New desktop build

[EricL]

I am considering this for a new build and would appreciate expert review. One purpose for it, software compiling, benefits from CPU performance and takes advantage of multiple cores. I don't do any gaming but am going with a low end video card to support dual monitors. Noise when idle or lightly loaded is important.

Case: Antec Solo
Power supply: SeaSonic X series SS-400FL
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX
Processor: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
Video: SAPPHIRE 100292DDR3L Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 (Fanless)
Hard Drive: Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH160G2K5 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Memory: Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop
CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK BALDER SD1283 120mm

[JamieG]

You may wish to consider some quieter fans. The stock Antec TriCool rear exhaust and the stock Xigmatek CPU cooler fan could seem noisy, as they would be the only things in your system making noise.

Consider two Nexus Real Silents, or Scythe Slipstreams, Gentle Typhoons or S-Flexes. Add two Zalman fanmates to dial in your preferred speed and you're good to go.

[quest_for_silence]

SeaSonic X series SS-400FL

With a blocked upward position as in the Solo, it might be safer going for the fanned X-560 (same price).

GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX

Usually GA do not offer a good BIOS for fans, iirc. So, as I'm an incurable big spender, I'd rather a more sophisticated BIOS (maybe an ASUS Maximus III Gene, to not be too far as cost: here in Italy it will start about 50 bucks over your choice).

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor

Why not the current 760?

CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK BALDER SD1283 120mm

I don't know that Xigmatek, previous ones didn't have such a very good fan on them (but you may even swap it).
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus is maybe a more proven (for silencers) direct touch design (its fan may be dialed down to comfortable levels).

[EricL]

Thanks to JamieG and quest_for_silence for your comments. I have added two Nexus fans, one for a rear case replacement fan, a second for a replacement heatsink fan. I have added a Zalman Fanmate to control the rear case fan. The CPU has been updated to an I5-760. I changed the motherboard from the H55 series to the P55 series since I am not using the Clarkdale core with an integrated GPU but am using the Lynnfield core. I plan on using Speedfan to control the heat sink fan, so I think the BIOS fan control is not important. I also switched from the Xigmatek to a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus as recommended, mostly due to ease of installation. Finally, I added an optical drive. The list now is:

Case: Antec Solo
PSU: Seasonic SS-560KM Active PFC F3, 560W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91, 80Plus
MB: GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel
CPU: Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100292DDR3L Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3
HD: Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH160G2K5 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
DVD: SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model TS-H663C/UOAH - OEM
Memory: Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop
CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
Arctic Silver thermal compound
Replacement Fans: Nexus BASIC D12SL-12 120mm Case Fan
Zalman Fanmate for case fan control

[EricL]

I neglected to mention the PSU change. It makes sense that a convection cooled PSU would not work well in a SOLO which does not have a path for PSU convection cooling. As advised, I changed to a Seasonic SS-560KM. Thanks Luca, for the advice.

Thanks to JamieG and quest_for_silence for your comments. I have added two Nexus fans, one for a rear case replacement fan, a second for a replacement heatsink fan. I have added a Zalman Fanmate to control the rear case fan. The CPU has been updated to an I5-760. I changed the motherboard from the H55 series to the P55 series since I am not using the Clarkdale core with an integrated GPU but am using the Lynnfield core. I plan on using Speedfan to control the heat sink fan, so I think the BIOS fan control is not important. I also switched from the Xigmatek to a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus as recommended, mostly due to ease of installation. Finally, I added an optical drive. The list now is:

Case: Antec Solo
PSU: Seasonic SS-560KM Active PFC F3, 560W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91, 80Plus
MB: GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel
CPU: Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100292DDR3L Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3
HD: Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH160G2K5 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
DVD: SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model TS-H663C/UOAH - OEM
Memory: Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop
CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
Arctic Silver thermal compound
Replacement Fans: Nexus BASIC D12SL-12 120mm Case Fan
Zalman Fanmate for case fan control

[frenchie]

Good looking build ! You'll be happy with it.
Don't forget to post pics when you're done

[netmask254]

I'm using a X-400 in my Solo build, and never experience any cooling problem.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=60172

Regarding using X-560 or others, I suppose you will have the same odd air flow because the fan doesn't spin up when system is idle.

[quest_for_silence]

Regarding using X-560 or others, I suppose you will have the same odd air flow because the fan doesn't spin up when system is idle.

The fan have to be an assurance against any overheating: indeed I wrote: "it might be safer" (conditional sense, "safer" and not just "better"), while as for the noise they would be virtually equivalents at those power levels.

This doesn't absolutely mean that an SS400FL won't work in a Solo: I have a Zen in a Solo, which also uses a similar approach to cooling, and while it's clearly inferior to the recent Golds, it works.