Also Setting Up For New Build. ~~COMPLETED!~~

This will most likely be the first of many post's pertaining to this build as it will be my first and want to be sure not to over look or over think anything.

I'm trying to put together a parts list but before I settle on a MOBO, CPU, graphic card, PSU, cooling and HD's, I think I need to know the case I'm using to be sure everything is going to fit.

I 'think' I'd like a 4U rack-mount case because I have a rack on my desk that just so happens to have room..
But so far I'm not having much luck in searching for a quiet rack-mount PC case.

If anyone knows of a source that'd be great. Maybe the case's I've been looking at are 'quiet' case's but just not listed as such.

Also, is a rack-mount not a good way to go? Maybe due to space for components, sound, ventilation etc? 

Am I correct in thinking in this manner or should I consider some of the other components before the case?
Thanks to all input.

Mike

     

Format problems

While I was researching www.plinkusa.com I found a new v2 version of this case that I like even more because they put ventilation holes on top of case over PSU so you can use the BIG side-fan type of PSU's!

Another quick question.
Is FireWire and Thunderbolt something that can be added at a later time?
I know FW is on the way out but might still have a use for it. And would like to have the ability to add Thinderbolt down the road if need be.

I guess that all depends on my Mobo but don't want to pay for it now if it's something I can add at a later point.

Also I'd like 3 monitors but haven't seen any Mobo's with 3 VGA ports.

Only asking here because it seems most sites are gaming sites not audio based.

Mike

Beware: Once you go multi-monitor, there's no going back.  Especially with a DAW!!!!!

SSDs will fit into just about any drive bay -- generally they're 2.5" format so you'll need an adapter for a 3.5" bay.  Adapters are cheap. 
 
That's a nice case!  I remember looking at that one when I was building my DAW.  I wanted to put mine in a rack so I went with a Zalman HTPC case. 
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 

Thanks Jim. 
You're a stand up guy offering advice while having your plate full and nothing to gain from this.
Yeah, I'm being sure to pick all fans, cooling and power supply on the quiet side. Also my OS/program drive will be SSD.
Right now I'm somewhat torn.
I was thinking of going AMD to keep cost down http://www.microcenter.com/product/401795/FX_8350_4GHz_AM3_Black_Edition_Boxed_Processor 
But while shopping around I figured that since I don't have to come up with the money all at once
I may be able to afford a 'lower end' Intel i7  http://ark.intel.com/products/65523.


Or would it be worth spending the extra $ for http://ark.intel.com/products/63698  

My main issue is the price of a 2011 mobo. 

Mike

 Jim, I took a look at your website. Very Nice. My question is: what is a cube, as I have never seen this. Is it a "footprint" thing, with regards to it's size and shape? It clearly is faster...running at 4.5. It looks like a speed advantage over the "Pro Studio" tower. I could be wrong and there are possibly MANY things I am missing here, but I like what I see. Please advise or if you want to take this private I respect that. Thanks

Jim Roseberry


Hi Mike,

If you're trying to keep an eye on the budget, I'd opt for a socket 1155 based machine.
The 3770k will easily (quietly) run at 4.5GHz... and that'll yield plenty of DSP resources for all but the most extensive of dense mixes.

If you go socket 2011, you've absolutely got to use a top-notch CPU cooler (to keep temps and noise in check).

One question for you Jim.
The case I have has a front FireWire port.
I only need it for an external HD that I have. I'd like to be able to get some of my old files off of it and maybe use as a back-up HD that I can keep off site, so it doesn't have to be TI .


I've done lot's of searching cant seem to find a mobo for the 3077k that has a socket for front access FW port.
I'm guessing that since FW is on the way out that there isn't one.
You by any chance don't know of one do ya?


I know I can get a FW card but would much rather use the front port since it already there.


Thanks again for your input.


Mike


 

Jim Roseberry

Lining the case (or at least the lid) with sound deadening foam mat can cost a bit but can be worth it. Plenty of DIY case quieting info available on sites like silentpcreview and htpc sites if you search for it.

Lining the case with foam can help vibration related noise, but it won't make loud components quiet (as I'm sure you already know).
No different than putting that 1/4" foam on your studio walls... and expecting it to sound-proof the room.    

Jim, there are different kinds of noise-reduction foams, performing different functions.


Lining case panels with noise "dampening"or "insulating" material (such as a closed cell foam like neoprene sponge) can reduce panel vibration as well as noise transmission through the panel. A layer of vinyl flooring (or another "limp mass" material) can also work in this role. Such noise-dampening/insulating treatment may be found lurking behind the carpeting at the front foot wells of automobiles (to block noise coming through the thin sheet metal chassis into the passenger cabin) and inside old high speed printer enclosures (to block noise transmission from inside).


Using a noise "absorbent" foam liner (typically an open-cell foam) inside a case can quieten the case by absorbing the sound (converting the sound waves' mechanical energy into heat) and diffusing the sound (reducing reverberation (reflection) inside the case).

Generally, the idea is to dampen vibration of large panels (e.g. the side covers) of a case, along with using sound absorption treatment to reduce noise inside the case (which if untreated can be emitted through vent openings). 

Baffling of vent openings can also help to reduce sound emission from a case, as can designing the case to avoid direct paths to the exterior in the first place (e.g., baffled front panels with side or bottom intake openings, ideally being lined with noise absorption material) as well as using quieter fans on heatsinks and especially at intake and exhaust vents. 

The noise spectra blocked/absorbed and effectiveness (loss coefficient) varies by foam material and thickness, of course, with lower frequencies being more difficult to treat for. Thicker is generally better, but using a thick lining can be problematic as it can make case panels difficult to mount, make cabling difficult and may also reduce cooling air flow inside the case.

There are "composite" foam sheets available combining both a noise dampener layer and a noise absorbent layer, or one can DIY and laminate different layers.


The purpose and type of sound treatment used in a studio varies, being for noise diffusion or noise absorption or blocking noise transmission, or combinations thereof. But no amount or type of sound treatment inside a studio will help if your studio DAW PC is noisy (except for an iso booth)!


There, more than you ever wanted to know!

So far this is where I sit.

Case - http://www.quietpcusa.com/Gigabyte-Cupio-6140-Mid-Tower-Quiet-PC-Case-P558.aspx 

Mobo - http://www.microcenter.com/product/386359/GA-Z77X-UD5H_LGA_1155_Z77_ATX_Motherboard 

CPU -  http://www.microcenter.com/product/388575/Core_i7_3770K_35GHz_LGA_1155_Processor 

RAM - http://www.dexid.org/wiki/Crucial_BLE2CP8G3D1869DE1TX0 

CPU Cooling - http://www.microcenter.com/product/404943/Hydro_Series_H80i_Extreme_Performance_Liquid_CPU_Cooler 

OS - Windows Home Premium SP1 64Bit OEM - Went up to Pro so I can use 32GB RAM if I want. 

And my grounding wrist strap. 


Anyone see any issues with any of this before I swipe the card?


Still need 2 - 1TB HD's, my SSD and power supply (thinking 750 Watt)


All recommendations or changes welcome.
Thanks.


Mike  

Thanks Jack.

Mike