Search found 33 matches

by bbalex
Thu Apr 29, 2021 7:46 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: RTX 3080 review compilation
Replies: 17
Views: 19146

Re: RTX 3080 review compilation

Forgot about this thread. I've had two Gigabyte RTX 3080 Xtreme. Stay away from them, their fans sound profile is terrible. The fans have a very noticeable humming from their lowest fan speed, and at higher fan speeds the get whinier and sound the same as coil whine would sound. There is absolutely ...
by bbalex
Sat Oct 10, 2020 4:47 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: RTX 3080 review compilation
Replies: 17
Views: 19146

Re: RTX 3080 review compilation

Woah... I remember the GTX 980 similar thread! (have not been here in a long time, I'm afraid :( ) I have to comment on the MSI and Asus cards, because I see reviews are terrible in judging this from the point of view of a really silent PC. Short disclaimer first: I have neither of these two cards (...
by bbalex
Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:17 am
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: Calyos 0dB gamer / workstation PC
Replies: 9
Views: 22233

Re: Calyos 0dB gamer / workstation PC

They launched today their Kickstarter campaign for the Calyos NSG S0 Fanless Case. I've registered my email with them to receive a notification when it starts, and managed to make a pledge today while there were super early bird level pledges still available. Those went very fast. They've managed to...
by bbalex
Fri Jan 23, 2015 10:45 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: GTX 960 review compilation thread
Replies: 65
Views: 44408

Re: GTX 960 review compilation thread

My own recent experiences showed me that the MSI / ASUS sound different, and they certainly don't have the same noise levels as seen in the TechPowerUp and Guru3D reviews. Something is wrong with those two review sites, for 970 and 980 series they list all semi-passive cards having the same noise le...
by bbalex
Fri Jan 23, 2015 6:39 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Asus GTX970 STRIX
Replies: 106
Views: 84962

Re: Asus GTX970 STRIX

As I said in a previous post, I tried a GTX 980 after my bad experience with the two 970 Asus Strixes that were buzzing. In fact, I ended up trying two cards from different manufacturers: a MSI GTX 980 4G Gaming, and then later an ASUS GTX 980 STRIX. I don't know how much merit is in the claim that ...
by bbalex
Wed Nov 26, 2014 3:26 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Passive System Advice
Replies: 14
Views: 6136

Re: Passive System Advice

I agree with others - your choice of CPU cooler is probably not safe. I have used a Nofan CR95-C with a i7 4770S, and it is safe to use, even when doing a Prime 95 Large FFT test with AVX (well, it does reach 85C, when the ambient is 20C), as long as the motherboard is placed horizontally. If the mo...
by bbalex
Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:28 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Hello, can you help me build a semi passive PC?
Replies: 19
Views: 8501

Re: Hello, can you help me build a semi passive PC?

I agree, my build is similar to useful_idiot's. It's a 4790K with a Nofan CR95C, only that I have no case fan (in fact, for now I have no case, period). My only issue is with the electronic noises that both the motherboard and the supposedly 0dB Hx750i PSU make, in gaming conditions - although the G...
by bbalex
Mon Nov 24, 2014 12:03 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Comments/Advice on mATX build
Replies: 33
Views: 18355

Re: Comments/Advice on mATX build

I have a Gene VII, but what is this audio input that you are speaking of? I don't see it anywhere!?! :wink: Btw, I need to warn you that its VRM might be buzzing, depending on... well, I don't know what; highly rapid load fluctuations I guess. This might inconvenience you, or not; it's all relative ...
by bbalex
Mon Nov 24, 2014 11:53 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Help build fanless mini-itx PC
Replies: 15
Views: 7752

Re: Help build fanless mini-itx PC

The CR95-C does not fit any of the current generation mini-ITX motherboards - if you also want to use a video card in the PCIe slot. I've already investigated this, I'm afraid. The closest was the ASRock Z97E-ITX, save for about a couple of millimeters over the shield side, and the problem with the ...
by bbalex
Mon Nov 24, 2014 11:43 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: SPCR's Holiday ATX Gaming Build Guide
Replies: 76
Views: 71633

