Search found 145 matches

by colin2
Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:48 pm
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Build report: home office with GIGABYTE GA-H170M-D3H
Replies: 2
Views: 13936

Build report: home office with GIGABYTE GA-H170M-D3H

Thanks to quest_for_silence for help here: http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=69453 The result has been up and running for a few weeks now. Parts: - GIGABYTE GA-H170M-D3H - Intel Core i5-6500 6MB Skylake Quad-Core 3.2 GHz LGA 1151 65W - Thermalright HR-01 with TRUE universal B...
by colin2
Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:55 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: home office build
Replies: 3
Views: 4725

Re: home office build

Thanks much, Luca, I appreciate the heads-up on the PSU. Maybe: Antec EarthWatts Platinum Series EA-550 Platinum 550W, whose 5.5" depth is the same as the old one. I'll try the Thermalright bracket. I hadn't figured out until just now that all the 115X family is identical for cooler-installing purpo...
by colin2
Mon Oct 17, 2016 12:19 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: home office build
Replies: 3
Views: 4725

home office build

The old desktop (http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=54639) finally died, plus I've been feeling the need for more speed & capacity lately. Hopefully this will last another seven years: Parts to re-use: ANTEC NSK3480 case and misc. fans HITACHI Travelstar 5K500.B 500GB (additional s...
by colin2
Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:15 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: three DVI monitors, low power?
Replies: 4
Views: 4139

Re: three DVI monitors, low power?

Thanks! This is very helpful. Mobo is a GIGABYTE GA-MA78GPM-UD2H. I'm not aware of a "graphics port" and last I checked, you could not simultaneously use the mobo's own video output and a video card. Perhaps the time has come to buy one of these: http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/graphics_c...
by colin2
Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:42 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: three DVI monitors, low power?
Replies: 4
Views: 4139

three DVI monitors, low power?

I have this thing: SPARKLE 700003 GeForce GT 640 2GB 128-Bit DDR3 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card After two years one channel has crapped out. My usage is office-type stuff - hardly any video or gaming. The PC has a 380W Antec PSU What I'm seeing is that currently-available graphics cards ...
by colin2
Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:13 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Low-power Windows 8 server build -- mobo and cpu?
Replies: 11
Views: 6802

Re: Low-power Windows 8 server build -- mobo and cpu?

Thanks again for this advice in October! I'm slowly getting around to building. I've bought: G3220T CPU Seasonic SSR-360GP but the Intel DB85FL is getting harder to find, and I'm drawn by the slightly better specs of the *87 chipsets. The Intel DH87RL, with five 6B SATA ports, is available via Amazo...
by colin2
Mon Oct 28, 2013 8:45 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Windows 8.1 Discussion
Replies: 47
Views: 35388

Re: Windows 8.1 Discussion

FWIW I upgraded the HTPC described here (viewtopic.php?f=23&t=66248) to 8.1 yesterday. The process war relatively fast and almost painless and everything seems to work.

Of course, I don't run much on it besides Foobar2000 and a browser.
by colin2
Sat Oct 12, 2013 11:48 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Low-power Windows 8 server build -- mobo and cpu?
Replies: 11
Views: 6802

Re: Low-power Windows 8 server build -- mobo and cpu?

Thanks, this is great. I have an old Antec Solo (in the current, slowly dying server) that I was gonna re-use, which does not look optimal for the SS-400FL2. The SSR-360GP would have to go in upside down. This does raise a question. Suppose I used a case that would fit either PSU: the SPCR review sa...
by colin2
Fri Oct 11, 2013 1:56 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Low-power Windows 8 server build -- mobo and cpu?
Replies: 11
Views: 6802

Re: Low-power Windows 8 server build -- mobo and cpu?

Thanks, Abula: That's really helpful and the DB85FL looks like an easy mobo to mount coolers onto.

