First build - P4C800-E DLX

[Tom Niesytto]

Hi,

I am putting together machine to run recording software (Cubase).

Here is the list of HW:
Asus PC4800-E Deluxe
P4 2.8Ghz Northwood
Corsair Value Select Dual Channel 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200
ATI Radeon 9600
eMu 820 sound card
2 x Western Digital 120GB 8MB cache for apps and data
1 x Western Digital 40GB 8MB cache for OS
Antec Sonata case

I would appreciate any comments, suggestions and advice.

Thanks,

JT

 

[Rocky]

Hi,

I am putting together machine to run recording software (Cubase).

Here is the list of HW:
Asus PC4800-E Deluxe
P4 2.8Ghz Northwood
Corsair Value Select Dual Channel 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200
ATI Radeon 9600
eMu 820 sound card
2 x Western Digital 120GB 8MB cache for apps and data
1 x Western Digital 40GB 8MB cache for OS
Antec Sonata case

I just built a similar system, same ram same mobo same case but I have the
FX5900XT, and the 3.0Ghz P4.

Good system.

 

[Paul]

I just built a similar system, same ram same mobo same case but I have the
FX5900XT, and the 3.0Ghz P4.

Good system.

If you are trying to build a quieter system, you might consider
shopping for an after market HSF. The Intel retail HSF senses
ambient air temp in the case, and that determines how fast it
turns. Personally, I prefer a fixed speed fan, as it is less annoying.
A Zalman 7000a AlCu fits with no problem on the board, and
won't bump into the PSU. The accompanying FanMate can be used to
drop the voltage to the fan to 7 volts or so, which will reduce noise
a bit more. For disk drives, you could consult the storagereview.com
performance database, as it has a list of noise levels versus drive
models. I'm currently using a Seagate 7200.7, after using nothing
but Maxtor drives.

You can put the sound card in PCI slot 5, and leave slot 1 blank
(next to the video card). That might help, if the sound card doesn't
like to share interrupts. If the sound card glitches or complains,
set the PCI Latency Timer to 32 (Default is 64), and ICH Delayed
Transaction to Enabled (which is the default). Those settings make
more bandwidth available to the sound card when it needs it.

HTH,
Paul

 

[Braddo]

Excellent post Paul -

I have built 3 similar systems with the Zalman Coolers and Zalman fanmates.

I acutally used the Antec Sonata but just upgraded to a Silverstone Case and
Silverstone Powersupply - it is silent - not cheap but well worth it (this
is now my HTPC)

Brad

 

[Tom Niesytto]

Thanks for the advice, everybody!

yeah - I already had Zalmman's AlCu in the cart at newegg.com
but then read some comparison between stock heatsinks/fans and
specialized ones and decided that perhaps I do not want to void
the warranty. However NOISE is a factor because I will be doing
basically living room recording so I prolly will get 7000A AlCu.

Thanks!

JT

 

[Walt]

The P4C800-E Dlx can control the CPU fan speed But ONLY
the CPU fan) and thus control its noise. This is by using
either their own built-in QFAN, or another application like
SpeedFan.

IMHO, I would get the most powerful heatsink-fan you can find,
and then just throttle it back for all but your most demanding
needs.