Music Studio PC Build. Need Help!

[Xstatic]

I am looking to build a pc for a Music Studio. Noise is a bad. Very bad. This needs to be as quiet as posssible. This is just going to be running Audio apps like pro tools and/or steinberg apps. I dont want to spend a huge chunk of money but still want this to be fast and quiet.

I am going to base the setup on a E6700 C2D. Already have this so there is no changeing it. Not sure what HSF to use as this needs to stay cool but needs to be quiet.

As far as the mobo, I am looking at probably the ASUS P5W DH DELUXE or the Asus P5B. These are what most of the audio systems are running. But advice would still be appreciated here.

Im not sure what ram to use but I seen the Super Talent STT DDR2-800 2GB (2x1GB) CL4 Dual Channel Memory Kit. It is reported to have d9 chips. and is only $175. They run 4-4-3-8 I believe but it also said, SPD Latency (CL) is: 5-5-5-15, Test Latency (CL) is: 4-4-3-8.(??? what does this mean?) Not sure what it is going to run at. Might grab 2 kits but not sure yet. OCZ and mushkin are also being looked at but the comparable Mushkin to the STT's are over $100 more than the STT's. Any advice on these or others?

I also have to pick out a PSU and I have not been keeping up with what is new and good out there. Are the triple rails PSU's a good choice? Dual rails or single? This needs to be absolutely rock stable for the long haul and needs to be quiet. Its in a studio so noise is a big factor. I looked at the Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 which is 3 rails and the OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI which is dual rails. What is the noise level and are they going to be too loud? I need them to run cool but be quiet. Advice?

Video card I guess needs not to be anything special but beable to run the apps nicely. Need to run dual monitors. I seen some with ati x800's and some with ati 1600's and some running NVidia 7300's. Are these over kill or are they what I need? I wouldn't think they need to be too powerful for what I'm running.

As far as HDD's go I was thinking about getting a 10k rpm drive for the OS and 2 7200 rpm drives for the apps and data. Would I be better going with a raptor for the os or 2 7200's in raid? Also what is with Matrix raid? I kinda understand some of it in that it takes the fastest part of the drives and uses them for the os and uses the rest for whatever else I guess but is it hard to setup and is it needed in my situation?

The case I'll be useing is looking to be the Antec P180 but I am still open to others. I have seen other studio setups in this case so that is why I am looking at it. And the price is nice with the $50 MIR from newegg.

I think this is it but I'm sure I'll think of something else. Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

 

[smokie mcpott]

sounds like a good solid rig but those OCZ gamexstream psu's are quad rail not dual
as far as vid card, i would try to find something with a passive cooling option since most of the time the vid card fan winds up being the loudest

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

I also have to pick out a PSU and I have not been keeping up with what is new and good out there. Are the triple rails PSU's a good choice? Dual rails or single? This needs to be absolutely rock stable for the long haul and needs to be quiet. Its in a studio so noise is a big factor. I looked at the Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 which is 3 rails and the OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI which is dual rails. What is the noise level and are they going to be too loud? I need them to run cool but be quiet. Advice?

Skip the GXS - they're not that quiet. And not that good. Also skip everything from Antec... their new stuff is OEM Seasonic, which is good, but not exactly high end Seasonic and their old stuff is poorly cooled OEM CWT that will die early on you if they stay hot enough. The Phantoms especially I would avoid.

If you're looking for something silent that will last over the long haul, look toward the Seasonic S12 or M12 models - over 330W should be fine. The Corsair HX units will also do very well. In fanless units, Silverstone and Fortron (FSP) are the best options. FSP just released a 400W Zen, and Silverstone finally had Etasis supply them a variant of the Etasis 560W fanless. If I were going FSP I'd go for the 400W, while the Silverstone 350W fanless would do it.

Note that the fanless models will require some air movement in the case to keep cool.

Hope that helps!

 

[Xstatic]

Thanks for the response OW. Will those wattages be enough? I don't want to sound like I'm doubting your judgement or anything cause I'm not. I can see useing a 560w. Just wanting to know if the system will be drawing too much power with all the studio stuff. I will have at least 3 HDD's with a few more on a maybe list. I want the PSU to be good for future upgrade of the system with not haveing to get a new PSU later on.

 

[greenmaji]

If your not plaining on overclocking the E6700 and the GFX choice is reasonable for power consumption the rig won't require much as far as a PSU is conserned.
E6700's only consume 65W stock.

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Thanks for the response OW. Will those wattages be enough?

Going by what you're planning so far, yep

 

[Xstatic]

Anyone got any advice on the rest of the system?

 

[Evilsizer]

here is the way i would do the setup...basicly using the p5h or any 975x chipset mobo for ide reasons, to work out of the box with out needing a floppy disk drivers.

PSU, imo this one, jonnyguru had good things to say about it
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817379003

this ram is great for the price better then the supertalent. supertalent from what i have read though they no longer use D9's on those sticks.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231114

for HD's i would just use either of these(i prefer seagate but green has said good things about the HITACHI's)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145129

for your video needs i would nab this one..all passive and dual dvi's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814150162

i would still use the e6700 since your not ocing but if you can wait just a tad longer the new 1333fsb cpus will be out. to handle your cooling about near passivly i would nab this cooler.
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/scniplre6hep.html
or
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/scin5picpuco.html

one of the biggest parts i see missing is the sound card for this rig...IMO this is what you should get.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829121126

the case is solid go ahead and order that first.

better post it up when you get it all built

*edit*
o here is the link to review for the psu
http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=46&page_num=1
jonnyguru = psu god

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

o here is the link to review for the psu
http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=46&page_num=1
jonnyguru = psu god

That one's based on the Gamexstream/FSP Epsilon design as well - it won't beat what I recommended for silence

 

[greenmaji]

I only like the 320Gb and 500Gb hatachi T7K500's for there data density and firmware (I particualy don't like the design of the 250GB model)

 

[Evilsizer]

here i was about to buy the zalman based on jonny's review... he said it was quiet..maybe i could look at some others..need a psu for HTPC and want to get rid of as much noise as possible.

on another note i havent found a fanless unit from silverstone...imm go hit up froggle.