Hi,

I'm working on a new build which I want to be powerful (games/video+photo work), long-lasting and as close to SILENT as possible. Parts so far include

Already Have:

ASUS P8Z68-V Pro Z68 LGA1155 ATX 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2 PCI B3 Motherboard

Antec P183 V3 Aluminum ATX Tower Case 4X5.25EXT 6X3.5 2X2.5INT Front Audio USB3.0 *No PS*

Antec CP-850 850W Cpx Dual PCB Power Supply Modular ATX12V V2.3 80PLUS Active PFC SLI 120MM Fan

PLanning On Getting:

Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB

GELID Solutions Tranquillo CC-TranQ-01-A 120mm Hydro Dynamic CPU Cooler

Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 Vengeance 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Dual Channel Memory Kit

Western Digital WD20EARS Caviar Green 2TB SATA2 3GBPS 64MB Cache 3.5IN Hard Drive Oem

Holding out for the Powercolor HD 6850 SCS3 silent


Now I also already have a:

OCZ Vertex 2 Extended Sandforce 240GB 2.5IN SATA2 Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD

My question is, what is the best way to set up my drive.

My current plan is to utilize the SSD for the OS and commonly used applications and partition 64gb for cache purposes for the 2gig WD HDD. Does this make sense?

Would it be better to utilize the SSD for OS/apps and primary drive purposes and then get a SMALLER, FASTER SSD for cache for the HDD?

I am looking to finish this off this week so thoughts appreciated! (either on parts I still need to get or tips on silencing this system further)

I think you are looking for trouble if you don't use a dedicated SSD for the HHD caching. I don't know whether it even permits you to use just a partition... but even if it does... this is bleeding edge technology. Veering even a little off the main road is likely to turn you into an involuntary pre-alpha tester.

I'd go for the logical solution, by which I plainly mean buying the Vertex 2 first. Then set aside 64 GB for caching. Then, and only then, you should decide whether you need the extra SSD for caching. By then, you'll know whether you need the performance of a dedicated cache SSD or not.

The only problem would be if the transition from 64 GB cache to 64 GB of storage proves to be painful, though I doubt it. I assume it works somehow like Windows ReadyBoost.

A bit off topic: Have you considered replacing any fans, such as case fans or CPU fan?

thanks for the replies.

In terms of fans, i was planning on:

Replacing the two Case Fans with.
Scythe SM1425SL12SL Kazemaru 2 Wide Blade Bearing 140MM Case Fan 500RPM 9.6DBA 27.2CFM
or
Scythe SM1425SL12L Kazemaru 2 Wide Blade Bearing 140MM Case Fan 800RPM 14.3DBA 43.5CFM

$10.11 each

Scythe Kaze Master Ace 5.25IN Bay 4 Fan Controller Black With Temperature and Fan Alarm
$29

I was going to pass on the top fan (maybe even close it off?)

What are your thoughts in terms of airflow / noise between the 500 and 800RPM fans?


and a

GELID Solutions Tranquillo CC-TranQ-01-A 120mm Hydro Dynamic CPU Cooler