Quiet and Fast PC Build - I need suggestions

[bronco27]

I'm building my first desktop and I really would like to get some feedback on what I currently have picked for my build. I would like to be able to keep my price under $1500. I'm looking to build a quiet pc that can be upgraded in the future if need be. Please let me know what you think.

My Build

Antec P183 Black Aluminum / Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Intel BOXDX58SO LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

Intel X25-V SSDSA2MP040G2R5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - Retail

Western Digital Caviar Green WD10000CSRTL 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Retail

Gigabyte PCIe Graphics ATI Radeon HD 4850 GV-R485MC-1GI 640MHz 1GB GDDR3 CrossFireX VGA DVI Retail

 

[alyarb]

a faster, cheaper system would be an i7 860 with a P55 board. Unless you are specifically holding out for a 6-core i7 because you use heavily threaded programs, there's no reason to go with an X58 system right now (unless you're overclocking, which is still good on P55). The money you save by dropping down to P55 will allow you to get a proper SSD (X25 80GB) or Radeon 5770 within basically the same budget.

going down to 40GB for an SSD isn't even worth your time/money. The 80GB models are twice as fast.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

a faster, cheaper system would be an i7 860 with a P55 board. Unless you are specifically holding out for a 6-core i7 because you use heavily threaded programs, there's no reason to go with an X58 system right now (unless you're overclocking, which is still good on P55). The money you save by dropping down to P55 will allow you to get a proper SSD (X25 80GB) or Radeon 5770 within basically the same budget.

Very sound advice.

 

[RaistlinZ]

I would think a 40GB SSD would get awfully cramped pretty quickly. You figure only about 33GB of actual usable space, and you barely have enough room for many programs or apps.

I don't fault you for your mobo/CPU choice, since you clearly stated you want something that is upgradeable in the future. Are you a gamer at all though? That 4850 is screaming to be upgraded to something that will last for a year or two.

 

[larslake]

I think your getting some sound advise. However, your better off defining exactly what you want your machine to do. If I wanted a single machine to render animation, I'd most likely stick with the i7 and smaller drives in raid 0. I'm not fond of the SSDs. They're just too pricey for the performance. 8 gig of ram(4X2gig) w/ a 64 bit OS. You don't need any fancy ram. Just use what your mobo says is standard. Moreover, if you want a good general purpose machine, I wouldn't rule out looking at AMD/AM3s 925 or 955 on a $100 micro-atx. The major problem beginners face is the benchmark tests of the various mobos and cpus. I wouldn't put too much importance on benchmark numbers. Any good quad-core from 2.4 to 3. will work great. Most of my machines are AMDs w/ GTX260 cards and all have raid in 0. Intel or AMD, both make really good machines, but if your software doesn't fully utilize the benefits then don't over buy. - secret- if you have case fans that mount on perforated holes in the case, use the low-speed fans instead. Higher speed fans can't push anymore air through the holes than the lower speed 800rpm fans, but they make a lot more noise. good luck

 

[dmw16]

Lots of good advice here already.

I agree that you should mention what you'll be using the machine here in order to get the best advice. Your usage will really dictate your CPU choice. Generally I think the LGA1156 is the way to go unless you see yourself wanting a 6core setup in the near future. And as a previous poster said, don't rule out AMD. Depending on your applications you may find little or no trade-off going AMD and saving some cash.

As for SSD, they are really nice. I have one and it is a very noticeable change even over my Raptor drive. However, I can't see getting anything smaller than 64GB.

Finally, take a look at the Radeon 5830.

 

[Rezist]

I'd probably say get the i5 750 and a 5850, or wait for a 5830.

 

[MrChicken]

I've got the same case with a I7-860 retail, 8GB, EVGA GTX-275, Antec CP-850 ps, and 3 Seagate 500mb 7200 rpm drives (Raid 0, and a single drive), W7-64 . I too, wanted a quiet pc. The case has good sound deadening.

At idle the loudest thing is the top case fan, under load it is the fan on the GTX-275. My plan was to use an ATI 5850, but I couldnt get one... turned the GTX is quiet at idle and not very loud under load. The case fans are set on the lowest speed. The PS is very quiet for what it s and can't be heard over the case fan. I never hear the hard drives.

It costs $1265 to build back in November. I actually bought everything through Amazon, free 2day shipping (Prime membership) and no tax.

 

[bronco27]

Update:

I just bought my new i7 -920. I need help picking out a motherboard for it. Do you have any suggestions for this cpu?

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

I would like to build this by the end of February. I want to be able to upgrade in the future if need be and be able to game on it at a directX 11.

Should I go with this motherboard?

Intel BOXDX58SO LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail