My first build, advice on minimizing noise

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Creslin
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 15, 2014 11:49 am

My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by Creslin » Sun Jun 15, 2014 11:56 am

This is my first customer built computer. Trying to see if there is anything I can do for similar price and performance that would reduce noise. Expect some noise just trying to minimize it. Probably should pick a different PSU but couldn't find any noise comparisons overall that were recent. Also what accessories should I pick up to minimize noise? (mounting equ or other items). Already have a monitor I am going to use.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hrjRgs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hrjRgs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI H97 Guard-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($98.99 @ Mac Mall)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY Optima 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video Card ($260.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 720W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Mad Catz V5 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($47.67 @ B&H)
Mouse: Cobra Cobra Type-M Wired Optical Mouse ($18.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1275.51

CA_Steve
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Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by CA_Steve » Sun Jun 15, 2014 4:11 pm

Welcome to SPCR.

If you could list your applications, we could do a better job of fine tuning your system. That said, here's a couple of highlights:

- Check my signature for an i5 + GTX 760 quiet build.
- You won't need a 750W PSU...and anyway, aim for a Gold/Platinum efficiency unit for less waste heat.
- Step away from the tall heatspeader RAM. Don't need it and it can interfere with some CPU coolers.
- The EVO is a decent, cheap cooler. Not the absolute quietest, but decent. Mugen 4 is better.
- I'd hold off on a Z97 mobo build until August - just to let the inevitable early BIOS/driver bugs work themselves out.
- Zotac's not the quietest GTX 760.
- do you need the 7200 rpm HDD for an app? If not, 5k drives will be quieter.

Pappnaas
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Location: Germany

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by Pappnaas » Sun Jun 15, 2014 8:58 pm

The PNY OPTIMA ssds get bashed for delivering with a Silicon Motion controller in test samples but shipping with a LSI Sandforce in customer sold models. Stay away from it. PNY simply states that both controllers would deliver "the minimum speeds" advertised, but sadly PNY does not state min. speeds. Total PR disaster for PNY imho.

quest_for_silence
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Location: ITALY

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by quest_for_silence » Mon Jun 16, 2014 10:03 am

Creslin wrote:CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)

Not so quiet, it deserves a quieter fan.

Creslin wrote:Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($72.99 @ Newegg)

Pointless obtrusive.

Creslin wrote:Storage: PNY Optima 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)

No good.

Creslin wrote:Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ NCIX US)

Not quiet.

Creslin wrote:Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video Card ($260.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Not quiet.

Creslin wrote:Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 720W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Not so quiet, and pretty "meh" performance wise.
For about the same money there should be quieter units (EVGA G2, Corsair RM).

Creslin
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 15, 2014 11:49 am

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by Creslin » Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:19 pm

Thanks for all the advice, I'll probably change the hard drive and SSD. Primary use will be gaming, but I have lots of game I like to have installed so a bunch will prob be installed on the regular hard drive as well as the SSD which is why I want the SSD.

Anyone have any good links to recent component noise comparisons/ratings. Just got done pricing what it will cost for around the performance I am going to pay for and now looking for what to change to reduce noise.

Tried a few googe searches for noise related and couldn't find much and what I did was usually not recent even on this site. If you think everything could be better for similar performance, then give me a build that would be better, either an existing one like 1 person provided in their signature. Thanks for any help, provided.

Abula
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Location: Guatemala

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by Abula » Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:47 pm

