Currently I have an Asuus P4C800-E Deluxe, with a 2.6ghz P4 and a 9800Pro (overclocked, but that doesn't help me in Oblivion atm doh!). CPU and GPU are cooled by a modded Reserator. So that side of it is reasonably quiet. However, I have 4 hard drives stuffed in there atm so it's not all that quiet there (don't ask why I have so many, also have 3 external hard drives too
). Anyway, dodgy powersupply and 80mm exhausts let me down, case is really crap.Main reason for upgrade is to ditch the Reserator, such a bastard to lug around at LAN parties, plus I've started taking it around alot for work so it needs to become more portable, soon...or my back will give out.
So, did a bit of researching and decided on the Antec p150. Built in suspension took me in as well as the other great features, plus I think it's pretty. But anyway, I digress. Bought one of those, as well as a Scythe Ninja and a couple of quiet fans. However, I do want to upgrade my video card to a 7800GS. However, I find that no aftermarket heatsinks fit it (due to the HIS I believe?) and the stock coolers are noisey. Anyone any ideas on quiet cooling for it? Is it possible to actually even mount such a cooler on the card in the first place and cool the HIS some other way? Perhaps water cooling, can you mount a waterblock on the card? Would I even be able to fit a radiator inside the p150 to begin with (no external kits allowed)? Should I give up and go for an x850PE?
Also, mounting hard drives in the built in suspension system leaves me one drive out of pocket (current case has 4 drive bays). I have a spare 5.25" bay, could anyone perhaps recommend a silent drive box to reduce the noise of either a 150gb Raptor or 300gb Seagate (which would benefit most?) ?
PSU, keep the one that came with the p150 or change? I've seen some nice ducting attempts to stop it ramping up with temperature.
Well, in there somewhere is some questions...I think...Alot of rambling yes, but some questions. I don't need a dead 'silent' PC, but quiet enough to sleep by (my computer is on 24/7 and in my room (except when it's at a LAN or used for work), not a bargain really but have no choice). I do play new games like Oblivion hence for the upgrade to the 7800GS (waiting for another 9 months to a year before upgrading whole system). However I don't mind if for 3d the computer a bit noisier if I have to turn fans up or whatnot.
Anyway, any thoughts and questions? I'd love some advice from you more experienced silencers, it's reasonably new to me!
Cheers in advance! Marty
