Tricky one! Music PC for a very high quality monitor + overclocked

[Tim_F]

Ok here we go .... I have a Hazro monitor HZ27WC which does 2560x1440 and only has DVI Dual input. I'll be writing music so CPU speed is important and so is quiet running. I'm an experienced PC builder and overclocker. I believe the spec below would make sense but I'd really really like to keep the cost down (ideally I'd like to spend less). I am not concerned with gaming performance. I've specced a firewire card but if the motherboard has it already that's a bonus.

£80 mb Gigabyte Z68AP-D3
£170 cpu 3570K - Aim to clock to at least 4ghz but 4.4ghz ish if not too loud
£40 memory Corsair Vengeance 2x4gb
£5 paste Whatever
£65 HDD Seagate 1TB Barracuda 7200RPM
£100? case ?
£30 cooler Corsair A50
£100? g card ? For Hazro 27inch must have Dual DVI
£15 firewire card Whatever
£40? PSU ?

Thanks all, Tim

[dave87]

If you want quiet, start with a decent case and then sound proof it. I did, and am very happy with the results (link here)

I've just built a similar spec machine inside that case, and used the ASUS P8Z77-V. Very impressive feature wise, and I dare say you'd be able to get by with the HD4000 integrated graphics if you pick up a displayport to DVI converter (the onboard DVI link maxes out at 1920x1200), saving the cost of a graphics card, and the noise & heat it generates. It might even mean you can sneak an SSD into the equation - with the 1TB just for music storage?

Cooling wise, I've no experience of the A50, but I was majorly impressed with the Tuniq and Xigmatek products I used on my last 775 board. I've got the H80 now on this machine (i5 3570k) and it is another way of limiting the amount of noise coming out (if you think having a radiator in the way of the fan holes is going to muffle noise at least slightly).

PSU - don't scrimp. I've had a Seasonic S12 and now an OCZ item - they've been rock solid. Cheap PSUs are just a shortcut to major headaches!

[Tim_F]

Thanks very much Dave. Did you clock your PC? I love Asus but thought on your motherboard it wasn't possible and the cost doubles on the delux version? I'll check the fans too.

Cheers, Tim

[dave87]

I've not tried it yet (no need as yet) but I believe it has everything required - that and ASUS provide a utility to do it for you if required!


http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/Inte...t_1155/P8Z77V/

[Samwood]

CPU cooler: Coolermaster hyper 212 Evo (make sure you get the "Evo") is only £26 on Scan.co.uk
Memory: Corsair Dominator 8GB 1600mhz (the upgrade to vengance) is on sale for only £30 at scan
Paste: Arctic MX-4 is good bet at around £4
Case: I just bought the Corsair Carbide 300R (£60) and am very happy with it - looks, cooling & cable management are all top notch. The NZXT Phantom 410 is a little more but looks really cool.
Graphics card: Depends if your playing games. The HD 6870 is on sale in a few places for just under £100 & will handle most games pretty well.
PSU: Have a look at the XFX 450W Pro Series Core, apparently its a Seasonic OEM and has 34A on the +12V rail which is more than enough for your needs. You might want to spend a little more if you want to cross-fire or get a top-end GPU in the future.

Overall your system looks good. Though I'd suggest having a look at a mobo with the Z77 chipset, the native PCI-E 3.0, USB 3.0 & SATA III will help future proof your system.