Want tips on silent SLI 4K gaming build

[Camaxide]

So I've built quite a lot of builds through the years, and this time I want to make a computer for the living room / home cinema - that will run games in 4K. Since it will be in the living room and on at all times, I want it to be dead quiet while not gaming and quiet when gaming.

So to start off, these are the components I currently have in mind:

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K (estimated available in January) 4.2 GHz (4.5 GHz Boost)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Le Grand Macho RT
MB: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 7
GPU: 2x Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080Ti (hopefully also available around January) Currently on my list is 2x Palit GeForce GTX 1080's - but they under-perform a little at 4K in Ultra.
RAM: 32GB - Really any low CAS low profile sticks - like 4x8 GB HyperX Savage DDR4 2400 MHz
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB - might be combined with Samsung 950 Pro 512 GB M.2
HDD: I want to avoid mechanical drive.. but since I use Shadowplay recording 24/7 I might have to go with one..
Case: SilverStone Fortress FT05 Black (No window version)
PSU: Corsair HX850i
Optical: Asus Blu-Ray Writer SBW-06D2X-U (external so I can plug only if I really need it)

• So, I picked the 7700K because I want fast cores more than I want many - since many programs and games I run seem to favor and be limited to core speed rather than more cores.
• Motherboard is up for vote, I thought this one looks good for the build - it's important to me to be able to set up fan profiles for all fans as I want to set very low speeds when idle, and a curve that allows silent operation also during load.
• GPU needs to be able to handle games at 4K at ok settings alone (to ensure I can turn off SLI in games that does not handle it well) and also to run SLI where it works well to be able to run 4K Ultra at 60 FPS. GPU needs to be silent when idle and not noisy during load.
• RAM I think is not that brand important, as long as its low cas and low profile I'm happy.
• SSD is the way I want to go with everything as it does not produce any noise. but since I record my game play with Nvidia Shadowplay at all times I would likely be better off having a single quiet HDD in there - ideas on this is very welcome. I've been thinking about installing a single SSD only for Shadowplay so it can wear and tear and simply get exchanged if it fails - without stalling the rest of the installation - but that seem a bit over the top..
• Case is chosen as it seem to be the only solution that lets two cards in SLI operate without the bottom card cooking the top card. I've never ran SLI and want input on the case.. Is there other ways to make sure the top card is not warmer than the bottom one - I know fans can just ramp up, but as I want a silent build, it makes sense to ensure all fans work as slow as possible also during load. My problem with the FT05 is that it's much smaller than I'd like - I have plenty of room for the PC and would love a full tower with much space for both SSD's and cable management - while FT05 is built to make a small footprint. I have however not found any properly sized new cases for the job that has the vertical setup. Ideas are welcome bot horizontal and vertical.
• PSU is chosen as I have a good experience with Corsair - but any PSU that are able to run fan-less when idle and silent when load (and also have modular cables and a good power rating and good wattage) is a good choice.
• And for Optical I don't want one since it makes too much noise - but I want an external one for emergency. I'd like if that emergency optical would be able to run 4K Blu-ray movies (if there is any difference there).

Any tips on these parts, or really on anything related to building a 4K Gaming PC for SLI is welcome. Keep in mind the PC will be located visible in the living room - and run on 5.2 surround on a TV-set. For cases a black slick case without leds (or leds that can be turned off) is a good go - as I don't want it to look like Christmas decoration..

 

[Darkleoco]

Would definitely say to consider mid-high end watercooling if you are looking for quiet while gaming. Running SLI with two top-end cards is going to throw a lot of heat in your case and even great airflow won't necessarily be enough to keep noise and heat down. Also a little more information would be helpful such as how close you are to your PC as silent from across the room and silent with it sitting next to you are two very different things.

 

[Camaxide]

Water cooling won't do as the pump will always run, and not be silent even when idle, so far the research I've done on the matter suggests that water-cooling will never be as quiet as a carefully done air-cooling at least - but all input is welcome on that - since the computer will be on also when doing delicate music listening, a pump sound won't be so good during idle - I hope to be able to do the load without ramping fans up to 'too noisy'.
I looked at this guide for the air-cooling setup: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1445-page5.html Now, the 1080's run at 180W over the 148W of the 970's in that test - so the 1080Ti's will certainly bring more heat to the table - but with 23db load at 1m - there should be some headroom. Also - 30db from good fans and 30db from a pump is noticed quiet differently - a smooth non-whining air-sound will be less easy to pick up notice to than pumps and water.

As for distance the computer will be in a corner in front of you, next to the right-hand front speaker (distance 2,5 - 3,0 meters) - as it's a corner noise certain noise might be boosted, but this is the free spot as the speaker can't go in the corner.

 

[the54thvoid]

A Laing D5 pump is pretty damn quiet. Vibration is taken care of with a rubber mount. I use a D5 with my 3930k and 980ti kingpin at 1500mhz. Fan rpm is 700rpm over 2 x 360 rads.
I guarantee my set up (which is overkill) is quieter than any air cooled equivalent.
Also, 2 x 1080ti in a closed case will be noisier for sure.

 

[Camaxide]

Thanks, I will look into some reviews on the D5 - and how uniform any noise is on this.
I also just figured I'll swap on my current list the CM Hyper 212 EVO with Cryorig H7 Universal as it goes lower on noise in idle.

