Search found 115 matches

by Falkon
Thu May 23, 2013 7:20 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Gaming Build - Advice
Replies: 50
Views: 19601

Re: Gaming Build - Advice

Looking at Windows 7 Home Premium, OEM means I can only install it once, correct? Amazon has Windows 7 HP for $89. Any better deal out there? I'm pretty sure OEM just means you don't get customer/phone support for the product. You can reinstall the OS provided the hardware similar to what you initi...
by Falkon
Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:06 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Glutton for punishment - Silencing a Poweredge 2950
Replies: 17
Views: 16949

Re: Glutton for punishment - Silencing a Poweredge 2950

I don't see how the system could be quieted if the PSU is proprietary and therefore cannot be replaced with a traditional quiet ATX unit. Regardless of which route you choose to take the 60mm fans have to go. A new case is probably needed as well, possibly a custom enclosure. Beyond that I don't hav...
by Falkon
Sun Feb 17, 2013 4:48 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Glutton for punishment - Silencing a Poweredge 2950
Replies: 17
Views: 16949

Re: Glutton for punishment - Silencing a Poweredge 2950

It seems to me like it would be easier (and possibly more cost effective) to just build a high end consumer desktop system from the ground up instead of retrofitting this one for acceptable noise levels. You could probably even sell some of the old parts in online classifieds to help with the initia...
by Falkon
Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:04 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Seasonic Platinum Fanless 520W PSU
Replies: 44
Views: 109445

Re: Seasonic Platinum Fanless 520W PSU

Hi there. I bought a Seasonic 460-FL a few months back. And from day one it had a pitch noise audible from around 2 feet during the day. The problem is i purpose built the computer to run thru the night when i sleep and i can hear that noise even from 3 meters away in my bed. I have a totally fanle...
by Falkon
Sun Jan 13, 2013 5:40 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: I need a build list critique
Replies: 13
Views: 5724

Re: I need a build list critique

I would consider using something other than onboard sound if you're going to be doing live recording, mixing, etc. Something like the Asus Xonar Essence STX should work well for that application. You get a dedicated 1/4" line in as well as a 1/4" output jack with headphone amp. Plus the audio qualit...
by Falkon
Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:48 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Major upgrade, need heatsink advice.
Replies: 17
Views: 8159

Re: Major upgrade, need heatsink advice.

I'm pretty sure that the Asus 660 Ti doesn't fit in an Antec Solo without modification. I had looked into that in the past for myself.
by Falkon
Tue Sep 18, 2012 5:46 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: ZOTAC GeForce GT 640 ZONE Edition Fanless GPU
Replies: 10
Views: 9666

Re: ZOTAC GeForce GT 640 ZONE Edition Fanless GPU

whispercat wrote:Could someone explain how a card can use more power (9w) for idle than it does for playing high def video (4-6w) ? I didn't quite understand that.
The graph I believe you're referring to is labelled "Power Consumption, Increase over Idle (Watts, AC)" at the bottom.
by Falkon
Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:51 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: new build soon
Replies: 55
Views: 27127

Re: new build soon

I got the S12II PSU but I'm not happy with that and I'm going to return it and get something else instead - probably the Cooler Master Silent Pro M600, or possibly the PC Power & Cooling MKIII 400W. Just curious - what did you not like about it? I've only ever really heard good things about that PS...
by Falkon
Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:22 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: ADATA XPG SX910 128GB Solid State Drive
Replies: 9
Views: 7067

Re: ADATA XPG SX910 128GB Solid State Drive

The link posted to the article in question at the top is broken. Should be: http://www.silentpcreview.com/ADATA_XPG_SX910_SSD
rpsgc wrote:Am I the only one who finds this a bit... odd? :lol: SSD are already inherently silent.
Sometimes they make odd electrical noises which are quite noticeable.
by Falkon
Mon Jul 23, 2012 2:45 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Getting ready to buy a system - comments welcome
Replies: 16
Views: 5172

Re: Getting ready to buy a system - comments welcome

Is there a Noctua NH version that is better liked among these by folks here? Noctua NH- U12p/C12p/D14/C14 Thanks. I use the NH-C12P SE14 and love it. With the single 140mm fan on the ULN adapter it's silent in my environment. I like it's low height compared to a tower cooler, the spillover cooling ...
by Falkon
Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:59 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Advice on PC build
Replies: 8
Views: 3643