Re: SPCR's Holiday ATX Gaming Build Guide

theoryzero, the Strix will never turn on its fans, as long as you don't start demanding games. But the free flow of air around it, and the way the card is placed are critical to achieve this. If you look at the various reviews on the net, you notice they are all (well, most) carried out on open benc...
by bbalex
Mon Nov 24, 2014 11:09 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: ASUS Z97-PRO Motherboard
Replies: 19
Views: 18221

Re: ASUS Z97-PRO Motherboard

I have a peculiar request, if still possible. Could this motherboard (or any other recent Asus motherboard) be tested for VRM noise generation, using 3dMark03 CPU Tests and 3DMark05 CPU tests? This test should be without expansion cards plugged in (so, relying on onboard video), no case fans either,...
by bbalex
Sun Nov 16, 2014 2:07 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Graphics Card Coil Whine; An Investigation.
Replies: 20
Views: 25595

Re: Graphics Card Coil Whine; An Investigation.

There are ways to visualize and measure the sound field around an object. This way, you can see the intensity, direction, and spectral composition of the sound in different points around an object. This is probably the best way to visualize coil whine. To do this, you can use 3D acoustic cameras. Fo...
by bbalex
Sun Nov 16, 2014 2:06 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Asus GTX970 STRIX
Replies: 106
Views: 84962

Re: Asus GTX970 STRIX

oops.. wrong thread... please delete the post! :)
by bbalex
Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:24 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Asus GTX970 STRIX
Replies: 106
Views: 84962

Re: Asus GTX970 STRIX

cerbie, if the noise level of the card is ok compared to the rest of the system or the environment noise floor, then you have found your card, it makes no sense to waste time exchanging cards. I am in the unfortunate position where I live in a very quiet environment, and I have this ambition to make...
by bbalex
Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:01 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Graphics Card Coil Whine; An Investigation.
Replies: 20
Views: 25595

Re: Graphics Card Coil Whine; An Investigation.

Computerbase (a german review magazine) also made some records of the coil whine on the GTX 980 and GTX 970 cards they tested: 11 GeForce GTX 970 im Test (4/6) , 10 GeForce GTX 980 im Test (5/6) . "Spulenfiepen" is the German term for the buzzing/squealing. I don't speak German, but google translate...
by bbalex
Fri Nov 07, 2014 3:14 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Asus GTX970 STRIX
Replies: 106
Views: 84962

Re: Asus GTX970 STRIX

I have at home two Asus 970 STRIX and a MSI 970 Gaming. I did not open the MSI one yet, but I can confirm the STRIXes both have loud buzzing, when gaming (like Tomb Raider) or in benchmarks (3DMark11 causes exactly the same type of noises like Tomb Raider), and this with framerate capped at 60Hz usi...
by bbalex
Sun Oct 19, 2014 11:22 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Asus GTX970 STRIX
Replies: 106
Views: 84962

Re: Asus GTX970 STRIX

There is a fourth GTX 970 card with semi-passive operation, through an official firmware update: the EVGA GTX 970 ACX 2.0.
Link to update instructions here.

The EVGA forum post makes it clear the semi-passive mode is not available on ACX 1.0 cards, and will never be, so be careful when ordering. :)
by bbalex
Sat Oct 18, 2014 12:29 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Asus GTX970 STRIX
Replies: 106
Views: 84962

Re: Asus GTX970 STRIX

Hi, I found this thread very useful as I am planning on buying one of these 3 cards; currently leaning towards the Palit as it is: 1. cheaper, 2. readily available in the UK (unlike the Asus which is on preorder), 3. smaller (both thinner and shorter). Just a tiny note: the Palit JetStream is actua...
by bbalex
Sun Sep 28, 2014 1:10 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Asus GTX970 STRIX
Replies: 106
Views: 84962

Re: Asus GTX970 STRIX

Here is a summary of all reviews of the three GTX 970 video cards with semi-passive operation that I'm aware of so far, for those interested. My short notes: - inconsistency between reviews regarding the temperature threshold at which the fans start spinning: 50 / 65 / 67 / 68 degress C, etc; not ev...
by bbalex
Mon Sep 15, 2014 11:24 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Haswell Low Power Builds
Replies: 20
Views: 25871

