Search found 384 matches

by TomZ
Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:43 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Fanless PSU + P180, a perfect pairing?
Replies: 41
Views: 25167

hapveg wrote:it looks like I'll need about 543W, I'd rather use a completely fanless PSU (I already have a Yesico 350W)
Many of those power calculators overestimate the power requirements, as you may have heard. I can't see how your system could possibly consume nearly that much power.
by TomZ
Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:26 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: 120 VAC fans - is it O.K. to undervolt them?
Replies: 23
Views: 13738

OK People. First OFF, VOLTAGE has nothing to do with slowing down an AC fan. To control the speed of an AC fan you must vary the frequency of the AC down from 50/60Hz using a frequency driver. No, you're wrong about that. AC induction motors can be controlled either by varying the voltage (typicall...
by TomZ
Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:23 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Low power system not booting with high efficiency PSU?!
Replies: 84
Views: 148665

Re: Load Resistor - would this work?

Would this work?... I know it's meant to plug into the +5v line, but you could easily move the pins so that it plugs into the +12v line. However, it might not be big enough. It's possible that the system is already providing *almost* enough load and adding one of these might be just enough to put i...
by TomZ
Tue Apr 25, 2006 3:39 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Delta 172mm fan choice
Replies: 7
Views: 4499

Seems like an easy decision to me - the AHB has more fan blades and moves more air at the same RPM, same sound level, and same size. I would think the ratios would be maintained as you reduce the applied power. I don't have any personal experience with this fan to answer any of your other questions,...
by TomZ
Tue Apr 25, 2006 3:14 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Questions about building a wooden case
Replies: 24
Views: 9446

As for a wooden case, I don't think wood protects against EMI so you may have to consider it a little further. It may turn out a health hazard. Uh, no - it's called "non-ionizing radiation" - not harmful to humans at all. Human bodies don't react to it whatsoever, i.e., no change in state. The fear...
by TomZ
Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:46 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: According to Anandtech, Conroe beats FX-60
Replies: 145
Views: 86619

I couldn't agree more. Deciding on a CPU is taking into account several factors. Most people don't just buy the highest performing processor available. If there are performance differences between certain makes and models, they will probably be priced accordingly.
by TomZ
Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:30 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Antec P150: Back in Black? [called: Solo]
Replies: 228
Views: 174143

Re: "ANTEC Solo" Has any one Seen this??

I concur. If it is identical, why didn't they just name it the P150 B and be done with it? The NeoHE 430W is a pretty significant part of the P150... not having it included would be a pretty big omission on Antec's part. That depends on your view. If you have in mind a different PSU, e.g., Seasonic...
by TomZ
Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:06 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Is there any way a WD Raptor 150 can be silent?
Replies: 21
Views: 10926

So, do you think two of these are silent in RAID-0? At idle of course... will have my music on a separate P120. I would think so, although I'm not running mine as RAID0; they're actually in different machines. My theory is that if you put 1, 2, or 3 "very quiet" drives in your case, their sound wil...
by TomZ
Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:04 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Is there any way a WD Raptor 150 can be silent?
Replies: 21
Views: 10926

I just got another Raptor 150GB - it's just as quiet as the other one I got a few weeks back.
by TomZ
Sat Apr 22, 2006 1:48 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Antec finally released all-black P180??!??
Replies: 27
Views: 13926

Question for Antec: Does the P180B fix the quality problems being reported by your customers, or do we just get black warped case panels this time?
by TomZ
Sat Apr 22, 2006 1:41 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: P150?
Replies: 5
Views: 3075

As I posted on another thread, I ordered and receive a P150 a couple weeks ago, and I received the original version of NeoHE, also with a broken warranty sticker. This was in the U.S. - I don't know if the situation is any different in your part of the world. On the one hand, I was disappointed that...
by TomZ
Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:15 pm
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Antec P180 Gripes
Replies: 3
Views: 2764

It seems like Antec has some design and some manufacturing problems with the P180. It is a real shame since it does look to be an otherwise really nice design. Hopefully they'll come out with a revision that addresses these problems.
by TomZ
Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:07 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: 120 VAC fans - is it O.K. to undervolt them?
Replies: 23
Views: 13738

Bartender wrote:I saved that link for further study. How do you guys find this stuff!?
google!
by TomZ
Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:05 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Black & white Nexus 120mm coming soon to Australia
Replies: 10
Views: 2967

I don't know why folks are so enthusiastic about Nexus fans. The Yate-Loons are just a good, just as quiet, and cost 1/3 the amount.
by TomZ
Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:58 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Interest Check : USB PWM Fan controller kit
Replies: 25
Views: 14073

