New silent DAW build advice

zaral · Junior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 24

Hi Guys,
I'm planning on building a new DAW, and this time I want to spend the amount of money it takes to
get it silent. Mostly because my studio is small, and I can constantly hear the pc working when
I'm recording. I've been looking at the Pro DAW's at Scott's page and others, but as I live in
Norway, I have to pay tax on the pc. So it becomes very expensive.

So i've been looking at the forum, and this is the specs I have so far, please give some advice if you
have on components that are silent. Also,i love XP too much to change it, so I'm thinking of
installing my 64bit version, running cubase in 32 bit. Is that silly? should i upgrade to Win7 64bit?

Here's the setup so far:

- Gigabyte GA-X58A UDR3 mobo
- Intel Core i7-960 cpu
- Asus Radeon HD5770 Silent graphic
- 3 Samsung Spinpoint F3 1tb hdd ( one for OS, one for Audio and one for samples)
- Corsair AX 1200W PSU (very expensive but quiet i've heard)
- Corsair Dominator DHX+ DDR3 1600MHz 1,65v CL8-8-8-24 6GB RAM
- Cooler Master Sileo 500 case ( sorry Scott, stole this one from your website)

Thanks on any advice,

Akki
_________________
Cubase 3.1| Xp Sp3 | Lynx L2A| Asus P5B-E Plus | 2048 Corsair TwinX 6400 | 3* 500 GB WD HD| Enermax Liberty 500W PSU | Asus Radeon X1650 Silent | E8400

Oscat101 · Member Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 270 Location: London. UK

Well just to say I use this case http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTk=
but have never done a comparison, Hard drives held suspended by rubber bands and I never hear them, I also use Noctura fans which are worth the expense.
1200 watt power supply seems excessive unless your running 4 Graphics cards in a huge gaming rig, only reason I can think off is the idea that it's fans never start because it's not under excessive load, if I was going to build an i7 rig I would stick with my Corsair HX 620, if I had to buy a new one I'd get a corsair 750 watt.
i7 960 seems strange, I would get the 950 and save some money, then if it bothers you, a tiny overclock to 960 spec or better which it will do standing on its head.
And lastly for compatibility and efficiency reasons Win 7 64 bit ! Why would you want to run an unsupported OS, sometimes it's hard enough with a supported one Laughing

It's always a subjective opinion and I would like to try that coolermaster case to see how it compares to the antec, but these are the thoughts I had when I read your list.
Best of luck with it.
_________________
Chipset is IP35 pro on an Abit board IP35 Pro (ICH9R Raid)
2 x Samsung HD501LJ ACHI
MSI passive nvidia 8600
Q6600 at 3.06 Ghz
8 Gb G-Skill PC8500 DDR2 at 1020
Windows 7 64 bit
Samsung SATA DVD Drive
SATA DVDRW Drive
TC electronic Konnect 24D, Alpha Track and M Audio axiom 49 ----Cubase 5.5.2, Amplitube 3.0.2 SampleTank 2.5.4. T-Racks 3 Deluxe 3,1.2, CSR 1.1.1, Steve Slater Drums+ Kontakt player 4.1.1 and Amplitube 2.1.4, JimiHendrix 1.0.3, Metal 1.0.3 AmpegSVX 1.1,3, X-Gear 1.5.1, and a few others.

zaral · Junior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 24

Thanks alot for you answer mate.
I looked at the cabinet, it looks great. I like the hard drive rubber bands.

I also looked at this, but i dont know it is as quiet as the other
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTgyNA==

You're right about the PSU, i chose it because of the idea of the fans never start even when its heavy loaded.
But maybe its a bit overkill, so i've changed to a Corsair TX 650W PSU.
You have experience with Nexus PSU? http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products

Also, the main reason i wanted to keep Win XP is because i know it so well, any problems occurs i know how to handle them.
If a problem occurs on a new OS with a new pc, chances are i have to spend alot of time finding a solution. I dont know how many hours i've spend solving problems instead of making music. Pretty fed up with that. So just wanted to play safe Smile

Anyways, i have to upgrade sooner of later, so maybe this is the time to do it. Just hope SX3 runs well in Win 7.

