Search found 114 matches

by PositiveSpin
Sun May 14, 2006 5:16 pm
Forum: Notebook Systems
Topic: Laptop Carrying bag advise? (OT not quiet related)
Replies: 6
Views: 8355

Forgot to add - for your 17" laptop they have plenty of options: School Hymn 17 - padded sleeve to put laptop into another bag Skivvy 17 - minimalist padded bag for laptop carrying without other stuff Dreadful Embarrassment - padded sleeve plus lots of carrying space and there are others - those are...
by PositiveSpin
Sun May 14, 2006 5:06 pm
Forum: Notebook Systems
Topic: Laptop Carrying bag advise? (OT not quiet related)
Replies: 6
Views: 8355

I can strongly recommend the Crumpler range of laptop bags - they have bags for pretty much every need (other than hardsided leather or metal!). All Crumpler bags are made from heavy-duty nylon fabric, strongly stitched, very high quality finish. Their laptop compartments are well padded, and their ...
by PositiveSpin
Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:14 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: I'm looking for a very quiet/silent UPS
Replies: 14
Views: 8431

I have four APC SmartUPS 1500VA in the shoebox style. They are very quiet normally, but once a week they switch to battery (it's a self-test thing) for a minute. While on battery they are loudish (fan noise mostly, plus a clunk as they switch) - it can be a bit startling the first time it happens. T...
by PositiveSpin
Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:02 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Most compact power supply JUST for hard drives
Replies: 9
Views: 5010

Using an ATX power supply may be problematic - some of them aren't stable unless there's a draw on the 3.3V line as well as the 12V and 5V lines. For that matter, some of them expect a minimum draw on the 12V line that may be higher than you'll be pulling. Make sure you check the minimum draw specs ...
by PositiveSpin
Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:42 pm
Forum: Notebook Systems
Topic: The Samsung solid state notebook....
Replies: 2
Views: 4619

Initially I thought this was an April Fool's joke - the idea of a solid-state notebook seems a little far-fetched at the moment. I Googled for it, though, and I think I have an answer for you. Samsung aren't releasing a solid state notebook. They've announced a product which is being touted as a "so...
by PositiveSpin
Thu Mar 30, 2006 4:26 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Thermalright XP-120 vs SI-120
Replies: 18
Views: 7753

:shock: A 4-5C difference? Wow. I wonder if someone can explain that to me, because right now it doesn't make any sense. I'm not arguing with the results, however. The XP120 has the fan blowing into a somewhat closed space - the air must blow in, then make a right-angle turn and exit sideways, all ...
by PositiveSpin
Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:46 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Quick question on P150 drive installation
Replies: 1
Views: 1780

For a loose fit a half twist will do - having no twist at all will result in the drive not being held in place and falling out when moving the machine. For a firm fit a full twist is better - have top back on top, bottom back on bottom. All the above applies to 3.5" drives. For 2.5" drives multiple ...
by PositiveSpin
Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:11 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: 2005 SPCR Readers' Choice Components Award
Replies: 15
Views: 8816

Should we have a category for fans?
by PositiveSpin
Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:10 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: 2005 SPCR Readers' Choice Components Award
Replies: 15
Views: 8816

I think the Scythe Ninja wins in a walkover, but I'd vote the the Antec P150 over the P180 (and I have one P150 and three P180s, so I know both). The video card category goes to the NVidia 7800GTX chip (lots of cards) - amazingly quiet in normal operation, but awesome 3D (admittedly, not quiet in ga...
by PositiveSpin
Sun Jan 01, 2006 8:59 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: How much your monthly salary/earning?
Replies: 25
Views: 16916

In Australia it's usually regarded as impolite to discuss salary with anyone but quite close friends. There are exceptions, though.
by PositiveSpin
Sat Dec 31, 2005 10:07 am
Forum: Consumer Advocacy
Topic: Antec Neo HE PSU Users Poll
Replies: 355
Views: 630550

Antec P150 + Neo HE 430 (in case) - sorry, don't have serial number to hand ASUS P5-LD2 + P4 3.4GHz + Seagate 7200.7 + 2Gb Corsair + 7800 GTX Built machine, powered up fine, installed XP Pro. Has worked without problems for limited testing. Not run any games or burn in yet (no time...), but no sign ...
by PositiveSpin
Tue Dec 27, 2005 4:28 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Are 8cm CDs/DVDs much quieter than 12cm ones?
Replies: 8
Views: 4504

DVDs are quieter because they spin more slowly, I believe. I've burned both DVDs and CDs in the 8cm sizes - they are more conveniently pocket-sized. Can't say I've noticed them being quieter, but I don't regard burning or reading optical discs as a "quiet moment". I usually have the drive silent bec...
by PositiveSpin
Sun Dec 25, 2005 3:28 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Modding the Zalman 9500 Heatsink
Replies: 40
Views: 41297

I'd strongly recommend the second arrangement - have the air flowing in a single direction (towards the rear of the case). The first arrangement will result in considerable turbulence and consequent noise. I'm not sure that you need both fans (consider all the discussions of push-pull effects) - you...
by PositiveSpin
Sun Dec 11, 2005 7:59 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Is there a simple way to remove double side tape on P180 PSU
Replies: 14
Views: 6441

Most of them are the same...

