Quiet computer for my aunt

1398342003 · Post by **1398342003** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:24 am

My aunt is needing a new computer, and I may be making it for her. I want to make it semi-silent, or at least quiet. I wanted to run the system by you guys first.

Standard components
-Enlight Desktop Case
-LG 52X CD-ROM, Black
-AMD Athlon XP 2200+ / 1.8GHz
-Asus A7V266-E-AA, VIA KT266A
-256MB 400MHz DDR SDRAM
-D-Link DFE-538TX, 10/100 Network Adapter
-Asus V7100 Pro SE, GeForce2 MX400, 64MB
-USR Vader 56K, Softmodem

'Silent' Components
-Seasonic Super Tornado 300W ATX PSU
-Arctic Silver 5
-Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu (undervolted)
-ThermalTake Crystal Orb (5v)
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80GB
-Foam dampener

What do you guys think?

Dhurdahl · Post by **Dhurdahl** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:31 am

Looks fine to me... that system should be quieter then most peoples

If the gfx card is fanless that is

edit: And it is... just checked.. http://usa.asus.com/products/vga/v7100p ... 0pro_m.jpg

idealcrash · Post by **idealcrash** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:52 am

What are you using the Crystal Orb for? If it's for the graphics card, you can get away with passive cooling for that card. Don't know if that mobo has active cooling but if it does it should fine with the zalman nb heatsink. You don't mention what case fans you'll use and at what voltage.

For the hard drive go for the Samsung Spinpoint, it's quieter than Seagate.

And be nice to your aunt and give her at least 512MB of Ram.

1398342003 · Post by **1398342003** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 5:59 pm

I realized that I have a GF4MX, it's not fanless, but I could get a Zalman for the $70 I save by not getting a V7100 and crystal orb.

I also doubled the RAM, although it is PC2700, she doesn't need faster stuff.

Her old comp has a DVD drive that I'll be taking out.

Update:
Enlight Desktop Case
Pioneer 16X DVD -- FREE
AMD Athlon XP 2200+ / 1.8GHz
Asus A7V266-E-AA, VIA KT266A
256MB 333MHZ PC2700 DDR SDRAM
256MB 333MHZ PC2700 DDR SDRAM
D-Link DFE-538TX, 10/100 Network Adapter
ASUS V9180, GeForce4 MX440 -- FREE
USR Vader 56K, Softmodem

Seasonic Super Tornado 300W ATX PSU
Arctic Silver 5
Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80GB
Zalman ZM80C-HP

Talz · Post by **Talz** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 6:59 pm

That's a decent little system for basic web, mail, office type use. I tend to favor the compucase as a cheaper quiet case but you can make any decent case work. I'd also tend to choose a zalman power supply with a seperate system exhaust fan over the seasonic, unless Rev3 finally straightens out their inconsistency issues. Even capable of doing some basic 3d gaming.

1398342003 · Post by **1398342003** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:15 am

The case is decent, I have 2 of the exact same model, and I have found them to be quite nice. (for a $50 case)

I prefer to use as few fans as is possible. I was planning on attempting to only have three in the case. 1 in the PSU, 1 on the CPU, and 1 slightly better than the PSU fan that would be ducted to cool the CPU and GPU more efficiently.

My options are:
$87 - SUPER SILENCER 300W
$97 - SUPER TORNADO 300W
$77 - ZM300A-APF 300W

I am most attracted to the Tornado because of the high efficiency. I would get that new Enermax, but I can't find it locally. I could get the Silencer and have high positive pressure. Hmm...

------

Apparently, since she's disabled (she was a court reporter, VERY bad for RSI) the government will reimburse her for the computer, but I don't know for how much. She may have enough to pay for some of my silencing

JK

AndrewC · Post by **AndrewC** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:32 pm

Why not just get a motherboard like this.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 030&depa=1.
It's only $56 shipped and has integrated lan and video and is compatible with a Zalman 7000A(even though I think this is overkill for a 2200+. I've had experience with 2 different VIA KM400 boards, one with a 2500+ and another with a 2100+. The graphics and lan work just fine and I would recommend them for running a cheap stock computer, unless you need to play lots of 3D games that is.

Andrew

1398342003 · Post by **1398342003** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 4:35 pm

I don't usually mind using all-in-one boards, but I fear putting the GPU on the MB. I could get the MSI KM4M-L though, which is basically the same thing, even as far as compatibility with the 7000A.