Search found 81 matches

by mark314
Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:38 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: Windows 8: what do you think about it?
Replies: 87
Views: 97441

Re: Windows 8: what do you think about it?

I've been using Windows 8 on my HTPC for the last 2 months. Using the Release Preview. Recently, I also installed the RP onto my home server, blowing away Windows Server 2008. I also plan to put it on my main PC as soon as my pre-order ships. On the HTPC: Metro looks a lot nicer on 42" of TV than th...
by mark314
Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:29 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Low power Sandy Bridge Mini-ITX build
Replies: 91
Views: 26969

Re: Low power Sandy Bridge Mini-ITX build

To each their own. I'm a fan of tried and true BIOS, personally. By the way, the Gigabyte board supports >2.2TB drives.

In 4 years, across 5 motherboards, I've never had a truly stable Asus board.
by mark314
Sat Mar 26, 2011 9:56 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Low power Sandy Bridge Mini-ITX build
Replies: 91
Views: 26969

Re: Low power Sandy Bridge Mini-ITX build

How about the Gigabyte mini-itx board, it's cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -h67n-usb3

Dual HDMI, SPDIF & Coax, 2 USB3, and SATA-6. Same otherwise, except $50 cheaper.
by mark314
Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:39 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: HDPLEX H10 Fanless microATX Case
Replies: 26
Views: 16853

Re: HDPLEX H10 Fanless microATX Case

Makes sense. I am a bit concerned though - take a look at their PSU page: http://www.hd-plex.com/power-supply/ The top photo is what looks like an unbranded picoPSU. See http://www.mini-box.com/site/mini-box-c ... alert.html
by mark314
Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:56 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: HDPLEX H10 Fanless microATX Case
Replies: 26
Views: 16853

Re: HDPLEX H10 Fanless microATX Case

There's no cable from the earth pin on the C14 inlet to the PSU or chassis.. You're right, there isn't. The earth pin just isn't connected at all, and the plug connector is plastic. That's in contrast to, say, the Antec AR-350 SFF which has a grounded metal plug connector, or the picoPSU. MikeC, do...
by mark314
Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:15 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: Jetway Mini-top passive cooling conversion advice
Replies: 5
Views: 5678

Re: Jetway Mini-top passive cooling conversion advice

Bad news first: you killed your heat pipe. Like iddylil said, the pipe is sealed with water vapor under pressure inside. When you drilled a hole in the pipe, the pressure released, the fluid escaped, and you were left with a copper tube. The good news: You can try again. http://www.enertron-inc.com/...
by mark314
Fri Nov 19, 2010 3:23 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: HFX Micro upgrade?
Replies: 7
Views: 3333

Re: HFX Micro upgrade?

The heatpipes are not the issue, unfortunately. An 8MM pipe can move up to 35W, approximately. However, moving that power to the heatsinks is only relevant if the heatsinks can dissipate it. And I suspect that heatsink will do a poor job of it, if it's capable at all.
by mark314
Fri Nov 19, 2010 2:16 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: HFX Micro upgrade?
Replies: 7
Views: 3333

Re: HFX Micro upgrade?

DO NOT DO THAT. Let's look at this. There are 2 specifications that are important. The maximum temperature of the CPU (Tcase) and the wattage of the system at full load (TDP). Intel recommends that the CPU be kept beneath Tcase for long term stability. The Atom 330 has an 8W TDP and a Tc of 85.2C. I...
by mark314
Fri Oct 15, 2010 8:06 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Passive card for Civilization 5
Replies: 10
Views: 6024

Re: Passive card for Civilization 5

I'm using a C2Q Q6600 and an old 8800 GTS video card. 3Gig ram. The game was sluggish from the start, but once I left Medieval and moved towards Industrial/Modern era, it becomes like what silentplummet said - a slideshow. This is on DX9, all settings at med or low, no AA at all. The game shows all ...
by mark314
Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:25 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Logic Supply SolidLogic Montivina Fanless Mini-ITX System
Replies: 14
Views: 10035

what advantage does using a PC to play your Blu-Rays give you over a decent standalone? Unified playback. Sure, you could have a blu-ray player, and a dvd-audio player, and a media streamer, and maybe a set-top box as well - or you can have an HTPC with them all built in. Controlled from one remote...
by mark314
Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:42 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Logic Supply SolidLogic Montivina Fanless Mini-ITX System
Replies: 14
Views: 10035

The 16 GB SSD is hardly worth 420$, and this fanless pc has NO optical drive at all... sorry, did I miss your point, or was it simply some easy and plain Apple-bashing? BTW, I didn't say the Mini is " the solution", but simply that even an overpriced piece of hardware like that is more conveniente ...
by mark314
Mon Sep 20, 2010 3:06 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Source for low-profile DIMM memory?
Replies: 2
Views: 1584

Kingston has half-profile ram - KVR667D2N5/2G


http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 7D2N5%2f2G
by mark314
Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:45 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Logic Supply SolidLogic Montivina Fanless Mini-ITX System
Replies: 14
Views: 10035

Parappaman wrote:Going fanless is so extreme and cool, but utterly useless. A Mac mini with much faster hardware and better equipment goes for less, takes much less space, looks better and doesn't sound bad either. Not mentioning the DIY route...
Love the SSD and the blu-ray on that new Mac Mini!
by mark314
Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:02 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Questions about Scythe's heatpipe caps
Replies: 13
Views: 4501

That does answer some questions. Thanks! The heat pipe companies like to make their own assessments as to the viability of my heat pipe designs and ignore the engineering and research I put into it first. I am working in the 30-60W range, not 700W :) However, my longest pipe is about 22" long. But I...
by mark314
Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:48 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Questions about Scythe's heatpipe caps
Replies: 13
Views: 4501