Re: Haswell Low Power Builds

I imagine he is using a PicoPSU. That saves him the 10-13W that a big sized PSU is wasting as heat at such load loads. 30W at idle at the power socket is normal for Haswell builds without discrete GPUs as long as no "gaming" or "OC" micro-ATX / mini-ITX motherboards are used, and that includes the ...
by bbalex
Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:41 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate
Replies: 15
Views: 12033

Re: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate

I probably have not worded this properly. There would be two modes of operation: - when not gaming, the top window is removed, the front fan not spinning, all cooling done passively; - when gaming, manually place the top window back first, and let the BIOS start the front fan when the CPU temperatur...
by bbalex
Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:28 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Haswell Low Power Builds
Replies: 20
Views: 25871

Re: Haswell Low Power Builds

I imagine he is using a PicoPSU. That saves him the 10-13W that a big sized PSU is wasting as heat at such load loads. 30W at idle at the power socket is normal for Haswell builds without discrete GPUs as long as no "gaming" or "OC" micro-ATX / mini-ITX motherboards are used, and that includes the 1...
by bbalex
Sun Sep 14, 2014 4:58 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate
Replies: 15
Views: 12033

Re: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate

I'm not convinced of the ability of the Macho or HR-22 to safely keep the CPU cool, in fanless operation with no fan spinning, and only convection cooling. The test here on SPCR showed that the temperature just kept on raising, till the CPU finally throttled. The NoFan was the only one that kept the...
by bbalex
Sun Sep 14, 2014 4:35 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: HDPLEX H1-S and ASRock mini-ITX
Replies: 14
Views: 29835

Re: HDPLEX H1-S and ASRock mini-ITX

The power consumption drops even more if you use the Intel HDD driver instead of the Microsoft one. Don't know why, but that saves around 5W. I've seen it in a build done by a PC magazine, and confirmed it by myself with another ASRock board (the Z87M Extreme 4).
by bbalex
Sun Sep 14, 2014 4:28 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Corsair 250D MiniITX - Spacious - Silent
Replies: 21
Views: 20999

Re: Corsair 250D MiniITX - Spacious - Silent

Very nice! I've seen this case before and I just read over some Newegg reviews one person was talking about mobo warping. Have you had any issues? And in your completed shot with the OS running, what is that little device on top of the rig? Wifi? Then you mentioned warping I got a bit worried, beca...
by bbalex
Sun Sep 14, 2014 4:15 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate
Replies: 15
Views: 12033

Re: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate

Where is the fun in following the manufacturer recommendations though! :D Still, this was so close... just 2-3mm and it would have worked. I was already thinking that a tiny case like the Core V1 which still fits a GPU card, would have been the perfect small semi-passive build: fanless operation mos...
by bbalex
Sun Sep 14, 2014 3:30 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate
Replies: 15
Views: 12033

Re: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate

the NoFan size makes it impossible to find any closed case that would fit it when placed on that motherboard. What about something large, like the Cooltek/Rosewill/Jonsbo W1 ? The reason why I don't expect any closed case to fit this motherboard with the NoFan mounted on it, is because there is not...
by bbalex
Sun Aug 24, 2014 3:57 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: advice on fanless 4k capable system plan please
Replies: 8
Views: 8744

Re: advice on fanless 4k capable system plan please

I'm glad I could be of help. Like "quest_for_silence" showed, games don't seem to make graphic cards use more than the bandwidth offered by a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot. I don't know if that's because the graphic cards themselves can't really handle that much bandwidth, or because the software (games/apss) do...
by bbalex
Sun Aug 24, 2014 3:37 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate
Replies: 15
Views: 12033

Re: Mounting a CPU heatsink without the backplate

Thanks, that's good to know. :) Now, the only issue remaining is my indecision in whether to pursue this option, which really limits me to open-air cases, as the NoFan size makes it impossible to find any closed case that would fit it when placed on that motherboard. Or just go for the safer microAT...
by bbalex
Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:38 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Fanless i7 + 750ti benchtable open case
Replies: 22
Views: 19003

Re: Fanless i7 + 750ti benchtable open case

aerial wrote: Yes there is about 2cm of space above the psu. I use RM750, so fan never turns on in my rig, too low power consumption. But there is still technically an exhaust for warm air. Psu doesn't even get warm though.
Thank you for answering!