Search found 309 matches

by hybrid2d4x4
Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:47 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Scythe Mugen 4 CPU Cooler: Scythe Strikes Back
Replies: 14
Views: 14929

Re: Scythe Mugen 4 CPU Cooler: Scythe Strikes Back

Glad to see Scythe making a strong return. I emailed their NA sales a few weeks ago wondering where I can get a mounting kit for the newer socket (upgrading from S775) and they replied that they're doing some major restructuring for the Americas market and should be re-appearing in Sept. Hope it wor...
by hybrid2d4x4
Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:37 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Mobile Convergence: W8 Convertibles Samsung 500T, SurfacePro
Replies: 16
Views: 13551

Re: Mobile Convergence: W8 Convertibles Samsung 500T, Surfac

I'm in the same camp, Mike, regarding the usage as a travel companion that must play nice with a DSLR, and without a regular size SD-slot, that just isn't going to cut it. I'm keeping my eyes on Asus, though. If they release something with the form factor of the VivoTab Smart with the solid keyboard...
by hybrid2d4x4
Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:23 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Seasonic G360W gold for $60 - Review & Giveaway!
Replies: 169
Views: 247197

Re: Seasonic G360W gold for $60 - Review & Giveaway!

It's refreshing to see the PSU-race expand... err, backtrack, into the lower-power direction, and even moreso to see the higher-quality components and efficiency trickle down into lower-priced units. Since this giveaway might be my best chance to catch Seasonic's ear, I was wondering where it is pos...
by hybrid2d4x4
Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:15 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Seasonic SS-350TGM 80 Plus Gold TFX
Replies: 48
Views: 47578

Re: Seasonic SS-350TGM 80 Plus Gold TFX

Nice to see an efficient smaller PSU. At 350W, they could have easily added a single pci-e power connector, though. Thanks for the review!
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Oct 31, 2011 3:43 pm
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: HTPC: Antec NSK2480 Painted Black & DVD Stealthed
Replies: 4
Views: 15424

Re: HTPC: Antec NSK2480 Painted Black & DVD Stealthed

The paint is holding up really well, actually. I was a bit worried about the stealthed dvd panel since it nicks the cover below it every time it ejects, but so far no paint issues at all. It pretty much still looks like the day after I painted it.
by hybrid2d4x4
Fri Dec 10, 2010 1:42 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: New high density 2-and-3 TB Greens from WD
Replies: 52
Views: 28950

Re: New high density 2-and-3 TB Greens from WD

Thanks for the review, Mike. Also thanks to dhanson865 for chiming in on ready time. I think this should be of some concern to those using a green series drive as their sole storage device, as the long ready times can cause BSODs when waking up from sleep. I used to have this problem every now and t...
by hybrid2d4x4
Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:44 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Zotac IONITX-P-E CULV Motherboard
Replies: 23
Views: 17314

Re: Zotac IONITX-P-E CULV Motherboard

Neat little board, but I think that price is really holding it back. With a quick check to directcanada(one of the cheapest Canadian etailers I know of), I found the Gigabyte P55 mITX board that you guys reviewed plus a Intel G9650 (or for a hyper-threaded i3 540 add $10) for CDN$203. That gives you...
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Oct 25, 2010 5:43 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Gigabyte H55N-USB3: The De Facto LGA1156 Mini-ITX Board?
Replies: 21
Views: 16217

Re: Gigabyte H55N-USB3: The De Facto LGA1156 Mini-ITX Board?

Lawrence, since the power consumption discrepancy might be because of the on-board video, have you tried undervolting the IGP? I notice on the BIOS screen that the option is definitely there... I can't recall but if I'm not mistaken, the IGP is on package but not on die, and on a 45nm process. Still...
by hybrid2d4x4
Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:14 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Zotac H55-ITX-C-E: Stacked LGA1156 Mini-ITX Motherboard
Replies: 23
Views: 16861

Thanks for the review, especially the comments on heatsink fit (Big/Shuriken). The undervolting restrictions and high GPU voltage are major dissapointments as well. You guys nail all the points that I'm interested in when you do your mobo reviews- kudos! I hope Gigabyte will send you their H55N-USB3...
by hybrid2d4x4
Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:43 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Can a PicoPSU handle this?
Replies: 8
Views: 2917

Re: Can a PicoPSU handle this?

mackstann wrote: Do you think it'll be sufficient?
Based on the power figures here, 150W will be a lot more than you need (assuming these Picos perform up to spec). A 120W or even a 100W unit will suffice for the components you picked if you don't mind the reduced headroom.
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:42 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: low power build thoughts
Replies: 20
Views: 9050

It should go down when you get the OS loaded and C&Q (CPU throttling/undervolting) takes effect. :)
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:37 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Noise troubleshooting -- what sounds like an HDD but isn't?
Replies: 3
Views: 1927

These things may not be relevant to your situation, but I`ve had similar symptoms from various sources. This may sound odd, but my wireless/optical mouse makes a high-pitched seek noise similar to what you describe, most noticeably while scrolling. I`ve also had similar annoying noises on a work com...
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:25 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: HIS HD Radeon 5870 iCooler V Turbo
Replies: 16
Views: 13968

Thanks for the review!

