My system build - update

[itr2401]

Hiya all,

I thought I would post an update as to how my system has been running now that I have got most of the issues worked out. Hopefully this will provide some good info to others out there.

System Specs:
Intel DP35DP Media Series motherboard
Intel Q6600
Zalman CNPS8000 CPU Cooler
Zalman HD135 HTPC Case
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 SATA 3Gb/s 160-GB Hard Drive (ST3160813AS)
Asus EN8600GT (nVidia based) graphics card
DViCO Fusion HDTV Dual Express
4GB Kingston RAM

Operating System:
Vista 32Bit, no SP1.

I was running Vista x64, with SP1 with the 2008 TV Pack, however whilst it was great to have the guide up and running, x64 driver support for the DViCO was very bad - yes it worked, but it would fail right after entering an S3 state and resuming. The other issue was that using DVRMSToolbox on the new format files was a no go - so with no decent resume and no ad skipping ... meant I was going to "uninstall" the latest fixes.

For the sake of it I rebuilt the system using Vista 32Bit on another drive, and was very surprised to see that under Vista 32bit - the S3 issue was no longer present. I then went through the hoops with Windows update only and S3 was still working with the FusionHDTV functioning properly without issue after the S3 resume.

Next steps are to get the guide and ad skipping working.

All visual output from the system is done by TVOUT via component to a projector at 720p, and all audio runs via the SPDIF to an amp.

All other media access is via a network - this is why the drive is so small in the system.

Additional Software:
To get the S3 state to work when I wanted it to, I used an application called MCE Standby Tool which can be found here: http://slicksolutions.eu/

Software / Driver versions:
DViCO Fusion HDTV Driver: FusionHDTV3.68.04_beta.exe
Intel DP35DP Media Series Chipset: INF_allOS_9.0.0.1011_PV.exe
Intel DP35DP Media Series HECI Driver: HECI_AllOS_3.0.30.1086_PV.exe
Intel DP35DP Media Series LAN Driver: LAN_allOS_13.1.1_PV_Intel_170798.exe
nVIDIA 8600GT: 175.19_geforce_winvista_32bit_english_whql.exe
Zalman HD135 USB Driver: HD135_MHC3036-CD-ZALMAN_080118_V3.1(2).zip (under the USB Driver directory)
Zalman HD135 VFD Application: MHC3038.zip

Hopefully all of this helps someone else.

[likwidsh0k]

Hi itr2401,

Thanks alot for the info, I am looking at this case too. I have a couple of quick questions that would be great if you could please answer them for me?

1. What PSU are you using coz I read with the special section for it it doesn't fit all models?
2. How are you keeping it quiet and cool? I found this thread where people have done alot of tweaking - http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums...c.php?p=373643
3. Can you dim the VFD down to total darkness?

Thanks,
Andrew

[itr2401]

Hi Andrew,

I am using the Zalman 460B Power Supply, however because all of the cables are all connected (not modular) they are taking up way too much space for an unused item in my opinion - and really should have read a little more about getting a power supply that is modular.

As for keeping it quiet and cool - I have found that by using the VFD software and setting the fan speed to 27% instead of being thermal oriented works well. The CNPS8000 comes with an internal fan control, and this is dialled back to around 1450 rpm based on what the BIOS tell’s me. When running, the unit is barely audible from around 30cm away. If it was running 100% all the time I would probably be concerned about the eventual heat generation but after a few hours use it is still all OK.

It is not powered on all the time, mainly left in an S3 state when not watching DVD's (and TV if I can get the TV Card to work but that’s a different story)

The VFD can’t be dimmed from what I can tell - and it isn’t that bright when just on its own. There is a little annoying red LED that stays on / activates when there are key presses on the remote, and in an S3 state there is a bright blue LED that does light up the room. A little piece of black electrical tape on the inside of the case over those two areas fixed that pretty damn quick

I'll see if I can take a few pics of the insides as per that URL to show what I have done / where it is all located - maybe that will give you some idea's too.

[likwidsh0k]

Thanks again for all the very helpful info. My ideas have changed a bit since my post, now looking at a squeezebox aswell, but this case is still on the radar.

Originally Posted by itr2401

I am using the Zalman 460B Power Supply, however because all of the cables are all connected (not modular) they are taking up way too much space for an unused item in my opinion - and really should have read a little more about getting a power supply that is modular.

Cool. Check, go the modular, thanks. Ed: Sorry did you mean "because all of the cables are not all connected"? Never used a modular power supply before, for my current PC I was actually choosing between the Seasonic S12-430 vs Zalman ZM460B-APS and went with the Seasonic

Originally Posted by itr2401

As for keeping it quiet and cool - I have found that by using the VFD software and setting the fan speed to 27% instead of being thermal oriented works well. The CNPS8000 comes with an internal fan control, and this is dialled back to around 1450 rpm based on what the BIOS tell’s me. When running, the unit is barely audible from around 30cm away. If it was running 100% all the time I would probably be concerned about the eventual heat generation but after a few hours use it is still all OK.

Thanks again for the very detailed info. Yeah read about some of these VFD software having fan controls, seemed a bit of an odd thing to be able to do from the VFD but read the HD135 one is great with 'A pair of thermistors and a pair of fans can also be connected, as there is thermal monitoring and fan control circuitry built in.' pretty cool.

Yeah not to sure yet how long mine will stay on for, it won't be on 24/7 because I have this dedicated torrent box But could be on for a while if playing tunes (with or without a squeezebox), TV, movies, HD recording etc.

