Heatsink/Case considerations for a very very quiet i7 build

superdump

superdump

superdump

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I'm intending to purchase a Core i7 machine shortly to use as a digital multimedia software development workstation. The spec will be something like:

Intel Core i7 920
Gigabyte EX58-UD3R
3x2GB OCZ PC3-10666
2x1TB Samsung Spinpoint F1
DVD-RW

For graphics I have a PCI-E 7800GT card lying around that will suffice. It won't be a gaming rig so I'm not too concerned about that.

I wanted to get an Antec Sonata Plus 550 and one of:

- Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme with a Nexus Real Silent 120mm fan
- Scythe Ninja 2
- Noctua NH-U12P SE1366

I enquired with OcUK about compatibility of the heatsinks such that they would not block any of the RAM slots on the board but also that they would actually fit in the case. I was told that they would not fit.

Before the Sonata Plus 550 I was planning to get the P182, but I don't really need so many 5 1/4" bays and the case is rather large. Neither of those issues are major, however, it is rather expensive when consider one has to purchase a PSU as well. I may end up having to stretch to the P182 and an Ultra-120 Extreme.

So, do you guys have any recommendations for cases that are both quiet and keep cool?
 
engstrom0304 said:
i bought a cheaper antec 300 with a noctua and i couldnt be more happy! Noctua is apparently better than the Ultra-120 extreme
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What do you think of the build quality of the Antec 300? After looking around at various reviews since you posted this, I noted someone complaining that the side door of an Antec 1200 didn't fit and the Antec 300s they saw were worse.

Do you have any issue with having to trail the ATX motherboard connectors up to the top of the case? I suppose this mainly depends on the PSU one buys and how long its cables are.

freddie64 said:
Make sure the cooler is compatable with your motherboard, skt 1366 is different fitting to skt 775.
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Thanks, I'm aware of this. The Scythe Ninja 2 and Thermalright Ultra-120 series both have LGA 1366 mounting brackets available, though the Thermalright one is now out of stock on OcUK. The Noctua, to which I referred, comes with the LGA 1366 mounting bracket.
 
sharpygsxr said:
im plannin an I7 setup myself at the moment and im goin for the Coolermaster V8

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-026-CM
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The Coolermaster is supposedly huge, so if a Noc won't fit, I doubt a V8 would.

Also, if you're looking at about £120 for a case and PSU, I would recommend the Antec 300 and a Corsair 650W, for £127 together. The Corsair is on offer this week, for just £4 more than the 550W one (not that you'll need it, but the extra leeway for £4 is worth it), and the Antec 300 will fit a Noctua U12P.

Or, if you want a nicer case, you could go for the Lian Li A07B and a Coolermaster Modular Real Power 520W (£133 together).
 
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D D Danneh said:
The Coolermaster is supposedly huge, so if a Noc won't fit, I doubt a V8 would.
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Indeed.

D D Danneh said:
Also, if you're looking at about £120 for a case and PSU, I would recommend the Antec 300 and a Corsair 650W, for £127 together. The Corsair is on offer this week, for just £4 more than the 550W one (not that you'll need it, but the extra leeway for £4 is worth it), and the Antec 300 will fit a Noctua U12P.
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Yes, I'd noticed the Corsair TX650W as that's the PSU I was planning to get if I went for a P180/P182. That PSU is rated very highly by silentpcreview. Unfortunately, I'm waiting until I get paid before I buy it so I'm speccing and bargain-hunting. :)

I'll consider the Antec 300 + Corsair TX650W one option. And I suppose the Noctua, though again it's a bit more pricey than I was intending and ideally I'd like to choose all my own fans. (Probably Nexus Real Silent 120mm/92mm.)
 
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