-
Cheers. This is also used for gaming so graphics card has to stay. I don't mind how much noise it makes when I'm playing games though.
Changing case is possible if it's worth it in terms of noise. I'm struggling to find the Antec P18x anywhere though.
Looks like first steps could be new PSU, new case fan, compressed air to clean up and check the power settings on the GPU.
-
I'm struggling to find the Antec P18x anywhere though.
@Emyr probably meant get either the Antec P180/P182/P183
They're all great cases. Think I have the P182
According to this: http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator you're looking at about 400W total, most of which would be 12V, so a good 600W supply should be happy. Over half of this is the GTX970, so if you can make do with the Intel HD4000 graphics your i5 already has, noise reduction will be easier.
This guide's pretty good: http://www.silentpcreview.com/Case_Basics_and_Recommendations
Your case
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Antec_NSK-3480 (reviewed October 2007)
which is an evolution of the NSK3300 http://www.silentpcreview.com/article641-page1.html
Their test system maxed at 216W and the NSK-3480 kept the temperature within limits with 26dBA@1m. They note the stock TriCool 120mm fan is the main source of turbulent noise. Tricool fans measured here: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article695-page3.html
Of the cases I've used, my favourite was the Fractal Define R2. They're up to R5 now.
Here's a 290W gaming rig at 17dBA: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1422-page4.html
If you're open to changing the case, I'd suggest an Antec P18x (not the mini). You can get these for under £30 on eBay and they've been pretty hard to beat despite their age. That and some Scythe Slipstream fans are probably as quiet as you'll get without changing the CPU and mobo.