Label Needs a QUIET, CAPABLE PC!

[gimmetheloot]

It's been asked before but hopefully I can get better answers with these details:

PC Build for Music Production - Budget: $700

-needs to be quiet (case? fans? foam?)
-at least i5 quad-core processor
-no sound card needed (I have a good interface)
-no gaming = no fancy gpu
-read/write optical drive
-at least 8gb DDR3 RAM
-storage? (SSD & HDD)

Much love!

 

[MeteorsRaining]

Well, Xeon will be more useful for CPU intensive Music production, thanks to HTs. The setup won't be much noisy, you can add Noctua fans for quieter system. SSD+HDD makes sense. Also, we can get better components, like 16GB memory and some quieter case if you don't need OS. Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($247.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($86.54 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GT 630 2GB Video Card ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $701.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-02 05:31 EDT-0400

 

[gimmetheloot]

Thanks for answering Meteors

I noticed that the Xeon doesn't have integrated graphics. Does that make the video card a must?

Also, is it worth getting windows 8 over 7? I don't have either as I am transitioning from a Mac, but I'd like to save the money by going with what will work best and most inexpensively.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

Yep, you'd need a dedicated GPU with Xeon E3 xxx0 or 1, but with xxx5 or 6 or 7, they do come with integrated graphics, so we can eliminate the GPU, while gaining 100MHz clock speed too, looks like a good deal:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FBZnXL

Personally, I prefer Win 7 myself, no compulsion there, its new so just included it, feel free to switch

 

[gimmetheloot]

You're the man, Meteors

Looks like I can save a bit more as Windows 8 comes bundled with the motherboard from newegg. Hey, change is good, right? Maybe I can use the extra cash to print some nice business cards.

Anyway, thanks for the help!

 

[MeteorsRaining]

Yep, change's the only constant!
Glad to help