Very nice project! If you want to post your schematic, I could give you some feedback on that, if you want. I've been thinking about doing a similar project, using a PIC that has built-in USB - but I'm sure the Zilog is just as easy. I could also put together a quick GUI for it, if there is no objec...
by TomZ
Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:34 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: 120mm Fan with 4pin PWM connector?
Replies: 7
Views: 2942

I've got a couple of JMC's here I bought from Skyline. They're pretty quiet at low speeds, and move a good amount of air and make some noise at higher speeds. Typical tradeoff like other fans, e.g., Antec TriCool.
by TomZ
Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:22 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: need opinion on 120*38 fan
Replies: 2
Views: 1498

Are you sure that "FBA12G12M-NMB" is a valid part number? I don't see that listed as a valid, current orderable Panasonic part number.
by TomZ
Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:10 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Antec NeoHE "High-Efficiency"
Replies: 606
Views: 580437

The Seasonics have the same issue as the new HE Antec? I'm only speculating based on the following. The apparent reason for the NeoHE problems is that systems are not drawing the minimum current off some of the voltage rails. Seasonic power supplies also have specified minimum loads. So in theory, ...
by TomZ
Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:48 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Antec NeoHE "High-Efficiency"
Replies: 606
Views: 580437

What about overall quality between the two? That's probably most important after noise. I don't think you can get a reasonable answer here about "quailty." All you can get are individual anecdotes along the lines of "I had this one, it was good" and "I had that one, and it was a problem." To really...
by TomZ
Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:20 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Need new fans for P180
Replies: 12
Views: 5162

Yes, that's the P/N of the Yate-Loon. I'm in the U.S., and I bought them at HeatsinkFactory.com. I don't know if they will ship to Canada or not.
by TomZ
Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:05 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Homebrew drive enclosure
Replies: 111
Views: 107467

I kind of wonder about you guys sometimes - making your own gel packs?!? :D
by TomZ
Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:02 pm
Forum: Fans and Control
Topic: Need new fans for P180
Replies: 12
Views: 5162

I'd use Yate-Loons instead of Nexus, and cost about 1/3 the cost of the Nexus. They are basically the same fan, and they turn a little faster and have a slightly higher RPM. Sound level is practically the same.
by TomZ
Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:00 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: A Seasonic or a Hiper?
Replies: 18
Views: 8309

Ackelind wrote:Exactly how does PFC make noise?
Some users report that the choke (inductor) used for "passive" PFC can vibrate, causing audible noise. I don't know anything about that; I'm just repeating what has been reported elsewhere.
by TomZ
Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:29 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: BIOS indicates +5V out of tolerance
Replies: 5
Views: 2243

Actually, if your goal is to accelerate the need to replace the system, all you need is the paperclip. :D
by TomZ
Tue Apr 18, 2006 1:56 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: A Seasonic or a Hiper?
Replies: 18
Views: 8309

I'm voting with qviri on this one - same reasons!
by TomZ
Tue Apr 18, 2006 1:55 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: BIOS indicates +5V out of tolerance
Replies: 5
Views: 2243

If it were my system, I would get a digital voltmeter and measure it to be sure. A too-high voltage could do serious damage to the components.
by TomZ
Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:36 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Antec NeoHE "High-Efficiency"
Replies: 606
Views: 580437

tango charlie wrote:I take comfort in the fact that even with the broken PSU, the P150 still looks better and costs less than, say, one of those Lian Li cases.
Looks are subjective, of course, and I prefer the looks of the Lian-Li. I do like the Antec prices better, though!
by TomZ
Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:34 am
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Is there any way a WD Raptor 150 can be silent?
Replies: 21
Views: 10926

I must have made myself unclear. I don't have the WD150 already. I have to know I can make it as silent as my Samsung Spinpoint P120 before buying. It's good to hear you think it's quiet, even quieter than WD74. Is this with AAM on? Does it hurt performance much? I didn't change any settings on the...
by TomZ
Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:40 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: Is there any way a WD Raptor 150 can be silent?
Replies: 21
Views: 10926

There must be a lot of variance with the 150GB Raptors, because the one I just put into a P150 is actually very quiet, quieter than my other 74GB Raptors.

Sorry, I don't have any experience with those HDD coolers, however.
by TomZ
Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:52 pm
Forum: Silent Storage
Topic: WD raptor 74gb and P180
Replies: 7
Views: 3623

I just built a machine with a P150 with a 150GB Raptor suspended with the included elastic bands. It was generally inaudible until I listened with my ear about 1" from the outside of the case, at which point I could hear only a faint rotational sound.