Search found 71 matches

by Capsaicin
Fri Nov 12, 2010 7:07 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Electronic Noise and Tinnitus
Replies: 60
Views: 137919

Re: Electronic Noise and Tinnitus

I suffer from what I believe is tinnitus, off and on. I first remember noticing it when I had an IBM Deathstar HDD. I could still "hear" ringing after the hardware was off, especially when my surroundings were very quiet. Most computer hardware I've worked with since then has been OK, though, about ...
by Capsaicin
Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:35 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: how should I mount my 2.5" SSD?
Replies: 14
Views: 6513

alleycat wrote:SSDs don't heat up
Benchmark Reviews says otherwise. They can heat up just like your system RAM can heat up.
by Capsaicin
Fri May 29, 2009 11:37 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: MSI solves Nvidia GTX 200 squealing problem
Replies: 1
Views: 1734

MSI solves Nvidia GTX 200 squealing problem

Article from bit-tech

Apparently I've been out of the (nvidia) video card loop for a while. I had no idea this was such a problem.
by Capsaicin
Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:42 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: DIAMOND-based heat transfer compound
Replies: 48
Views: 52558

...the penultimate material for thermal conductivity has been turned into thermal paste...
So, it's the next to best material for thermal conductivity? What's the best? :?
by Capsaicin
Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:27 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: OCZ PCIe 1 SI TB SSD
Replies: 17
Views: 9735

It looks like it clearly states it's MLC flash memory (vs. volatile RAM used in devices like FusionIO) . Still not a product I would look at to purchase, though. FusionIO is not a RAM device. It's just regular flash, SLC or MLC depending on a model. My mistake. So why are all these other SSDs so sl...
by Capsaicin
Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:43 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: OCZ PCIe 1 SI TB SSD
Replies: 17
Views: 9735

It's already been outed as a RocketRaid card with four naked 250GB Vertex drives attached via SATA, all crammed into a plastic housing to hide the mess. It's no FusionIO drive - just a marketing gimmick. There's even photos showing the grey plastic molding, later painted black to look like an anodi...
by Capsaicin
Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:24 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Good affordable SSDs?
Replies: 110
Views: 55196

You'll probably want to check out OCZ forums for the lasted developments on overcoming the stuttering issues.

The latest find is using partition alignment. Some people have also had luck using SteadyState, Enhanced Write Filter, or Managed Flash Technology (a 3rd party driver).
by Capsaicin
Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:12 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Intel X25-E reviews?
Replies: 27
Views: 12376

I'm guessing there aren't any reviews of the X25-E because they (presumably) haven't been sent to any of the usual hw review sites. :)

Newegg has the X25-M for sale now (but out of stock).
by Capsaicin
Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:01 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: SSD with stellar speed and stellar cost.
Replies: 8
Views: 7320

Elvellon wrote:From the description, it's not really an SSD, just a RAM-based device (like Gigabyte I-RAM) with 512 GB of DDR2 + some fancy controller + backup battery + RAID'ed SSD's for backup...
It is an SSD (Solid State), but it's not what we usually think of as SSD (relatively inexpensive, Flash-based).
by Capsaicin
Fri May 23, 2008 5:53 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: High pitched wooshing sound
Replies: 6
Views: 3621

In my experience, foam won't help that much with HDD idle noise unless you block all (direct) sound exit paths from the case. My only real success with this was to put the case in a foam padded cabinet (inspired by these: http://www.custom-consoles.com/isobox.php).
by Capsaicin
Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:03 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Silent laptops - What can be recommended?
Replies: 4
Views: 2959

My Dell Vostro 1500 is pretty quiet. Most of the noise from it is HDD seeks. My HP dv6000t isn't quite as quiet. The fan is a bit noisier (mostly if it gets "rattle-y") and it has the (core duo) CPU whine when unplugged. Both are much better than laptops I used to have (e.g., mobile P4 era), though....
by Capsaicin
Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:51 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000BLFS Previews
Replies: 89
Views: 47205

The HD is the major bottleneck in almost every computer, especially those playing games etc, for video playback its not a major issue I haven't heard of any games being limited by hard-disc performance yet. You should see gaming on my laptop (C2D, 5400 rpm hdd, 2gb ram) vs. my desktop (P4, 7200 rpm...
by Capsaicin
Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:30 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000BLFS Previews
Replies: 89
Views: 47205

NeilBlanchard wrote:RAID 0 (striped) increases performance very little, if at all, IIANM.
Here's one example of RAID 0 vs. non-RAID: http://www.nextlevelhardware.com/storage/barracudaraid/
by Capsaicin
Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:08 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000BLFS Previews
Replies: 89
Views: 47205

NeilBlanchard wrote:Hello,

Am I correct in thinking this is a 2.5" drive in a 3.5" case?
It's a 2.5"/15mm form factor (used by Seagate Savvio drives -- think blade servers) with a 3.5" heatsink surrounding it. (Laptop HDDs are typically 2.5"/9.5mm form factor.)
by Capsaicin
Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:22 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000BLFS Previews
Replies: 89
Views: 47205

Another review (in case you needed another): Maximum PC.

