Search found 78 matches

by tima
Sun Oct 27, 2013 8:11 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Western Digital Red 4TB & Se 4TB Hard Drives
Replies: 21
Views: 27750

Re: Western Digital Red 4TB & Se 4TB Hard Drives

So does WDIDLE3 work on the 4 TB reds? If not, is the parking audible? For reference, my WD20EARX and WD20EARS are basically silent in the bottom chamber of my Acoustipacked Antec P182, which has two Nexus case fans (upper and lower chambers) at 500 RPM and a Slipstream PWM CPU fan at 200 RPM, plus ...
by tima
Mon Jul 15, 2013 1:03 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Go-to PWM fan?
Replies: 3
Views: 3134

Re: Go-to PWM fan?

That AC fan looks like a good bet. I wish it didn't have that extra header and RPM sensor cable, but I guess I can cable-tie them out of the way. Anyone know if Scythe is ever coming back, or are they gone forever?
by tima
Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:39 am
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Go-to PWM fan?
Replies: 3
Views: 3134

Go-to PWM fan?

I recently put together a new Haswell system (i5 4670, Asus Gryphon Z87), my first since my i5 750 system four years ago. The latter used a Scythe PWM fan on a Hyper 212 Plus, where it ran around 350 RPM at idle and was essentially silent. Very nice fan. They aren't available anymore, and Scythe see...
by tima
Sun Jun 16, 2013 5:29 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell Processor
Replies: 50
Views: 49806

Re: Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell Processor

From page 2: "Of course you don't need a pricey motherboard to use a Haswell chip, with B85 chipset boards for sale near US$70. If you plan on using the integrated graphics features with a discrete video card you will need a Z87 model however" What are the "features" in play here? Also, I see some m...
by tima
Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:48 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: mobo stolen from porch.
Replies: 26
Views: 16683

Re: mobo stolen from porch.

the police said the current MO is to follow the driver on his established route, and after he makes a drop and drives off, check the package to see if it has anything of value in it. walking out of a gate with a small mobo box, or with something that can fit in their pocket is way less suspicious/r...
by tima
Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:30 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: mobo stolen from porch.
Replies: 26
Views: 16683

Re: mobo stolen from porch.

it was "well hidden" as in not visible from the street. it was behind a large, brick supporting column, and behind a closed gate. the tape was cut with a sharp box cutter (the thief missed the tape on his first cut). if it had been the shipper, i would think they would have taken the CPU as well an...
by tima
Sat Dec 15, 2012 7:25 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: mobo stolen from porch.
Replies: 26
Views: 16683

Re: mobo stolen from porch.

came home to find my amazon box well hidden on the porch, but tape was cut open and my new htpc mobo gone. they left the intel CPU and a small power adapter for charging my slacker radio player. funny part is the CPU was worth way more than the mobo... No one stole your motherboard off your porch. ...
by tima
Mon Apr 11, 2011 8:42 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: SpinPoint EcoGreen F4EG 2TB HD204UI/Z4
Replies: 121
Views: 168774

Re: SpinPoint EcoGreen F4EG 2TB HD204UI/Z4

On the subject, I have to tell that I started by being super-enthusiatic about the HD204UI, but the 7200 rpm like vibration and the various quality control made me turn back to the WD. I bought a WD20EARS, the new 3-platter one, and I have to tell you that the difference is absolutely amazing. The ...
by tima
Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:09 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: NVidia GPU always runs full speed when using multi screen...
Replies: 46
Views: 28202

Re: NVidia GPU always runs full speed when using multi scree

So, what's the deal? This seems like a real problem for the likes of you and I (I can't be the only one here who runs dual screen). This could be an adequate reason for me to go Radeon if it's better from that point of view. Thoughts? Depends somewhat on the card. Substituting one for the other in ...
by tima
Wed Dec 29, 2010 5:14 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Anyone Help Me Out With Fan Durabilities?
Replies: 3
Views: 2028

Re: Anyone Help Me Out With Fan Durabilities?

eNiL wrote:What would be the slipstream PWM fan's model number you have?
From my Performance-PCs.com receipt:

Scythe "SLIP-STREAM PWM" 120x25mm Case Fan - Sleeved (SY1225SL12LM-P) = $9.95
by tima
Sat Dec 25, 2010 7:46 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Anyone Help Me Out With Fan Durabilities?
Replies: 3
Views: 2028

Re: Anyone Help Me Out With Fan Durabilities?

