Futureproof and Quiet System
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 8:17 pm
I am building a new computer for myself (my first homebuilt computer) to replace a slow prefabricated one. This computer will go in my room and will be used as a web and MUD server, so it needs to be at least decently powerful, but also quiet because I sleep around 10 feet from it.
I'd also like the computer to be as futureproof as possible without spending too much money, because I want to have upgrade paths open for me. I am not paying in full for this computer (I am splitting the price with my dad), but I will be paying for all upgrades, so I want to get a _lot_ of use out of this computer.
So, here's the layout.
Case: Lian Li PC-V1100B - $230.
I'm using this because it has both attributes I want in a computer. It is futureproof in that it can cool much more effectively in its BTXesque form, and thus will be able to handle processors and video cards that run higher temperatures. It also is extremely quiet, from what I've heard, even though its aluminum. I've heard many good things about this case, but I am not _too_ hardset about it.
Motherboard: Chaintech Nforce4 VNF4/Ultra (Socket 939) - $129.
This is also another futureproof attempt. I picked this because I didn't feel that I needed SLI as the computer wasn't really meant as a gaming machine, but I wanted to keep my options open with PCI Express. I didn't want to invest too heavily in Nvidia's SLI Technology, because I have also heard about ATi's new technology coming out soon that only needs one PCIe bus for similar performance. I've seen some good reviews for this board, and it is at a good price compared to similar motherboards from Asus, Gigabyte, or MSI. Again, if I can find something better than this, I will go for it. The main idea is PCI Express here.
Video Card: Chaintech GeForce 6600GT - $192.
I didn't think I needed the speed of the 6800GT, so this was a decent PCIe Video Card that would allow me to play games if I wanted to. I've heard some good reviews of other cards, but I haven't really looked at all of the cards out there, so I'm not sure this is the best company to get things from. I also haven't taken a large look at ATi's offerings, so one of their cards might be better suited to me.
Processor: Athlon 64 3000+ (Winchester) - $152.
A nice, cheap 64 bit processor, there wasn't a huge amount of debate here on what I would choose. Athlon 64 was a for-sure because it is 64 bit (I run Linux as well as Windows), is very fast, and runs cooler than Intel's chips. Socket 939 was a futureproofing step. The only real debate was between this and the 3200+, but I figured I can just learn how to overclock and get it to a similar performance level anyway.
Power Supply: Antec Neopower 480 Watt ATX2.0 - $119.
Again, I chose this because I wanted an ATX2.0 PSU, and this was the best I could find. I want an ATX2.0 because I have many other new technologies like PCIe and SATA drives and the new standard helps a lot with that. I'm not sure whether this is compatible with my motherboard, and I've heard that the PC-V1100 has a small PSU compartment, so I wonder if it will fit in there. I'm looking for a replacement, possibly from Nexus or Seasonic. I definitely need some advice here. This could be a large source of noise, so I want it to be quiet. I'm not sure how well the Antec does here.
Memory: 2x Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - $135.
I no nothing about Memory, so the memory I chose probably isn't the right choice. I want at least 1Gb of RAM, and 2x 512Mb seemed the best solution. I also wanted something reliable, and I've heard good things about Corsair. I'd like some suggestions on the best memory for my situation. Overclocking isn't a huge consideration since I don't know how to do it, but I may in the future. Reliability is more important.
Hard Drive: 2x Seagate 80 GB Barracuda 7200RPM SATA II with NCQ Hard Drive (In Raid 0) - $144.
I wanted SATA II because... Well, I don't really know the advantages, but I'm sure there are some. Another futureproof decision. I have heard many comments about how Seagate has the quietest Hard Drives around, so I picked them. 160Gb should be enough space for me, but if I need more, I could probably just pick up a 3rd of the same and put them all into a Raid 0 (with probably a 4th for a Raid 5 at that point). Is Seagate still quiet, or are there better Hard Drives out there?
Monitor: LG Electronics L1710SK 17" LCD Monitor - $280
This is based mostly off of reviews, and what I want a monitor to look like. I want a black, 17" monitor that is clean and minimalist. This monitor fit the bill, but I'm sure there are others. This is also a little expensive, so if there is anything cheaper out there of similar quality, please tell me.
Total: $1381
Also, I already own the Bose Companion 3 speakers and the Logitech MX Duo keyboard and mouse pair which will be carried over to my new system.
Along with all of this, I will probably also have a few accessories. I have never built a computer before, so I really don't know what else I'll need. I will most definitely need some extra PCI cards for USB2.0 and Firewire (is Firewire 800 out yet?), maybe a sound card, definitely CD/DVD and disk drives (1 floppy and 2 CD Burner/DVD Reader drvies in any combination) and I'll probably end up replacing some fans to quiet the thing down. I've heard stuff about Arctic Cooling gel of some kind to cool things down, so I'm curious about that. I have never built a computer before, and I will have no one to help me, so I'm really going with exactly what I've typed up here. Please tell me if I'm missing cords that don't come with the things I'm buying, and things like that. Also, if you have suggestions about other accessories like webcams, please chime in.
Also, places to buy these things would be very helpful. I've only ever bought from a local store or from Newegg, and I've only ever bought a few things from Newegg. I am not at all well versed in which sites to order off of. As you can see, I have linked to Newegg every time, as that is how I browse through selections most of the time. If you have any advice on where to buy from, it would be grately appreciated.
