New Build

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djbr

n00b
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
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Building a new computer that will be used for cs3 apps and music production. I think everything is fairly solid but it never hurts to check right? :)

I'd like to make this computer as quiet as possible. I've looked into water cooling but decided thats too much of a project of its own this time around.

case
LIAN LI PC-V1200Bplus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

mobo
ABIT IP35 Pro ATX Intel Motherboard

video
MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

cpu
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor

memory x2 (8gb)
OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

psu
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W Power Supply

system hd x2
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

project hd x2
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

dvd
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N

cooler
ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm 2-ball UFO Bearing / Transparent CPU Cooler - Retail

OS
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
 
Thanks for the suggestion. Swapped out the evga for the passive cooling option. Also changed cases to LIAN LI PC-V1200Bplus
 
Look at purchasing the Q6600 at Microcenter if you have one locally near your area. It is priced at $200. Also, purchase the Corsair HX620 PS at Buy.com for $139.99 w/free shipping and $10 off through google checkout.
 
If you're concerned with quiet drop the Raptors. Not only are they not much if any faster than modern 7200 RPM drives, but they're loud as all hell. Also, for ~$120 last I checked you could get a Samsung F1 series 750GB drive that's just as fast if not faster than your Seagates. I'd just get a pair of those instead.

Frys.com has the Q6600 for $180 online.

I'd drop the Scythe Infinity HSF in favor of the Zerotherm Nirvana NV120 or the Xigmatech Rifle 120mm HSF. Both better, for the same or less cash.

If you aren't gaming an 8500GT or 8600GT will do just as well as the 8800GT, and run cooler. I would not buy an ECS branded... anything. MSI also sells a passively cooled 8800 GT, and they're at least a little more reputable.

Do you really need any of the features of Vista Ultimate? Home Premium is a good bit cheaper ($100) and has what most would consider all the 'important stuff'.
 
I switched out Vista Ultimate for Vista Home Premium after reviewing the differences and replaced the HSF with ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 after checking some reviews. Thanks for the tips. I'd like to order everything from one place and I can't seem to find a passive MSI 8800gt. I won't be gaming much on the system but would like to have the option.

edit: changed out project drives to samsung f1. still not sure what to do about the videocard.
 
What would be a good substitute for the raptors? Browsing the various DAW forums, people still seem to love them.
 
djbr said:
What would be a good substitute for the raptors? Browsing the various DAW forums, people still seem to love them.
Click to expand...

You don't need a replacement. The Samsungs will do just fine. If you feel the need for another pair of drives, the 320GB Western Digital AKKS 7200RPM single platter drives would at least be a little quieter and pretty much just as fast.
 
The western digitals are quiet, I don't know what people are thinking when they say they aren't.

One of the builds that I built I used 2x 500GB and another I used a single 500GB from Western Digital. They are both quiet..

Though i have worked with a computer that I believe did have a WD 160GB drive in it.. possibly a WD, I do not know for sure, but that was considerably louder.

But the 500GB and I assume the 320 and the 640 are also very quiet much like the 500 is.
 
tzk said:
The western digitals are quiet, I don't know what people are thinking when they say they aren't.

One of the builds that I built I used 2x 500GB and another I used a single 500GB from Western Digital. They are both quiet..

Though i have worked with a computer that I believe did have a WD 160GB drive in it.. possibly a WD, I do not know for sure, but that was considerably louder.

But the 500GB and I assume the 320 and the 640 are also very quiet much like the 500 is.
Click to expand...

Didn't say WD was loud in general, just Raptors. Raptor X's even moreso.

In my experience, excluding Raptors, it goes:
Seagate (loudest) Western Digital and Maxtor (medium) Samsung (quiet)
Unfortunately, reliability tends to go:
Seagate (best) Samsung (very good) Maxtor (good) Western Digital (horrible)

I have more dead WD drives than any other brand. Hell, than all other brands combined.

I stick to Seagate mostly and just deal with the noise. I've got a couple of Samsung drives, though, and I may be changing over to just Samsungs from here on out. Only downside to the Samsungs is a 3 year warranty as opposed to 5 years on the Seagates.
 
I have G.Skill ram and it works great...I've also heard their RMA and customer service are really good...personally I'll buy G.Skill over any manufacturer as long as it's around the same price or cheaper.
 
In response to silent-circuit,

I wasn't saying you were saying that WD's are loud, it was more of a newegg review response I was getting at. Sorry for the miscommunication.

But yeah I know raptors are loud, my roommate has one and when that thing gets going just wow. I'm also pretty sure that it's the one causing the vibrations which can get annoying on a quiet night.
 
I agree, get some cheaper RAM.

Are all WD3200AAKS drives the new revision these days? If not, you might want to get the WD6400AAKS instead, since it'll guarantee the new 320GB platters are being used, which are 20% faster at transferring data than raptors.

To offset silent's WD failures, I've had more Maxtor drives fail than any other brand (but that was before the Seagate takeover). ;) Seagates and WDs work well for me. Actually, I don't think I've had a HDD die on me ever since I got a UPS, lol. :: knock on wood ::
 
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