review of calm system?

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Conroy
Posts: 127
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2002 3:26 pm
Location: NY

Post by Conroy » Mon Aug 12, 2002 2:32 pm

I noticed that a review of the calm-2 was scheduled for a couple weeks ago..
<BR>any status on that? <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
<BR>
<BR>Or has anyone else gotten this system?
<BR>
<BR>Thanks!
<BR>
<BR>Conroy
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MikeC
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Post by MikeC » Mon Aug 12, 2002 2:32 pm

You're busy on the site today, Conroy!
<br>
<br>Yeah, I've had the CALM2 in hand for many weeks now. So far it's not a happy story. Several challenges:
<br>
<br>1) I wanted to provide more accurate temp measurements than in-socket thermistors allow. This required an upgrade to an XP1700+ with diode, then a modification to an ABIT KT7A-R board with a Maxim IC that would read the temp diode off & feed it back into the mobo for MBM5 to monitor / record.
<br>
<br>The above took time but worked. So far so good.
<br>
<br>2) Trials with the CALM2 showed the CPU idling with the diode reader at ~60C & up. Not good. Under load, I actually got it up past 80C before I backed off. 90C is the danger point. In-socket readings ~50C idling; over 60C max.
<br>
<br>3) Lots of exchanges with CALM folks about all this. Turns out they're using an external temp sensor for their development work, which means they don't know what the internal die temp is. They got 57C at max. My temp is lots higher, but it is reading the core.
<br>
<br>My ineptitude with setup or their incorrect readings? Perhaps a combo.
<br>
<br>4) Decide to retry on 2nd sample, but results seem similar. Switch to Zalman 6000 HS to establish accuracy of temp systems: OK -- diode reads ~53-55C max, in-socket is ~10C lower. OK. Sleep on it, try in the morning.
<br>
<br>5) Next day, boot up closed test system without realizing Zalman 6000 clip was marginal & heatsink slipped off. 10-12 seconds into the boot, hard drive emits weird sound, I pull the AC, but it is too late: XP cpu is fried. <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif">
<br>
<br>That was last week. Right now, i am twiddling thumbs wondering how to justify yet another $200 for an XP cpu. This is turning into a very costly "hobby"! Trials with CALM on hold again.
<br>
<br>This review will get done, by hook or by crook! <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif">
<br>

Conroy
Posts: 127
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2002 3:26 pm
Location: NY

Post by Conroy » Mon Aug 12, 2002 2:32 pm

oh wow
<br>that doesn't sound too good...
<br>hmmm....
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Conroy
Posts: 127
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2002 3:26 pm
Location: NY

Post by Conroy » Mon Aug 12, 2002 2:32 pm

<br>>>5) Next day, boot up closed test system without realizing Zalman 6000 clip was marginal & heatsink slipped off. 10-12 seconds into the boot, hard drive emits weird sound, I pull the AC, but it is too late: XP cpu is fried. <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif">
<br>
<br>clip was marginal and heatsink slipped off???
<br>i thought you said the zalman was very easy to install <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
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MikeC
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Post by MikeC » Mon Aug 12, 2002 2:32 pm

The 6000 that slipped off is for a socket-a AMD cpu. We were talking elsewhere about a P4. 6500B series cooler, very different mounting system. Details. Important details. Also, the lug on the socket was worn, which could have made the clip seat less positively.
<br>

round1
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2002 3:26 pm

Post by round1 » Mon Aug 12, 2002 2:32 pm

>>I noticed that a review of the calm-2 was scheduled for a couple weeks ago..
<br>>>any status on that? <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
<br>>>
<br>>>Or has anyone else gotten this system?
<br>>>
<br>>>Thanks!
<br>>>
<br>>>Conroy
<br>
<br> Hi Conroy,
<br> I purchased a Calm-2 (with C-Systems power supply included) about 2 months ago. This PC is in the control room of my recording studio, and so far so good, apart from the power supply noise (more on that later).
<br> To give you an idea what the case has to cope with, here's what's inside - ASUS Cusl2-C mobo with PIII 1 gig cpu & 512mb Kingmax Cas2 PC150 ram, 1 x Matrox G400max dualhead AGP video card, 1 x M64 Nvidia 32mb PCI video card, 1 x Creamware Luna II audio card with ADAT/Zlink expansion, 1 x 10/100 Network card, 2 x IBM DTLA 20gig HDD's, 1 x Acer 24x12x40 CDR. (I should also note that the Luna II has 3 x Sharc DSP chips onboard which run quite hot.)
<br> The Calm-2 is relatively easy to put together, although the video card cooling block took a bit of "persuading" to fit. The supplied clips are for 2 different standard graphic card types.......the Matrox doesn't ahere to either of these, but one was close enough to be bent into shape so as to work. (Luckily the second video card has it's own heatsink without a fan). The cooling block for the PIII cpu went on OK, but a 'firm' approach is also needed.
<br> As far as temperature is concerned I only have the BIOS system monitor to go by, and yes, the system does run hot (cpu temp average about 65-70 degrees C). However this does not appear to have any adverse affect on the system reliability/stability. This computer is quite often on for about 12 hours, everyday of the week since purchase, all without a hitch. This is using Win XP and cpu intensive audio apps like Logic Audio Platinum v5 and Wavelab.
<br> At the moment the only downside is the noise from the supplied power supply. It is quieter than any other power supply that I've owned, but it ain't silent. This is especially noticable in a sound proofed control room once the system is up to running temperature and both fans on the power supply are at full pace. I have aleviated this somewhat by building a box to house the PC, but this is still a work in progress (at this time the rear of the box is open, I have to work out a way to completely enclose the PC and keep the airflow circulating)
<br> If I can get hold of a fanless power supply this will be a true silent PC, (anyone that knows of one, please point me in the right direction!). As it stands, it's pretty close to silent, it gets a bit hot, but its works as advertised.
<br>
<br> Regards.......Dave
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