My standard for quietness is the Scythe SlipStream 800rpm - if any fan is as quiet as that fan when new and does approx that cfm I'll use it! Unfortunately heard not so good things about longevity of those - a bit hesitant for now to order one of them... - choices would be between S-Flex D 800rpm /...
by tima
Thu Dec 09, 2010 6:00 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: SpinPoint EcoGreen F4EG 2TB HD204UI/Z4
Replies: 121
Views: 168774

Re: SpinPoint EcoGreen F4EG 2TB HD204UI/Z4

The patch requires that you boot into DOS. Fortunately, I keep a USB floppy drive around for just such an emergency.
by tima
Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:56 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: SpinPoint EcoGreen F4EG 2TB HD204UI/Z4
Replies: 121
Views: 168774

Re: SpinPoint EcoGreen F4EG 2TB HD204UI/Z4

Sad to say, it doesn't update the firmware number.
by tima
Thu Dec 09, 2010 7:00 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: SpinPoint EcoGreen F4EG 2TB HD204UI/Z4
Replies: 121
Views: 168774

Re: SpinPoint EcoGreen F4EG 2TB HD204UI/Z4

larrymoencurly wrote:Unfortunately Samsung hasn't posted an update to the buggy 1AQ10001 firmware:

http://sourceforge.net/apps/trac/smartm ... GBadBlocks
Looks like there's a patch:

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/ ... msg_id=386
by tima
Sat Dec 04, 2010 8:05 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: HD6850 Passive by PowerColor!!!!!!
Replies: 56
Views: 36324

Re: HD6850 Passive by PowerColor!!!!!!

on topic: why doesnt anybody make their passive cards in reverse... like pcb on the bottom, and it extends into the slot above it with all the hardware, and a decent backplate too... seems like it would be more efficient than having all that heat rise straight into the card itself.... i cant imagin...
by tima
Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:54 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Seasonic X650 - How to tell if fan is running?
Replies: 5
Views: 1996

Re: Seasonic X650 - How to tell if fan is running?

I'll try the paper strip. I already tried dangling a Kleenex, but that didn't seem to work. It's quite possible that only the 500 RPM Slipstream was running at the time though.
by tima
Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:51 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Seasonic X650 - How to tell if fan is running?
Replies: 5
Views: 1996

Re: Seasonic X650 - How to tell if fan is running?

You know that it is not supposed to run at lower loads, right? There are notices all over the PSU package about this -- and in every review, including mine. Yes, thanks. The point of telling if the fan is running is to know whether it is a potential noise source when evaluating system noise. The ul...
by tima
Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:12 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Seasonic X650 - How to tell if fan is running?
Replies: 5
Views: 1996

Seasonic X650 - How to tell if fan is running?

My Seasonic X650 is mounted in the lower chamber of my P182 with the fan at the bottom. Is there any non-auditory way to tell if the fan is running, preferably with the case closed? I really wish there was an RPM wire I could hook up to my mobo, like the PSU that came with my 3700BQE had. I do have ...
by tima
Mon Nov 29, 2010 2:43 pm
Forum: CPU Cooling
Topic: Backplate compatibility
Replies: 0
Views: 1006

Backplate compatibility

I'm getting rid of a ZeroTherm BTF90 due to its horrible fan noise and have a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ on order. The BTF90 backplate is glued on. What are the chances the Hyper will screw into this backplate?
by tima
Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:51 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x ?
Replies: 80
Views: 70256

Re: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x

Is it the bug that is only applicable to 1080i TV recordings in Media Center and only shows up on a few TV models? The 29/59 Hz bug depends on the broadcast, not the TV, though the TV influences the manifestation of the bug if it's subject to the PC/HDTV timing bug, which is a completely different ...
by tima
Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:11 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x ?
Replies: 80
Views: 70256

