Jump to content

Splitting the PC up 1 -> 2, reason: software driven

musicalgamer
 Share
Posted

Well howdy

 

I got here from LInus' youtube vids. I have to say..well damn a sinking pc in mineral oil. Why didn't I think of that. That was just awesome. 

 

Anyway...the reason for the post. There's lots of factors to keep in mind. 

 

I wonder thought if some folks forget the environment their in when they start building a pc, I'll come back to this in a minute. But surfice it to say I live in an apt. Where average apartment noise is around 45 dB.  That's including the fridge that sits  8 feet to the pc. But doesn't include the portable a/c unit 18 feet away. (this info is important for quiet factors). 

 

Recently I used my android with 2 different apps. and got a decibel reading of about 45-46 dB about 3 feet to the case of my tower. 

 

My current build:

 

Case/Chassis -> Antec 300 [2008]

CPU -> i5-2500 [2008]

RAM -> 2 x 4 = 8GB (1333) [2008]+ 2 x 4 = 8GB (1600) [2011] = 16GB

Motherboard - > Asus P8z87z-LV [2011]]

GPU updated Dec 2014 from Gigabyte 6870 1GB [2011]-> Zotac GTX 760 4GB (reference)[2014]

SSD: Samsung EVO 250GB [2013]

HDD: WD 1TB Black (7200rpm)[2008]

Optical Drive: LG Blu-Ray 6x [2014]

PSU: OCZ 700w silent (OCZGSX700)[2008]

Running about 4 case fans. (2 x 120 front, 1 side (i can't remember if its 92 or 120), 1 top 140, + fans on cpu, psu, gpu.

I'm still using my Samsung 2253bw (1600x1080 @60hz) from 2008!!!!

 

Some parts have been updated but some of the parts are from the original build in 2008.

 

Things have come along way since then. 

 

I compose music at home. I do not LIVE RECORD. Their's just to much noise, and there just isn't the space for the proper set up. So I go off to a studio for that. 

 

However, as I evolve in music. I am increasing what DAW's I use. Its not that something may NOT run, its that, it may not run WELL. 

 

Finale and SIbelius both run fine on current build. Even Presonus Studio One Artist does ok on it. 

 

However:

 

Cubase will use all the cores avaiable and like Presonus Studio One, would utilize hyper-threading. i5-2500 cpu does not support (to my knowledge or research) hyper-threading. 

 

I also game. Not really intensely. Nothing like Crysis or BF4.  But right now I'm playing Dragons Age: Inquisition. And If I tab out from the game to see the Windows Monitor - my cpu is at 98% usage. Ram 8.1GB.  the GPU is running around 81 degrees. And That's not a full 1080p. (get to that in a minute)

 

So. I am thinking given the new software coming in, and Dragon's Age And maybe (this is a big maybe) a return to WoW, A cpu upgrade is in the cards. I did some checking on music forums. Most agree its an i7 cpu that I want, when I open up Cubase, and I have 80 different tracks going on with tweaks, and manipulations going on, its hard on resources.  That said. I see alot of the cpus today very close to each other.

 

NOTE: ALl prices are rounded from newegg.ca (Canadian Dollars - I live in Toronto)

cpu's:

 

i5 - 4690 - $245

i7 - 4790 - $360 ===> This is the one I think will work best for price point vs performance

i7 - 4770 - $340

i7 - 4820 - $430

 

 

For the heatsink on the cpu: I had thought to use Noctura NHU12S (120x120x25) - $70

This heatsink is supposedly the quietest of the lot, although, ideas?

 

RAM: I can go one of 2 ways. but I may need low profile RAM.

 

So in theory: I could take the 2 x 4 (8GB) G.SKill (1600) RAM and put it in 2 of the 4 slots on the new mobo. Also add in 2 x 8 GB for another 16GB, and Could have a machine at 24GB. Providing I don't need low profile. 

 

G.Skill: Ripsaw - 2 x 8 GB (1600) - F3-1600C9D-GXM - $160

 

If I do need low profile, then I would just get a set of 4 x 8 GB 

 

Crucial Ballistix Sport (BLS4K8G3D1609ES2LX0) - $352 (9-9-9-24)

or

Crucial Ballistix Tactical (BLT4K8G3D1608ET3LX0) - $370(8-8-8-24) -----> This is the one I'm thinking? Ideas?

or

G.Skill Ares Series F3-2400OC11Q-32GAB - $340(11-13-13-31)

 

I'm sticking with 1600 RAM. For several reasons: 1: the mATX board may not and probably doesn't support higher. and 2: its a redundancy, I'm not running a server, and 3: Watch Linus on RAM 800 - 2400 speeds, and diminishing returns.

