Answers inline...
1. Regarding:
I know that would be great for some users, but a fan changing speeds
on its own would be really irritating to me. Can I disable this
automatic changing of fan speeds? How about if I put in my own fan,
can I disable it then?
Yip, turn it off in the bios.
2. I'm considering a Zalman Heat Sink / Fan (CNPS7000-AlCu)
http://www.zalman.co.kr/usa/product/view.asp?idx=41&code=005009
Will this monster fit okay on the P4C800 and P4C800-E boards ? Will
the Fan Mate (which allows me to control fan speeds) work okay or will
Q-Fan override it?
The zalman znps 7000 alcu has an excellent reputation. I have one, they are
"common" because they are so good. I have only just come across 1 person
that is more picky than me with noise - Mr Legend above. Most noise for me
comes from the 3 disc drives & PSU. Unless you are a speed freak, stick to
the ALCU variant as the pure copper is a lot heavier for little benefit.
The heatsink issue will be with the case you select in that you will need to
make sure there is enough clearance between the bottom of the PSU and the
top of the zalman EG squat cases are out. If you check on the zalman site
they are clear about the dimensions of space needed around the heatsink &
motherboard overhang will have to be estimated by you (IE clearance to
PSU)...
Either turn Q-Fan off in bios and use the speed control on the zalman, or
use Q-Fan with the zalman always set to run flat out. Do not use both. My
pref is to throttle the zalman manually. You will no doubt find that the fan
on the zalman will spin too slowly anyway for Q-Fan to operate correctly.
3. I need some input on cases. I'd prefer something that has easy
access to the MB (such as an MB panel that opens), and I have the
usual concerns of cooling and noise.
Choose something that is Tall (ie height) and Deep (front to back). A tall
case that is not deep is as bad as a short case that is deep. The size is
ultimately up to you but my main point is that most of the issues with
maintenance are to do with proximity of internal drives to the mobo, or PSU
to the mobo so even a 'small' case can cater for both of these so long as
there is ample room around the mobo... Recommend a case with 12cm fans for
front and rear. there are a few around. The good thing about these is better
air circulation at lower fan revs --> quieter. My case is a Lian Li
PC6070A - a really nice case but it could be a few cm taller and a few cm
deeper without extra drive bays and it would be perfect (and doesn't have
provision for 12cm fans....).
For case selection there are many variables: # front facing drive bays 5
1/2", # 3 1/2 drive bays, # internal bays, "Show" / "Economy" / "Quietness"
or other major design point, windows, bla bla bla. Lian Li is a good site to
look around. The cheaper cases are usually just that - repeat after me cheap
cheap cheap.
Keep the quality and capacity specs for the PSU you need separated from the
case 'cos unless you good a really good case you will get a crap PSU with it
(if its bundled) - swap the supplied PSU for credit on the PSU you do want /
need.
