Also want to add that if you plan on expanding the system to include more than a quad-core processor per board (e.g two quad-core processors, a common config in a VM environment), you might want to invest in a Xeon quad-core instead of a desktop quad-core since only Xeon processors are multi-proces...

Anandtech has a excellent article about different types of virtualization and the processor support. You will need some technical knowledge to be able to read it, however. The different types of xeons from 2005 till now have different features helping virtualization, which are shown in a benchmark....

If you are going to use more VM's simultaneously a LOT of memory and a lot of cores will really help improve the performance. I haven't got a lot of experience with VMWare and virtualization, but they say that for every virtual core you will assign to a VM, you need 1 real cpu core as well. Assigni...

FWIW, one of the sources that suggested this motherboard, (which is a server board, as you pointed out) is using the board with a desktop version cpu. I'm leaning towards playing it safe, and going with a server version of the CPU. I've been to the ASUS site to check out the certified CPUs, and it l...

Frank, Thanks for that tidbit. I rechecked NewEggs cpu list. You're right - There are a few cheaper CPUs and they don't support virtualization in hardware. I'll watch for that. Since you will be running vmware you want to make sure the processor you select supports hardware virtualization. A cheap $...

I'm building a machine to test VM ware ESX, and the motherboard ( ASUS P5BV/SAS ) I've selected uses an Intel CPU. All the machines I've had recently have been AMD, so I'd like to ask for opinions on which CPU to use. I plan on using this machine primarily as a test environment, and a centralized pl...

kike_1974, I don't have any firsthand experience with 2.5" external enclosures, but it might help if you posted why you are interested in the choices you made. (SATA vs PATA, 2.5" vs 3.5") Also how do you plan on using it? External boot drive, or convenient backup? What is most important to you, siz...

1. i would like to see if there is a mod here at spcr for the li li drive cage as it is stock. i would rather not remove it from my case since it seems to provide a fair amount of case stability and rigidity by providing a support structure to the mid-floor. What model Lian Li case do you have? The...

Yet another thing to check is if all of your cards are correctly seated. I have seen a few cases where add in cards (especially video cards) have come unseated during swaps.

Matt, I got some quick shots of the fan mounts in case you want an idea of what they are like. After thinking about it some more, you could probably file off the fan mounts and rely on the side clips instead. A little foam rubber wedged in should cut down on vibration. http://i57.photobucket.com/alb...

If you are using the woven nylon sleeving kits, there is a little trick that can help some. If you compress the sleeving material lengthwise, its diameter increases. This enables you to push the sleeve over the larger connector. Once you have the correct amount over the connector, stretch the sleeve...

Matt, I have the Antec version of that case (or one very close), and I think you are correct about them OEMing for Antec. The only differences I can see between my case and that one are: 1) Mine has an 80 mm fan opening on the rear 2) mine has an 80 mm fan opening on the side panel, and 3) Antec bad...

Thanks to all that I have learned here, I have managed to improve on a machine that I bought from End PC Noise. The only remaining noise that is audible from outside the case is a light whoosh from the power supply. I can eliminate that also, but first I think I need to improve airflow. Here's why: ...

There is a thread about incompatibility with Antec power supplies and ASU motherboards. I thought it had all been worked out, but maybe you have a P/S that's been in the store for a few months.

Check the consumer advocacy forum for the thread:

Antec Neo HE PSU Users Poll

Good luck.

I like the look of the Solo, but haven't seen the HD mounting up close. Are the grommets you are referring to included with the case, or are you referring to some of the DIY solutions from the board? Did you put the grommets in like grommet, then drive cage, then another grommet, then the drive? Fin...

We suspend drives to keep them from transmitting seek vibrations back to the case. Might the same concept apply to PSUs? Part of the post has pictures of using Stretch Magic to isolate the PSU from the case. http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=28987&highlight=lian If the noise comes fro...

Well I don't know if this is going to help your situation, but here goes anyhow. I have a Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro2 with the Thermalright SI-97. From what I understand, the SI-97 heatsink is identical to the SI-97A, (I seem to recall that one of them includes a mounting clip that the other doesn't have...

I think you are on the right track wanting to get rid of your Northbridge fan. It's a perfect example of something that is not terribly loud, but is very annoying. Some thoughts: Have you looked at other Zalman Northbridge heatsinks? They have several different models, and some of them are shorter (...

According to several sources, 18" (about 45 cm) is the standard maximum.

For a longer explanation, see the following:

http://www.dansdata.com/rcables.htm

The 120 mm fans are only a little quieter than average. Hmm, the YL D12SL-12 is generally reckoned to be one of the quietest 120mm fans on the market, along with the Globalwin NCB. Do you mind if I ask what these "average" fans are that you are comparing them with? Also is this at 12V, 7V, 5V? To b...

I can't help you about 140 mm fans, but I can recommend Silencio777's eBay store. He answered all questions very promptly, worked with me to save on shipping, and delivered quickly. One thing I did learn while buying fans, is that you can't use information about one of a manufacturer's products for ...

I can see why you like the case; it's pretty good looking. There are two bad things that seem to be common to Lian Li cases. 1 - They are susceptible to hard drive vibration. Suspending the drive in their cases is mandatory to get a quiet, much less silent computer. 2 - Airflow is not good enough. T...

I kept waiting for someone to suggest buying one that was pre-made, but no one ever did. (So I will). When PCs first started being available in tower style cases, some companies started selling stands that would let you turn your desktop box on end and stand it safely on the floor. If you can't or d...

My phantom plug is ~52mm (just a hair over 2 inches) at its widest

If you are willing to do the rebate thing, MicroCenter has a 160GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 for 39.99 after rebate. They have locations in NY. I don't know if the offer is available on their web site. The flyer says 1 week only 7/2/2006 to 7/8/2006.

I did a little bit of research and finally took the plunge last week. Here's some stuff that's obvious after you figure it out, but might be useful. There seem to be 5 models of the tool, 3 corded, and 2 cordless. The corded models include the 400XPR at 2 amps, the 395 and the digital 398 each at 1....

yjs - If your case is amplifying the seek noise your drive makes, suspending the drive can make a really big difference. I use a simple test to see if suspending the hard drive will help reduce the noise. Wad up an old rag, put it in the case, and put the hard drive on it. (an old T shirt works well...

I don't know if this relates to your question, but I think the Samsung may not run as cool. I put one of the Samsungs in my laptop and the fan comes on a little more often than it used to. The drive that it replaced was a Hitachi.

I have this drive mounted in an aluminum case. When it is hard mounted directly to the drive cage, the seek noise is too loud. (Although they are quieter than the 80 gig Seagate I had been using.) After I suspended the drive using elastic, I can no longer hear any noise from the drive. One thing to ...

OK, that throws a new wrinkle into the mix. My motherboards have integrated video, so I don't have to be concerned with clearing video cards. A rough measurement has the Zalman heatsink rising about 2 inches above the motherboard. From the photos you linked, I would guess the fan is only about 3/4 o...