Quiet and small gaming machine
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:43 pm
My priorities
1) Quiet - not necessarily silent
2) Small
3) Powerful enough (SC2 for now)
4) Reasonably priced
My Parts
Case: Temjin TJ08E
PSU: Seasonic SS-460FL
CPU: I3-2120
MB: ASRock H61M-VS
RAM: Kingston Value 4GB 1333
SSD: Intel 320 120 GB
CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK Dark Knight S1283
GPU option 1: ASUS EAH6850
GPU option 2: HIS IceQ 6770
GPU option 3: HIS iSilence 4 6770
Some thoughts
The MB/CPU/RAM are all pretty basic with the idea that I may upgrade them with Ivy Bridge parts next year.
I'm thinking of running the CPU cooler fanless (or at least at a very low voltage - maybe with a replacement fan). I was originally thinking of going with a Prolima Megahalems or a Noctua U12-P, but those seem like overkill for a modestly powered system.
I see that the Crucial m4 is a highly recommended SSD in these boards (I think I'd want to upgrade the MB though). I'll look a little more at that, but I've heard good things about the Intel, and I believe that the 320 will get me solid performance and high reliability at a reasonable price.
As for the GPU, I'm a little concerned that it's going to be, by far, the loudest component. I like the idea of a fanless GPU, but in the TJ08E it sits right below the fanless PSU. So, I'm thinking of going with the IceQ 6770 which vents externally.
I was thinking of not using an additional case fan with the thought that it might diminish the positive pressure and the air flow through the PSU. Maybe I'm a little too paranoid about that, but I've not had a fanless PSU before.
All advice is appreciated. Thanks.
1) Quiet - not necessarily silent
2) Small
3) Powerful enough (SC2 for now)
4) Reasonably priced
My Parts
Case: Temjin TJ08E
PSU: Seasonic SS-460FL
CPU: I3-2120
MB: ASRock H61M-VS
RAM: Kingston Value 4GB 1333
SSD: Intel 320 120 GB
CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK Dark Knight S1283
GPU option 1: ASUS EAH6850
GPU option 2: HIS IceQ 6770
GPU option 3: HIS iSilence 4 6770
Some thoughts
The MB/CPU/RAM are all pretty basic with the idea that I may upgrade them with Ivy Bridge parts next year.
I'm thinking of running the CPU cooler fanless (or at least at a very low voltage - maybe with a replacement fan). I was originally thinking of going with a Prolima Megahalems or a Noctua U12-P, but those seem like overkill for a modestly powered system.
I see that the Crucial m4 is a highly recommended SSD in these boards (I think I'd want to upgrade the MB though). I'll look a little more at that, but I've heard good things about the Intel, and I believe that the 320 will get me solid performance and high reliability at a reasonable price.
As for the GPU, I'm a little concerned that it's going to be, by far, the loudest component. I like the idea of a fanless GPU, but in the TJ08E it sits right below the fanless PSU. So, I'm thinking of going with the IceQ 6770 which vents externally.
I was thinking of not using an additional case fan with the thought that it might diminish the positive pressure and the air flow through the PSU. Maybe I'm a little too paranoid about that, but I've not had a fanless PSU before.
All advice is appreciated. Thanks.