You used to work for Thermacore, interesting. I worked with them briefly in the past - they drew up a quote for a heatpipe prototype but it was far too expensive. $3600 for 6 small-radius heatpipes... So I will ask you some questions then, if anyone thinks I am steering this thread off topic I will ...
by mark314
Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:00 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Optical Drive noise
Replies: 4
Views: 7271

Hmm. Thanks. Slowing the drive down seems like a good option then. Have you tried vibration-damping adhesive pads like the one I've linked? I'm thinking Polydamp Extensional Damping Pad (EDP) EDP is a lightweight, self-adhesive composite with a viscoelastic surface and aggressive pressure sensitive ...
by mark314
Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:47 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Optical Drive noise
Replies: 4
Views: 7271

Optical Drive noise

--note - moving this from Quiet, prebuild, and SFF as it seems a more appropriate forum. I'll close off the other thread. :) -- Hi, There's no optical drive forum that I could see so here goes: I want to use dampening panels to reduce as much as possible the noise from a slim optical drive. We're ta...
by mark314
Wed Jun 09, 2010 10:02 am
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: Both gone: X5560's
Replies: 2
Views: 2022

I messaged you a few hours ago. I have access to an X58 motherboard with full Xeon compatibility, and I should be able to get my hands on an Intel dual CPU workstation style board as well. If they work, it would be nice, since I'm trying to start a business and actually can't afford to upgrade my ag...
by mark314
Tue May 11, 2010 7:57 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Fanless i5-670 HTPC/File Server - getting below 20W idle?
Replies: 24
Views: 18597

You're going to have to explain this one to me... http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLBLT# i5 670 TDP is 73W, and TJ max (maximum junction temp at the CPU) is 72.6C. So either you're not getting an accurate measurement of your CPU temp or ... you're not reading the temperature corr...
by mark314
Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:27 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Own a flat panel? Don't go to this link.
Replies: 27
Views: 13923

I don't know, I'm quite happy with my dual 2209WA dell IPS panels. They passed the tests on that site quite admirably and seeing as I paid $380CA for them shipped to my door, I really don't have much to complain about :p
by mark314
Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:00 am
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: Canadian source for specialty cables?
Replies: 0
Views: 1562

Canadian source for specialty cables?

Hello, I'm struggling to find provider for some specialty parts that is either in Canada or ships to Canada. I was looking at CoolDrives (www.cooldrives.com), but they don't ship to Canada. Here's what I'm looking for: - 3-5 inch SATA data cables (2) - PCI-e extender ribbon cable Any suggestions? Bo...
by mark314
Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:56 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Silent Antec CHEAPly
Replies: 126
Views: 286579

Noto, We appreciate your points that you've made about colm being a bit strange. Welcome to the real world, where not everyone is an identical, normal speaking, prim and proper Englishman like yourself. Well first off you could read this, then read it again to make sure you've understood it all, the...
by mark314
Thu Jan 07, 2010 12:50 pm
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Quiet PCs and dust
Replies: 5
Views: 7696

What?
by mark314
Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:12 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: TDP and power consumption of GeForce 9300 GS?
Replies: 0
Views: 1750

TDP and power consumption of GeForce 9300 GS?

Is there any way I can measure or obtain the power dissipation at idle and 100% load of the GeForce 9300GS, which is onboard the Zotac GF-9300-itx motherboard? I can't find ANY info on Nvidia's site. Specifically, I need the maximum power consumption, and maximum safe operating temperature before th...
by mark314
Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:43 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: thermaltake level 10
Replies: 8
Views: 4474

Pretty bogus, in my opinion. http://dl.maximumpc.com/galleries/level10/l10gut_lw.jpg That heatsink that they go on and on about, next to the hard drives? Useless. One hard drive will cool by natural convection, and the dissipated heat will go where...? Into the hard drive above it. Meaning the only ...
by mark314
Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:30 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Antec ISK 300 Mini-ITX case
Replies: 115
Views: 115837

I have hade 4 slot-in drives before, and none of them had any problems like that, this is the first blu-ray. Reviewers on Newegg had the same issue. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118027&Tpk=5600s But i have re-place the stock cooler, way to noisy and dosen't cool the chip...
by mark314
Tue Sep 01, 2009 2:07 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Antec ISK 300 Mini-ITX case
Replies: 115
Views: 115837

Zotac 9300 (have) E7200 (have) Scythe BIG Shuriken (in the post office) WD 320gb black 2.5" (have) Sony Optiarc BC-5600S (on the way) Antec ISK 300 (searching for it) PicoPSU tx150 (have) I just built something similar with this case. No pics yet as it's a work in progress. Zotac 9300 E7300 Stock c...
by mark314
Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:23 am
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: WTB / Looking for free : Large heatsinks
Replies: 1
Views: 1874

WTB / Looking for free : Large heatsinks

Hi, I'm looking for anyone who has some nice big aluminum or copper heatsinks. They need to be approximately 4x13 inches with pins or fins of up to 1.5 inches long. If anyone has anything like that, or has a good source to buy such a thing, let me know! I am having trouble finding anything in Canada...
by mark314
Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:47 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: HTPC build - need some pro eyes to look over
Replies: 14
Views: 7045

Re: HTPC build - need some pro eyes to look over

I just built a similar system. The Zotac GF 9300 is the most recommended ITX board for HTPC (Check out AVS Forum for a 30 page discussion on the board - http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1111996 ) As for sound, if you are using analog out, onboard might only be decent, but digital out ...