There are many items on our review list, some of which are already in hand and being worked on: PSUs, HSF, cases, CPUs, complete PCs, fans.... But are there specific products you'd like to see us review? If you have any thoughts on this, speak your mind here! We'll listen.
[addsig]

Well, there's nothing specific I'd like to see reviewed per se, but I do hope that you guys include the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 275W and especially 400W models in your upcoming roundup of PSU's! <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
[addsig]

You'll be pleased to know that a PC Power & Cooling psu is definitely coming our way. I don't know exactly which model it is yet; we are at the whim and mercy of others' generosity, but I am told it is a current model. <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
[addsig]

Great! <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif"> I would also like to request that when you guys do that roundup, you give us lots of numbers, considering how some of these PSUs have variable-speed fans. I'd like to know the minimums, maximums, averages, etc., and how they compare to PSUs with constant-speed fans... I'm really looking forward to that article, as I find that the PSU tends to be the component that makes the most noise in most modern computers.
[addsig]

Numbers, for sure, but also subjective perceptions to go along with them, because the decibels by themselves tell only part of the story. And yes, there will be a focus on what happens at different fan speeds, for both noise as well as temperature inside the PSU. I will be putting together an article on our PSU testing methodology as it evolves through these reviews. <br> <br>One additional spec I will examine is total power draw for each PSU when powering the reference system running standard loads: This will NOT tell you the absolute power conversion efficiency, but it will tell you the relative efficiency of this PSU vs that one. I will also try to show the effect of increasing CPU clock / core voltage on total power draw. <br> <br>All of these aspect have a bearing on how much heat each PSU will dissipate in varying conditions. <br>

Wow, that sounds great... Can't wait to see. <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif"> <br> <br>I hate to be the only one posting to this thread so far, but I noticed you haven't really mentioned anything about reviewing the various types of dampening materials available on the market. I realize that such a review would rely more on perception than measurable testing methods, but it would really be nice to hear some impressions regarding a roundup of the various solutions that are out there today, in particular Magic Fleece, b-quiet, Brown Bread, and Power Snooze. I'd love to hear some subjective impressions on acoustics as well as see the numbers on heat.
[addsig]

Hi Mike, <br> <br>When you do your quiet PSU reviews, please include Papst 8412 and Panaflo modified PSUs. <br> <br> <br>Albert
[addsig]

I understand your request, Albert, but I'm afraid it isn't really in the works. If we do that, it becomes a modding article, and also a fan review article. A PSU mods article is already posted, and fan reviews will be a way of life here; they're coming. Reviews in general will be about what products do in stock form. If changes to the way they work can be made with little or no effort, then that would be included as part of the article. Opening up a PSU is NOT a routine thing anyone wants to or should do.
[addsig]

>>Wow, that sounds great... Can't wait to see. <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif"> <br>>> <br>>>...Magic Fleece, b-quiet, Brown Bread, and Power Snooze. I'd love to hear some subjective impressions on acoustics as well as see the numbers on heat. <br> <br>-------- <br>GXCAD, one of our members, is working on a review of Brown Bread.
[addsig]

Indeed I am, however I have been massively halted on further work on that until my hectic situation is over. Currently I just suffered a harddrive catastrophe (RIP seagate barracuda) lost lots of data and finally got a temporary replacement working just minutes ago. Don't worry though, as a stroke of luck I didn't lose any of the early pictures I took since they are on another machine. School is also incredibly busy. <br> <br>By the way mike, I got your plates and already have one set in use, I used your combo of sandwitch AND novibe copy on my old 4.3 gig seagate medialist (I think thats the name...) along with the included elastic and the included foam. I can't comment on the effectiveness before vs after as I went straight for the "after". I'll send ya a quick email as well. <br> <br>-Ken
[addsig]