Re: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x

I don't know exact specs of your system but I find it hard to believe that the 6850 card at idle could have "penetrate base noise level of system" - unless it was indeed a faulty card or you have in some way much more sensitive hearing than me. I've got pair of 10EADS and soft mounted into p182 the...
by tima
Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:34 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x ?
Replies: 80
Views: 70256

Re: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x

I have several WD EADS in server, I know what they sound like, some used to be in my HTPC. I could not tolerate them in living room. There is no way Sapphire 6850 would be louder at idle than any 3.5" 5400 RPM drive. It would be noticeable, yes, but not louder. Tima, you probably got a bad sample. ...
by tima
Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:34 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x ?
Replies: 80
Views: 70256

Re: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x

Hi Tima, Just curious...which GTX 460 did you try that you thought was too loud? Thanks! I went into some detail on this in the GTX460 thread, but here's a summary. I RMA'd my first EVGA 768GB (reference design) due to a whiny fan and the DVD glitching, and got a louder, faster fan and the same DVD...
by tima
Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:19 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x ?
Replies: 80
Views: 70256

Re: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 very silent and not even vapor-x

The Sapphire HD6850 is not even remotely quiet. Even at the lowest speed 25%, it's audible above my 3 WD Green drives and 3 120mm case and CPU fans in my Antec P182 case (PSU is Seasonic X650). It idles at 60C. In contrast, my fanless ECS 9600GT (95w, preinstalled Accelero cooler) idles at 50C in th...
by tima
Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:09 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: VGA 4-pin PWM to CPU 4-pin PWM cable
Replies: 5
Views: 4560

Thanks, didn't think to check eBay. The seller's in Hong Kong. Anyone know if there are customs issues or other nonsense like that? Also, I think I will need two cables: 1. male(large)-to-female(small) to connect mate to card 2. female(large)-to-male(small) to connect mate to fan The eBay cable appe...
by tima
Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:17 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: VGA 4-pin PWM to CPU 4-pin PWM cable
Replies: 5
Views: 4560

VGA 4-pin PWM to CPU 4-pin PWM cable

I'd like to insert a Zalman PWM Mate between my video card fan and the card. I'd add the Zalman to the back of my case, where my two Fan Mates would keep it company. I'd like to try slowing the fan down and also greatly value the ability to unplug the fan from the Zalman and thus use it as a tempora...
by tima
Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:30 pm
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: My new refrigerator adventure (part green, part noise rant)
Replies: 22
Views: 20814

That's still crazy-low. That's less than 7 kw/h per day. Are you sure that's right? I use more than 7 kw/h just to do two loads of laundry (I'm also a family of 3, so we do laundry regularly). Average usage in my part of the country for a home of similar square footage with modern, efficient electr...
by tima
Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:00 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: GTX 460 launched today
Replies: 93
Views: 70323

You're right, you do not seem to be allowed to set fan speeds lower than 40% in MSI Afterburner. Maybe its possible using Rivatuner, I'm going to check. I couldn't get Rivatuner to work with the 258.96 drivers. The 40% minimum fan speed is hard-wired into the BIOS, AFAIK. IIRC, the beta Afterburner...
by tima
Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:45 am
Forum: Off Topic
Topic: My new refrigerator adventure (part green, part noise rant)
Replies: 22
Views: 20814

AuraAllan wrote:Wow ! !

1630kWh/year ?
1556kWh/year ?

Thats more then my girlfriend and I used the last 12 months :shock:
Where do you live? In a shoe? I'd give anything to use < 700 kWh/mo, which is the bare minimum, and I even have gas heat. During cooling season, it goes as high as 1800 kHw/mo.
by tima
Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:24 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: GTX 460 launched today
Replies: 93
Views: 70323

I really don't get the love for these cards' acoustics. I've tried two samples of the EVGA basic 768 MB model and one of the 768 MB MSI Cyclone, and the MSI is much worse. Both the EVGA and MSI cards have a minimum fan speed of 40%, which for EVGA, translates to 1500 or 1650 RPM. There was that much...