Mid Performance Quiet Gaming PCPost Date: 2012-08-09 |
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talosm 
Newbie 
Joined: 09 Aug 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2 |
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 Topic: Mid Performance Quiet Gaming PCPosted: 09 Aug 2012 at 3:45pm |
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Budget - 2-2.5K
Expectations - High performance on the games I play but quiet enough to use in the bedroom and not be disturbed by the PC being on. Minimalist Case sits next to a desk I dont need windows or glowing lights.
Usage - Gaming - MMOs SWOTR/GW2 when it comes out, Civ5, Witcher 2, dragons age RPGs. I like to play games on high settings but I dont play high end FPS games. I use 2 monitors, one for the game one for surfing/music. Main monitor is Planar PX2710MW 27-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD 1920 x 1080, full HD. 2nd monitor is a 24 inch. I store a good bit of music, games and movies. I run into storage problems at 1.5T now. So need more storage. I do stream movies and videos but never play DVD's on pc.
special needs - Quiet and going to last 3+ years. my current DS lasted me 4, so I want to try to max my build for the budget vs min build to suit my current gaming habits.
I looked at the ODE V2 - Level 3 but I was worried about:
1. Noise
2. Storage (too small, I am thinking I need the 3T for data storage)
I built the following but not sure i am maxing the right things. Like does memory speed matter? I know games use only 8Mb but does 16mb help run windows and games? What is enough on the trying to get it to be quiet. Should i go air instead of LC for quiet? (I heard that once).
Ticket Number: 716774
Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Carbide 300R Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 3770K 3.50 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard) Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LX (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Does Not Support SLI) System Memory: 16GB DDR3 2133MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: Force GT Series CSSD-F120GBGT-BK) (SATA 6Gbps) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (3TB Western Digital/Seagate/Hitachi/Samsung (7200 RPM) (SATA 6Gbps) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 2GB (Includes PhysX) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex 120mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (High-Performance Edition) H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: - No Thanks Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Noise Reduction: Noise Suppression Package Stage 2 (Optimized Airflow & Fan Speeds with Noise Dampening Material) LaserMark: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires Pro/Deluxe/Sabertooth Motherboard) Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Thoughts?
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bprat22
DS ELITE 
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
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Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 4:03pm |
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Hi talosm..... Welcome to the forums. I'm on a tablet right now so can't cut/paste. For a bedroom environment with a quiet case with no light go to Black Ops, Slade level 2. The 550d is a quality case and quiet. Select your HDD, SSD and keep the gtx 670. The gtx 670 is very close to the gtx 680 in performance but cheaper. Change the cpu cooler to the Vortex 240mm. Its 240mm radiator as opposed to the 120mm rad will cool better and mount under the top for better case airflow. See what you think and I can do more tomorrow. Others might weigh in. Hope this helps.
 Edit.... for memory the 8gb at 1600mhz is all you need for gaming. The faster speed you will never see and can cause overclock instability. The 16gb is good for multi-tasking and is cheap so your call. Edited by bprat22 - 09 Aug 2012 at 4:06pm |
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Grimme
Newbie
Joined: 04 Aug 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 17 |
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Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 4:18pm |
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I was looking for basically the same thing. Except I went with the 240 cooling option since the case has room for it up top, and a overclocked (EVGA FTW) 670 for a video card since it runs as fast or faster, but is a bit cheaper. I'd skip the noise dampening as the case has quite a bit of material standard. I didn't opt for extra storage as I have a SSD I will throw in mysself when the computer arrives.
This is the thread the where the guys here helped me out with my build. http://www.digitalstormonline.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=18590 Also, here is a video of the case so you can see all the noise dampening stuff it comes with standard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UocnbMxChy4 Edited by Grimme - 09 Aug 2012 at 4:22pm |
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bprat22
DS ELITE
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 6:02am |
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Here's the build I was talking about. A better, quieter case, better mobo and a graphics card that is cheaper and almost the same performance. The 680 is a greaty card, so your choice as always.
8gb ram is all gaming will use. I did put in 16GB because it is cheap and for multi-tasking might come in handy. Config # 716956 Cost $ 2347 Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Obsidian 550D Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 3770K 3.50 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard) Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Features Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar) System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: Force GT Series CSSD-F120GBGT-BK) (SATA 6Gbps) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (3TB Western Digital/Seagate/Hitachi/Samsung (7200 RPM) (SATA 6Gbps) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB (Includes PhysX) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex 240mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme-Performance Edition) H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: - No Thanks Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Noise Reduction: - No Thanks LaserMark: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires Pro/Deluxe/Sabertooth Motherboard) Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD) Virus Protection: - No Thanks Office: - No Thanks Game: - No Thanks Display: - No Thanks Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: - No Thanks Mouse: - No Thanks External Storage: - No Thanks Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Extra Large) Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed Warranty: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty I believe this is about the same build Grimme has and suggested except the HDD and a 670FTW oc's card. Good luck.
