Windows is still limited to 2-3GB(depending on whether you hack the registry) per process. So more than that is only useful if you're running lots of big things at once.

Buy a Burner to burn data. I've seen BR discs going for $7 recently, so 25GB for $7 isn't half bad. http://www.tapeandmedia.com/detail.asp?product_id=BD-R25B These use the older non organic dyes/media and are coated to resist scratches. Very stable shelf life and honestly, at this price, a replaceme...

I suggest the WD RE2 160GB. It's small and fairly quiet. But you need to run it as raid 1(recommended, actually) as they are raid-only drives meant for server rooms. http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=403 Something like $60 each last I checked. I run two in raid 1 mode and they are ...

Battery backed ramdisk with nothing on it but the OS - literally. Keep the Apps directory and everything else on the main hard drive or SSD. 8GB should be enough for just the OS and swap files. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=215670 The One to get is the ANS-9010B, which is sing...

With that list, you can see why that ramdisk is a viable alternative, especially as it has a built-in backup option. Memory might be a bit more expensive, but it works great. Oh - the article was mentioning - and read the responses on Slashdot about the same discussion as well, especially the origin...

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=669

Just came out. Yet another reason Multi-layer NAND is no good.

Actually, the dual-core model is supposed to be the next model of the Mac Mini. So technically it IS designed to be a tiny desktop. I seriously hope this won't come true because that new Mac mini would have a significantly lower performance than the current Core 2 Duo-based models. I'm still waitin...

Try to figure out where the case is vibrating. Usually it's one of the side panels. (your palm on it should stop it). This might take some time to track down. Once you do, if it's a lose piece, silicone sealant usually works well. If it's not, then you need to do some mass loading to stiffen up the ...

Doesn't look possible to make silent, but 30db or so - about the noise of a typical laptop should be possible. The issue here will be airflow. Optimally you would get a case with 2 120mm fans at the rear running as quiet as possible(likely slightly undervolted S-Flex or similar). - Motherboard - Gig...

Actually, the dual-core model is supposed to be the next model of the Mac Mini. So technically it IS designed to be a tiny desktop. Of course, I'd personally love to see it in a keyboard type case like the old 16 bit computers were. Sounds like a mod project to me... Get an old IBM type keyboard or ...

It depends for me on the application. If it's the CPU fan, I am willing to sacrifice a bit of speed for reliability and therefore chose FDB fans.(Fluid Bearing).

Found it. A real industry article. The X25 uses multi-layer NAND. X25-M uses MLC, X-25-E uses SLC. Even the E model is using NAND, but you're right - SLC is much better. Pass on the M and spend $50 more for the E. And, no, 2-3 years for a hard drive is really too short. I tend to upgrade my systems...

True, which is why low drain and able to run off of a 12V battery system is ideal. Other than the monitor, it could easily run 50W or less to get online.(not to mention the energy bill savings when you're not in that situation) The VR headset is nice, but perhaps this isn't something anyone has cons...

why would consumers need server grade hardware? your logic is out of left field. The reason is that only the server grade SSDs are close to the reliability of a standard consumer hard drive. The others are well below that. Now, for most people, that not a big deal. But for me, that's huge since I h...

Also, moving the heat source outside of the CPU is a big secondary bonus. The old Atari, Commodore, and similar 8 and 16 bit computers commonly had a big power brick. As a result, the systems could be run mostly passively and still last well over a decade. All while being silent. Also, with no PSU, ...

Okay, here's another question - given a more than likely SHTF scenario in the U.S. where power and supplies begin to get to be very expensive and less than 100% reliable, a Nvidia Ion type nettop/netbook seems like a good idea. 30W via a PicoPSU or so can run for a very long time off of a 12V batter...

Obviously Intel is lying and relying on most customers not keeping the things for more than a year or two. I dont see how its "obvious" since if it were we would be hearing much more from customers and their prematurely failed drives all over the net. So far the biggest complaint i have heard is ho...

http://www.storagesearch.com/ssdmyths-endurance.html The problem is that the X25 series use less stable flash rated at a puny 10,000 cycles. Intel is claiming that their wear-leveling software is giving it a wear factor of 1.1 versus the industry average of 20... Somehow I think it's unlikely that I...

There is no substitute for mass. When in doubt, go with the largest chunk of cooling that you can reasonably fit in the case.

16GB might not be as much as 80GB, but for a fast boot device, most people don't load it up with tons of data as it is. ie - I have 5-10GB of apps and a couple of gigs worth of OS... Technically the device will hold up to 64GB - I just chose 16GB as that's often more than enough for a boot drive. 32...

I'd like to add that there is another option that's also a Solid state drive. Ie, the real deal: The ANS-9010B http://techreport.com/articles.x/16255 Obviously you need a battery backup on such a system as well(or the optional battery pack), just in case. But it is shockingly fast. None of the issue...

My votes goes for the WD RE2/RE3 line, only because I run raid. Otherwise, the WD GP.

I've used a similar weight cooler on my ex's machine for over a year now with just those push-pins. No issues at all.

A more practical question - exactly how much faster, if any, would this be compared to my X1900XT? The specs on a stock HD4650 look to be about a little better(20% or so), but this card is under-clocked... A cheaper, lower power, and faster card than my X1900XT with a S1 added to it might be worth c...

I suppose so, but this is also a fully functional PC as well as for that price it'll almost certainly have a drive i it.

I love my fluid bearing fans.(S-flex and a few others) tiny bit more noise, but two advantages when in low noise system. 1 - if more than one fan fails, it's highly likely that things will go bad quickly. Especially if it's the CPU or exhaust fan running at an already slowed down speed.(can't hear i...

No, the problem is that the 945GC is completely incapable of running even 720P content without dropping frames. It just doesn't work for multimedia at all. And the single core processors are also inadequate. Even the single core Ion barely scrapes by, but the dual core Ion just plain works as intend...

Would a mini-ITX PC work? I know that these are generally very poor performers in comparison to any decent ATX or mini-ATX build, but they have a small footprint, are a little bit more affordable, and have minimal power draw. The main advantage they have over netbooks is that they can be easily hoo...

My solution has always been to place a slot fan 2 slots away from the video card. (leave a bit of air space) Combined with a large passive cooler, this pulls off enough air. Not silent, but worlds quieter than any OEM video card fan. I really can't hear the thing anyways at 7V.

33.8W with a less than optimal power supply, most likely(I almost guarantee you can shave a couple of watts with a PicoPSU) for a full multimedia PC is a big deal. Built-in video on the other systems can't handle Hi-def, no way, no how, so that means you *must* add a PCIe video card that's larger th...