I'm going for a below 30dBa gaming system (up to 35 dBa at load) and I definitely don't want to do water. I need a rig that can play starcraft 2 at full resolution with 2xAA with settings on "ultra" while streaming.
Right now I'm closest to going with the powercolor 7950 pcs+, but many message boards have reports of spotty components being used by on this version and poor customer service from powercolor. The powercolor version seems to be the only one quiet enough according to the techpowerup reviews. I would love if some version of the 7970 was 35 dBa or less @ load out of the box.
I could also crossfire 7770's since they are only 80 watts @load each, but it seems silly to buy 2 older cards for this.
The Arctic Cooling Accelero is another option, but I'd have to figure out how to replace the non-standard sized fans on the 78xx version. The 6990 Accelero has 120mm fans but buying a 6990, $130 accelero, and $30 in fans (that may be difficult to install) doesn't seem like a great option. I'm going to start buying components in about a month when ivy processors are released. If anyone has a GPU suggestion please let me know! For reference here is my planned rig:
Fractal Design Define Mini Case
Mobo: Asus Maximux IV Gene-Z LGA 1155 z68 (or Maximus V gene, although don't see much benefit)
Processor: Ivy Bridge 3570K unless 3770K perform better in practical benchmarks
CPU Cooling: Something big with slipstream 120mm fans
Memory: Samsung Green PC3-12800 30nm
PSU: KINGWIN STR-500 500W ATX Passive; if 500 watt not enough Seasonic 860w (80+ Platinum)
SSD: Intel 520 240gb Sata III
NZXT Fan Controller @$25 (unless anyone has better suggestion?)
generic blu-ray/dvd/CDRW
6x to 8x Slipstream 1200rpm fans
Right now I'm closest to going with the powercolor 7950 pcs+, but many message boards have reports of spotty components being used by on this version and poor customer service from powercolor. The powercolor version seems to be the only one quiet enough according to the techpowerup reviews. I would love if some version of the 7970 was 35 dBa or less @ load out of the box.
I could also crossfire 7770's since they are only 80 watts @load each, but it seems silly to buy 2 older cards for this.
The Arctic Cooling Accelero is another option, but I'd have to figure out how to replace the non-standard sized fans on the 78xx version. The 6990 Accelero has 120mm fans but buying a 6990, $130 accelero, and $30 in fans (that may be difficult to install) doesn't seem like a great option. I'm going to start buying components in about a month when ivy processors are released. If anyone has a GPU suggestion please let me know! For reference here is my planned rig:
Fractal Design Define Mini Case
Mobo: Asus Maximux IV Gene-Z LGA 1155 z68 (or Maximus V gene, although don't see much benefit)
Processor: Ivy Bridge 3570K unless 3770K perform better in practical benchmarks
CPU Cooling: Something big with slipstream 120mm fans
Memory: Samsung Green PC3-12800 30nm
PSU: KINGWIN STR-500 500W ATX Passive; if 500 watt not enough Seasonic 860w (80+ Platinum)
SSD: Intel 520 240gb Sata III
NZXT Fan Controller @$25 (unless anyone has better suggestion?)
generic blu-ray/dvd/CDRW
6x to 8x Slipstream 1200rpm fans