Search found 121 matches

by Sam Williams
Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:12 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Passive PCIe dual DVI w/o modding?
Replies: 6
Views: 3960

Gigabyte has such a card: GV-NX66T256D
Thanks for the info, PositiveSpin. I've ordered the GV-NX66T256D from scan.co.uk this evening - I'll post some views here once I've taken it for a spin.
by Sam Williams
Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:23 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Passive PCIe dual DVI w/o modding?
Replies: 6
Views: 3960

That card looks good to me, BoB. I may buy one for my new Pentium-M system.

For anyone else interested, there's at least one UK source for this card. £87 seems reasonable...
by Sam Williams
Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:57 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Seasonic S12-430 - non-standard wiring / connectors?
Replies: 2
Views: 1826

The missing pin is for -5V, which is no longer used. Aha! Thanks for that - the veil of ignorance is (partially) lifted. Sounds like you are confusing the 2x12V 4-pin plug with the extra 4-pin extension to change the 20-pin main connector into 24-pins. Exactly right, Mike... To be honest, I hadn't ...
by Sam Williams
Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:15 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Seasonic S12-430 - non-standard wiring / connectors?
Replies: 2
Views: 1826

Seasonic S12-430 - non-standard wiring / connectors?

My new build went very smoothly this weekend - thanks for all the advice, everyone - and I'm up and running, enjoying the speed and finding the minimum stable Vcore for my Pentium-M. More on the system once I've finished building it up. I was hoping to use a newly-purchased Seasonic S12-430 in the s...
by Sam Williams
Sun Sep 11, 2005 2:35 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Help requested with Pentium-M / P180 system
Replies: 2
Views: 2391

Hmmm... Intriguing - thanks pipperoni. On closer examination, the Pentium-M route seems to carry a hefty cost premium. I've been checking out Athlon 64-based bundles at similar price points, and it seems hard to justify the premium for the -M system. I think I need to put some more time into researc...
by Sam Williams
Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:56 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Logitech UltraX - Nice silent keyboard
Replies: 164
Views: 144038

UltraX USB variant

Hi... Can anyone confirm the existence of the elusive USB variant of the UltraX keyboard? One poster has mentioned buying it, but I can't find it on sale anywhere. I'd be very grateful for a link to a retailer - preferably in the UK, but I'll take one anywhere else - who carries it. My imminent syst...
by Sam Williams
Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:24 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Help requested with Pentium-M / P180 system
Replies: 2
Views: 2391

Help requested with Pentium-M / P180 system

Hi all... It's been a while. I've been very happy with my 2001-vintage sytem, based on an Athlon 1.0 GHz, since silencing it using tips collected in this forum. It still runs like clockwork. However, the time has come for more pace and power. Here is my plan so far: CPU: Intel Pentium-M 760 2.0 GHz ...
by Sam Williams
Sat Apr 02, 2005 9:44 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Dual xp-120 extreme could be nice with dual nexus 120s.
Replies: 3
Views: 2351

Welcome to SPCR!

That seems a bit extreme... Surely one XP-120 should be enough for anyone! Still, it'd be nice to see temperature data.
by Sam Williams
Sat Apr 02, 2005 4:47 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: New A64 system, quiet and value for money
Replies: 23
Views: 9880

Welcome to SPCR! Those choices look pretty good... I would consider the following: 1. Order only one Nexus 120mm, and grab a Fanmate for it. You really shouldn't need all that much airflow in the 3000B with these components, but if you buy two, you'll be tempted to use two. 2. The XP-90/Nexus CPU c...
by Sam Williams
Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:08 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: How do I silence my 1000VA Trust UPS?
Replies: 17
Views: 9677

I've no profound insights to offer, but where is the unit currently? The noise from my SmartUPS is quite directional. Try placing the unit under your desk, next to the rear wall, and try rotating it. You might be able to damp it quite well by 'aiming' the loudest face at your wall and fixing some ac...
by Sam Williams
Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:38 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: How do I silence my 1000VA Trust UPS?
Replies: 17
Views: 9677

Hi, and welcome to SPCR. :) Is your UPS a new unit? Anecdotally, they seem to grow louder with age. My four-year-old APC SmartUPS is the loudest component in my system - mostly something which sounds like transformer buzz (the 'low humming sound' you described), but also fan noise. Unfortunately, th...
by Sam Williams
Sat Feb 19, 2005 1:57 am
Forum: Notebook Systems
Topic: IBM Thinkpad X40 - This is a silent notebook.
Replies: 1
Views: 4245

I've used my friend's X40 quite a bit. daba, you're absolutely right: the keyboard is right up there with the best I've tried. It's very quiet, too. What's even more outstanding about the X40 is the build quality, which is instantly appreciable on handling. I've never seen such a well-constructed no...
by Sam Williams
Sat Feb 19, 2005 1:49 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Why is noise noisy?
Replies: 12
Views: 6016

Welcome to SPCR! In my experience, the more constant the sound, the easier it is to ignore on a conscious level. Many SPCR regulars go to great lengths to prevent their PSUs from 'cycling' up and down, partly for this reason: a change in pitch 'announces' the presence of the device afresh. That said...
by Sam Williams
Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:09 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Logitech UltraX - Nice silent keyboard
Replies: 164
Views: 144038

im abit upset Sad cause i broke my ultrax. Spilt tea on it, but it still worked althought the keys were sticky so i took all the keys off to clean but being based on laptop keys, their hinges are very delicate and i broke one - the left shift one and its made it all hideous for typing! Sad. Ah well...
by Sam Williams
Mon Nov 08, 2004 1:59 am
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Quiet 60MM Fan - Does One Exist?
Replies: 36
Views: 37679

Are you *sure* there's no way you can modify the case to accept an 80mm fan?