<!-- BBCode Quote Start --><TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> ...a harddrive catastrophe (RIP Seagate Barracuda)</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE><!-- BBCode Quote End --> <br> <br>Uh, can you be a bit more elaborate on what was the reason for it? Was it a Barracuda IV and if it was what size etc.? Just in case it might affect other users, it´s just that I got a bit worried when I read that a Barracuda failed (for whatever reason) as I use one (60GB ´cuda IV). And about the revies, I´m waiting for a sample of the new Y.S.Tech 70 mm T.M.D. fan with possibly a heatsink tossed along with it, are you going to review that one? I´m going to write a review of it, unfortunately it´s going to be a subjective one based on perceived noice compared to other fans of equal size. I can´t provide accurate enough values as I don´t have access to appropriate testing equipment and facilities and as such it would be quite useless to give out readings that will not be comparable to the values found on other resources. <br> <br>Great site btw... Silence is golden. <br> <br>-manalainen-
[addsig]

<!-- BBCode Quote Start --><TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>... I´m waiting for a sample of the new Y.S.Tech 70 mm T.M.D. fan with possibly a heatsink tossed along with it, are you going to review that one? I´m going to write a review of it, unfortunately it´s going to be a subjective one based on perceived noice compared to other fans of equal size...</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE><!-- BBCode Quote End --> <br> <br>Yes, we're waiting for a sample too. <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
[addsig]

I have finished a draft of my brown bread article (its kinda like a review, I suppose) and sent a copy to mike for editing, he should have it up whenever he feels like it;) <br> <br>My cuda one day just stopped powering up, I am suspecting and almost sure it was because I plugged in the 4 pin connector upside down so I'm going to say this one wasn't the hardware's fault. If you must know, I used a 3-4 pin connector upside down to power my cpu fan @ 5v and used the passthrough for my harddrive by accident, forgetting that the voltages were reversed. In effect, its the same as plugging in the 4 pin upside-down and we generally came to the conclusion that its probably not very good for the drive to do that <br> <br>My seagate was the Barracuda IV, 40gb single platter model. Seagate have agreed to replace it under warranty but they won't be able to recouver the data, I hope to have it going their direction tomorro. <br> <br>-Ken

<!-- BBCode Quote Start --><TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> I have finished a draft of my brown bread article (its kinda like a review, I suppose) and sent a copy to mike for editing, he should have it up whenever he feels like it;)</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE><!-- BBCode Quote End --> <br>Sorry, Ken, thought I'd have it done by now, but man, weekends get in the way, too! Soon! <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
[addsig]

Mike, I know how it is, don't sweat it. Take your time. <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif"> <br> <br>-Ken

I'd like to see the Smartdrive reviewed, with special attention paid to both silence and thermal properties (i.e., does it dissipate HDD heat effectively). <br> <br>I'd like to see a HDD silencer roundup/shootout, comparing the silencing of pro-products (SilentDrive,Smartdrive, etc..) and the HDD sandwich mod--with attention to heat dissipation as well. <br> <br>I'd like to see people from Publisher's Clearinghouse on my porch with a ludicrously oversized check for a deliciously oversized amount of money. <br> <br>But that hardly affects you guys. <IMG SRC="modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif">
[addsig]

I would like to see the vapochil unit from http://www.vapochill.com. It keeps the CPU at sub-zero temperture, and is said to be fairly quiet if it is set to the minimum 30% fan speed. I just wonder say fitting two undervolted 80mm panaflo fans instead of the 120mm fan would make this unit more or less inaudible.

I have read many reviews of this unit, but I cannot conclude if it is quiet or not. Because most of these guys that review these units are fairly use to loud noises.

They have supplied many samples for reviews, so I wonder if they would also send you one.

Here are some pictures of it http://www.vapochill.com/default.asp?showPage=main/page.asp&param=sideid&myvalue=219&contentSection=5&menuID=88

The application vapochil require for a review sample has been submitted; no word whether it's been accepted.

