Search found 160 matches

by bgavin
Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:15 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: New Antec Case 193 or 280 (or 183 maybe)
Replies: 14
Views: 10498

Re: New Antec Case 193 or 280 (or 183 maybe)

I went to Fry's hoping to find a P183, since Newegg was out of stock. They stopped carrying P183 quite awhile back. "Too old" was the reason given. I looked at the P280 a few minutes and decided it was not for me. As noted in the SPCR review, I was also put off by the flimsy feel and excessive amoun...
by bgavin
Sat Nov 27, 2010 10:33 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Samsung LN55C650 55" LCD HDTV
Replies: 8
Views: 8920

Re: Samsung LN55C650 55" LCD HDTV

I think you will be very pleased with your C650 in 46". I certainly am pleased with mine. With a modestly dark room, the UCP provides an exception clarity that is more like standing beside the camera. Uncanny. My single gripe is navigating numerous screens to access either OTA Signal Strength or Int...
by bgavin
Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:56 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Samsung LN55C650 55" LCD HDTV
Replies: 8
Views: 8920

Re: Samsung LN55C650 55" LCD HDTV

My research brought me to this very model a few months ago. After several trips to Fry's to view it, I had to admit to myself it was a great set, just too large for my needs. I bought the 46" version of the C650 and am simply delighted. Note the HULU application in the set is only a small subset of ...
by bgavin
Sun Oct 24, 2010 1:47 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: WD 3TB Green released
Replies: 37
Views: 23133

Re: WD 3TB Green released

Yes, indeed. The 'wdidle3' utility lets the user control the head unloading timer. The factory default is 8 seconds, which is apparently making some Linux users nuts, when the drive is used for primary storage. Evidently Linux wakes up all drives every 10 to 30 seconds. WD recommends changing the lo...
by bgavin
Sat Oct 23, 2010 12:28 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: WD 3TB Green released
Replies: 37
Views: 23133

Re: WD 3TB Green released

Considering the terrible reliability record of the large drives, it seems suicidal to make one of these a boot drive. I have a 50% failure rate. At least one of every pair is DOA or otherwise defective. Another reason to make them storage-only, is for the ability to alter/disable the spin-down time....
by bgavin
Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:20 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: HD4770 + AC Accelero S1 Rev. 2 - pictures, some hints
Replies: 8
Views: 10086

I was able to find a new XFX HD4770-YDFC for my upcoming HTPC rig. This card seems to be the highest performer that still has component video output.

I'm interested in the most silent cooling solution for this card in HTPC.
I do not game at all, and have a full size case with lots of room.
by bgavin
Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:14 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: new thermalright HTPC heatsink
Replies: 81
Views: 41696

Is the fin spacing and thickness known yet?

I keep a spread sheet of this and other data, that calculates the open air percentage based on a square area sample.
by bgavin
Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:07 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Zipang + Q8200 Quad = 46C at Idle
Replies: 6
Views: 3185

I agree with reinstallation. I won't use the push-pin mounting system. Instead, I use the Thermalright bolt-through kit. You have to fabricate a tool to turn the bolts, as they have no heads. Needle nose pliers are a help here also. My advice is test the board temps outside the case and on the bench...
by bgavin
Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:54 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Thermalright SI-128
Replies: 3
Views: 2457

The SI-128 appears to be right at 80% open air using a simple square area calculation, fin count, and fin thickness. My Zipang cooler is 81.8% using the same method. My point being they are similar coolers with similar fin density. Tested on an E8400 at stock clocking, the Zipang and 600 rpm fan let...
by bgavin
Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:42 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: Antec 300 at Frys
Replies: 0
Views: 1490

Antec 300 at Frys

I saw an ad this morning for this case for $34 at Frys.
by bgavin
Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:59 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Looking for small, high-quality case
Replies: 27
Views: 20570

I have need for a similar case for standard PSU. My upper height limit is 15". Depth is not a problem. I'd like to find a bare case... I have no love for Antec power supplies other than the Signature series.
by bgavin
Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:23 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Scythe Zipang installation problematic
Replies: 2
Views: 2282

The Zipang in combination with P182 cases gets ugly. I removed the top fan grille from my case, so I could gain hand access. This doesn't show with the external beauty shield installed. Can't do this with a customer machine, though. Mine is on an ABit IP35 board. The AT12V connector is at the extrem...
by bgavin
Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:17 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: LGA 775 Bolt-Thru-Kit ( Retail Box) from thermalright?
Replies: 7
Views: 4647

I use the TR 775 kit regularly with Zipang coolers. These are a huge PIA to install with this kit, but the results are entirely worth the effort.

The kit is very well made. If the screws had hex heads as well as Phillips, they would be perfect.
by bgavin
Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:13 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: Solo is $60 No Rebate/FS at Newegg
Replies: 3
Views: 2454

Thanks for the tip. I grabbed one for stock. Nice price, no rebate hassles, free shipping. Almost a give-away. Newegg has a Limit-10 for purchases... must be trying to clear stock for Something New.
by bgavin
Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:47 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Motherboard for E8400
Replies: 19
Views: 12751

I sold all my Gigabyte P35 stock after finding out about the long running, and chronic, (unsolved) DPC latency problems.

