Search found 1728 matches

by smilingcrow
Wed May 09, 2018 3:43 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Current state of fan control with Intel platform!
Replies: 27
Views: 28548

Re: Current state of fan control with Intel platform!

These are my experiences with some mobos, MSI Z370 Gaming M5 Superb bios fan control, all headers are switchable on the bios (PWM/DC), 4 breakpoint graph to detail your fan curve, no limits per header you can go as low as your fans can and if they were capable of stopping the mobo will be aswell. I...
by smilingcrow
Wed May 09, 2018 3:21 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Current state of fan control with Intel platform!
Replies: 27
Views: 28548

Re: Current state of fan control with Intel platform!

BrianF wrote:So what did you go with in the end?
I'm looking at the finer details and was hoping to order for delivery on Friday but it looks like it will be a bit later.
I'm going Z370 as of now.
by smilingcrow
Sun May 06, 2018 1:52 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Silent with a 65W CPU?
Replies: 9
Views: 8683

Re: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Silent with a 65W CPU?

If you like the read on SPCR on the kotetsu, you should also read the SPCR Scythe Ninja 4: A Legend Reborn it will make you want to buy it. I still think any of the coolers above are very similar and equally worth in terms of good value with good performance and can quietly cool todays cpus to our ...
by smilingcrow
Sat May 05, 2018 2:05 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Current state of fan control with Intel platform!
Replies: 27
Views: 28548

Re: Current state of fan control with Intel platform!

Thanks all. This would give you a setup where neither CPU or case fans run under idle conditions. In the absence of a graphics card then potentially the only other source of fan noise would then be the PSU. I’ve never been concerned about using fans in a true silent build and have usually had 3 fans...
by smilingcrow
Sat May 05, 2018 1:47 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Silent with a 65W CPU?
Replies: 9
Views: 8683

Re: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Silent with a 65W CPU?

212 EVO would probably provide decent cooling, but it's stock fan may not meet your expectations..and if you add a decent PWM fan, it'll approach the cost of more effective coolers. Finally, it might be tough cooling an i7 quietly. That’s the niggling doubt in the back of my mind in terms of noise....
by smilingcrow
Sat May 05, 2018 1:36 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Silent with a 65W CPU?
Replies: 9
Views: 8683

Re: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Silent with a 65W CPU?

Thanks All. The Hyper 212 EVO is a budget cooler. The main issue is that it has a 600 to 1600/2000 rpm fan (top speed varies in different markets). Idle speed is likely to be around 700 rpm and if this fits your definition of silent then it's not a problem. 600 to 700 rpm is not inherently a problem...
by smilingcrow
Sat May 05, 2018 1:16 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Intel i5-8400 stock cooler vs. ?
Replies: 14
Views: 19353

Re: Intel i5-8400 stock cooler vs. ?

The fan on the evo is not that great, the cooler is alright nothing to brag about, but i would invest $6 more and get the Scythe Kotetsu , better fan, better mounting, more robust cooler and reviewed and recommended by SPCR Scythe Kotetsu CPU Cooler: A Compact King Thanks. The review makes it sound...
by smilingcrow
Sat May 05, 2018 8:59 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Silent with a 65W CPU?
Replies: 9
Views: 8683

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Silent with a 65W CPU?

I’m building a system which will include a Fractal Design S case and an i5-8400 and looking for an inexpensive cooler that can run silently in that using the stock fan. Assume the case fans will be silent for the purposes of this scenario. I think it has a PWM type fan which I’ve never used before s...
by smilingcrow
Sat May 05, 2018 8:52 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Intel i5-8400 stock cooler vs. ?
Replies: 14
Views: 19353

Re: Intel i5-8400 stock cooler vs. ?

Any recommendations for a good value Heatsink/Fan that can cool an i5-8400 65W silently?

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO!
by smilingcrow
Sat May 05, 2018 8:26 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Current state of fan control with Intel platform!
Replies: 27
Views: 28548

Re: Current state of fan control with Intel platform!

