Hello, I found 'version 1' in a local store. How much more noise is there compared to the other one (i.e. "ver. 2")? Sorry, I forgot to look at the manufacture date. But, it had the 'five ribs.' It's about $60 (Cdn $$). If I can't find the other drive, is it worth buying? I am looking for a single-p...

This is a two parter: I want to keep it brief in the hope that I will obtain a few replies. :) Problem/Issue #1: I purchased a new system. Here are the current components: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R, Nvidia EVGA 7950GT, Quad Core Q6600 CPU (G0 stepping), 2GB Crucial Ballistix RAM-PC8500, anything else to ...

Yeah, that is a plan. But, then I'd need a case for my newer computer! :wink: But, maybe silencing this older computer is worth it since I don't even want to use it with the noise. I am not sure if it was any better before but for whatever reason, it is very noticeable now. I have a newer AMD X2 com...

Hello, I have an old computer (A7N8X-E Deluxe w/ Athlon Barton 2500+ cpu) that is way too loud. It's the cpu fan. I was wondering what I should do. I'd sell the computer but it probably doesn't have much value, right? It works fine but I upgraded my other computer and took some of the hardware out o...

ATI's HTPC graphics cards (2600 series) went to the 65nm process. Nvidia (8500/8600) is still at 80nm.

What about undervolting? I was thinking of getting the DS3R with a G0 stepping Q6600 and the DS3R is a confirmed undervolting board. Also, I have already purchased the Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7. I'm hoping that between keeping the Q6600 clocked at 2.4 and using the aforementioned cooler that I c...

Those obscure fans are unavailable to me. I need to be order it from a Canadian retailer or have low shipping costs.

Thanks, jag. I guess I'll take a chance on the Corsair, then. I'll order from a local retailer so I could take it back if it has any issues.

There's an Asrock motherboard that has both AGP and PCI-e ports. It's under $80 here. It's Intel so it should take the Core 2 Duo chips. I think it depends on how much you want to spend on the video card but I see it like this: Based on gaming priority v.s. video playback/editing Gaming - 1950 Pro >...

Is there any plans to review the Enermax Liberty ELT500AWT 500W PSU? I am torn between that particular PSU and the Corsair series of power supplies. The complaints about the Corsair PSU noises made me hesitant to choose that one or I would have bought one already. I read good reviews on the Enermax ...

Most cards nowadays have a DVI and many have dual DVI. If you want to do light gaming, the 7600GS probably is the best for the price but how much is the 7600GT there? If you are not going to do video stuff (e.g. encoding), then pass on the HD 2xxx series of cards. It's way too much money if you want...

Could someone suggest some 92 mm fans? I was wondering which ones are best for cooling but without compromising in the way of noise too much. I think the Nexus fans are best but few are in stock right now and I missed out on ordering. I was going to get something for now and get a Nexus later. I bou...

If went with the 8600 series, I'd probably choose either: GIGABYTE GV-NX86S256H or ASUS EN8600GTS SILENT/HTDP/256M Can anyone confirm the fit of one of these in an Antec Solo case? It's a tight fit, right? I'm wondering if fans from such a case can keep the card cool and I wanted to make sure that h...

Check out the main Gigabyte site. There is no BIOS listed for the rev. 2.0 so I am guessing you cannot get the 2.0 board until they at least put up the BIOS (download) for it.

What about this card?: http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=514&l4=0&model=1642&modelmenu=1 It's passive, HTCP and the GT version. Is there any need for the GTS versions? The GT should be sufficient? If you use XP and since the drivers for hardware acceleration (H.264) aren't really availa...

Both AMD/ATI and Nvidia have had major problems with drivers recently. Also, from my research, it seems ATI HD 2000 series cards often give owners problems but I think most of it might be due to the software that you use with it. Nvidia hasn't provided hardware acceleration/H.264 drivers for their 8...

