Search found 62 matches

by dragonfire
Wed Nov 19, 2014 12:09 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: SPCR's Holiday ATX Gaming Build Guide
Replies: 76
Views: 71727

Re: SPCR's Holiday ATX Gaming Build Guide

Fantastic article -- I love seeing results from experimenting with different strategies for noise reduction. Very excited to see future articles in this series. Wanted to offer my thanks, as I'm considering a very similar build! One question. When you adjusted the GPU fan profile using Afterburner, ...
by dragonfire
Mon May 23, 2011 11:41 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Intel Core i3-2100T & Core i5-2400S Low Power CPUs
Replies: 48
Views: 42790

Re: Intel Core i3-2100T & Core i5-2400S Low Power CPUs

Thanks so much for another great review! I've been watching these low power consumption chips for a while, and was very interested to see how much power they actually save. Not sure if you still have the chips around, but I'd be very curious to see whether the use of integrated graphics effects powe...
by dragonfire
Sat May 21, 2011 1:08 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: HDPLEX H3.SODD Fanless Mini-ITX Media Case
Replies: 49
Views: 37806

Re: HDPLEX H3.SODD Fanless Mini-ITX Media Case

Thanks so much for the awesome review! I haven't lusted after a case so badly for a long time... :D

Looks like the H3.ODD supports a 3.5in HDD. Wonder how that would affect the noise, and whether it could be cooled sufficiently.
by dragonfire
Thu May 19, 2011 10:14 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Asus P8H67-I Deluxe Mini-ITX Motherboard
Replies: 12
Views: 9039

Re: Asus P8H67-I Deluxe Mini-ITX Motherboard

Thanks so much for the review! Great work as always! I particularly appreciate the detailed comments regarding the Fan Control capabilities. I'm starting to consider building an ITX HTPC, and was hoping to use the low voltage i3-2100T (35W TDP). Wonder how that will affect the power consumption of a...
by dragonfire
Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:09 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Help plan a NAS with aspirations...
Replies: 12
Views: 6294

Re: Help plan a NAS with aspirations...

I might be able to answer some WHS related questions. I've had an Acer H340 for almost 2 years now (small Atom box that runs WHS). It's pretty much a "set it and forget it" kind of hardware. Once you get it set up (takes a little bit of work), it automatically backs up all client pcs every night (th...
by dragonfire
Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:45 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: April Sandy Bridge Build (Coding/Gaming)
Replies: 12
Views: 4136

Re: April Sandy Bridge Build (Coding/Gaming)

CPU: Everything I've seen shows synthetic benchmarks and video encoding benefiting from hyperthreading. I don't think it will make a difference for you. Save the $100 for something else (your case maybe?) CASE: You might be surprised, but the P183 grew on me over time. And it's very quiet. =D PSU: T...
by dragonfire
Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:07 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: News for 2011-02-10
Replies: 15
Views: 9827

Re: News for 2011-02-10

Curious whether any one else saw the Anandtech review of the Puget Serenity system. I was mildly upset to see it compared only against a selection of overclocked SLI rigs. As one would expect, it came in last on the performance rankings for almost every table. The kicker is the reviewer says up fron...
by dragonfire
Tue Feb 08, 2011 7:50 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Hitachi 5K3000 2TB experiences
Replies: 25
Views: 17964

Re: Hitachi 5K3000 2TB experiences

Any thoughts/reactions so far for those who have already bought one?

The Hitachi 5K3000 2TB is today's 3rd Shell Shocker at Newegg. $60 after rebate. Thinking about grabbing one.
by dragonfire
Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:09 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: P182 front audio panel problem
Replies: 7
Views: 4038

Hmm... unexpected issue. Does anyone know where to find the Serial Number? Antec says it's on the power supply, but the P182 doesn't come with power supply!
by dragonfire
Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:50 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: P182 front audio panel problem
Replies: 7
Views: 4038

Thanks so much for the helpful suggestions. I will go ahead and contact Antec support.

Was it difficult to replace the front panel module on your case? I assume it's a similar process for the P183 and the P182...
by dragonfire
Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:12 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: P182 front audio panel problem
Replies: 7
Views: 4038

P182 front audio panel problem

Hi all, I've had my trusty P182 for >2 years now. In every way, it has been an excellent case, and I'm very satisfied with my purchase. I recently discovered a small issue with the front audio. Hoping you guys can help me out. - I got a new pair of headphones (Sennheiser HD201), and they sound excel...
by dragonfire
Sun May 02, 2010 1:23 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: has anyone ever taken apart a Vapor-X?
Replies: 10
Views: 6109

Thanks for the link! It sure looks great on your card... I don't think it will fit mine though. For one, the GPU on mine appears closer to the middle of the card. Compare the position of the PCI-e pins to the position of the heatsink, and you'll see what I mean. Also, the pesky DVI box is still in t...
by dragonfire
Sat May 01, 2010 12:16 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: has anyone ever taken apart a Vapor-X?
Replies: 10
Views: 6109

Interesting! Does anyone know if the Scythe Kama Stay is quiet?

I suppose if it's noisy, I could always use it as a platform for a Nexus...
by dragonfire
Sat May 01, 2010 8:45 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: has anyone ever taken apart a Vapor-X?
Replies: 10
Views: 6109

I can't find the post you referred to RE: zip-tying a fan to a 775 cooler. Would probably be very helpful if you could find a link...

