Search found 517 matches

by matt_garman
Tue Dec 29, 2015 10:12 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Quiet, powerful home server
Replies: 2
Views: 7270

Re: Quiet, powerful home server

How is the flex atx psu doing in term of noise? Just to clarify a bit: in the old U-NAS chassis, I was using the Seasonic SS-300M1U power supply (1U form factor). In the new S-35-DE5 case, I'm using the Seasonic Seasonic SS-250SU (flex ATX form factor). With the old 1U power supply, there was a man...
by matt_garman
Mon Dec 28, 2015 1:38 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Scythe Kotetsu CPU Cooler: A Compact King
Replies: 94
Views: 96882

Re: Scythe Kotetsu CPU Cooler: A Compact King

Anyone know where to get a second set of fan clips in order to use the Kotetsu with two fans in a push-pull configuration? I'm using this heatsink on an E5-1230v3 in an iStarUSA S-35 case ( build thead here ). While my current CPU temps are fine, in this chassis, the heatsink fan(s) become part of t...
by matt_garman
Mon Dec 28, 2015 11:16 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Quiet, powerful home server
Replies: 2
Views: 7270

Quiet, powerful home server

Note: I posted something similar over on Serve The Home , but have edited the content to be more SPCR specific. I recently rebuilt my home server. Original build log (with pics) here: U-NAS NSC-800, E3-1230v3, E3C224D4I, 2xSSD . (Somewhere here in the SPCR Forums are build logs of even earlier itera...
by matt_garman
Fri Dec 18, 2015 3:16 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Two Amp Projects: 8x100W DIY & H/K 770 Restoration
Replies: 16
Views: 35512

Re: Two Amp Projects: 8x100W DIY & H/K 770 Restoration

Mike, I've never actually heard the Hypex UcD series of amps, but have read plenty of good things. You're probably already aware of this, but their "nCore" line gets all the publicity now. I've heard those are awesome (again, only hearsay), but they are significantly more expensive, especially if yo...
by matt_garman
Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:35 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Two Amp Projects: 8x100W DIY & H/K 770 Restoration
Replies: 16
Views: 35512

Re: Two Amp Projects: 8x100W DIY & H/K 770 Restoration

Hey Mike, If you want more power in a class-D amp, check out those based on IRS2092. There are lots of vendors selling IRS2092-based PCBs, including Sure Electronics. The "LD15R" modules by "LJM" have a good reputation over on diyaudio.com (and the designer himself hangs out there too). ConnexElectr...
by matt_garman
Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:42 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Silverstone SX600-G: SFX 80+ Gold
Replies: 14
Views: 14084

Re: Silverstone SX600-G: SFX 80+ Gold

Seems like this power supply would also be particularly compelling for Silverstone's DS380 NAS Chassis (SPCR review).
by matt_garman
Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:09 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Smallest possible case for 95 Watt CPU + SSD only?
Replies: 3
Views: 3648

Smallest possible case for 95 Watt CPU + SSD only?

I've been toying with the idea of seeing how small I can make my main PC, which is based around an i5-2500k (Sandy Bridge). I use the CPU's integrated graphics (no external GPU), and only hard drive is a single 2.5" SSD. I have an unused 160-Watt PicoPSU which I believe could easily power this syste...
by matt_garman
Mon Mar 10, 2014 6:21 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: NAS build: part list feedback?
Replies: 16
Views: 14522

Re: NAS build: part list feedback?

Any recommendations for a UPS to power this NAS and a regular cable router/modem just long enough for the NAS to shut down would be greatly appreciated. For something that's this low-powered, any consumer-grade UPS should work. Do a little research to make sure it can tell your system that the powe...
by matt_garman
Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:11 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: NAS build: part list feedback?
Replies: 16
Views: 14522

Re: NAS build: part list feedback?

Just for comparison sake, you might want to check out a company called U-NAS, who make small DIY NAS enclosures. I have two systems built with the NSC-800 , which holds 8 3.5" drives. They also make an NSC-400, which holds four drives. The stock fans in the NSC-800 are 10k RPM 120mm, and I would cal...
by matt_garman
Mon Jan 06, 2014 2:57 pm
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: Antec ISK300-150 w i7-4770 CPU - lots CPU in a small case
Replies: 23
Views: 20414

Re: Antec ISK300-150 w i7-4770 CPU - lots CPU in a small cas

You probably don't want to keep buying new heatsinks and fans, but the Noctua NH-L9i might be worth a try. I just built a server using a Xeon E3-1230v3, which is only a step or two down from your i7-4770... thermals should be very similar. If you look at my build, I have even less free space than yo...
by matt_garman
Mon Nov 19, 2012 11:37 am
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS: PC Engines Alix 2d2 w/case and PSU - $90 shipped
Replies: 0
Views: 3477

