Search found 115 matches

by Falkon
Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:30 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

Looks like you've got a plan. Did you consider 2500 K ? I did, but I don't see the value in choosing it over the 2500. Since I'll be using a H67 board the only real benefit would be a slightly improved GPU. I don't plan on overclocking either. Now I'm just waiting for H67 boards to be restocked so ...
by Falkon
Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:37 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

Yeah, but the op said that this system might be upgraded later to a gaming system. At which point the i5 could be coming in handy. The power supply was likely selected for its semi-passive nature. He also did not mention that he was looking to build either as cheap or as small as possible. EDIT: oh...
by Falkon
Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:26 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

Just curious why did you decide not to go with the Fractal (looking at the Define Mini for my first build) and i think it looks like an awesome case. Also why the Noctua Heatsync? Seems really expensive if you want to keep costs down Xigmatek Gaia is 1/2 the price and was rated well by a few places...
by Falkon
Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:21 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

I guess I might as well shell out for the X-560. The last thing I want is to assemble my PC, configure it, and find out that I can't make it "quiet enough". On the bright side I should make up the money with the Gold efficiency in 7-8 years. :lol:
by Falkon
Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:46 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

It now seems like the Nexus Value 430w PSU is no longer available, at least not at my local e-tailers. I've been looking at both the Antec TP-550 and the Seasonic X-560 as a replacement. Both have excellent noise levels in the power range I'll be using (100-300w), although the sonic signature of the...
by Falkon
Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:11 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Buzzing is driving me nuts!
Replies: 7
Views: 2656

Re: Buzzing is driving me nuts!

You didn't mention eliminating/changing any case fans, hard drives, or your SSD. The first two could easily create a buzzing noise under demanding loads, whereas the third rarely makes any noise at all. Some people do notice a very high pitched (15KHz+) buzzing from certain SSD models, though.
by Falkon
Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:17 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Quiet DVDRW for HTPC?
Replies: 4
Views: 3199

Re: Quiet DVDRW for HTPC?

Thanks. I remember in the past there were some drives that when performed at x1 the were very quiet by turning fan off. Is the LG like that? I'm not quite sure what you mean by that, there is no fan in this DVDRW drive, or any other that I know of for that matter. When watching a DVD the drive oper...
by Falkon
Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:59 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Quiet DVDRW for HTPC?
Replies: 4
Views: 3199

Re: Quiet DVDRW for HTPC?

I've had good experiences with the LG GH22NS50 DVDRW. I'm actually planning on putting one in my upcoming build. The drive itself performs quietly at most speeds, and quieter than others at the highest speeds. At ~$18 CDN it's a great deal. I don't have any first hand experience with the 24x version...
by Falkon
Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:08 am
Forum: Green Computing
Topic: Best energy efficient monitor?
Replies: 28
Views: 43201

Re: Best energy efficient monitor?

I believe you because the external power supply is indeed most likely the reason as the noise comes from the transformer when dimming the backlight. I will look out for that next time when buying a monitor, so far I did not know that anything but Apple came with external PSUs. Some sort of list of ...
by Falkon
Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:03 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Soundscience Rockus 3D | 2.1 by Antec
Replies: 29
Views: 27911

Re: Soundscience Rockus 3D | 2.1 by Antec

Tannoy Sensys DC1, Pioneer VSX-1015K amp and an old MTX Thunder2000 12" in a 30 litre closed box paired with a 250W Zachry mono amp for a little added oomph down low. pic Good stuff, I've always liked Tannoy's dual concentric sound. I can't say I really understand the market for computer speakers t...
by Falkon
Sun Feb 13, 2011 3:24 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Asus E35M1-M Pro: AMD Fusion Motherboard
Replies: 84
Views: 59325

Re: Asus E35M1-M Pro: AMD Fusion Motherboard

While all video cards are fast enough to decode H.264 in hardware, the interesting thing is (according to that link at least) not all video cards can handle all the video processing options. Tomshardware says the HD 5450 is not fast enough for "Edge enhancement" and "Enable dynamic contrast," and l...
by Falkon
Sun Feb 13, 2011 12:06 pm
Forum: Green Computing
Topic: Best energy efficient monitor?
Replies: 28
Views: 43201

Re: Best energy efficient monitor?

Are you sure? If your computer makes any noise you might not hear it, and if your ears are not sensitive you have to put your ear on the backside of the monitor to hear it. Yes, I'm quite sure. I've put my ear pretty much right against the screen, front and back, and heard nothing of the sort. The ...
by Falkon
Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:26 pm
Forum: Green Computing
Topic: Best energy efficient monitor?
Replies: 28
Views: 43201

Re: Best energy efficient monitor?

