Quiet CPU Cooler and Fans Suggestions?

[balootex]

What is the quietest CPU Cooler/fan and desktop fans? What are the very best and then what are the best for the budget?

My tower sits on my desk and the noise of the fans seems to annoy me more and more. So when my wife asked what I want for Christmas...I want a super quiet (completely silent if possible computer). Depending on the cost, I am also interested in a nice video and audio card. So, feel free to offer your suggestions there too. I'm currently just using the main board for both.

I don't do a lot of gaming, but occasionally I try, then I realize I suck and don't have to time to really improve my lack of gaming skills. But, I'd like to eventually (hopefully soon) upgrade my components. I do some video editing and watch the occasional DVD/Blu-ray.

[jdc2000]

What is your budget?

What components are you thinking of upgrading?

The answers may affect the parts that would be recommended.

[balootex]

Well, I'd like to get a processor cooler and tower fans (2) for under $100 but would go up considerably for a silent system. I've had to reinstall my built-in audio card multiple times to get it working again. So I'd like to upgrade...all I use is two generic speakers. Sound doesn't need to be too impressive, a good reliable card would be nice. If you have a good sale pitch on why I should look at higher end sound cards I'm could be persuaded. I would like a good video card, but I have no idea where to start.
All said and done, I'd like to keep the total under $300 but could go as high as $500 for the right components.
Cooler, Fans, Audio & Video Cards

[jdc2000]

Reasonably priced CPU cooler that is not too noisy:
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120 mm PWM Fan - $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099

Even more quiet would be a liquid cooling system, but it would also be more expensive.

[balootex]

What about the liquid cooled? How quiet and/or good are they?

[jdc2000]

They can keep your CPU very cool, and can be very quiet. They will also cost more and might require more maintenance. You may want to check out the options and read the reviews at the links below:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/20282...d-to-know.html

http://www.techspot.com/review/756-w...s-air-cooling/

http://www.maximumpc.com/articles/re.../water_cooling

http://www.newegg.com/Water-Liquid-C...ategory/ID-575

[Steve R Jones]

Have you consider moving the tower to the floor? Placing it on something a few inches off the floor will help it to nit such in a much carpet dust.

[balootex]

I'm leaning toward the ZALMAN LQ-320 Water/Liquid CPU Cooler. Any thoughts?

Yes, I've considered moving my tower to the floor. I can't do that for several reasons, one of which is a 1-year old.... And I've been eating dessert first for years; that way I ensure I always have room for it!

[jdc2000]

The Zalman LQ-320 looks good. You might have to replace the fan (with longer screws) and the thermal compound though.

Reviews here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-136-_-Product

[Derp]

I've been using the Corsair closed-loop liquid coolers since they came on the market with perfect success in my own and customers builds. When I still had my 1090T rig in use a Corsair H70 did a great job of keeping it cool overclocked to 4GHZ. As far as a better GPU for the platform you have any brand of Radeon R9 270X is currently the best performance for the price. If your monitor has HDMI you won't need a new audio card due to the great onboard audio most of the newer AMD GPU's have for HDMI. Check out Newegg's daily deals and read the user reviews.