fans connected to PWM header and set to 47% / 725rpm via Speedfan
Exhaust fan connected to MB-Sys_fan1 and set to 34%/725rpm via Speedfan
General Thoughts
It's quiet and can basically play Crysis
so I can't complain. CPU/Case fans are set to ramp up if the CPU temp goes into the 70's, but that never happens even with prime95 small FTTs. Quite satisfied!
Specific Thoughts
The PSU was kind of a shot in the dark. Most forum-goers suggested PSUs from the Seasonic series or even the CP-850. However, these were a bit beyond my budget. The review of the True Power New 750 was generally favourable and the TP-New 650 was on a massive sale, so I couldn't resist. From up close, there's some very noticeable coil whine. A friend of mine said his whine on the TP New 550 disappeared after a month or two, so we'll see. However, from the back of my case and over 1m away, I can't notice the PSU at all. The case itself probably helps. It runs very cool, as far as the air coming out is concerned.
The motherboard is not the greatest, as I've mentioned elsewhere on the boards. It only has three fan headers that can be controlled via bios or software. For my needs, that was just enough, but for people with more specific needs, extra hardware will probably be needed.
The case was beautiful, but I can't say I really liked the cable routing options. To be honest, the dual-chamber design is probably not necessary. Opening a grill on the bottom of the case under the PSU would have been absolutely sufficient and much more room would've become available for cable routing. But that's just my experience. I am by no means a cable-routing pro, as you can see in the images. But I think a case should be user-friendly enough even for people like me!
As reviewed, the Mugen is a good cooler but installation was a pain in the ass. The first after-market cooler I ever installed before this was a Noctua C12P. Huge difference in ease of mounting! If you're new to system building, you might need a friend to help with the Mugen.
Screenshot at Idle
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Screenshot at Load
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Screenshot of Furmarks 1080p bench
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Photo of the Rear Panel
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Photo of the Main Area
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Photo of the PSU Area
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Closeup of the GPU Area
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This is the PC that I sought advice for a few weeks back (first attempt at a quiet PC). I just wanted to share my thoughts/experiences with everyone to contribute to the SPCR community. Thanks for all the help!
For reference, the original post
Pictures at the bottom of the post
Parts List (also see Sig)
Case: Antec P183 V3 w/ single 120mm Scythe Slip Stream (SY1225SL12M) on exhaust
MB: MSI P67A-G43
PSU: Antec True Power New 650W
CPU: Intel core i5 2500k w/ Scythe Mugen 2 Rev B in Push-Pull configuration, double 120mm Scythe Slip Stream PWM (SY1225SL12LM-P)
RAM: Corsair XMS3 2x2GB 1600MHz 9-9-9-24
GPU: Radeon 6850 w/ Gelid Icy Vision
SSD: Kingston SSDNow V100 64GB
HDD: Western Digital 1TB Green (WD10EARS)
ODD: Some DVD drive from Samsung
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
Networking: D-Link DWA-552 Wireless NIC
Accessories Used
Fractal efs rubber grommets to mount the exhaust fan
8 Zip ties to mount the second Scythe Slip Stream onto the HSF
Gelid's PWM Y-splitter
Configuration
CPU @ 4.4GHz and 1.26V
Gelid Vision connected to MB-Sys_fan2 and set to 23% / 750rpm via Speedfan
CPU fans connected to PWM header and set to 47% / 725rpm via Speedfan
Exhaust fan connected to MB-Sys_fan1 and set to 34%/725rpm via Speedfan
General Thoughts
It's quiet and can basically play Crysis
so I can't complain. CPU/Case fans are set to ramp up if the CPU temp goes into the 70's, but that never happens even with prime95 small FTTs. Quite satisfied!Specific Thoughts
The PSU was kind of a shot in the dark. Most forum-goers suggested PSUs from the Seasonic series or even the CP-850. However, these were a bit beyond my budget. The review of the True Power New 750 was generally favourable and the TP-New 650 was on a massive sale, so I couldn't resist. From up close, there's some very noticeable coil whine. A friend of mine said his whine on the TP New 550 disappeared after a month or two, so we'll see. However, from the back of my case and over 1m away, I can't notice the PSU at all. The case itself probably helps. It runs very cool, as far as the air coming out is concerned.
The motherboard is not the greatest, as I've mentioned elsewhere on the boards. It only has three fan headers that can be controlled via bios or software. For my needs, that was just enough, but for people with more specific needs, extra hardware will probably be needed.
The case was beautiful, but I can't say I really liked the cable routing options. To be honest, the dual-chamber design is probably not necessary. Opening a grill on the bottom of the case under the PSU would have been absolutely sufficient and much more room would've become available for cable routing. But that's just my experience. I am by no means a cable-routing pro, as you can see in the images. But I think a case should be user-friendly enough even for people like me!
As reviewed, the Mugen is a good cooler but installation was a pain in the ass. The first after-market cooler I ever installed before this was a Noctua C12P. Huge difference in ease of mounting! If you're new to system building, you might need a friend to help with the Mugen.
Screenshot at Idle
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Screenshot at Load
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Screenshot of Furmarks 1080p bench
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Photo of the Rear Panel
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Photo of the Main Area
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Photo of the PSU Area
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Closeup of the GPU Area
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
