Search found 82 matches

by lhopitalified
Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:19 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Fractal Design Mini build plans
Replies: 26
Views: 8325

Re: Fractal Design Mini build plans

I would try the stock fans with motherboard pwm, or with the included fan controller (as I did because my motherboard didn't have enough pwm connectors), before splurging on replacement case fans. I found turning down the speed of the stock fans got them to an acceptable noise level.
by lhopitalified
Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:39 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Fractal Design Define Mini
Replies: 63
Views: 63969

Re: Fractal Design Define Mini

I just got my case and successfully moved my computer over. I can confirm that my Mugen 2 (158mm) does not seem to touch the foam on the side, as it doesn't leave any impressions. Because of the side vent, there is an additional block of foam there that juts out further into the case than the regula...
by lhopitalified
Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:25 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Fractal Design Define Mini
Replies: 63
Views: 63969

Re: Fractal Design Define Mini

Hmm, it looks like Newegg got a shipment of Fractal cases in (since they're no longer listed as out of stock), but no sign of the mini yet... :(
by lhopitalified
Wed Jul 13, 2011 2:25 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Modern Day Performance Bottlenecks
Replies: 6
Views: 3215

Re: Modern Day Performance Bottlenecks

Brain & Fingers: Not updated for thousands of years... This will either need to be solved in software (better UI), or better human-computer interfaces. Even the 200 (300?) APM managed by StarCraft players is a very specific (and practiced) interaction that doesn't generalize into productivity (e.g....
by lhopitalified
Wed Jun 15, 2011 3:03 pm
Forum: SPCR Announcements
Topic: Re: Mike's final sign-off - POSTPONED
Replies: 70
Views: 140025

Re: Mike's final sign-off

I do hope the forums will still be around. It would be a shame for this community to disappear.
by lhopitalified
Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:23 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Fractal Design Define Mini
Replies: 63
Views: 63969

Re: Fractal Design Define Mini

I did end up receiving a reply on June 8. (I'm guessing Computex kept everyone busy?) It only said that the Define Mini is expected to be available from Newegg in early summer, so I guess that's anywhere from now until the end of July?
by lhopitalified
Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:13 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build

Got the replacement today. Spent some time hooking things up, and it appears to power on successfully, but then I had to leave for work, so all I know right now is that it gets further along in the boot process than the first motherboard.
by lhopitalified
Thu Jun 09, 2011 2:37 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build

I ended up RMAing the motherboard. The retailer agreed that it was faulty and are shipping me a new one at no cost. Hopefully, I'll have this sucker built soon... (though the wait on the Define Mini case is still unknown -- Fractal says Newegg will update their line of products sometime this summer ...
by lhopitalified
Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:13 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

Further updates:
Removed everything from the motherboard and hooked up just the PSU. Same mobo LED lights up indicating power when PSU switch is flipped, but PSU doesn't spin up when power switch pins are connected.
by lhopitalified
Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:28 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

It doesn't even seem to start the boot-up sequence. Nothing happens (not even PSU fans).
by lhopitalified
Tue May 31, 2011 10:53 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

I received most of the components today (except for case and SSD), so I went ahead and assembled it all in a spare case I had lying around. Hit the power-button ... and nothing happened. The motherboard has one LED lit, which seems to indicate that it is receiving power, but for some reason won't ac...
by lhopitalified
Mon May 30, 2011 12:40 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Fractal Design Define Mini
Replies: 63
Views: 63969

Re: Fractal Design Define Mini

This link says late may as delivery date, so in real world it probably means more than a month left. http://www.quietpc.com/se-se-eur/products/pc-cases/fd-define-mini That website says they have 21 in stock. Has anyone successfully ordered one yet? (or seen one in person) I contacted Fractal throug...
by lhopitalified
Sun May 29, 2011 11:40 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Improve Stock Heatsink
Replies: 6
Views: 3285

Re: Improve Stock Heatsink

Hi, the stock CPU cooler (as supplied with retail box CPU) really should be able to cool the CPU and it shouldn't be overheating. Can you run some monitoring program, eg Speedfan, to confirm the CPU temp and fan speed to confirm what the problem is? True, but if the computer is from an OEM, they mi...
by lhopitalified
Fri May 20, 2011 7:49 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

Any thoughts about the performance of the Max IOPS version of the OCZ Vertex 3? Supposedly not due for another month or two, but if it does significantly better for random data, that would be good for digital photography. I'm also thinking about the Corsair Force 3. (no reviews yet?) Since I'm wait...
by lhopitalified
Fri May 20, 2011 7:48 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

I noticed that ASUS recently released a Direct CU II version of the GTX 560... Unfortunately, the noise levels under load are abysmal when compared to the EAH6850 I wonder if this applies to the GTX 570 version too (Which I was thinking of getting ). But, is it really bad, or just really bad compar...
by lhopitalified
Fri May 20, 2011 5:21 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

I'm not worried to the extent that I want to go passive, but just wondering if there had been a more recent card that has the same approximate noise level but with better performance.

I think some of the cards you mentioned are beyond my price range. ;)
by lhopitalified
Fri May 20, 2011 4:18 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

I decided to go with the Scythe Mugen 2 based on performance and price ($40). Any thoughts about the performance of the Max IOPS version of the OCZ Vertex 3? Supposedly not due for another month or two, but if it does significantly better for random data, that would be good for digital photography. ...
by lhopitalified
Sun May 08, 2011 2:28 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

If SoCal, then check out Mwave for cpu/mobo. In the past, they've been competitive with newegg. Ah, I keep forgetting about those guys. I've gotten stuff from them in the past, but the convenience of cheap shipping from newegg usually seals the deal for me. Though I am probably heading to LA next w...
by lhopitalified
Fri May 06, 2011 12:40 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

Awesome. Thanks for the links. I'll check out your suggestions this weekend when I have some time. @ kuzzia: I plan to offload most storage space into an NAS of some sort, and only keep music, photos, and games on the local machine. @ andymcca: Southern California, so probably sourcing most things t...
by lhopitalified
Thu May 05, 2011 10:23 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

Re: feedback on mid-range micro-atx build

According to Fractal Design, about 165mm:
Supports CPU coolers with height of ca 165mm
by lhopitalified
Mon May 02, 2011 10:16 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build
Replies: 26
Views: 8548

help diagnosing problems with mid-range micro-atx build

My desktop is getting old (> 5 years), so I figured it was time to upgrade. The main uses for the new machine will be: (1) playing back HD video (my godawful Athlon 64 x2 can't seem to handle 1080p without dropping frames) (2) some photo processing (basic Adobe lightroom stuff) (3) games (nothing fa...
by lhopitalified
Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:02 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Republican Bill to Redefine Pi - Again
Replies: 96
Views: 42747

Re: Republican Bill to Redefine Pi - Again

With respect to healthcare costs in the US, it is much higher than most other places, because it is not government regulated, but at the same time many people have private insurance and there is not much (if any) comparison shopping with regard to prices. I'll add in my 2 cents and say that many he...