CPU, cooling, and general advice for a new computer
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 10:30 pm
First I should thank SPCR and the community for its help with two previous builds of mine from 5 and 6 years ago. I plan on building a new desktop and using my old one (1st generation Core 2 Duo Conroe) as a file server. I mainly surf the web, watch videos, and do some light gaming. Eventually I plan on add a graphics card in the range of the Nvidia GTX 550 Ti for playing games like Diablo III and the upcoming Mechwarrior Online. So far I have compiled the following list of components:
1. Bitfenix Prodigy case
2. Asus P8H77-I mini-ITX motherboard
3. Intel Core i3-3225/Core i5-2320
4. 2 x 4GB 1600MHz RAM
5. Crucial M4 C400 128GB
6. Antec Neo Eco 450C
Hopefully the Prodigy doesn't leak sound too much as I really love the design, particularly the handles and smallish size. I really dislike moving my current Antec P182 case and wanted a smaller and easier to move case. My major cause for concern revolves around the motherboard, CPU, and the heatsink. For my purposes I'm guessing I don't really need the 4 physical cores of the i5 but I do like the idea of having the extra cores. Right now it only costs me $10 more for the i5-2320, which is very tempting. However, I am worried about whether I can cool the i5 adequately with low noise using the stock or aftermarket heatsink. Are the i3/i5 stock coolers quiet enough? For reference, I find the stock cooler for my Core 2 Duo E6400 acceptable at idle and annoying but bearable at load, but this is in an Antec P182 case with much better sound isolation...
I could get an aftermarket heatsink but the P8H77-I is incompatible with all Noctuas due to blocking the PCI-E slot. I also saw reports that the motherboard interferes with the installation of the backplate for the Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo. Does that rule out all heatsinks that use a backplate? Perhaps I can use an Arctic Cooling Alpine 11 Pro? I know it's supposed to be quieter than the stock heatsink but would it be able to handle the heat from the i5? It also looks like the Scythe Samurai ZZ is another option? Are there any others you are aware of?
I am aware of the different layout of the P8H77-I Deluxe would solve some of the heatsink problems but I cannot justify spending an extra $100 CAD on it. I am already spending more than I would like, have no intention of overclocking, and the WiFi is most likely useless since I'll be dual booting Linux. Also, does anyone know if I can get away with a 64GB SSD for dual booting Windows 7 and Linux, considering I'll probably be installing some bigger games down the road? Data and media files will be stored on the file server.
As for the PSU, I guess the Antec Neo Eco 400C would be sufficient for my build but I cannot find it for sale. I am also considering whether it will help to replace the included 120mm Bitfenix fans with 140mm NF-P14s.
That was probably longer than it could be. I would appreciate any thoughts and ideas on the planned build. Thanks in advance!
1. Bitfenix Prodigy case
2. Asus P8H77-I mini-ITX motherboard
3. Intel Core i3-3225/Core i5-2320
4. 2 x 4GB 1600MHz RAM
5. Crucial M4 C400 128GB
6. Antec Neo Eco 450C
Hopefully the Prodigy doesn't leak sound too much as I really love the design, particularly the handles and smallish size. I really dislike moving my current Antec P182 case and wanted a smaller and easier to move case. My major cause for concern revolves around the motherboard, CPU, and the heatsink. For my purposes I'm guessing I don't really need the 4 physical cores of the i5 but I do like the idea of having the extra cores. Right now it only costs me $10 more for the i5-2320, which is very tempting. However, I am worried about whether I can cool the i5 adequately with low noise using the stock or aftermarket heatsink. Are the i3/i5 stock coolers quiet enough? For reference, I find the stock cooler for my Core 2 Duo E6400 acceptable at idle and annoying but bearable at load, but this is in an Antec P182 case with much better sound isolation...
I could get an aftermarket heatsink but the P8H77-I is incompatible with all Noctuas due to blocking the PCI-E slot. I also saw reports that the motherboard interferes with the installation of the backplate for the Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo. Does that rule out all heatsinks that use a backplate? Perhaps I can use an Arctic Cooling Alpine 11 Pro? I know it's supposed to be quieter than the stock heatsink but would it be able to handle the heat from the i5? It also looks like the Scythe Samurai ZZ is another option? Are there any others you are aware of?
I am aware of the different layout of the P8H77-I Deluxe would solve some of the heatsink problems but I cannot justify spending an extra $100 CAD on it. I am already spending more than I would like, have no intention of overclocking, and the WiFi is most likely useless since I'll be dual booting Linux. Also, does anyone know if I can get away with a 64GB SSD for dual booting Windows 7 and Linux, considering I'll probably be installing some bigger games down the road? Data and media files will be stored on the file server.
As for the PSU, I guess the Antec Neo Eco 400C would be sufficient for my build but I cannot find it for sale. I am also considering whether it will help to replace the included 120mm Bitfenix fans with 140mm NF-P14s.
That was probably longer than it could be. I would appreciate any thoughts and ideas on the planned build. Thanks in advance!