Uber Budget: Looking for the Ultimate Silent PC

[GhoXen]

Hi all, now that both 900 series is out, and the next power-focused iteration of CPU is years away, I figure it's a good time to finally build a new PC. Nowadays though, I simply don't have time to fiddle around with hardware anymore, and I just want to plop down and play a quiet and awesome PC with what spare time I have. Fortunately, my budget also increased drastically so it all kinda balances out.

I'm buying my computer through a store that builds and ships custom-built PCs locally here. Regretfully, since I really don't have the time to go for cheaper or better parts from other stores, my selections are somewhat limited:
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/systems/systembuilder.asp

I'm currently using a 1440p monitor, and I'm planning to get a 120hz 1440p monitor. The only thing stopping me from going 4K is that from what I understand even with the absolute best hardware it will be hard to maintain 60 fps in some some games (let alone 120 fps).

Here are the parts I picked:

• MB: ASUS Sabertooth Mark1 Intel Z97 ATX (not sure if there's much of a difference between various Z97 MBs; picked one at random)
• CPU: Intel Devil's Canyon Core i7 4790K
• Cooler: RayStorm 750 AX360 (kinda lost here. Can someone recommend a very quiet water cooling setup from their site? I know they make custom kits, but I don't understand the difference between things like DBay, SBay, or Tube)
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR3-2400 CL11 8GBx2
• HDD: Seagate SSHD ST4000DX001 4TB 64MB (should I just go for WD black + SSD combo instead?)
• SSD: Corsair Force LS Series 240GB
• GPU: ASUS GTX 970 SLI (should I go for another brand, i.e. EVGA; go for single 980, or 980 SLI instead?)
• SPU: Asus Xonar DX 7.1 (it appears other sound cards are more tailored towards headphone gaming. I'll be using surround sound, so didn't see a point)
• Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 750D (may go for NZTX H440 instead)
• PSU: Corsair HXI Series HX1000 (may go for 850 version if 1000 unnecessary)

The only singular purpose of this PC is gaming, and the budget is unlimited. I just don't want that damn hum when I have a sweet surround sound setup. I shall gladly pay for a disproportional amount of money for noticeable superior performance. However, where there is no noticeable performance difference, I won't bother wasting the extra money. i.e. Haswell-E vs Haswell & DDR3 vs DDR4.

Please give me some feedback on the parts or other matters.

Thanks!

 

[OneMoar]

I would go with a 980 simply to have a bit more headroom at 1440p
everything else looks fine raystorm kits are nice
nothing wrong with that raystorm solid stuff should due nicely
I would effeminately go with a 240GB ssd and a WD black tho

 

[MxPhenom 216]

If you are going for a silent system why not go for a case built for silence like NZXT H630, Fractal Designs, or something from Deep Silence?

 

[Sir B. Fannybottom]

Don't get a WD black drive, I've found that they're pretty noisy/ vibrate

 

[GhoXen]

If you are going for a silent system why not go for a case built for silence like NZXT H630, Fractal Designs, or something from Deep Silence?

I'm pretty sure Corsair Obsidian Series falls into the same category.

 

[THE_EGG]

the 750D isn't as quiet as a Define R4. I changed friend's PC build from his old(ish) 750D to a Define R4 and noticed an immediate difference in quietness.

And yes personally I'd for something around a 250gb ssd if you want to put a bunch of games on it too along with say a 3 or 4tb drive. I currently use 2 WD black 3tb drives and find them a little noisy when they are seeking so it might be wise going for a green drive or something.

If your budget is unlimited I'd be tempted to recommend going 980 sli if you are moving to a 120hz + 1440p screen although a 970 sli setup is just fine too (I have a 970 sli setup myself).

 

[RCoon]

I'm pretty sure Corsair Obsidian Series falls into the same category.

If you care a lot about noise, you're going to want noise insulated panels. With the Obsidian you need to buy them, some cases come with them as standard. I myself have a noise insulated Dead Silence case. If you're not going for noise insulation, and just a standard Obsidian case, then I don't think you're particularly serious when it comes to total noise removal

If you're going to buy any type of SSD, buy a standard SSD (EVO, MX100, Pro, etc.) and a HDD and fit some rubber rings to the HDD mounting system. I'm also a fan of using low FPI radiators with the Enermax batwing fans. Those things are deadly silent at low (800 and below) RPM, and work pretty well on thought out W/C systems. @the54thvoid is one to talk about noise in that department.

