Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by refor_matt

Where to buy Vantec Tornado 80mm case fan

refor_matt — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 23:05:48 +0800

Hi all, not sure if this is the right place to post my question, but does anyone here know where I can buy a Vantec Tornado 80mm case fan in KL/Klang Valley? Are there any brick and mortar stores in lowyat plaza, digital mall etc. selling it? I recall seeing one on display in a store at lowyat plaza a long while back, but I haven't seen one since then.

I don't intend to actually install it into a pc, so noise isn't a concern. However, suggestions of powerful 80mm or smaller alternatives are welcome. Thanks.

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo Installation

refor_matt — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:10:28 +0800

As per topic title, I need some help/advice with the installation of the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo cooler. This is my first experience with a retention-bracket type cooler, and I decided to follow some youtube demos on how to install it. I ended up trying the rice grain method as opposed to manually spreading the stock thermal compound on the base of the cooler as outlined in the manual.

The first thing I did when I started up the system was to check the CPU temps in the bios, which was shown to be at 35-36C. It's higher than what I'd want, nonetheless I decided to continue with the OS installation. Once the OS was up and running, I checked the temperature of the individual cores in core temp, and the temps were shown to be in the whopping ~65+ C range. (At idle, gasp!)

I guess I'll break down my questions as follows:
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1. Could it be that I used too much TC? Or perhaps the stock TC is too thick and viscous to be applied using the rice grain method?
The TC they used in the vid I followed was the TX-2: LINK

2. I noticed that there is a small tightening screw in the middle of the retention bracket. None of the vids I came across nor the manual made any mention of it. Am I actually supposed to tighten it after installing the heatsink? I actually tightened it before placing it on the cooler. Perhaps this resulted in uneven contact/pressure after mounting the cooler?

3. My case does not have a CPU back plate cutout. In order to reseat the heatsink, do I have to remove the mobo just so I can retighten the standoffs' nuts on the cooler's backplate prior to remounting the heatsink?

sandy+X79 build vs ivy+Z77 build

refor_matt — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:36:16 +0800

Hello all,
I'm currently making plans for a new rig, but I'm having a hard time deciding between Socket-2011 or Socket-1155 based systems.

I still need a couple of days before I can confirm my total budget (as well as what I'm going to salvage from a previous build), but assuming an allocation of ~rm2k+ for a new proc + MoBo, which platform would provide a better bang for the buck considering current prices?

A couple of configurations that I currently have in mind:
s1155: Core i7-3770K + ASUS P8Z77 V Deluxe or Sabertooth X77 or Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH (approx 1k + 1k)
s2011: Core i7-3820 + ASUS Sabertooth X79 (approx .9k + 1.1k)

Additional notes:
The pc will primarily be used as a gaming machine, as well as a workstation for MATLAB Simulink work and general media editing. Also, I would prioritize reliability if the performance gap is negligible, and I'm not planning for anything beyond a modest overclock.

Advice, general thoughts, as well as alternative suggestions would be much appreciated.