New *QUIET* PC setup suggestions Please

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carasage

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Hello all spoofians:

My current PC configuration is over 3 years old and I would like to upgrade.
It is still decently fast but the noise of the fans and HD is unbearable.

I would like some suggestions and recommendations on a quieter setup.

FYI my current setup:
Ultra Dragon ATX Mid Tower
ASUS AV7N 8x Mobo
400W PSU (forgot what brand POWERMAX???)
AMD Athlon XP 2400 + Thermaltake X-Blower CPU Fan
PNY 512MB PC 2700 DDR
Kingston Value Ram 512MB PC 2700 DDR
Soundblaster Audigy Platinum EX
ATi Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
200 GB Maxtor 7200RPM HD
160 GB Maxtor 7200RPM HD
80 GB Maxtor 7200RPM HD
60 GB IBM XXXXRPM HD
NEC 12x DL DVD+-RW
NEC 4x DVD+RW
3x Aerocool UV Led 80MM Case Fan

16" Sharp LL-T1620 LCD

Windows XP Pro SP2

Anyways this is my current setup.

What I would like:
*most importantly LESS NOISE... I keep my comp up 24x7 running with little reboot. but it is noisy. I wouldn't mind goin with water cooling if that lessens the noise
*i would like to upgrade to 64 bit processsing.
*maybe go up to PC3200 DDR for the 64 bit cpu
*I may just get 1x 160gb SATA HD as primary master, and keep the 200 and 160 as my backup HDS. (200 GB will be internal and 160gb will be in an USB enclosure)
*upgrade soundcard??? i think my card is already messing up, i hear lots of static
*hmm i think ati radeon 9800 pro still damn good, what do you think? But I would also like to upgrade to 2x DVI output for 2 DVI LCDs. I need suggestions on vidcard.
*For the PSU I think i want the ULTRA X-Connect 500W?
*what do I do with the DVD drives? Keep one and toss the other?



Any suggestions would be appreciated. I wouldnt mind prices on some good finds too.
:D
thanks!!!!
 
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If you're looking for quiet, get things with larger fans (and less of them).

Get a Power supply with one 120mm fan (not 2 80's), and get a heatsink for your CPU with a 80mm fan (or water cool it). Also find a case that supports 120mm fans and put one in the rear (blowing outward), and you should be good and quiet (and very cool).
 
GolfProRM said:
If you're looking for quiet, get things with larger fans (and less of them).

Get a Power supply with one 120mm fan (not 2 80's), and get a heatsink for your CPU with a 80mm fan (or water cool it). Also find a case that supports 120mm fans and put one in the rear (blowing outward), and you should be good and quiet (and very cool).
Click to expand...

My PSU fan does have only 1x 120mm, i have 3x 80's for the case, 2 in the back and 1 in the front.

My system runs quiet but loud. It runs between 24 - 27 degree C I think.
I have 2 HD fans also. because lets face it the HIGH capacity HD's runs pipping hot. I think i can cook an egg on them if i didnt have the fans on them. -=(

for water cooling what would you recommend?


I;ve also noticed that comparing my setup to DELL computers, they run very quiet... Is it because of the fact that INTEL runs at a lower temp than AMD so their fans run at a slower RPM?

Hmm...
 
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Okay.. A topic I can't stay away from..

You should be in my room.. Server Tower Case, 9 Fans, 7 HDs (4 ide, 3 10k scsi), 6 Opticals.. That's just one box..

Okay.. So you want less noise but you also want to bump up the speed.. If you have the space, invest in a bigger case or scale back the innerds.. Case is user preference. PowerSupply.. I'd suggest an EnnerMax P/S because they have 2 fans, and are adjustable. HD Fans? Useless rubbish.. Case fans.. 1 120mm Intake, 1 120mm Exhaust. Northbridge HSF units usually are already onboard and are quite. CPU HSF, get a "quality" heatsink that will support a 92mm fan. Going this big, make sure the thing mounts to the motherboar PCB, not the Ziff socket.. Another quiet option is a HeatPipe unit.. They're quite effective in Laptops and are now made for Desktops. If you go this route, make sure it's designed and built correctly. Watercooling.. It's expensive, can be dangerous (water + electronics = disaster), and once you make the plunge, you'll be tempted to watercool everything (read: PC ricer). Another thing to remember is watercooling can only do so much. There are standard quality HSF's out there that can rival a good Watercooling setup. If your intent on watercooling, do your research first. There are only a couple 'good' setups out there, the rest are no better then standard hsf's.. So, cpu cooling aside.. Don't mount your HD's on top of one another.. Give them at least one drive bay worth of space to breath. That is of course as long as it's possible.