FS: PC Engines Alix 2d2 w/case and PSU - $90 shipped

I am selling my PCEngines Alix 2d2 board , complete with chassis and AC adapter. I am the original owner; I purchased it directly from PCEngines.ch a few years ago. I used it as a firewall/router system running OpenBSD. It works great, consumes very little power (about five watts), and since it has ...
by matt_garman
Mon Nov 19, 2012 11:31 am
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS: Apex MI-008 mini-itx case - $30 shipped
Replies: 0
Views: 3317

FS: Apex MI-008 mini-itx case - $30 shipped

For sale: a briefly-used Apex MI-008 Mini-ITX case. The same model that was reviewed here at SPCR . Here's the writeup of the build I did with this chassis . Pictures are included in that writeup (note that I'm only selling the chassis). I am the original owner, used briefly in a smoke-free home. It...
by matt_garman
Fri Jul 27, 2012 12:36 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: low profile cooler in habey emc-800b
Replies: 10
Views: 7980

Re: low profile cooler in habey emc-800b

I still don't know how much clearance is in there. I agree, cutting a hole in the top of the case for more ventilation would be ideal. But, as I'm using this as a HTPC, it sits idle 99% of the time, and temps are reasonable. And I don't trust my aluminum cutting skills enough to cut a hole and keep ...
by matt_garman
Wed May 16, 2012 8:48 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Intel DN2800MT hands on...Single digit world?
Replies: 123
Views: 123907

Re: Intel DN2800MT hands on...Single digit world?

I'm so not having much luck with the built-in GPU. I wanted to try reinstalling Mageia as Ethernet doesn't want to work for some reason (Mageia was installed on this HDD using my old Atom) but its impossible to see what I'm doing with a picture like this: In the picture it looks like you're using a...
by matt_garman
Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:25 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: low-budget HTPC
Replies: 17
Views: 11104

Re: low-budget HTPC

Depending on your Linux distribution, you should generally be able to get good stability and performance out of Intel Sandy Bridge graphics (at least for the purposes of a HTPC). About a year ago, I rebuilt my HTPC, which is Linux + MythTV based. At the time, useful Linux SNB GPU drivers were not ye...
by matt_garman
Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:50 am
Forum: General Gallery
Topic: 24 hard drive bay "near-silent" server build
Replies: 12
Views: 14983

Re: 24 hard drive bay "near-silent" server build

You may already know this, but in case you don't... The Norcro 4 2 xx cases (as opposed to the older 4 0 xx) have, in general, better drive trays. One feature of the newer drive trays is a "vent" that can be opened or closed. For any given tray, if you have a drive in there, make sure the vent is op...
by matt_garman
Sun Apr 01, 2012 2:13 pm
Forum: Quiet Prebuilt, SFF and Barebones Systems
Topic: HTPC Keyboard
Replies: 7
Views: 7900

Re: HTPC Keyboard

I have two of these and my parents have one: IOGEAR GKM561R. I don't use it too often, as my HTPC works with a remote. But whenever I need a keyboard, I use this, and have been quite pleased with it. Same goes for my parents.
by matt_garman
Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:38 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Intel DN2800MT hands on...Single digit world?
Replies: 123
Views: 123907

Re: Intel DN2800MT hands on...Single digit world?

Actually that's a common misunderstanding. Electrical energy can only be transformed into heat (to be more precise radiation of some kind, not just heat), light (this is actually radiation too), chemical energy or motion or any combination of these. You know, I always wondered about that. And what ...
by matt_garman
Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:03 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Intel DN2800MT hands on...Single digit world?
Replies: 123
Views: 123907

Re: Intel DN2800MT hands on...Single digit world?

It's surprising how much power the NIC draws considering this is a low-power board by the way. Yes, I was surprised about that too, the difference between having an ethernet cable plugged in with a gigabit ethernet connection established to unplugging the cable is consistently 1.4 Watts with every ...
by matt_garman
Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:04 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Intel DN2800MT hands on...Single digit world?
Replies: 123
Views: 123907

Re: Intel DN2800MT hands on...Single digit world?