Deltatronic Silentium!-Kit

LEY FEK-I HDD Cooler/Decoupler

MR Computer Chieftech 360W Superleise

MR Computer Channel / Well 300 Watt plus Superleise

MR Computer SLK 800 TR

Zalman ZM-300 /w Papst N2GL

Blacknosie Noiseblocker XBlue3& EvolutionEQ

hey dudes,

a big review on noise dampening material will be great !!!!

there a several producers making such things !!!

verrrryy intresting

I'd dearly love to see a Vapochill review as well. I have heard the term "silent" too, but we all know that word is meaningless unless it comes from this site. If you can change the fan speeds, I'd sure like to know what the performance is like with the fans locked at their minimum speed. You know, just to give us an idea how it would cool at the fan speeds we are most likely to use.

Mainly I just wish for more reviews! I come here once a day at least, and then I sigh because there isn't a new review sometimes. But I still love you guys.

A review of some Hiper PSU's would be good because they are being marketed as direct competition to Enermax and sold at least 25% cheaper.

Also being reccommended by Coolermaster.

I would like to see a spcr review on Noisecontrol products. I'm a user of these products (case and psu) and would like to see how they stand up against already reviewed products. Especially since they've released a new kind of noise dampening material which looks over the top weighing 13 kg per square meter, but should be very eh, dampening

I would like to see you to test "normal" PSU's which aren't marketed as silent. How much noisier is Antec basic models compared to Truepower etc.

There's no point -- "normal" PSUs are often a lot noisier, some only a bit noisier, but generally they are noisier. The worst reviewed thus far is the 3-fan Vantec, which is actually marketed as quiet -- and amazingly enough! -- declared quiet by lots of "reviewers"!! Tells you about noise standards elsewhere.


On the basis of this review -- http://www.bit-tech.net/review/135/ -- the 1-fan version looks worth a look -- does someone want to ask them to send samples to mikec at silentpcreview.com? I will not bother with any more 2-fan PSUs unless they are at least as quiet as the 2-fan Antecs. Those are already a bit too loud, in my opinion, and are included in the Recommended PSU list only as a reference because it is so widely used/known. (They still are the quietest 2-fan PSUs I have heard.)

Damping materials -- a comparison review of several is coming
Cases -- more will come in time
Noisecontrol -- NoVibes is a NC product reviewed here; more product samples have been promised.
Vapochill -- a sample has been request; no response.
Deltatronics don't respond to sample requests

Perhaps not reviews, but adding a list of reccommended cd/dvd drives might be handy. theres wild variation in the amount of noise these things chuck out - the plextor ive got at the mo is pretty much inaudable providing you slow it down to 8x, but the generic drive i had before would shake the walls at that speed.

In that case:

I have a Mitsumi 40x12x40x burner. Loud as hell when you put a CD in, doesn't spin it down for like 5 mins.

Question: If I buy something, and I write an article on it, would 'the mgmt' take it? I have written for other sites too.

www.foxpop.co.uk
www.mac-nut.com (Pending publishing of December and/or Feb. issues)

If you need specific links...ask.

Yes that would be pretty nice!
I have a 16x DVD reader and a 48x cd writer and both are noisy as hell! They sound like a blender or something.
To make it worse, windows enjoys giving them all a good spin when you shut down!

A review of that Zalman rotating duct/heatsink thing would be nice.

I would like to set up a water-cooled system, and I am having trouble finding any information about pump noise that I feel I can trust.

Eheim, Maxijet and Via Aqua seem to be the most common names, with the Vias having a questionable reputation for reliability.

Once I tried out a Minijet briefly; it was cheaply made and it rattled, and adapting it for in-line rather than submerged use would take a fair bit of work.

Information I would like to see in a pump review would include:
1 Comments/measurements on the noise (with various flow rates/resistances?).
2 Description of the fittings, and how easy it is to plumb in the pump with different tubing sizes, in-line or submerged.
3 Rated maximum allowable water temperature. (Often this is stated in the instructions that come with the pump, but is not readily available elsewhere.)
4 Pressure/flow-rate curve (especially if not available on the maker's web site).

A point to bear in mind is that a pump for 120V, 60Hz may not have the same performance as the manufacturer's "equivalent" pump for 230V, 50Hz. (From my guess at how these things work, I think the rotor spins at the frequency of the mains electricity.)