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
Pretty good CPU =)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Either swap the fan for a quiet operation or go with Scythe Mugen 4, reviewed by SPCR Scythe Mugen 4 CPU Cooler: Scythe Strikes Back
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Agree with Quest, i think there are better options with lower profile that will not interfere with heatsink or fans. I like a lot crucial ballistic sport and tactical, but up to you.
Storage: PNY Optima 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
I wouldn't trust PNY for ssds, Samsung 840 Evo would be my first choice, second Crucial M500 and Sandisk Extreme Pro
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Try to get as big as your budget allows SSD and go with 5400/5900 rpm drive for storage, like WD RED.
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video Card ($260.98 @ SuperBiiz)
MSI N760 should be one of the most quiet ones, depending on your games and resolution also consider GTX750Ti wonderful card in consumption and temps.
Motherboard: MSI H97 Guard-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($98.99 @ Mac Mall)
Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
No comments here good case all around for a quiet build, consider swapping the fans for Antec True Quiet 140s, reviewed by SPCR Second 140 mm Fan Roundup: Antec, bequiet!, Corsair, Scythe, if you go this route, i would also recommend going with ASUS H97-PLUS, FanXpert3 should drop those fans to extremely low levels, around 200rpms, MSI in the other hand has high restrictions on the SYS_FAN headers.
Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 720W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ SuperBiiz)
If your budget allows i would invest toward KingWin Lazer Platinum LZP-550 reviewed by SPCR Kingwin Lazer Platinum 550W Power Supply or if you want something a little cheaper but still modular and gold rated, Corsair RM550
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Mad Catz V5 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($47.67 @ B&H)
Mouse: Cobra Cobra Type-M Wired Optical Mouse ($18.98 @ Newegg)
No comments here either.

darqsyde
Posts: 19
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Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by darqsyde » Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:55 pm

I'd go Mugen 4 for the Heatsink, Crucial/Intel/Samsung for the SSD, and Asus DCU2 for the GPU. Unless you absolutely NEED fast storage, dump the HDD entirely or go with a 5x00 RPM version. You could go with a NAS/USB/Thumbdrive for storage. (or a server of some sort 8) ) For the RAM, go with something with a minimal or lowprofile, Gskill Ares are "low profile"--ie...standard height.

quest_for_silence
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Location: ITALY

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by quest_for_silence » Tue Jun 17, 2014 12:14 am

Creslin wrote:Thanks for all the advice, I'll probably change the hard drive and SSD. Primary use will be gaming, but I have lots of game I like to have installed so a bunch will prob be installed on the regular hard drive as well as the SSD which is why I want the SSD.

The hard drive may be easily your noisiest component (right after the VGA on load), so you have to do some trade offs. You may either go for a more expensive 1Tb SSD (Crucial or Samsung Evo should be the cheapest), or use a bit slower mechanical disk (maybe the best compromise between speed and noise is currently the WD10EZRX, which should have a greater area density than its larger Green brothers, while being probably slightly quieter and cheaper than Reds), or use some noise absorption tool for a 7200rpm hard drive (like a Scythe Himuro, a Tiche Noise Killer, or a Noise Magic NoVibes): with reference to 7200rpm drives, probably the quoted Seagate is neither the most reliable nor the quietest (among either more reliable or quieter drives, you might look for the current WD Blue, the Toshiba DT01ACA300, and eventually the Seagate SV35.6, where the WD is probably the louder of these three and the Toshiba the less fast one among these three).
None of these options is optimal, money wise, noise wise and performance wise, so you have to do your call.

Creslin wrote:Anyone have any good links to recent component noise comparisons/ratings. Just got done pricing what it will cost for around the performance I am going to pay for and now looking for what to change to reduce noise.

SPCR articles/reviews may help you, as also the forum search facility.

Creslin wrote:Tried a few googe searches for noise related and couldn't find much and what I did was usually not recent even on this site. If you think everything could be better for similar performance, then give me a build that would be better, either an existing one like 1 person provided in their signature. Thanks for any help, provided.
Set aside SPCR, there are no enough reliable sources for noise measures currently.

With reference to the M2 PSU, SPCR reviewed it: it's a mature Enhance platform, currently a tad far from the best available.
The quoted EVGA and Corsair PSUs have not been reviewed by SPCR, but they both are semi-fanless, so they are surely quieter than that Cooler Master unit; the first mentioned PSU is an update of the reviewed Kingwin 550, and you can look for the relevant performances on several reputable sites like JonnyGuru, HardOCP and TechPowerUp!. The Corsair RM-series is a less performing platform than the EVGA, but it's still a very good one, and it has been very favourably reviewed noise-wise by several SPCR co-forumers, so you may dig into this forum to look for those owners impressions.

