Silent PC Build - Suggestions Please!

[william lawes]

I was looking for a retailer for a silent PC built in Canada, but have only found retailers in the US. I have taken the component list from this site, https://orbitalcomputers.com/ , based on the Silenced Q2000.

I found the components on Amazon.ca, and upgraded them, but would like suggestions about this. I primarily use Cubase with heavy use of sample libraries, Notation programs, Ableton. Here is what I have:

• Samsung 980 PRO SSD 1TB - M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive with V-NAND Technology (MZ-V8P1T0B/AM)
  $229.99
  
  Corsair CP-9020195-NA RM Series RM750 80 Plus Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
  $129.99
  
  Noctua NH-U12A, Premium CPU Cooler with High-Performance Quiet NF-A12x25 PWM Fans (120mm, Brown)
  $139.42
  
  GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS Elite (LGA 1200/ Intel Z590/ ATX/Triple M.2/ PCIe 4.0/ USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/ 2.5GbE LAN/Gaming Motherboard)
  $229.99
  
  Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 X 16GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4-25600) C16 1.35V Desktop Memory - Black
  $199.99
  
  Intel® Core™ i9-10900KF Desktop Processor 10 Cores up to 5.3 GHz Unlocked Without Processor Graphics LGA1200 (Intel® 400 Series chipset) 125W
  $627.98
  
  FRACTAL DESIGN Define 7 Compact Black Brushed Aluminum/Steel ATX Compact Silent Mid Tower Computer Case
  $153.04
  
  Arctic MX-4 Thermal Compound Paste, Carbon Based High Performance, Heatsink Paste, CPU for All Coolers, Interface Material, 4 Grams with Tool
  $14.99

Total: $1,877.89 CAD

[Passing Bye]

Think i7-11700K makes much more sense to get, especially if your GPU demands can be met with integrated one.

[william lawes]

Thanks, yes I was thinking that, upgrading to the newest model may not improve speed for audio...

[Passing Bye]

Actually both single/multi core performance goes in favour of newer i7, also it's cheaper and have integrated GPU, pretty much no brainier...

[william lawes]

Intel Core i7-11700K Desktop Processor 8 Cores up to 5.0 GHz Unlocked LGA1200 (Intel 500 Series & Select 400 Series Chipset) 125W
$499.99

[william lawes]

For the SSD would it be better to have separate drives? A smaller one for the OS, perhaps 2TB for sample libraries, and another for programs?

I am assuming 32Gb for Ram is enough to start, would 64 be recommended?

And how much of a power supply would be required for this?

[Passing Bye]

For the SSD would it be better to have separate drives? A smaller one for the OS, perhaps 2TB for sample libraries, and another for programs?

I would personally use smaller one for OS and plug-ins (not bigger than 500GB) and bigger one for sample libraries and rest.

I am assuming 32Gb for Ram is enough to start, would 64 be recommended?

Dunno sincerely, I don't use Kontakt or sample libraries, if you can afford, more the better, especially if you can come close to maxing out something like 32GB.

And how much of a power supply would be required for this?

Get the 750W one.

[Pictus]

For the SSD would it be better to have separate drives? A smaller one for the OS, perhaps 2TB for sample libraries, and another for programs?

One smaller for the OS + programs(Samsung 980 PRO) and one bigger for the rest.
The bigger one does not need to be the expensive Samsung 980 Pro.
For a 2TB model I would get this
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/vkL ... sdpe2tb-d8
For a 4TB model
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/n6b ... 00np-4tt-c

I am assuming 32Gb for Ram is enough to start, would 64 be recommended?

It depends on the use, for KONTAKT with big orchestral libraries better use
two RAM sticks of 32GB each, later you can add more if needed.

And how much of a power supply would be required for this?

Check https://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator
And look at the PSU reviews
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/be ... ,4229.html
As an example, the RMx 850 up to +-250W the fan is off and up to
+-600W, the RPM/noise is very low.
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/co ... 568-5.html


The i9-10900KF does not have built-in GPU, both
the i9-10900K and i7-11700K have built-in GPU.

About the cooler, check this (Make sure it fits the case)
https://youtu.be/JtWr15on6OU

[william lawes]

Thanks very much, and for the SSD recommendations, that's much appreciated, and I will check out the videos.

Yes I was going to ask about the SSD, I assume there is no need to partition a SSD (or not possible), and that 4TB is faster than using two 2TB? I notice the cost of 4TB is more than two 2 TB.

I am just starting to look at reviews on utube for silent cases, I see the Fractal compact does not have very good reviews, and I understand a bigger case may be preferable anyways. Any suggestions for a silent case?

[Pictus]

Thanks very much, and for the SSD recommendations, that's much appreciated, and I will check out the videos.

You are welcome.

Yes I was going to ask about the SSD, I assume there is no need to partition a SSD (or not possible), and that 4TB is faster than using two 2TB? I notice the cost of 4TB is more than two 2 TB.

