Quiet development/encoding/gaming build

[JKing76]

Hello,

I'm putting together a new build for software development (Java, C/C++/C#, Delphi), video encoding (MS-DVR commercial removal, compression/re-encoding), and gaming. I'd like to keep the system powerful but quiet, and have been going through articles and posts here and at SilentPCReview. I'd very much appreciate a sanity check on this proposed build.

Case: Antec P182B
PSU: Enermax Modu82+ 625
Mobo: Asus P5Q Pro
CPU: Core 2 Quad Q9450
CPU heat sink: Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme
RAM: Mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800
GPU: Asus ENGTX260
HDD: VelociRaptor 150 (primary), Samsung F1 1TB (data)
DVD: Samsung SH-S223Q

Other: AverTV Combo PCI-e (probably), SoundBlaster / other dedicated sound card (maybe)

OSes: Vista Home Premium, Ubuntu 8.10

Location is USA, and I've mostly used Newegg, ZZF, and Amazon for parts. I prefer running at stock speeds, which is why I've only gone for DDR2 800. In fact, I'll probably be undervolting the CPU (as far as I can without changing the clock) to help keep things cool and quiet.

Theoretically I'll be putting this system together within a month, unless there's any known post-holiday price cuts coming?

Many thanks,

Jeff

 

[mpilchfamily]

Since you don't plan to OC then drop the CPU cooler and stay witht he stock cooler. Then take that money and spend it on a bolt down kit for the CPU cooler. The kit is cheap so its not like you have to trade the cooler for the kit.

Drop the Velociraptor. You'll want reliability and a high speed HDD like that tend to have a shorter life span then the typical 7200RPM drives. Unless that second or 2 of less boot up time is that important to you.

Also you'll want to ditch that Enermax PSU and go with a more stable and reliable PSU like the Antec EarthWatts series, PC P&C or any of the Corsair PSUs.

For software development you don't need a sound card. Unless your programing games and are trying to build them around Creative soundcards. Otherwise onboard audio is all you need.

Make sure your getting the 64 bit version. Otherwise the 4th gig of RAM is a waste.

 

[DSF]

I actually disagree a bit about the aftermarket cooler, although I probably wouldn't get one quite so large and expensive as the Thermalright. Since all you're after is quiet operation, look into which heatsinks are the quietest, not necessarily which ones cool the best. The stock cooler is a decent cooler, but it's not going to be dead silent if that's what you're going for.

In the same vein, you may want to replace the stock case fans in the P182 with something a little bit quieter if you want to get as close to silent as possible.

 

[Blain]

"Quiet but Powerful" :laugh:

Q9450... No. The extra 6MBs of cache won't help you in the real world.
E8500... Yes. You're not encoding 24/7, so the extra cores on the quad (especially at default speed), are wasted. The cheaper and higher clocked E8500 is just the ticket.

Mushkin 4GB DDR2-800... Yes, but I'd just get the Corsair 4GB @ $25 (AR), to save some cash.

VelociRaptor 150... Yes. That's a good pick for your OS and a platform to encode from.
Samsung F1 1TB... Personally, I'd go for the WD 1TB "Black", but to each his own...

Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme... No. It won't be as quiet as the Zalman Reserator1 V2.

 

[DaveSimmons]

GPU: Asus ENGTX260

How quiet is this in 2D? My ATI 4870 is quiet if I use the stock fan speed, but then it runs at 80c and my motherboard/CPU temps go up 5c or more as well.

 

[JKing76]

I'll be concurrently running an embedded workshop IDE/full spec emulator, Eclipse or Visual studio with client/server/DB apps running/debugging, and Linux in a VM. I think I can put 4 cores to use

However, it looks like the Q9550 is replacing the 9450 and is available for the same price, so I'll go for that instead.

I'm curious as you what you've heard about the Enermax PSUs, those are supposed to be quality parts. But the Corsair 520-HX is definitely another option: a little cheaper, less wasted overhead, and it looks like cables are long enough to route behind the P182's mobo tray.

The Reserator is a very nice product, but for neatness's sake I want to keep the whole system contained. But it'd make things even harder to lug out to the living room for gaming on the big screen.

Good catch on the Corsair.

Case fans will be PSU fan in the P182's lower chamber, a Nexus 120mm exhaust, and probably the Scythe Kama Flow on the CPU cooler.

The ENGTX260 got a very complementary review from MikeC at SPCR.

Thanks for all the comments!

 

[JKing76]

Cool, no other issues I'll order the parts this week!