jaganath wrote:You can get non-temperature controlled Acoustifans from QuietPC:
Thanks, I'll look at them.
Elixer wrote:1. Although quiet that's a lot of cash to throw down on a case and power supply. Seems like it would be easier to just use a different MB and use the included HE, especially seeing as you're going with a Radeon card so you'll probably never use the second PCI-E slot.
True about the cost. I'm fairly set on the A8N32 though (depending on stock, I suppose), so I think I'd rather change the case. Unfortunately the 4-pin connector is in the top left corner, and I have doubts that it will reach in the P180. Even if it does it will be a tight fit.
I also prefer a case without a door, and as you say, the hard drive suspension in the P150 is pretty nice
Elixer wrote:I believe that Antec has solved the problem with the HE power supply, but there's no way to be sure that you'll get one of the new ones.
I'm aware of the (possible) issues with the HE power supply. I was thinking of having the HE lying around as a spare if I should ever need it (having the PSU from the Chieftec case at hand was useful when the Antec TruePower I had died on me last week). Obviously if it doesn't work with the motherboard that's all moot
Elixer wrote:2. For your graphics card you'll want to get a new cooler for it as the stock one will be quite noisy.
Eventually I will probably do that. It really depends on how the stock cooler sounds when I get it all assembled. It is a dual slot card that exhausts the hot air itself, and it looks like it can be tricky removing the fan and/or the heatsink but I won't know until I have it in my hands.
Elixer wrote:3. Seagates have not been so friendly for noise recently. A better choise might be a pair of 250GB P120 Samsungs though you'd have to sacrifice a little bit of hard drive space.
Yeah, I'm a bit unsure about the Seagates noise wise. I plan to run SATA/NCQ as well so they'll be running in the 'noisy' (performance) mode. I do prefer the extra capacity though.
ozdoc wrote:You might be better off considering a dual core 3800+ rather than 4400+, when considering bang for buck. Apparently the 3800 are quite sweet when it comes to overclocking.
I did consider it. Well, I suppose I kind of still am. It's roughly a £120 (~$210) difference between the two. Is it worth it? Who knows. I'm hoping to clock the 2.2Ghz to 2.6Ghz. Getting the 2.0Ghz up to 2.5-2.6 is possible, but since it's a bigger overlock are the chances of succeeding lower? (I know it doesn't always work like that and it's a bit down to luck.)
quikkie wrote:Check my sig for full details - my HSF has some airflow directed down at the mainboard components.
Interesting - how is the Vapochill Micro performing, are you overclocking at all, and what kind of temperatures are you seeing?
quikkie wrote:The graphics card fan can be quietened (without compromising cooling) by using either atitool if you install the official ati drivers or the included tools that come with the unofficial omega driver package.
I'm reasonaly familiar with atitool (I used it to nearly fry my X800 once
) but didn't know it let you control the fans. On my current X800 I don't hear the stock fan when not under load, but the rest of my system is too loud anyway. I do hear when it cranks up under gaming, but that doesn't really bother me too much.
Edit: Something I've forgotten to mention: the case will also house a DVD-ROM and a DVD writer. Doesn't make any difference to the overall system really, but thought I'd mention it.
Thanks for your input - much appreciated