if there is no heavy data crunching involved-i would go with something simple from AMD. you can build decent machine today for under 200$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774 this one should be cold and quiet. actually consume even less that 65W
Totally agree on the PS being the main source of heat. Middle of last year I changed the PS in my current system to a higher efficiency (75%) one and it made a HUGE difference. I am looking to lower it even further with my next rig. That Antec PS is one of the ones I have been looking at along with a couple others with greater than 80% efficiency. I am also looking at this case to improve airflow and minimize noise. http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=81800
CPU performance is not the issue. My current 3.2GHZ Pentium D has more than enough power. I am just looking for a cooler running CPU. My first step will be to swap out the case and PS to see how that helps, then its on to other things. I have never built an AMD system before but will consider it for my next setup. I just love putting the systems together and getting all of the latest stuff (within reason) . Toys, toys, toys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I see paltalk in backround, do you run a room? Or what rooms do you like? EDIT: are you running those screens of the dell laptop?
I run one screen on the laptop and the other 4 on the desktop which is under the desk. The IRC chat you see is the super secret "Ass and Tool Society" chat room. 10 or so guys (all from ET) who mostly trade from home. Three made over a million last year. $500,000 doesn't even get you in the top half. Uptick: My wife and I are Direct Buy members and she ordered it there. I can't remember what brand it is, but the whole set retails for something like 5,000 and we got it for 1700 bucks.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025 $100 AR + free S&H http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129154 this one looks pretty good- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129026
I have 2 P180s (one being the revised version quoted above) and they work great. I did replace the Antec fans with Nexus fans, though. I also undervolt them to 7v so they are VERY quiet compared to previous PCs. If you get it, forget the VGA duct - completely worthless. Also, you should get some HVAC tape (forget what's it's called - it's that silver tape used to tape up HVAC units) to tape up the holes around the power supply (on the case - not the PS!) and tape the edge of the "hole" for the PS on the outside to fully seal the case in that area to get good airflow through the PS. Head over to silentpcreview.com's forums for lots of info about this case (P180/P182) among other sites. ps - I'm a computer geek (I work as a network engineer, too) just getting into this whole trading thing
ROFL lescor, Can't believe you let the "Ass and Tool Society" slip out on ET! ROFL!! (Our old code name to keep intruders out....nothing more fellas!!). Cheers lescor! I vote your office the best of the bunch, for sure, beats mine hands down. Congrats on a great 2007, btw! BTW-It's 3 that made 1m ish....you fogot the other champ past that....#1 @ over 1m Cheers, E! B-roni