This is why I read hardware reviews on SPCR (and hardly anything else hardware-related on the net). I wish all published science was done with the same integrity, self-criticism and open mind as you guys repeatedly demonstrate in your computer equipment reviews. Thank you!

Huge improvement!! One comment though: Given your new methodology, I don't think testing at standard (and carefully calibrated) fan RPMs is all that important. I'd rather you chose noise level or temperature rise as the independent variable. Then your tables would directly address the critical quest...

Has anyone taken apart a Shuttle PC62? I'm curious as to how big the internal (DC-DC) component is without the bulky metal casing. I have a feeling that the enclosure is only that big to make it "compatible" with the intended Shuttle systems... right? I just found a German review which has this nic...

Heads up: WEPC.com is a new collaborative website by Asus and Intel to get feedback on which PC features are most important to their customers. Let's all tell these hardware manufacturers that silence is a priority! Do this by submitting your own silent PC designs, or voting for existing ideas. For ...

Assuming your BIOS has a similar layout to mine, there is CPU Smart Fan Control, which as you say is Enabled or Disabled. Then below that I have an option for Auto / PWM / Voltage. Assuming your BIOS has a similar layout to the one I have on my X38 based mobo you should also have that option, and I...

When cpu fan is set to auto in bios, it runs full speed with 3pin fan. After setting fan to voltage with smart fan enable, my cpu fan finally slows down to about 500rpm (from 1200rpm, NJ heatseek). Somehow there is no issue with Sys_fan2. 3pin fan runs slowly. Interesting. Can you tell us more? Wha...

I just got an unexpected hopeful response from Gigabyte on this. Even more astonishing - it wasn't even written in cryptic Engrish!! Hi, We are aware of the problem controlling the speed on 3-pin fans and are working on a BIOS fix that will make this possible again. Hopefully it doesn't take too lon...

I am about to buy a P35-DS3 mobo, should I be concerned about this.? IMHO, you most certainly should. If I were you I'd make an attempt to get a hold of a P35-DS3 revision 1.X model, which I believe has the usual two controllable fan headers. Alternatively, if smilingcrow is correct, revision 2.0 w...

Here are some examples of what other people have posted in the other thread: I have the EP35-DS3R and only the SYS_FAN2 was controlable through SpeedFan. Believe it or not, but my Scythe Ninja "3pin fan" couldn't be controlled both from the bios (F1) and Speedfan, weither the setting in the bios "CP...

Here are my experiences with my current GA-EP35C-DS3R revision 2.1 (revision A2 according to CPU-Z), BIOS version F3e. I had the identical problems with a GA-P35C-DS3R revision 2.1 that was returned for an unrelated issue, BIOS version F10. The CPU fan and SYS_FAN2 are both 4-pin fan headers, but on...

This thread is a continuation of the fan control discussion in this topic: http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=46239 I'm starting a new thread because this issue is serious enough to warrant a thread of its own, and also because it may concern more motherboards from Gigabyte than th...

Just received a reply from Gigabyte tech support: There is no "smart fan control mode" for SYS_FAN2 in the Bios. [...] :shock: Excuse me? Not only do they treat me like an ignorant fool, now they say there is no smart fan control mode. And this picture of a P35-DS3 bios shows what? [...] I don't th...

I had the same issue on my rev2.1 GA-P35C-DS3R (F10 bios), which I RMA'd last Friday due to an unrelated problem. But before that I e-mailed Gigabyte about this. Below is my question and their response, which arrived today. I can't check the CTRL-F1 thing as I am motherboardless at the moment, but t...

Some laptops can run fanless, but most don't. And when the fan runs, it's right under your nose.

I'm making the switch from a laptop to a desktop because I can't stand the noise anymore - even after undervolting and Speedfan tweaking.

Now that moderators have noticed this thread - please lock it up and throw away the key!! Please don't let these uninformed loudmouths pollute these otherwise wonderful forums with their misguided nonsense! To the posters in this thread: here is an excellent summary of current global warming science...

Judging from reviews, the S1 does indeed look at least as good as the HR-03, if not better. The S1 also has the advantage of being large enough to accommodate TWO 120mm fans. However, I'd like to point out that the HR-03 has one important factor in its favor: it's possible to mount the HR-03 in reve...

SPCR user jojo4u compiled an excellent list of power consumption at stock speeds in this thread: http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7753&start=60 But what about power consumption when these cards are overclocked? Are the ATIs still frugal with power or do they start leaking current...

If the 8800gt image quality can be tweaked to match that of ATI, that would seal the deal for me. Even if the 8800GT could be tweaked to match the ATI, that would cost performance and probably erase the speed advantage of the 8800GT. Why not just get the 3870 and be done with it? The speed differen...

The time is getting ripe for an SPCR shootout of quiet performance graphics. I nominate the following: 8800GT reference card + HR-03 (passive) 8800GT reference card + HR-03 + suitable fan Sparkle 8800GT "Cool pipe 3" (passive) Sparkle 8800GT "Cool pipe 3" + suitable fan These could be pitched agains...

I don't think language skills are the explanation, since there are other Europeans who also speak English quite well, e.g. the Dutch, the Germans, some of the British ... :) Apart from internet activity, I think the main reasons for our interest in silent PCs are our relatively cold climate, low pop...

Penryn frequencies, pricing, TDP and release dates (well, months) have been leaked: http://www.tcmagazine.com/comments.php?shownews=16193&catid=2 But I'm a bit confused about the TDPs. They are listed at 65W for duos and 95W for quads. In other words, assuming TDPs roughly follow actual consumption,...

Posting here under system advice because I couldn't find a better sub-forum for audio ... I'm considering getting one of these new high-end sound cards, either the Asus Xonar or the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude. Can someone tell me approximately how much additional power these would draw from my system, c...

Thank you very much Mike for doing the extra research and answering my questions! And thanks dhanson for the fan voltages, very informative!

This forum is incredible ...

Great review (as always)! I have two questions: Judging from the recordings, the S12II-380 seemed more quiet and less "aggressive" than the VX450, but both measure 21 dBa at low loads. Is there a noticeable difference? Which would you say is quieter below 200W? Do you expect the Seasonic to have ide...

I just don't think we are the main cause, if at all, and I was hoping to get a good conversation going backed up with scientific proof, not conjecture, conspiracy theories, mis truths feed to you by the media and politics, and flame wars. [...] Also, I am not an expert in this field and welcome any...

Nvidia must have read my recent thread , because they have announced a new "Hybrid SLI" technology to appear later this year. Info here: http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/video/display/20070625083756.html http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hkepc.com%2Fbbs%2Fnews.php%3Ftid%3D814226%2...

Thanks a lot nutball for sharing that info! This begs the question (once again):

Since underclocking doesn't help power consumption very much, has anyone tried undervolting the 8800GTS?

If anyone here has a kill-a-watt meter, I'd be very interested in seeing power consumption figures for a system with a heavily underclocked 8800GTS, at idle (underclocked GPU) and load (stock GPU clock speeds). Extra brownie points for power consumption at idle with stock GPU speeds, but I understan...

klankymen wrote:My BenQ goes from 45W ~ 70W, depending on brightness,
I keep it at around 40% (which is still very bright) and it draws 55W.

That is *brilliant* news, thank you very much for posting! The thought of 100W hurt my environmental conscience (and wallet) too much to order ...

The SPCR of monitors (so to speak) is TFTcentral. Here is their recommended monitor list: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/which_screen_1.htm In the 24" category, they recommend: Budget --- Samsung SM245B Performance --- Dell 2407WFP and BenQ FP241W The Dell gets the nod because it's quite a bit...