I was hoping to use an old ANTEC Phantom PSU, but it doesn't look like it's Haswell-compatible, and the lower-power sleep would be nice to have.
by colin2
Fri Oct 11, 2013 10:58 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Low-power Windows 8 server build -- mobo and cpu?
Replies: 11
Views: 6802

Low-power Windows 8 server build -- mobo and cpu?

The builds I find online are power-hungry. I just need basic file-serving and backup.

For a server using Windows 8 as its OS, with at least 6 internal SATA connectors, a couple of USB 3.0 external connectors, and UEFI, what would you choose?

I have room for any size mobo.
by colin2
Sun Sep 01, 2013 1:30 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Alternative to having a desk in the living room?
Replies: 4
Views: 7944

Re: Alternative to having a desk in the living room?

I think the best solution is a separate laptop. More flexible and made for your purpose.

But one possibility for light use is the Logitech K400r. For a 400 gram plastic keyboard, it's pretty good.
by colin2
Tue Aug 20, 2013 7:22 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: little headless HTPC
Replies: 8
Views: 6510

Re: little headless HTPC

I don't know. It's a PC32B180HR, sold with a Shuttle ST62K "Zen." Rated at 180W, but I see no efficiency data.

found a picture: http://viewitem.eim.ebay.se/Genuine-SHU ... 71045/item
by colin2
Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:24 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: little headless HTPC
Replies: 8
Views: 6510

Re: little headless HTPC

Thanks! The Xigmatek looks too tall for the case, but the Enzotech, or one of the similar-sized Zalman NB coolers, might work.
by colin2
Mon Aug 19, 2013 4:12 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: little headless HTPC
Replies: 8
Views: 6510

Re: little headless HTPC

Since I lack pictures, I figured I'd report my results here rather than doing a general gallery posting. Mobo/CPU: GIGABYTE|GA-C1007UN-D R SSD: 64GB CRUCIAL CT064M4SSD2 R RAM: 2Gx2|GSKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL Drive: LG CT40N PSU: PicoPSU-150-XT plus 12V power brick from an old Shuttle Barebones Case: ...
by colin2
Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:56 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Bought a Nexus 120 PWM, big mistake
Replies: 26
Views: 21645

Re: Bought a Nexus 120 PWM, big mistake

I can also testify to the badness of the Nexus 120 PWM. The one I'm returning made a high-frequency chirp every few seconds, in addition to other poor sonic qualities. The chirp did not diminish at lower speeds.

Guess I'll try the Scythe or Noiseblocker PWMs, or give up on the whole PWM thing.
by colin2
Sat Jun 29, 2013 12:30 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Windows 8: what do you think about it?
Replies: 87
Views: 97360

Re: Windows 8: what do you think about it?

After a few days with an HTPC install good: - security appears better integrated and less hassle - it does look good on a big TV screen - remote desktop is working well, as is wake-from-LAN bad: - yes, the interface is stupid and adds needless hassle - you have to spend time uninstalling their silly...
by colin2
Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:59 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: little headless HTPC
Replies: 8
Views: 6510

Re: little headless HTPC

Thanks! I feel like I'm selling out, but at least the Intel embedded-CPU boards are cheap.

And yeah, I've learned to my cost that even HTPCs need some processing power.
by colin2
Fri Jun 07, 2013 9:37 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: little headless HTPC
Replies: 8
Views: 6510

little headless HTPC

Function: HTPC running 24/7 headless on a Windows network. Connections: Ethernet, HDMI out, USB out to DAC Goals: reliability, low power consumption, quiet from 12 feet away. mobo: GIGABYTE GA-C1007UN-D http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128598 RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (...
by colin2
Tue Jun 04, 2013 8:01 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: BRIX: Gigabyte's NUC equivalent?
Replies: 5
Views: 9447

Re: BRIX: Gigabyte's NUC equivalent?