So the new setup is:
- Gigabyte GA-X58A UDR3 mobo
- Intel Core i7-950 cpu
- Asus Radeon HD5770 Silent graphic
- 3 Samsung Spinpoint F3 1tb hdd ( one for OS, one for Audio and one for samples)
- Corsair TX 650W PSU
- Corsair Dominator DHX+ DDR3 1600MHz 1,65v CL8-8-8-24 6GB RAM
- Antec Solo case
- Win7 64 bit

PS: Still needs advice on a good quiet CPU cooler
_________________
Cubase 3.1| Xp Sp3 | Lynx L2A| Asus P5B-E Plus | 2048 Corsair TwinX 6400 | 3* 500 GB WD HD| Enermax Liberty 500W PSU | Asus Radeon X1650 Silent | E8400

vinark · Member Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 817 Location: Amsterdam

If you like XP like me, maybe XP64 is an idea? Works great here with Cubase 4 (32 bit cubase). Would have been on SX too if I would not have needed compatibility with an intel mac.
_________________
C4 4.5.2 32bit with Jbridge
Asus P5Q @ 425FSB
Intel Q9550 @3.63GHz
8gb Corsair XMS2 800C4 @ 1066MhzC5
RME hdsp9652 with AEB4-O
2 uad1's + liquidmix
XP64pro

zaral · Junior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 24

Oscat101 · Member Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 270 Location: London. UK

Firstly I did not realise you were using SX 3, so XP 64 may be a good idea, others know more about how it all works with multiprocessing and other things than I do.

Power supply wise I would go with HX 750, my reasons are 140mm fan and it's modular + reviews of TX say they are not the quietest at 50% load. If you go with the Antec Solo it is not a huge case and for cooling less cables are better, so modular is good, just use the ones you need. I have no experience of nexus, though I did consider them, all I can say is that I have never regretted not getting one, Corsair HX is all I could want.
The other case looks good, the increased airflow around the processor and memory once PSU is out the way is a big plus as far as cooling goes as is the size of the case and Antec are a good company and I would still go with HX750. http://hi-techreviews.com/index.php/review-links-mainmenu-80/9875-corsair-hx750-power-supply

Personally I would go with Gigabyte X58 UD5 cause I am not adverse to a little overclocking and if reports are to be believed less are been returned for faults, latest version has USB 3 and SATA 6 GB as well.

Cooling is a subject in itself, but if air is your choice my choice would be Noctua Heatsink and fan or Thermalright with Noctua fan such as
http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=51998&category_id=1&manufacturer_id=373&tid=nh-d14
which is the largest.
Noctua NH-C12P SE14 is smaller and appears to give room for high memory heatsinks
Yet again the Solo is not a huge case, so check it fits, and finally you could try http://indigo-xtreme.com/ as a TIM, though don't install HD's with rubber mountings before hand because curing has to be done with the case on its side. It does not work with all heatsinks, It's hard to get the D14 hot enough to reflow the pad for curing, some have problems with the thickness, apparently NH-C12P SE14 works well with it and the paste that comes with Noctua heatsinks is top rate if the indigo stuff is to scary.
Yet again just my thoughts and opinions and have fun building it whatever you go with.
_________________
Chipset is IP35 pro on an Abit board IP35 Pro (ICH9R Raid)
2 x Samsung HD501LJ ACHI
MSI passive nvidia 8600
Q6600 at 3.06 Ghz
8 Gb G-Skill PC8500 DDR2 at 1020
Windows 7 64 bit
Samsung SATA DVD Drive
SATA DVDRW Drive
TC electronic Konnect 24D, Alpha Track and M Audio axiom 49 ----Cubase 5.5.2, Amplitube 3.0.2 SampleTank 2.5.4. T-Racks 3 Deluxe 3,1.2, CSR 1.1.1, Steve Slater Drums+ Kontakt player 4.1.1 and Amplitube 2.1.4, JimiHendrix 1.0.3, Metal 1.0.3 AmpegSVX 1.1,3, X-Gear 1.5.1, and a few others.

vinark · Member Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 817 Location: Amsterdam

zaral · Junior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 24

zaral · Junior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 24

vinark · Member Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 817 Location: Amsterdam

Battery doesn´t use that much ram compared to Kontakt but yes run any sample player in 64 bit format. Kontakt, battery, spectrasonics etc. You could even bridge BFD2 which is still 32 bit and that will have it´s own 4gb memoryspace. But the less you bridge the simpler your setup.

Cubase 32 can use a max of 3.5gb (needs some spare for housekeeping and saving) under 64 bit. Bridged Kontakt 64 can use virtually unlimited, so could be cubase 1gb and kontakt the other 5gb. Hope this makes it a little clearer.
_________________
C4 4.5.2 32bit with Jbridge
Asus P5Q @ 425FSB
Intel Q9550 @3.63GHz
8gb Corsair XMS2 800C4 @ 1066MhzC5
RME hdsp9652 with AEB4-O
2 uad1's + liquidmix
XP64pro

zaral · Junior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 24

Yep, thanks alot.
So if i understand this correctly, i use JBridge for applications that use alot of memory, and the others can run in 32 bit?
is this the right JBridge http://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge/ ?

