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"I need a new PC!" 2010 Edition

Angelus Errare said:
Compressed air, I couldn't see a vacuum being too effective anyway.
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I haven't cleaned the inside of my computer in months, and a compressed air can in this case would be ineffective. That's what I get for vacuuming the inside and accidentally moving the video card and wires. Never again, from now on just a compressed air can, no matter how dusty it is. I'm just glad it works again, although I really don't understand why, but from on the BSOD dumps stating IRQL it could be a bus connector/memory controller and it lost that detection between the video card and windows, causing it to freak out. Especially since this video card is a huge problem already where it freezes after the welcome screen, but a few months back I managed to fix it. I fucking hate computers sometimes.
 
Jin34 said:
I thought compressed air was bad due to the condensation/moisture it releases?
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That should evaporate in seconds and usually if you keep the can vertical it won't release any moisture. You just don't want to do it when the PC is powered on.

I like to keep the can about a half a foot away and spray in bursts. When the can starts to get cold I let it warm back up. That seems to keep the moisture down as well.
 
I'm having trouble with my PC... The power just went out and now when I boot it gives me a voltage warning at the post screen and when I go into the bios it shows the VCore, 3.3V, 5V, and 12V ratings at absurdly high levels. When I hit enter I on them I'm only presented with it staying at the number it says or "ignored" as options. Has anyone one seen this before? It says my VCore is at like 4.5V currently. I'm afraid if I keep turning it on to try and fix it I will fry it and I'm not sure what's going on since I had it plugged into a surge protector.
 
vocab said:
Reformatted, and decided to not install CCC, and use Radeon Pro instead. One problem, can't find desktop color options. Any suggestions? I can't use default gamma settings, it's way too bright and gives the burnout look.
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anyone?
 
so i've got a $150 in store credit to microcenter and wanting to pick up a monitor for the rig i built in august. thinking around 23" 1080, under $300 if possible for a good monitor, any suggestions?
 
What program should I get to monitor temps? Does speedfan cover everything I would need there?

Are the drivers for the Dualshock 3 on Windows 7 64bit still wonky? I recall reading that you needed to reboot everytime you wanted to use it or something...can't remember the details though. If it's too troublesome I can always get a 360 controller.
 
Beatbox said:
What program should I get to monitor temps? Does speedfan cover everything I would need there?

Are the drivers for the Dualshock 3 on Windows 7 64bit still wonky? I recall reading that you needed to reboot everytime you wanted to use it or something...can't remember the details though. If it's too troublesome I can always get a 360 controller.
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Speedfan has always been fine for me when I need to monitor temps. What temps do you want to monitor?


And according to the error I was getting of H/W status abnormal, it means by PSU is dying.

Any recommendations on a PSU that can overclock my core 2 duo E6750 and run 2 8800GTs in SLI? I went overkill before and would like something cheaper and less overkill to replace it.

Edit: This Rosewill should be enough right? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182038
 
pje122 said:
OK, here is the revised build. Thanks for your previous feedback. Please let me know if this looks cool.
FYI, the PSU is pre-existing; we are not buying that new.
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I'd swap in a 1TB Samsung F3. Also a Green drive tends to be slower on average.
A few other websites might have a better price than newegg.
Beatbox said:
What program should I get to monitor temps? Does speedfan cover everything I would need there?
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RealTemp/CoreTemp
 
Just finished my GTX 470-based HTPC. Possibly the most annoying build I've ever done, but the end result is well worth it. The Antec NSK 2480 looks really nice in my home theater rack.
 
Chiggs said:
Just finished my GTX 470-based HTPC. Possibly the most annoying build I've ever done, but the end result is well worth it. The Antec NSK 2480 looks really nice in my home theater rack.
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Yikes, would not to work in that.

On a side note your GTX 260 is still kickin :D
 
For the love of God I need answers so someone with expert PC knowledge please help me and bare with me here....

I have this motherboard and was looking to upgrade my CPU. Upon a lot of reading I seen that it supports am3 socket CPU's. I was looking at getting a Phenom IIx6 based processor (the one linked is an example). My limit is 95w with my motherboard and was more or less curious to see what is the absolute best processor I can get for this motherboard?

