Scrapping old build - need new, silent PC.

Currently running:

• GTX 260 216 55nm SSC (which is hella noisy on anything other than 40% fans, which lets temps run up to 85-90+),
• Corsair TX750 (this is flipping noisy too, unexpectedly!),
• E8400 @ Stock (AF7 fitted, which seems to run at 100% which is like a turbine unless i set fans to 40% with speedfan
• MSI P35 Neo (Ultra-budget, but seems to do the job!)
• 4GB Corsair DDR2-800.
• Seagate 500gB 7200.11 (I think)

All within an Antec 300 which just loves to vibrate, coupled with a 24" Benq monitor @ 1920x1080.

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Basically, i can't stand how noisy this thing is anymore, and it's a little old now anyway. I need a replacement that is as silent as possible, yet still air cooled, that matches or is slightly superior in power to this one.

I can get away with keeping my speakers, monitor, vista, mouse, keyboard, perhaps hard drive/optical drives etc, but everything else i would need to replace perhaps.

Can somebody suggest the best plan of action/build? I've been out of the computer world since i built this one, and have no idea on what to choose anymore.

Do you have a rough budget? Also what do you use the computer for and do you have a transferable os?

Hmm, budget is a difficult one. I am more looking to see what it would take to replace this, but i think probably around £500+ as a ballpark figure. Obviously more/less is fine if need be.

Yes i have a copy of windows i can whack on it :)

http://i.imgur.com/GErN7.png

For around £500 a sandy bridge quad core will be a good upgrade to what you have now. Have paired it with a H67 board so no overclocking, for an extra £30 or so and a bit more for the motherboard you could overclock a 2500k.

My girlfriend has that 6850 card and it is extremely quiet, infact almost impossible to hear from a close distance away. Review here. If you don't intend to game then can spend less on a discrete card. I'm not too sure how powerful the integrated GPU is on the Intel but should be sufficient for movie playback if that is all you want. The Gelid cooler is reviewed here, won't cool as well as a 212+ or similar but you should get quieter operation. If after a new case that NZXT case is well featured for the price, I added a case fan for exhaust since it only comes with one but should be quieter than your Antec.

Bear in mind the loudest thing with this build should be your current HD.

I can vouch for how quiet the 6850 is. I put one in my step sons box. I can't hear it all.

I also have the exact same Asus 6850, which replaced a passive-heatsink-based 3000 series - the overall computer is no louder.
My Antec P180 case have been wonderful for over 5 years from a thermal and a noise perspective, however it is now too big for me :(
Perhaps though the P183, or the mini P180 might be good for you?
I'm looking to downsize, but equally don't want to compromise on noise...

I also have the same 6850 :D , today it is idling at 41 degrees with fans at 21% , while gaming I have never seen the fans go past 40% so yeah it is very quiet all I can hear is my h50 pump :P

I came up with the following build using parts from Ebuyer.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...TH/QuietPC.jpg

You might want to also consider the following CPU cooler:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/259239

It also get good reviews like the Corsair A50.

A referance HD6870 1GB is also worth considering:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/248885

It will be noisier at load but relatively quiet at idle.

The PSU will relatively quiet for the components I have listed:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4343/a...good-bargain/6

Here is a review of the case:

http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=30808

I would also consider changing the hard disk to a Samsung F3 too.

Well the first thing to do is locate the worse sound offenders.

Although stuck at 100% that ACf7p is going to be high on the list I bet.

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Originally Posted by Pob255

Well the first thing to do is locate the worse sound offenders.

Although stuck at 100% that ACf7p is going to be high on the list I bet.

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The AF7 is definately the highest, but it's tolerable at 40% set on speedfan. I'm not at all sure why it doesnt spin up and down of it's own accord like it should do though...

The GTX260 is quiet enough, until it hits its high temps when gaming and becomes extremely loud, so much so i have to use headphones for audio or i'll go insane...

The Corsair PSU is actually rather noisy too, i made a key mistake buying way too much power for what i really needed and have suffered because of it.