 

[BiggieShady]

Quietness is so relative, you make your system "silent" and your ears and brain adapt and adjust for new baseline for background noise ... and suddenly the quiet build is not so quiet anymore by perception bias alone.
I realized more important is "quality" of the noise, achieving muffled more white-noise-like hum without any annoying higher pitched brazing sounds ... then drown it in with the speakers volume

 

[Camaxide]

Yeah, this is why I want to avoid water-cooling as when it makes noise, it's a much worse noise than fans with a good sound profile runs equally high (but if air isnt able to do it without ramping speeds up a lot then water may be more quiet under load).
It is more important for me that the system is pretty much dead silent at idle, then very silent during load. if the living room is being used for reading a book, or listening to say Enya at low volume - then you really don't want to realize a computer is running in the room at all. While if I blow stuff up in a tank in BF1 - then a tiny bit of noise won't make a huge difference.

 

[FR@NK]

When I did my home theater setup, I ran HDMI through the wall and moved the computer into a closet. I hate background noise when I'm watching movies. For gaming I use a headset so cant really hear anything else.

 

[Camaxide]

Good idea Frank, but the other side of the wall is our bedroom, more specifically my girlfriends wardrobe - so I think that's not the right solution for my 'case' 'pun intended'

 

[FR@NK]

Yea just sharing my experience I understand it wont work for most people.

It wont be easy to get a silent 4k gaming system especially if you dont wanna water cool it.

 

[Camaxide]

I know it's not an easy mission, but that's why I look for some tips here
I'd really prefer it to be on air - which is why I've looked at the vertical placement of the cards - as it allows all air to move up - and not past one card. However I guess that method might work best with the Founders Edition cooling method, but might work less smooth with the custom cooling cards.. And I will certainly go with a good 3rd party cooler version of the cards.. I see many cards today actually turn off the fans when idle, which is what I want Also I guess a motherboard which allows for more spacing between the two GPU's are a good idea.

 

[blobster21]

I would suggest the use of a zalman front panel fan controller such as this one :

 

[Camaxide]

Thanks blobster21 I hope to be able to do that job with software, to avoid having to walk off around the table and into the living room corner to turn fan-knobs.
Keyboard, Mouse etc. should be all wireless for this build. But fan control is very important. I guess for software control I need to ensure I have a motherboard with lots of fan headers able to control speed. What is required for this? Does most motherboards today support plenty of that? or is there a few enthusiast boards only?

 

[R00kie]

If you want to control the fans with software, I would suggest getting an NZXT HUE+, that will control all the fans, and if you want to bling the PC out later on, the RGB LED strips. As for the pump noise, I hear nothing out of my SPC 60 from EK, even on full throttle. Mind you, this pump wont be enough for your whole setup, but the D5's from them would be silent as heck as well.

 

[slozomby]

I think there are 6 fan headers on my asus z170 boards.

there are several pwm splitters out there ( besides just a Y cable) , if all the fans can be running the same speeds.

 

[Camaxide]

When I check the NZXT Hue+ site I don't see anything about fan speeds, only about color control?
I see it use CAM which I already have installed for info feedback - so I'm a tiny bit familiar with the software there at least. It would mean I can also control fan speeds from my phone etc.? or at least read info from them..
I think case-fans can run on same speed - at least same type fans

 

[R00kie]

When I check the NZXT Hue+ site I don't see anything about fan speeds, only about color control?
I see it use CAM which I already have installed for info feedback - so I'm a tiny bit familiar with the software there at least. It would mean I can also control fan speeds from my phone etc.? or at least read info from them..
I think case-fans can run on same speed - at least same type fans

Ah, sorry, I was thinking about the GRID+, my bad.

 

[Camaxide]

ah thanks, yes that looks more right

 

[mstenholm]

Thanks, I will look into some reviews on the D5 - and how uniform any noise is on this.
I also just figured I'll swap on my current list the CM Hyper 212 EVO with Cryorig H7 Universal as it goes lower on noise in idle.

+1 for D5 being near silent.

 

[trog100]

complete silence when under heavy load is not possible on a high end sli machine.. some things just are..

my own machine is near silent most of the time but not when gaming.. the gpu fans speed up and can be heard.. and even water cooling needs fans and a pump for f-ck sake.. it aint magic..

trog

 

[Camaxide]

No, of course I don't look for dead silence during full load I look for dead silence at idle (2 meters from the case) and as quiet as possible during load.
I know water cools more, but for now the goal is to set up a very good air-cooled computer that will manage the task.
Any info or tips on specific cases and or fans that are well known to do supreme cooling while silent is welcome for that.
I also don't look to replace the GPU fan's I will look for a third party card that does well (as far as such a GPU goes) while case and CPU fan's will all be replaced if the stock case fans are not top notch for cooling/silence.

 

[trog100]

case side fans work well.. they blow room temp air directly onto the graphics cards.. the cooler you can keeps the cards the quieter things will be..

my system pretty much relies on them.. front fans are kind of redundant unless there is a load of spinning disks to keep cool..

trog

ps.. two "heaters" in a not ideal case.. it does rely on the unseen side fans.. they directly feed cool air to both the cards and top flow cpu cooler..

 

[Camaxide]

Side fans might be a good thing if I go with a standard horizontal case.
For vertical setup I'd have intake under - and outtake on top. but 98% of the cases on the market are not vertical..
I will likely not have any optical or HDD (maybe one) and so I could also have plenty of intake from the front.
as I understand many large fans running slow is the way to go?

ps: what cards are those? for the 1080's I looked at so far I have liked the Palit ones - do they turn off their fans entirely when idle?

 

[D007]

Heat hasn't been the problem with my 1080.. ACX 3.0 heat levels are awesome..
Just make sure it's aftermarket cooling, the standard sucks..
Going two TI's? I have one recommendation.. Ship it to me when you're done building it..lol

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Case: Corsair 600Q
HSF: (why are you trying to use entry level?) Noctua NH-D15S or Thermalright Le Grand Macho RT