Search found 202 matches

by Pauli
Tue Nov 24, 2009 5:36 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Socket 1156 / mATX & Coolers
Replies: 2
Views: 2324

I just built a system with the Gigabyte P55M-UD2 and the XIGMATEK SD 1284 and it fits, but is very close to the Sapphire Radeon 4550 video card -- maybe a quarter-inch away.
by Pauli
Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:46 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: "Sweet spot" Intel System Check
Replies: 17
Views: 6772

Guess you'll have to update your signature, now :D Xigmatek: Is it not secure? What are your idle/load temps? Ok - sig updated. I guess the XIGMATEK is pretty secure -- when I try to move it around it seems pretty stable. It's just that it didn't seem like I had to tighten the screws very hard befo...
by Pauli
Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:28 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: "Sweet spot" Intel System Check
Replies: 17
Views: 6772

Thanks for the help everyone. The system seems to work fine and is very quiet. The XIGMA HSF fits pretty well, though I'm not sure about the spring loaded tension screws applying enough pressure, but I think it's OK. Otherwise, it's a nice fast and quiet system that should last me a long time.
by Pauli
Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:09 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: "Sweet spot" Intel System Check
Replies: 17
Views: 6772

Ok, I've ordered all of the components for the i5 system. I'll post after I have everything together and working.

hybrid - I'm going to try the XIGMA, but if it doesn't work out, I'll try the Coolermaster. Thanks for the heads up on the EIST problem -- I'll keep my eyes open for a new BIOS update.
by Pauli
Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:01 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: "Sweet spot" Intel System Check
Replies: 17
Views: 6772

Ok, after looking at i5 options, here is my proposed new setup: Case:Antec Solo (reusing from my current system) PSU: Nexus VALUE 430 ($80) Processor: Intel Core i5-750 ($200) HSF: XIGMATEK HDT-S1284EE 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler ($39) XIGMATEK ACK-I5363 Intel Core i7/Core i5 compatible Bracket Set ($8) ...
by Pauli
Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:04 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: "Sweet spot" Intel System Check
Replies: 17
Views: 6772

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. It looks like I definitely should go with a 4xxx video card. After checking out the options on Newegg, it looks like the SAPPHIRE 100252HDMI Radeon HD 4550 512MB is a good passive card for $40. I'm a bit concerned about overheating, though, as some reviews mentio...
by Pauli
Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:59 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: "Sweet spot" Intel System Check
Replies: 17
Views: 6772

"Sweet spot" Intel System Check

I've been out of the game for a while now -- my P4 2.8Ghz system is getting pretty long in the tooth and I need a new system for a 64-bit Windows 7 build. I don't game -- this system will be for programming, surfing, browsing, and some home video editing (maybe some HD in the near future). I'm looki...
by Pauli
Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:16 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Ninja [contact] surface looks defective
Replies: 14
Views: 6789

Doesn't look excessively high to me. Go ahead and clip that sucker in!
by Pauli
Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:47 pm
Forum: Green Computing
Topic: madness of 1080p
Replies: 71
Views: 50319

Consumerism creates jobs and stimulates economic and creative growth and causes an increase in productivity. Yes, this does put increased demands on the environment with waste disposal and whatnot, but these issues can and should be addressed as well (also opportunities for economic creativity). Tho...
by Pauli
Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:45 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Which 2 Buy? Samsung HD501LJ or Seagate 7200.11 500GB
Replies: 37
Views: 20023

All HDDs manufactured by Hitachi, Samsung and WD support AAM. That means, seek noise can be changed between noisy/performance & quiet/slightly_slower. I didn't know this yet. Thanks. But there really is 1,000,000,000 bytes in a gigabyte (shorted GB). 1,073,741,824 bytes make a gibibyte (shorted GiB...
by Pauli
Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:03 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Advice for mainboard + CPU capable of playing HDTV 1080p
Replies: 6
Views: 4007

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't HDTV signals limited to 1080i, not 1080p? My understanding is that only HDDVD and Blu-Ray are the only available signal sources for 1080p...
by Pauli
Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:47 pm
Forum: Newcomers Briefing Room
Topic: Does RAM speed affect temperature much?
Replies: 4
Views: 3426

The RAM runs at the FSB speed and divider setting. If you don't change the FSB (i.e. overclock), then the DDR2-800 and DDR2-667 run at the same speed and, therefore, will not run any hotter. Well, possibly if they are running at different CAS timings, there may be a very slight difference, but I wou...
by Pauli
Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:46 pm
Forum: User Reviews
Topic: Four 92mm fans reviewed with equal airflows (CFM)
Replies: 19
Views: 22187

Was it SilenX that used to be a bad word around here, or am I thinking of something else?
by Pauli
Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:50 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Keep it or sell it? Question over an old computer
Replies: 16
Views: 8117

Your most cost-effective solution is to donate it to the Salvation Army and take the writeoff, depending on your tax bracket. I doubt anybody would even give you $100 for that system. You could estimate the writeoff as $300 - $400 or so (I'm not a tax accountant, but I doubt the IRS would hassle any...
by Pauli
Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:07 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: The Terabyte Landmark: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000
Replies: 10
Views: 10650