I am getting a new PSU in a month or so and have already upgraded my memory. I just need this CPU locked down since I am going to get a Radeon 9870.
 
Hazaro said:
Athlon II x4 640 for price.
Otherwise Phenom II x4 955 BE

Hexacore not really worth it for price imo.
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This is becoming more headache inducing but will my socket am2+ run the processors you listed? I will look it up really quick....

And my mobo has a 95w limitation so I need to find 95w versions of these too.
 
LiquidMetal14 said:
This is becoming more headache inducing but will my socket am2+ run the processors you listed? I will look it up really quick....

And my mobo has a 95w limitation so I need to find 95w versions of these too.
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Yes :)

It's on the CPU tab on the page.
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Pr...4&CategoryID=1&MenuID=20&LanID=0#fragment-CPU

Make sure to update the motherboard BIOS:
http://download.ecsusa.com/dlfileecs/bios/mb/p4/A780V422a.zip

Here's the manual as well:
http://download.ecsusa.com/dlfileecs/manual/mb/eng/k8/A780VM_M2_10A_1.pdf
 
LiquidMetal14 said:
I did the bios update about 2 hours ago, I should have mentioned that but good lookin out. I am looking at the manual now.
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Just turn it off (PSU switch), hold power button to clear any residual charges (At least it's a habit of mine), pop the old one, put the new one in. Good to go.
 
Hazaro said:
Just turn it off (PSU switch), hold power button to clear any residual charges (At least it's a habit of mine), pop the old one, put the new one in. Good to go.
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You're referring to replacement of the CPU?
 
What's the best low-overhead way to overclock ATI cards?

I picked up a 4770 from eBay. It'll run no problems at the official AMD/ATI Overdrive maxes of 830 GPU/850 Mem.

If I try to overclock in Ray Adams' ATI Tray Tool, the utility I HAD been using for game profiles and such, I'll get full-on lock-ups... weird full-blue screens, not even artifacting... even before those levels.

With MSI's Afterburner, I can clock the memory up to over 1000 MHz, and the GPU to at least 875 or so, and run Furmark or play games for long periods with seemingly no problems.

Do I need to run Afterburner in addition to a profile/tweak utility if I want to overclock beyond the Overdrive limits? Would Radeon Pro or Rivatuner possibly allow me to get both in one?
 
Hazaro said:
If you have $180 to spend now, get it. If you have $250 to spend later, wait.
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I thought about it all day and with the $15 instant and $15 MIR, I'm paying $155 (minus $25 from a gift card from the Intel SSD the other day). I can't imagine the 560 being worth the price difference with this deal. And if something crazy happens, I have 60 days to return. I'll post up info when I get it up and running in a week or so (not currently at home). Thanks!
 
Okay, so my wife has the Toshiba Portege r705 (Core i3 350M). When I'm using Picasa on it, the temps shoot up to consistently hovering around 90C, with some spikes of 100C.

Is this normal?? Should I be worried or should I just keep working?
 
Felix Lighter said:
That should evaporate in seconds and usually if you keep the can vertical it won't release any moisture. You just don't want to do it when the PC is powered on.

I like to keep the can about a half a foot away and spray in bursts. When the can starts to get cold I let it warm back up. That seems to keep the moisture down as well.
Click to expand...

It's usually some sort of alcohol that is used as the propellant. so it will dry nearly instantly. as Felix said keep it about a foot away. I use air-in-a-can on anything of mine that has a fan.
 
Fredescu said:
Vacuum cleaners generate a lot of static electricity. There is an excellent chance you've fried a component or two. Never use a vacuum cleaner on the inside of a PC.
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Seriously? Shit. What if i dont use the brush and I just use the plastic part of it to vacuum out the big dust clumps?
 
Does Rosewill make good powersupplies?

In addition, can anyone tell me if this new build is ok and if there needs to be any improvements? The CPU isn't there because I'd get an i7 950 from Microcenter if I did this build.