I`m curious as to how the load VRM and RAM temps are on these vid cards are, as they are often a lot worse than core temps.
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:02 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Silverstone Grandia GD05: A Versatile HTPC Case
Replies: 69
Views: 69983

This case seems to have great potential as a gaming-capable HTPC thanks to the fan on the left side (when paired with a PSU that draws air from below) to feed the vid card. Did you happen to take that GTX260 for a spin in that case, Lawrence? If so, can you confirm that VGA temps were good (hopefull...
by hybrid2d4x4
Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:22 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Need help troubleshooting intermittent crashes!
Replies: 7
Views: 4275

That's odd. Well, I hope it's something similar in my case, nomoon. It'd be nice if putting in some different ram would suddenly fix everything.
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:57 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: HTPC Using Silverstone GD05 Case... need advice on my parts
Replies: 3
Views: 5336

It's probably too late for it to matter, but it's a good thing you switched away from the OCZ PSU, as you probably wouldn't have found it quiet enough for your liking (based on anecdotal reviews of it plus my experience with their non-modular Game XStream). They may have updated it to be competitive...
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:46 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First build since 2001: revision 1, looking for advice
Replies: 16
Views: 4502

As a bonus, if you feel comfortable doing so, try swapping the Ninja Mini's 80mm fan into the included Antec Earthwatts PSU to replace the stock PSU fan - Warning: some soldering required and be careful so as not to electrocute yourself ! This is very good advice, but soldering should not be necess...
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:08 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: your advice on my cheap but silent HTPC
Replies: 3
Views: 2303

I've got a system with a 212+ on hand and the heatsink seems to be similar in height to the full Ninja in my rig, so probably a nogo on the 212. The minja is perfect for the 2480 though, and you get a bonus PSU replacement fan :P
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:45 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Need help troubleshooting intermittent crashes!
Replies: 7
Views: 4275

I hate Gigabyte motherboards for doing this, but "Auto" voltages is not the same as "Stock" voltages. They will dynamically change the voltages to "stabilize" the processor. Apparently they thought making my Q6600 reach 100C is the way to do it. Check all your voltages and change it to "Stock" if y...
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:20 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Need help troubleshooting intermittent crashes!
Replies: 7
Views: 4275

Need help troubleshooting intermittent crashes!

Hello all. A computer I built for a friend is acting up intermittently (but often enough to be bothersome). The obvious symptoms are background app/process crashes usually right after boot, and BSODs (esp while shutting down - the "Windows is Shutting Down" screen). Basically it's a lottery whenever...
by hybrid2d4x4
Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:37 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Asus UL30A & Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13 CULV Notebooks
Replies: 21
Views: 30116

I also despise the glossy screens but the "Canadian" keyboard layout as used on the Gateway (and Acers,etc.) is a very close second. Are the Asus ULs shipping to Canada with the keyboards shown in the review or do they also have a "Canadianized" version? In any case, thanks for the review. I really ...
by hybrid2d4x4
Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:19 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Silent HTPC components - What do you think?
Replies: 5
Views: 8364

To go a bit further then the above post, why a full ATX mobo? I take it you won't be using crossfire, and there are mATX boards with at least as many features at lower price/power consumption levels. One aside on AMD chipsets relating to HTPC use- they still do not support 8ch LPCM or HD Audio codec...
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:48 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: The Most Silent HTPC
Replies: 10
Views: 6057

Your option 2 from vid cards will be all you need to bitstream every possible audio stream over HDMI including the lossless codecs (only the ATI 5xxx series and the i3/i5 32nm CPUs' integrated video can do this at the moment). The soundcard is completely obsolete/redundant if you are outputting audi...
by hybrid2d4x4
Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:24 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: mini ITX setup for photoshop under $400, possible?
Replies: 10
Views: 4686

I *think* the Zotac GF8200 AM2 board works with AM3 processors, but OP should probably contact Zotac support to confirm. It should, as long as Zotac released a BIOS update to support the newer CPUs. The Zotac mobo is pretty rare here in Canada (not sure about the US), and newegg charges quite a bit...
by hybrid2d4x4
Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:22 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: This is my super quiet, almost silent build, any thoughts?
Replies: 9
Views: 4227

FYI...the CPU you listed will not allow the use of "onboard" video. You will need a i3 or i5 Clarkdale series chip with that GA-H55M-USB3 to take advantage of integrated video, because the video is now on the chip, not the motherboard. +1 Also, the board/cpu doesn't use triple-channel RAM, so scrat...
by hybrid2d4x4
Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:12 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: mini ITX setup for photoshop under $400, possible?
Replies: 10
Views: 4686

I don't think the atom platform would be up to the task of photoshop if you use filters or any of the functions that need CPU/GPU power. If there were any mITX AM3 boards, it would probably be doable within that budget, but I don't know of any other than an older AM2 GF8200 board. The recent spike i...
by hybrid2d4x4
Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:30 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Low power HTPC - advice on last remaining parts needed
Replies: 9
Views: 5448

If he uses the minja inside the NSK2480, he won't need the fan unless he replaces the CPU with a really hot one or overclocks lots. Even if he did want to use the fan, it would not be oriented to sit above the RAM, but blowing parallel to the RAM towards the exhaust fans on the side of the chassis. ...
by hybrid2d4x4
Sun Feb 07, 2010 6:03 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: How to outfit an i3 microATX.
Replies: 14
Views: 6592

Thumbs up on the Intel 40GB you linked and USB 3.0 for $5 more. Have fun with the build!
by hybrid2d4x4
Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:57 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Low power HTPC - advice on last remaining parts needed
Replies: 9
Views: 5448

I don't know of any tower heatsinks, Minja included, that won't clear a standard height RAM module. Maybe it you have something with oversize heatspreaders, like the G.Skill Ripjaw series or those OCZ Reapers, it might be an issue.
by hybrid2d4x4
Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:30 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: ATI Radeon HD 5450 & HD 5570 Graphics Cards
Replies: 24
Views: 20476

Wow, SPCR got a 55x0 series card before Anand or Tom's. Looks like SPCR is really moving up in the world. Well deserved, Mike! Keep up the good work!

EDIT: Haha, looks like it was just the NDA keeping the others from publishing....