Wramberg wrote:
Case: Fractal Define R4
Notes: I like the design and from what i read it's quite silent (while still having reasonable airflow).
Great case.
Wramberg wrote:
Mobo: Asus H87-plus
Notes: Never gonna OC so no need for Z87 chipset
If you going to run FanXpert2 then go for Asus, its not a bad choice. If you want to run aftermarket PWM fans, then consider MSI or AsRock.
Wramberg wrote:
CPU: Core i5 4670 or Core i7 4770 (haven't really decided yet)
Notes: No need for OC, so no K model
Save yourself $100 and go with the 4670, it should run cooler on load than 4770 and very few applications take advantage of hyperthreading.
Wramberg wrote:
CPU cooling: Noctua NH-U12S
Notes: I like Noctua but I am having trouble deciding what to go for. I guess this is one of the essential parts of a silent PC.
If you want to go with noctua, i would invest a little more toward the NH-U14S, really good cooler just a little expensive. Else look into Scythe Mugen 4, really good cooler for $50, and handles well the 4670, look into CA_Steve signature.
Wramberg wrote:
GFX: Asus gtx770-dc2oc
Notes: From what I read in reviews the Nvidia reference design is already quite silent and this one should be even more silent
I would consider MSI verions aswell, check
Techpowerup review MSI GTX 770 TwinFrozr Gaming 2 GB, with comments like
Quote:
MSI did a fantastic job with the noise levels of their GTX 770 Gaming. In idle, the card is almost inaudible on an open bench in a quiet room with no other fans. It will certainly be inaudible in a modern case with other fans present.
During gaming, the fan ramps up just a little bit to handle the increased thermal load, but it doesn't get noisy at all. Especially the gaming-noise levels are impressive--much better than any other custom design GTX 770 we've reviewed so far.
Wramberg wrote:
PSU: Corsair RM750
Notes: I really like modular power supplies and the Corsairs generally seem to be quiet.
I also agree with others, the RM550 or 650 should be a better choice, its also smaller (160mm) this will allow you if you decide down the road to install a bottom fan without any issues.
Wramberg wrote:
Second HDD: WD Green WD20EZRX 2 TB
Notes: For storage. From what I read on your forum mechanical HDDs can be a pain regarding noise. I feel like my current WD green is silent but if someone has a better alternative i'm open for suggestions

Reds are also good, check CA_steve build on his signature.
Wramberg wrote:
Ram: 8gb Corsair Vengeance
I would go with standard height, not the tall vengance but what they call low profile (which is standard height not real low profile), liek
Corsair Vengeance White 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (CML8GX3M2A1600C9W). or as other have suggested, Crucial Ballistic Sport are also a good option 1.35V memory (this are trully low profile memory, check my signature for pics), and there is also the Crucial Ballistic Tactical that there is also 1.35V (low profile but with small heatsink that grow some up so ends up like standard height).