Post Your Computer Build

Yeah, was pretty nice, and not too difficult to build in. And with the layout, full size GPU and PSU support which is nice. Only thing that needs to be small is the cpu cooler (and ITX mb obviously)

 

What do people think about the Streacom DB4 that Computer Audiophile uses for their CAPS music server?

https://streacom.com/products/db4-fanless-chassis/

 

I'd also like to point out in general to anybody looking for super quiet PC builds that it's usually fairly straightforward to just buy a fan designed for quiet operations (Mag lev bearings, virtually anything by Noctua, etc), set it to keep spinning at minimum speed (either through BIOS or a fan controller), and at that point they're usually completely inaudible over ambient noise unless you've got coil whine somehow.

Edit: if you really want to go full overkill on this, make sure you're doing absolutely everything to minimize power draw, moving components, and heat generation. No spinning hard drives, platinum/titanium efficiency PSU to minimize power draw from the wall and heat shedding, undervolting components where you can get away with it, largest radiators possible if you have them in your build, etc.

Of course, mind your thermals when doing this, and make sure the cooling for your actual components are still set up to rev up when needed to prevent throttling/thermal safety shutdowns.

 

If you really really want to go full overkill on this, buy a low-power machine. Audio does not take much processor power.

But, if you simply have to do, say, a heap of video editing on the same machine, you probably just have to forget the silent bit.

PS... I love Noctua.

 

Agreed with @FallingObjects. I went through dozens of fan models before finding that some of the Cougar fans are my favorite. You can run them to the point of inaudibility and still get reasonable CFM. I tried every Noctua available as of a couple of years ago and didn't like any of them. Even when they're run super low speed, I could perceive a change in sound in a silent room even if I couldn't pinpoint the sound. I also like one of the big Cooler Master fans.

Here's what I run in my main machine:

• Cougar CF-D14HB (Black Ice SR2 420 MP radiator [top exhaust], Nemesis 280 GTX radiator [top exhaust], and intakes)
• Cougar CF-V12HB (side intakes and rear exhaust)
• Cooler Master MegaFlow 200 (front intakes because Cougar doesn't make 200mm fans)

I have a full water cooling loop, and I can keep the entire thing below audibility from a couple of feet away with all of those fans (mind you, my case is also the size of a mini-fridge).

 

Scythe has always been one of the best. I think the only reason they don't get the love for their fans and coolers from the more 'mainstream' enthusiasts is because their availability is patchy. It's like people don't know they exist. And when they do, they can't get them!In America you can pretty much always get them, but even here they don't have much of a presence to speak of.

I love their CPU coolers. The fans are already quiet... slap them on radiators with nice, wide fin spacing and you get wicked quiet coolers. And IME the temps on the Fuma 2 and Mugen 5 rev.b are about as good as it can ever be on air. Scythe rules.

 

Minor off topic, but hello old friend:




I didn't know that Microsoft brought back the Intellimouse. This is the Pro edition with a better sensor, braided cable, and that LED light you can customize with the app. Other gaming mouse might have more features for the price, but you can't beat the Intellimouse for comfort, solid gaming mouse, and no obnoxious gaming mouse look (I really hate how gaming related PC items look, I'm more for a sleeper look).

 

And tech Jesus coming in with some pertinently timed information that could affect noise and performance (and, thus noise) on AIO style coolers:

 

My mouse is a Roccat Kone xtd. I never thought I needed a gaming mouse, because I don't game, but I can browse, more or less single handed, with almost all keys needed translated to combinations on the mouse.

One big plus and one absolute necessity:

--- it is not designed to look as if it should only be handled by a guy in winged space armour.

--- Roccat don't do, but do support, Linux development, so it is fully functional with Linux.

 

@CEE TEE : And even if you need totally fanless, but only for a music player, get Surface Pro 6 i5. I run Roon core and JRiver on it playing from NAS or external SSD. It has plenty pf power for that.

 

Anyone want to play "spot the missing component?"

 

Sold your GPU?

 

Yup. I figured now was about the right time since the new series is coming and I have a powerful work machine at my desk anyway. So long, 1080 Ti.

 

One nice thing about having my case sitting on the kitchen table without a video card is that it has afforded me the opportunity to clean up the entire inside and tidy up all of the wiring and fans. I don't want to know how many zip ties I went through, but it was likely in the triple digits (not just the ones still in there, but the many dozens I put on, decided on a re-route, took off, etc.).

