Sandy Bridge Silent Build, some gaming

[matchu]

Hello, everybody,

I'm new here at SPCR. Been reading around for a while. Recently decided to try my hand at a silent PC and was hoping for some advice/feedback!

Goals
Mid-range gaming able to play games like SC2, MW2, etc... at 1080p max details
Otherwise very quiet PC (while not gaming)
OC core i5 2500k @ 4.4ish GHz

Purchase details
Budget is aimed at about $1000~1100 CAD before tax (13%)
Looking to buy from Newegg.ca;NCIX;Canada Computers (local retailer)

Case: Antec P183 V3
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 80 PLUS BRONZE Active PFC
MB: ASUS P8P67 LE (REV 3.0)
CPU: Core i5-2500k
Cooler: Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B
GPU: ASUS EAH6850 V2 Radeon HD 6850
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 2x2GB DDR3 1600 F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
SSD: OCZ Vertex 2 60GB SATA II MLC SSD
HDD: WD Caviar Green WD10EARS 1TB 5400 RPM
ODD: Any CD/DVD Burner
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Fans: ???

Questions
As it is, I'm over budget. Are there any suggestions on ways to save on the PSU? Cooler? MB?
Any suggestions on which and # of fans to use? I hear good things about the Noctua fans. I was thinking of
- 1 intake
- 2 exhaust
- 2 push-pull on the CPU cooler

Any help would be highly appreciated!

thanks

[matchu]

Sorry for double-post, but I've been thinking about this again.

after doing more reading, I was thinking of using Scythe or Nexus 120mm fans.

Also, what do you all think of Fractal's R3? I'm concerned about the airflow in the p183 causing the GPU to heat up and ramp up its fan. I see a lot of mixed reactions on this website for the Define vs p183, and it's hard to judge since they're all based on different versions/revisions.....

[matchu]

Hello, all,

Doesn't seem like I've had much feedback, so I've done some more research regarding various manufacturers and specific models

The build is looking as such right now, with certain decisions merely waiting on which sale comes on first

Case: Antec p183 V3
CPU: Core i5 2500k
MB: MSI or comparable Asus P67 Board
Memory: Corsair XMS3 2x2GB 1600MHz 9-9-9-24
Storage: SSD + WD EARS Caviar Green 3TB
GPU: HIS Radeon 6850
GPU Cooler: Gelid Icy vision 2
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 2 Rev B.
PSU: Cheapest of Antec Truepower New 550W / Corsair CMPSU 650W / Antec Earthwatts EA650
Fans: 5x Slip Stream 120mm 1200rpm SY1225SL12M (2 push-pull, 1 intake, 2 exhaust), undervolted through the motherboard
Accessories: Fractal design efs fan mounts, Arctic Cooling mx4, Fan Clips

Again, the goal is a quiet build at idle with higher sound levels perfectly acceptable on load (i.e. 3D gaming)

thanks!!

[tim851]

I don't think the second exhaust (on top?) will do much good. Same goes for the intake. The P183 is a big case, with a slow spinning (=quiet) fan in the front and the limited airflow from the door, I don't think there's a lot of air getting to the VGA card. A Radeon 6850 is a very cool card though, so that shouldn't be a big problem.

Otherwise it reads like a good build.

I would get a cheap Y-adapter cable to connect the two CPU-cooler fans to the same mainboard connector.

[quest_for_silence]

Doesn't seem like I've had much feedback, so I've done some more research regarding various manufacturers and specific models

The build is looking as such right now, with certain decisions merely waiting on which sale comes on first

Case: Antec p183 V3
CPU: Core i5 2500k
MB: MSI or comparable Asus P67 Board
Memory: Corsair XMS3 2x2GB 1600MHz 9-9-9-24
Storage: SSD + WD EARS Caviar Green 3TB
GPU: HIS Radeon 6850
GPU Cooler: Gelid Icy vision 2
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 2 Rev B.
PSU: Cheapest of Antec Truepower New 550W / Corsair CMPSU 650W / Antec Earthwatts EA650
Fans: 5x Slip Stream 120mm 1200rpm SY1225SL12M (2 push-pull, 1 intake, 2 exhaust), undervolted through the motherboard
Accessories: Fractal design efs fan mounts, Arctic Cooling mx4, Fan Clips

Again, the goal is a quiet build at idle with higher sound levels perfectly acceptable on load (i.e. 3D gaming)

First: I don't know why do you need to pay a premium over the 3TB WD, but if you don't actually need a single 3TB drive, IMO it's better to pick a 2TB WD Green, and invest the savings (about one hundred dollars) over a better and quieter PSU (than those ones you're currently considering).