The only difficulty I foresee is that a 120mm fan is so much larger than the heatsink...
by dragonfire
Sat May 01, 2010 8:41 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: has anyone ever taken apart a Vapor-X?
Replies: 10
Views: 6109

I hadn't seen the Setsugen before. An interesting option.

My guess, though is that it won't fit. The DVI box (not sure if you can see it in the picture) sticks out an inch or so and is tall enough to block every cooler I've know of...

=(
by dragonfire
Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:14 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: has anyone ever taken apart a Vapor-X?
Replies: 10
Views: 6109

has anyone ever taken apart a Vapor-X?

Hi all, I have a Sapphire 5770 Vapor-X that I bought a few months back. It sounded great for the first few weeks, then the fan began to rattle. My first thought was to slap an accelero S1 on it, but the card is too small to fit it without heavy modification (see here ). Also, this would ruin my inve...
by dragonfire
Sun Apr 04, 2010 5:39 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: HIS HD Radeon 5870 iCooler V Turbo
Replies: 16
Views: 13965

Great review. Glad to see the Accelero S1 fits. It doesn't fit my 5770 =(

Did you measure idle/load temps for this card with the Accelero installed? I'm curious to see whether the Accelero and a modest 120mm fan can keep the card cool...
by dragonfire
Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:03 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: ATI 4850: to upgrade, or not to upgrade?
Replies: 11
Views: 5647

Unfortunate update. It seems I spoke too soon. The fan has begun to emit a rattle sound that is present even at low rpm settings. It doesn't vary much with rpm, although other noises drown it out at high rpm. Without any knowledge of such things, I suspect a bearing in the fan. I can't think of anyt...
by dragonfire
Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:26 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: ATI 4850: to upgrade, or not to upgrade?
Replies: 11
Views: 5647

I'll echo that assessment. Under stock settings it idles at 40%, which is barely audible. Under load, I've seen it go up to 50%, which is more audible (don't let % fool you, this is around 1500rpm). Even still, it is very quiet, only audible with the case open. And no whining sound like the stock co...
by dragonfire
Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:15 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: ATI 4850: to upgrade, or not to upgrade?
Replies: 11
Views: 5647

In case anyone is interested in the outcome, I decided to get a Sapphire VaporX 5770 that I found for sale on Newegg. Reviews indicated it would be silent, and this has essentially been my finding so far (I've had it installed for 2 days so far). I'm happy so far, but I'll wait a few weeks before gi...
by dragonfire
Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:04 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Why Ad Blocking is devastating to the sites you love
Replies: 142
Views: 180671

In line ads are the reason I run AdBlock. I'm one of those people who highlights as they read. In-line ads royally mess me up (which I guess is the goal). I have added SPCR to my white list, and I will gladly do the same for other sites I frequently visit, provided that the advertisements are not ob...
by dragonfire
Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:07 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: ATI 4850: to upgrade, or not to upgrade?
Replies: 11
Views: 5647

Great points! Thanks so much.

One of my monitors is displayport capable (Dell 2408wfp), so that's fine.

You're right, the problems all sound like annoyances, but aren't show stopping. Out of curiosity, does your desktop glitch at all at stock settings?

--J
by dragonfire
Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:52 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: ATI 4850: to upgrade, or not to upgrade?
Replies: 11
Views: 5647

Oooh, I should have been more clear. I need 3 outputs (2 monitors and occasionally a LCD tv for watching movies). I don't think I have any games that could even take advantage of multiple monitors. Thanks so much for the advice. I've heard about problems with the drivers, and I'm glad they haven't b...
by dragonfire
Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:30 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: ATI 4850: to upgrade, or not to upgrade?
Replies: 11
Views: 5647

ATI 4850: to upgrade, or not to upgrade?

Hi all, I bought a 4850 last year, put an Accelero S1 and a 500rpm fan on and haven't touched it since. It's dead silent, rock stable, and plays all my games flawlessly at 1920x1200. A family member is buying a new pc and is willing to take my 4850, so I have the option of getting a new card for fre...
by dragonfire
Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:37 pm
Forum: Green Computing
Topic: GOAL - Air cooling with no fans (edit: GOAL reached)
Replies: 64
Views: 49348

Can we see a picture? Pretty please?
by dragonfire
Mon Dec 28, 2009 5:00 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: S1283 for i5/i7
Replies: 2
Views: 2539

What are your temps like at idle and at load?

My current Q9450 runs at 45C at full load. I'd be loathe to upgrade if I can't keep the i7-860 similarly cool.
by dragonfire
Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:34 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Recommended P55 boards
Replies: 42
Views: 30382

Do you think the quality of the motherboard (eg. low end vs. high end) makes a difference?
by dragonfire
Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:34 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Recommended P55 boards
Replies: 42
Views: 30382

Sorry! I'm still confused...

You listed a BCLK of 160, but I thought the stock setting for a i5-750 was a BCLK of 133. Does the crackling/beep happen at this 133?

I was getting all excited to switch to Gigabyte, but now I'm thinking of staying with Asus. At least my Asus boards don't beep at me...
by dragonfire
Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:50 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: CPU idle consumption chart
Replies: 24
Views: 22687

Some recent news may be relevant for your purposes:

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sh ... spx?i=3692
by dragonfire
Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:48 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Recommended P55 boards
Replies: 42
Views: 30382

Interesting... glad I haven't jumped yet for my new build.

Out of curiosity, do the psu sounds only occur when overclocking, or do they occur at stock settings as well?