Thanks for the replies. I’m considering a H370 board as they are a bit cheaper and have native Intel USB 10Gbs support. The Gigabyte one looks reasonable to me although it doesn’t have DP or HDMI 2.x so no proper 4K support. It seems unlikely I will move to 4K from my 32” 2560x1440 screen and I coul...
by smilingcrow
Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:26 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Current state of fan control with Intel platform!
Replies: 27
Views: 28548

Current state of fan control with Intel platform!

I'm out of the loop and looking at building a system with an Intel Z370 chipset and I usually use Asus or Gigabyte or maybe ASRock at a push but wary of MSI from past experiences. Will probably be running 2 or possibly 3 fans in total including the CPU and prefer the flexibility of having both volta...
by smilingcrow
Thu Mar 10, 2016 2:37 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: AMD Wraith: Upgraded Stock Cooler
Replies: 26
Views: 50948

Re: AMD Wraith: Upgraded Stock Cooler

You release a new heatsink and marketing focuses on how quiet it is yet it has a shroud fitted that increases the noise level and the manufacturing cost but hey it gives marketing another place to stick an AMD logo so that’s good right? Maybe they have got carried away after all the rebranding of RA...
by smilingcrow
Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:36 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction
Replies: 29
Views: 64478

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

Also designing & building a new TT from Thorens 150 parts -- retaining just the motor, belt, main bearing & platter. That name takes me back to my Thorens TD 160 BC if I recall the full name correctly. Sold it when I sold my vinyl collection around 96. I bet some of my close to mint 70s Fusion LPs ...
by smilingcrow
Fri Feb 27, 2015 5:11 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: should intel go big core.little core like arm?
Replies: 24
Views: 17562

Re: should intel go big core.little core like arm?

When you look how little power a current generation Ultrabook can sip at idle I wonder how much room there is for improvement?
Saving a few hundred mW in a phone Soc is worthwhile but in a laptop CPU probably not worth the effort.
by smilingcrow
Thu Jan 08, 2015 2:27 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?
Replies: 7
Views: 8111

Re: Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?

IMPORTANT:
The 24 pin power socket is right next to the RAM slots so if you want to use the optional cable to add further outputs to the PicoPSU you will have to use fairly low profile RAM.
This is the sort of cable I mean:
http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT- ... sion-cable
by smilingcrow
Thu Jan 08, 2015 7:48 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Cooler Master Elite 110 and 2.5" HDDs
Replies: 3
Views: 4195

Re: Cooler Master Elite 110 and 2.5" HDDs

Decided not to go with the Elite but thanks for the input.
by smilingcrow
Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:39 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?
Replies: 7
Views: 8111

Re: Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?

It's working fine although I had early teething problems as both of my 8GB Corsair RAM kits failed Memtest in dual channel mode with the Asus + Pico combo. I was alerted by the Windows install failing when using an ISO direct from MS so ran Memtest as a check. After trying various combinations of mo...
by smilingcrow
Tue Jan 06, 2015 1:14 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Cooler Master Elite 110 and 2.5" HDDs
Replies: 3
Views: 4195

Cooler Master Elite 110 and 2.5" HDDs

I'm considering this case but it has very limited options for HDD mounting so am wondering if it can mount a single 2.5" 5,400 rpm HDD in silence; assuming the drive is quiet enough to start with.
The mounting options do concern me regarding vibration especially.
I'll be using a Samsung M9T 2TB.
by smilingcrow
Mon Jan 05, 2015 3:20 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy Ed.
Replies: 48
Views: 80751

Re: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy E

Thanks again Mike. I think I'll go with a Phenom as it's for a 100W system so its ventilation/cooling issue doesn't matter. For a sub-100W system, why bother with such cases? Footprint is way too big, imo, unless you can justify it for a discrete VGA card. I'd go with something way smaller -- maybe...
by smilingcrow
Mon Jan 05, 2015 2:56 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy Ed.
Replies: 48
Views: 80751