Ah, well. Thanks for finding that. Doesn't look too promising noisewise. Is the mobo a standard form factor or Gigabyte's invention?
by colin2
Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:48 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: BRIX: Gigabyte's NUC equivalent?
Replies: 5
Views: 9447

BRIX: Gigabyte's NUC equivalent?

http://www.gigabyte.us/press-center/news-page.aspx?nid=1208 http://www.gigabyte.com/products/list.aspx?s=47&ck=104 Could be fanless, but I see no clear pictures of its insides. what alerted me: discussion at the very end of this video: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7004/gigabytes-haswell-motherboard...
by colin2
Sat Jun 01, 2013 1:14 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Intel Haswell here, fully fanless pcs
Replies: 15
Views: 14722

Re: Intel Haswell here, fully fanless pcs

Thanks for this. I want to do an HTPC build soon, and was wondering if it made sense to wait for Haswell.
by colin2
Thu Feb 21, 2013 12:59 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: new version of Gigabyte GA E-350N
Replies: 0
Views: 2371

new version of Gigabyte GA E-350N

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Gigabyte-E350-AMD-GA-E350N-WIN8,21088.html This looks like an update of a board that has been around a couple of years and gotten some discussion here. Any thoughts on the new one? I'm not seeing any reviews or data on power consumption. - (I'm looking for a board fo...
by colin2
Mon May 28, 2012 11:30 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: 2002-2012: A Decade of SPCR (EDIT: now 12 years)
Replies: 61
Views: 102514

Re: 2002-2012: A Decade of SPCR

I'm happening on this late, but hopefully still in time for a note of appreciation. Part of what I have valued about this site is its commitment to data and thoughtful testing. How does a PC really function? Much care and hard work went into that, probably a lot that is not visible to us. Link that ...
by colin2
Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:29 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: SilverStone Raven RV03
Replies: 18
Views: 12763

Re: SilverStone Raven RV03

pedantry alert: "reined in," not "reigned in."
by colin2
Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:22 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: AMD mobo for WHS?
Replies: 4
Views: 2665

Re: AMD mobo for WHS?

Thanks PL! -- followup: So I bought a Biostar A760G M2+, swapped it in, and WHS installed without a hitch. It's small, 6 SATA connectors ... easy to work with. I had to install an ethernet driver off the CD, but that was simple enough. ATI video was the usual shambles, but I could ignore that! I was...
by colin2
Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:26 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: AMD mobo for WHS?
Replies: 4
Views: 2665

Re: AMD mobo for WHS?

Thanks! -- plenty of SATA. The other one that comes up in a Newegg search is the Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2, though [edit!] I'm seeing mixed reviews on its WHS suitability. ... now wondering about Biostar A760G M2+, though it seems like any board that will work with the BE-2300 is likely to have some dri...
by colin2
Sun Mar 06, 2011 3:14 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: AMD mobo for WHS?
Replies: 4
Views: 2665

AMD mobo for WHS?

I'm trying to install Windows Home Server on a Biostar TA-690G and encountering so many driver issues that I'm throwing in the towel. I do, however, have a BE-2300 and a BE-2350 that seem like good server CPUS, so it would be nice to recycle one of them. So what do I need? A relatively low-power AMD...
by colin2
Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:38 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Antec Solo a decent case ?
Replies: 18
Views: 9359

Do search the site, as you'll find lots of comment and building ideas.

As long as the size works for you, I can't think of anything built as well at the same price level.
by colin2
Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:27 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: What is the most economical quiet CPU cooling device?
Replies: 5
Views: 3155

what kind of cpu are you trying to cool and are you worried about noise?

as the Jefe says, fans are cheap.
by colin2
Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:42 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: How would you improve on Pudget's Serenity i7?
Replies: 9
Views: 6010

ditto netmask. You can probably also drop the fan by the HDD and SSD, especially because you're omitting the HDD. Start with just the case fan, a good passive CPU sink, and something like the X-650, and then let Speedfan tell you whether you need more fans. I doubt the acoustipak would do very much ...