Search found 550 matches

by mattthemuppet
Wed May 26, 2010 12:34 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Scythe Grand Kama Cross CPU Cooler
Replies: 6
Views: 5330

so, given that the hypothesis is that top down coolers cool the motherboard/ VRM components more effectively, why no temperature readings of those components? Although to make it a robust comparison with tower coolers this would have to be done in a case with a rear fan at constant speed, given that...
by mattthemuppet
Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:12 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: Fall Clean Out Virtual Yardsale!
Replies: 9
Views: 5192

the ones posted are all SATA, but... I have an old Toshiba 40gb PATA that isn't great but should get the job done. I probably wouldn't ask for more than like $10-15 for it. Let me know if that will work for you. thanks for the offer, but I'm hoping to stick a bigger drive in it. I didn't add more t...
by mattthemuppet
Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:37 am
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: Fall Clean Out Virtual Yardsale!
Replies: 9
Views: 5192

are any of those 2.5" drives PATA? The one in my wife's D610 is starting to crap out..
by mattthemuppet
Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:21 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Gateway EC1803h: Netbook or Ultra-portable?
Replies: 24
Views: 20455

How to disable the automatic fan activation when on AC power: http://forum.notebookreview.com/show...postcount=1791 Acer 1410, 1810, 3810, 4810, 5810 Timeline Drivers, Software, Tweaks and Settings FAQ http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=413140 thanks Lucas, some useful tips there. Sad...
by mattthemuppet
Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:06 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Gateway EC1803h: Netbook or Ultra-portable?
Replies: 24
Views: 20455

This looks like the ultimate netbook to me. I use a notebook with a core 2 duo at only 1.5ghz as my main work PC and i frequently find I need more power from it even with pretty simple tasks. That is why I define this as a netbook and not an ultra portable. HDMI video acceleration a CPU that can ha...
by mattthemuppet
Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:03 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Intel's LGA1156 and Lynnfield core
Replies: 53
Views: 29702

Don't forget as well that Turbo mode has the potential to considerably effect power efficiency of chips, in the strict "work done per unit of time" definition. Given that the benchmarks used will vary in how multithreaded how they are, the ability of a Lynnfield chip to ramp up one or 2 cores and th...
by mattthemuppet
Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:46 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Gateway EC1803h: Netbook or Ultra-portable?
Replies: 24
Views: 20455

cool review. I think these sort of laptops are really where it's at right now - 11.6-13.3in, almost all day runtime, enough processing power for the majority of people and light enough to slip into a back pack without worries. I'm a big big fan of my Acer 3810T - I still can't get over what a bargai...
by mattthemuppet
Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:38 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Asus Eee PC Seashell 1005HA netbook
Replies: 63
Views: 48221

There's another new market-busting product that amazingly is available only in Canada right now. Gateway EC Series ULV 11.6" Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 1.4GHz Laptop (EC1803H). CA$500 killer price right now at www.futureshop.ca This is a very impressive model -- priced close to a netbook, but that pr...
by mattthemuppet
Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:30 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Antec CP-850: Unique PSU with Top Performance
Replies: 63
Views: 50250

what a neat PSU - I guess Antec realised that they had a 120mm fan in the bottom chamber of their P18/9x cases and figured out that they might as well stick it on the PSU instead. Given that most ATX form factor PCs are now moving towards the gaming side of things, with bespoke or smaller form facto...
by mattthemuppet
Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:32 am
Forum: Notebook Systems
Topic: Acer Timeline 3810T
Replies: 8
Views: 11571

I just bought the SU9400/SSD version ($800 from Newegg) and I'm really happy with it. Vista blows (will get W7 when it comes out, already have the RC on 2 other PCs), but the laptop itself is great. Pros: 1) exceptionally long battery life. Haven't run it down yet, but a minimum of 6h and up. The ba...
by mattthemuppet
Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:54 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: WD5000AADS: where in the world is Caviar Sandiego?
Replies: 47
Views: 56212

Matija wrote:I think you can edit the message to insert a link, but here you go anyway: http://yertech.blogspot.com/
here you go. looks pretty sweet :)
by mattthemuppet
Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:52 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Intel Q9550S: A Greener Quad Core?
Replies: 38
Views: 24657

idale wrote:So you're just paying for the guarantee and having the CPU undervolted already.
that's it in a nutshell, just Intel charges a much higher premium for it than AMD (because it can).

Nice review and good to have everyone's thoughts on these "low power" chips confirmed :)
by mattthemuppet
Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:10 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Samsung F2 EcoGreen HD502HI: Silent 500GB 3.5" HDD
Replies: 77
Views: 72904

Does a DVR fall in the "disk intensive" category? I know recording HDTV on a HTPC takes a lot of storage space as MoJo said above a "fast" drive is not necessary? Some people seem to have a concern if the OS and storage are on the same hard disk. AFAIK DVR doesn't impose a huge load on the HDD - it...
by mattthemuppet
Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:52 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Samsung F2 EcoGreen HD502HI: Silent 500GB 3.5" HDD
Replies: 77
Views: 72904

kudos to Freek/ Johnathan for supplying the drives, how cool is that? great review and what a great drive! I was very happy with my WD6400AACS GP drive until I read this, now I'm just happy :) If I were to build this (or another) system again, I'd go for this drive, if only to avoid WD's sneaky "we'...
by mattthemuppet
Mon May 25, 2009 10:10 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS-Aussie wattmeter
Replies: 2
Views: 2256