With reference to other parts, set aside the VGA you may give a skimming to recent SPCR reviews, while for graphics I would look to either the german site HT4U.net or to TechPowerUp! for some more information about (take note that CA_Steve did a collection of noise-related GTX 760 reviews here).

Creslin
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 15, 2014 11:49 am

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by Creslin » Tue Jun 17, 2014 7:10 pm

Okay dramatically changed my system build based on these suggestions. I will go with just a single 500g SSD for now and only a 2 gig graphics card. Have on old external hard drive that isn't too noisy that I will use for the moment. I will probably SLI a 2nd graphics card later. Let me know if you have further suggestions, with no regular hard drive is there any purpose to the soft mounting for any of the other components?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cyFpmG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cyFpmG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Scythe SCMG-4000 79.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.30 @ Amazon)
Thermal Compound: TUNIQ TX-4 Extreme Performance 1g Thermal Paste ($10.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus H97-PLUS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($105.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($218.46 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.98 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Antec TRUEQUIET 140 32.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($7.58 @ Mwave)
Keyboard: Mad Catz V5 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($47.67 @ B&H)
Mouse: Cobra Cobra Type-M Wired Optical Mouse ($19.98 @ PCM)
Total: $1269.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-17 23:05 EDT-0400

quest_for_silence
Posts: 5275
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:12 am
Location: ITALY

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by quest_for_silence » Tue Jun 17, 2014 10:33 pm

Creslin wrote:Okay dramatically changed my system build based on these suggestions. I will go with just a single 500g SSD for now and only a 2 gig graphics card. Have on old external hard drive that isn't too noisy that I will use for the moment. I will probably SLI a 2nd graphics card later. Let me know if you have further suggestions, with no regular hard drive is there any purpose to the soft mounting for any of the other components?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cyFpmG

IMO there are some evident flaws: first of all, you cannot do SLI with the GTX 750Ti (not to mention it's just enough @ 1920 x 1080 for contemporary games, but - more probably that not - it's not up to the task for the upcoming ones). Second issue, you can't use an external drive to load games (as USB is too much slow) so that it will be noisier and slower than an internally mounted WD10EZRX. Third point, I guess you don't need a 140 USD Windows, a 90USD OEM one will work fine, so you can shave off some money here. Fourth one, with an average power draw under 120W the Corsair PSU is rather pointless, a 300W Silverstone is more than enough. Fifth remark, given the expected power draw, even the R4 case is also an overkill. Sixth one, a single channell memory is an unnecessary waste of performance on a modern Intel architecture. Eventually, spare that Tuniq paste, it is useless (any cooler has its own) so shave off 10 USD more.

I think you should start from your games and gaming resolution (to assess which graphics), and your overall budget, but just as a quick'n'dirty example give a look to this 1100 USD config (it does need to be heavily refined): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ndtH8d .

Last but not least, please take note that "quiet components" don't exist just right out of the box, but how you operate them make a difference.

Creslin
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Jun 15, 2014 11:49 am

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by Creslin » Thu Jun 19, 2014 5:12 pm

I know that components aren't automatically quiet, but some components are noisy relative to others was my concern here. Could be wrong but I was reading somewhere that a powersupply is most efficient at half capacity which I read as quieter, so aimed for more then I needed.

I tend to play mostly older games which with my current poor system(like 7-8 years old) have to play at low graphics. Hoping to be better prepared for future games and be able to play at higher res. For example rarely play Civ V at only 1680x1050 at low world sizes cause it tends to be so slow for me at late game. Would love to be able to play it at higher res with bigger world size.

I mostly play rpg/strategy so graphics for the moment wasn't a huge concern just for future games. In regard to hard drive size, I was figuring a 500g solid with an 2g external for storage would be just big enough. Should have checked the graphics card further to make sure of Sli capability, was trying to not spend a ton on graphics then upgrade to second card in the future since the 4g cards are so expensive and do not want to overclock.. Figuring 4g of graphics card would be needed in the future.

