Search found 452 matches

by dfrost
Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:19 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Need computer chair recommendation
Replies: 6
Views: 5190

I tried many chairs, both in store and at home for several days, and really like this " Global Airflow Leather Mesh-Back Chair " from Staples. Note the mesh back, and the seat cushion is perforated, so it doesn't get hot. I did find that the normal (not tilted) seat position was very slightly forwar...
by dfrost
Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:02 am
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Need a little help with a 120mm CPU-fan.
Replies: 5
Views: 3502

For an XP-120 fan, I'd recommend the Globalwin or Scythe S-Flex 1200 rpm model, both of which have tested well in recent SPCR comparisons, use bearings that should work great on a CPU cooler (although the fan on an XP stays pretty cool), and have enough speed to give some headroom under load. I trie...
by dfrost
Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:30 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Fans or mesh in 5.25" bay of a Sonata II?
Replies: 12
Views: 6724

I used Modder's Mesh to create an opening in the upper 5.25" bay of my Sonata, and have removed the door entirely. (It was typically open anyway.) I cut out the center of a blank bay cover, then bent the mesh over a wood block so that it's a snug fit inside the resulting open frame. Sorry I don't ha...
by dfrost
Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:53 am
Forum: Newcomers Briefing Room
Topic: Why isn't my computer silent?
Replies: 15
Views: 9919

just check and indeed i have a silent one

the 7200.7
My 80 Gb 7200.7 was NOT silent, compared to either of the recent Samsungs in my sig. It wasn't loud, but somewhat irritating instead. I now use it only on a very occasional basis.
by dfrost
Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:35 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Finally, a quiet SATA drive...I mean really quiet.
Replies: 49
Views: 53222

paramthegreat, With your Samsung TV experience, I can understand that you might be cautious. As another data point, my Seagate 7200.7 (SATA) drive started acting questionably after a year (and has always been noisy), and HDDLife says that it is only '60%.' I now only use it when I need a third drive...
by dfrost
Sat Jul 07, 2007 2:56 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Need to Get Rid of Vista Folders & Files
Replies: 2
Views: 2373

Need to Get Rid of Vista Folders & Files

I've got an 'extra' set of Windows and Program folders on the data partition of my hard drive, thanks to something that Vista (Home Premium) did without my asking. Now I can't get rid of them, and Disk Management won't let me format that partition because it sees it as the System drive. (It isn't.) ...
by dfrost
Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:07 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Acceptable temp for 3GHz Northwood P4
Replies: 11
Views: 5251

My 3.0C Northwoods P4 consistently idles at 31-35C, regardless of CPU heatsink and fan (Zalman 7000, then with a fan mod, now XP-120 + Papst), variable with room temp. Load temps, however, have decreased consistently from mid-upper 50's down to 47C or less as I upgraded HS's. BTW, my ambient room te...
by dfrost
Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:57 pm
Forum: Newcomers Briefing Room
Topic: Radeon 9600 Conversion
Replies: 10
Views: 6972

I've been using this Aerocool VM-101 on my 9600 Pro for several years. It's great if you have the room above the VGA card, as evident here . If you don't have the room (and are feeling a tiny bit brave), you could try modifying it as I've done here . It does NOT require tools. In fact, I'd say tools...
by dfrost
Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:23 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Good motherboard fan control
Replies: 1
Views: 2195

I've been quite pleased with the fan control with my Abit motherboard. It uses variable DC voltage rather then PWM, so no fan clicking problems. The AI7 Socket 478 board I'm using only controls two headers, and only down to 8V, but I believe that several newer Abit boards control more (all?) headers...
by dfrost
Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:42 am
Forum: User Reviews
Topic: Logitech VX Revolution Mouse
Replies: 13
Views: 21648

Update: The original supplied single Duracell AA battery finally quit after two months of use - not bad!
by dfrost
Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:55 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Advice on New (Logitech) Mouse?
Replies: 10
Views: 5187

I'd get another Logitech VX Revolution. Here's my review of this gem . It appears to be similar to the MX 620 you identified, but with a few more features and only a single battery. Once you try the 'hyper-fast scroll wheel,' every other mouse will seem slow for navigating long documents, spreadshee...
by dfrost
Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:59 am
Forum: User Reviews
Topic: Logitech VX Revolution Mouse
Replies: 13
Views: 21648

The MX revolution is a great mouse, low weight, great ergonomics...the only thing I find lacking is that the wireless is iffy...I wish logitech would improve it to be able to handle interference far far better. I haven't had any wireless problems with this VX Revolution. In one situation where I us...
by dfrost
Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:39 am
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: High performance fan and low noise on demand
Replies: 2
Views: 2375

Have you looked at the SPCR Recommended Fans article and recent SPCR fan tests (see links at end of article)? 1. There are no miracle fans. 2. There are better fans. Usually they have some variation of a sleeve bearing for lower noise. Ball bearings tend to be noisier. 3. All fans start to become au...
by dfrost
Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:23 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Prescott cooler
Replies: 4
Views: 3056

Ditto the suggestion for Thermalright XP-90 or XP-120 (or SI-120), Very pleased with my XP-120 with a Papst fan at 800-1300 rpm. I'd think that a Globalwin or Scythe fan (1200-1300 rpm max) would be as good, cheaper, and much more available. a lower-power more modern CPU? Actually an older Northwood...
by dfrost
Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:19 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Help me safely lap a scuffed Scythe Ninja hsf
Replies: 9
Views: 5789

It is possible to create a convex surface if you hold the heatsink by the 'top,' which allows the tower to tip as you're sliding it over the sandpaper. I'd suggest holding it as close to the bottom as possible by sticking your hand through below the fins. Make sure that you keep the sandpaper wet, a...
by dfrost
Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:01 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: What's a good Socket 478 heatsink?
Replies: 10
Views: 5414

