Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Having a PC modded for Daw use...a list of specs please!

spol · 2nd March 2009

I use Mac myself but from time to time I get asked to build silent PC workstations for friends. Here are some parts that I'd highly recommend.

Case: Antec Solo (there are many good cases out there, this one needs no modification to make it silent. It's also small, which enhances the airflow.
CPU: Intel Core I7 Quad (The faster the better)
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce 9600GT 720MHZ 1GB 2.0GHZ DDR3 (Silent since it has a passive heatsink so no modding is required)
PSU: Enermax Modu82+ (Hands down the only PSU that beats Seasonic, make sure you get at least the 625W or higher)

Storage:
OCZ Vertex SSD (For your main OS)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 (Very fast drive with extremely low noise and vibration, more reliable than Samsung but just as quiet)

Cooling:
Scythe Ninja CPU heat sink (Although this HS can cool a quad core CPU passively I suggest attaching a very slow 120mm fan)
Exhaustfan: Noctua NF-S12-1200 (You can run it at 7 or 8 volts)
Intake fans: One or two Nexus 92mm running at 7 volts
Scythe Kaze Master (Very nice fan controller with heating sensors)

I'll leave the motherboard and ram suggestion to somebody else as these change everyday. I generally like Intel boards like the DX58SO, very stable motherboard.

2nd March 2009	#9
spol Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 276	I use Mac myself but from time to time I get asked to build silent PC workstations for friends. Here are some parts that I'd highly recommend. Case: Antec Solo (there are many good cases out there, this one needs no modification to make it silent. It's also small, which enhances the airflow. CPU: Intel Core I7 Quad (The faster the better) GPU: Gigabyte GeForce 9600GT 720MHZ 1GB 2.0GHZ DDR3 (Silent since it has a passive heatsink so no modding is required) PSU: Enermax Modu82+ (Hands down the only PSU that beats Seasonic, make sure you get at least the 625W or higher) Storage: OCZ Vertex SSD (For your main OS) Western Digital Caviar SE16 (Very fast drive with extremely low noise and vibration, more reliable than Samsung but just as quiet) Cooling: Scythe Ninja CPU heat sink (Although this HS can cool a quad core CPU passively I suggest attaching a very slow 120mm fan) Exhaustfan: Noctua NF-S12-1200 (You can run it at 7 or 8 volts) Intake fans: One or two Nexus 92mm running at 7 volts Scythe Kaze Master (Very nice fan controller with heating sensors) I'll leave the motherboard and ram suggestion to somebody else as these change everyday. I generally like Intel boards like the DX58SO, very stable motherboard.