Thank you so much everyone for your help!
--Kheoinn
I'd also like the computer to be as futureproof as possible without spending too much money, because I want to have upgrade paths open for me. I am not paying in full for this computer (I am splitting the price with my dad), but I will be paying for all upgrades, so I want to get a _lot_ of use out of this computer.
So, here's the layout.
Case: Lian Li PC-V1100B - $230.
I'm using this because it has both attributes I want in a computer. It is futureproof in that it can cool much more effectively in its BTXesque form, and thus will be able to handle processors and video cards that run higher temperatures. It also is extremely quiet, from what I've heard, even though its aluminum. I've heard many good things about this case, but I am not _too_ hardset about it.
Motherboard: Chaintech Nforce4 VNF4/Ultra (Socket 939) - $129.
This is also another futureproof attempt. I picked this because I didn't feel that I needed SLI as the computer wasn't really meant as a gaming machine, but I wanted to keep my options open with PCI Express. I didn't want to invest too heavily in Nvidia's SLI Technology, because I have also heard about ATi's new technology coming out soon that only needs one PCIe bus for similar performance. I've seen some good reviews for this board, and it is at a good price compared to similar motherboards from Asus, Gigabyte, or MSI. Again, if I can find something better than this, I will go for it. The main idea is PCI Express here.
Video Card: Chaintech GeForce 6600GT - $192.
I didn't think I needed the speed of the 6800GT, so this was a decent PCIe Video Card that would allow me to play games if I wanted to. I've heard some good reviews of other cards, but I haven't really looked at all of the cards out there, so I'm not sure this is the best company to get things from. I also haven't taken a large look at ATi's offerings, so one of their cards might be better suited to me.
Processor: Athlon 64 3000+ (Winchester) - $152.
A nice, cheap 64 bit processor, there wasn't a huge amount of debate here on what I would choose. Athlon 64 was a for-sure because it is 64 bit (I run Linux as well as Windows), is very fast, and runs cooler than Intel's chips. Socket 939 was a futureproofing step. The only real debate was between this and the 3200+, but I figured I can just learn how to overclock and get it to a similar performance level anyway.
Power Supply: Antec Neopower 480 Watt ATX2.0 - $119.
Again, I chose this because I wanted an ATX2.0 PSU, and this was the best I could find. I want an ATX2.0 because I have many other new technologies like PCIe and SATA drives and the new standard helps a lot with that. I'm not sure whether this is compatible with my motherboard, and I've heard that the PC-V1100 has a small PSU compartment, so I wonder if it will fit in there. I'm looking for a replacement, possibly from Nexus or Seasonic. I definitely need some advice here. This could be a large source of noise, so I want it to be quiet. I'm not sure how well the Antec does here.
Memory: 2x Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - $135.
I no nothing about Memory, so the memory I chose probably isn't the right choice. I want at least 1Gb of RAM, and 2x 512Mb seemed the best solution. I also wanted something reliable, and I've heard good things about Corsair. I'd like some suggestions on the best memory for my situation. Overclocking isn't a huge consideration since I don't know how to do it, but I may in the future. Reliability is more important.
Hard Drive: 2x Seagate 80 GB Barracuda 7200RPM SATA II with NCQ Hard Drive (In Raid 0) - $144.
I wanted SATA II because... Well, I don't really know the advantages, but I'm sure there are some. Another futureproof decision. I have heard many comments about how Seagate has the quietest Hard Drives around, so I picked them. 160Gb should be enough space for me, but if I need more, I could probably just pick up a 3rd of the same and put them all into a Raid 0 (with probably a 4th for a Raid 5 at that point). Is Seagate still quiet, or are there better Hard Drives out there?
Monitor: LG Electronics L1710SK 17" LCD Monitor - $280
This is based mostly off of reviews, and what I want a monitor to look like. I want a black, 17" monitor that is clean and minimalist. This monitor fit the bill, but I'm sure there are others. This is also a little expensive, so if there is anything cheaper out there of similar quality, please tell me.
Total: $1381
Also, I already own the Bose Companion 3 speakers and the Logitech MX Duo keyboard and mouse pair which will be carried over to my new system.
Along with all of this, I will probably also have a few accessories. I have never built a computer before, so I really don't know what else I'll need. I will most definitely need some extra PCI cards for USB2.0 and Firewire (is Firewire 800 out yet?), maybe a sound card, definitely CD/DVD and disk drives (1 floppy and 2 CD Burner/DVD Reader drvies in any combination) and I'll probably end up replacing some fans to quiet the thing down. I've heard stuff about Arctic Cooling gel of some kind to cool things down, so I'm curious about that. I have never built a computer before, and I will have no one to help me, so I'm really going with exactly what I've typed up here. Please tell me if I'm missing cords that don't come with the things I'm buying, and things like that. Also, if you have suggestions about other accessories like webcams, please chime in.
Also, places to buy these things would be very helpful. I've only ever bought from a local store or from Newegg, and I've only ever bought a few things from Newegg. I am not at all well versed in which sites to order off of. As you can see, I have linked to Newegg every time, as that is how I browse through selections most of the time. If you have any advice on where to buy from, it would be grately appreciated.
Thank you so much everyone for your help!
--Kheoinn