[Lucie H]

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.

Also, this is a great thread for you PC newbs, for learning more about your PC and hardware. http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=258050&st=0&p=4626051&#entry4626051

Also, a useful site for a frame of reference (not actual numbers), http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=476&model2=477&chart=174, and http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html?modelx=33&model1=519&model2=547&chart=211


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

(Threads 1-82 have been all pruned, may they rest in peace)


http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1069729
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1073705
http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1076918
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/

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.

Honour list:
Nottheking
Lord Athanar (SUPER-PINK!)
Insaneturbo13
Anothercanadian
Tig Ol' Bitties
Dogsbody (Moderator)
CCNA (Moderator)
N??
wolfpup
Wierd
Softnerd
wingus

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 good how-to videos from Newegg (thanks to SpankyTheElf for finding these):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CStOC0hET8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3buj5cIh2Bs&feature=related

Other useful links
http://trinityhome.org/Home/index.php?wpid=1&front_id=12
http://tools.corsairmemory.com/systembuild/report.aspx?report_id=12472
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://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=136602
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/

[Anthony Rand]

So here's what I've put together with my limited knowledge so far, let me know what you think of it. And yes, I intend to upgrade the RAM, but right now I just want to get the thing lol.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12594852 (let me know if it doesn't work.)

I know the 6 core isn't really needed, but I asked my dad (who is paying for half of it) and he said why not pay the extra $50 for 2 extra cores? I'm mainly just double-checking that all this is compatible. From what I know and have seen, it is, but I'm still a learner Also, if you have recommendations, I just want you to know I'm trying to keep it under $800

Edit: Oh and the 500GB HD is more than enough. I have a 250GB in my computer, and my parents have a 200GB in theirs, and neither of us have even used half, lol. And have alot of the same software.
Also, could somebody recommend a good cooling system for the CPU? I'm not going to overclock, but this will be the first 'nice' rig I make... Well, and the first I make. Last time my cousin helped. I'll probably have him put the thermal paste on, because I don't want to screw that up!

[Quick draw II]

So here's what I've put together with my limited knowledge so far, let me know what you think of it. And yes, I intend to upgrade the RAM, but right now I just want to get the thing lol.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12594852 (let me know if it doesn't work.)

I know the 6 core isn't really needed, but I asked my dad (who is paying for half of it) and he said why not pay the extra $50 for 2 extra cores? I'm mainly just double-checking that all this is compatible. From what I know and have seen, it is, but I'm still a learner Also, if you have recommendations, I just want you to know I'm trying to keep it under $800

Edit: Oh and the 500GB HD is more than enough. I have a 250GB in my computer, and my parents have a 200GB in theirs, and neither of us have even used half, lol. And have alot of the same software.
Also, could somebody recommend a good cooling system for the CPU? I'm not going to overclock, but this will be the first 'nice' rig I make... Well, and the first I make. Last time my cousin helped. I'll probably have him put the thermal paste on, because I don't want to screw that up!

It's an odd build in a couple of ways.

The motherboard is compatible with the CPU, according to ASRock, but it is a microATX motherboard with a low-end chipset. Not what I would have chosen to go with a massive processor like that. I would have gone for a 770 or 790X chipset.

Only 2GB memory? Are you reusing some memory from another rig? 2GB is setting yourself up for a memory bottleneck.

Since Seagate's notorious problems with the 7200.11 Barracuda disks, I'd give them a wide berth. Even if the problems are fixed in the 7200.12 disks, the bad taste of Seagate stonewalling customers lingers.

The case is showing out of stock, though it's OK if not distinguished. The junk power supply it comes with doesn't matter, since you're getting another power supply anyway.

OCZ has been putting their name and Fatal1ty's on some out-and-out crap. That power supply is one of them. It's a cheap Sirtec unit with poor regulation and at least one instance of catching fire in service. Get something decent for that expensive high-power CPU and graphics card.

[ILy- Forver]

So here's what I've put together with my limited knowledge so far, let me know what you think of it. And yes, I intend to upgrade the RAM, but right now I just want to get the thing lol.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12594852 (let me know if it doesn't work.)

I know the 6 core isn't really needed, but I asked my dad (who is paying for half of it) and he said why not pay the extra $50 for 2 extra cores? I'm mainly just double-checking that all this is compatible. From what I know and have seen, it is, but I'm still a learner Also, if you have recommendations, I just want you to know I'm trying to keep it under $800

Edit: Oh and the 500GB HD is more than enough. I have a 250GB in my computer, and my parents have a 200GB in theirs, and neither of us have even used half, lol. And have alot of the same software.
Also, could somebody recommend a good cooling system for the CPU? I'm not going to overclock, but this will be the first 'nice' rig I make... Well, and the first I make. Last time my cousin helped. I'll probably have him put the thermal paste on, because I don't want to screw that up!

Dunno about you, but I find this to be a better deal...

CASE+CPU Combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.382749
MOBO+RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.368375
GPU+PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.364529
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

That came out to $773.

