It's All Mike » Computers & Technology

Rosewill notebook cooler

Mike — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:17:46 +0000

My Rosewill notebook cooler arrived today. I decided to watch the temperatures of my lappy to see just how good this thing works. My lappy had been on for a few hours – sitting a notebook that was on my couch. I had been backing up to my external since about 11:30AM… so it’s nice and hot. I turned on the cooler at about 1:23PM. Anyways, unlike I was told before I bought this, the fan blows air at the computer, it doesn’t not “suck the hot air out”… :pinch: Doesn’t really matter, that’s what I thought it did.

The backup I was preforming ended at about 1:35PM and I started another one at 2:00PM.

Hard Drive
11:30AM – Backup started
12:41PM – 48C 118F
1:23PM – Cooler turned on
1:23PM – 48C 118F
1:26PM – 47C 116F
1:27PM – 45C 112F
1:30PM – 44C 111F
1:34PM – 42C 107F
1:35PM – Backup Ended
1:36PM – 42C 107F
1:49PM – 38C 100F
2:00PM – Backup Started
2:20PM – 39C 102F
3:20PM – 40C 103F

CPU 1
11:30AM – Backup started
12:41PM – 62C 143F
1:23PM – Cooler turned on
1:23PM – 59C 138F
1:26PM – 56C 132F
1:27PM – 51C 123F
1:30PM – 54C 129F
1:34PM – 54C 129F
1:35PM – Backup Ended
1:36PM – 48C 118F
1:49PM – 44C 111F
2:00PM – Backup Started
2:20PM – 44C 111F
3:20PM – 45C 112F

CPU 2
11:30AM – Backup started
12:41PM – 60C 139F
1:23PM – Cooler turned on
1:23PM – 57C 134F
1:26PM – 53C 127F
1:27PM – 53C 127F
1:30PM – 53C 127F
1:35PM – Backup Ended
1:34PM – 51C 123F
1:36PM – 48C 118F
1:49PM – 44C 111F
2:00PM – Backup Started
2:20PM – 46C 114F
3:20PM – 45C 112F

ACPI
11:30AM – Backup started
12:41PM – 63C 144F
1:23PM – Cooler turned on
1:23PM – 59C 137F
1:26PM – 54C 128F
1:27PM – 53C 126F
1:30PM – 55C 130F
1:34PM – 55C 130F
1:35PM – Backup Ended
1:36PM – 51C 122F
1:49PM – 46C 113F
2:00PM – Backup Started
2:20PM – 47C 115F
3:20PM – 46C 113F

Here is the temp “after using the computer or a few hours” without cooler -> with cooler

Hard Drive: 42C 107F -> 35C 94F
CPU 1: 58C 136F -> 40C 103F
CPU 2: 58C 136F -> 43C 105F
ACPI: 58C 135F -> 42C 106F

Keep in mind this wasn’t a professional test (no, I don’t think it cooled down the CPU 20 degrees)… but you can see a big difference. And from what I heard, every degree (F) of a hard drive temp means 10% of it’s life. :fun:

New toys for Lappy

Mike — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:20:54 +0000

Here’s my new 250GB 7200rpm drive for Lappy along with a new external enclosure and pouch (next to a CD for size comparison) that is now housing Lappy’s former drive (60GB 5400rpm).

The new TV has arrived!

Mike — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:45:20 +0000

Here she is! The brand spankin’ new Sharp Aquos 32″ LCD HDTV! I don’t have HDTV yet (need to get a new box). I’ll get that after I move at the end of the month. :biggrin:

Unlocker

Mike — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:33:25 +0000

Have you ever seen an error like this when deleting, renaming, or moving a file or folder? Unlocker is probably the most useful program I have come across. Why? Because it will find what files are being used by a certain process and allow you to break the connection to the file you are trying to modify. If you ever receive the error above, it will automatically open up and give you some options:

This is VERY useful, especially for external hard drives. It also puts a link in the context menu so you can right click a file and see what files are using it. Give it a try! Best part about it? It’s free!!

Link: Unlocker Website
Download: Unlocker 1.8.7

Editplus

Mike — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:57:21 +0000

I’ve always prided myself on answering “notepad” to the question “What program do you use to make websites?” That changed after I found Editplus. Editplus is a great program for editing websites. Here are a few key features that makes it great:

Colorizes the text for easy reading
Shows line numbers (great for debugging)
Easy navigation directory on the left side
Can have multiple files open in tabs
Has a useful backup option – will always keep a copy of the original when you save
Adds a link to the context menu (when you right click a file)
Recent files list

Keep in mind, these are the key features I find useful. This program offers much much more. I highly recommend it. Unfortunately it’ll cost you $35 … unless you can find a way around that. Take a look.

Screenshot: Editplus
Link: Editplus Website
Download: 30-day Trial (direct link)

Future Computer Configuration

Mike — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:56:49 +0000

I decided to do some “research” to figure out just how much I’d be spending ($$) on a new desktop PC. I’ve actually taken quite some time to research what I would need… so here’s the run down:

Motherboard: Intel BOXD975XBX2KR LGA 775 – $210.73
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache – $195
Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express – $130
Memory: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) – $86.50
Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache – $175
Western Digital Caviar GP WD10EACS 1TB 5400 to 7200 RPM 16MB Cache – $180
CD Drive: LG CD/DVD/Blu-ray Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive – $268.25
Monitor: Acer P243WAid Black-Silver 24″ 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor – 2x $390 = $780
Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – $220

Total: $2,245.48

Okay so that might be a little out of my budget. Lets not forget I still need to buy a printer… and probably will get a new heatsink for the CPU so I can overclock it a little. Keep in mind though that I am not planning on buying this new beast until USB3 is out. So not only does that mean I’m going to have to modify my choices (to get a USB3 mobo), but prices will also be down quite a bit by then – especially the burner, hard drives, and memory. Come on, let a man dream…