Now all I need to do is get a 3080 in there... I'm hoping to camp the websites early then the local Best Buy and/or Micro Center if I don't get one on a website. If all else fails, I'll start bothering hardware industry friends to see if I can call in a favor and get them to hold one for me to buy (wishful thinking).

I thought about getting a new case to freshen everything up, but I couldn't find one that I wanted. Working with the Thermaltake Core X9 is a dream because it's so huge (there's room for 3-4 420mm or 480mm radiators in the thing at once! I have one 420mm and one 240mm for good measure). I almost grabbed a Thermaltake Level 20 XT, which is the same exact internal chassis with a bunch of tempered glass. I might still do so and just replace my grubby old acrylic side panel with one of its panels, but that would be ridiculous.

Anyway, here's the clean, tidy interior now!

 

Recently my EVGA GTX780 died that I bought on release in 2013. Still have the same rig, no need for updates since I don't play shooters anymore (cuz all bad) Discovered soulsbourne games and other PS4 exclusives. I bought Dark Souls on Steam for like $7 several years ago and my brain caught fire. Bought a PS4 pro never looked back. Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodbourne, Sekiro, Horizon Zero Dawn and couple others I can't think of right now.

4770k
16gb of 1866
MSI Z87
Samsung 256gb pro SSD
A bunch of 2tb and 4tb spinners
Corsair 850 watt modular psu and a corsair case of some kind

Still runs like a top and can get to 4.5 all cores with intel speedstep on downclocks and undervolts like stock with about 1.275 vcore... but I run it stock for years now. Wish there was a reason to upgrade (no i don't actually)

 

I've decided I'm keeping my 1080Ti for now. I'll probably wait till November or December to pick up a 3080.

So for now I picked up another 2x8GB sticks of 3600mhz RAM to get back to 32GB. Then I picked up a Corsair MP600 1TB for all my big games that still take a while to load on SATA 3.

I also got some new peripherals, a G613 and G604, both "lightspeed" wireless from logitech. I've had great luck with logitech in the past, and terrible luck with Corsair and Razer peripherals, and I wanted to reduce my wires. So far so good, the latency actually feels better than my old wired stuff.

 

Finished my new build, the Pcpartpicker:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/MqcTp2

Got a little obsessed in the last few months with building and decided instead of just upgrading my 1080ti to the 3080 to go for a straight up new build. Went a little overkill but I aimed to have minimal noise, and minimal RGB as I could help it.

CPU: AMD 5950X
Cooler: Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4
Mobo: Asus ROG Dark Hero
Ram: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB 3600 CL16
SSD: Seagate FireCuda 520 2 TB M.2
GPU: Nvidia RTX 3080 Founders Edition
Case: Be Quiet Dark Base 900 Rev. 2
PSU: Asus ROG Thor 850W 80+ Platinum
Monitor: LG 27GN850





I had the Dark Base 900 previously in my old build and I went with it to not have a window. The Rev. 2 only comes with a window which I didn't mind too much this time around. Going full size tower, I remembered how much of a pain it was to build with, the thing is super heavy and cable management took forever. I will be sore for a few days after lifting this big boi so much.

Went with an air cooler over an AIO. Originally planned on using an AIO but decided against it and the Dark Rock Pro 4 was on sale for $25 off on Newegg on BF so I copped it.

The SSD was overkill and overpriced since PCIE Gen4 M.2 SSDs just came out. To actually be able to buy PC parts, the easiest way is to get a bundle from Newegg. I got the 5950X last month and that came with the SSD. I could have returned it and gone with a cheaper SSD but decided to use it anyway.

The mobo was honestly probably the hardest thing to get. It was supposed to launch end of last month. Newegg and Asus web store randomly decided to drop it one day without notice and I missed it. Bots were watching their pages and are trying to scalp a bloody motherboard. I eventually bought one last week from Newegg Business.

It has been a pain to build right now with all the bots scalping GPUs and CPUs. Parts are in high demand and I made it a point to not scalp or buy with the aid of scripts and bots. I was able to buy a MSI Suprim X 3080 last week that I was planning on using in this build but it was damaged and Newegg was super unhelpful.

MSI card:
https://imgur.com/a/4N6fQdF

Overall glad its complete. Will probably add in the Suprim X soon as it has better thermals and its quieter than the FE.