Hey there folks. I'm just looking for a bit of advice for some cleaning up and improvements on my build that I put together just about a year ago. Specs are in the sig.
First off, actually cleaning out dust. I'm not sure how much dust accumulates over just a year and where it's most concentrated (besides the fans). Does OCUK sell air canisters for cleaning? If not where can I buy from and what should I take note of when cleaning it out? Should I remove the CPU heatsink for easier dust removal (I've got thermal paste left over I think)? But if I were to reapply thermal paste I'd also need to find some cleaning alcohol somewhere, I don't think I've ever seen it in shops.
Next up, the fans. Besides the CPU fans the PC has a fair few fans. For exhaust there is 2 140mm Aerocool DS (DeadSilence) at the top (4 pin connection on the mobo for speed control) and a 120mm NZXT fan that came with the case on the CPU exhaust slot at the back (plugged into CPU OPT on the board if I remember, possibly with an LNA).
For intakes there's 2 120mm Aerocool DS at the front of the case (one connected to mobo 4 pin and the second to mobo 3pin, so fixed RPM but I attached a LNA cable to slow/hush it), a 120mm NZXT fan (that came with the case) on the bottom and a 140mm NZXT fan (that came with the case) on the side blowing directly onto the GPU (an open air cooler design). The 2 NZXT fans are attached to the fan control on the case which is always at the lowest setting.
All the Aerocool fans are installed with the noise-reducing rubber screw-like things that they came with and the fans connected to mobo via 4 pin have fan curves thanks to Gigabyte SIV. I find that the build could be a lot quieter, it's not loud but the hum of the fans when the machine is on is noticeable. Should I get rid of some fans? Should I change the direction of some of these fans? Should I replace them with quieter models like Corsair SP120/140? Should I attach some LNA adaptors to some (I have a ton spare)?
Next up, SSD upgrade. Not a replacement, but an addition. I want to add a 2nd SSD to install Windows 10 on, so I don't have to get rid on my working Windows 7 installation, while I try it out. Worst case scenario, Windows 10 is terrible and I just use it to install commonly played games/programs.
I've been looking at the 250GB Kingston HyperX Savage or getting a 2nd Samsung 850 Evo. Though I did notice a M.2 Samung 850 EVO, a bit pricier but faster. Thing is, I want the Windows 7 (current SSD contents) on the faster SSD, so if I did get an M.2 drive, I'd want to transfer everything over. Should I forget about M.2 and just get a regular SSD?
I will also mention that I've ordered a USB DAC/Amp along with some new headphones.
Finally, something that's not so Pc related, that should probably go in the console gaming section. I'm also looking to buy a hardrive upgrade for my PS4. Currently I have eyes on a 1TB WD/Seagate Hybrid drive. But recently OCUK have added in some good value Kingston SSDs. So I'm considering a 480GB SSD instead. Would I be better off with an SSD, noting that I don't have (or plan to buy) many games and one of the games I intend to play is Bloodborne (notorious for load times)?
Thanks for any help you guys can give me. Hopefully I have a fair bit of time off to actually do all this stuff. It doesn't help that I have hayfever, last time I cleaned out a PC I had to wear a scarf cos it wrecked my nose.
First off, actually cleaning out dust. I'm not sure how much dust accumulates over just a year and where it's most concentrated (besides the fans). Does OCUK sell air canisters for cleaning? If not where can I buy from and what should I take note of when cleaning it out? Should I remove the CPU heatsink for easier dust removal (I've got thermal paste left over I think)? But if I were to reapply thermal paste I'd also need to find some cleaning alcohol somewhere, I don't think I've ever seen it in shops.
Next up, the fans. Besides the CPU fans the PC has a fair few fans. For exhaust there is 2 140mm Aerocool DS (DeadSilence) at the top (4 pin connection on the mobo for speed control) and a 120mm NZXT fan that came with the case on the CPU exhaust slot at the back (plugged into CPU OPT on the board if I remember, possibly with an LNA).
For intakes there's 2 120mm Aerocool DS at the front of the case (one connected to mobo 4 pin and the second to mobo 3pin, so fixed RPM but I attached a LNA cable to slow/hush it), a 120mm NZXT fan (that came with the case) on the bottom and a 140mm NZXT fan (that came with the case) on the side blowing directly onto the GPU (an open air cooler design). The 2 NZXT fans are attached to the fan control on the case which is always at the lowest setting.
All the Aerocool fans are installed with the noise-reducing rubber screw-like things that they came with and the fans connected to mobo via 4 pin have fan curves thanks to Gigabyte SIV. I find that the build could be a lot quieter, it's not loud but the hum of the fans when the machine is on is noticeable. Should I get rid of some fans? Should I change the direction of some of these fans? Should I replace them with quieter models like Corsair SP120/140? Should I attach some LNA adaptors to some (I have a ton spare)?
Next up, SSD upgrade. Not a replacement, but an addition. I want to add a 2nd SSD to install Windows 10 on, so I don't have to get rid on my working Windows 7 installation, while I try it out. Worst case scenario, Windows 10 is terrible and I just use it to install commonly played games/programs.
I've been looking at the 250GB Kingston HyperX Savage or getting a 2nd Samsung 850 Evo. Though I did notice a M.2 Samung 850 EVO, a bit pricier but faster. Thing is, I want the Windows 7 (current SSD contents) on the faster SSD, so if I did get an M.2 drive, I'd want to transfer everything over. Should I forget about M.2 and just get a regular SSD?
I will also mention that I've ordered a USB DAC/Amp along with some new headphones.
Finally, something that's not so Pc related, that should probably go in the console gaming section. I'm also looking to buy a hardrive upgrade for my PS4. Currently I have eyes on a 1TB WD/Seagate Hybrid drive. But recently OCUK have added in some good value Kingston SSDs. So I'm considering a 480GB SSD instead. Would I be better off with an SSD, noting that I don't have (or plan to buy) many games and one of the games I intend to play is Bloodborne (notorious for load times)?
Thanks for any help you guys can give me. Hopefully I have a fair bit of time off to actually do all this stuff. It doesn't help that I have hayfever, last time I cleaned out a PC I had to wear a scarf cos it wrecked my nose.