Come on... Your Dremel would love a piece of that action.
by Sam Williams
Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:39 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Ralf Hutter's P4C Quiet Rig
Replies: 180
Views: 228570

Thanks Ralf, that's great.

Of course, the downside is that I may end up having to buy a whole new system to reach that level of neatness...
by Sam Williams
Tue Oct 26, 2004 11:54 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Ralf Hutter's P4C Quiet Rig
Replies: 180
Views: 228570

Hey Ralf, please could you fix the images in your initial post? I'm thinking of trying my hand at the old cablegami this weekend and it'd be helpful to have the genuine article to refer to :)
by Sam Williams
Sun Oct 24, 2004 4:24 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Turning drives on and off
Replies: 9
Views: 4030

How about just letting Windows power management do it's job and spin down the HDD after being idle for a pre-defined amount of time? YMMV, but I haven't found it to work very well. The drive spins down alright, but there always seems to be some process or other which wants to access it. The drive e...
by Sam Williams
Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:03 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Recommend a Silent Mouse and Keyboard?
Replies: 481
Views: 816680

Glad you like it! Hmm... If anything, the space bar is the -quietest- key for me during typing. I have a really fat thumb too, but I've just realised that my thumb tends to remain in light contact with the space bar while I'm in the middle of a word, so I just -push- the space bar, rather than ever ...
by Sam Williams
Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:01 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Recommend a Silent Mouse and Keyboard?
Replies: 481
Views: 816680

Just an update: I've been using the UltraX for over nine months now and still love it. Last week though, I added a Logitech MX 1000 to the equation and my man-machine interface is at a whole new level. The look and feel of both devices are wonderful, and they're a great match for each other. No more...
by Sam Williams
Sun Oct 10, 2004 2:55 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: How often do you change your main system?
Replies: 2
Views: 3737

How often do you change your main system?

Recently, I've come to realise that I'll be keeping my current system (built in 2001) for at least another twelve months, mainly through lack of money. That'll make it over four years old by the time it's replaced. I wonder how often other SPCR members change their main system... And if you're holdi...
by Sam Williams
Sat Oct 02, 2004 11:57 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Dell's are still as quiet as mine.
Replies: 8
Views: 4304

Sounds like there's plenty of room for improvement in your system. Can you list the major sources of noise, with brand/model details?
by Sam Williams
Sun Sep 19, 2004 7:17 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Recommend a Silent Mouse and Keyboard?
Replies: 481
Views: 816680

So, Ralf (or for that matter, anyone who owns both):

Can you describe in brief the differences between the PSK5000 and the UltraX, and pick an overall winner?

I'd really appreciate a head-to-head comparison.
by Sam Williams
Sun Sep 19, 2004 2:19 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: What else can I do to silence my computer?
Replies: 65
Views: 40717

If those drives support SMART, install DTemp and check your drive temps. I'd second that. My own silencing project left me with dangerously hot HDDs (>50C). I now have a slow Panaflo exclusively blowing air straight at the underside of my drive; that keeps it within a degree of the case temperature...
by Sam Williams
Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:53 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Logitech MX-1000 Mouse - NOISY CLICKING!!!
Replies: 34
Views: 14331

Lasers, eh? My Microshaft Wireless Optical Blue is really showing its age now.

I'll probably wait until the laser system filters down to 2- and 3-button mice; I once had a multi-button mouse and nearly blew out a brain lobe.
by Sam Williams
Sun Aug 29, 2004 6:14 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Hi, I bought a new quiet system
Replies: 4
Views: 3054

Ah, great... Always a relief to know there's still scope for tinkering when That Feeling sets in. :)
by Sam Williams
Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:54 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Hi, I bought a new quiet system
Replies: 4
Views: 3054

Welcome back, hotshot! I've been away too, actually. I'm glad you're happy with the new system. It sounds great - low temperatures, low noise, plenty of power... One cautionary word: you -may- find that, as time goes by, the 'little whoosh' you find barely noticeable now may come to blacken your ver...
by Sam Williams
Sat Aug 28, 2004 12:29 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Search For Quiet keyboard is OVER!!
Replies: 16
Views: 7448

Good point, mpteach... After all, footballers have fans and make noise 24/7, and look at all the attention they get! :D

:D

...


...

Right - I'll get my coat. Again.
by Sam Williams
Sat Aug 28, 2004 11:44 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: PC always on... How much will it be the electricity bill?
Replies: 14
Views: 6775

Great question. I'd love to know myself. [two minutes later] Hmmm... I've just found a good Google Answer at http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=330169 Apparently a good 'typical' figure is between 80-85 watts. That's about two kilowatt-hours a day, or 60 kW/h a month. In the UK, the cur...
by Sam Williams
Sat Aug 28, 2004 4:13 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: Radical Sony VAIO RA-104
Replies: 8
Views: 6027

According to http://www.vaio.net/models/desktops/r/tour.html, the price tag does exclude the monitor.

So: very serious money for real power, exotic looks and exotic cooling... Sony's answer to the Power Mac G5, isn't it?