[Quiet] All-arounder That YOU Recommended. Thanks! [BigPic]

Show off your quiet rig.

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wrl
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 2:07 pm
Location: Texas

[Quiet] All-arounder That YOU Recommended. Thanks! [BigPic]

Post by wrl » Sat Jun 30, 2012 3:14 pm

Hi. I recently decided that I was ready to build a new computer after having only owned a netbook and smartphone for the past few years. I enjoy a bit of computer gaming, but primarily needed this computer to fulfill productivity roles and perhaps some HTPC duties. I wanted it to be capable, yet quiet. Unfortunately, I hadn't built a computer in seven years and was clueless where to begin. Delving into the SPCR fora for a week or so helped me to determine the components for the job. Don't be surprised if you see several of SPCR's favorite and most frequently recommended bits. I just thought I'd register to say thanks and offer this photo to help assuage concerns anyone might have over these particular component combinations. I would be happy to add more angles, higher quality, or additional information upon request, but I believe this should suffice for proof-of-concept.

Image

Specs:

Case: Fractal Design Define Mini (stock forward and aft fans)
PSU: Kingwin LZP-550 550W
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Gene
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K
CPU cooler: Thermalright HR-02 Macho
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16 GB (2x8GB) 1600MHz
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 570 1289 MB (reference card)
GPU cooler: Arctic Cooling Accelero Xtreme Plus II
SSD: Crucial M4 256 GB
Optical Drive: LG Electronics WH12LS39K BDRW

Thoughts:

I was very eager to move forward and thus rushed this build. Had I been more careful, I would not have selected that Asus motherboard; its operation and creature comforts are fine, but I'd prefer one with a PS/2 port for full n-key rollover. Furthermore, much of the ROG additions are just fluff and hype for my purposes; something a bit more toned down would have suited me better. I was worried that the Macho would not fit the width of the case, but it dropped in like it was meant to be there. I was unable to determine how much of a noise burden the GTX 570 might bring, so I proactively ordered the aftermarket cooler.

This monster cooler was a bear to install and is actually slightly incompatible with the Define Mini. I had to trim the forward-most fan grill with a knife at two or three points to get it to fit past the top of the Define Mini's lower SSD/HDD cage. However, I do not consider the Accelero Xtreme Plus II to be a major DIY/custom project--anyone with some sense could do it, but be warned that it does consume three expansion slots, a good deal of patience, and required a hint of ingenuity on two or three occasions.

In its current state, the computer is very, very quiet. With my ear right next to it, I have to actively tune out the buzzing of my apartment's refrigerator to make out the faint breeze gently passing through the case. Side panels on and browsing the web, the CPU sits around 30°C while the GPU is at 34°C. Quake Live pushes the GPU up in the range of 42-45°C, with which I am completely comfortable. I thought I'd read somewhere that the GPU cooler fans shouldn't turn on until a certain load/thermal threshold is reached, but the Accelero's three fans are always on (not that I'd know that unless I look at them)--I'll have to look into that. Furthermore, due to the already acceptable balance of temperatures and (lack of) noise, I haven't actively managed the case/cpu/gpu fan speeds yet; I should look into that as well. Finally, I still need to decide on a storage drive. Overall, though, I'd call this a success.

Cheers, SPCR!

wrl
Last edited by wrl on Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Spoon Boy
Posts: 168
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:44 pm
Location: London

Re: Silent All-arounder That YOU Recommended. Thanks! [BigPi

Post by Spoon Boy » Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:04 pm

That is one lovely looking build im jealous :mrgreen:
I'm curious if moving the front intake to a bottom intake makes any difference ?

wrl
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 2:07 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Silent All-arounder That YOU Recommended. Thanks! [BigPi

Post by wrl » Mon Sep 10, 2012 6:48 pm

Spoon Boy wrote:That is one lovely looking build im jealous :mrgreen:
I'm curious if moving the front intake to a bottom intake makes any difference ?
It's already completely silent and the under-load temperatures are more than satisfying, so I haven't even bothered. Plus it currently sits on the floor and I'm paranoid about dust!

Cyäegha
Posts: 32
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:17 pm
Location: Grenoble, France

Re: [Quiet] All-arounder That YOU Recommended. Thanks! [BigP

Post by Cyäegha » Sat Nov 03, 2012 8:29 am

wrl wrote:CPU cooler: Thermaltake HR-02 Macho
Actually, it's Thermalright. Only a few different letters, but it makes one hell of a difference - for instance, you can actually be happy with your computer! :mrgreen:

Scrooge
Posts: 206
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:46 am

Re: [Quiet] All-arounder That YOU Recommended. Thanks! [BigP

Post by Scrooge » Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:01 am

Cyäegha wrote:
wrl wrote:CPU cooler: Thermaltake HR-02 Macho
Actually, it's Thermalright. Only a few different letters, but it makes one hell of a difference - for instance, you can actually be happy with your computer! :mrgreen:
So very true.

firestarter
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:32 am

Re: [Quiet] All-arounder That YOU Recommended. Thanks! [BigP

Post by firestarter » Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:41 am

Hi, sorry to bring this thread back up, but can I ask if you have any issues with the CPU cooler touching the foam on the side of the case? The Macho is 162mm high and Fractal say on their site the Mini supports 160mm. I'm looking to put an Arctic i30 in one that is 161mm using the same motherboard.

Cheers.

wrl
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 2:07 pm
Location: Texas

Re: [Quiet] All-arounder That YOU Recommended. Thanks! [BigP

Post by wrl » Sun Nov 18, 2012 4:28 pm

Cyäegha, Fixed the typo, thanks!
firestarter wrote:Hi, sorry to bring this thread back up, but can I ask if you have any issues with the CPU cooler touching the foam on the side of the case? The Macho is 162mm high and Fractal say on their site the Mini supports 160mm. I'm looking to put an Arctic i30 in one that is 161mm using the same motherboard.

Cheers.
The fan protrudes into the foam the most. However, the top six copper 'knobs' have also left an indentation. Hope this helps!

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