Originally Posted by itr2401

It is not powered on all the time, mainly left in an S3 state when not watching DVD's (and TV if I can get the TV Card to work but that’s a different story)

Nooo.. not another tuner card horror story, starting to get worried lol

Originally Posted by itr2401

The VFD can’t be dimmed from what I can tell - and it isn’t that bright when just on its own. There is a little annoying red LED that stays on / activates when there are key presses on the remote, and in an S3 state there is a bright blue LED that does light up the room. A little piece of black electrical tape on the inside of the case over those two areas fixed that pretty damn quick

Ah yeah.. sorry I made this mistake before, my DVD display has a dim button which goes to half brightness and totally off and that's what I meant. Can you turn the display off completely? Odd question but I have read about others that cannot be and would be a killer for me coz I hate all the lights and dim or cover every light I can. 'A little piece of black electrical tape on the inside of the case over those two areas fixed that pretty damn quick ' - exactly! Yeah I saw that red LED and thought why you have this nice blue display and then put a different colour light in there. Really starting to wonder who makes all these clown decisions.

Originally Posted by itr2401

I'll see if I can take a few pics of the insides as per that URL to show what I have done / where it is all located - maybe that will give you some idea's too.

Man that would be awesome? Thanks alot

This layout from the thread I posted above looks pretty sweet, he has got alot of cards in there though..

[itr2401]

Originally Posted by likwidsh0k

Ed: Sorry did you mean "because all of the cables are not all connected"? Never used a modular power supply before, for my current PC I was actually choosing between the Seasonic S12-430 vs Zalman ZM460B-APS and went with the Seasonic

Depends on which way you look at it A modular PS you can disconnect all the power leads you don’t need - or if you look at it from the other side, only leave the ones you need connected What I was meaning was that the Zalman has them all connected, no way to remove the ones your not using (not a modular PS) - hope that helps clarify

As you can see from the pics - it is fairly cluttered, but there is enough of a gap for thermal exhaust / airflow.

[likwidsh0k]

Originally Posted by itr2401

Depends on which way you look at it A modular PS you can disconnect all the power leads you don’t need - or if you look at it from the other side, only leave the ones you need connected What I was meaning was that the Zalman has them all connected, no way to remove the ones your not using (not a modular PS) - hope that helps clarify

Aha, yeah when you said are all connected I thought you meant are all connected to devices, not all connected to the PSU - I didn't read it properly. I see what you mean, looks like you got a few unused cables crammed in the good ol' unused drive bay.. home of the unused power cables.

A modular PSU could be the go regardless of the case, and especially for the really small shallow case I am trying to find so I only have the cables I need to free up some space for airflow. Thanks. Unless and I hope not but expect are really expensive.

Originally Posted by itr2401

As you can see from the pics - it is fairly cluttered, but there is enough of a gap for thermal exhaust / airflow.

Excellent, thanks alot. Great to see DIY fixes for asshat decisions made by manufacturers

I hate to ask.. but can you turn the display off completely when the machine is on? I know its stupid obvious answer question and I should put on the flame suit but can't find an answer anywhere and I have only heard from someone with an OriginH6 who said he couldn't.

[itr2401]

Originally Posted by likwidsh0k

I hate to ask.. but can you turn the display off completely when the machine is on? I know its stupid obvious answer question and I should put on the flame suit but can't find an answer anywhere and I have only heard from someone with an OriginH6 who said he couldn't.

I am unsure on that. There is a power connector which goes to the whole PCB, which I imagine is used to power the VFD and the 2 variable fans - so removing the power cable would probably remove all functionality including the IR sensor for the remote.

The attached pic was taken with a 5 second shutter opening, ISO100, f4.0 - as that best represented the light in the room at the time. It really isn’t that vivid in brightness when your sitting around 4m back from the unit. I didn’t close off the entire room when taking the picture either. My HT room is 5.5m x 4m with the optimal seating around 4m from the screen, with the screen size ~100" diagonal.

I have seen on the market in the US, laptop screen privacy filters. I am sure you would be able to get one of those here, and perhaps cut it to size over the VFD to further reduce any unwanted ambient light from being emitted.

[bobafett_h]

I would suggest investing in a pack or two of cable ties... very useful for un-cluttering the insides of computers... can tie a lot of excess cabling up and out of the way and can tie up the normal cabling to parts of the case so it is neat and helps improve air flow...

modular power supplies certainly have their advantage. i won't buy a psu unless it has modular cables now... but even then you sometimes end up with excess cabling or sometimes need to plug all of the modular things in depending on your system...

[likwidsh0k]

Thanks again itr2401 for all the detailed info. You know I am seriously starting to wonder if any thought went into where these cases are going at all? I have another thread here - Slim case like the Silverstone LC11? - about trying to find a shallow AV looking case which is proving impossible, and all the displays I have found cannot be turned off either? My 10 year old Rotel and Toshiba DVD can be dimmed/turned-off.. bah! This is a deal breaker for me

bobafett_h - I was thinking the same thing even had it in my original reply. But this SPCR review says that exhaust fan does does nothing for airflow and just makes noise. itr2401 you could probably remove it?..

'Of course, the next step was to disable the exhaust fan entirely — which dropped the noise level to 29 dBA@1m and had precisely no effect on temperatures. If you were looking for proof that the stock exhaust fan is inadequate, this is it.'