[Elena Alina]

Anyone recommend me a good cooler for an AM3 processor? I had one that had mountings for both Intel and AMD processors but the AMD mount is apparently impossible to fit so I would rather go for something purpose built for AMD.

I am more interested in quiet than super cool, I don't overclock and the stock heatsink gives OK temps but is rather noisy.

My case is an Antec p182 if that helps, seems fairly roomy to me, don't think there should be much problem finding something that fits.

[Cameron Wood]

Anyone recommend me a good cooler for an AM3 processor? I had one that had mountings for both Intel and AMD processors but the AMD mount is apparently impossible to fit so I would rather go for something purpose built for AMD.

I am more interested in quiet than super cool, I don't overclock and the stock heatsink gives OK temps but is rather noisy.

My case is an Antec p182 if that helps, seems fairly roomy to me, don't think there should be much problem finding something that fits.

Good inexpensive cooler, on sale and free shipping at Newegg currently: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125 This is the AMD-dedicated version of AC's Freezer Pro series -- unlike the universal Freezer 7 Pro's, which are a colossal pain to mount on AMD motherboards, this one just clips right on.

[Richard Thompson]

So, what are your opinions on http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829118107? Is it good, or should I get something else?

[Ebou Suso]

Good inexpensive cooler, on sale and free shipping at Newegg currently: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125 This is the AMD-dedicated version of AC's Freezer Pro series -- unlike the universal Freezer 7 Pro's, which are a colossal pain to mount on AMD motherboards, this one just clips right on.

That thing was 65 bucks at the end of last year when I bought it. Good cooler though. If that one is easy to install I'd hate to try to install one that's difficult. All of those are kind of a pain...

[Jordan Fletcher]

Good inexpensive cooler, on sale and free shipping at Newegg currently: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125 This is the AMD-dedicated version of AC's Freezer Pro series -- unlike the universal Freezer 7 Pro's, which are a colossal pain to mount on AMD motherboards, this one just clips right on.

Thanks, I should have perhaps mentioned that I am in the UK, but I managed to find one for a pretty good price over here.

@Ninja Monkey - Really? I found the Stock AMD mounting easier than Intels push-pins, the universal mount I had was horrendous though, for intel it was fine 'cause it had push-pins on brackets that screwed into the top of the base so was no harder than a standard intel mount, but for AMD the bracket was separate from the base which had two notches to hold it in place, you had to try and line the bracket up with those and keep it there while cliping it on, then it would alwasy slide along the bracket and end up way off center so you had to start again :brokencomputer:

[sunny lovett]

Dunno about you, but I find this to be a better deal...

CASE+CPU Combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.382749
MOBO+RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.368375
GPU+PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.364529
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

That came out to $773.

Wow man, thanks! I'll probably get all that! (Have to O.K. it with my parents, because their paying half, and were REALLY picky on the case! I was surprised.)

Also thanks to Dogsbody! I didn't know anything about the issues of Barracuda and OCZ! And yeah, I was going to just get 2gb to start, and then get another 2gb later. Sometimes my cousin gets in computer parts and gives them to me, so I never know what to expect (my current computer is almost all from local trash! lol. He's a garbage man )

[Jessica Stokes]

Could anyone tell me how well http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Essentio+Desktop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor/9699025.p?id=1218152464094&skuId=9699025&st=CG5275-AR003&cp=1&lp=1 could run Oblivion on medium settings, please?

[Marnesia Steele]

Could anyone tell me how well http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Essentio+Desktop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor/9699025.p?id=1218152464094&skuId=9699025&st=CG5275-AR003&cp=1&lp=1 could run Oblivion on medium settings, please?

Onboard graphics as far as I can tell. Run away, run away.

It's cheap, because graphics cards jack up the price.

Also, mandatory: "build your own instead".

[April]

Onboard graphics as far as I can tell. Run away, run away.

It's cheap, because graphics cards jack up the price.

Also, mandatory: "build your own instead".

Yeah yeah, I was going to build my own but eh, I'll save that for another year.

EDIT: Also, is the graphics card upgradeable, or can I add another one to it later? I'm a bit of a technophobe when it comes to desktop hardware.

[Tracy Byworth]

Yeah yeah, I was going to build my own but eh, I'll save that for another year.

EDIT: Also, is the graphics card upgradeable, or can I add another one to it later? I'm a bit of a technophobe when it comes to desktop hardware.

You can stick a video card in there, although you will be limited by the stock 400W power supply that comes with the PC. Still though, you can get decent cards that'll play nice with it.

Keep in mind, that kind of money could get you something like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229181
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227224

[Steph]

You can stick a video card in there, although you will be limited by the stock 400W power supply that comes with the PC. Still though, you can get decent cards that'll play nice with it.

Keep in mind, that kind of money could get you something like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229181
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227224

Ah, thanks for the recommendations, I might get one of those instead. The HDD capacity on them is enough for now, and I could easily upgrade it later.

