Sometimes electrinic devices not powering up can be caused by a shorted out trace or visible component on a PCB, if this happens to be the case, and you have the ability to recognize and fix the obvious problem then maybe nothing else was damaged by the failure. The other answer is that hard drives ...

I do have 256Mb of PC2700, but my Tbred is an A revision, so it tops out at about 1900Mhz and needs a slight overvolt to get there. My board is a VIA KT333 chipset, so it may make 200Mhz FSB, but I've never had the RAM or CPU to try. I think it would be a waste to try to get much more out of this MB...

Well, I'm shopping in Canada, so Newegg prices aren't that comparable. I was just going on the fact that I can get a mobile 2500+ for about $120, and the cheapest s754 starts around $160. I haven't looked into s754 mATX boards yet, so I was estimating they'd be a little more than $90, probably close...

I'm on the brink of upgrading my TbredA/Via KT333 system. My main contender right now is a swap to: XP-M 2500+ Biostar mATX nForce2 mb My goals are (in no particular ranking): Spend as little as possible Get as close to current system performance as possible mATX for factor for future swap to smalle...

Well the store offers free shipping, and I can just return it, so I may just try, nothing to lose. I'll be running it in my Slk3700 for now with a passified 8500le, so for now the fsb limit for onboard video doesn't matter. I plan on eventually running it in a low power, always on system. I will be ...

I'm considering a minor upgrade from my current 1700+ to a Barton mobile. I'd like to get a mAtx board to go with it, so that when I do the real upgrade later to a s939 I can turn it into a HTPC. I've found a canadian source for the Biostar board. I'm looking to overclock and undervolt if possible, ...

I second the recommendation of getting the grills from a local shop. The last time I bought one it was a 120mm wire grill for $2.99 canadian - hardly worth shipping. For filters, the best approach is a large filter area compared to the size of fan. I aim for at least 2x. This is harder if you are ru...

I overvolt and overclock (gasp!). The other side of the story is that I am running an XP1700+ at 1840Mhz - a modest 25% increase. I overvolt from 1.55 to 1.6 as well. With all that, I can cool it easily with a SLK900 and 5v 80mm. I do it purely out of cheapness. I will likely keep doing it as long a...

It's easier to put too much TIM on when using the spread method. I think the AS method is more idiot proof, which is why it's official. I've used both with roughly equal results. The brown coffee filters are perfect for cleaning CPU's and buffing off excess TIM. Cheap, disposable etc. Combined with ...

Try the Sonata review on the main page, and the many threads on modding the bezel for tons of information on this very questions. Try searching this forum for "sonata bezel" - should get plenty of results.

Yup,

Not any socket A board, but most newer ones.

Some boards will offer more voltage options than others though. Best to check specifics.

It's back,

The PSU died (surprise) and was replaced with "a better one" AKA a 350W superflower. No case fan was added, the noise from the PSU fan is very slightly abated, but the CPU is still full tilt and the exhaust is extremely hot. Anyone want to start a pool on when this incarnation gives up?

Well this morning I went to turn it on, saw a POST screen, and within a few seconds, I noticed it seemed strangely quiet - it would not respond at all, shut itself off and won't turn back on. I called IT down to pick it up, and now I'm running the old box again. I can't help but wonder if the PSU ju...

There should be no problems with the adapters other than finding one. From what I remember, some had a better reputation than others. You can use any socket 370 HSF with them, but anything extremely heavy will be putting that much more strain on it. An undervolted socket370 CPU shouldn't need much c...

I finally have a job that requires computing power, and after putting up with an old PIII for the last 4 months, now I wish I could go back. The new PC is a generic white box, running a PIV 3.0, gig of RAM, Matrox Parahelia etc etc. The speed is nice, but the only airflow is the full blast fan in th...

meglamaniac: RAID0 does not simply offer SCSI performance at IDE prices, it only improves transfer rates, and that only helps in a limited number of situations (DV Editing, High-res Photoshop). Apologies if this is stuff you know and you have a good reason for the RAID0, and I don't mean to start an...

I just read your post more carefully. If I was in your situation (several PSU's to choose from, all at least as good if not better than the AMB PSU), I would consider very strongly using a fresh air duct from the drive bay. Dual fan PSU's aren't good candidates for this mod because of the small vent...

My personal experience: First, I would suggest that Mike's advice, as always, is best if you can afford to follow it. I would also agree with selling the Antec PSU if you can get a decent dollar for it before you mod. That said, I bought my AMB with very scarce funds and modded it. I am very picky a...

I just upgraded my 3700AMB stock fan to an Evercool Aluminium. Lots of discussion of this fan here. At 5v in free air there is noticeably more whoosh noise than the Antec, but less bearing noise. It definitely pushes more air. In a damped case, soft mounted, under my desk, I cannot hear it at all.

I almost thought that was a hoax until I saw how good the pictures were. It would take a very dedicated artist to come up with something that inconceivable.

How very David Cronenberg of you Mike!

Perhaps it's time for an official SPCR guide to live flesh damping techniques. Perhaps in time for October 31?

Think of a violin string. Transfers vibration and sound extremely well. The tighter the string, the louder the sound. Hence the tiny little violin can fill a concert hall.

Nice soft elastic will not transfer any noticeable vibration.

There are now a number of heatpipe coolers that can be used in the way you describe. The two that come to mind are the Heatlane Zen and the Coolermaster Hyper6. Both are reviewed on the SPCR main site.

Well personally I would not recommend either case for a start at a quiet PC. If I had to take one, it would be the PCV1000. That light weight you like is a major disadvantage in having a quiet PC. If you're not lugging the thing around there's no good reason for it. There are plenty of people around...

Yes, but that big motor by itself would be much louder than a good conventional quiet PC.

Unless you ran a duct from far away and a quiet blower?

I think I've seen posts of people wondering about connecting a PC to a forced air AC system, although that would require constant running.

First things first, you should look at the recommended cases from the main SPCR page. Then read some case reviews. The reviews here are very thorough and will give you a good understanding of what to look for in a new case. Generally speaking, aluminium cases are not recommended around here because ...

cactusinvasion: What socketA integrated mobo are you running down to 1.1v? I'm currently on the hunt for a very similar mATX system for a custom case project.

I run the falcon rockII (almost the same as the whisper rock) on my TbredA @ 1840Mhz. The stock fan undervolted on a fanmate to about 8v is audible, but not at all loud. Temps idle in the low-mid 40's and go up to mid-high 50's running prime 95. I'm planning on replacing the HSF with my next round o...

At the same RPM, a smaller fan of the same type will be quieter than the bigger one, no question. So if a slow 80 does the job, then that's fine.

I would pick the antec PSU from the 2. It is single fan, so a PSU duct is a simple proposition. It's also quieter stock. I don't know about efficiency, but I imagine it would be similar. Surely someone will pop in with that info. From personal experience, and with all the statistical validity of a s...