New PC Specs

xy16644

xy16644

xy16644

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10 May 2009
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I want to build myself a new desktop computer. I currently use a laptop but its almost 4 years old and I miss desktop performance!

I'll be using the new machine for internet browsing, email, watching BluRay 1080p movies, HD YouTube videos and possibly running a couple virtual machines with VMWare or VirtualBox. I'm a total speed junkie and since I have waited so long to build a new machine, I am willing to spend more on it.

Here are the specs so far:

Case: Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl Mid-Tower USB 3.0
CPU: Intel CPU Core i7 3770K Quad Core IvyBridge Processor Retail
Mobo: Asus P8Z77-V DELUXE Intel Z77 Socket 1155 Ivybridge Ready
RAM: Corsair Memory Dominator Platinum 16GB DDR3 1600 MHz
Boot drive: OCZ RevoDrive3 120GB PCI-E SSD
Data drive: Western Digital 2TB Caviar Black WD2002FAEX Hard Drive
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-850AXUK Professional Series Gold AX 850W
Monitor: Dell 27" IPS Monitor A12 U2711 IPS Monitor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14-2011

How does this look? Is all the above mentioned hardware compatible? I was also thinking of replacing the included case fans with Noctuas too. I like a quiet machine!

Will the motherboard (with RAM) and the (giant) CPU cooler physically fit in the case?

I'll be running Windows 7 Professional 64bit.

You'll notice I have not included a video card. I thought I would use the built in (Intel HD 4000 displayport) as I don't ever play games (or plan to). Later on I may add a second or third monitor and maybe some more drives for data.

I already have the BluRay drive (LG).

Am I on the right track? Quite excited about this :D
 
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Aaaah, thanks for that re the CPU cooler! Can you recommend any low profile RAM for my specs that'll work with the Noctua CPU cooler?

I am aware of the resolution limitations of using HDMI for the second monitor. I thought I may just get a cheapish video card for the 2nd and 3rd monitor so I could get the full resolution of the U2711 with Displayport.
 
Those do look low profile! I'd rather go for 2x8GB modules if possible so I have the option of adding more RAM in the future. Are there low profile 8GB modules?
 
The Corsair XMS3 16GB looks perfect, thank you!

Am I going to be ok with everything fitting in the case with the CPU cooler? How many Noctua case fans should I purchase for this setup? Should I just replace the included fans or add a couple more?

I assume for what I am using the machine for that the HD 4000 built in graphics will be more than enough? How much video RAM does the HD4000 use? I'll be running the monitor in the maximum resolution in Windows (no games at all).

Thanks for all the help, really helpful.
 
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xy16644 said:
The Corsair XMS3 16GB looks perfect, thank you!

Am I going to be ok with everything fitting in the case with the CPU cooler? How many Noctua case fans should I purchase for this setup? Should I just replace the included fans or add a couple more?

I assume for what I am using the machine for that the HD 4000 built in graphics will be more than enough?

Thanks for all the help, really helpful.
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The case should be good enough as is, in terms of silence and airflow. If you want an alternative, the Corsair Obsidian 550D is better build quality and as quiet. The Antec P280 would be in between those two.

The cooler will definitely fit in the R3. TTL (TimeToLiveCustoms channel on youtube) is very fond of the NH-D14, and has used the R3 a fair bit with it.

the HD4000 is good enough for anything but gaming. It will be ok for browser-based games, or even older games (Half Life 2, Counterstrike Source, Quake 3...).

The PSU is way overkill. The AX650 will do the job, and could be said to be equally overkill. But it's a good power supply, and you can add any graphics card to it no problem.
 
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The integrated GPU will be fine if you're not gaming.

The R3 seems to fit 7 x 120mm fans (including one at the bottom and one on the side panel).

It's supplied with 2.

You may not be able to fit one on the side panel with the large cooler.

How many extra you want to fit or replace is up to you really.

Fitting all 6 (excluding the side panel) may be a bit of overkill.

If you're going to spend that much on fans then maybe you could look at a different case which has better/more fans to start with.

While all your components work together you may want to look at some of the choices you've made.

The PSU, for example, is far more than you need for the spec.

And for around half price of the 128GB RevoDrive you could buy a 240/256GB SSD.
 
I thought the PSU was a tad overkill but I may add more hard drives later on and possibly another video card to support 3 monitors.

I definitely don't want to cram as many fans as possible into the R3 case. I'm more interested in what is the minimum recommended amount of fans I should run with the CPU and hard drives I'll have in the case. Less is better as it makes the machine quieter and I like quiet machines!

I did consider the M4 256GB SSD (or an OWC) but the RevoDrive is hard to resist when I look at the speeds you get from it!
 
Just had a look at the Corsair Obsidian 550D Quiet Midi Tower Case. Damn, that does look nice. Am going to have to read up a bit about this case! The R3 takes 10 3.5" drives though.
 
Thank you re the PSU. I want everything about this case to be quiet ;-)

I think I'll replace the included case fans (two I believe) with 120 or 140mm Noctua fans. Hopefully that will mean a really quiet case!
 
xy16644 said:
Can anyone comment on the noise level of the Corsair CMPSU-850AXUK Professional Series Gold AX 850?
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Very quiet. Well, can't hear it over all the other **** I got :)

The AX series are ones of the best. They are pretty much re-badged Seasonic X series.

I think I'll replace the included case fans (two I believe) with 120 or 140mm Noctua fans. Hopefully that will mean a really quiet case!
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Ideally, you have one extraction fan, two front fans, and one or two top fans, although imo not really required especially with a big NH-D14 in the case and good airflow. NH-D14 might actually interfere with top fans in the R3, best double check.

Cougar / Scythe GentleTyphoons / Noctua NF-P12 / NF-F12 fans. Expensive.

Corsair has some new high performance fans as well.

Fan controller might be useful. I'd get one with knobs, I don't really like the digital ones with probes. I have a ZALMAN ZM MFC1+. It's all right. I need to change my case fans though as it doesn't work with the carbide fans (some weird Corsair 3pin connectors with lights).
 
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No problem :)

As with the above advice though, I would still recommend you save some money and go for the AX 650w, as it should be able to handle a GPU and any HDDs you add in the future.

Re the fans you could always try Sharkoon Silent Eagles or Gelid Silent 12's
 
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olivier renault said:
Or Bitfenix Spectre Pro, BeQuiet SilentWing, Akasa Apache. Lots of good fans around.
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Thanks for mentioning these brands, I'd never heard of any of them :p

Its certainly made me rethink my choice of parts. I have now changed the following:

PSU: BeQuiet BN203 DARK POWER PRO 10 850W Power Supply
CPU Cooler: Be Quiet BK017 Dark Rock Pro 2
Case fans (replacing the included fans with the R3): Be Quiet BL063 SilentWings 2

I really like Noctua but can't stand the colour of their stuff. The BeQuiet products look amazing and more importantly, from what I have read are VERY quiet.

Am I making a good change here?
 
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