2s0mp2t.jpg
 
hyelife said:
Can someone help me choose the right laptop for PC gaming please. I have to make the order today or tomorrow.
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Really no one should be building PCs now until sand bridge releases within two weeks. If you absolutely have to buy it in the next day or two we can help. It won't be bad but chances are it will be better with how good SB is sounding.
 
Shambles said:
Really no one should be building PCs now until sand bridge releases within two weeks. If you absolutely have to buy it in the next day or two we can help. It won't be bad but chances are it will be better with how good SB is sounding.
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Aren't the processors supposed to be really expensive? What are the MSRP on them?
 
Zaraki_Kenpachi said:
Aren't the processors supposed to be really expensive? What are the MSRP on them?
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The thing is, once they launch they will likely push down the prices of the processors on the market currently. Lots of the SB chips have the same prices as current chips, the i7 line I think will get a price cut, I dont see intel having a 950 and a new 2600k at around the same price, it wouldnt make sense. In a few weeks youll either be able to spend the same amount of money getting something much faster, or, buy the same thing you planned on buying, and spend alot less doing it.
 
Cipherr said:
The thing is, once they launch they will likely push down the prices of the processors on the market currently. Lots of the SB chips have the same prices as current chips, the i7 line I think will get a price cut, I dont see intel having a 950 and a new 2600k at around the same price, it wouldnt make sense. In a few weeks youll either be able to spend the same amount of money getting something much faster, or, buy the same thing you planned on buying, and spend alot less doing it.
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There's no way I see it happening. The i7 950 I want is $200 at microcenter which is $100 less than newegg. The most it will drop is like $20 if anything at all. The chip is already cheap as hell, there's nothing even close to that price range that I've seen of the sandy's and I can't see it dropping over $100 on newegg.
 
Zaraki_Kenpachi said:
There's no way I see it happening. The i7 950 I want is $200 at microcenter which is $100 less than newegg. The most it will drop is like $20 if anything at all. The chip is already cheap as hell, there's nothing even close to that price range that I've seen of the sandy's and I can't see it dropping over $100 on newegg.
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Comparing retail intel chips to Microcenter isnt fair though. I bought mine there too. So no, its not likely to even come close, if you have a MC near you also, however.....MC may indeed get the new chips in, and like always, discount the holy hell out of them for in store pickups. Again, you might be able to save 50-60 bucks or more on a sandy bridge chip. It wouldnt be as cheap as a 950 is right now at MC but you could do pretty well for the price still.
 
prodystopian said:
I thought about it all day and with the $15 instant and $15 MIR, I'm paying $155 (minus $25 from a gift card from the Intel SSD the other day). I can't imagine the 560 being worth the price difference with this deal. And if something crazy happens, I have 60 days to return. I'll post up info when I get it up and running in a week or so (not currently at home). Thanks!
Click to expand...


Ha, that what I said in my post that I edited out, but I always hate pushing people towards major purchases. If it ends up biting them in the ass, I feel guilty.
 
Cipherr said:
Comparing retail intel chips to Microcenter isnt fair though. I bought mine there too. So no, its not likely to even come close, if you have a MC near you also, however.....MC may indeed get the new chips in, and like always, discount the holy hell out of them for in store pickups. Again, you might be able to save 50-60 bucks or more on a sandy bridge chip. It wouldnt be as cheap as a 950 is right now at MC but you could do pretty well for the price still.
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Do you have what the MSRP points are? Because even if it's $60 off if they're like $500 chips I sure as hell can't afford it is all.
 
Zaraki_Kenpachi said:
Do you have what the MSRP points are? Because even if it's $60 off if they're like $500 chips I sure as hell can't afford it is all.
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I dont think the MSRP's have been released yet, we only have a few leaks like the one a page or two back:

Prices are 585 MYR ($186) for the i5 2300, 609 MYR ($194) for the i5 2400, 939 MYR ($299) for the i7 2600; so it looks like the leaked slide was close to street price.
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I wouldnt expect the $500+ prices until the performance line launches later in 2011 that uses the socket 2011.
 
