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Omaura TF8 HTPC build

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:31 am
by deksawyer
I've been living with the Omaura case for about a month now and all is well, apart from the OLED software, which leaves a lot to be desired and actually breaks trading standard laws as far as I'm concerned, since it doesn't even come close in real life compared to how it's advertised, but that's another post altogether.

Asus P5E-VM HDMI
Intel Xeon 3075 (couldn't get E8400 at the time)
2gb Corsair XMS PC6400
Hauppauge Nova-T 500
LG GGC-H20L combo BD/HD DVD drive
2.5â€

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:40 am
by that Linux guy
Great work Deksawyer! I love that case... Do they ship to the states?

It looks like a nice build, and I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it. I'm curious to know what you think of the stock Intel CPU cooler in terms of a quiet build? It seems like that would be the loudest thing in your system, no?

To run your CPU cooler, have you tried undervolting at stock clocks? I've heard this is a great way to lower temps with out sacrificing performance.

-Andrew

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:19 am
by Nick Geraedts
That is one sexy computer. It's a much sleeker look than the SilverStone case.

I'd follow that Linux guy's recommendation of undervolting at stock speeds. Your CPU shouldn't have any troubles with recording or playing back high-def material, and undervolting could help with keeping temperatures (and power consumption) to a minimum.

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:54 am
by walle
Its nice to see a creation other than that of Antec or Silverstone for a change, in fact, until this thread I’d never heard of the Omaura. This one truly looks stunning (to my eyes) and I really like the simplistic design too, it resembles a Naim unit somewhat.

Thanks for sharing.

:)

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:38 pm
by chahahc
Hehe...Lefty Fender Jazz and Tele 8) ....Great build, but do you have any thoughts about removing those fan grills? They seem mighty restrictive. Or maybe I'm just used to no fan grills at all. :D

My apologies. It seems I completely missed the last part. :o

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:13 pm
by deksawyer
Read the text, don't just look at the pictures!! :P

I've removed the right rear grill and it has helped noise & cooling. My temps are fine as they are so I won't be undervolting.

Image

My aim was silence and believe it or not it's the closest PC I've had to give me that. The stock cooler sits at ~ 30% most of the time and I can't hear it - seriously. I was going to get an aftermarket cooler when I knew how much room I had to play with, such as a Shuriken, but there's no need. I had to slow the side fans down, not because of wind noise but motor noise. Getting a good 80x15 fan isn't easy.....

As for getting them in the USA, I believe Dell are selling them now, but as I'm from Scotland, I don't know any details.

Next jobs are to get some very short sata cables (12cm) fitted, get the OLED sorted out and try to fix the problems with the front panel lights (there has to be a way to disable power to them when in standby).

Cheers!

D.

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:37 pm
by bonestonne
i can't really tell what the label says, are those SilenX fans?

if they are, what's your opinion on their sound, airflow, build qualities, the works...i've always been skeptical about SilenX because of so many reviews in the past.

i remember they had a system where you could give them your system specs and they'd give you a silencing plan...they don't really know computers well. they suggested i watercool my Pentium 3 Xeons...there was never a P3 Xeon waterblock made...how on earth would i do it? not sure if that still exists...haven't bothered looking into them since then.

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:24 pm
by mightysoy
Whoo, didn't realise I was repeating someone else's comments haha.

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:54 pm
by AznJason
that Linux guy wrote:Great work Deksawyer! I love that case... Do they ship to the states?

It looks like a nice build, and I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it. I'm curious to know what you think of the stock Intel CPU cooler in terms of a quiet build? It seems like that would be the loudest thing in your system, no?

To run your CPU cooler, have you tried undervolting at stock clocks? I've heard this is a great way to lower temps with out sacrificing performance.

-Andrew
Dell carries their products. I believe he used a TF8B-NF. They also carry some of the other Omaura products too. link

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:40 am
by Nick Geraedts
deksawyer wrote:Next jobs are to get some very short sata cables (12cm) fitted, get the OLED sorted out and try to fix the problems with the front panel lights (there has to be a way to disable power to them when in standby).
There are 6" (15cm) SATA data cables available. You probably don't want to go much lower than that - otherwise you'll be putting tension on the data cable, which can transfer hard drive vibrations (not that it's too much of a concern with notebook drives). Here's and example, but you'll probably want to look into a store that's more local to you. ;)

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:18 pm
by cyberspyder
Looks sexy.... :D

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:17 pm
by Ant6n
nice.
i wish i'd known about this, before hacking my case together from a broken hifi cd player (which has been a very very long project).

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:57 pm
by blackworx
deksawyer wrote:Next jobs are to get some very short sata cables (12cm) fitted
Metku Mods has a SATA cable mod article. Was going to use it myself but ended up doing so many other cable mods that I couldn't be bothered!

Love the build btw - that case is the dug's danglies!

I have the exact same desk and it's generally strewn with kit too :lol:

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:04 am
by deksawyer
Well, just an update to say that things are still going well with this pc.

I fixed the front PLED issue by plugging the cable into the speaker pins - worked.

Software for the OLED is being developed by a third party but is still a long way behind. I'm now geting live tv info, such as channel number and program name but there are still major issues when resuming from standby ie it doesn't work!

Stability is superb and noise/heat is absolutely perfect and very low. I've never had a better HTPC.

Sadly, I think Omaura have gone t*ts up so these cases are very thin on the grond.

D.

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:24 pm
by andyb
Nice setup, I have just one question about your rig, what is the elastic (bungee) cord you are using and do you think that it will be suitable for 3.5" drives and their weight.

Andy

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:43 pm
by IKIKUINTHENUTZ
Very nice layout and nice case. I was thinking about buying this case for my HTPC project and your images are terrific references. I wish the price tag is lower but then again you get what you pay for.

However I have a question for you though. When you undervolt your Slienx fans, do they produce a somewhat feint clicking motor noise?

The reason I am asking of this is because I previously owned the exact 80mm model fan you have in your images but I got rid of them because they produced a clicking motor noise in all voltage ranges, even though they were brand new.

BTW your crackers look good :P

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:25 am
by deksawyer
The fans click when at full speed, but are very quiet when undervolted.

I never tried the stock fans - I might give them a go if I can be bothered!

D.