Need advice on case, PSU and air cooling.

[nick25]

Hi guys, I want to build a 'quiet as possible' air cooled rig. I've been tempted by the Lian Li V series cases for awhile now but am wondering how loud they are, in particular how loud the 'PC-V1100B plus' case is? Also does the BTX sytle cooling work well (i.e is the + version worth having?) and does it get in the way if you are using an aftermarket cpu cooler?

Talking of CPU coolers I'm not sure which would be best. Again the emphasis is on quiet operation but keep in mind I need to cool an X2 cpu. I'm prepared to sacrifice overclock potential for silence. Were thinking perhaps thermalright XP120 with a very quiet 120mm fan or maybe one of the Zalman coolers, then theres those Gigabyte ones...

Also need a cooler for a 7800GTX, I already have OCZ ramsinks on my memory so would prefer to just get a gpu cooler that will fit around them - again Zalman springs to mind?

Finally I need a PSU. I'm after a braided modular design which again must be as quiet as possible. How is the Tagan 580W modular?

Thats all for now chaps, ta!

 

[maverik-sg1]

Hi Nick,

Definitely the Tagan modular unit.

Deffo the Lian Li or Antec P180 case. Although Zalman do a 100% silent case.

Deffo use Akasa PaxMate sound proofing (reduces vibration in the case).

Deffo use Silicone mounts for the fans and PSU (you can get a PSU Silicone Gasket).

There is only one GTX cooler worth considering (if no SLI that is) thats the arctic NV5 - you can still use the OCZ ramsinks on the rear mounted RAM, the NV5 has got the front set covered - Of course there are silent heatpipe units around (thermaktake and Zalman) but this one exhausts the hot air out the case.

Vapochill Micro is probs best quiet cooler out there, EVO33, Zalman runs pretty fast, although someone was saying the thermaltake Giant is a good one too, I just dont know the noise it generates. Plus if you can get one where you could mount two fans in a push/pull configuration - then low speed, quiet, yet efficient CPU cooling is just around the corner.

Sounds like a great project my friend.

Mav

 

[nick25]

Thanks for the reply Mav mate. I think the Antec is quiter than the Lian-Li (not being aluminium etc) but After owning a few Lian-Li's I am a big fan so think I will stick to the V1100B plus.

PSU - seems to be decided on the Tagan 580W modular.

CPU cooler - didn't realise Asetek do an ultra low noise vapochill micro model - this looks to be the h/s/f for me

GPU cooler - Does the NV5 fit the 7800 series ok as its designed for the 6800 right? Or am I looking at the wrong cooler here...

Does anyone know how loud the supplied V1100 plus fans are? The case is designed to be silent (they supply sound proof matting stuff) so I assume the supplied fans are fairly low noise?

Cheers, Nick.

 

[jellybeard999]

IMO

Tagan modular

case of choice with 120mm fan mounts

2 x Vantec Nexus / Akasa Amber 120mm fans

Fan controller

Zalman / AC on the GFX

Zalman NB47 (if non passive HSF)

Akasa Evo / Scythe Ninja (or is it Samauri... the big mofo) / XP120

those vapochill micro dont mount too well from reports ive read, small bases, concave bases, crappy mounting mechanisms etc etc... might be good tho... i confess i aint used a HSF for years

 

[maverik-sg1]

The Antec is Aluminium Nick - but I take your point about the Lian Li too - either one is a sound choice and better the devil.

The NV5 will fit the 7800 mate.

Vapo unit is a lil fiddly but seats and cools well looking at the stuff u have done mate - walk in the park. I like the EVO33 (especially with 2x80mm fans on in push/pull config).

Amber fans are especially good value for the money too and whichever case you choose you'll porbs want to swap out the fans supplied - these are a good choice.

 

[Vrykyl]

for the gtx...dont forget the stasis thermal air cooling units - they produced some of the best 6800/6600 series air coolers money can buy...

 

[nick25]

Not sure why I thought the antec was steel.

With the Evo 33 can you get one with the second fan included or do you just buy an extra fan - are there mounting holes on the other side for another 80mm fan?

Does the stasis thermal air cooling unit fit the 7800GTX? Also does it clear copper ramsinks?

 

[Vrykyl]

stasis are currently making a new 7800gtx cooler - tis on preorder atm but looks damn impressive

Preview: http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=413533

Theyve also released their gtx power regulator heatsink upgrade - http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=411941

Stasis Thermal Website - http://www.stasisthermal.com/