Recent content by SoopahMan

I have 2 Raptor 36gbs in a RAID0 array - meaning they always fire in tandem. With my case open I can hear them when in use, but with the case closed I can't - the only noticable noise from them case-closed is a light whir sound, loudest when it's very cold in the room.

I contacted Shuttle directly on this issue and their techs replied to me directly (amazing!). They told me their nForce2 and 3 models both have been tested using dual-SATA to no ill effect. I find this very surprising from looking at how trapped the drives appear to be in the case, so I'm not...

There are Radeon 9800 Pro cards that are single-slot implementations - look through reviews at Anandtech or FiringSquad and find the one for you. These smaller versions have the same performance but with less electrical waste - and heat waste. Key for an SFF system. One of these smarter cards...

I'm looking for an SFF system (Biostar iDeq 200n) that has: nForce2 board SATA/RAID capability air passing over the hard drives I've done this already with the Biostar iDeq 200N's nForce2 + Via6420 SATA/RAID controller, but the HDs aren't ventilated - they ran so hot I had to apply heatsinks...

Thanks for all the help. I did end up "Slipstreaming" Windows XP - basically, dump the CD files to ur HD, put the SATA drivers in the i386 folder, change 4 lines in TxtSetup.sif, download the boot sector, and write it all as a Boot CD with Nero with the same labels as the original XP CD. Works...

SATA is only useful if: 1) You want the advantage of the cables, either for airflow in the case (big difference), length of cable or simplicity 2) The drive you're buying is capable of a burst rate >133mb/s. SATA offers 150mb/s. The WD Raptors have such a burst rate. The 2 WD Raptors I'm using...

Actually, I build my machines to last. My last computer, including its hard drive, lasted 5 years and I even gave it to my girlfriend, unmodified, and it's still running like a champ. In this case, I spent just $900 on: Biostar IDEQ 200N (nForce2 and Via SATA RAID controller) 2 Raptor HDs...

Well I'm looking for something that doesn't require moving the drive into a 5.25" bay; I don't have any to spare. All the Thermaltake solutions appear to require this.

Is there a cooling solution you'd recommend for this sandwiched scenario, if it's unavoidable? I have 2 3.5" drives sitting 1/2" top to bottom (contained in a fairly heat-conductive drive cage), and I suspect they're running too hot.

Where would you buy something to actually take your drive's temperature? I've been able to find a sticker for a drive enclosure, but that's not quite what I'm after.

Can you recommend a brand name for the clip-on type cooler? I have 2 3.5" drives sitting under a CD drive, all in one fairly cramped drive cage. Moving to different case type would be a last resort for me so that clip-type cooler sounds very enticing, but I've never seen anything except the...

If it's a 10,000 rpm drive, I would recommend you get a cooler. If you intend to have more than one of these, definitely get a cooler.

I'm using 2 WD Raptors in a RAID 0 array, and the performance is unmatched. No drive can hold a candle to these little monsters. Be prepared for heat though... .

That's a very strange SATA experience, as it's the opposite of mine. I'm using 2 WD Raptor SATA drives, and the SATA cables (and SATA power cables!) were definitely nicer to install than normal ATA cables. The simple plug and small wire were much easier to route through my system and attach than...

If I don't make my own XP install CD, then I'll have 2 separate CDs: the original XP CD, and the CD with my SATA RAID controller drivers on it. I want to install in the RAID config from the get-go. So, I'd have the XP CD, then the prompt for RAID controller, and hopefully I can use the other...