[glot]

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/
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/

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
CCNA (Moderator)
Níeh?ggr
wolfpup
Wierd
Softnerd
wingus
DEFRON
Qwaxalot
iGuess


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/

[Rhiannon Jones]

What is the diff between DVD Super Multi and DVD±R/RW

[Camden Unglesbee]

What soundcard do you guys recommend? Right now I'm going with the asus Xonar Essence STX or the Xonar Xense but I'm open to suggestions (hopefully from asus).

[Francesca]

What soundcard do you guys recommend? Right now I'm going with the asus Xonar Essence STX or the Xonar Xense but I'm open to suggestions (hopefully from asus).

That depends on what you need it for, and what other audio equipment you have, and what motherboard you have. For most people? None at all. And definitely not one close to $200.

[Sweets Sweets]

I've been looking to upgrade my ram for my gateway w3653 computer... but what is a DDR2 slot? is that where I physically put the ram card or whatever? because its says in my system details "0" are available...

[anna ley]

That depends on what you need it for, and what other audio equipment you have, and what motherboard you have. For most people? None at all. And definitely not one close to $200.

I'm already planning ahead on a future build but at the moment I would go with the Corsair's SP2500 which although being great speakers can be quite enhanced by the aid of a good audiocard. I'd probably go with the Essence though tcause the Xense comes with the PC 350 Xense Edition headset which makes it almost 130 euros more expensive than the Essence which I can find at 140 euros.

[Ash]

I've been looking to upgrade my ram for my gateway w3653 computer... but what is a DDR2 slot? is that where I physically put the ram card or whatever? because its says in my system details "0" are available...

Yes, that is where you put the RAM. Your computer has two slots, which are probably taken up by two 512mb sticks. So depending on how much you want to upgrade to, you'll remove the old ram and insert the new ones, i.e. 2x2GB/2x4GB.

If you run dxdiag (Start > Dxdiag under search programs) and look under the System tab, you'll see memory, which will tell you how much you currently have.

[Nick Swan]

I'm already planning ahead on a future build but at the moment I would go with the Corsair's SP2500 which although being great speakers can be quite enhanced by the aid of a good audiocard. I'd probably go with the Essence though tcause the Xense comes with the PC 350 Xense Edition headset which makes it almost 130 euros more expensive than the Essence which I can find at 140 euros.

You really only need something like a Xonar DG. I'd be willing to bet large sums of money that you wouldn't hear any difference between a very cheap soundcard, and an expensive one.

[James Baldwin]

Yes, that is where you put the RAM. Your computer has two slots, which are probably taken up by two 512mb sticks. So depending on how much you want to upgrade to, you'll remove the old ram and insert the new ones, i.e. 2x2GB/2x4GB.

If you run dxdiag (Start > Dxdiag under search programs) and look under the System tab, you'll see memory, which will tell you how much you currently have.

Okay. I plan on adding on 2gb of ram. So when I remove the old stick and put in the new one (I am no tech genius) will the stuff that uses that old ram on my computer be gone?

[Alkira rose Nankivell]

Yes, that is where you put the RAM. Your computer has two slots, which are probably taken up by two 512mb sticks. So depending on how much you want to upgrade to, you'll remove the old ram and insert the new ones, i.e. 2x2GB/2x4GB.

If you run dxdiag (Start > Dxdiag under search programs) and look under the System tab, you'll see memory, which will tell you how much you currently have.

FYI: according to crucial, the motherboard only officially supports a maximum size of 1 GB per stick (so 2 GB total).

Granted, I've exceeded the max capacity per stick on PCs without any negative side-effects a few times, but sometimes I have seen it cause trouble.

Okay. I plan on adding on 2gb of ram. So when I remove the old stick and put in the new one (I am no tech genius) will the stuff that uses that old ram on my computer be gone?

RAM is volatile memory: nothing is permanently stored on there, so nothing will be lost by replacing your current sticks with new ones. As I mentioned above, Crucial says your motherboard only officially supports 2 x 1GB max DDR2 PC2-5300. If you exceed that you *may* experience issues.

[James Wilson]

Which would you say is the better GPU, a Radeon HD2400 XT or an X600? I just need a cheap PCI-E card for an old WinXP box, they've both got 256MB RAM (the 2400's DDR2 according to the seller, no idea on the 600) and they're both about the same price (600's about $4 cheaper).

[Jesus Duran]

FYI: according to crucial, the motherboard only officially supports a maximum size of 1 GB per stick (so 2 GB total).

Granted, I've exceeded the max capacity per stick on PCs without any negative side-effects a few times, but sometimes I have seen it cause trouble.


RAM is volatile memory: nothing is permanently stored on there, so nothing will be lost by replacing your current sticks with new ones. As I mentioned above, Crucial says your motherboard only officially supports 2 x 1GB max DDR2 PC2-5300. If you exceed that you *may* experience issues.

hmm, alright. thankyou for your time.

[Blessed DIVA]

Hey guys, I have a budget of ￡500 (GBP) and want to cutom build my own desktop for gaming. Would this graphics card, an http://www.ebuyer.com/product/230557, allow me to play newer games (crutially Skyrim, although I know that specs haven't been released) at a high resolutions, assuming it was accompanied by a decent rig.