Sorry for asking so much questions, i'm still a newb on these things
_________________
Cubase 3.1| Xp Sp3 | Lynx L2A| Asus P5B-E Plus | 2048 Corsair TwinX 6400 | 3* 500 GB WD HD| Enermax Liberty 500W PSU | Asus Radeon X1650 Silent | E8400

vinark · Member Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 817 Location: Amsterdam

yes and yes
_________________
C4 4.5.2 32bit with Jbridge
Asus P5Q @ 425FSB
Intel Q9550 @3.63GHz
8gb Corsair XMS2 800C4 @ 1066MhzC5
RME hdsp9652 with AEB4-O
2 uad1's + liquidmix
XP64pro

Oscat101 · Member Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 270 Location: London. UK

zaral · Junior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 24

Ok, good tips i got from you guys, thanks alot Smile

Southae · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 1:16 am Post subject:

Hi, Folks!

I haven't kicked Windows XP yet, but the more I talk with those that have, the more good things I hear about Win 7, including it's "XP" mode for the pricier version.

The major caveat here is compatibility with legacy gear, and likewise, compatibility with newer equipment and software. Right now Microsoft is in their "cross-over zone", as people are slowly embracing Win 7 and departing XP [and "gag me with a spoon!" Vista]. In a few years that may prove a done deal with Win 7 becoming the major platform for most Windows PC users.

I'm not sure how much Peter has expanded his PAQ case line, but his Powerful and Quiet (PAQ) PC case design is so ridiculously innovative, I'm really shocked nobody thought of it earlier ( http://www.paqt.co.uk/index.html ). He has mounted cooling fans on an internal case bulkhead, and therefore, the case acts as a muffler to the noise created by moving air through the cabinet! And they are very quiet... if you can get your chosen MOBO and video cards into his cases. Lian-Li also had some really sweet aluminum cases, but I'm sure Antec has caught up with them by now.

Of course, for the ultimate in quiet PC's either put the CPU box in another space or build one that doesn't have any fans, but is water cooled. The plumbing is a nuisance (you don't want spilled anti-freeze in your studio!), but they're silent, as the low pressure electric pumps make almost no sound given adequate cooling radiators!

A wise choice for power supply selection is to add up the power levels of everything you want to install in the system (sum up the various component wattages), and then add about 20% to that figure as a "power cushion" to determine your PSU's power capacity. When I built my signature beastie quite awhile back, I went with a 750W Enermax supply which has surprised me with how quiet it's fans are even with a healthy amount of HDU's and at the time, a power house ATI Radeon video card in the system. Regrettably, the hard part is getting the heat out of the case (picture a 500 watt lamp inside your CPU box and you get the idea). So if you use an aluminum case, you've already got a leg up on the older, cheaper stamped steel boxes. Aluminum transfers heat much more effectively. And if you still find you have some noise issues, get some automotive sound damping material, like Dynamat, to line the interior of the cabinet. It's expensive stuff, but if you're really lucky and check some local car stereo installer shops in your area, you may find, as I did, somebody willing to give you lefover scraps of the stuff they won't ever use, 'cause they're too small for automotive use (but just right for your CPU box!).

Oh, and one other real important thought: be careful what sound deadening material you place inside the CPU box. Make sure it's fire resistant or retardant. As noted, with a 500 Watt lightbulb in the box, there are spots that get pretty hot. You don't want to set your CPU (studio, or home) on fire, because flammable materials were used to quiet things down early on! Shocked

Good luck, and let us know what you finally decide upon!
_________________
Just my 2 bits, 0 and 1!

AES Smile

Dual 3.0GHz Xeons on ASUS PC-DL Deluxe
2GB RAM, ATI 9800, Windows XP Pro
ECHO/LAYLA 24/96 "Soundcard"
Schoeps, DPA, Royer, Sony, and AKG Microphones
Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro
Over 4TB of Growing Storage! [GAD!]
And AWAAAYYYY We GO!

Oscat101 · Member Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 270 Location: London. UK

More thoughts on that Case --- You could consider the Antec CP power supply designed for it as from what I can make out the fan on the Corsair will have a rather restricted air intake if the fan does need to run though I imagine it will be OK -- The CP series takes air straight through and out, but I have no idea how they compare with Corsair as far as noise goes.

Having looked at this http://www.silentpcreview.com/Antec_CP-850 , they look very interesting and rate very well for noise.