Re: Advice on PC build

I didn't know that about green drives, so I'll be sure to use one. Do you think any of the WD green drives will be sufficient? WD Green drives work great as mass storage/backup drives. They're quite slow if used as an OS/apps drive. If you're using either a SSD or 7200rpm+ HDD as a boot drive the W...
by Falkon
Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:43 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Advice on PC build
Replies: 8
Views: 3643

Re: Advice on PC build

Looks good to me with the exception of the heatsink you chose. That is extreme overkill unless you're planning on doing some major overclocking. Something like the NH-C12P SE14 or the NH-U12P SE2 would be more appropriate if you're looking for a Noctua cooler. I would concern myself with how you're ...
by Falkon
Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:45 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Fractal Design Define Mini/R3 vs NZXT H2
Replies: 2
Views: 1984

Re: Fractal Design Define Mini/R3 vs NZXT H2

1. The cases should perform more or less the same for cooling and silence. 2. The H2 doesn't have very good airflow without modification, and even then it's not really impressive 3. Components: CPU cooler: Something like the Scythe Mugen 3 or Noctua NH-U12P should work well for you. Fans: I like the...
by Falkon
Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:53 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Silent Gaming Computer Feedback
Replies: 5
Views: 2606

Re: Silent Gaming Computer Feedback

Everything looks good with the exception of the PSU. Also, the CPU cooler boost recommended will probably work better for you as well. For the power supply the one you listed likely has enough wattage, but voltage on the 12v rail may be inadequate. You could look at something like the Antec Truepowe...
by Falkon
Thu May 31, 2012 7:48 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: 3570k gamer. Component check
Replies: 14
Views: 6301

Re: 3570k gamer. Component check

I am still confused regarding what video card in this range to get/what is the best "silent" solution. Does the 560 perform in a same way as 560Ti noise wise (stock fans)? Is it "better" to get another card and put aftermarket fans?). I was even considering Saphire 7750 Ultimate and eventually upgr...
by Falkon
Wed May 30, 2012 6:37 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: 3570k gamer. Component check
Replies: 14
Views: 6301

Re: 3570k gamer. Component check

I still need to sum all up, but what would be recommended GPU if if 560 is not in play? 560 is 260 USD on newegg and I am not sure if that is in my budget. Any step lower (fanless card or card with aftermarket coolers?). Or is it 560 with stock coolers worth additional investment? The GTX 560 (not ...
by Falkon
Sat May 26, 2012 5:53 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: 3570k gamer. Component check
Replies: 14
Views: 6301

Re: 3570k gamer. Component check

My Noctua NH-C12P SE14 is only 114mm tall with the fan installed . Agreed, but don't forget a top down needs an extra 25mm of breathing space (one fan width). So it's effective height is 139mm. The height I stated is the height with the fan. It's listed as 90mm tall without a fan. http://noctua.at/...
by Falkon
Fri May 25, 2012 6:50 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Project PC inaudible at full-load, aim 8 to 9 decibels
Replies: 75
Views: 27273

Re: Project PC inaudible at full-load, aim 8 to 9 decibels

The distance from my head to the pc and about 1 meter and 60 cm, though at this distance while I sleep, with PCs in full-load, I can not hear, then my goal is reached. I don't think you'll need a system that measures 8-9dBA @ 1m to accomplish that goal. I'd say that if you're system measures 15dBA ...
by Falkon
Thu May 24, 2012 5:59 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Advice on new build using the Lian Li Q11 case
Replies: 5
Views: 2731

Re: Advice on new build using the Lian Li Q11 case

I think a regular i3 2100 would work just as well for less money. The TDP ratings are maximums, not necessarily real world. It's not even the maximum for the model in question but for the whole range. So there's no way one of the cheaper 65W model will use anywhere near 65W. And the TDP seems to ta...
by Falkon
Wed May 23, 2012 5:48 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Advice on new build using the Lian Li Q11 case
Replies: 5
Views: 2731

Re: Advice on new build using the Lian Li Q11 case

I think a regular i3 2100 would work just as well for less money. The TDP ratings are maximums, not necessarily real world. Under full-tilt artificial loading via Prime95 I've never seen my i5 2500 use more than 60w even though it's TDP is 95w. For the Noctua NH-L12 you should still be able to use t...
by Falkon
Wed May 23, 2012 5:37 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Developer workstation, could you please check ?
Replies: 5
Views: 2523

Re: Developer workstation, could you please check ?

