So that's how I check my powersupply

Subject: Systems | November 30, 2005 - 05:02 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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If you don't want to be digging around in your case with a multimeter, but are pretty sure that your crashing is caused by a bad PSU, BigBruin has a review of the tool you want.  The FrozenCPU ATX 2.0 PSU tester is about the simplest way out there to check your PSU.

"When it comes to troubleshooting hardware inside your computer, any enthusiast can tell you that

any particular problem can be caused by one or more components going/gone bad.

The [H] sounds off about Puget Systems

Subject: Systems | November 23, 2005 - 11:55 AM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Continuing on in their series of pre-built PC's, and the stores that sell and support them, [H]ard|OCP has a look at Puget Systems Dual Core Custom system.  The box they put together certainly has power, but how well did Puget Systems tech support and buying process stack up?

"Can $2600 get you a dual core processor, 2GB of RAM, a top-end video card, and backing from a

quality company?

Getting a powerful deal from X-Finity

Subject: Systems | November 21, 2005 - 07:00 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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X-Finity's 2nd Generation PSU looks to build on what was important to them in the first place.  The ablility to provide good clean power to your PC, at a reasonable price.  Read on at The Moditory to see how they did.

""Power supplies are just one more component to some people there's no difference in quality,

power is power right? Not at all. A quality power supply can make or break a system. All your

components draw power and if your PSU provides dirty power, it could take out the rest of your

rig.

Mighty Mites

Subject: Systems | November 18, 2005 - 05:50 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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The Tech Zone grabbed Shuttle's newest, the XPC SD31P, and ran it through it's paces.  If you are going to buy an HTPC or SFF in the near future, definately give them a visit.

"Today, we get a chance to look at Shuttle's latest, the SD31P. This new Shuttle XPC features all

of their latest innovations in cooling and chassis design including the latest Intel Chipset, Dual

Core CPU support and 64 bit hardware and software support.

Thinking out of the box when testing equipment

Subject: Systems | November 15, 2005 - 05:27 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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If you've wondered how forum members are testing components without setting up a new PC, or getting a mobo to boot while it is outside of the case, and has no power button, give this guide at Adrian's Rojak Pot a read, it will give you most of the tips and tricks.

"This quick guide will show you just how to power up a standalone PSU for quick and easy tests of

accessories and other components that require electrical power.

A Guardian Angel to monitor your power consumption

Subject: Systems | November 7, 2005 - 02:33 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Think Computers has tested the Seasonic Power Angel, a monitoring device for all types of power.  Plug in your PSU, power up the PC and see how much power you're using, the efficency of your PSU and much more.  Even better, it will test anything, so you can spend the day unplugging random electronics and test them too!

'Were you ever curious about just how much power your computer consumes? Did you ever want to know

just how efficient that Active PFC power supply is?

Enermax Liberates you from power worries

Subject: Systems | November 4, 2005 - 03:41 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Enermax's Liberty 500W Modular PSU offers a good range of protection, and a stable supply of power.  With Dual 12V rails, and paired PCIe connectors, it's ready to power up for SLI setups.  Read the full review at Big Bruin.

"The new Liberty series of power supplies incorporates many traditional features of Enermax units

with the latest trend, modular cabling.

All you wanted to know about HTPC ....

Subject: Systems | November 1, 2005 - 02:37 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Big Bruin finishes off the HTPC guide they started today, with the second part.  You know all about the audio and video, this guide covers the rest of the components and issues you could have. 

"In the first of a two-part series of Tech Tips on getting started with a Home Theater PC, or

HTPC, we looked at the two most basic features to be considered: audio and video.

The Phantom Always Knocks Twice

Subject: Systems | October 31, 2005 - 06:59 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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2 reviews, one powerful powersupply.  Start with Club Overclockers look at the Antec Phantom 500 ATX Power Supply, and once you've digested it fully, read our own Robotech's take on it.  After that, you should know everything there is to know about this made for SLI PSU.

Got SLI?

PSU Review For You

Subject: Systems | October 28, 2005 - 06:36 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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3DXtreme has a 3 way comparision of PSU's - SinTek 500w SLI, Enermax Liberty 500w and Silverstone Strider 600w.  See what they liked, and what they though could have been done better

"A stable source of power is the heart of every working PC. Overclockers can appreciate a stable

and sufficient Power Supply as this could be the 'make it or break it' component within their PC.

