i7 motherboard help pls

[nikki-k]

Hi!
I am about to build an i7 920 based system. I have almost everything sorted (I think). Nexus RX-8500 for power, and I want to do 12G RAM (DDR3 1600).

I was leaning toward a Gigabyte EX58-UD5, and wanted to get as close to passive cooling for the CPU as I could (no overclock for a bit to see how it does, and then maybe take it up to 3G). However, the first two choices I found would end up blocking the DIMM slot closest to the CPU (TRUE 120 1366, Megahalems) with a single fan (push).

I will be using 4 hard drives internally. Will be using a Digi 002 until I can afford to buy something else (8 I/O min, ~$1k max).. so, firewire is a concern.

No UAD cards or any other stuff.. pretty simple actually. I was planning on using a LanCool PC-K62 case (a friend has one, and I like it.. open to suggestions still tho!).

Is there a better choice of CPU cooler that would let me OC the 920 to about 3G while remaining quiet (with the UD5)? Or are there better motherboard (and cpu cooler) choices? I have seen ASUS shot down repeatedly across audio related forums (but usually in reference to the lower cost models.. are the $300+ models as "bad"?).

Really trying to keep it quiet, as the computer will be within several feet of me.

[Michael Tibes]

I'm not in the studio for some days, so I can't verify it, but I believe I have a cooler from nocturna (hope I remember the name correctly), which is pretty quiet. It is HUGE - so big that I couldn't use the case I originally had, but it uses 2 big, slow turning fans which are comparetively quiet. Apart from needing a big case, it doesn't block anything on my UD5. Maybe this get's you somewhere?

Michael

[D]

850 watts is way overkill for your application from what you've listed. 500 watts is plenty.
The gaming case is not your best choice. I would look at the Antec Sonata Elite.
I have an ASUS P6T Deluxe v1. It's great, but I also have a Gigabyte motherboard and it's great also.
Overclocking is pointless IMO for a DAW. An extra 5% or 10% of performance at this level is simply not needed. The stock cooler on the i7 is decent and quiet. With a good silent video card, like my Gigabyte GV-R485MC-1GH, you will be very quiet, and your case will be relatively cool. You can also play games with it.

[nikki-k]

Thx!
I found a cooler close to what I wanted that should do the trick, so I can stick with the Giga. I looked at the ASUS, but the ver 2 had so much bad *press* on it, I figured in my budget, the Giga might be worth a shot. I just wanted a larger heatsink so the fan could run nice n slow, and thus give me some quiet :D (went with a Cogage TRUE plus the Thermalright 1366 mounting kit)

The case... wow. I have had a rough time of that. I am unable to lift ANY case (paraplegic), so that was not much concern- lol. The Cooler Master Cosmos 1000 was like.. a Hummer. Total overkill. I looked at Antec cases, and when it came down to budget, a friend already had one of the Lancool cases (decided he wanted a windowless to mod himself), so for $75 & knowing I can run his feet over with my wheelchair if it is not in "like new" when he brings it over next week ;) The 193 looked nice, the 183 decent, and then the Sonata you mentioned was definitely a good case for even less.. but, the tool-less design on the lanCool got me.

Hopefully I will have a barebones up and going before next weekend!
Thank you for the replies!!!

[nikki-k]

OH!!!
I opted for a Corsair 750w supply. Was on sale for $109!