I've used the DFI Lanparty UT 250GB and the Asus K8N-E Deluxe. No coile whine on either NForce 3 motherboards. I stuck with the Asus because it could undervolt better than the DFI.

I have a 160GB Spinpoint and it is very quiet. It has been said that the newer 250GB may not be as quiet as the older models. Check out this thread, New Samsungs no longer quiet. I wish SPCR could review these newer Spinpoints and do a comparison. I too am interested in a 250GB.

Try this thread:
Zalman 7700AlCu fan mod : step-by-step

Check out the Modding & Cutting with Tin Snips sticky thread in the Cases & Damping forum. Basically you should get some quality tin snips. The recommened brand, Wiss, should only by about $17 at Home Depot.

Same info, but the pics work here:

AMDZone

i'm trying to mod zalman 7700 cu with yate loon 120mm

Check out the above thread. It's for a 7000 and a Nexus 92mm. But it should be the same procedure.

The Yate Loon 120mm Low Speed (D12SL-12) is very quiet and inexpensive.
TekGems
Jab-tech
PCTek Online

Check out these threads:
Where to buy uchannel (fan hole) rubber molding?
where to get U-channel rubber?

Check also this thread, Two loons, a papst, and a coolermaster for more info. Seems like PCTek Online used to have the 4-pin medium speed. But it now seems they only have the low speed version. Maybe someone can confirm this. The Mad Dog Whisperfan at CompUSA is said to be a medium speed YL.

I've got the same board and I do see the FID/VID and CnQ option. But I have a A64 3200+. I've read that only some of the 2600+E6 support CnQ (and maybe undervolting). So you may have got one that is locked. Check out this thread . But those idle/load temps are excellent, that I wouldn't even worry a...

Mussels wrote:I've read about nidec motors, is there any way to tell if this drive has one or not?

This has been discussed already here:
Samsung Spinpoint SP2504C motor

I don't think you are going to find a VGA cooler that will not use up a PCI slot. Especially one for a 6600. How much do you like your card? You could sell it and get a fanless Gigabyte or XFX card.

I am about to buy a Samsung Spinpoint SP2504C (250GB) I heard that they can come with different motors. I've read differently. I thought the newer 200GB and 250GB models only come with Nidec motors now. Here's two older threads: Samsung SP2504C (250GB) or Maxtor Diamondmax SB250 (250GB) Where to fi...

Cool setup. What are your temps like? And does your fanless PSU get hot?

Experiences with a Gigabyte 6600GT Silentpipe

Fanless 6600GT AGP is now a reality - Gigabyte GV-N66T128VP

The black Yate loons can be found at PCTek Online. But they do not have RPM sensing.

Try the search function. You'd come up with these threads...

Sunbeam Rubber Screws (12 Pack) for $3.99

Anybody tried these Sunbeam rubber screws?

The Newegg price for the Antec 3000B is pretty high. Check this thread, Antec SLK3000b for $46.24, for a cheaper solution. Bestbyte has the Seasonic PSU's cheaper too. Bestbyte has a pretty good reputation here at SPCR.

I got the Acoustifan since it was the only fan I'd seen in the recommended list that had open corners (I don't have any tools to cut open the corners of a Nexus with) There are now clips available you can use to attach an XP-120 with a closed corner fan. I really wanted to clean up my cabling in th...

The 3000b is a very good case, but you probably should get it somewhere else , because Newegg is expensive. I've never heard of the XClio, the popular PSU around here is the Seasonic S12 . Since your on a budget, the 330W version should still be plenty of power. You might want to think about the DFI...

I've had a good experience with the 350W Coolmax. It is reviewed here at SPCR with good efficiency and voltage regulation. It's also cheaper than the both the Silverstone and Phantom. It is barely warm to the touch with my undervolted and slightly underclocked Newcastle 3200+. But like many have sta...

tempeteduson wrote: EDIT: But why not use CnQ instead of undervolting?

CnQ will get idle temps low. But since you have to use the default voltages and speeds, load temps will usually be higher than they would with a good undervolt/underclock. And load temps and stability under load is more important than idle temps.

This is my logic also. At such a low power draw the PSU should be giving off very little heat. Power consumption on the DC side is probably ~65w. The CPU surely accounts for the majority of this, although I doubt it is 50w. My guess would probably be more like 35-40w. With an undervolted Turion64, ...

that's interesting. anybody with experiences of the Sli Premium w/ heatpipe chipset cooler? There's already a few threads about Abit's mobos with heatpipes: Abit got mobos with heatpipes! Abit Q-OTES Motherboard for at New Egg And Edward Ng has built a 3000+ Venice that's in the Gallery Section. Ed...

This was already mentioned here, Best fanless VGA heatsink?. But I guess it deserves its own thread.

yes, nothing to worry; but I'd base the decision on temps on CPU burn (with prime95), not idle. I agree as well. With a 939 CPU core and undervolting, underclocking, or Cool and Quiet, idle temps can get ridiculously low. But what's more important is the CPU load temp and stability under load (prim...

BenW wrote:Nice system, how did you set it up so the fans only come on at a certain temp?

I've got the same motherboard. The DFI Smartguardian hardware monitor has the option to turn fans on, off, and go full speed at a certain temperature.

I haven't mounted a side fan, those holes will only fit an 80mm fan wont they? I did think about flipping the CPU fan to blow out the side tube, because it lines up so well with this Mobo You might want to try and run the XP-120 fanless and use the 3000B CPU duct. Temps might actually be better or ...

I've ordered from Xoxide a few weeks ago. Got a Func mouse pad and lan bags. No problems whatsoever and the package came promptly.

Newegg is a great online store, but probably not the best when it comes to these kinds of computer parts. Jab-Tech or Xoxide are both good companies that have it in stock with decent prices.