So now we're back to D525MW for linux... or if someone releases a MINI-ITX with D2700 and ANOTHER GPU or a PCI x16 port! Has anyone heard anything of the like? I have not heard of anything like that, but I would definitely like to see it. I believe the people interested in the "x86 with arm like po...
by matt_garman
Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:18 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: low profile cooler in habey emc-800b
Replies: 10
Views: 7980

Re: low profile cooler in habey emc-800b

I think the Kozuti is you best choice. It is uses a thin, so it will require less breathing room. Also it's fan is located under the fins, so that should permit it to do with substantially less breathing room. Also, they still sell the Zalman "flower" cpu coolers. They aren't that bad if you set th...
by matt_garman
Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:04 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: low profile cooler in habey emc-800b
Replies: 10
Views: 7980

Re: low profile cooler in habey emc-800b

And of course there could be other options that I haven't conceived. The Habey is a great little case. Here is how I built my EMC-800 based htpc: http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=63014 Similiar cpu - i3-2100T - but fanless using the coolpipe and some heatsinks. I saw that bu...
by matt_garman
Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:07 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS: Lian Li PC-Q11B mini-itx case
Replies: 0
Views: 2222

FS: Lian Li PC-Q11B mini-itx case

Lian Li PC-Q11B case Nice mini-ITX case, used in this build . Only used for about six months. As noted, has minor (reversable) mods (airflow short-circuit taped off, rubber U-channel added (friction fit only)). Case is in excellent condition, comes with all original accessories, and ships in origin...
by matt_garman
Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:02 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS: Asus ENGT430 DC SL/DI/1GD3 (passive single slot GT 430)
Replies: 0
Views: 2231

FS: Asus ENGT430 DC SL/DI/1GD3 (passive single slot GT 430)

Asus ENGT430 DC SL/DI/1GD3

Nice passive, single-slot GT430. Fits in the tiny Apex MI-008.

Used very briefly (maybe one month?) in a home theater PC.

Comes in original box.

Asking $55 shipped via FedEx to contiguous USA.
by matt_garman
Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:59 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS: Thermalright AXP-140-RT heatsink and fan
Replies: 0
Views: 2229

FS: Thermalright AXP-140-RT heatsink and fan

Thermalright AXP-140-RT . Gently used for about six months in a home theater PC. Fan has never been used. Comes in original box complete with all accessories, except those little rubber strips that are supposed to isolate the fan from the heatsink. (When I bought this new, it only came with one.) A...
by matt_garman
Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:55 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS: ASRock H67M-ITX motherboard
Replies: 0
Views: 1938

FS: ASRock H67M-ITX motherboard

ASRock H67M-ITX motherboard.

Gently used for about six months in a home theater PC.

Comes in original box complete with all accessories.

Asking $75 shipped via FedEx to contiguous USA.
by matt_garman
Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:28 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS:ZOTAC ZT-40601-20L GeForce GT 430
Replies: 1
Views: 2622

FS:ZOTAC ZT-40601-20L GeForce GT 430

ZOTAC ZT-40601-20L GeForce GT 430 1GB video card. This is the passive (no fan) model. It's double-wide (takes up two PCI slots). Briefly used in a HTPC for about six months. Comes in original box with all accessories. $55 shipped via FedEx to the contiguous USA. EDIT : I originally incorrectly poste...
by matt_garman
Thu Feb 09, 2012 11:47 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: low profile cooler in habey emc-800b
Replies: 10
Views: 7980

Re: low profile cooler in habey emc-800b

Thanks for those added suggestions. I guess the fundamental question is, how much room is needed between the chassis and the fan to ensure adequate "breathing room" for the fan? I vaguely recall reading once that the minimum height is either the height of the fan or half the height of the fan. But I...
by matt_garman
Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:49 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: low profile cooler in habey emc-800b
Replies: 10
Views: 7980

low profile cooler in habey emc-800b

I have rebuilt my HTPC (for the third time) in a Habey EMC-800B case. I went with the 800 over the 600 to get a little more height, as I removed the steel plate that's use for optical drive mounting. But it's still not that tall... What I've got is an i3-2100 in there right now with the stock Intel ...
by matt_garman
Thu Feb 02, 2012 3:36 pm
Forum: Deals, Vendors and Classifieds
Topic: FS: AMD Athlon II X2 250 3.0 GHz AM3 65W TDP CPU
Replies: 0
Views: 1957

FS: AMD Athlon II X2 250 3.0 GHz AM3 65W TDP CPU

For sale: OEM AMD Athlon II X2 250 3.0 GHz AM3 65W TDP CPU.

Used, works. Since this is OEM it is for the CPU only (i.e. no heatsink).

Asking $30.00, including USA shipping (US Postal Service Priority mail).

Thanks,
Matt