My Samsung SyncMaster P2370 uses less than 30w at typical brightness and has absolutely zero buzzing/humming at any brightness setting. It's a TN panel so viewing angles aren't great, but it works very well for me.
by Falkon
Sat Feb 12, 2011 7:34 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Soundscience Rockus 3D | 2.1 by Antec
Replies: 29
Views: 27911

Re: Soundscience Rockus 3D | 2.1 by Antec

Wibla wrote:My "pc speaker" setup was around 15500 NOK / $2500 CAD new, but by buying used, it ended up at $1400...
Very nice. What gear are you running?
by Falkon
Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:44 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Soundscience Rockus 3D | 2.1 by Antec
Replies: 29
Views: 27911

Re: Soundscience Rockus 3D | 2.1 by Antec

Probably off topic, but I have to say that buying new pc speaker kits today, when you can often find a decent pair of used bookshelf speakers and a small integrated amp for roughly the same amount of money is wasted, but thats just my opinion. I definitely agree with you, but I think the majority o...
by Falkon
Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:48 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Antec Solo Build
Replies: 11
Views: 8468

Re: Antec Solo Build

Nice build, very powerful! How's the noise level on that EVGA GTX 560?
by Falkon
Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:27 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Changes to PSU Testing
Replies: 15
Views: 9731

Re: Changes to PSU Testing

I'm also making changes in the case basics/recommendations -- top-mount PSU cases (standard ATX tower) recommended only for system up to ~200W TDP; only bottom mount PSU cases for higher. What about cases like the NSK3480 where the PSU is top mounted but draws fresh air from the exterior? Obviously...
by Falkon
Fri Feb 11, 2011 7:17 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Changes to PSU Testing
Replies: 15
Views: 9731

Re: Changes to PSU Testing

MikeC wrote:I'm also making changes in the case basics/recommendations -- top-mount PSU cases (standard ATX tower) recommended only for system up to ~200W TDP; only bottom mount PSU cases for higher.

Thoughts?
What about cases like the NSK3480 where the PSU is top mounted but draws fresh air from the exterior?
by Falkon
Thu Feb 10, 2011 6:38 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

I meant the tricool of course. Nexus makes dependable silicone mounts. (But they break if you ship the machine to a customer) As far as I know all Noctua fans come with the silicone mounts, so I should be covered there. I figure that all of those mounts are more or less the same, so branding should...
by Falkon
Thu Feb 10, 2011 6:31 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

if your mobo has a pci slot, get the essence st instead of the stx; general consensus on the web is that it has better sound; though i kinda doubt its noticeable. I hadn't hear about that before. I looked into it a bit and apparently the ST uses a "better" clock circuit that reduces jitter somewhat...
by Falkon
Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:37 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

The Noctua NF-S12 comes with silicon mounts. They can only help. What are you doing for fans in the front of the case? Two Noctua 92mm would be good for positive case pressure... it keeps the dust out. If you run them slow you shouldn't be able to hear them. I definitely plan on using the silicon m...
by Falkon
Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:13 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

A: I've only used the Value 430, I never heard that thing's fan. That's good to hear. :) C: Replace the rear fan and install it with rubber or silicone mounts instead of screws. With something stretchy and a lot of creativity you can suspend more fans in the case for better airflow. Do you mean rep...
by Falkon
Wed Feb 09, 2011 4:03 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

Re: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggest

I guess what I meant to ask was:
a) can this system run silently, and under what settings/conditions?
b) will I run into any cooling/overheating issues with these coolers?
c) what would the optimal fan arrangement be inside the case?
by Falkon
Wed Feb 09, 2011 1:54 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Monitor
Replies: 3
Views: 1396

Re: Monitor

This monitor should work well for you: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-P2370HD-23-inch-Widescreen-Freeview/dp/B002DPMYYU/ I use the version of this monitor that doesn't have a TV tuner and it's dead silent, even with the backlight reduced to 40%. I think this is due to the fact that it uses an exter...
by Falkon
Tue Feb 08, 2011 7:16 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions
Replies: 29
Views: 5918

First silent desktop build - looking for any/all suggestions

Hello everyone, I'm looking to build my first silent desktop PC and I figured this would be the best place to come for input on my potential system configuration. I've built many systems before, but none that were geared towards silence, so I could use all the help I can get with this. This system w...