Updated Antec models for quiet music/moderate gaming setup?
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:47 am
Greetings!
I'm a long time lurker, and reading articles and posts here helped me build my first quiet system a few years ago, an e8200 in a Solo I.
Now I'm looking to upgrade to an i5 3570 (no OC) cooled by a Noctua NH-U12P SE2. I also plan on runnning a mostly quiet (according to reviews) ASUS GTX660-DC2-2GD5 graphics card (no OC or SLI). The computer is for music production mainly, but I love a bit of flight simulation too, thus the GPU. I don't care if it's noisy under GPU load, but when making music, I need it to be quite quiet.
Some things have changed in the 'silent-world' since my last build, but searching for the perfect case, well, it's as hard as the last time.
- The FT-2 is trying something new, and it looks great! But I don't like the idea of warm exhaust not being directed away from me but straight up, my computer is just to the right of my desk. Have anyone been anoyed with that? Price is a concern though not dealbreaker. Pulling air straight from the floor is something that concerns me a bit.
- The Fractal Design cases seem to be the new go-to for many. Personally, I'm not fond of the thought of bitumen fumes in the room, call me a wuss. That's a dealbreaker for me.
- Then there's good old Antec, whom Fractal et al. are blatantly ripping off. Alas, it seems development has stood more or less still at Antec, dB-wise. And so I'm looking at Antec's old models again!
I'm seriously considering the Solo II. Only problem is: It's got 2 (two!) HD trays.. Bummer. I mean, removing parts of the old HD-cage to make room for a large GPU was cool, but what about adding trays in the bottom for 2 more? Has anyone added two more themselves while using a long (10" / 25 centimter) modern graphics card? Is there room while maintaining airflow? It's a good thing that they've changed the fans, but they put the switces on the rear, they should be in front. But I imagine I would cut the wires and control them from my ASUS motherboard, it can control 4 fans, each one with individual settings. I wish they made this case 10-15% bigger with two more trays, it would be a great case for a typical computer with a good graphics card.
I'm also considering the p183 v3, and simply ignoring the top blower. Do owners of the v3 cover the top vent, if so, how? Will it be enough to cover it in foil, or have you cut out material to cover it up? If so, did it make any difference, - and is it even needed, in your opinion? Also, I imagine I'd want to replace the Tri-Cools, unless I can keep them low enough in RPMs to stay more or less silent. Since I'm not going to overclock or run SLI, I imagine my load temps will be relatively modest. I wish it came with elastic mounts like in the Solo, I never hear HD seeks from my Solo I. Do you hear seeks in the P183?
Or, do you think that I'm overlooking other issues or cases? Mind you, I've been reading heavily in the SPCR recommended lists, and elsewhere.
The thing is, I hope my relatively moderate setup won't be as hot as the typical gamers' setups that are typically reviewed, but I still need it to perform when the GPU starts loading up. Do you think that I could manage it with a Solo II modded with more trays, or do I need a p183 modded for more silence, and live with the ugly front, he?
Or something else yet, in your experience/opinion? All tips are welcome
I'm a long time lurker, and reading articles and posts here helped me build my first quiet system a few years ago, an e8200 in a Solo I.
Now I'm looking to upgrade to an i5 3570 (no OC) cooled by a Noctua NH-U12P SE2. I also plan on runnning a mostly quiet (according to reviews) ASUS GTX660-DC2-2GD5 graphics card (no OC or SLI). The computer is for music production mainly, but I love a bit of flight simulation too, thus the GPU. I don't care if it's noisy under GPU load, but when making music, I need it to be quite quiet.
Some things have changed in the 'silent-world' since my last build, but searching for the perfect case, well, it's as hard as the last time.
- The FT-2 is trying something new, and it looks great! But I don't like the idea of warm exhaust not being directed away from me but straight up, my computer is just to the right of my desk. Have anyone been anoyed with that? Price is a concern though not dealbreaker. Pulling air straight from the floor is something that concerns me a bit.
- The Fractal Design cases seem to be the new go-to for many. Personally, I'm not fond of the thought of bitumen fumes in the room, call me a wuss. That's a dealbreaker for me.
- Then there's good old Antec, whom Fractal et al. are blatantly ripping off. Alas, it seems development has stood more or less still at Antec, dB-wise. And so I'm looking at Antec's old models again!
I'm seriously considering the Solo II. Only problem is: It's got 2 (two!) HD trays.. Bummer. I mean, removing parts of the old HD-cage to make room for a large GPU was cool, but what about adding trays in the bottom for 2 more? Has anyone added two more themselves while using a long (10" / 25 centimter) modern graphics card? Is there room while maintaining airflow? It's a good thing that they've changed the fans, but they put the switces on the rear, they should be in front. But I imagine I would cut the wires and control them from my ASUS motherboard, it can control 4 fans, each one with individual settings. I wish they made this case 10-15% bigger with two more trays, it would be a great case for a typical computer with a good graphics card.
I'm also considering the p183 v3, and simply ignoring the top blower. Do owners of the v3 cover the top vent, if so, how? Will it be enough to cover it in foil, or have you cut out material to cover it up? If so, did it make any difference, - and is it even needed, in your opinion? Also, I imagine I'd want to replace the Tri-Cools, unless I can keep them low enough in RPMs to stay more or less silent. Since I'm not going to overclock or run SLI, I imagine my load temps will be relatively modest. I wish it came with elastic mounts like in the Solo, I never hear HD seeks from my Solo I. Do you hear seeks in the P183?
Or, do you think that I'm overlooking other issues or cases? Mind you, I've been reading heavily in the SPCR recommended lists, and elsewhere.
The thing is, I hope my relatively moderate setup won't be as hot as the typical gamers' setups that are typically reviewed, but I still need it to perform when the GPU starts loading up. Do you think that I could manage it with a Solo II modded with more trays, or do I need a p183 modded for more silence, and live with the ugly front, he?
Or something else yet, in your experience/opinion? All tips are welcome