In regards to budget, certainly keeping it under 1500, hoping for 1200-1300. Also thanks for the note on the paste wasn't sure if I needed it or not. I made do with my current computer for a long time and am just trying to get a machine that will last me for a while and able to play games that come out for the next few years. I do not play FPS which are the most graphics intensive games it seems like. This is my first build so trying to gather a lot of advice on the optimal build.

In regards to ram, guess I will go for 2 4g sticks instead of 1 8g for the moment then. Figure I will upgrade to 16g in the future. Also which board that supports 1866 or low 2000 range speed would be best for my needs. Thanks for the build as well.

CA_Steve
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Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by CA_Steve » Thu Jun 19, 2014 8:03 pm

I don't see more than 230W gaming, at the moment...and I've got a GTX 760. The easy answer is to say buy a fanned PSU that's twice your gaming load...just because many PSU fans start their heavy ramp up at 50% load and higher. What you really want to look at is the noise/fan profile at your expected load power. So, the 550W Corsair is fine. It's overkill, but if you eventually plan to throw a 150W class gpu in there, need multiple PEG connectors, and want to be well below the fan curve, then you are set.

2x4GB is fine. It'll be some time before you need more for gaming.

quest_for_silence
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Location: ITALY

Re: My first build, advice on minimizing noise

Post by quest_for_silence » Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:14 am

Creslin wrote:I know that components aren't automatically quiet, but some components are noisy relative to others was my concern here. Could be wrong but I was reading somewhere that a powersupply is most efficient at half capacity which I read as quieter, so aimed for more then I needed.

Well, you did your homeworks, but to do that well, you have to assess your expected power draw.
The tricky part nowadays is to determine the actual Core i5 power draw, so that we need to compare some reviews (Hexus, SPCR, HardwareCanucks, Anandtech, Hardwareluxx, among others): if I'm not wrong, we can expect a load power probably just under 60W (without stressing the IGP). Talking about ballpark figures, with a stock Gtx-750ti we can estimate a real load (gaming) power draw around or just under 130W DC (including platform and 1 SSD).
So, theoretically, you should need a 250-300W DC Platinum/Gold unit, (which isn't easy to source in the ATX market).
A bronze unit is probably more easy to find, and will loose around a 2-3 of efficiency percentage points (so it should waste about 3-4W more).
For a more performing graphics (GTX760/770, R9 280/280X) add 100-130W more to be safe, so efficiency-wise you should need a 400-450W unit (more easy to source), while some 500-600W units might offer better noise-profile than smaller, fanned units.

Creslin wrote:Would love to be able to play it at higher res with bigger world size.

So what's your target resolution?

Creslin wrote:I was figuring a 500g solid with an 2g external for storage would be just big enough.

If you use the external drive for actual *storage*, it seems enough, while, whether you installed and ran games on it, it's not a smart move IMO.

Creslin wrote:Should have checked the graphics card further to make sure of Sli capability, was trying to not spend a ton on graphics then upgrade to second card in the future since the 4g cards are so expensive and do not want to overclock.. Figuring 4g of graphics card would be needed in the future.

More than 2Gb of VRam is usually needed for gaming resolutions above FullHD (and demanding games too).
I guess a 2Gb GTX-750Ti with Civ V @ FullHD is just fine, IMO, noise and efficiency wise.

So, eventually it mostly depends of your target resolution.

About which card, under Linux go for Nvidia, with Windows both AMD and Nvidia play fine.
Broadly speaking, while performances are comparable given a target price, Nvidia will bring better support (driver) and better efficiency (power draw under any load), AMD will bring (up to now) less crippled BIOS, so that you can lower fan speed to inaudible levels using several tools (mostly, Rivatuner-derivatives and Speedfan) at idle (while on load maybe the Nvidia higher efficiency could give you better thermals or better noise levels).

Creslin wrote:In regards to budget, certainly keeping it under 1500, hoping for 1200-1300.

Well, I think 1300 is enough for a build like you desire.

Creslin wrote:Also which board that supports 1866 or low 2000 range speed would be best for my needs.

I guess about any serious board supports those RAM speeds: just check the relevant QVL list on the manufacturer website, to be sure.
Unfortunately I guess you won't find low voltage/low profile RAM at those speeds, but that's a minor issue.

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