TheExodu5 said:
Protip: LED monitors suck.
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Yea, found that out very easily by just walking into different stores that sell monitors. Every LED looks like absolute ass. I settled on a Samsung B2330H LCD (for now) that looked the best out of all LCDs, and it definitely delivers in comparison to my old Gateway.

The only thing is, flimsy tilt mechanic. Sorta worried it'll wear out after a while.
 
hyelife said:
Is there going to be a big difference between the Sandbridge and current I Processors?
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Sorry I am blind and can't read. Didn't notice you said laptop. On the lower end processors I don't see it changing all that much, but unless you have to it's still the smart play to wait less than 14 days to see what happens. Who knows how it will bring changes to the mobile market though.
 
I'm looking to upgrade my Nvidia 8800GTX.

I was wondering if the ATI 5550 or GTS 450 cards would be much of an upgrade over my 8800GTX. I'm not looking to spend more than $125 or so.
 
Shambles said:
Sorry I am blind and can't read. Didn't notice you said laptop. On the lower end processors I don't see it changing all that much, but unless you have to it's still the smart play to wait less than 14 days to see what happens. Who knows how it will bring changes to the mobile market though.
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Probably your right.. Since its releasing in two weeks or so I'll just wait and see what happens. Guess the wife has to buy it for me for my b-day in Feb :lol
 
ithorien said:
Yea, found that out very easily by just walking into different stores that sell monitors. Every LED looks like absolute ass. I settled on a Samsung B2330H LCD (for now) that looked the best out of all LCDs, and it definitely delivers in comparison to my old Gateway.
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Yup. Sadly, they stand out so much in stores since they're a lot brighter, and people tend to equate that to quality. It's just not the case.
 
Iadien said:
I'm looking to upgrade my Nvidia 8800GTX.

I was wondering if the ATI 5550 or GTS 450 cards would be much of an upgrade over my 8800GTX. I'm not looking to spend more than $125 or so.
Click to expand...

I want to coattail along with this question. I have a 8800GTS 640MB and a E6600 2.4ghz C2D and I'm really wondering what upgrading will get me. Will a mid line card like a 460 make a noticable difference?

I currently run at 1600x1080 though I am looking at steping up to a 23" 1900x whater monitor. I play mainly RPG's and looking forward to Dragon Age 2 and Dues Ex.
 
OKayy I need some major help :( I just finished replacing a broken case for my brother's dell computer, but now I think the power supply is trashed but theres no reason it should be

- once i press the IO switch in the back, the MB green light turns on and the keyboard's led lights flicker for half a sec, but nothing else moves

- I simply took everything apart and put them into a new cooler master case, without adding or subtracting any components (memory, cpu, etc stayed in place

- the 24pin connector and the 12v connector are there firmly, and the computer turned on fine before i made the changes

So what could be the reason the computer wont power on
 
Arsenic said:
OKayy I need some major help :( I just finished replacing a broken case for my brother's dell computer, but now I think the power supply is trashed but theres no reason it should be

- once i press the IO switch in the back, the MB green light turns on and the keyboard's led lights flicker for half a sec, but nothing else moves

- I simply took everything apart and put them into a new cooler master case, without adding or subtracting any components (memory, cpu, etc stayed in place

- the 24pin connector and the 12v connector are there firmly, and the computer turned on fine before i made the changes

So what could be the reason the computer wont power on
Click to expand...

Try it with everything unplugged and see if it still does it. If it doesn't slowly add a piece back one at a time. You're sure you have all the jackscrews in the case so the motherboard is raised slightly and not shorting on the case?
 
upgraded my ~2 year old radeon 4770 to a 6850 recently and I've been pretty damn impressed. It's crazy getting back into PC gaming and hardware though...I feel so left behind sometimes. It was a big shock when I saw that people actually play games at 2560x1600 these days, with video cards that take up 2-4 slots :lol

The good news though is that since I'm fine with "only" 1680x1050, and aliasing doesn't bother me *that* much, that means I can get pretty damn good performance on almost everything. So thanks to those who've pushed the overton window of PC gaming performance :P
 
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