 

 

Motherboards: Several to choose from 

 

AsRock H97M LGA 1150 (n82e16813157525) - $110

Asus H97M-E/PLUS LGA 1150 (n82e16813132119) - $121 ->>> I think is better?

 

My intention is to BRIDGE over my Zotac GTX 760 4GB GPU into the new system, if the fan is to noisey, I can always replace the fans on the card. 

 

Power Supply: Seasonic SS -750KM3 750W ATX12V 80 PLUS GOLD -> $155

Ideas? From what I have seen this is the go-to for quiet and power (fan doesn't kick on until like 500w) or something like that (its early morning).

 

Cases/Chassis: A world of them.

 

I was thinking of a Silverstone Sugo SG10 - $140

the case is: 11.6 x 8.6 x 14 inches

Having said that, I would also need a front slot loading blu-ray optical drive ($155 - $215)

Panasonic has one, and Silverstone makes one as well. 

 

IF I bridge over my LG Blu-Ray OPtical drive from the current PC

Silverstone: Temjin TJ08B-E 15.16x8.27x14.72 - $125

 

The both do really great jobs of air flow. But Blu-Ray+case could be either $125 or $340

 

But its a cost vs performance. I'm looking for best bang for buck. ALthough granted, the SG10 with the slot loading optical drive, would be really more aesthetics than functionality, I would also loose 4 inches from the size of the case. but at a cost of $170 - $230

 

Software to be installed:

 

Win 7 - 64bit

Finale 2012c

Sibelius 7.5

Presonus Studio One Artist

Cubase 8

Komplete 10 (not ultimate) (wants 130GB of storage space / Ultimate wants 340GB of storage space. 

 

Outside of Complete the programs will run on 4 - 8 GB of RAM, and roughly 15 - 20 GB of storage. (Cubase wants 8GB)

 

 

NOw....I never throw stuff out if I can put it to good use. 

 

Remember I said, I don't run at 1080p.  Here's why: The samsung 2253 monitor refreshes at 60hz. The LG 42" tv, refreshes at 24hz. These are maximums set by the hardware.  So when I go into the display settings and go to 1600x1080, WINDOWS automatically defaults to 60 hz. When you duplicate the desktop, you get 60hz refresh on the TV too. But the TV can't handle it. SO it creates shimmer, and (in this case) green shimmering lines all over the tv).

 

So Solution:

 

Zotac gtx760 for gaming on PC monitor:

 

New build for media center:

 

From old PC: 700w psu, i5-2500 cpu, mITX board, with a case, bridge over the ram (2x4GB at 1333), USE onboard display for movies. It shouldn't have a problem playing a movie, or youtube, or surfing, or anything like that. 

 

Total Cost for the media build $130 bucks. 

 

But now here's the question: I haven't mentioned hard drives:

 

IF I load the Music/Game Build with

Win 7 

Sibelius

Finale

Cubase

Komplete

Studio One

 

240GB of storage:  I could use a 500GB Samsung Evo for $250, or a 1TB at $480.  I still have a 250GB from the last build. Does it go into the media computer or the gaming computer. I have 1 TB WD black 7200 (and i'll say its only 1/3rd full), It can go into the media centera and windows can run off it, no problems. 

 

For back up drives, I had thought to use 1 x 5400 rpm WD Green Drive. 

 

DIsplays:

 

I'm like the price right now of HP's 27xi IPS 27" 1600x1080 7ms because its $230. 

There maybe a better choice.

 

The goal is quiet for music / gaming, but with the fridge, really how low does it really need to go? Small and compact, And while gaming doesn't like wireless keyboards and mouse, I'm really tired of seeing wires coming out of my ying/yang. 

 

So I'll probably move the 2.1 creative speakers to the media center, in favor of wireless gaming speakers. 

 

ALso keep in mind, there is a usb audiobox, that will route to 2 monitor speakers (JBL LSR305's)

 

Ugh...my head hurts now...

 

Add your thoughts and ideas...

 

Thanks a bundle..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing New Builds and Planning

×