PM sent :)
by mattthemuppet
Mon May 25, 2009 8:47 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS-Aussie wattmeter
Replies: 2
Views: 2256

FS-Aussie wattmeter

Moving to the States, so this is sadly of no more use. It's the one from Jaycar, measures up to something ridiculous (1800W?) with lots of bells and whistles. Cost AU$40 just over a year ago - how about $20? I can find out about postage if anyone's interested. Cheers!
by mattthemuppet
Sun May 17, 2009 11:01 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: ATI HD 4770: 40 nm, RV740 -- SPCR reviewed
Replies: 285
Views: 214619

spcr is the only one to mention pcb length. won't fit for me in my silent3 since it's 20cm and my max is 19cm. You can measure the video card on your computer screen too. I know it sounds dumb, but I've done it plenty of times since my case makes it tough to fit cards over 9.5 inches. All you need ...
by mattthemuppet
Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:42 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: DIAMOND-based heat transfer compound
Replies: 48
Views: 51674

thanks for that Avalanche, makes more sense. Thinking of it in terms of house insulation helped too - the more you have, the warmer it is inside in winter :) It's been a long long time since I studied physics :lol:
by mattthemuppet
Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:04 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Teaching religion in school is child abuse ?
Replies: 62
Views: 27965

fair enough andy and my apologies if I came over too strong. From my point of view, you can teach religion without indoctrinating the pupils, simply because there are many aspects of religion, such as structure, history (as you say), demographics and the like that can be presented factually without ...
by mattthemuppet
Sun Apr 19, 2009 4:10 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Teaching religion in school is child abuse ?
Replies: 62
Views: 27965

and as to AndyB - sorry, but none of that post really made any sense. Your point is? Whats not to understand. I consider the teaching of religion in schools as insane as a vicar in church teaching people about evolution and the FACT that dinosaurs did exist 65+ million years ago, and that God did N...
by mattthemuppet
Sun Apr 19, 2009 4:06 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: DIAMOND-based heat transfer compound
Replies: 48
Views: 51674

By definition things in stead state don't change, so most of what you just said is meaningless. wow, thanks for that QuietOC. That's just given me a great warm fluffy feeling about SPCR, somewhere I once thought was a forum for friendly discourse. I guess I'll just have to refrain from posting on t...
by mattthemuppet
Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:29 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: DIAMOND-based heat transfer compound
Replies: 48
Views: 51674

now I'm no engineer (phew!) but surely any part in the chain between silicon and air (via IHS>TIM>hs base>heatpipes>fins) is going to be at equilibrium once temperatures have stabilised? i.e., presumably the TIM can only transfer heat as fast as it can be evacuated from the base of the heatsink and ...
by mattthemuppet
Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:20 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Teaching religion in school is child abuse ?
Replies: 62
Views: 27965

Generally speaking, science doesn't pretend to have all the answers to everything. In fact, if a better idea comes along, it's tested against the evidence and then used as the current explanation. It's this process of changing and re-evaluating what is considered the best way to understand stuff th...
by mattthemuppet
Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:07 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Teaching religion in school is child abuse ?
Replies: 62
Views: 27965

it's funny, anti-religion people are just as vociferous and dogmatic as religious people defending their faith. Makes you wonder - is anti-religion the new religion? As for teaching religion in schools - of course you should! Persecution arises from ignorance, hatred and lack of understanding, none ...
by mattthemuppet
Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:35 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Silent PC with No Moving Parts
Replies: 38
Views: 30907

The main reason your X2 system idles lower is probably because you have CnQ engaged. The 53W I cited was with CnQ off; I've made a quick correction/addtion. It's 41W with it on. At such AC power levels, we're at the declining end of the Silverstone PSU efficiency curve. It never even reaches 80% on...
by mattthemuppet
Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:43 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Silent PC with No Moving Parts
Replies: 38
Views: 30907

very nice set up you have there mike, just goes to show how far things have advanced even in the last couple of years. One Q though - I'm a little surprised by how high you power consumption is. For want of being borish (my rig, blah blah blah), I have an X2 with more ram and a mechanical hdd that i...
by mattthemuppet
Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:58 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Seven - and now Eight Years of SPCR!
Replies: 78
Views: 88372

there may be a time when SPCR doesn't exist *sob* don't say that Mike! :cry:

congratulations anyway, I can't believe how things have come on (in the world and myself) since I became a member :)
by mattthemuppet
Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:45 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: 640GB Roundup at Xbitlabs
Replies: 17
Views: 8789

bugger, beat me to it. I'm just glad that someone (even with Xbitlab's verbosity) has finally reviewed my accidentally bought WD6400AACS Green :) Nice to see that power really is as low as I'd hoped and that performance wasn't as bad as I'd feared. It really is very quiet too - I struggle to hear it...
by mattthemuppet
Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:31 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Momentus & Scorpio 500gb notebook drives
Replies: 25
Views: 22535

I imagine that's where the mobile market is going - SSDs have so many advantages over HDDs that it's really just a case of waiting for the price to come down before they become more widespread. I can see 2.5" HDDs hanging on in either desktop replacements, which need the extra storage, or bargain ba...
by mattthemuppet
Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:38 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Momentus & Scorpio 500gb notebook drives
Replies: 25
Views: 22535

thanks Mike, but sadly the situation's a bit different (as with most PC stuff) in Australia - 2.5" PATA drives command a ~25% price premium over SATA and the lowest price shops have stopped selling them completely. On eBay, 60-80GB drives go for ~AU$60-70 (about US$50?) and higher capacity drives ar...