[BrEezy Baby]

Yeah yeah, I was going to build my own but eh, I'll save that for another year.

EDIT: Also, is the graphics card upgradeable, or can I add another one to it later? I'm a bit of a technophobe when it comes to desktop hardware.

That's not really a graphics card: it's a chipset built in to the motherboard. There's a PCI-e x16 slot that will take a graphics card.

You can add one, but adding a good one would require a power supply upgrade too. Now you're almost at the complexity of building your own anyway.

Nobody here will recommend the Intel graphics chipsets because they are meant to be as cheap as possible while still being able to run the Windows desktop. They're incompetent at games and won't run any gamesas game more recent than Morrowind.

Also the Core i5 650 is a poor value as a processor, essentially a Core i3 with a Core i5 name (and price). Overall the computer is not good value. Best Buy doesn't have anything in desktops that I could recommend: the cheap ones aren't good, and the good ones aren't cheap.

If you want pre-built, see Tig's excellent recommendations above or check Dell Outlet: they have a lot of suitable computers from $700 and up with the much better Core i5 750 or Core i7 860 processors and 1GB nVidia GTS 240 or ATI 5770 graphics cards. These would cost less than a warranty-voiding upgrade on that ASUS.

[Vincent Joe]

Well this isn't good, I'm currently unable to buy online for certain reasons, so I guess I might as well get the ASUS, but I notice it only has 2 PCI slots, and no PCI-express slots, I'm guessing I can't put a decent graphics card in it then, even if it did have a better power supply?

Er, missed that part of Dogsbody's post, my bad, thanks. ^_^

[Kanaoka]

That thing was 65 bucks at the end of last year when I bought it. Good cooler though. If that one is easy to install I'd hate to try to install one that's difficult. All of those are kind of a pain...

I have a Scythe Mugen II...damn that thing took some installing!

I have a question people...

I just installed 2 more HDD's (both 160GB) and they're not being shown in 'Computer' in Windows 7. THey show up in Device Manager, but when I look at Computer it's just my 1TB HDD...

What am I doing wrong?

[Kelly James]

I have a Scythe Mugen II...damn that thing took some installing!

I have a question people...

I just installed 2 more HDD's (both 160GB) and they're not being shown in 'Computer' in Windows 7. THey show up in Device Manager, but when I look at Computer it's just my 1TB HDD...

What am I doing wrong?

If they are new disks then you probably need to partition them, type diskmgmt.msc into your search bar on the start menu, you can partition the disks from there.

[Claudia Cook]

If they are new disks then you probably need to partition them, type diskmgmt.msc into your search bar on the start menu, you can partition the disks from there.

It gives me the option to create a new volume...right now, it's showing them both as unallocated...so shall I just create a new volume and format it to NTFS?

[Farrah Barry]

It gives me the option to create a new volume...right now, it's showing them both as unallocated...so shall I just create a new volume and format it to NTFS?

Yes, you always need to allocate them as virtually never do internal drives come pre-formatted so you must do it yourself.

[vicki kitterman]

It gives me the option to create a new volume...right now, it's showing them both as unallocated...so shall I just create a new volume and format it to NTFS?

That's right: for each one, create a new volume and format it NTFS. You can use "quick" format unless you suspect the drives of having uncorrected errors.

[Franko AlVarado]

Yes, you always need to allocate them as virtually never do internal drives come pre-formatted so you must do it yourself.

That's right: for each one, create a new volume and format it NTFS. You can use "quick" format unless you suspect the drives of having uncorrected errors.

Ahh, OK then, thanks guys

[STEVI INQUE]

I'm planning to get a new monitor this summer, and I want to get the best 1920x1200 monitor I can get for less than $400. I want good color accuracy, gamma, and such.

So far, I've seen http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001393, which judging from the reviews has excellent color and such.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254043&Tpk=Hanns%2028 is an even bigger monitor, which would be exciting, but it's color accuracy apparently isn't as good as the Samsung I posted.

Does anyone have advice or recommendations?


Also, what's the difference between http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001309 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001393 The specifications are exactly the same for both, but I'm guessing the stands are different?

[Kelvin Diaz]

I'm planning to get a new monitor this summer, and I want to get the best 1920x1200 monitor I can get for less than $400. I want good color accuracy, gamma, and such.

So far, I've seen http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001393, which judging from the reviews has excellent color and such.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254043&Tpk=Hanns%2028 is an even bigger monitor, which would be exciting, but it's color accuracy apparently isn't as good as the Samsung I posted.

Does anyone have advice or recommendations?


Also, what's the difference between http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001309 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001393 The specifications are exactly the same for both, but I'm guessing the stands are different?

This is what you want, so very, very much:
http://www.buy.com/prod/hp-zr24w-24-inch-performance-series-widescreen-lcd-monitor/q/loc/101/214928474.html#moreimg

You will not find any other IPS monitors that resolution in that price. IPS = better color reproduction, and extremely wide viewing angles. If you've ever used one, you'll hate every TN LCD you ever use again.