So I should choose a heatsink with fan, and thus there is no need for a T-serie cpu, so I can take the 2100, I'm right ? More or less, yes. The case you chose rules out pretty much every tower-type cooler, which could have been run without a fan in your configuration. A downblowing cooler will like...
by Falkon
Wed May 23, 2012 8:01 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: 3570k gamer. Component check
Replies: 14
Views: 6301

Re: 3570k gamer. Component check

You could always use a non-tower CPU cooler. My Noctua NH-C12P SE14 is only 114mm tall with the fan installed. The added benefit of some spillover airflow over the motherboard is nice, too.
My i5 2500 idles in the low 30s and runs around 55 C during Prime95. That is with the 140mm fan at ~750rpm.
by Falkon
Tue May 22, 2012 7:18 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Recommendations for fans/cases? Trying to rebuild a noisy PC
Replies: 5
Views: 2442

Re: Recommendations for fans/cases? Trying to rebuild a nois

To be honest, I bought the 550ti as a temporary card until the 600/7000 generation. I'd rather not spend money on a cooler for it because it's slow and temporary. I can get a CM Silencio 550 case locally, but I'm not sure if the Hyper 212+ would fit inside? I don't think that heat would be a proble...
by Falkon
Tue May 22, 2012 1:28 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Recommendations for fans/cases? Trying to rebuild a noisy PC
Replies: 5
Views: 2442

Re: Recommendations for fans/cases? Trying to rebuild a nois

Most PWM fans from Nexus, Scythe or Noctua should fit the bill for you. Your best bet for the video card would likely be to fit it with an aftermarket VGA cooler. A new VGA card would be more costly and might end up being just as loud. The case has an effect on silence, but the components inside lar...
by Falkon
Tue May 22, 2012 1:21 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Developer workstation, could you please check ?
Replies: 5
Views: 2523

Re: Developer workstation, could you please check ?

What will you be using for case fans? Fanless PSU and CPU cooler will make the case fans critical. That CPU cooler is worryingly small and unsubstantial. Why a fanless PSU? You could probably use something like an Antec EA-450 Platinum. It's cheaper, should be more efficient and would provide a bit ...
by Falkon
Tue May 22, 2012 1:16 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: 3570k gamer. Component check
Replies: 14
Views: 6301

Re: 3570k gamer. Component check

Unless you plan on overclocking your system a CPU like the i5 3450 would do just as well. Also, you should look into aftermarket CPU coolers as the stock cooler isn't silent. If you can wait a few months you could use a GTX 660 which would perform much better than a 560 while producing less heat and...
by Falkon
Sat May 19, 2012 7:44 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Silent HTPC
Replies: 16
Views: 5962

Re: Silent HTPC

Would it be better if I buy other case fans (if so, which ones)? Also, should I change the fan on the CPU cooler, or isn't that necessary? I have found a fan controller, but the problem is that I can only pick one 5.25" device to put in this case (and, I think, in most HTPC cases). So I would have ...
by Falkon
Sat May 19, 2012 7:32 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First Build: a couple of quick Qs...
Replies: 8
Views: 3452

Re: First Build: a couple of quick Qs...

You may want to look into aftermarket CPU and GPU coolers depending on their respective noise levels. The Noctua should be fine. Though the specs for the Temjin say a height of up to 165mm will fit, which works for most of the tower coolers. I suspect the GPU will likely be the worst culprit in ter...
by Falkon
Sat May 19, 2012 2:29 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First Build: a couple of quick Qs...
Replies: 8
Views: 3452

Re: First Build: a couple of quick Qs...

1. Is there any reason this build just won't work? (I'm really crossing my fingers on this one, because I stumbled in here late and have actually already ordered most of these components... :oops: ) 2. Assuming it will - any tricks or tips I might need to know related to building in the Temjin case...