Optiplex 990 my second dedicated SDR PC

[Vipersan]

The optiplex 990 has arrived ..so this thread is dedicated to its use as an SDR receiver..
Just completed the 'ratings test' ...which only gives a score ascociated with the worst component(s) in the system.
It is pre installed with a copy of windows 7 pro
genuine..
The first thing to note is the SFF amall form factor ..
It is even smaller than the Optiplex 620 ...and susopect the foxconn fan is a bit noisy so may need replacement ..
It is fitted with Win7 as I said ..but a 64 bit version ...
The processor is a Quad core i5
Menory is a substantial 8gb
Ratings are as follows ..
Calcs per second 7.4
Mem ops per second 7.6
HD data transfer is currently 5.9 ...but this will change as I intend to clone the O/S to a larger drive asap..
The lowest rating goes to Aero ..
A dismal 1.0
As is the Gaming Graffix ..
Also 1.0
So it is going to need a low profile graphics card ...pcie X16
There are no PCI sockets ...so no extra USB ...not that I should need any with 9 usb as standard
Which leaves the 2 pcie slots ..
One for a graphics card ..and the other for the TBS sat card ..
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

So the first test is to connect the Airspy ..and check out how much system resources are in use ..
will post this info shortly
here ..

Once again no plug n play ..
So hopefully the driver I dloaded earlier for Win7 32 bit will also do for 64 bit ..

 

[Analoguesat]

Blimey those two scores of 1 are poor - this is the equivalent on a 10 year old Dell Dimension 5150 (4gig ram). The data transfer score is high as its got an ssd in it.

 

[Vipersan]

Blimey those two scores of 1 are poor - this is the equivalent on a 10 year old Dell Dimension 5150 (4gig ram). The data transfer score is high as its got an ssd in it.

View attachment 92773

I agree AS ..
It is using the internal graphics chipset ..so I guess not unexpected ..
They are afterall I suppose ..business units and as such internal graphics is considered adequate..for office use.
...cloning the 250 gig HD to a 500 is almost complete..
75% done..

 

[Vipersan]

Well so far I am very pleased with this lump ...
lol
but I that fan noise is driving me nutz ..
not the usual drone of a seizing bearing ..but a rattle ???
Anyone had this before ?
If so ..perhaps fixable ?
If not then I'll have to consider replacement ..but not that many offered from UK suppliers ...
..and all appear to be offered with heatsink ..which makes them quite pricey..
You'd think something like a fan would be available easily ...and new ..as they do wear out in service ..

Here is a pic ..just in case you know where I might get one ...
just the fan that is ..

 

[battenfan]

Is it a LGA1155 socket? Ebay?
Or maybe that's a centrifugal fan cooling both the cpu and the chassis?

 

[Terryl]

Take a look at some of the case quieting stuff in the link below, I use the rubber fan mounts, they knock down the fan vibration to case about 80% or more.

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l1/g33/Ultra_Quiet.html

I also use a case fan (well several) with the lowest dBA rating I can get, but be careful not to decrease the air flow as that can cause over heating issues.

In the living room I use a liquid cooled PC, I put the noisy end in the closet on the other-side of the wall, I have to look sometimes to see if it's still on.

I also have 6 fans cooling the entertainment center, nothing overheating in there.

 

[Vipersan]

No guys ...I may have given the wrong impression ..
There are no choices here ..
fan wise or cooling method wise ..
This is a small form factor pc ..and as such only really specific parts can be fitted ..
The cpu fan is sideways on and is designed to fit this cooler block ..
Nothing else will do ..as there is no room in the case for an alternative..
rgds
VS