 

[GeForce Junky]

I guess you have 3 main approaches for quietness whilst maintaining performance:
1: Custom water loop with plenty of radiator and slow speed fans
2: Soundproof case with decent fans for airflow
3: Free flowing case with minimal fans

I run setup 3, I have GTX 680 sli and i5 4670K@4.5Ghz 1.273v in a Enermax Ostrog GT case with a Phantek PH-TC14PE air cooler with just one fan and a single 200mm intake fan on the side window blowing directly onto the GPUs. Both fans run at minimum speed at idle and low load so its virtually silent. Both fans speed up above 55 degrees and keep both GPU temps and CPU temp below 70. The front, back and top of the case are all fairly open so all the heat naturally rises out of the case. Ideally you'd have a motherboard that can do zero CPU fan speed so the pc can have no fans moving at idle and low load. My MSI G45 can't do this.

A custom water loop is probably the best way of doing a slient gaming pc, in something like a Corsair 540 case where you can put the pump hidden away in a separate compartment with loads of sound proofing. Obviously this is much more complicated to build and much more expensive. I'd ring them and discuss your requirements if you want this option.

My only experience of AIO water coolers is with a H100i which I would not recommend. It was good for temps and not very loud under load but it always had a bit of pump noise which was annoying at idle.

From that site I would use:

Corsair Air 540 case, remove all case fans and add a 200mm side fan (will need window modifying)
Noctua DH-15 with one the ram side fan removed.
Corsair AX760i PSU - plenty of quality power
Asus 970 Sli is probably the best choice
Crucial MX100 256gb - slightly cheaper and been great for me.
Asus Ranger mobo - like you said, loads to choose from all similar


Not sure on sound card - check to see if motherboard can do 5.1 out over optical, best not to have a card to maximise airflow to GPUs if it is not required.

 

[GhoXen]

What about a NZTX H440? I quite like the design, and heard some good reviews about it.

In terms of storage drive, I suppose I can always go pure SSD.

 

[RCoon]

a H100i which I would not recommend

AIO's in general are not recommended for silent PCs. The radiators are so thin and dense you often need performance SP fans which are by no means quiet, only way I could get away with mine was to run at stock clocks and replace the fan with a dell server San Ace at sub 800RPM. The advantage of custom water is the pump can be drowned out a little easier than an AIO's.

EDIT: Quick thing to bare in mind, Seasonic PSU's like my Platinum unit come with a hybrid mode, so the fan switches off below certain temps. Something to consider.

 

[DayKnight]

Uber budget?.

Kick out HDD's. Multiple SSD's only!.

 

[ne6togadno]

fan controller is missing in the list cause fc offered in the computer lounge cant power ddc pumps (or those that can are ugly).
look for any of these ↓ that fits your visual preferences and is available in your country
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...Screen_Fan_Controller_FC-LC-01.html?tl=g34c17
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...oling_Controller_-_Black_CM615.html?tl=g34c17
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...oling_Controller_-_Black_CW611.html?tl=g34c17

edit:
btw sbay=single bay, dbay= dual bay. number of 5.25" bays ocupied by said device

 

[MxPhenom 216]

I'm pretty sure Corsair Obsidian Series falls into the same category.

They do not. I have the 750D.

The other cases I mentioned have built in sound dampening material to absorb and system noise.

Also id look into getting the Swiftech I think it is PWM fan hub and run all pwm fans. Be the best option for quietness. Fan controllers are meh, I've used 5-6 of them in theb3 years to have them all stop working in a couple months. Now I just use NZXT Grid with connectors to make the fans run at 7v.

 

[Frick]

Definately the 850W.

 

[rtwjunkie]

If you are going for a silent system why not go for a case built for silence like NZXT H630, Fractal Designs, or something from Deep Silence?

