Endless Paradigm

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote: [ -> ]

Assassinator Wrote: [ -> ]It's not really about the fan, more about how much heat is generated.

A larger fan can move more air than a smaller one, at the same rotational speed.

These days it's almost always just a large fan on the bottom.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote: [ -> ]But you're trying to reason based on many assumptions - I wouldn't trust them.
Personally, I've never noticed a difference in the volume level a PSU emits when under full load vs idle - this is on a generic 500W and my EarthWatts 430W PSU.  If there is any volume difference, it's dwarfed by the volume increase from the CPU/GPU fans.

It's not really assumptions, many reviews point that out.  For example: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1995/7/

As for CPU noise and GPU on idle, that's why I'm getting a noise reducing case.  GPU noise on load doesn't matter because when gaming,you don't really care about noise (have headphones on anyway).

And if you look at other reviews on the same site, you'll find stuff like this:
650W (same wattage, different brand): sound maxes out at ~26dB http://www.legitreviews.com/article/2094/7/

The Antec PSUs do seem to scale as you say, although they're under different product lines so it's difficult to judge.  But the above example shows that there can be variation simply between brands.  Unless both the PSUs you're talking about are the same brand+product range, I wouldn't even consider that a reasonable assumption.

And even with that page:

Quote:From the recorded noise levels an adept user can easily understand that Antec preferred to sacrifice a small level of thermal performance in order to achieve exceptionally low acoustics. Truly, the Antec Earthwatts Platinum 650W unit is entirely silent up to 70% load. Only at 80% load the noise level becomes discernible from very short distances. The unit needs to run at maximum load for at least 6-8 minutes for the fan's noise to become clearly noticeable from a reasonable distance.

If you don't worry so much about the noise level during gaming, then you're not going to even get close to 70% load on a 380W PSU - 77W CPU, let's say 70W total from other components - that's less than 50% load.

Assassinator Wrote: [ -> ]These days it's almost always just a large fan on the bottom.

I don't see many PSUs with 12cm fans.  This 500W sitting next to me does have one though.

Assassinator Wrote: [ -> ]As for CPU noise and GPU on idle, that's why I'm getting a noise reducing case.  GPU noise on load doesn't matter because when gaming,you don't really care about noise (have headphones on anyway).

Do make sure that the GPU fan actually does vary (some of them just always spin at full throttle).

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote: [ -> ]The Antec PSUs do seem to scale as you say, although they're under different product lines so it's difficult to judge.  But the above example shows that there can be variation simply between brands.  Unless both the PSUs you're talking about are the same brand+product range, I wouldn't even consider that a reasonable assumption.

3 year old 380W Antec Earthwatts if I do not buy new.  Maybe 550W Antec VP if I buy new.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote: [ -> ]If you don't worry so much about the noise level during gaming, then you're not going to even get close to 70% load on a 380W PSU - 77W CPU, let's say 70W total from other components - that's less than 50% load.

I guess that makes sense.

EDIT: Ok, here's what I'll do.  I'll withhold getting a PSU for now and just use the 380W to see how it goes.  If it runs loud or blows up, then I'll get a new one.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote: [ -> ]I don't see many PSUs with 12cm fans.  This 500W sitting next to me does have one though.

Only one that I didn't see with a 12cm fan is the 380W, everything else I've seen has 12cm.  New Earthwatts is 12cm I think, well at least the platinum line.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote: [ -> ]Do make sure that the GPU fan actually does vary (some of them just always spin at full throttle).

Yeah mine does vary.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote: [ -> ]And if you look at other reviews on the same site, you'll find stuff like this:
650W (same wattage, different brand): sound maxes out at ~26dB http://www.legitreviews.com/article/2094/7/

That's a super expensive $169 PSU designed specifically to be quiet.  Of course it's going to be quiet.  You can actually get fanless PSUs too (http://www.anandtech.com/show/3962/seaso...-fanless/7 ), and it's even more expensive.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote: [ -> ]

Assassinator Wrote: [ -> ]27” 5ms Acer V273HL Monitor             $229
...I have absolutely no idea right now what monitor is good.  Need to do some research later.

Take a look at the 27in LED IPS 2560x1440 Korean monitors on eBay.  Typically $300-$400 delivered, but considering you, I'd probably recommend a higher quality panel.

Thanks a lot for that advice.  Just did the research on monitors, the Korean 1440 monitors on ebay are indeed very good price for value, I'll most likely be getting one of those.  Getting an even higher quality panel would mean $600+ from Dell or Samsung, stuff it, it's almost double the cost, not worth it

EDIT: Ordered a this thing.
Also, some changes, will get Patriot Viper RAM instead of G.Skill Ripjaws-X, and will get Samsung 840 SSD instead of Kingston.

What I bought


What I got


That is just fine with me.

Oooh. I am liking the case design. I never really had time in my first build to find a awesome looking case becasue I had to change the MB at the last second.

I would get one from FD but they seem more expensive then the case i was going for...

although it would be this one isn't it? http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX40050

Assassinator Wrote: [ -> ]

Spoiler:

What I bought


What I got

That is just fine with me.

damn.. that's awesome!

Assassinator Wrote: [ -> ]That is just fine with me.

You sure you don't want to return it?

I do wonder how they managed to do that...

Got the monitor a few days ago, everything's set up now.  Windows 8 boots in less than 10 seconds from cold, pretty satisfied with everything.  Windows 8 itself is totally strange and unintuitive.

Monitor has 3 dead pixels, which is passable I guess, given that I got a 2560x1440 IPS panel for $340 (the equivalent sold here in the west are like $700 or something).  Screen in very glossy, which is unlike western monitors I guess, but it's fine with me.

Pictures, probably should've taken them at night instead.

Looks nice Assassinator.

kind of wished i had some extra cash for a better case