600W of Black Lightning

Subject: Systems | October 26, 2005 - 06:18 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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With a dead silent 120mm fan, a black finish and minimalist design, the Silverstone Strider ST60F 600watt PSU is a good addition to any system.  It auto senses and switches to 240/120 so you don't need to worry about finding that switch on the back, and it has 4 12V channels, with 2 PCIe power connectors, so it will fit into any SLI plans you might have.  Pro-clockers gives this PSU an Editors Choice.

"Class, sleek and powerful are just a few words that I can think of to describe anything that

comes

High Performance Pre-Built Rig from Falcon Northwest

Subject: Systems | October 26, 2005 - 03:12 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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If you are looking for a pre-built system that will make others green with envy, you want a Falcon Northwest machine.  Specifically, look at the 

FragBox 2, an incredibly powerful SFF PC.  [H]ard|OCP bought one, specifcally built to play Battlefield 2 very well.  Take a look and see what they recieved.

"The first time I ever saw a Falcon Northwest PC was in 1998, and coincidentally it was the first

time I'd ever seen 3DFX GLIDE used in a game.

Brand New PC Perspective Hardware Leaderboard

Subject: Systems | October 21, 2005 - 12:57 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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'After a longer than expected delaly, we finally have a new Hardware Leaderboard online for everyone to view.  We have several notable changes and trends we are seeing, starting with the apparent staleness of AMD's processor prices.  Since our last update on August 31, none of the 4 AMD processors we used before had gone up or down in price on Newegg.com.  We are hearing news that AMD is planning a big price break soon, but there is no telling how much and which models will be affected.'

Put a Tiger in your box

Subject: Systems | October 19, 2005 - 02:56 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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The E Power Tiger 550W Power Supply is a nickel plated modular PSU, with one low noise 120mm fan.  It may not be above the 80% efficiency mark, but it is certainly more efficient than a lot of the older PSUs you still find in people's systems.

"E Power Technology has released two new power supplies in their Silent Engine series. The new

Tiger 550W and Tiger 650W Silent Engine power supplies feature dual +12V outputs, dual PCI-Express

connectors, and a quiet, variable speed fan.

Shuttle unveils a new HTPC

Subject: Systems | October 18, 2005 - 05:42 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Shuttle's SD31P XPC is their newest HTPC barebones system.  It expects an LGA775 processor, and DDR2, but it comes with good sound and is able to output video to almost any component.  HEXUS has the full review.

"The one word that describes Shuttle's SD31P XPC is competent. Just add a hard drive, preferably

SATA, optical drive, RAM, and an LGA775 CPU and away you go. Everything works just as it should,

and installation is a real cinch for even novice XPC builders.

Watercooled system, ready for you to start already

Subject: Systems | October 14, 2005 - 03:03 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Hardware Zone has a review of an almost unique type of premade system, the NEC PowerMate DL T8000 Water-Cooled PC.    It's expensive, but you can be guaranteed a quiet and powerful system, right out of the box.

"NEC brings to the region a first-of-its-kind water-cooled desktop PC.

Pure Power Purveyors, PC P&C, Present Penultimate PSU

Subject: Systems | October 14, 2005 - 11:58 AM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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If you want the best of everything in your system, then PC Power & Cooling is the PSU supplier for you.  The newest, the Turbo-Cool 510 SLI is incredible.  850W minimum power, 2 seperate PCI-X power connectors, 4 17amp 12V rails, and a ±1% voltage regulation.  PureOverclock can tell you everything about.

"On removing the top we see a very unique design. It's laid out in such a way you can see each stage of the design as you look from left to right.

Work of Linux-y Perfection

Subject: Systems | October 4, 2005 - 12:26 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
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Part 2 in LinuxHardware's Ultimate Linux WorkStation is up.  Step by step, they are building a box desgined to run perfectly, and to do it while running Linux.  If you missed part one, start here.

"If you've read part one of Augustus' Ultimate Linux Workstation, then you already know what my goals and thoughts were surrounding this system.