" I was perusing www.silentpcreview.com site, where they have a review of a quiet cooler (Artic Cooling's adjustable speed VGA Silencer) for the Radeon 9x00 series video card.
www.svc.com is apparently the only place in the US where you can buy it.
John "

See the photos down the review page of the two slot wide bracket that has ports cut for the retail 9800 pro type of card (again VGA, Video out, DVI), not the OEM/BTO 9800 Pro. (You may be able to grind out the bracket to make it fit the OEM ADC card, but it wouldn't be pretty.) According to the review it provided superior cooling (allowing much higher Overclock) than a Zalmann Heatpipe and was very low noise. The SVC link on the last page of that review has a typo (one too many w's) but I found the specific product page there for the Artic Cooling at http://www.svc.com/arcovgasilsu.html which says supplies are limited. Price is only $29.99.

Features and Specs:
• Selectable cooling and noise level
• Unique mounting clip
• DHES technology (Direct Heat Exhaust System - exhausts hot air directly outside the case)
• Rated fan speeds: 1200/2400RPM
• Compatible with Nvidia Geforce 3GTS, ATI 9500 (pro), 9600 (pro), 9700 (pro), 9800 (pro)

The mfr's (Artic Cooling) page for the "VGA Silencer" is http://www.arctic-cooling.com/en/products/vga_silencer/.
Note: A reader (thanks Shawn) later wrote that the VGA Silencer is also sold by http://www.scythe-usa.com/ for $22 (as of Dec. 14th) plus shipping. However apparently they don't take credit cards, but list PayPal.

" Just noticed a new update via Software Update ( running 10.3.1 )

Pro App Runtime-Mac OSX v10.3 ( Panther)
This update provides improvements for Apple's professional applications, and is strongly recommended for all users of Final Cut Pro, Cinema Tools, Compressor, LiveType, Soundtrack, and DVD Studio Pro. This update improves general user interface appearance and reliability and is required to receive future updates for these applications."

Rergards Stuart "

I asked if he had just installed any Pro Apps as there was a previous Pro Apps support update prior to 10.3's release that only appears when one or more of the pro apps listed is installed. (He later replied no - this is a new update.) Running Software Update again after applying the previous (pre-10.3) Pro Apps support update resulted in other updates appearing (to the pro apps themselves) as I remember.

" klipsch is selling the gmx-d 5.1 500watt speaker system with built-in ac-3 decoding and an extra 200 watt sub free for $279.00 The gmx-d 5.1 is normally $499 alone.
Here is the link:
http://store.klipsch.com/details.asp?ProdID=57&ACID=12&APID=10...
(the mechanic) "

Some reader's commented the GMX's do not sound as good as their previous models. I also noticed the same price at a nearby CompUSA store (but no extra subwoofer included).

"Supported Platforms
Fully USB compliant, the premier edition of the P5 is compatible with the PC as well as Mac OS 9 and below, though no Mac game software is currently available. Future editions of the P5 will be compatible with popular game consoles such as PS2 and Xbox."

At $15.99, I figure it's worth it as a geek toy/semi-collectors item if nothing else. (And I could dust off the PC to use it if necessary - includes P5 enabled game CDs of Hitman2, TigerHunt and Beach Head 2002 demo.) I wonder if USB Overdrive could be used to configure it on the Mac in OS X perhaps. (There is basic cursor movement in OS X without drivers - but clumsy for just that purpose.)

The Essential Reality website currently lists the P5 for $79 and has more info/specs and (QT) movie demos but only the "teaser" demo movies load (QT file not found on the P5 demos). They also have a Developers page with SDK downloads for Windows and Linux, Their Discussion Forums have 3d Design and P5 main categories but I've not dug into them yet. I did see a post in the P5/FAQ section titled "anyone behind the wheel?" dated Oct. 11th, 2003 which has some comments about the company status.
This could turn out to be an orphan soon, but after seeing them for $15.99 locally I thought I'd post a note in case anyone was interested. Their website has a list of retailers but no idea if anyone else has them for that price.
Here's some (PC) reviews of the P5:

• Gamezone P5 review
• gamershell P5 review
• ratepcmods P5 review
• gamespy article on specialty controllers (includes P5 comments, note original price of $150!)
• Cnn article with P5 comments

" New Hitachi 60GB 7200RPM Price
Now $277 for XLR8YourMac Readers, down from $285. I think we have one of the best prices out there on this product + We have it in stock, a key point since it's highly allocated too.
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing "

Earlier this year I reviewed the 60GB/7200RPM 7K60 drive (tested in a FW case) compared to several other brands/models of notebook drives.

"Hi Mike,
250 GB Hitachi-IBM- DeskStar ATA 7K250 ATA-6 8MB Cache- IDE Disk Drive $299
2 GB PC3200 DDR DIMM Memory module Kit $578
We are also offering Free iskin keyboad Proctector with the purchase of 512 MB DDR DIMM memory Module for selected Powerbook Models and iBook G4 Models
Thanks, Ken
transintl.com"

" We just pulled a GREAT deal on our 64x8 based True PC3200 modules (2GB Kit for G5s) - and now offering them to Xlr8YourMac.com members for $589 per pair!
(I used 8 of these (loaners) in my Dual G5 for Photoshop performance w/512MB to 8GB of installed RAM-Mike)

New Clearance goodies
Just added a whole boat load of Memory, Accelerators, Accessories, FireWire/USB kits, some printers, and plenty more too!
Lots of deals for bargain hunters - While they last. :)
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing "

• Apple Dual G4 DDR (MDD Dual 1.25GHz) report (system review basically - not OC'd)
• Daystar G4/550 in (pismo) PowerBook G3 2000 (rated 10)
• Giga Designs G4/1.25GHz in (quicksilver) G4/AGP (rated 10)
• Giga Designs G4/1.25GHz in (sawtooth) G4/AGP (rated 10)
• Powerlogix G4/550 in B&W G3 (rated 10)
• Powerlogix G3/900 in Beige G3 (rated 8)
• Powerlogix G3/900 in B&W G3 (rated 5)
• Technowarehouse G4/500 in iMac slot-loading (rated 10)
  (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

CDRW Drives:
• IDE LG GCE-8525B (52x32x52x) in Beige G3 (OS X)
  (no native burn support)
• Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) Mediastor CDRW 52x24x52x used w/G4 AGP (OS X 10.3) (listed under "other" brands, no native iApps burn support)
  
  Combo DVD+CDR Drives:
• IDE Samsung SM-352B (52x24x52x + 16x DVD-ROM) in Dual G4 (OS X 10.3) (using modified burn support file/frameworks)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• IDE Liteon LDW-411S in B&W G3 (OS X 10.3)
  (no native burn support, using modified burn support file)
• IDE NEC ND-1300A in Dual G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
  (no native burn support)
• Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) Pioneer DVR-106 used w/G4 Cube (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in B&W G3 (OS X 10.3)
  (some problems noted)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in Single G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (native burn support in 10.2.8 and later, FAQ has burn support plugin for 10.2.6)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT and B&W G3 Macs)
  
  DVD-R Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 (aka A05) in PowerMac G5 tower (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Toshiba SD-R5002 in Dual G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (using modified burn support file/frameworks)
  
  Hard Drives:
• Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) Western Digital 250GB used w/G4 AGP (OS X)
• IDE Western Digital WD2000BB 200GB in iMac G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (iMac G4 take-apart here)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)

• 1 year ago today
• 2 years ago today
• 3 years ago today