Fans.. Please, don't buy because their 'flashy'.. Buy because the specs are what you want. Cheap fans are horrible.. Invest in quality stuff.. There's plenty of places to buy good stuff.

With regards to you questioning Dell, Intel & AMD.. PC Makers use Factory stuff.. Factory HSF's are designed to run quiet but not very effeciently.. Remember, buying a Retail Boxes CPU gives you the processor and the HSF that's "Qualified" for the chip. It's also Waranteed against failure for X number of years. If you have no intent on OCing, just buy the Retail Boxed setup and call it good.. You could scrape off the pink goo they put on the heatsink and use Artic Silver instead which is all I would do going that route. The key in all this is "Factory vs. Modders"..

As to keeping your Video & Sound Card.. Do keep them.. They're still great items. Just clean the gold contacts with a pencil eraser and rubbing alcohol.. You can also use rolled up tissue paper with rubbing alcohol to get inside the port connectors on the sound card.

With regards to "upgrading" to SATA.. LOL.. SATA is a JOKE.. Meant for Modders who want a cool looking case with windows everywhere... ATA-133 is the latest spec for EIDE and those limits aren't even close to being reached yet.. SATA is the VHS to the BETA that is IDE.. I'm leaving SCSI out of this comparison because it's a different class altogether..

As to the optical drives.. That's your call... But having 2 drives makes backing up new cd's easier..

That is all... Questions, comments, lemme know..
 
ok question

i am looking at an AMD 64 bit chip

what is the difference between the
two

athlon 64 754 chip
athlon 64 939 chip

basically which is better?
 
also i would like to know if anyone here have first hand experience with water cooling... i want to know how the noise level is. is it loud or bearly noticeable. i've read that the pump is a main factor for noise.

i would spend 200 - 300 for a good water cooling unit but if it does not lessen the noise substantially then it is not worth it.
 
If you want the ulitimate in quiet, I'd suggest a Heatpipe setup with a quiet 80-92mm fan. The Socket 939 is newer.. Better? Dunno if it's better, but the latest cpu's are 939.. Unless you want bleeding edge, either will do...
 
CozKramer said:
If you want the ulitimate in quiet, I'd suggest a Heatpipe setup with a quiet 80-92mm fan. The Socket 939 is newer.. Better? Dunno if it's better, but the latest cpu's are 939.. Unless you want bleeding edge, either will do...
Click to expand...

thanks, is there anything you can suggest for water cooling?
anyone in ny that knows of any computer shops that has these setups so i can compare?
 
yeah, i have the same problem...well my dad does, cuz he's old and i guess his ears are sensitive, every time I boot up , the fans make a crap load of noise for like 3 to 4 minutes before it calms down.....loud like a lown mower....and yet, the computers at the company I work at are dead silent...i need to research on parts or something, i don't know particulary what they put in that I don't have.....
 
The thing with computers at work, and systems purchased at stores.. They're meant to be quiet.. Designed that way.. Because of that, they don't run exceptionally cool, but running properly, they're within the limits of everything. If you want a quiet system, remove all the fans from you case and everything, put a quality HSF on the CPU that has a 25db or less noise fan, run the stock heatsink on the northbridge, and be content with the P/S fans. If you want, install one 92mm Exhaust fan above the P/S with a 28db or less rating.. Your system will run with tollerated specs, and will be quiet to your ears..

Watercooling systems aren't silent as ppl think, there is still a 120mm fan, or a couple 80mm fans running on the radiator, then you also have the water pump which isn't exaclty silent either. Not to mention all the plumming for that type of setup.. IMO, it's for bragging rights and for show..

Many companies make quality cases... Lian-Li is a popular choice, InWin is good as well as Antec. Thermaltake cases are for looks only, much like the rest of the 'stuff' they make..
 
can anyone recommend a dual dvi video card in either agp or pci express ?
aprox price less than 200 please.
 
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