Search found 431 matches

by Mr_Smartepants
Wed May 10, 2006 1:08 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Moved to P150 from Super Lanboy - now much higher HD temps
Replies: 14
Views: 6335

Focused airflow. Gotta love it. :D
by Mr_Smartepants
Mon May 08, 2006 2:18 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Help, new system not booting
Replies: 8
Views: 3399

Do you have your monitor connected to the onboard video or your PCI video? I imagine you have a BIOS setting that is diverting to the onboard video first (primary display?) I'm not familiar with this board's BIOS. Try disconnecting your old PCI card and connect the display to the onboard VGA out and...
by Mr_Smartepants
Sat May 06, 2006 10:37 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: AS5 - AMD 64 X2 - asus a8v - njnja plus
Replies: 6
Views: 3491

Run the ultimatebootcd (link above) and select F2 "Mainboard tools" then run either of the Memtest utilities. If your system can complete at least one pass of the tests (I'd go for two) without errors then you can try some of the other tests. If you get any errors during your memtest run, either you...
by Mr_Smartepants
Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:53 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Antec NSK2400 Media PC Case
Replies: 249
Views: 307522

I have no typos to report, so I'll just say: That's awesome. I agree, it's awesome. I do have a typo to report however: From page-5 The most important results of the PSU testing: * The base noise level is low but not the best, measuring 24 dBA@1m * The PSU fan ramped up only when the intake tempera...
by Mr_Smartepants
Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:59 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: HTPC video cards
Replies: 7
Views: 4858

I can't wait to see how nvidia's 61X0 series mobo chipsets fair. I'm itching to build my own HTPC and I don't want to get stuck with an ATI xpress200 chipset (which are nice) when I can have something better.
by Mr_Smartepants
Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:49 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: HTPC motherboard supports sata2 harddrives and gforce7800gtx
Replies: 3
Views: 2597

nevermind, you guys are to slow response, i found better site which helps me more Wow, I guess at 1:30 in the morning you can get pretty impatient! I hope you're happy with the results of the advice you get from HTPCnews (good site IMHO). Why you'd want to include a 7800GTX in a HTPC is beyond my u...
by Mr_Smartepants
Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:48 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: HTPC video cards
Replies: 7
Views: 4858

Since you won't be playing games, the ones you mentioned would suffice. IIRC, ATI has the best display on a TV (I remember reading an article online somewhere about nVidia vs ATI on TV, can't remember where though). I've only owned ATI cards though. I know if you plan to run linux, nVidia would be a...
by Mr_Smartepants
Tue Aug 30, 2005 12:04 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: acoustic foam, need to know some things
Replies: 7
Views: 4870

check out my install photos here.
I really like the 6A19 compucase. Loads of room to work in. My only complaint is the funky plastic fan holders w/non-standard mounting holes. You can see how I had to offset drill new holes on the rear of the case for the fan grill.
by Mr_Smartepants
Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:25 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: HTPC - Looks finally matter
Replies: 11
Views: 7014

the_smell wrote:Since you've got a mATX motherboard, I might be tempted with the silverstone LC11
That's just what I was going to recommend. Damn!

The black gloss with the wood inlay would go well on those shelves. 8)
by Mr_Smartepants
Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:18 am
Forum: Consumer Advocacy
Topic: Horrible Experience @ TekGems.com
Replies: 18
Views: 17211

Wow! :shock: I've ordered fans from Sun Kim before and have had nothing but great service from Mr. Kim/Tekgems. You probably don't realize this but he runs the shop from his house (AFAIK) and has very little stock on-hand. Most of his deliveries are drop-shipped from a wholesale warehouse (evertek o...
by Mr_Smartepants
Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:41 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Summer Heat Wave UK!!!
Replies: 12
Views: 5464

I remember back in the late 90's the temps had reached historical highs (I can't remember the exact figures) but I remember the asphalt on the roads started to melt and the councils had to spread sand on the roads to keep the cars & trucks from ripping up the roads. Man that sucked. At least in the ...
by Mr_Smartepants
Mon Jul 18, 2005 2:38 am
Forum: Notebook Systems
Topic: Low-Noise Replacement Laptop Fans
Replies: 3
Views: 5694

Every notebook PC is different. You'd have to open it up and take measurements of the existing fan and try to find a suitable replacement with the same physical dimensions. I'd recommend you contact Dorothy Bradbury for silent fans of all sizes. She might be able to help you with very unusual sized ...
by Mr_Smartepants
Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:35 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Summer Heat Wave UK!!!
Replies: 12
Views: 5464

It's not overly hot by sunny Southern Cali standards 8) Ralf. Roughly it gets up to the mid nineties F. It's 8:30 PM here now and it's 80F outside (53% humidity). The humidity (and bugs) get to you after a while. I'm sure others have had it worse. I know when I was in Qatar it would soar to about 14...
by Mr_Smartepants
Fri Jul 15, 2005 2:57 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Summer Heat Wave UK!!!
Replies: 12
Views: 5464

My temps have skyrocketed as well during this heatwave. I recently moved my system into our new conservatory (bad move I know, but the kitchen is getting renovated). Ambient temps in that room can soar as high as 33C during the day with all the windows open. My highest reported temps were: CPU: 60C ...
by Mr_Smartepants
Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:57 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: how do you tie the elastic for drive suspension ?
Replies: 2
Views: 2170

If your drive is flopping around in the elastic, then it's too loose or too stretchy.
You can double up or wrap the drive twice.