^^This! I can tell you the Fractal Design Define R4 is super quiet, and has phenomenal cooling as well. It's heavy guage steel with soundproofing built in, and Fractal's fans are fairly high airflow as well as low decibel. And the case can take more HDD's than you will likly fill it with, as well as having 2 SSD positions on the back of the motherboard. I use one for my server, and it's so quiet I bought one for my fiance's rig too. Yeah, there is a gentle whoosh of air, but that is it.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

I built a system with the H440. Because of the air flow restriction on the front, I would not recommend that case for a SLI setup. That system, with 4690K, CM 212 EVO, MSI 970 Gaming, Seasonic G550 PSU , even sitting next to you on a table, all you hear is a very quiet movement of air and some very faint sound from the HDD seeking. If it was on the floor, it would be inaudible.
Trying to figure out if you're after quiet or silent. Big difference.
You don't need a 1000 watt PSU. Even the GTX 780 Ti only needs 850 watt in SLI. Seasonic 760 watt Platinum$$$, okay, x-series.
If you're going with air cooling, go with the Asus Strix GPU's. As for CPU cooling, I'd go with the D14 or D15. If you have your heart set on water cooling for the CPU, Swiftech 220-x or 240-x is the way to go. (yes, it would have to be special ordered)
For the motherboard, I'd recommend the Asus Hero and forget the sound card.
BTW, can a system be called "Uber" if it doesn't have an Intel 730 series SSD?
Holy moly that place gets expensive!

 

[GhoXen]

I think rather than SSD and HDD combo, I'll try one of those PCIE SSD in a combo with a larger regular SSD. 2GB read write sounds glorious.

I do place my computer on the floor, blocked on right side by a wooden panel.

I don't really care if it's water or air cooled. I know that one of those giant Noctura is amazing, but will it fit inside a H440 or Design R4 alright?

 

[rtwjunkie]

I don't really care if it's water or air cooled. I know that one of those giant Noctura is amazing, but will it fit inside a H440 or Design R4 alright?

That's a good question. I'm not sure how much taller a Noctua is. I know a Xigmatech Dark Knight II and a Hyper 212 Plus have about an inch, or 2 -1/2 cm to spare in an R4.

 

[GhoXen]

I found out that a D-15 will indeed fit. But how quiet exactly is a Noctura D-15? I'm seeing a lot of benchmarks where AIO water cooling kits like Kraken X61 beating D-15 both in temperature and noise.

Add: Is Seasonic Platinum as quiet as X series? I don't mind the cost, it's simply that X-850 is so popular it's out of stock in... the entire New Zealand...

 

[BumbleBee]

I have a 550D case, D14 (Triple Fan), more Noctua case fans and Seasonic built Corsair PSU lol

very happy.

 

[Brusfantomet]

If

I found out that a D-15 will indeed fit. But how quiet exactly is a Noctura D-15? I'm seeing a lot of benchmarks where AIO water cooling kits like Kraken X61 beating D-15 both in temperature and noise.

Add: Is Seasonic Platinum as quiet as X series? I don't mind the cost, it's simply that X-850 is so popular it's out of stock in... the entire New Zealand...

Get a good fan controller/MB with detailed PWM control if the fans are PWM fans. The D-15 then becomes as quiet as you want it.

For the GFX cards, go for the one with the biggest cooler or slap a Arctic Accelero Xtreme on it.

Forget about water cooling.

As others have said, only SSD for storage, if you need several TB of space consider a NAS/File server, musick and movies have NO problem getting streamed over a 1000 base network.

 

[BumbleBee]

yeah, the stock GTX 670 cooler was the loudest in my case under load until I replaced it with an Accelero cooler.

every fan in my system is PWM and controlled by Asus software.

you can set them individually like I did or set levels of speed.

 

[GhoXen]

Okay, I think I'll go with D-15 after all. Now I'm deciding on fan replacement/addition (if any).

I'm planning to replace the 3 front fans with 3 Noctua NF-F12, and add 3 Noctua NF-F12 to the top as well. I think I'll just leave the rear fan alone. Any suggestions?

 

[thebluebumblebee]

H440 or Design R4

Add Nanoxia to that list as well.

I'm planning to replace the 3 front fans with 3 Noctua NF-F12, and add 3 Noctua NF-F12 to the top as well. I think I'll just leave the rear fan alone. Any suggestions?

eh, what case are you talking about?

 

[GhoXen]

H440. Although I decided to not waste parts and decided to go with 3 Noctua NF-F12 front, move 3 stock fans top, and leave rear stock fan alone.

ADD: On second thought, maybe I'll just not install those 3 spare stock fans. They'll just add more noise without much benefit.