Search found 19 matches

by swinster
Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:47 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: PowerColor Radeon HD 5850: Worth the Wait
Replies: 50
Views: 39351

I don't suppose there is any chance of getting hold of a SAPPHIRE VAPOR-X HD5850 1GB GDDR5 PCIE so that you can run a comparison with this card. It would appear that the Powercooler and Sapphire are registering as the lowest noise cards of this type on the market. What would also be useful would be ...
by swinster
Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:04 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: When will the Samsung F3EG 1.5 TB be avaliable in the UK?
Replies: 0
Views: 1416

When will the Samsung F3EG 1.5 TB be avaliable in the UK?

Hi all,

These drives (HD153WI) are around in Germany and Europe, but I haven't seen anything in the UK. I wonder if anyone has any insider info?

Cheers
by swinster
Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:16 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: RAID hard disk
Replies: 9
Views: 5332

How do you then adjust the TLER on the Samsung Drives?
by swinster
Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:34 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: RAID hard disk
Replies: 9
Views: 5332

Well, just been browsing the WD site and came across this: What is the difference between Desktop edition and RAID (Enterprise) edition hard drives? To me this might not be hugely distracting as no Critical data will actually we stored in this array - it will just be media an a file store. I will ha...
by swinster
Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:12 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: RAID hard disk
Replies: 9
Views: 5332

WD GP compared to WD RE4 is not a valid comparison. You would need to compare WD RE-GP to WD RE4 (or compare WD GP to WD Caviar Blue). If you choose to use non-RE (whether is Caviar or GP) then you would risk drive dropping out of array due to lack of TLER (Time Limited Error Recovery). And if you ...
by swinster
Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:05 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: 1.5TB disks for RAID 5 - WD15EARS vs Samsung HD154UI
Replies: 1
Views: 3859

I have read in another post on these forums that the 1.5TB Samsung may have a problem in a RAID array. I have been informed that the Samsung 1.5TB F3EG may be out soon, but I have yet to see these in the shops. The fact the the WD has a 64MB cache and (again from these forums) subjectivity appears t...
by swinster
Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:06 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: 1.5TB disks for RAID 5 - WD15EARS vs Samsung HD154UI
Replies: 1
Views: 3859

1.5TB disks for RAID 5 - WD15EARS vs Samsung HD154UI

Hi All, I'm looking to improve a my storage array. Whilst I would love to get some WD Velociraptors, I can't justify the cost for the storage return. 1.5TB drives are about the best value disk at the moment, but of course performance and noise are both concerns. I am looking to build a 3 disk RAID 5...
by swinster
Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:30 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Questions over High Performace Video Card for an HTPC
Replies: 14
Views: 7435

Thanks SoopahMan and all the other.

I am leaning towards a Nvida card (with third party heat sink), and an X-Fi HomeTheater HD audio card (when it finally comes out).

In this way I feel I should be able to get the best of all worlds, and it the only way I can get bit streaming audio to my receiver.
by swinster
Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:44 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: best quiet video card?
Replies: 16
Views: 14639

Hey nate, does the 274 you have support output via HDMI?
by swinster
Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:15 pm
Forum: Watercooling
Topic: water or air?
Replies: 47
Views: 38096

Ok, so I've been thinking about water cooling for a HTPC/gaming rig. This will be based on an OrigenAE s16v case (http://www.origenae.com/en/htpc_s16v.htm) which has as standard a 92mm intake and 2x80mm exhaust fans. I haven't spun these up yet so I have no idea how quiet they are. The equipment to ...
by swinster
Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:11 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Questions over High Performace Video Card for an HTPC
Replies: 14
Views: 7435

that's a plasma monitor, and a very good one at that, but how do plasmas do with computer games? the native rez is 1024x768. Oh Yeah - best thing I have ever purchased. :) Can't wait till I get the rest of the kit out of boxes and hooked into this new HTPC.... Oddly, outputting standard VGA at 1024...
by swinster
Tue Jul 14, 2009 1:42 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Questions over High Performace Video Card for an HTPC
Replies: 14
Views: 7435

Ch0z3n wrote:If the native resolution is 1360x768, I am pretty sure it does 720p and 1080i, not 1080p.
No, it will handle 1080p - Pioneer PDP 428XD
by swinster
Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:44 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Questions over High Performace Video Card for an HTPC
Replies: 14
Views: 7435

What is the resolution on the plasma? I've got a 37" LCD sitting next to me but it is 720p. I'm guessing that it is 1080p or smaller, in which case your video card choices are probably a bit overkill unless you *really* want to play crysis on full settings. You are correct, but it also overclocks m...
by swinster
Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:40 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Questions over High Performace Video Card for an HTPC
Replies: 14
Views: 7435

Usually when people want a GPU for their HTPC they are look for something close to a 4670. I think it would be quite challenging to get any of those cards quiet enough for an HTPC since they all use quite a bit of power. Also, if you have enough airflow or opt for water cooler for those cards, it s...
by swinster
Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:03 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Questions over High Performace Video Card for an HTPC
Replies: 14
Views: 7435

Questions over High Performace Video Card for an HTPC

hi all, I'm looking for a relatively high performance graphics card, with its main use in a HTPC (hence need to be quiet/silent), although also to be used for gaming. I'm not sure whether to go for NVidia or Radeon given the proposed use. My surround setup will only be 5.1 and my AV Reciever is capa...
by swinster
Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:15 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: HDD vibration & noise reducing methods - ranked
Replies: 196
Views: 1087146

Thanks for the reply. The noise is intolerable, It's gonna have to be done, but it'll be nice to do it with a clear conscience. I have a raptor drive. The idle spin noise is damn loud.. holding it in my hand it is still WAY too loud, so I don't think suspending alone is the solution. Did you manage...
by swinster
Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:40 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: PSU Fundamentals & Recommendations
Replies: 200
Views: 231107

I would love to see some of the Tagan PSU reviewed and rated. I have a 480W unit that is very rearly stressed and so is extremly quiet. They are also very good value for money.
by swinster
Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:37 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Coolermaster Xdream III for AMD (ACC-L81) poor noise levels.
Replies: 1
Views: 1409

Coolermaster Xdream III for AMD (ACC-L81) poor noise levels.

Hi All, Here is a heads up for all you considering a quiet HSF for AMD chips. I was (and still am) in this position and I had settled on the XDream III for 5 old systems to quieten them down to near silent levels. The reason being that Coolermaster market them as being Silent (or barely audible) and...
by swinster
Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:55 am
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Quiet 50mm fans suitable for old K7 and Slot A's
Replies: 0
Views: 1161

Quiet 50mm fans suitable for old K7 and Slot A's

Hi,

I have been finding it hard to track down some suitable replacement fans for a few K7/Duron and Slot A computers. These all take 50mm fans, most of them being Evercool EC5015M12C units.

If any one has got any pointers, I would appreciate it.