..::THE COMMUNITY TECH THREAD No. 115::.

Post » Wed May 30, 2012 5:37 pm

Originally by Powerslide
LET'S MAKE THIS WORK PEOPLE!

Okay, now as anyone could see there are HUNDREDS of tech threads floating around in CD - ranging from questions about graphics hardware, to questions about pricier graphics hardware and other tech such as monitors, hard drives and Processors to announcement threads of new technology and more. (I accede - I'm not being very eloquent here)

Any questions you have, tech news or ANYTHING related to buying/selling/information/announcements of new hardware should go here.

For example, if you come to the forums to ask "What is the better graphics hardware" or "What sort of RAM should I put in my PC?" then it should go here - I'm a little hazy, I know - but please keep all those graphics card and tech questions to one thread! Please!
So here's the summary, all:
  • Announcements and queries on new or unreleased tech
  • Benchmarks and results of hardware/discussion
  • Questions on what sort of hardware you need/want for your machine
  • Questions about existing tech and/or function
  • Pricing and recommendations
Should be kept to THIS THREAD.

This has been A-okayed by CCNA for all who were wondering - it's up to you to stop filling CD with the same topics again and again that ask what the most powerful card in existence is so you can (not) buy it.

If you feel you have a question or can answer one - please feel free to do so.


Thanks all.
Adding more links shortly, thank you for your patience.

(Threads 1-85 have been all pruned, may they rest in peace)

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1079401-the-community-tech-thread-%2386/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1084024-the-community-tech-thread-no-87/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1090141-the-community-tech-thread-no-88/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1094900-the-community-tech-thread-no-89/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1102258-the-community-tech-thread-no-90/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1108118-the-community-tech-thread-no-91/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1112884-the-community-tech-thread-no-92/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1118559-the-community-tech-thread-no-93/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1145193-the-community-tech-thread-no-94/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1153130-the-community-tech-thread-no-95/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1160717-the-community-tech-thread-no-96/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1167952-the-community-tech-thread-no-97/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1176772-the-community-tech-thread-no-98/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1180239-the-community-tech-thread-no-99/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1188969-the-community-tech-thread-no-100/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1199194-the-community-tech-thread-no-101/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1207079-the-community-tech-thread-no-102/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1217232-the-community-tech-thread-no-103/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1224422-the-community-tech-thread-no-104/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1227492-the-community-tech-thread-no-104/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1228926-the-community-tech-thread-no-106/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1233177-the-community-tech-thread-no-107/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1241366-the-community-tech-thread-no-108/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1247846-the-community-tech-thread-no-109/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1297566-the-community-tech-thread-no-110/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1328500-the-community-tech-thread-no-111/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1348566-the-community-tech-thread-no-112/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1358707-the-community-tech-thread-no-113/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1368710-the-community-tech-thread-no-114/


Do I also have to put a big glowing neon sign to this in my signature? THERE ARE TOO MANY TECH THREADS - THIS IS NOT A FORUM FOR YOUR TECH WOES!

But we will gladly help you anyway. [img]http://www.gamesas.com/images/smilie/wink.gif[/img]

Honour list:
Nottheking
Lord Athanar (SUPER-PINK!)
Insaneturbo13
Anothercanadian
Tig Ol' Bitties (Moderator)
Dogsbody
CCNA (Moderator)
Níeh?ggr
wolfpup
Wierd
Softnerd
wingus
DEFRON
Qwaxalot
iGuess
Starforce9
Sivartus


Oh and PLEASE, if you want us to "Build" you a PC, please indicate the following:
1.) your budget in your country's currency
2.) what country you reside if not listed in your avatar area
3.) pre-assembled PC? ...or can you build your own?
4.) what is needed other than the PC tower? Monitor, speakers, mouse, keyboard, Windows OS disc? All these can jack up the price.
5.) product preferences, preferred seller, and intended aim

but please, no "I want teh superererest Peecee evar1!!!!11!1", because really, only Bill Gates has that much moolah.


