[toddreg]

I am wanting to build an I7 for home use, no gaming but will do video capture and editing as well as hdmi output to a TV. I am also trying to keep the system as quiet as reasonably possible.

I need help with the gpu, the one below is a passive one but can I do better or alternatively get a midrange card and put a cooler on it. I don't think I need to spend a bundle here as I do not play games.

Also- how about an alternative memory that might be a tad cheaper?

The Build-

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor $300.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20L2%20Cac

Gigabyte LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard with Triple Channel memory $210.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128375

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $155.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231223

MSI N9400GT-MD512H GeForce 9400 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Video Card $63.00
http://www.avadirect.com/product_d [...] PRID=12687

WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar SE16 SATA WD6400AAKS SATA 7200 RPM 16MB Buffer Hard Drive $75.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] WD6400AAKS

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS $70.00
Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 5CF%20750W

AFT XM5U 26-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader $25.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] d%20Reader

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower $60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] id%20Tower

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X $28.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20SH-S223Q

Total cost so far is only $986.00 which isn't bad for an I7 I don't think.

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I suggest you to buy some ATI GPU ( read: 4850 or 4870), they are better for rendering.

[FilePage]

I suggest you to buy some ATI GPU ( read: 4850 or 4870), they are better for rendering.

[Troy]

Those ATI cards are much more expensive, and would be more geared toward gaming. If you are right and ATI perform rendering better (perhaps some links to prove your point?), then a lower-end ATI card would be more suitable.

As it is, the 9400 would be a fine choice, in my opinion.

Troy

[jrm20]

I am wanting to build an I7 for home use, no gaming but will do video capture and editing as well as hdmi output to a TV. I am also trying to keep the system as quiet as reasonably possible.

I need help with the gpu, the one below is a passive one but can I do better or alternatively get a midrange card and put a cooler on it. I don't think I need to spend a bundle here as I do not play games.

Also- how about an alternative memory that might be a tad cheaper?

The Build-

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor $300.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20L2%20Cac

Gigabyte LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard with Triple Channel memory $210.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128375

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $155.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231223

MSI N9400GT-MD512H GeForce 9400 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Video Card $63.00
http://www.avadirect.com/product_d [...] PRID=12687

WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar SE16 SATA WD6400AAKS SATA 7200 RPM 16MB Buffer Hard Drive $75.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] WD6400AAKS

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS $70.00
Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 5CF%20750W

AFT XM5U 26-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader $25.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] d%20Reader

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower $60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] id%20Tower

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X $28.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20SH-S223Q

Total cost so far is only $986.00 which isn't bad for an I7 I don't think.

Depends on what kind of capturing / video editing you will be doing. If you will be getting into the video editing a lot / hardcore go for something faster on the video card. You could get by with the 9400gt but if you will be getting that nice of a pc IMO I would upgrade it slightly at least because while everything else hardware wise is nice the video card is not too pretty.

I always say your pc is only as fast as your weakest link. I know you said for no games but If you have kids or anyone ever wanting to play any of these new games coming out the pc will struggle because of the 1 weakest link.

Also if you have multi monitors or like the highest resolutions, a faster video card will help out depending on what video editing programs you use etc..

[PedroDaGR8]

By the way if this is a media center PC or in a noise sensitive setting. I would avoid the PCPower&Cooling PSU. PCPC's are NOTORIOUSLY loud, their silencer line is still quite loud (just much quieter than their regular line).

That being said it is a robust rock solid PSU, where if noise is not an issue then don't hesitate going for it.

[jrm20]

if you are 100% positive on the 9400gt I found a PASSIVE one for $50 at newegg so I just saved you like $13.


http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814187036

[toddreg]

Thanks for the pointers. I went with the PCPC power supply because it was supposed to be quiet but I guess that is based on their noisier regular psu's. Could you recommend one that is very quiet and of sufficient size?

Also, I hear you on the vid card. Once again my goal was noise suppression which is why I went with a passive one. Any pointers to a beefier card that minimizes the noise and heat issues that plague many video cards?

Thanks a lot, the reponses on this forum are the better ones that I have received in the couple weeks I have been at this system configuration project.

[jrm20]

Thanks for the pointers. I went with the PCPC power supply because it was supposed to be quiet but I guess that is based on their noisier regular psu's. Could you recommend one that is very quiet and of sufficient size?

Also, I hear you on the vid card. Once again my goal was noise suppression which is why I went with a passive one. Any pointers to a beefier card that minimizes the noise and heat issues that plague many video cards?

Thanks a lot, the reponses on this forum are the better ones that I have received in the couple weeks I have been at this system configuration project.

IMO it will be hard to find a PSU that is "QUIET" when dealing with a good reputable company and 600+ watts. You want the PSU to last therefore they put good cooling in them so they don't burn up easily.

I have a couple others you can think about but the PC Power & Cooling is the best deal for what you are getting and it will not be "Quiet" but its is one of the top psu manufacturers.


The OCZ Gamexstream 700w PSU is rock solid and it "MIGHT" be very very slightly quieter as I have one but along with many other fans on my system.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817341002


The CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W PSU is another rock solid and good Power supply but again I highly doubt it will be any quieter than the Pc Power & Cooling one.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139006