Most of the goo removers use the same basic ingredient - orange/citrus oil. It's a by-product of orange juice manufacturing (pressed from the orange skins), which amuses me. It's a marvellous solvent for sticky stuff, yet it's harmless to most plastics (unlike many of the nastier solvents...). Just ...
by PositiveSpin
Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:55 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Best fan combo with the Scythe Ninja?
Replies: 14
Views: 6228

While we're talking about the Ninja and attaching a Nexus, does anyone else have a problem with the new wire clips? I'm concerned that the clips are not lying smoothly in the cutaways on the fins - top and bottom are engaged, but the clip bows in the middle. The new wire clips at the ones designed t...
by PositiveSpin
Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:34 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: P180 PSU recommendation
Replies: 37
Views: 16787

I have a Stacker - it's OK for a server that lives in another room with the door shut :-) It's able to hold a lot of hard drives (I have 10 in mine) but it's a pain to work on - removing the motherboard tray requires undoing 19 screws (I am NOT exaggerating - I counted them!). I much prefer the P180...
by PositiveSpin
Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:08 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Once you go black do you ever go back?
Replies: 14
Views: 6301

Avoid the problem - get a P150 (they only come in white)!

davidstone28 - do you think the black and silver are fighting?
by PositiveSpin
Tue Nov 22, 2005 12:17 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 500GB HDD
Replies: 33
Views: 106778

Just letting my inner pedant off the leash for a moment: Yes, there is a 32bit Unicode character set, but the commonly used one (eg: Windows NT series) is 16bit, not 32. Therefore you err in saying that the 500Gb (gigabyte, not gibibyte) drive will only hold 125 x 10**9 characters - it will hold 250...
by PositiveSpin
Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:39 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Just saw the P150 - are they kidding?
Replies: 5
Views: 3877

I like the white. I already have plenty of black cases, and plenty of silver (3 x P180 is enough).
by PositiveSpin
Wed Nov 09, 2005 7:25 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Another SPCR recommended list: Cases
Replies: 123
Views: 265124

I really like the latest version of this article - lots of information packed into an article that's short enough that no one has an excuse not to read it. There's an amusing omission in the Yeong Yang "Mars" description: "very 120mm grills front and back for great airflow." Not sure how a grille ca...
by PositiveSpin
Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:56 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Thank you SilentPCReview! Specially MikeC
Replies: 5
Views: 4191

Absolutely!

I didn't appreciate how much quiet mattered. I do now :oops:

Many thanks, and keep up the good work.
by PositiveSpin
Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:13 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: New cases inspired by the P180 - speculation and wishes
Replies: 15
Views: 11016

I'd hardly call the Lian Li designs derivative of the P180 - they were shipping years before the P180.

I have three of the V1000 (same family, released same time) that I bought years ago - I've even taken one of them out of service.

The idea of a MATX P180 is interesting, though.
by PositiveSpin
Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:08 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Good for a laugh or two....
Replies: 15
Views: 7430

I suspect that the Neuhausplatz design was a response to having his PC messed with at a LAN party - can't mess with it now!
by PositiveSpin
Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:03 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: P150
Replies: 16
Views: 10083

I WANT to buy one (but the poll is closed!)

Looks like a case with high SAF. I think I'd buy one to build a machine for someone who lrates aesthetics highly (and surprise them with the quiet!).

But I want one for myself, too :-)
by PositiveSpin
Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:00 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Looking for a large case
Replies: 3
Views: 2612

I have a Stacker with 10 drives in it. Works fine (get a GOOD powersupply!). Not particularly quiet (unsurprisingly - 10 x vibration from hard drives!) . Sits in server room, so noise not a huge issue. The fans on the 4/3 modules keep the drives fairly cool. The case only comes with one module, so y...
by PositiveSpin
Mon Oct 03, 2005 7:36 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Antec NeoHE "High-Efficiency"
Replies: 606
Views: 579724

Looks like it would work nicely in a P180 case - can't see if it has vents on the bottom, but it has a nice open grille on the front/back (the face that the wires come out of!), and a single low-speed fan on the back/front (the face that the AC power goes into). Modular cables could be a bonus in th...
by PositiveSpin
Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:31 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Effect of extension cables
Replies: 13
Views: 8469

Noone in Australia seems to stock ATX12V 4Pin extender cables :( They do however have Molex -> ATX12V 4pin cables. Would using one of these be fine? is there any difference in whats coming down the ATX12V 4pin cable, and the Molex cable? http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_product_info.php?input[pro...
by PositiveSpin
Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:23 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: SLI + 2VGA coolers?
Replies: 4
Views: 2619

There are some cards from Gigabyte (and possible others) that place both GPUs on the one card - the first Gigabyte card was the 3D1, which was two 6600 chips on one card. It was followed by two 6600GTs on one card, then two 6800 (or are they 6800GTs?) on one card. Each of these is an SLI pair, but o...
by PositiveSpin
Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:18 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Hickups?
Replies: 38
Views: 31740

I think people have the wrong impression - this isn't about hiccups (US spelling) or hiccoughs (UK spelling) - it's about hickups. My guess as to the meaning of this word is that it describes the increase in naivete or gullibility of a person coming from a rural setting into a metropolis. By a city...
by PositiveSpin
Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:37 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Power supply for p180
Replies: 14
Views: 7150

The problem is not usually the ATX main, because that usually plugs into the motherboard in a convenient place (like near the floppy and primary IDE connectors). The problem is usually the 4 or 8 pin ATX12V connector (the black/yellow one), 'cause it typically plugs in up near the keyboard connector...