Really, though, we need a SPCR review. ;) I think this thing is going to hold me off from getting a SSD quite yet. :P
by Capsaicin
Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:56 am
Forum: Green Computing
Topic: UPS with master/controlled outlets
Replies: 0
Views: 3460

UPS with master/controlled outlets

Today I came across APC's Back-UPS ES with "Master Control": http://www.apcc.com/ . I'm currently using "smart" power strips from Bits Limited: http://catalog.bitsltd.us/ (not hooked up to UPS's any more -- batteries were dying and I haven't replaced them). Anybody have any experience with the APC U...
by Capsaicin
Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:52 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Scythe Giant Ninja [CeBIT 2008]
Replies: 18
Views: 11088

Scythe Giant Ninja [CeBIT 2008]

Pictures here: www.pcgameshardware.de
Image
Will the insanity never end? :lol:
by Capsaicin
Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:44 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: MSI employs Stirling Engine Theory
Replies: 12
Views: 8735

More info here: www.bit-tech.net

Too bad it doesn't kick in until 60deg C. Still pretty cool, though. :D
by Capsaicin
Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:37 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: 5400 vs 7200
Replies: 3
Views: 2660

I'd wait for SSDs to drop in price if I could. The only reason I could see for getting another 7200 to replace the 5400 is if you're doing lots of intensive disk writing. If you don't have 2GB of RAM (or 4GB for 64-bit OSes), I'd upgrade that first. Once a program is loaded into system cache, it's v...
by Capsaicin
Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:35 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Mini Review of 3 SSD's--Samsung, Sandisk and Mtron
Replies: 13
Views: 9131

hmsrolst wrote:I don't see why there'd be a performance penalty as you fill it up, but I don't have any real expertise on it.
There's conjecture that there might be a penalty due to wear-leveling. /shrug :)
by Capsaicin
Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:05 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Mini Review of 3 SSD's--Samsung, Sandisk and Mtron
Replies: 13
Views: 9131

Sweet. Thanks for posting this. :D Did you get close to filling up the SSDs (and was there a performance penalty)?
by Capsaicin
Sat Jan 19, 2008 3:09 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Does a hard drive in a box need to "breath[e]" ?
Replies: 9
Views: 4480

Re: Does a hard drive in a box need to "breath" ?

I am considering using the Scythe Silent Box or similar to reduce the noise of a 3.5" hd, but I am concerned about warnings on disk saying "Do not cover any drive holes." IIRC, this has to do with pressure differentials (e.g., moving the HDD to a different elevation). I have a 5400 rpm HDD in on of...
by Capsaicin
Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:47 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: 2008, the year of the SSD...
Replies: 32
Views: 14549

Re: 8 GB is OK.

Why do some folks need 32 GB or more just to run their system? 16GB would be fine for my system drive on my home system. My work laptop would need at least a 32GB drive, though (winxp+office+msdn suite+adobe suite... 13GB in program files; 5GB in windows folder; 2GB for page file; 2GB for hibernate...
by Capsaicin
Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:06 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: 2008, the year of the SSD...
Replies: 32
Views: 14549

If I finally upgrade my desktop this year, I'll be looking at them. I want one of the better performing ones (Mtron would be nice...) at 16-32GB for my boot disk, but only if I can get one for around $200 (or $300 for 32GB).
by Capsaicin
Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:18 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: CompactFlash or USB Thumb Drive
Replies: 3
Views: 2751

You'll want to check here: http://www.hjreggel.net/cardspeed/.

techPowerUp! has some a handful of flash drive reviews, too.
by Capsaicin
Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:16 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Quiet AGP Upgrade from 9800 Pro? Advice, please?
Replies: 10
Views: 5207

Update: I ordered an x850 XT off the 'bay, premodded with an Arctic Cooling Silencer. Unfortunately, one of the cooler bits on the back of the card (looks like some sort of threaded fastener) goes right where one of my RAM chips sits (mobo has 2 slots, both filled). :? You can see it on their diagra...
by Capsaicin
Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:39 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: My 128mb GeForce FX5600 needs an upgrade
Replies: 4
Views: 2854

Check out the graphics power requirements here: http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354

Your card is listed at 65W. You could get an 8600 GTS (47W, PCIE only) or an X1950 Pro (66W, AGP and PCIE). (Or a bunch of others, take your pick :D.)
by Capsaicin
Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:13 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Quiet AGP Upgrade from 9800 Pro? Advice, please?
Replies: 10
Views: 5207

After reading some comments on the x1950, I realized my power supply may need replacing, too (Nexus NX-3000, 300w). Think I'll need something like one of these? Antec earthwatts EA380: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371005 Antec earthwatts EA430: http://www.newegg.com/Produ...
by Capsaicin
Wed Oct 31, 2007 1:05 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Quiet AGP Upgrade from 9800 Pro? Advice, please?
Replies: 10
Views: 5207

oh btw my 7800gs had terrible frame rates w/ LOTR online @ 1920x1080 maxxed visuals/ no AA/AF... Wow. Ouch. :( Newegg has 4 brands of x1950 Pro cards. Only the Gecube is in my price range, though. the only exception is if you could find a higher clocked 2600. that would be a big improvement over a ...