Edited by bprat22 - 10 Aug 2012 at 6:08am |
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talosm
Newbie
Joined: 09 Aug 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2 |
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Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 6:13am |
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I came up with about the same config. My only concern after watching a video of that case is that when you install the fans you remove alot of the sound dampening materials. So makes me wonder how quiet it is when you actually build it out.
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bprat22
DS ELITE
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 6:20am |
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Adding the rad under the top with its two fans would add to the noise a bit, but the side panel would still be closed up. The 550D is built for quiet and the 300R is alot more open with or without added fans.
You could opt for the Vortex 120mm that would leave the top panel intact, as DS would mount it against the back wall, but then you're reducing cooling and case air flow. Its a trade -off. I go for better cooling and airflow. Your call of course.
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FrankW
DS Veteran 
Joined: 22 Feb 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2254 |
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Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 6:44am |
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Hi talosm,
You are getting a lot of good advise. Here are my thoughts. 1. If you want to go stage 2 OC you need the 240 Vortex. With the 120 Vortex I would drop back to stage 1 OC. Stage 1 OC might give you a less noise. 2. The 670 is a good choice. If you OC the GPU you will have a bit more noise. 3. The D14 air cooler may be a better choice for less noise. The fans on the cooler are inside the computer. The problem with this is the lack of air flow with the standard fans in the 550D. Should be OK with a stage 1 OC. 4. Even though the computer is in the bedroom don't you turn it off at night when you might be sleeping? A quite computer is relative to the person listening. High performance and 120mm fans equal a certain level of noise. I might think it is extremely quite while you think it is way too noisy. Frank Edited by FrankW - 10 Aug 2012 at 6:46am |
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Grimme
Newbie
Joined: 04 Aug 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 17 |
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Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 8:58am |
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Should be able to upgrade the fans to much quieter ones if needed. I had a old p190 case that was not as silent as I wanted it, upgraded to some nice quiet noctua fans, and was able to make it very silent. I'm not caught up on who makes the best performance/db fans these days, but I'm sure someone can tell you if the zalaman fans they can upgrade you to are any good.
Also as bpratt22 has pointed out before the 670/680 vent heat out of the back of the card so you should not need to open the side of the case at all. Edited by Grimme - 10 Aug 2012 at 9:02am |
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Hyrax
Newbie
Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Aug 2012 at 8:47am |
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I just got my computer (case 550D, i7 3930K, Stage 2 OC, Vortex 240, 670 ftw) and it is so loud I cannot even be in the room with it for 5 minutes - it is kind of a nightmare. I'm now wearing closed ear headphones much like the one used by those guys who direct airplanes, and am working on ways to make the computer quiet.
The fans on the Vortex 240 are the main issue. My advice is to make sure you tell them that you absolutely need a quiet system. |
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FrankW
DS Veteran
Joined: 22 Feb 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2254 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Aug 2012 at 1:04pm |
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"3. The D14 air cooler may be a better choice for less noise. The fans on the cooler are inside the computer. The problem with this is the lack of air flow with the standard fans in the 550D. Should be OK with a stage 1 OC."
Hi talosm, I am sorry that the noise is louder than you expected. The D14 cooler would have been a quieter option. You have to realize that a high performance computer cannot be as quite as the computer bought at your local store. Computer noise is relative to the person listening. You seem to be overly sensitive to the noise. There are a few things you can do. 1. Replace the Vortex cooler with the D14. That will help with the nose but not eliminate it. 2. Replace the 120mm fans with Scythe Gentle Typhoon fans. The 1850 is a good choice if you want to add a controller so you can adjust the speed. Lower speed equals lower noise in most cases. You can check them out on Amazon. They are not cheap compared to other fans but they are great ball bearing fans. 3. Get a controller so you can adjust the speed of the Vortex. When gaming you should be set high for best cooling and that will be louder. You picked a nice case but it doesn't have the greatest air flow. So you have to be careful how you adjust things. Frank Edited by FrankW - 14 Aug 2012 at 1:05pm |
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