Thanks for your responses. That's an interesting theory about the harmonics, but it's very difficult for me to test. I need to keep downtime to a minimum as I run my rig 24-7 and a lot of my programs are on the other drives (I have 3 total, 80GB Seagate SATA 7200.7, 200GB Seagate 7200.7 ATA100, 200G...

I have a 80GB Seagate 7200.7 SATA as my boot drive. It works fine, loud during access, but what's bothering me the most is that it's got a good vibration to it. Sometimes the vibrations pulse in cycles. Suspension is not an option, so I figured I get a new drive. Any suggestions? I need a SATA drive...

4.56W - it should be okay. I believe motherboard fan headers can handle up to 6W.

Does anyone know any way that I can be sure this card is toast? I tried it in another computer and had the same result. That's pretty good indication that it's dead. I RMA'd a 9700 Pro to ATI for the exact same reasons. I put the shim back on and the stock heatsink - they didn't seem to care. Sent ...

I would prefer a Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer Rev3 myself over a passive solution. Don't want all that heat hanging around in the system.

The MCX159 fan is very quiet for a 40mm. Undervolts nicely to 5-7V. I have one on my P4P800, but it doesn't even get warm. I could probably ditch the fan and use it for another project.

I'll take the castle and wear earmuffs.

Nope, no thermal control. Unless it's on the motherboard.

Most manufacturers do not require receipt for RMA. I know this is true of AMD, MSI, and ATI.

Here's what I did with my 9100: 1. Wedge the heatsink/fan off with a letter opener (put a credit card under neath it so you don't damage the core). 2. Scrap off the thermal adhesive with the edge of a utility knife or a razor blade. 3. Clean with 99% alcohol & lint-free cloth. 4. Mount on a Zalman N...

Apparently the NCQ-enabled drives are louder than average. I don't know if it accounts for what you're experiencing as I haven't heard it first-hand.