I moved to the ABit IP35 Pro and am entirely satisified with using this board for my clients' machines.
by bgavin
Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:50 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: High pitched screeching noise coming from computer - Not fan
Replies: 16
Views: 7874

It sounds like you might have a MOSFET singing away. This happens when it is dealing with a failing component, such as a shorting capacitor. I have this bug on a Dell board I have in for repair. Open the PSU and look carefully at the caps. If you have any bulging or leaking, or rounded tops, the PSU...
by bgavin
Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:45 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: scythe ninja or hr-01 plus?
Replies: 31
Views: 16747

I thought all the big Thermalright came with bolt-through as standard equipment?
by bgavin
Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:40 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: from push pin to bolt-thru -- how to get pushpins out?
Replies: 9
Views: 5327

Unfortunately, one does have to have the right tools for the job. One of those tools is a dental pick. If you are friendly with your dentist, as him for a few of his discarded picks. The typical dental office goes through them very quickly, so they always have used ones in the the junk drawer. These...
by bgavin
Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:30 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Antec P182 side panel
Replies: 17
Views: 8397

I bought a new P182 case, and the Reset switch is defective. They mailed me a replacement, no hassles.
by bgavin
Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:20 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: from push pin to bolt-thru -- how to get pushpins out?
Replies: 9
Views: 5327

If you are concerned about breaking the tab, soak the unit in hot water first. Plastic is much more foregiving if it is warmed up.

While removing pins from my Zipang bracket, I broke 1 of 4 pins. Patience is a virtue here.
by bgavin
Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:26 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Noctua NH-C12P: A Top-Down Cooler Rises to the Top
Replies: 55
Views: 42050

Excellent review, thanks. I started using Zipang, but soon found I had to replace the fan at extra expense. The $69.95 retail price puts the Noctua price-point modestly higher than Zipang + Fan + LGA-775 kit. The non-parallel mounting screw issue would really bother me after paying $70 for a premium...
by bgavin
Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:07 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: My squealy Corsair vx450
Replies: 9
Views: 5817

I have the same exact PSU, and mine is dead silent. I think yours is defective. Corsair seems to run a high number of DOA.
by bgavin
Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:16 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: new thermalright HTPC heatsink
Replies: 81
Views: 41696

:mrgreen:
by bgavin
Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:59 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Pentium D HSF for mATX board
Replies: 4
Views: 2610

I have the P4 830 which is an 84 watt TDP. It is still a hot running Prescott type. The test board is an Intel D915G series. The stock Intel cooler for this cpu is a copper slug type. It doesn't cool all that well, but it does an excellent job of cooling the surrounding VRM components. On my board, ...
by bgavin
Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:09 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Andy Samurai, Triton 75 or Zipang
Replies: 9
Views: 5449

Andy Samurai Dimensions Zipang Dimensions Shuriken Dimensions The Zipang installed height is 110mm with fan. The Andy looks to be 104mm without fan. This would make the Andy even taller than the Zipang. The Shuriken looks to be suitable. It is only 65mm installed height including the fan.
by bgavin
Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:00 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: scythe ninja or hr-01 plus?
Replies: 31
Views: 16747

Doh. The FrostyTech reference pointed right back to SPCR. Sorry for the circular reference. That will teach me to not count on memory... :shock: I was very impressed with how thorough this review was, and how well suited the Plus is for low flow cooling. It is also not as wide, which is a problem on...
by bgavin
Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:54 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Cooler for Vaio. Not much room.
Replies: 12
Views: 5104

The Thermalright bolt-through kit is under $10USD, and it will mount any cooler that uses push-pin mounting. Remove the push-pins, and use the bolts from the TR kit. On some clearances, such as my Zipang, this mounting is a pain in the butt because the screw heads have to be turned down with needle ...
by bgavin
Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:49 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: E8400(E3110) vs Q9300 vs Q9450 Power Consumption, Temps, etc
Replies: 27
Views: 35299

Re: Holy cow...

fri2219 wrote:Mine never gets above 30C, ever- it is running 2-4 Virtual Machines at any one time...
If you don't mind, how is your VM set up? I bought VMware 6 workstation, and just curious how well it performs with 4 VMs running.
by bgavin
Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:05 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Cooler for Vaio. Not much room.
Replies: 12
Views: 5104

Don't overlook the smaller down-drafts, such as the Scythe Andy Samurai and others. This might be a solution to your height problem. I suspect your 775 board has a backing plate attached, hence the screws on the cooler. This is a standard plate, and you can leave it in place, and use any of the Ther...
by bgavin
Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:55 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: scythe ninja or hr-01 plus?
Replies: 31
Views: 16747

Check out the new review at FrostyTech.com.