Low range computer component check

[jpplautz]

Hello all,

Just doing a component/compatability check for my new system. I wanted something capable of playing WoW/D3 at higher settings while keeping low wattage/silent/low heat in mind as well. Trying to stick with a smaller case as well, and the ps-07 seems like a fantastic case I could keep through another upgrade down the road.

Trying to keep price down and wattage down for power consumption. Any feedback is very welcome as I am fairly new to DIY computers.

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
$17.99

SilverStone SST-PS07B Black Steel / Plastic with Aluminum Accent MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case
$78.99

Premiertek PL-18N USB 2.0 GAMEBASE Adapter 2X9DBI ANTENNA
$35.99

EVGA 01G-P3-1556-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) FPB 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
$134.99

SeaSonic X series SS-400FL Active PFC F3 400W ATX12V Fanless 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$129.99

G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
$39.99

ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
$66.99

Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120
$124.99

GELID Solutions FN-PX12-15 120mm Case Fan with Intelligent PWM control
$14.99

Scythe SCMG-3000 120mm Heat Pipe CPU Cooler
$49.99

GELID Solutions GC-VGA02-01 1 Ball, 1 Sleeve VGA Cooler ICY VISION
$54.99

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Transfer Kit
$128.99

Total cost: $878.88

[kuzzia]

The only tiny observation is the pwm fan. I believe you could buy other pwm-fans that are sure to perform good for the same price, unless you know for sure that the mentioned pwm-fan performs well.

Otherwise, it's a great built. My Radeon 5750 runs diablo 3 at all max, 1280x1024, and the game runs completely fluidly.

[jpplautz]

Thanks for the feedback!

Swapped a couple things around last minute (Different seasonic power supply with a fan for half the price, changed the vid card to a 6670). Like you said, should still run the games I want just fine for ~800 and pulling ~250W while still being silent and more compact than what I have now.

[lhopitalified]

I wonder if it wouldn't be better to invest in a GPU with a better cooler installed, rather than spend $55 on an aftermarket one.

EDIT: I assume the Gelid case fan is fine, but you might be able to save a couple bucks with a scythe slipstream pwm fan. (dunno if there any benchmarks comparing the two)

[jpplautz]

I wonder if it wouldn't be better to invest in a GPU with a better cooler installed, rather than spend $55 on an aftermarket one.

EDIT: I assume the Gelid case fan is fine, but you might be able to save a couple bucks with a scythe slipstream pwm fan. (dunno if there any benchmarks comparing the two)

Yeah, I downgraded that to a $25 cooler with pwm and a .4 sone rating. I just want the card to be quiet, biggest complaint about my current set up is the noise the fan generates so I'm trying to make sure it's good.

Not worried about OCing or anything tho, so I just need a fan that's "good enough" and the gelid was overkill

I'll look into the scythe fan, the heatsink I'm using has one and seems to be well rated on there

[CA_Steve]

You don't mention your monitor resolution. In any case, I think the 6670 is underpowered for Diablo 3. Here's a couple of benchmarks.
Techspot
Tom's Hardware

[lhopitalified]

You don't mention your monitor resolution. In any case, I think the 6670 is underpowered for Diablo 3. Here's a couple of benchmarks.
Techspot
Tom's Hardware

Good call. Also depends on what the OP meant by "higher settings". Seems like it'd be ok at 1680x1050 on highest settings with AA, while you might have to kick it down a notch at 1920x1080.

[jpplautz]

Well, I'm using a Intel duo core and 8800 GT right now and it sounds like a jet engine. I have a 1920 monitor, and by "higher settings" I mean "better than I have now". I'm looking for lower power consumption (aka heat generation in my A/C-less california home).

Happy to take suggestions on a different card however. Trying to find something that won't need an aftermarket fan as well, so if it's a few bucks more no big deal.

Really appreciate the help guys, learning a lot

[Abula]

I like the build... the only things i would change are,

GPU
MSI N550GTX-Ti Cyclone OC GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
The Cyclone seems a popular card around here, the user reviews seems very good, and its not that expensive. If you find the cooling not quiet enough you can invest on a aftermarket, but my guess is you will be fine as it is. My X400 only has 1 PCIe cable, my GTS450 only uses one, so is this 550TI so it should be a good match.

Fans
Scythe Slip Stream 120mm x 25mm PWM Mid Speed Fan - (SY1225SL12LM-P)
Are imo good PWM case fans, they can be droped down to 200rpm or ramp up to 1350rpm, but this is dependant if the mobo can handle 4pin pwm fans, and most of the value oriented mobos come with 3pin case fans... so my suggestion goes toward going with good standard 3pin fans like NExus BASIC D12SL-12 120mm Case Fan, and undervolt them if needed. Or get a good mobo with good pwm fan control like ASUS Maximus V and slipstream fans.

[CA_Steve]

I'd opt for the MSI R6850 Cyclone over the 550Ti (faster, uses less power, ~$20 more).

[jpplautz]

Wow, thanks for pointing out those cyclone cards. Sound levels ~24 dBa from 1m is plenty good for me, and power consumption is still OK, at least within my limits

[CA_Steve]

Consider the Kingwin AP-550. Like it's modular cousin, it's fanless at lower loads. $105 at Newegg.

[jpplautz]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I've decided on a build and should purchase this weekend (some nice sales at newegg). I'll update on how everything fits together when the parts arrive!

Cheers

[CA_Steve]

Have fun