I'm using, and quite pleased with an XP-120 on an Abit AI7 motherboard. It fits fine in one orientation (heatpipe curves down), and helps cool the hot-running MOSFETs that may be typical for some P4 MB's. Here's a shot of what it has to clear around the CPU socket (heatpipe curves would be to left i...
by dfrost
Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:11 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Good cooler for Radeon 9600XT?
Replies: 8
Views: 4316

Yes, there are some RAM heatsinks in that photo, but they don't do much, especially for such a low-power VGA , as noted in the photo caption. They were not included with the VM-101. Their only apparent advantage was to give the VM-101 better physical support, thanks to a lucky height coincidence. In...
by dfrost
Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:13 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Good cooler for Radeon 9600XT?
Replies: 8
Views: 4316

Tzupy's suggestion of the VM-101 is my methodfor passively cooling a 9600 Pro (with a nearby case fan). I'm glad to see that it is available again.
by dfrost
Wed May 16, 2007 2:40 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Bending heatpipes - is it possible to mod an HR-03 Plus?
Replies: 7
Views: 5465

Did you remove and re-attach the heatpipes from the VM-101 GPU block? Yes. As you note, that is possible (expected) on the VM-101 because the flattened pipes are assembled by the user in the mounting block. You can see the clamping screws in third shot I attached in my previous post. HR-03 (Plus) i...
by dfrost
Wed May 16, 2007 10:03 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Bending heatpipes - is it possible to mod an HR-03 Plus?
Replies: 7
Views: 5465

I've successfully bent heatpipes on an Aerocool VM-101. Here and here are shots of the results. Thought it would take tools, of which I have many, but it was much easier then expected. If you look closely, you can see some flattened areas mid-bend on the left heatpipe (still works fine). Those would...
by dfrost
Wed May 16, 2007 6:59 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: New VGA cooler from Aerocool
Replies: 17
Views: 9815

Looks a lot like my modified VM-101 . The caption under the photo describes the results compared to unmodified VM-101 . My 9600 Pro is far from a "high end" GPU, so I'd be hesitant to make any claims in that regard. I was a little worried about the torque applied to the mounting block and its skinny...
by dfrost
Fri May 11, 2007 8:30 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: How Can I Separate OS/Apps and Data Transparently?
Replies: 5
Views: 4041

How Can I Separate OS/Apps and Data Transparently?

Sorry for this noobish question. Many of you have said that it's best to separate the OS/apps from data, and I can understand the benefit. But is there a transparent way to do that with XP or Vista? By 'transparent' I mean something other then "Save As" and then browse to another drive. So I'm looki...
by dfrost
Thu May 10, 2007 11:17 pm
Forum: Newcomers Briefing Room
Topic: Need to quiet PC, but I don't know where to start!
Replies: 5
Views: 4955

I'm using a similar Abit AI7 motherboard, although with a distinctly cooler-running 3.0GHz Northwoods P4 (replaced a 3Ghz Prescott, one of the better changes I made). Other major improvements in quieting and cooling: 1. CPU Cooling - Tried a Zalman CNPS 7000 as psiu suggested, then swapped for a qui...
by dfrost
Wed May 09, 2007 1:50 pm
Forum: User Reviews
Topic: Logitech VX Revolution Mouse
Replies: 13
Views: 21648

Logitech VX Revolution Mouse

Summary: This wireless mouse is incredibly useful, satisfying and (mostly) very quiet. I needed to replace the increasingly-intermittent small corded mouse I use when traveling with my laptop. (I do NOT like the touchpad, at all!) I first tried a Microsoft 6000 Laser mouse, but the left click “but...
by dfrost
Tue May 08, 2007 11:20 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Recommend a Silent Mouse and Keyboard?
Replies: 481
Views: 823916

Best Mouse I've Used!

I seem to have the worst of luck with Logitech products; never had one that I was satisfied with from the start. I needed a new mouse for my work laptop after the small corded one started getting flaky (and I do not like touch pads, at all!). Tried a Microsoft wireless, and in two weeks, the left c...
by dfrost
Tue May 08, 2007 10:49 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Is it worth to invest in a good PSU?
Replies: 9
Views: 4634

do you really think that the noisiest part of my PC is the PSU? I put my ear close to all the components, and I think it is the PSU, but I cannot be sure. The four best changes made to my PC for both quieting and cooling (in no particular order): - Replaced the stock CPU HSF with, first a Zalman CN...
by dfrost
Wed May 02, 2007 7:36 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: looking for a solution *pic*
Replies: 13
Views: 7559

Rather then putting the VGA fan directly on the HR-03 "pancake-style," how about placing it vertically as a case intake fan (either at the case front or under the drive cages) so that it blows across the length of the HR-03 toward the exhaust fan? Here's that arrangement with an Aerocool VM-101 (qui...
by dfrost
Tue May 01, 2007 8:02 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Radeon 9600xt on Vista
Replies: 9
Views: 5557

Another vote for a passive 9600 (Pro here, cooled by a modified VM-101). The GPU temp is 42C or less under load measured with an IR thermometer.

I'll let you know in a few weeks how it works with Vista - waiting for my daughter to finish a big high school paper before I load the new OS.
by dfrost
Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:43 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: I want a silent harddisk.
Replies: 16
Views: 11725

My Samsung HD321KJ is noticeably quieter and cooler running then the Samsung SP2004C, which was already very quiet and cool. Both are huge improvements over the previous Seagate 7200.7.
by dfrost
Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:16 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: something better than seagate barracuda 7200.7 120GB
Replies: 6
Views: 4173

Look into soft mounting if you consider a Samsung drive.
I have no apparent vibration from either Samsung when soft-mounted with foam spacers in Sonata drive sleds.