I have no idea why it takes so lon when alt-tabbed out of a game, unless you've really not got enough RAM. I rarely have to wait even 5 seconds when doing that stuff--OpenOffice.org on Windows excepted, of course--and that's when it does have to swap from the HDD (and if that's happening for more th...

If multitasking is a problem, and you've got enough RAM, then there are three basic ways to help: 1. Do some Googling for RAM settings tweaks. IIRC, XP paging things out so much can be minimized by some registry tweaking (I still run Win2k :)). 2. If you don't have dual-core (you've not given full s...

The HDD isn't much of a bootup bottleneck. It is to some degree, but not enough to be worth the trouble, typically (for multitasking, yes, but bootup, no). Your best bet for fast boots is to use an OS that can do fast boots (not Windows 2k/XP, not FC, not Ubuntu) without much trouble. I used Source ...

In a E4252, a front case fan undervolted as low as it will start up reliably should do the job, if it's mounted in or near the cages. Generally, though, exhaust is enough for the job in that case.

http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=18368
"The Hand Tool Solution"

A pair of dikes might work, too; then just file or scrape down the rough edges.

If it can be mounted in any direction, yes. I did not see any mounting equipment, though. If it can be mounted any direction, it would offer a good, if costly, alternative to Zalman's NB series on boards where the chip that needs cooling is very close to a card (usually video).

I would not think stress would ne an issue. While it is off-center, if it attaches by screws or a wire clip , rather than push-pins, it should be help in place well enough.

My greatest concern would be how it mounts, and whether or not it gets in the way of stuff on many motherboards.

Blood,Sweat & Tears [3] 09 Somethin' Comin' On

It depends on the design. You could easily get away with 1-2 fans if you made the air flow follow a U-shaped path, or a couple front->back paths. If you make totally separate compartments (or have them made for you, like in many drive mounts, or cases where a deep video card 'cuts' the space), you'l...

The LM555 was looking to become a fairly interesting circuit for what I needed (one-shot, non-precision delay), by the time the potential bugs got worked out. The transistor delay thing still just plain confuses me. I got it working with a RC circuit with a relay: +12v->2200uF cap->~170Ohm resistor ...

Now that I've gotten around to it: 6v for mine.

For temperature reading, it's hard to beat Rivatuner, with a nice graph. You also get a matching history of speeds, so you can see if it throttled.

Hehe, yeah. Most fit on S370, but some are odd, and the clip twists a little (two flanges, more pressure on the chip?). If you build other computers, a SI-97A would be worth a shot--if it fails, it can go into any AMD system (sockets 462, 754, 939, not sure about AM2).

Include the HDD, but don't be over-zealous. Unlike the CPU, it just needs non-stagnant air. You don't necessarily need to duct any of it--it depends on the size deisgn. Just make sure you have the air pathway(s) as unobstructed as possible, except by things that need the cooling. Also, you might wis...

Closed-case testing and results Athlon XP 1800+, stock. Yate Loon 120mm from Fortron PSU (specs on the model vary on noise level) at 5v, Nexus 120mm at 5v, Panaflo 80mm at 5v (see previous posts for config details). I used Speedfan for case and CPU temps. BurnK7 used for heating CPU. 3Dmark05 was u...

I have conquered the NV SIlencer! While I gave up on the SIlencer, just a few days ago, I then realized what I needed to do to fix the problem. So, here's what happened: I had tried refitting 80mm fans on the Silencer, and adding ducting, and decoupling the fans to some degree. However, the plastic...

1. You might be able to find a case to rob the tray out of. This could also make cutting the case easier. Else (like if you want it low profile), just space it from the MDF. If you're concerned with case grounding, space it with standoffs, and attach wires to the standoffs that all connect to the PS...

All current products are dead-ends. A new motherboard, and possibly memory, are just part of any upgrade, now. Just make sure a new PSU you get has 20+4 power and a PCI-E video connector, and get whatever else will do for right now, since the case, drives, and PSU are the only things with any poten...

The WhisperRock is fairly good (I've used the IV a few times), and you can swap fans if you want/need to. Not quiet by SPCR standards, but not bad, and with the ability to go with any 80mm fan, it's a versatile cheap option. The 80mm fan bit is also nice, because several of my buddies in dorms have ...

The 9600 Pro will get a little better performance than a GF4, so ont bad at all in comparison. For DX9 games, or if you're doing a lot of texture swapping, it will be much, much faster. It will beat the crap out of that FX 5200, too. Photoshop does not use the video card for processing. Using IGP is...

Zalman ZM80D-HP, or maybe Aerocool VM-101. The Aerocool may or may not work (they do not claim anything older than a GF4 as working), but the Zalman is a PITA to install (have patience with it!).

Thermaltake's solution may work, too, but it doesn't look much easier than the Zalman.

That's mastercard. Just Google for many funny and often NSFW parodies.

Nexus, 7v. It did not start having problems starting at 5v until about a month ago. I have not tried testing at 6v.

I'll do my best. When that doesn't work, I'll convince myself I need something better, and find a PIC(axe?) solution, thus starting over again :). After all, this basically started with thinking I could make a set of 12v/7v/5v switches... Or just spend a few bucks on a totally automatic solution su...

I'll do my best. When that doesn't work, I'll convince myself I need something better, and find a PIC(axe?) solution, thus starting over again . After all, this basically started with thinking I could make a set of 12v/7v/5v switches...

1. Speedfan means PWM. I'd rather just stay away from PWM, after trying it w/ my Panaflo. 2. Speedfan is a Windows application, which means learning at least two software packages, assuming there is only one competent choice in Linux. 3.A. That's a solid minute until they slow down, assuming I stay ...

I may let my inner geek get to it earlier than necessary (and mountable). I can get known necessary parts, extras for testing, and parts to try a handful of delay on circuits; yet not hit $30 shipped from Futurlec. Mmmm, temptation.

Thanks. I'll get back here after sufficient Googling.

I think it's possible to calculate precisely the right capacitor value. I do not remember how, but I think you should use the capacitor charge/discharge formula. They didn't buy back my Intro Physics II book--it's in there somewhere :). The question is really, will it be as simple as measuring the ...

cmthomson: cheap would basically be under $40 and not more than double the cost of parts to make one. That's an interesting product, and I would definitely consider it for any builds for others, but...I want a knob :), and 5v as a nominal maximum, not minimum. dCrypt: oh, yeah...*smacks forehead* Ba...