Arctic Cooling Accelero L2 Pro

Tacky as all hell Stock ATI Radeon HD4770 :

My HD4770 with an Arctic Cooling Accelero L2 Pro instead:

Much better. And for anyone wondering lets just say -20°C from stock. And at full fan speed it’s quieter than stock at 40%.

Asus Xonar DX

Just upgraded to an Asus Xonar DX from using a Creative Audigy Platinum ZX for a few years.

Normally I’d be after an ultra high-end card such as the Claro Halo XT From HT Omega, or a higher end Asus Xonar model.

The reasons however for choosing the DX were I just needed a card, my Creative was giving me problems. The cheaper price of this Xonar was more feasible at the moment than the $250+ price tag of the higher end Xonars and the HT Omega. Also to fit a new GPU cooler I need to move the sound card to a PCI-E slot. The above mentioned cards were all Standard PCI which is blocked by the cooler I ordered.

On the bright side this card blows the Creative out of the water which is no surprise as personally I think Creative cards are junk.

Next Knife purchase debate.

After carrying my CRKT M16-10KZ for a week or so I’ve decided I want a larger M16 or M21 to go with it. I’ve handled an M16-13M and compared with my M16-10KZ I’ve decided that the 13CM models are pretty big. (Originally didn’t think so, until I saw my 10cm model) However I still think a 14CM model is what I want next. That way it greater contrasts my 10CM model.

Below is a scale image comparing my current knife M16-10KZ with the Knife I’am considering next M21-14G and a 13CM model I’m thinking about the M16-13SFG(not the one I’ve compared in person)

*Picture is real world size however WordPress has scaled it down. It still remains to scale.

The M16-13SFG, if I decide to go the 13CM route will most likely NOT be the knife I go with. I’am not a fan of the “Duel-Flippers” just for size reasons. They are longer than single “Carson-Flippers” and there are two. Also the Tanto blade on the M16-13SFG is not much longer or wider than my M16-10KZ. A deep-bellied Spear point is ideal to contrast my tanto however the M21 Series only contains 12CM and 14CM models, and realistically having a 12CM along with a 10CM is quite pointless (Even considering the greatly differant blade styles/uses).

So in the end the M21-14G is most likely what I will settle on. I’d prefer to get an Aluminum model with black handles and a black Nitride coated blade. But I’ll be equally happy with the G10 handled model (Better grip anyways), with a “Frosted” Nitride coated blade that can easily be painted black ( where completely bare blades would need proper coating rather then just paint).

Finally Arrived: CRKT M16-10KZ

First thoughts (without any usage)

-Slightly slimmer than expected, but lengthwise what I expected.
-Jimping on top of blade for thumb grip could be a little rougher, however this is a simple fix.
-Opening action was a little stiff, fixed this with some simple pivot screw adjustment.
-Good weight-wise.
-More differances from higher end M16’s than I thought, however non of which are bad considered my planned usage for this knife.
-Blade could be sharper, once again another easy fix.

M16-10KZ

Ordered the Columbia River Knife and Tool M16-10KZ. Managed to get it for a good deal. It will be my new Every Day Carry knife.