Building a quiet PC

[random_username]

I want to build a PC that is very quiet. I mean almost silent. I have about 1000 dollars to play with.

What parts would you recomment I use?

Thanks!

[Erik]

What do you want it for? Gaming, video editing, Photoshop, HTPC, etc. That will make a bigger difference.

[random_username]

I want to play the latest games at modest resolution, store upto 3 TB of data (I already have 6 500GB hard drives, SATAII) and hook it up to my projector (that I will buy later) so I can watch movies on it...
\\

[Rick]

The place to start on a quiet PC is with cooling
Passive air works and so does water cooling

The least expensive is passive air
Spend the money on the best heat pipe cpu cooler you can

http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/

The link above has a lot of reviews
The links below are about the best for cooling a Core2Dual With or Without a fan
http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=2941
http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=2981

[random_username]

Thanks! The links were really helpful! Any suggestions on the case?

[Rick]

I prefer the Antec P180B-P182B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129017

Basic black case.
No windows or other annoying lighting contraptions
Real good air flow. Dual exhaust fans ( 120's)

I like behind the mother board wiring setup also.
No wires to mess with air flow
The split case is a nice desing.
Having the power supply in the bottom section allows for good cooling of drives in the bottom section and the power supply
I used a power supply with dual fans. ( front and rear ) 80's
The filters are easy to get at and clean

Check out the photos at that link above.
It comes in a number of newer models ( P182's )
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2966
It is the case I used for my last build

Note the case construction .
It's multi layer.. Metal-plastic-metal makes from some real good sound blocking
Drives are mounted on Rubber cushions
Even the pull rings for the drive bays have plastic lock downs

[Rick]

Here is a photo of the inside of my P182B
It shows how well you can wire it without blocking the air flow

P182B wired (http://home.wi.rr.com/nasons/p182binside.gif)

Note the file is a bit large

[TopChip7]

Acoustic Foam for lining the inner walls and spare drive bays of your case
Also a piece of carpet underlay to rest your pc on.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CM-006-AK

Vibration Dampner Gaskets for all your fans and PSU.
http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/mods/vantec_dapeners/index.htm

A suitable fan for your CPU ie. Zalman CNPS9700 run on slow where possible.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=480705

A fan control unit
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-002-AK

Most of the noise caused by your system will be from the fans themselves so it is best to find fans that run near silent. Adjusting the fans speed too will bring down the noise of the fans. Other noise may be from your hard drives and bay units are available to silence them - however, I've never experienced this (because my case fans are so bloomin loud I'd never hear the HDDs. lol)

The loudest thing on my system is the PSU. Try and find one with a 140mm fan that monitors its own temps.