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In Reply to: RE: Changes to Version 0.3 posted by cics on October 10, 2007 at 21:05:55
Curious to know why you chose a board using VIA 890 chipset and not what I presume is the up-spec VIA 900 chipset? Also, I assume that an ASUS or ??? equivalent of the BIOSTAR would be just as good? (I ask this because the BIOSTAR is not available in AUS).Regards,
Edits: 10/12/07 10/12/07Follow Ups:
Why Biostar mobo with P4M890:
1. It received a good review from PC Stats
2. VIA chipset uses less power therefore runs cooler
3. Offers RAID so no need for separate RAID card
4. Micro ATX form factor
5. Can be overclocked - this is a good indication of mobo quality where more effort goes into ensuring stability (better management of signal reflections, etc.). Also, it means BIOS settings are very flexible and allows for fine tuning. I have 2 other types of mobos (Dell & Acer) and they don't come close.
It should be OK to use another manufacturers' mobo based on VIA chipset if they have same characteristics of above. It's just that I haven't tested those - let us know how it works out. P4M900 based mobos would also be a good choice and has high-throughput Ultra V-Link (@1GB/s vs 0.52GB/s).
appreciating all your work - looking to build a computer transport, I happened on this Biostar motherboard: Biostar CN700-I7C board with 1GHz fanless C7 CPU - miniITX. It would answer for quietness, but is it is workable at 1GHz?
I've looked at VIA's own mini-ITX mobos. Still prefer micro-ATX as:
1. BIOS is more flexible (this may have changed with Biostar's mobos)
2. Uses 2 power sources (separate 12v rails for CPU and mobo)
3. Prefer a minimum of 2 processors
Even so, its still worth a try especially with RME soundcard that does off-host ASIO processing (means less load on CPU).
I understand your points. I'm trying to get to a fanless pc for this, or nearly, so wondering about the minimum speeds to make the player/soundcard do their work, with the minimum heat. At the moment I'm using an old socket A pc (well-silenced, but not good enough)with Audiophile 192, and while playing files cpu shows only 2% usage.
About power sources - No electronics expert, this may be a daft idea, but what about using 2 psu (smaller, fanless) for cpu and motherboard?
For processors - if the Via C7 is a bit iffy, the Intel mobile core2duo T series look great, only 34W, but pricey and hard to find just now.
Sorry, been away...
Mini-itx mobos don't make provision for dual power sources - it uses old style 20 pin mobo connector for all power needs. New standard uses 24 pin mobo connector and a 4 pin 12v cpu connector.
On fanless PSUs, try MGE's XG Magnum 500 - fan only operates under load (which shouldn't occur in a computer transport). Others like that used to power HDDs cannot provide the higher power needed.
Would be interesting to compare Intel's mobile core2duo T series against underclocked Pentium Dual Core E2140.
I meant use separate power supplies on a microatx board with the separate 4-pin 12v connection - one for the mboard and one for the cpu. I'll experiment with this if it isn't a mboard destroyer. Very tempted by itx route, but I don't think it's the time just yet - maybe next year boards and processors will be more available and cheaper. Mobile core2duo is a leap forward in efficiency - my son's new laptop with T5250 has fanless option and doesn't get very warm.
MGE psu looks very well built, but not available in UK as far as I can tell. Enermax is not for me - SPCR review not good at all, especially for noise. Impossible to tell if any psu really has separate rails - do you have a third option up your sleeve by any chance?
I'd definitely try for XG Magnum (I'm also finding it difficult to get one). Other quality ones are from OCZ, Corsair and CoolMaster (choose ones over 500watts and offers cable management) - only issue I have is fan noise. That's why I went with Zalman TNN-300.
MGE XG Magnum website shows a UK retailer. US sites are limited to US only.
I wanted to share something that I discovered long ago, but since I am using new hard drives again I just remembered the impact that I hear, which I think is significant.
I'm now using this laptop hard drive.
Fujitsu 160GB 4200 RPM 8MB SATA/150 Mb/s HDD MHV2160BT,
It does sound better than my Western Digital WD5000YS, however I can't fit all my music on just one laptop drive.
Second,I purchased this: VANTEC CB-ISATAU2 SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002.
it works to good effect on my WD drves.
Sadly, it doesn't power my fujitsu properly. I can boot up and see the contents as an extra drive, but then when I try to access it, it repeatedly spins up and hangs my pc. Maybe someone can see why in the specs.
Anyway, the real reason I'm posting is because I think you'll hear a positive difference when you try these changes:
1. make a copy of your album (mine were in wav) and then compress the new folder. Right click--properties-general-advanced-Check compress contents to save disk space. and apply. I think with the amount of tweaking we've done, you should be able to hear a difference between tracks in the compressed folder and the original folder. I think compressed sounds a bit cleaner, as if the drive can find the bits a bit faster. I compressed my foobar folder also.
2. Right click on foobar.exe properties.compatibility. check compatibility mode and keep it on Windows 95 (you can experiment with other modes, but I liked this best). Also check Input settings, Turn off advanced text services for this program. I did this for my two .bat files also and heard even more of a difference. Then I did it to my rmedigi.exe file just for kicks.
Again, if you've kept up with all the the changes so far, you should at least hear a difference when you make these changes. I think there were large improvements made here, so please let me know if anyone has a similar experience or finds some other results.
Mike
Hello Mike,
I have a Vantec IDE to USB connector on another PC. Those Vantec PSUs may not have enough to power for your Western Digital HDD. Its specs show 5/12V at 1.5A - this is cutting very close to 3.5" drives and I suspect this is your problem. You can fix this by getting Granite Digital's PSU for $20 (it delivers 2A). Check on your HDD what power is needed and compare to Vantec.
I tested Windows compatibility settings and Advanced Text Services a long while ago - I didn't get definitive answers but with so much changes, I'll try again.
Folder compression - never tried this as yet.
The problem with the Vantc was not with the western digital, but the fujitsu.
I would think the WD drive should require more power and have a problem, not the Fujitsu, which I would think requires less power. I haven't tried it anymore, but maybe I'll get to try another brand like the Granite soon.
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