[Jaylene Brower]

Hey guys, I have a budget of ￡500 (GBP) and want to cutom build my own desktop for gaming. Would this graphics card, an http://www.ebuyer.com/product/230557, allow me to play newer games (crutially Skyrim, although I know that specs haven't been released) at a high resolutions, assuming it was accompanied by a decent rig.

Not having the game specs, the best I can say is "quite likely". The GTX 460 is a nice card, open to heavy OC without too much heat, with DX 11. I can max everything in Oblivion with mine, and still not stress the card (EVGA Superclocked, then OC'd more). I like the MSI Cyclone cooling design (I have several GTS 450s, also overclocked).

I'll load up a couple games on a system with the GTS 450 and see how it does. You might be able to save a little there if it shows similar ability on the few games I have.

[BrEezy Baby]

What is the diff between DVD Super Multi and DVD±R/RW

Mostly nothing. The Multi probably has DVD-RAM support, which is an alternative for rewriting DVDs....I never use it on my drive.

Which would you say is the better GPU, a Radeon HD2400 XT or an X600? I just need a cheap PCI-E card for an old WinXP box, they've both got 256MB RAM (the 2400's DDR2 according to the seller, no idea on the 600) and they're both about the same price (600's about $4 cheaper).

The 2400XT just for newer technology. It's also more powerful.

Hey guys, I have a budget of ￡500 (GBP) and want to cutom build my own desktop for gaming. Would this graphics card, an http://www.ebuyer.com/product/230557, allow me to play newer games (crutially Skyrim, although I know that specs haven't been released) at a high resolutions, assuming it was accompanied by a decent rig.

Still a great card even today...capable of maxing most games within the last few years. But "high resolution" to me is like 2560x1600. The GTX 460 is great for 1920x1080.

[NEGRO]

Does anybody know anything about PowerColor? I think I've settled on getting an HD 6790, but the only one with a full vent on the back is made by PowerColor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=HD+6790&x=0&y=0 So you can see.

Usually I look for HIS, but with this I'm torn.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=17128366. I figure an HD 6790 is about the biggest card I'll be able to fit in there, coming in just a hair short of 9".

Edit: Oh scratch that I'm dumb. I don't know what dimensions I was looking at, but the HD 6790 is WAY more than 9".

[Sylvia Luciani]

Does anybody know anything about PowerColor? I think I've settled on getting an HD 6790, but the only one with a full vent on the back is made by PowerColor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=HD+6790&x=0&y=0 So you can see.

Usually I look for HIS, but with this I'm torn.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=17128366. I figure an HD 6790 is about the biggest card I'll be able to fit in there, coming in just a hair short of 9".

That is...interesting.

Anyways, had a powercolor 4830, no problems whatsoever with it. Also, your RAM is for a laptop...

[jesse villaneda]

That is...interesting.

Anyways, had a powercolor 4830, no problems whatsoever with it. Also, your RAM is for a laptop...

Yeah I've gotten a lot of flack for the build from different places already. I don't think anybody else shares my interest in small form factor cases. The RAM has to be 2x204pin SO-DIMM though, it's what the motherboard takes, therefore laptop. :shrug:

[Adam Porter]

My bad, I have zero experience with mini atx. I'm interested to see how it turns out, ill look at it more when I get home.

[Cat]

My bad, I have zero experience with mini atx. I'm interested to see how it turns out, ill look at it more when I get home.

Yeah. Trying to go with something like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnGWoyaEPqM, only no LEDs and more modern hardware.

[Hayley Bristow]

Yeah. Trying to go with something like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnGWoyaEPqM, only no LEDs and more modern hardware.

Reminds me of my Gamecube. Looks cool and seems to be very pratical.

[jessica Villacis]

I am going to best buy later tonight in order to get an adaptor to use my wireless xbox 360 controller with my laptop. Any suggestions on what to buy, and any tips for setting this up?

Thanks

[mimi_lys]

I am going to best buy later tonight in order to get an adaptor to use my wireless xbox 360 controller with my laptop. Any suggestions on what to buy, and any tips for setting this up?

Thanks

It would probably be close to the same price to just buy a wired one that you can plug straight into your laptop instead of needing an overpriced adapter.

[Tai Scott]

It would probably be close to the same price to just buy a wired one that you can plug straight into your laptop instead of needing an overpriced adapter.

I hear the wireless ones don't play quite as nice with Windows either, compared to straight up wired though USB.

Although I'm biased. I've got two, a normal white wired controller and a flashy http://www.amazon.com/TRON-Wired-Controller-Xbox-360-Collectors/dp/B003WTMR7A/ref=sr_1_3?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1303079230&sr=1-3 which did NOT cost that much back when I got it.

Edit: On the note of my GPU, I think that http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127566 is supposed to be around 8.5" long. Definitely will fit. There is also a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131376&cm_re=powercolor_6850-_-14-131-376-_-Product that's 8.5" too, so I'm back to my original dilemma on which brand to get.

[Spaceman]

Edit: On the note of my GPU, I think that http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127566 is supposed to be around 8.5" long. Definitely will fit. There is also a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131376&cm_re=powercolor_6850-_-14-131-376-_-Product that's 8.5" too, so I'm back to my original dilemma on which brand to get.

While I've never used an MSI gpu, both are quality brands from my own personal experience. I'd go with the MSI, not only is it cheaper, it comes with a free game to test you're system.