To secure, just tie a knot or use a stapler (worked for me.)
by Mr_Smartepants
Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:08 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: Finally a concurrent for Antec's Aria !
Replies: 17
Views: 14214

nutball wrote: Yeah, it's more SUMO than SUGO I'd say.
ROFL :lol:
Yup. Rollypolly!
by Mr_Smartepants
Mon Jul 04, 2005 7:55 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: Finally a concurrent for Antec's Aria !
Replies: 17
Views: 14214

Man, that case is HUGE! It's roughly 1.5 times wider than a standard ATX case or a Shuttle cube. Does this even qualify for the name "SFF"?
Me, I don't like it. :?
by Mr_Smartepants
Mon Jul 04, 2005 7:50 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Recommended HSF for A64 Venice and LC11 case
Replies: 1
Views: 1821

I was planning on using the exact same combo case/mobo/cpu but I've put my HTPC project on hold. That CPU cooler should fit (as in the SPCR case review) but you'll need to bend the fins. The alternative I was pondering is to use an Alpha PAL8150T cooler (I'm a sucker for Alphas) and build a duct to ...
by Mr_Smartepants
Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:55 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: First Post: Opinions on my new system?
Replies: 3
Views: 2450

Welcome to SPCR!!

Nice setup! (drools.....)
I'm not familiar with the Nexus CPU cooler.
Edit...I just looked it up. Looks familiar...good fin design.
by Mr_Smartepants
Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:52 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Why has this happened to my poor PSU??!!
Replies: 26
Views: 14760

That type of damage is either caused by arcing (loose connectors, corrosion, etc.) or possibly a failed buffering capacitor. Since this affects all the 5V lines, this is a definate possibility. Capacitors are sometimes used to buffer (or smooth out) the square-wave output into more of a smooth sine-...
by Mr_Smartepants
Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:43 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Urgent help needed. New system won't work :(
Replies: 8
Views: 3779

I tried looking at yhe LEDs. They should be connected properly. But I do not hear a beep of any kind. Another thing I noticed was that although the power ON LED works, the soft off (power off) function on the same LED doesn't work. Does it make any difference which way the LEDs are connected? At th...
by Mr_Smartepants
Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:16 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Silverstone LaScala LC-04 woe
Replies: 5
Views: 3536

Ditto!

When Ralf speaks, people listen.

Plus the LC11 can use PCI-Express video cards with the RC-01 adapter (replaces the AGP riser).
by Mr_Smartepants
Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:45 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Quiet Athlon XP System
Replies: 6
Views: 8842

I like the staples on your elastic. :lol: Seriously though, you might consider flipping the elastic around itself so that the bottom band is above the HDD and the top band is below the HDD, this would create an "X" in the elastic on either side of the HDDs preventing them from touching the metal dri...
by Mr_Smartepants
Mon Jun 20, 2005 1:08 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Quiet MiniITX case
Replies: 4
Views: 3615

A few comments: Antec Minuet (I & II), only has one hard drive bay and requires half-height cards. Antec Aria, lots of expandability, will accept up to MicroATX boards and takes full-sized expansion cards, and up to 3 hard drives. Also has a PSU with 120mm fan that doubles as case exhaust. Nice. One...
by Mr_Smartepants
Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:50 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: post deleted
Replies: 0
Views: 1389

post deleted

post deleted.
irrelevent now.
by Mr_Smartepants
Thu Jun 02, 2005 11:04 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Sonata II - Neglected due to P180?
Replies: 17
Views: 9328

Re: Sonata II - Neglected due to P180?

Why should I get one over the other, in terms of advantages/disadvantages? Alternately, why are YOU choosing one over the other? I'd get the P180 purely for the "SPCR" logo! :lol: Seriously though, the P180 is massive. I like the compactness of my Sonata and I'm looking into building a slim SFF for...
by Mr_Smartepants
Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:22 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: SORBOTHANE - what is it, where do you get it from?
Replies: 29
Views: 13755

I found some sorbothane hemispheres here
I haven't ordered from them yet but my brother lives only a few miles from this guys shop.
by Mr_Smartepants
Wed Apr 06, 2005 1:06 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Good 120mm fan replacement for Fortron 350W?
Replies: 1
Views: 1673

I replaced the fan in my 300W fortron with the low-speed (orange) variant of the same yate loon fan installed in your 350 with excellent results. I suppose you could try with the same fan as mine or Papst FGL. I hear coolermaster makes a nice cheap alternative as well.
by Mr_Smartepants
Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:27 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Samsung drive noise normal?
Replies: 9
Views: 4758

Mine just makes a periodic "growling" noise which is probably the heads seeking. I have AAM enabled. AAM is disabled by default. You'll need HUTIL to enable it (check the web links on the SPCR main page).
by Mr_Smartepants
Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:02 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: system build/critique?
Replies: 10
Views: 4652

the rear exhaust fan on that case is 92mm not 80mm Really? Optional 8cm auxiliary cooling fan can be installed at rear panel for better system cooling. (Optional fan is not included) problem is case has precut bezel for floppy, might as well put floppy in there. :oops: Whoops, I missed that one. I'...