On the Gigabyte page, for the GA-965P-DS3 revision 2.0, it states the revision is for improvement of Quad Core support so I assume that this would apply to the P35 boards, too. But, you're right, now you have to concern yourself whether you get a 2.0 board. It doesn't list the rev. on any retailer s...

I have everything now but the mb, PSU and video card. I'll probably choose a heatsink soon (probably Thermalright 120). PSU: Corsair 520 or Enermax Liberty ELT500AWT. Which one would you pick? MB: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R or Abit IP35 Pro Video Card: Nvidia 8600 GT or ATI (brand?) 2600 XT/Pro (cheapest ...

I read the HD 2400 doesn't work as well for encoding/video. Try for a HD 2600. I just read in other places of discussions with the ATI HD 2000-series and people have major problems with them. Nvidia probably isn't any better. I'd avoid the 2400 just for that reason. I think a lot of it is Winblows a...

Has anybody shopped for either the Nvidia 8600GT or ATI series of HD 2600 cards? Which model/brand? If I went with Nvidia, I'm looking at: BFG 8600 GT OC (565 MHz) Gigabyte 8600 GT Passive OC (600 MHz) The Gigabyte is the better choice since it's passive? It's more expensive, though. I think the Nvi...

Which card, though?

I want the card for video encoding, too. I thought the 8600GT was good (or 8500GT) but it doesn't have HD encoding drivers (HD PureVideo) for XP.

I will have a good CPU but the main point for upgrading/new graphics card would be to have it do a bit of the work.

I'm asking for advice based on the same requests of the OP. I will use XP and Linux (sparingly as I have another machine that will mainly be Linux OS). I don't know whether to go Nvidia or ATI but this computer will be used for encoding and converting video. I don't know if it matters so much right ...

I have a similar request. I opted for the Solo for price (over the P182). Anyway, I'm looking at a E6750 cpu but I wasn't going to overclock. Would an aftermarket heatsink still be a good choice? I found a Thermalright 120 in stock. I was going to pair it up with a Scscythe S-Flex fan. I was going t...

Yeah, you're right. I read a review of P35 motherboard comparisons and the Abit had the best bios/fan controller setup. If it wasn't so pricey, I'd probably go with the Pro. The Gigabyte board gets good reviews and people sound generally satisfied with it. I think Asus has shot itself in the foot wi...

Nexus 120MM Real Silent Case Fan BLACK/WHITE 1000RPM 22.8DBA 36.87CFM 3/4PIN - $14 CAD Hey, I think I know where you're buying your gear. If it is where I'm thinking of, you can substitute the Nexus fans for Yate Loon 120mm fans (same company). I found that out (i.e. the Yate Loon and Nexus connect...

Can I add to the thread? It's just that my system and intended purpose sounded similar so I wasn't sure whether to create another thread (when the systems are so similar). Please comment on my current and future machines. There are three: 1)Asus A7N8X-Deluxe – HTPC (needs new case, old one is chea...

Well, no, the vanilla IP35 and IP-35-E don't have uGuru, but they're much cheaper than the Pro, so why is it a mark against them? If the fan controls won't be useful to you then yes, you might as well save a bit of cash and go for the DS3R if it does everything you want... The vanilla board is $30 ...

Which Abit motherboards offer the uGuru fan control? It appears the IP35 board doesn't have it, only the Pro version. There's a mark against them right there.

Thanks for the info, Wedge. I want something fairly silent as I want a HTPC setup and sometimes you need silence to hear something on the TV! :wink: Is undervolting the motherboard a way of reducing fan speeds? What is that done for? Also, which is most convenient or better value? The Gigabyte board...

I'll give my two cents if anyone cares. :wink: I've been debating between these two mb companies and similar boards: DS3R v.s. Abit IP35. Not the C-series of the Gigabyte or the Pro series of the Abit. Why? I think we'll be upgrading again and the fact that I don't really like the idea of mixing boa...