The speed is dependent to the model, in the same line the bigger have
lounger life spam and generally faster, but with any decent SSD the speed
is not a concern.
You can get just one BIG SSD and make a small partition for the OS/progs, but
for this scenario I recommend to use more expensive/higher quality model like
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/r3R ... rocket-4tb

I am just starting to look at reviews on utube for silent cases, I see the Fractal compact does not have very good reviews, and I understand a bigger case may be preferable anyways. Any suggestions for a silent case?

Add a second(place in front) 140mm fan to the Fractal compact and it will be better.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8xYRsY ... n-19np2-r1
https://youtu.be/Prd0vMt05Tg
The Fractal 7 non compact can handle bigger coolers like the Noctua NH-D15
and its front door is a second layer of noise control.

https://youtu.be/ffuAnwGivO8

[william lawes]

Thanks again, this is really helpful!
I made a few updates:

I liked the look of this, what do you think? I will need to add additional fans to this:
Phanteks Eclipse P600S Hybrid Silent and Performance ATX Chassis - Fabric Filter, Dual System Support, PWM hub, Sound dampening Panels Closed Panels, Black
$179.99

Arctic ACFAN00119A P12 PWM (Black) - Pressure-Optimized 120 mm Fan with PWM
$13.95

Intel Core i7-11700K Desktop Processor 8 Cores up to 5.0 GHz Unlocked LGA1200 (Intel 500 Series & Select 400 Series Chipset) 125W
$499.99

I plan to create Youtube videos w/music so I may need to consider a better graphics card:
MSI GT 1030 2GH LP OC Graphic Cards
$200.05

CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4-25600) C16 1.35V Desktop Memory - Black
$379.99

Corsair CP-9020180-NA RMX Series RM850x 80 Plus Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
$159.99

Although the "be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4" is ranked quieter 24.3 dB in the video you posted, the Noctua is actually 19.2 dB:
Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black, Dual-Tower CPU Cooler (140mm, Black)
$139.95

Would the Sabrent 4TB ROCKET be a better investment than these two?:
Samsung 980 PRO SSD 500GB - M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive with V-NAND Technology (MZ-V8P500B/AM)
$129.99

XPG SX8100 4TB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2 2280 Solid State Drive R/W 3500/3000MB/S High Performance SSD (ASX8100NP-4TT-C)
$599.99

Total: $2,303.89 CAD

[DJ Warmonger]

I plan to create Youtube videos w/music so I may need to consider a better graphics card:
MSI GT 1030 2GH LP OC Graphic Cards

I've got GTX 1050 2 GB RAM and podcast editing is already a pain, running out of memory after ~10 minutes of content. However, if you only plan to drop an image or simple animation and wait for render, it may be enough.

Would the Sabrent 4TB ROCKET be a better investment than these two?

The problem with a single SSD drive is that if it fails, you lose everything. With multiple drives it's easier to recover, or to upgrade.

[Pictus]

Thanks again, this is really helpful!

I am glad to help.

I made a few updates:

I liked the look of this, what do you think? I will need to add additional fans to this:
Phanteks Eclipse P600S Hybrid Silent and Performance ATX Chassis - Fabric Filter, Dual System Support, PWM hub, Sound dampening Panels Closed Panels, Black
$179.99

Looks good.

Arctic ACFAN00119A P12 PWM (Black) - Pressure-Optimized 120 mm Fan with PWM
$13.95

To add to the case front? Better get the 140mm
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8xYRsY ... n-19np2-r1

Intel Core i7-11700K Desktop Processor 8 Cores up to 5.0 GHz Unlocked LGA1200 (Intel 500 Series & Select 400 Series Chipset) 125W
$499.99

I plan to create Youtube videos w/music so I may need to consider a better graphics card:
MSI GT 1030 2GH LP OC Graphic Cards
$200.05

Weak for video editing, but you will have the built-in Intel GPU to help.
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/artic ... -Pro-2120/
For video editing passive card is not ideal, make sure to have a good airflow
at the GPU heat sink.

CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4-25600) C16 1.35V Desktop Memory - Black
$379.99

Corsair CP-9020180-NA RMX Series RM850x 80 Plus Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
$159.99

Although the "be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4" is ranked quieter 24.3 dB in the video you posted, the Noctua is actually 19.2 dB:
Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black, Dual-Tower CPU Cooler (140mm, Black)
$139.95
Would the Sabrent 4TB ROCKET be a better investment than these two?:
Samsung 980 PRO SSD 500GB - M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive with V-NAND Technology (MZ-V8P500B/AM)
$129.99

XPG SX8100 4TB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2 2280 Solid State Drive R/W 3500/3000MB/S High Performance SSD (ASX8100NP-4TT-C)
$599.99

Total: $2,303.89 CAD

For video editing just one SSD is not ideal.

[Passing Bye]

Pictus the legend!

[T-CM11]

The problem with a single SSD drive is that if it fails, you lose everything. With multiple drives it's easier to recover, or to upgrade.

That's why you make backups - to a regular HDD (internal or external) or NAS. Duplicating data is safe, 3x or more is even better. Adding encrypted cloud storage doesn't hurt either.

I have Fractal Design R5 and it's pretty quiet. I recommend the 7 for this purpose.

With no discrete graphics card, or even a mid-range one, 550W is plenty (IF it's a quality PSU, like that Corsair).