My system is admittedly a year old, but it is the quietest system I've ever built. I forgo a GPU since I don't game, which helps me out. After following SPCR advice for several years I've finally achieved the silence I've long searched for! (P.S. The Caviar was loud, so I reduced it to a backup driv...

Thanks for the reply, xan. I checked out your recommendations, but perhaps looking for a better solution. Any other suggestions? Still looking as to how Bluetooth works.

hawkeye

All, I have a simple need that has me completely stumped--I want to stream music from my home PC hard drive to a wireless speaker in my kitchen, selecting directories and/or individual MP3 files to be streamed. I'd prefer the speaker to be wall-mountable and lithium battery powered (i.e., cordless),...

That this idiot has any platform to spew his radical and impractical ideas is symptomatic of what is wrong with the MSM media today. I can't believe there's one serious person who thinks this has even one iota of a chance of implementation without ruining the U.S. economy and bringing our downfall f...

Thanks so much for the responses. Besides being confused by the power differences, I'm spending quite a bit of money and not only want my components to work efficiently, but to last several years as well. I don't know why auto-sensing power supplies aren't more widely available, but I guess it must ...

All, I am in the process of upgrading my home theater system. As in American living in Japan, I can usually find better prices and a wider selection buying American rather than Japanese; however, I run into a power problem as Japan runs 100V/50Hz, while some of the electronics I wish to buy (that ar...

I usually give my old computers/components to charity or to friends with limited means. The thought of an underprivileged child embarking on the road to computer literacy is worth much more than any small monetary returns I may realize.

Better yet, lobby your congressional representatives to vote for higher EPA requirements and encourage auto manufacturers to build / import high-mileage diesels. Personally, I'm waiting with bated breath for either a BMW 123d or 323d to arrive in the states. -D Or better yet, lobby your congression...

I have the 320GB IDE WD hard drive, and it's the best drive I've ever owned. Very quiet with suspension and sitting on foam.

I don't know what the cost difference is between 250 and 320 GB, nor your needs; however, if you can afford/desire the latter it has my recommendation.

I bought the Mad Dog OEM version of the Samsung SH-S182D today, and after multiple burns I can tell you this thing is whisper-silent. My previous drive was a Plextor PX-716A that I decided to replace due to a failing tray mechanism, and the Mad Dog is significantly quieter. All-in-all I'm very pleas...

Here's something I have to take the blame for as the daddy, even though my son did it. A few years back I got a nice shiny new Athlon chip as part of a new system build. Left the CPU pin-side up on my desk while I was putting some final touches on the motherboard, and when I turned around to install...

Dang! This is the motherboard I have. I hope this isn't indicative of anything other than its substandard overclocking features, which I fortunately don't use. This board has performed well for me since installed in Aug 05, and I hope to keep this set-up for the next 12-18 months with no upgrade oth...

Thanks for the replies! Actually, the Asus board was my first choice until the Abit became available. I like the Abit's layout better and I'm not concerned about the red lights as it will be semi-enclosed within my desk. Plus, it's a tad cheaper. As for the 6600 GT, is that the one everyone's having...

All, I’m getting ready to assemble a new system that I hope will last me the next 18-24 months with nothing more than individual component upgrades (i.e. AMD X2). Please find below my current system, and my anticipated upgrade. (Current / Projected) Case: Lian Li PC-6070 / Antec SLK3000B with C6607 ...

bomba,

Yes I have, but it still gurgles. Quiet otherwise as I stated.

hawkeye1

All, I'm going to install a new AMD64 system as I have a 4-day 4th of July weekend. :D In my current Barton system I'm using a single Maxtor 250GB drive, which is quiet as far as whine noise goes, but irritating with its constant churning/gurgling when the drive is in use; therefore, I'm thinking of...

Just a quick note to let the board know of my purchase decision. I ended up getting the MSI K8T Neo-FSR, AMD64 3200, and the Zalman ALCU cooler. The Samsung memory I'm currently using is on MSI's approved list, so I saved some money there.

Thanks once again for all the helpful comments.

hawkeye1

Neil, A couple of questions on your AK89 Max. First of all, I looked at AMD's list of Cool'n'Quiet motherboards, and this board was listed if it's Revision 57 and BIOS R1.06. Is this what you're using and still unable to get it working? Second, is the BIOS on this board upgradeable via Windows? I lo...

Wow! Thanks for all the responses, helped clarify some of the exact things I was confused about, especially with motherboards. I figured I might have to go with a new heatsink, so I've been checking out the Zalman lately--both on the Net and in SPCR threads--so I'll think that's what I'll go with. I...

All, I'm in need of the brilliant (bordering on savant!) advice of our SPCR members. I'm in the mood to upgrade my current Barton 2500 system that has served me faithfully and fairly quietly, and am looking at ordering new AMD64 components this weekend to have in time to install over my long 4th of ...

MWave has a full line-up of AMD mobile processors, from 2400 to 3000. The 2400, 2500 and 2600 are 45W, while the 3000 is 72W. Even though a higher wattage, would the 3000 perhaps deliver the best cooling/performance option less the AMD64? FWIW, I've never had a single problem with MWave, been orderi...

I bought one of MikeC's modded Supersonics, and it works like a champ. Highly recommended!

Now we just have to wait for it to come out in retail channels!

The last MaximumPC had a review of LCDs for gamers...give that a check. Dell and Samsung got good reviews from what I remember.

I also have this case, bought into the hype when it was released and spent the big bucks to get it. Coincidentally, like asapin, just yesterday I took the front filter off. Further, I dropped a Pabst fan in the bottom of the case to get some extra air flow, and I'm now evaluating the results of both...

I read the Sudhian DFI review earlier in the week, and it really peaked my interest, so can't wait for the review. I'm thinking of either going the SFF route or waiting for the Antec fanless PSU to come out; however, my current MB doesn't support the AMD64, and I'm getting that annual itch to upgrad...

Put the hard drive in a freezer bag and put it in the freezer for an hour or so. After you pull it out of the freezer, put it back in your computer and see if it will boot long enough for you to move your data to a different drive. I did this with an IBM/Hitachi with the same clicking noise that die...

Gigabyte motherboards are not only reliable, but quite inexpensive as well. They have several passively-cooled nForce2 offerings, I'd advocate you check them out. They are the most stable motherboards I've owned, and I've been through several brands! http://www.giga-byte.com/ P.S. They also overcloc...

FWIW, if you don't need all the bells and whistles of most nForce2 boards, the Gigabyte GA-7N400-L would be a great choice. You can get this puppy for under $80, and it's given me nothing but rock-solid performance, including overclocking. It's passively cooled, and according to MBM5 my board temps ...

Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated. I'd like to follow-up on Riffer's comments to ensure I understand what I need to do. I checked out the Turbo Cool 425, price is a bit dear but I'm willing to spend that much if I can achieve my goal of silence or near-silence. - First, I'm sure you're re...