micro ATX quiet build

[Yeggstry]

Hi guys,

I am looking to upgrade from the spec in my sig apart from my graphics card, but my primary requirements are that I can transport my rig easily (I go to LANs a lot), and that the machine is as quiet as possible. I also want an SSD for the OS and games, my other files are on a central file server.

My budget is 600, however if watercooling is a recommended option to keep it quiet I'm willing to spend a bit more, however I'm not that fussed about overclocking. I've already got a general idea of some of the parts (e.g. i5 2500K and Crucial M4 SSD) but I'm not sure about the other parts.

EDIT: I should also clarify as well:
* I have an external DVD drive which I will use for installing etc. (who uses discs these days anyway? )
* The PSU in my current machine is on its way out (fan has stopped and is out of warranty).
* I have a 500Gb drive I can use as a secondary / data drive.
* I have Win 7 Home Professional on there now (yes I need to update my sig).

Thanks in advance

 

[stulid]

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £175.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 MicroATX Motherboard £104.98
1 x Thermaltake Armor A30 LAN Gaming Case - Black £79.99
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £69.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) £61.99
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £31.19
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-7280S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £553.61 (includes shipping : £11.25).




• Keep your PSU
• keep the GTX560ti

Add a aftermarket heatsink for higher overclocks, but 4Ghz is fine on the stock cooler.

Maybe get Win7?

 

[Yeggstry]

Thanks stulid. I should have clarified some other points, I've updated my original post with that info.

 

[stulid]

Updated.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £175.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 MicroATX Motherboard £104.98
1 x Thermaltake Armor A30 LAN Gaming Case - Black £79.99
1 x Antec TruePower New Modular 650W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £79.98
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £69.98
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £31.19
Total : £556.21 (includes shipping : £11.75).

 

[Yeggstry]

Thanks a lot, the case looks great

One thing I don't know much about is using that presumably I would have the SSD setup with the OS and the separate drive as a data drive, however I've seen a bit of information about caching data from a separate drive on the SSD, but its not been very clear. Is there any article around that explains it clearly?

 

[stulid]

Thanks a lot, the case looks great

One thing I don't know much about is using that presumably I would have the SSD setup with the OS and the separate drive as a data drive, however I've seen a bit of information about caching data from a separate drive on the SSD, but its not been very clear. Is there any article around that explains it clearly?

Intel Smart Response - http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/05/11/intel_smart_response_technology_srt/

Its useful for smaller SSD drives that cant fit much on, the M4 is big enough for the OS and 2-3games and will be faster standing alone.

 

[Yeggstry]

I see... would you recommend I have two partitions on the SSD then, one for OS and one for the cache? 32/32 split?

 

[stulid]

I see... would you recommend I have two partitions on the SSD then, one for OS and one for the cache? 32/32 split?

Nope, the whole SSD for the OS and what ever else can be installed onto it.

 

[jamesfreddie]

What is the PSU with the broken fan?

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £175.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 MicroATX Motherboard £104.98
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £69.98
1 x OCZ ZS Series 650W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £54.98
1 x Fractal Design Core 1000 Midi Tower Case - Black £32.99
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £31.19
1 x Akasa AK-CC4009EP01 Venom Pico Compact CPU Cooler (Intel LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/AM2/AM2+/AM3/FM1) £16.99
Total : £502.10 (includes shipping : £12.50).

 

[Yeggstry]

Its the Corsair HX520W (modular). Thanks for your suggestions, nice to have another point of view.

 

[jamesfreddie]

Its the Corsair HX520W (modular). Thanks for your suggestions, nice to have another point of view.

Why not replace the fan in your PSU?

 

[honosuseri]

Updated.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £175.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 MicroATX Motherboard £104.98
1 x Thermaltake Armor A30 LAN Gaming Case - Black £79.99
1 x Antec TruePower New Modular 650W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £79.98
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £69.98
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £31.19
Total : £556.21 (includes shipping : £11.75).

I like this!! SLI capable mobo and a modular PSU with enough juice to run a second 560ti later if you wanted.....nice work!!

 

[Yeggstry]

Why not replace the fan in your PSU?

Coz at the moment I don't know if its just the fan that's broken or something more fundamental