New Quiet PC Build

[Ian9999]

Hi all

I am looking to build a quiet PC for my bedroom that I can leave running for long periods, and seek some advice regarding cooling and the components I have select below

My concern is around cooling, I plan to use the Fractal Design R4 case and at the moment the idea is to use a Corsair H75 for the CPU cooler, and replace the stock fans on that with the Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition with this being mounted in the top rear position, and fit in the front of the case 2 x Corsair AF140 Quiet Editions.

Will this be sufficient cooling for the case or will I need to use the top fans as well, my other thought is would a air cooled CPU cooler be better?

Any thoughts on the below components, I've gone for a Black and Red theme, which is why I have selected the MSI Z87-G43 GAMING, but is there a better / cheaper option available, I also plan to use the on-board graphics from the i3 as this isn't my main rig

• 1 x Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl
• 1 x Intel Core i3 4130, S 1150,
• 1 x MSI Z87-G43 GAMING, Intel Z87, S 1150
• 1 x Corsair Hydro Series H75 Performance Liquid CPU Cooler with 120mm Radiator and Dual SP120L
• 1 x 8GB (2x4G) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance Red Low Profile
• 1 x Corsair Individually Sleeved PSU DC Cable Kit,Type 3 (Gen 2) RED
• 1 x 550W Corsair RM Series Full Modular
• 2 x 140mm Corsair Air Series AF140 Quiet Edition
• 2 x 120mm Corsair Air Series SP120 Quiet Edition
• 2 x 128GB Corsair Force Series GS 2.5" SSD
• 1 x 2TB WD WD20EZRX Green 3.5" HDD

Thank you for any advice you can offer me

Regards

Ian

 

[MadShadow]

I believe that you are fine as far as cooling goes.
In terms of hard drives, just go for the WD Blacks. I mean, why not?

 

[Feronix]

I do not see any graphics card in there so honestly I think you're going a bit overboard on the cooling. I'd also grab an NH-D14 instead of the H75 if you want silence. The Hydro series are pretty quiet, but an aircooled heatsink has no pump, so that won't make any noise. Both coolers are way overkill for an i3 anyway, but at least it'll be quiet I suppose.

As far as the HDD goes; As long as it's just for storage like music, images or video, 5400RPM is fine and yes, will be slightly more quiet than 7200RPM drives. If you want to install software or games on it, I'd get a quicker one though.

2 intakes in the front and 1 rear exhaust will be more than fine. Your 'low-end' hardware will barely output any heat if I'm honest, so adding more fans just means more noise and little performance increase, even at very low RPM. Can always cover up the top vents to isolate even more noise.

 

[Ian9999]

Hi Rick

I was think down the air cooled route before, so thank you for confirming that. I have just checked on the Scan website it doesn't mention that it's compatible with the 1150 socket, would the Noctua NH-U14S be ok to use and this is only a single fan so might be even quieter

Regarding the HDD yes there will only be videos on there so there will be an element of streaming & burning. And only going to use the PC for this so no real need of a graphics card, I might stick in a passively cooled one over time

Once this PC is up and running I will build me a new Gaming PC

Ian

-------------------------

Thank you MaddenShadow for the reply, the extra cost for the black WD HDD isn't needed for me as far as I can see

 

[MadShadow]

Thank you MaddenShadow for the reply, the extra cost for the black WD HDD isn't needed for me as far as I can see

Alright then, that's your call.

 

[Feronix]

Please don't post twice in a row, just use the

button, thank you

Anything that fits on the 1155 and 1156 sockets also fits on 1150 as the mounting points are the exact same. Beware there are 2 versions of the NH-D14: The regular one that doesn't fit on socket 2011, and a Socket 2011 Edition. You'll want the normal one.

The NH-U14S would also be absolutely fine cause as I said; the i3 doesn't put out a lot of heat. What about a Nofen heatsink though? Those don't have any fans at all and are completely passive:
http://www.quietpc.com/nof-icepipe

 

[Ian9999]

Please don't post twice in a row, just use the

button, thank you

Feronix, I wasn't aware of that rule so thank you for editing my post

The no fan option at all is a very interesting choice, I will investigate further

Ian

 

[cooperman]

If you are only going to be rocking a 55w i3 there is no need for all those fans or even aftermarket cooling the stock fan is fine, adding all those extra fans is just going to make more niose than you started with.

 

[Publ!c Enemy]

If you are only going to be rocking a 55w i3 there is no need for all those fans or even aftermarket cooling the stock fan is fine, adding all those extra fans is just going to make more niose than you started with.

I agree, in my htpc/uni pc i don't use any extra fans and that stays cool even when doing a little bit of gaming or watching HD video.
Uses an AMD athlon x2 255 60W TDP on the stock cooler, stays quiet enough. You might want to experiment with undervolting it too, saved me about 10 degrees.
Regards, Richard.

 

[Ian9999]

Thank you Cooperman and Publ!c Enemy, I will try the stock cooler route first, and if the noise is greater than I want I will try the passive route.

Ian