Here http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&file=print&reid=142
, there is a picture that show the height difference between this and normal Psu. The height difference represents the area the Corsair would draw air from --- if they had the standard psu the other side up you would see the fan and the CPX 850 fits in the space provided in the bottom chamber and there are no vents in the main chamber floor to allow easier airflow for standard supplies, so they suck the air in sideways.
_________________
Chipset is IP35 pro on an Abit board IP35 Pro (ICH9R Raid)
2 x Samsung HD501LJ ACHI
MSI passive nvidia 8600
Q6600 at 3.06 Ghz
8 Gb G-Skill PC8500 DDR2 at 1020
Windows 7 64 bit
Samsung SATA DVD Drive
SATA DVDRW Drive
TC electronic Konnect 24D, Alpha Track and M Audio axiom 49 ----Cubase 5.5.2, Amplitube 3.0.2 SampleTank 2.5.4. T-Racks 3 Deluxe 3,1.2, CSR 1.1.1, Steve Slater Drums+ Kontakt player 4.1.1 and Amplitube 2.1.4, JimiHendrix 1.0.3, Metal 1.0.3 AmpegSVX 1.1,3, X-Gear 1.5.1, and a few others.

zaral · Junior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 24

herrtommy · Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:12 pm Post subject:

Norge! *klapp-klapp-klapp*
Norge! *klapp-klapp-klapp*
Norge! *klapp-klapp-klapp*

Godt å se flere nordmenn her Smile

Well, anywho:
Best thing to do ofcourse (and ofcourse not read all the replies) is to have your PC separated from the rest of your recording-things. Dunno how your studio looks, but many have room for a cupboard or box that can house the cab and therefore eliminating most of the noise generated by fans (not screaming fans, we love those). Ventialtion is key here.
_________________
Mac Pro (8-core Xenon, 8GB RAM) OSX 10.6.4
Steinberg MR816x
M-Audio Profire 2626
Cubase 5.5.2
T-Racks3 DeLuxe

zaral · Junior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 24

Oscat101 · Member Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 270 Location: London. UK

Kju-Bäjce · New Member Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 10

its strange motherboard manual of UD3R says:
"Support for DDr3 2200/1333/1066/800 Mhz and 6*1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockket up to 24 GB"

so 1600 not supported...it seems....

but RAM reference list of gigabyte says:
"2100+, 200, 1866, 1800: only one dimm per channel...!! 1600, 1333, 1066, 800"

so what ? Why shall someone take 1600 MhZ RAM..?!?!?
better to take 1333 or 1066 with 1.5V, isn't it ?

tekniq · Member Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 194 Location: Ger

thietavu · Member Joined: 23 Jan 2005 Posts: 273

When it comes to cooling, I doubt there is anything better than Noctua's fans and cpu coolers. They even keep my 4 GHz 6-core setup both cool and quiet, so highly recommended!
_________________
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T @4 GHz, 8GB Kingston DDR3-1333 RAM, Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P, 1x Samsung F3, 1x Samsung F1, 1xWD, M-Audio AP192 + Musical Fidelity X-DAC v3, Musical Fidelity X-Can v3 + Grado SR325, AMD Radeon HD5770, Windows 7-64, Cubase 4.52

Beanie Brandon · Member Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Posts: 158 Location: London

Hi there, I've also read that the UD3R will take 1600. It's even in the 'Memory Support List' of RAM on the Gigabyte site for both revision 1 & 2 of the board, although not in the 'Specification' section:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3305#sp

+1 on the Antec 183 case. It has some sound insulation built into the panels and the fans are easily adjustable by two 3-position switches, slow medium & fast. Slow is barely audible, my hard-drive is louder than the case fans with them both set to slow. Although with them both on fast it goes 'WHOOOOSH' (ok if you use your DAW for gaming occasionally).

I've got a Corsair HX620 modular in mine and there's a cage-mount in the case to keep the PSU 20mm or so off the floor so there is always clearance. Also, the cage-mount has an an anti-vibration rubber lining - there are lots of little features like that in the case. I also like the weight/sturdiness of it, it's heavier than most PCs without anything even in it, so not recommended if you need to carry it about anywhere but ideal for a DAW.
_________________
Cubase 5.5 | Vista 32 | E6750 @ 3.3Ghz | GA-P35C-DS3R | 4Gb RAM | Antec 183 | 500Gb OS + 2x750Gb | Emu 0404 | Saffire 6 USB | NT1-A | Nocturn | MPK49 | Rubicon R5as | AT MS50s
DCAM | Trillian | Sylenth1 | Komplete Synths | Kontakt4 | Battery3 | Ohmforce | Audio Damage | Nebula | T-RackS Deluxe | PSP | CSR | THE GLUE | FG-X | VCC Beta

Beanie Brandon · Member Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Posts: 158 Location: London

Oops! Just realised I'm probably a bit late Very Happy