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Tell me what you think - proposed build
http://forum.linhes.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15698		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  dmanindfw [ Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Tell me what you think - proposed build
Looking for feedback/opinions. Are there any components you would do differently? Anything that doesn't make sense? Do you see anything that would give me problems running Knoppmyth/Linux?

This will be my first HTPC and want it to do SD, HD, act as a music, picture server. Also want it as a serve as a second system for surfing the Net. I realize that I am probably going a bit overboard on this build but want it to be future proofed for doing Bluray and/or HD DVD once drives become cheaper.

MB: Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe - realize that SLI doesn't give me any benefit, but this is one of the few motherboards that has all the inputs I need, including 3 PCI slots. Also has AM2 socket so an upgrade to the processor will be easy to do later if necessary.

CPU - AMD X2, either a 4600 or a 4800 (65w)

Case - Lian Li PC-V800B. Very nice case and meets WAF :)

PSU - Seasonic S12-430 - 430w and known for it's quiet qualities.

CPU fan - Zalman CNPS 9500AM2

HD - Western Digital SE WD5000AAKS - 500 gig also known for its quietness and good performance.

DVD RW - Lite-on 20X - LH-20A1S - not sure if this is the way to go or not. Any other recommendations?

Video Card - Gigabyte GV-NX73G128D - one of the recommended cards on the Dragon 2 KPR. Inexpensive and should suit my needs just fine.

Audio - Should the standard onboard audio work fine with Knoppmyth??? If not, will go with Chaintech AV710

RAM - Corsair XMS2 DDR800 PC26400 - 1 Gig (2 x 512)

SD Tuners - 2 - Hauppauge 150s. Already have one - the MCE version with remote. Will this remote work fine with Knoppmyth?

HD Tuner - HD Homerun

Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - Suggestions???

So hopefully this will all work out great but please offer any changes you think that would help make this a successful project. Thank you.
Author:  tjc [ Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Probably more CPU horsepower than you need but <shrug> the only issue might be extra heat.

The only other thing I see is the aluminum case which will resonate more and damp vibrations less than a steel case would. The Lian Li case on my workstation box is nice on a lot of counts but it made getting the machine quiet harder than it should have been. :( They also don't use the worlds quietest fans, so be ready to replace a them.

Oh and I've got one of the ACK-570 mentioned here and it's held up very well: http://www.knoppmythwiki.org/index.php? ... sKeyboards
Author:  dmanindfw [ Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
tjc wrote:
Probably more CPU horsepower than you need but <shrug> the only issue might be extra heat.

The only other thing I see is the aluminum case which will resonate more and damp vibrations less than a steel case would. The Lian Li case on my workstation box is nice on a lot of counts but it made getting the machine quiet harder than it should have been. :( They also don't use the worlds quietest fans, so be ready to replace a them.

Oh and I've got one of the ACK-570 mentioned here and it's held up very well: http://www.knoppmythwiki.org/index.php? ... sKeyboards


What would you recommend as replacement fans? Looks like this case has 1 - 80mm, and 2 - 60mm fans. Was thinking of the Nexus 80mm real silent fan, but I am at a loss on the 2 - 60mm ones as Nexus doesn't go this small. Was thinking maybe Pabst fans but I really know nothing about fans in general, just looking at suggestions only.
Author:  slowtolearn [ Mon Jun 25, 2007 5:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
dmanindfw wrote:
tjc wrote:
Probably more CPU horsepower than you need but <shrug> the only issue might be extra heat.

The only other thing I see is the aluminum case which will resonate more and damp vibrations less than a steel case would. The Lian Li case on my workstation box is nice on a lot of counts but it made getting the machine quiet harder than it should have been. :( They also don't use the worlds quietest fans, so be ready to replace a them.

Oh and I've got one of the ACK-570 mentioned here and it's held up very well: http://www.knoppmythwiki.org/index.php? ... sKeyboards


What would you recommend as replacement fans? Looks like this case has 1 - 80mm, and 2 - 60mm fans. Was thinking of the Nexus 80mm real silent fan, but I am at a loss on the 2 - 60mm ones as Nexus doesn't go this small. Was thinking maybe Pabst fans but I really know nothing about fans in general, just looking at suggestions only.
Nexus and Papst are both good choices. For quiet PC components I recommend perusing http://www.silentpcreview.com Specifically for fans - http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page1.html I have a couple of the Vantec Stealth 60mm. Fairly quiet, but not silent. I can hear them from ~8 feet, but I tend to try to hear them :smile:. Typically, the smaller the fan the louder it will be, but some motherboards and add-ons like the Zalman Fan-Mate can help in that respect.

BTW, I have to agree with tjc's assessment - That's an awful lot of CPU horsepower. I have no issues watching HDTV with an X2 3800+, and have plenty of power to perform other things at the same time (and the money you save in the CPU will go a long way towards the other components, which I have found increases the WAF :wink:).
Author:  tjc [ Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
The WS box is all 120mm fans so NEXUS was an easy choice. For smaller sizes definitely check Silent PC Review as already suggested.
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