Recommend Build for Media and Photo Editing

[explorerlyon]

I currently have a Dell XPS 435MT. It has served me well. I am tired of the noise and ready to invest in a new computer.

Curren rig is: i7-920 2.66, 6gb DDR3, SSD 256 and 3 HDD.

Use: Home use, video and photo editing, e-mail, word procesing, etc. The kids play some games, but nothing intense.

Important: (1) Quiet, (2) Fast boot up and (3) case that looks professional, i.e. not a gamer case with leds.

Already have from XPS 435mt that I will reuse: Crucial SSD 256 M4 Sata III, WD 640mb HHD, Samsung 640mb hdd, Segate 2 TB usb 3.0 external drive, windows 7 pro 64bit.

Monitor: Dell SP2309W 2048 x 1152

Suggestions please.

Edit: Price-$500-$1,000. Willing to pay for a good system, but not wanting to overpay. Will want dual moniters in the future.

 

[johnsonjohnson]

Hi. Here's a quiet Intel build to consider. I'm not sure if you'll even need a discrete graphics card depending on what games they play. The case below has sound-proofing material for better acoustic performance. Feel free to make changes as you'd like.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.20 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($104.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($57.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $836.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-01 18:36 EST-0500)

Here's a building guide with videos: http://techreport.com/review/23624/how-to-build-a-pc-the-tech-report-guide

 

[redeemer]

Fractal R4 is one damn fine quiet case!

 

[camohanna]

Hi. Here's a quiet Intel build to consider. I'm not sure if you'll even need a discrete graphics card depending on what games they play. The case below has sound-proofing material for better acoustic performance. Feel free to make changes as you'd like.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.20 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($104.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($57.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $836.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-01 18:36 EST-0500)

Here's a building guide with videos: http://techreport.com/review/23624/how-to-build-a-pc-the-tech-report-guide

Seconded. If you are not keen to overclock, drop to a 3770 , h77 and get a 7850/7870 gpu

 

[Aristotelian]

Are you having any problems other than noise? If that is all, just get a fanless power supply and a couple of quiet case fans and save yourself a whole bunch of money.

 

[explorerlyon]

Are you having any problems other than noise? If that is all, just get a fanless power supply and a couple of quiet case fans and save yourself a whole bunch of money.

Noise is the main annoyance, and the system is 4-years old. Any specific suggestions on reducing the noise? There is one 92mm case fan. Research on these forums results in no one really finding a way to quiet the Dell Studio XPS 435 MT. Replacing the case fan results in hotter temperatures as it seems all the quieter fans do not push sufficient air. The CPU fan is also on the noisy side. A new power supply will definately help. Any suggestions on a very quiet power supply?

 

[explorerlyon]

Fractal R4 is one damn fine quiet case!

I love the looks of that case. Not sure about having to open the front door to access the DVD drive, but could live with it. I also need to add a card reader. Anyone have other case suggestions that look as good as the Fractal R4 but without a front door?

 

[johnsonjohnson]

I don't know if you want an internal or external card reader so I suggest browsing the selections on Newegg for one you'd like. The "silent cases" I've seen include a front panel for sound proofing and aesthetics. You can look at cases that aren't geared towards acoustics too because they can be silent with quiet components inside.