Re: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy E

The ITX version appeals more for a system without a dGPU as I like the horizontal mobo. Get the mATX instead, smilingcrow: the lack of ventilation is appalling on the mITX, while you'd have a 20cm intake on the floor of the mATX, besides I see no advantage having an horizontal mobo, do you? In a sy...
by smilingcrow
Mon Jan 05, 2015 1:32 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy Ed.
Replies: 48
Views: 80751

Re: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy E

Thanks Mike. How did it look with the wobbly bits removed in terms of finish rather than the aesthetics of the shape? I suppose it then lacked feet and it has an air intake on the bottom so do you think it's practical to house this on a carpet in its 'naked' state? from the article: As there are ho...
by smilingcrow
Mon Jan 05, 2015 2:23 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy Ed.
Replies: 48
Views: 80751

Re: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy E

How tall is the case with the wobbly bits removed? Don't think we actually measured, but since the external height is spec'd at 404mm (16"), and the internal at 310mm (12.25"), the upper and lower plastic bits add at least 3" in total height. Probably ~12.5" w/o wobbly bits. Thanks Mike. How did it...
by smilingcrow
Sun Jan 04, 2015 1:18 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy Ed.
Replies: 48
Views: 80751

Re: Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #3: BitFenix Prodigy E

How tall is the case with the wobbly bits removed?
by smilingcrow
Tue Dec 16, 2014 5:37 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: PicoPSU 160: 96W Max, 180W peak; real world implication?
Replies: 4
Views: 4550

Re: PicoPSU 160: 96W Max, 180W peak; real world implication?

edh wrote:The 12V is a pass through line from the AC-DC power brick which means it is quite possible to go over spec on the 12V and not have a problem.
There surely will be a limit otherwise they'd rate it for higher which would be a selling point!
by smilingcrow
Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:56 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: PicoPSU 160: 96W Max, 180W peak; real world implication?
Replies: 4
Views: 4550

PicoPSU 160: 96W Max, 180W peak; real world implication?

There’s a very large difference between the Max and Peak amps on the 12V line so what is a realistic real world maximum for sustained load?

http://resources.mini-box.com/online/PW ... manual.pdf
by smilingcrow
Thu Dec 11, 2014 9:16 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Quiet Mini-ITX Gamer Build Guide
Replies: 56
Views: 56171

Re: Quiet Mini-ITX Gamer Build Guide

Mats wrote:According to the manual:
DO NOT forget to connect the 4-pin/8-pin EATX12V power plug. Otherwise, the system will not boot.
Thanks for that. I wouldn't take that as being definitive as it could just be a generic phrase they use for all motherboards to cover both possibilities.
by smilingcrow
Thu Dec 11, 2014 5:36 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?
Replies: 7
Views: 8111

Re: Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?

Second thoughts: I've found a specialist mini-PC supplier that show compatibility so I'll double check with them.
by smilingcrow
Thu Dec 11, 2014 5:06 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Quiet Mini-ITX Gamer Build Guide
Replies: 56
Views: 56171

Re: Quiet Mini-ITX Gamer Build Guide

Will the ASUS Z97I-PLUS which has an 8 pin power socket work with a PicoPSU 160 which has a 4 pin adapter? I understand that some boards with an 8 pin socket do work with 4 pin adapters and some don't! All the ones we've tried work fine. I doubt there's any sensor on the 8-pin plug which tells the ...
by smilingcrow
Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:59 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?
Replies: 7
Views: 8111

Re: Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?

Thanks, that sounds promising.
by smilingcrow
Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:57 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?
Replies: 7
Views: 8111

Will an ASUS Z97I-PLUS work with a PicoPSU?

Will the ASUS Z97I-PLUS which has an 8 pin power socket work with a PicoPSU 160 which has a 4 pin adapter?
I understand that some boards with an 8 pin socket do work with 4 pin adapters and some don't!