I only use that machine for hosting the scope cards, and recording with vdat,
i took out the E8400 and put it to better use in a different machine, i replaced it with a lowly "pentium E5200"
which most people would laugh at. well i cant even notice any difference. scope projects still load at the same speed, and graphics still display the same (fanless gigabyte 8600GT)
I have a great big scythe heatsink on there with no fan. just a big slow 140MM fan blowing on the scope and video cards, and the very quiet one in the corsair power supply.
you dont notice the machine is on, (until you turn it off and hear what real silence is)
next im going to try a really fanless PSU if i can find one that doesnt suck.