And, speaking of building your own PC, two sets of good how-to videos from Newegg:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok&feature=related

Thanks to SpankyTheElf for finding these additional ones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CStOC0hET8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3buj5cIh2Bs&feature=related



Other useful links

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/983941-a-freeware-guide/page__p__14225246__fromsearch__1#entry14225246
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/CPU/2
http://www.overclock.net/graphics-cards-general/502403-graphics-card-ranking-5th-time-last.html
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/articles.php?articleid=132
http://www.memtest86.com/
http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/
http://entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm
http://www.irfanview.com/
http://www.knoppix.org/
http://www.jonnyguru.com/
http://www.overclock.net/power-supplies/183810-faq-recommended-power-supplies.html
http://www.overclock.net/power-supplies/715889-psu-articles.html#post9110838
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php
http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/
http://tftcentral.co.uk/
http://www.apple.com/itunes/
http://www.futuremark.com/products/3dmark06/
http://www.fraps.com/
http://trinityhome.org/Home/index.php?wpid=1&front_id=12
User avatar
Fiori Pra
 
Posts: 3446
Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:30 pm

Post » Thu May 31, 2012 3:34 am

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1368710-the-community-tech-thread-no-114/page__view__findpost__p__20808269

I got the Asus. It's nice and makes almost no noise when I run it so far. The only thing is it didn't come with the vertical stand included in the Amazon description. It's not a big deal, but the option to have it should be there. My laptop computer is actually an Asus, but ever since the OS was upgraded to Windows 7, it sopped working for data DVDs, and glitched occasionally with any DVD in the drive. I tried every solution I could find online to fix it, but nothing worked, hence why I decided for the external drive. Now I can use any DVDs without a problem, and also a CD that was formatted with a Mac computer to hold data, that wouldn't work with my laptop even before the OS was upgraded.
User avatar
liz barnes
 
Posts: 3387
Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:10 am

Post » Thu May 31, 2012 2:14 am

Can you guys recommend an inexpensive power saving surge protector? I saw some at Walmart with 6-8 plugs and 2 USB ports for about $25 that said it shuts itself off on a timer, and another said when devices were not active to save power. Was just wondering if there were any others you could recommend for around that price.

Thanks.
User avatar
Marquis T
 
Posts: 3425
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:39 pm

Post » Thu May 31, 2012 12:04 am

Can you guys recommend an inexpensive power saving surge protector? I saw some at Walmart with 6-8 plugs and 2 USB ports for about $25 that said it shuts itself off on a timer, and another said when devices were not active to save power. Was just wondering if there were any others you could recommend for around that price.

Thanks.

Those things don't work with a crap(the ones you specifically mentioned). I bought a power saving surge protector from Wally world for about 30-35 bucks back in '07, when I built this computer, it said that it would keep your computer running for 30 minutes after your electricity runs out, and that you'll never have to worry about fried components ever again. BS. The first has never happened, and the second has happened far to many times. I've gone through 3 PSUs on this computer, and 2 hard-drives, all of which were fried because of a lightning storm. Granted, I do live on top of a mountain, so I'm a bit closer to the storm then most people, but still, the thing should work as stated. I'll never waste my money on one ever again.

On another note, UPS lies. The woman told me 5 days to be shipped down to Cali. Well, I was there AT OPENING Monday morning, and shipped it off. I checked the tracking # yesterday and it indicates that it will not be delivered until freaking Wednesday of this week ><. Very annoying. That means that if I'm incredibly lucky, I MIGHT get my replacement PSU by this upcoming Saturday, and that's with a LOT of luck going my way. Much more likely to be next monday or tuesday.
User avatar
asako
 
Posts: 3296
Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:16 am

Post » Thu May 31, 2012 12:31 am

Those things don't work with a crap(the ones you specifically mentioned). I bought a power saving surge protector from Wally world for about 30-35 bucks back in '07, when I built this computer, it said that it would keep your computer running for 30 minutes after your electricity runs out, and that you'll never have to worry about fried components ever again. BS. The first has never happened, and the second has happened far to many times. I've gone through 3 PSUs on this computer, and 2 hard-drives, all of which were fried because of a lightning storm. Granted, I do live on top of a mountain, so I'm a bit closer to the storm then most people, but still, the thing should work as stated. I'll never waste my money on one ever again.
A few things:

First, I'm inclined to agree with you that any surge protector Walmart is selling is probably crap. First thing you need to do is make sure it'sa good surge protector: 330V clamp under a nanosecond, you know, the things that matter

Second, more to Dark, but I'd be leery of anything that says it cuts power to the strip when nothing is using power. This isn't possible, because then it'd have no way of knowing when something needs power again to turn on. The only way to effectively mitigate outlet vampires is to turn it (the strip) off yourself or use a timer (like the other one has built int)

Thirdly, back to you, you need a UPS if you're having such bad power. A power strip isn't going to cut it. A policy of turning off and unplugging your computer during a storm would also be helpful.
User avatar
Alexx Peace
 
Posts: 3432
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:55 pm

Post » Thu May 31, 2012 3:01 am

Can you guys recommend an inexpensive power saving surge protector? I saw some at Walmart with 6-8 plugs and 2 USB ports for about $25 that said it shuts itself off on a timer, and another said when devices were not active to save power. Was just wondering if there were any others you could recommend for around that price.

Thanks.

When a computer is powered off it should use very little power (< 2W).

I never seen one that automatically powers itself off, but I don't often buy surge protectors. Regardless, whether you manually flip the surge protectors power switch, unplug it completely, or keep it on, it will protect your electronics AS LONG AS its connected to a grounded outlet.

If your power is subject to frequent brown-outs, black-outs or if you are running a setup very sensitive to power interruptions, then you need a UPS, however most computer don't last very long on battery power.

For 25 dollars just get one that doesn't look to cheesy. :P
User avatar
Crystal Clear
 
Posts: 3552
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:42 am

Post » Wed May 30, 2012 8:43 pm

A few things:

First, I'm inclined to agree with you that any surge protector Walmart is selling is probably crap. First thing you need to do is make sure it'sa good surge protector: 330V clamp under a nanosecond, you know, the things that matter

Second, more to Dark, but I'd be leery of anything that says it cuts power to the strip when nothing is using power. This isn't possible, because then it'd have no way of knowing when something needs power again to turn on. The only way to effectively mitigate outlet vampires is to turn it (the strip) off yourself or use a timer (like the other one has built int)

Thirdly, back to you, you need a UPS if you're having such bad power. A power strip isn't going to cut it. A policy of turning off and unplugging your computer during a storm would also be helpful.

What's a "UPS"? I agree, I really need something better then what I've been using, I"m honestly tired of fried components, and I REAAAAALLLLLLLY don't want anything to get fried in my new computer one my replacement PSU arrives. Over the course my life, I've had about 6 fried modems, 5 Power Supplies, 3 Hard-drives, and one MOBO due to massive thunderstorms(When I say I live on top of a mountain, I mean Literally on top of a mountain ^^). Issue with unplugging it is, is at least 3/4 of the times the stuff has gotten fried, is because the thunderstorm cropped up unexpectedly and I wasn't home to unplug my computer. Nowadays, yeah, comp goes off and it gets unplugged, but there are times when I"m just not home to do it and there had been no weather forecast for a storm.
User avatar
luke trodden
 
Posts: 3445
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:48 am

Post » Wed May 30, 2012 10:23 pm

What's a "UPS"?
"Uninterruptible Power Supply" is, in simply terms, a complicated battery. As the name suggests, they protect electronics from power outages, surges, and generally iffy supplies. For a computer on a domestic grade one, expect to get only enough juice out of it to shut down cleanly (if you suffer a complete blackout).
User avatar
Stat Wrecker
 
Posts: 3511
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:14 am

Post » Wed May 30, 2012 5:35 pm

I've gone through 3 PSUs on this computer, and 2 hard-drives, all of which were fried because of a lightning storm.
Thirdly, back to you, you need a UPS if you're having such bad power. A power strip isn't going to cut it. A policy of turning off and unplugging your computer during a storm would also be helpful.
For complete storm protection, I would unplug ALL cables that could carry a power surge back to the computer. Local peripherals like a mouse and keyboard are fine to leave connected, but I would disconnect the cables to anything powered separately, unless it was also unplugged.

Disconnect cables or unplug things like:
printer
TV
monitor
modem/router
speakers
User avatar
Mel E
 
Posts: 3354
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:23 pm


Return to Othor Games