I'm putting a new PC together for myself and I could use som help.
It's been over 6 years since I made my current PC so bear with me if some of my questions seems obvious.
The PC is to be used for spare-time electronics design (schematic and PCB layout) but mostly research as I'm planning to build my own house.
I'm designing the house in Google SketchUp 8 for now but I'll be switching to a "professional" CAD program down the line (don't know what program that will be yet)
I'm planning to use a stripped down Antec 300 case (drive cages and front panel removed as I don't need them)
The PC will live under my desk on a shelf that sits app. 15cm over the floor (keeps most of the dust at bay)
Here's what I've considered so far:
Monitors: 2 x Dell UP2414Q (3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz @ 30 bit color) - Displayport 1.2a
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Graphics card: PNY Quadro K2000
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GPU cooler: ?
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CPU: Intel Core i7 4770 or 4770K (The price is the same)
I'm not thrilled about the poor TIM in the 4770/4770K so I'm willing to consider another/slower processor.
Also under consideration i5 4670, 4670K but as far as I can tell they also suffer from poor TIM.
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CPU cooler: A tower cooler that will allow me to install a duct that diverts the hot air directly out of the case
I will probably install a mechanical support to help the motherboard bear the weight of the heavy cooler.
Something similar to whats installed on the graphics card HERE
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1322-page3.html---
Motherboard: ?
Need to have:
Undervolt / underclock of CPU (preferably dynamically using a program similar to RMClock)
Decent warranty
Decent onboard audio
Nice to have:
Undervolt of RAM
The option to install a second graphics card later on in order to run a third UP2414Q if I so desire.
- decent space between the two graphics card slots so I can install a quiet aftermarket cooler
Alternatively - a monitor output on the motherboard itself that's able to run the UP2414Q
If I decide to install a third UP2414Q later on it will only be for displaying "static" content. (Datasheets, tool-bars etc.)
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HDD: ?
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SSD: Samsung PRO
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HDD / SSD mount: Homemade using Novibes elastics
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RAM: ?
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PSU: ?
I've had good experience with Seasonic and Corsair in the past so I'll probably look in that direction
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Blu-ray drive:
External - only connected when needed (very rarely)
Preferably powered by the PC so I don't need an external power brick
I don't need to burn blu-ray but an integrated CD/DVD burner would be nice
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Fans:
140mm in and 140mm out running at the same speed (possibly controlled by CPU temperature)
120mm in to balance out the air that the graphics card pulls out of the case
I'm aiming to balance the volume of air entering the case and the volume of air exiting the case to avoid "false air" seeping through cracks and small holes in the case.
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Case:
Modified Antec 300 (see attachment)
The front panel and drive cages removed. Holes in front blocked off with an aluminium sheet thick enough not to rattle.
I will cut holes in the bottom for the PSU, 120mm and 140mm intake.
The PC is out of sight beneath my desk so the ugly front won't be a problem.
Questions:
1) Is it even necessary with dynamical undervolt/underclock these days (using a program similar to RMClock), or can the CPU do that on it's own.
2) Is it safe to say that Xeon is not viable for my needs?
Comments/suggestions are more than welcome.
Thanks.