Hi,
I am about to update my 2003 Intel P4 Asus P4P800 Delux (With Zalman CNPS 7000 Cu-Al or whatever it is 'flower') combo to a new system and would welcome constructive thoughts and input please.
I have toyed with building an i7 system but the component parts are simply too expensive at this time. I have considered buying an i7 XPS desktop as I find it hard to build a Quad Core system for the price of their i7 systems - putting together a component i7 system costs more than Dell charge even though Dell's i7s include a good variety of monitor options. However, I have read numerous reviews from i7 XPS owner complaining that the Dells are noisy and peace & quiet are my priorities.
I have a Sony Vaio circa 2007 and a friend has commented that I should simpy buy myself a nice big monitor such as the 24 inch Samsung and a new ergonomic keyboard, double the RAM in the Vaio from 1GB to 2GB and simply use the Vaio as my main PC with an external backup drive solution. Then, 12 months from now, simply update to a newer laptop. I am sat here now in my living room watching Midsommers Murders whilst typing this on the Vaio so there is some point in what he is saying BUT... I find that long periods of typing on the Vaio causes me RSI in my fingers and forearms and my breathing becomes very poor from being hunched over it. Of course, with a new big monitor sat on my office desk and a new keyboard to plug the Vaio into things might be different. Anyhow, I digress...
Anyhow, I would welcome advice on what CPU Cooler I should go for my new system. I am not interested in gaming, over-clocking or anything other than a fast but QUIET PC. I might wish to do some video editing on it eventually.
I currently have a 2003 Antec Sonata case and aim to try and keep it. I have updated the PSU to a modular Corsair 520w which is whisper quiet. Currently I am considering:
My current Antec Sonata Case
My current Corsair 520w PSU
Asus P5Q Delux Motherboard
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2
Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB)
Or:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.33GHz 4MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - Retail
I haven't really decided at the moment whether to buy a £50 fanless VGA card or opt for something like the fanless Gigabyte GV-R485MC-1GH - 1GB Gigabyte HD 4850 for £150 and future-proof myself whilst allowing myself to buy a bigger monitor such as a 20, 23 or even a 24 inch later on this year. Currently I have a 17 inch LG which was state of the art back in 2003 and it has been a pretty fine monitor to date but now seems small and, as I am tall, I like the sound of new monitors such as the Samsung which are height adjustable.
So, after typing this it appears that I have a few questions more than my original one.
1. As I am building new should I go for an i7 or a Quad Core?
Hmm, component parts for an i7 self-build are just too prohibitive in price currently and, as tempting as the Dells are, I know I could not hack the noise that I have seen reviewers complain about. Also, I remember buying one of the first state of the art P2s or P3s and Intel changed the chipset for subsquent chips which meant the Dell was an upgrade dead-end straight-away. After that experience I began building my own PCs.
2. Should I simply keep the laptop and buy the extra RAM, a nice big monitor, an ergonomic keyboard and an external backup solution?
I am not sure about this. I can see pros and cons. I like the flexibility of having a laptop to take here and there but my current desktop, as old as it is, has a lot of data, files, images and software on it. I also have been reading about people opting to go back to desktops from laptops as they found that they ended up working all hours in all places because their laptop was so portable. The desktop in a room somewhere allows you to close the door and switch your mind off. Too much stress in IT these days.
3. If I go down the Quad Core build it myself what CPU cooler that is silent or near enough silent for my above two chosen CPU options is best?
Haven't decided whether the 65 or 45 chip is best. The 45 CPU would be cooler and hence need less cooling I guess.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I would be grateful for help and thoughts on the above.
T.
I am about to update my 2003 Intel P4 Asus P4P800 Delux (With Zalman CNPS 7000 Cu-Al or whatever it is 'flower') combo to a new system and would welcome constructive thoughts and input please.
I have toyed with building an i7 system but the component parts are simply too expensive at this time. I have considered buying an i7 XPS desktop as I find it hard to build a Quad Core system for the price of their i7 systems - putting together a component i7 system costs more than Dell charge even though Dell's i7s include a good variety of monitor options. However, I have read numerous reviews from i7 XPS owner complaining that the Dells are noisy and peace & quiet are my priorities.
I have a Sony Vaio circa 2007 and a friend has commented that I should simpy buy myself a nice big monitor such as the 24 inch Samsung and a new ergonomic keyboard, double the RAM in the Vaio from 1GB to 2GB and simply use the Vaio as my main PC with an external backup drive solution. Then, 12 months from now, simply update to a newer laptop. I am sat here now in my living room watching Midsommers Murders whilst typing this on the Vaio so there is some point in what he is saying BUT... I find that long periods of typing on the Vaio causes me RSI in my fingers and forearms and my breathing becomes very poor from being hunched over it. Of course, with a new big monitor sat on my office desk and a new keyboard to plug the Vaio into things might be different. Anyhow, I digress...
Anyhow, I would welcome advice on what CPU Cooler I should go for my new system. I am not interested in gaming, over-clocking or anything other than a fast but QUIET PC. I might wish to do some video editing on it eventually.
I currently have a 2003 Antec Sonata case and aim to try and keep it. I have updated the PSU to a modular Corsair 520w which is whisper quiet. Currently I am considering:
My current Antec Sonata Case
My current Corsair 520w PSU
Asus P5Q Delux Motherboard
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2
Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB)
Or:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.33GHz 4MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - Retail
I haven't really decided at the moment whether to buy a £50 fanless VGA card or opt for something like the fanless Gigabyte GV-R485MC-1GH - 1GB Gigabyte HD 4850 for £150 and future-proof myself whilst allowing myself to buy a bigger monitor such as a 20, 23 or even a 24 inch later on this year. Currently I have a 17 inch LG which was state of the art back in 2003 and it has been a pretty fine monitor to date but now seems small and, as I am tall, I like the sound of new monitors such as the Samsung which are height adjustable.
So, after typing this it appears that I have a few questions more than my original one.
1. As I am building new should I go for an i7 or a Quad Core?
Hmm, component parts for an i7 self-build are just too prohibitive in price currently and, as tempting as the Dells are, I know I could not hack the noise that I have seen reviewers complain about. Also, I remember buying one of the first state of the art P2s or P3s and Intel changed the chipset for subsquent chips which meant the Dell was an upgrade dead-end straight-away. After that experience I began building my own PCs.
2. Should I simply keep the laptop and buy the extra RAM, a nice big monitor, an ergonomic keyboard and an external backup solution?
I am not sure about this. I can see pros and cons. I like the flexibility of having a laptop to take here and there but my current desktop, as old as it is, has a lot of data, files, images and software on it. I also have been reading about people opting to go back to desktops from laptops as they found that they ended up working all hours in all places because their laptop was so portable. The desktop in a room somewhere allows you to close the door and switch your mind off. Too much stress in IT these days.
3. If I go down the Quad Core build it myself what CPU cooler that is silent or near enough silent for my above two chosen CPU options is best?
Haven't decided whether the 65 or 45 chip is best. The 45 CPU would be cooler and hence need less cooling I guess.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I would be grateful for help and thoughts on the above.
T.
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I would recommend one if you've got the cash for it as they are blisteringly quick however as you don't game then a Q6600 would probably do you just fine.
As long as your case supports 120mm fans, it should be quiet as well as being cool. 80mm fans are noisy!
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