Then, for the fans, as already said by tim851, you definbitely don't need all those fans: providing the Mugen already sports its own, just two (1 x CPU, 1 exhaust, rear, don't use a sleeve bearing fan horizontally, it would suffer "clicking" issues, sooner or later), and so you may spare some other bucks. Maybe you should look to other fan rather than the Slipstream M, at least for the CPU, providing that you have to go push-pull: I don't see the Slipstream PWM, but I think you may go for the Kama Flex PWM (you might also use a couple of Kama Flex on the Mugen and the original Slipstream PWM as exhaust). And you need a serious splitter, as the Akasa one (doesn't sold on NewEgg.ca) for going push-pull safely for your mobo's headers.

Eventually, the PSU: you should choose the quietest you can afford around the 200-250W levels, I guess.

Code: Select all

PSU's acoustic performance tested by SPCR out of the hotbox in the last months
                    WATTS/DB                2011
MODEL       90 150 200 250 300 400 500  NEWEGG PRICE
AX-850     <10 <10 <10 11~13 12 13  17      180$
GX-700      15  15  15  17  21  25  35      180$
TP-750      12  12  12  14  15  27  31      100$
X-400FL    <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10*     129$
MODU87+     11  11  11  11  11  11  18      130$
NX5000      11  11   12 12 12.5 14  19      ---$
CX-400      19  19  24  30  35  35  --       50$
ECO80+     <11 <11  12  16  20  23  28      >70$
X-650      <10 <10 <10 <10 <10  16  27      135$
CP-850      12  12  12  12  12  14  20      120$

* = overload

So, banking on the previous savings, you may give a look on NewEgg to these SPCR favourites: Corsair AX750, Seasonic X-460FL, Seasonic X-650, Seasonic X-560, Seasonic X-400FL, Enermax Pro87+ 600W, Antec CP-850.

Personally I would go (more probably that not) either for the classical Antec CP-850, or the Seasonic X-400FL (for its far greater efficiency and bill savings). A Seasonic X-560 is a - close - third option, but any of the above mentioned unit is more than fine.

[matchu]

Thanks for the feedback, tim851 and quest_for_silence!

I don't know why do you need to pay a premium over the 3TB WD, but if you don't actually need a single 3TB drive, IMO it's better to pick a 2TB WD Green, and invest the savings (about one hundred dollars) over a better and quieter PSU (than those ones you're currently considering).

Oops.... don't know what happened there. I think I saw it on sale for $10 more than the other models earlier and just instinctively picked that one out. But yes, I'll probably go for something in the 1~2TB range

Then, for the fans, as already said by tim851, you definbitely don't need all those fans

I am able to find the Slip Stream PWM on NCIX.com. It looks to be rated exactly the same as the fan on the Mugen. I'm not sure if I'm convinced that 3 fans (2cpu, 1exhaust) will really cut it, but I can start with that and add another fan later if necessary. And yes, a good fan splitter.

Eventually, the PSU: you should choose the quietest you can afford around the 200-250W levels, I guess.

Personally I would go (more probably that not) either for the classical Antec CP-850, or the Seasonic X-400FL (for its far greater efficiency and bill savings). A Seasonic X-560 is a - close - third option, but any of the above mentioned unit is more than fine.

I like the CP850. I will basically pick the cheapest one i can find (first one to go under $100 on sale).

Thanks again for the feedback

[matchu]

Hello again, everyone,

I just wanted everyone's advice on one more thing.

I've been waiting for a sale on the Radeon 6850. It typically goes for 150-200, but rebates/sales have taken it as low as 135 in Canada.

However, I saw the EVGA 01G-P3-1366-TR GeForce GTX 460 SE. It's going for 120 after MIR.

In terms of performance, the two perform very similarly at stock values, with the 460 taking the lead in the games I'm interested in. However, I also see that the 460 tends to draw about 5-15 more watts on idle according to various websites.

My questions. Gelid Icy Vision Rev. 2 fit on this particular board (can't tell if it's a reference board or not, but the DVI slots look pretty standard) and will the extra power draw make a big dif in the temps/noise?

the $120 price tag is exactly the price range I was hoping for and the performance is exactly what i need. But i want to know about the noise that would come off of this if i attach the gelid to it.

Thanks in advance!

matchu

[EDIT] so I took a closer look at the specs of the EVGA card and realized this is the SE edition of the gtx 460, which is a bit weaker. A disappointment! BUt i suppose my questions above still stand and the info would still be quite helpful!