C. Zoui wrote:...
For a user with my needs, HDD development has done little to impress over the past few years.
Obviously, you have not done any video editing. I assure you, recent advances in HDD development (dropping price, size and speed increases) are much appreciated by those of us that edit video.
by Pauli
Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:27 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: I want to be different, i dont want an Antec!
Replies: 32
Views: 13220

Am I the only one on these boards who doesn't give a crap what my computer looks like? Some of you guys really need to get a life...
by Pauli
Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:14 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: The grill at the lower back of the SOLO
Replies: 16
Views: 6699

...I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I'll buy a Solo for my next system, taping it off won't look good. I'm not sure why anybody would even care what the back of their computer case looks like, but you could simply cover the holes with clear packing tape (as previously mentioned). Clean and ef...
by Pauli
Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:21 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: Antec Solo [$20+$16 shipping=$36] DEAL IS OVER
Replies: 32
Views: 16924

pwnerx wrote:Anyone know how I can get my hands on an Antec Solo with cheap shipping to Hawaii 96817? I've looked everywhere and shipping is $40-80.
Due to the fact that you live in Hawaii, you are not entitled to good shipping deals. Nobody should be allowed to live in paradise AND have cheap shipping :wink:
by Pauli
Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:08 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Samsung HD400LD - low frequency hum
Replies: 3
Views: 2633

Is there enough room in the drive bays to place the drive on Sorbothane strips? That should reduce much of the vibration from the drive. That's the only problem with Samsung drives -- they tend to vibrate a bit stronger than other drives.
by Pauli
Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:31 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Another Vista Disappointment.
Replies: 10
Views: 4848

Mee too. However, by default, Vista runs a defrag once a week. I never noticed then it was running, perhaps that's the progress. It is in line with Windows philosophy: You shall know nothing, you shall not have preferences of your own, just let Uncle Microsoft take care of everything. This UAC for ...
by Pauli
Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:29 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Post your favorite bumper stickers here
Replies: 41
Views: 20395

beoba wrote:Image
I've always wondered what this one is about. What is it?
by Pauli
Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:31 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: looking for the quieter psu
Replies: 22
Views: 9681

A HTPC doesnt need to be absolutely quiet, actually it can make substantially more noise than an office PC because the sound level in the living room will be higher with a movie or music on... It's still smart to keep the noise level -down- tho, but I wouldnt bother with a passive psu for a HTPC. N...
by Pauli
Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:57 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Tom's a bad source for info...
Replies: 16
Views: 12430

What other sites would you guys recommend as better alternatives for tomshardware? SilentPCReview for one. :wink: Anandtech is better, though I haven't been reading there much since I discovered SPCR. Anandtech was probably the 2nd popular tech site after Tom's and it quickly stole much of its audi...
by Pauli
Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:28 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: New System - AAM Problem
Replies: 8
Views: 5947

AAM is completely independent of the motherboard; it's either embedded in the drive or it's not. The Hitachi tool for AAM management runs in DOS off a floppy or CD. Not all drives allow AAM adjustments. Some are either turned off or on, w/no change possible. Usually if not adjustable, it's off or n...
by Pauli
Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:07 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Recent Samsung drive failure rates?
Replies: 51
Views: 33901

Had the same model drive fail on me last year within about 3-4 months of buying it. First and last Samsung. Vendor replaced it w/ a 160 GB WD that I sold in my last PC, and it performed flawlessly for the year I owned it (and still is as far as I know). Have a Seagate 7200.9 in my current PC, which...
by Pauli
Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:55 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Tom's a bad source for info...
Replies: 16
Views: 12430

In my mind, Tom's has been irrelevant for more than 10 years now. It was the first big popular enthusiast site, and I appreciated it back then, but it started sucking within a year or two after it started and has continued to suck for all of this time.
by Pauli
Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:51 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: New System - AAM Problem
Replies: 8
Views: 5947

I have read on other websites a couple of months ago that some of the newer Asus MBs are not able to set the AAM on hard drives. I can't remember which sites and I'm not really willing to look this up, but perhaps you can google for it. Or maybe somebody else here can confirm this.
by Pauli
Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:16 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Bluefront (almost) gets DSL ......
Replies: 14
Views: 6814

I didn't think anyone was still on dialup these days. Wow, I've had broadband access in one form or another for almost 10 years now. Sorry it didn't work out for you Bluefront.
by Pauli
Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:41 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Dilemna between Scythe Ninja & Thermalright Ultra!
Replies: 15
Views: 6682

Q6600 G0 stepping stone
???
by Pauli
Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:06 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Which Seagate Drive is quieter
Replies: 6
Views: 5243

I have an 80GB Barracuda IV from a few years back. It's not particularly quiet. As always, your mileage may vary when it comes to hard disks. I would get something new and current rather than hope you get a quiet old hard drive.