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[RedSwirl]

Connecting the new power supply now. It's an Antec standard ATX 550w PSU and I'm slamming it into a stock Dell XPS 420. It's screwed and secured in there, but I'm getting a bit nervous about the cables.

I seem to have all the proper ones, but I have no idea which is which. A lot of the shapes match up but none of the colors do and I can't tell between a 12V1 cable and a 12V3 cable. I need to know if I jsut need to match up the right plug shapes before I fry all my components.

 

[MacAttack]

I just went from a 4850 512mb to a 560ti 1GB and there is no looking back. Most games I own can hover around 60fps on max. Where before I would hover around 30 fps on high settings.

My biggest problem now is screen tearing because my fps are so far above my 60mhz refresh rate. At least thats what I was able to figure... Is Vsynch the right way to deal with this high class problem? (D3DOverrider doesnt seam to cut the mustard like it did on my 4850.)

 

[Velion]

I just went from a 4850 512mb to a 560ti 1GB and there is no looking back. Most games I own can hover around 60fps on max. Where before I would hover around 30 fps on high settings.

My biggest problem now is screen tearing because my fps are so far above my 60mhz refresh rate. At least thats what I was able to figure... Is Vsynch the right way to deal with this high class problem? (D3DOverrider doesnt seam to cut the mustard like it did on my 4850.)

vsync is the only way that I know of to deal with it.

 

[Hazaro]

Connecting the new power supply now. It's an Antec standard ATX 550w PSU and I'm slamming it into a stock Dell XPS 420. It's screwed and secured in there, but I'm getting a bit nervous about the cables.

I seem to have all the proper ones, but I have no idea which is which. A lot of the shapes match up but none of the colors do and I can't tell between a 12V1 cable and a 12V3 cable. I need to know if I jsut need to match up the right plug shapes before I fry all my components.

Thats it. 12V1 is just rails. Don't worry about it.

 

[RedSwirl]

Thats it. 12V1 is just rails. Don't worry about it.

So I just need to match the shapes? And what's "rails"?

 

[Hazaro]

So I just need to match the shapes? And what's "rails"?

How the PSU splits the load on the 12V line. Nothing you need to worry about.

Just don't forget the motherboard 24 pin and the 8 pin power.

 

[mkenyon]

Connecting the new power supply now. It's an Antec standard ATX 550w PSU and I'm slamming it into a stock Dell XPS 420. It's screwed and secured in there, but I'm getting a bit nervous about the cables.

I seem to have all the proper ones, but I have no idea which is which. A lot of the shapes match up but none of the colors do and I can't tell between a 12V1 cable and a 12V3 cable. I need to know if I jsut need to match up the right plug shapes before I fry all my components.

If there is a spot to plug a cord into, make sure it's filled. Other than that, don't worry about anything. You will have either a 4 or two 4 pins by the CPU, 24 pin for mobo, whatever your graphics card needs, sata power for the HDDs/optical drive, and molex for the fans. Just remember - if it doesn't fit, it doesnt go there. If it does, it does go there. Seriously that easy.

 

[Shambles]

Another considering for those looking to drop 100$ on a sound card you might want to consider putting that money towards a quality receiver instead. I know it's not possible for everyone to integrate their home theatre and PC audio together but if you can you end up with a lot better DAC and a simpler setup. Something to consider...

 

[RedSwirl]

Uh oh. The placement of the connectors on the new power cables doesn't match up with the placement of my components. They can't reach my DVD drives and my HDDs at the same time.

This shit just turned into a puzzle. There are going to be some tightly-bent cables.

 

[Dynamic3]

How do I tell which way the fans are going to blow lol?

 

[Trojita]

Will a 6950 fit into my Antec 900 case? The 4870 512mb barely fits in the case.

 

[mkenyon]

Measure how much space you have from the back to whatever the graphics card would hit up against. You need 10.5", which IIRC is about the size of the 4870. At least my 1GB 4870 was right around that size.

 

[Commanche Raisin Toast]

How do I tell which way the fans are going to blow lol?

if the sticker/logo in the center is facing you, it will be blowing at you.

 

[shinobi602]

Can you anyone tell me how well I'll be able to run ARMA 2?

Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
EVGA 8800GT 512mb OC'd to 650MHz
3gb DDR2 ram
Vista 32-bit

My monitor is 18", so only 1368x768 max resolution....

 

[Zzoram]

Can you anyone tell me how well I'll be able to run ARMA 2?

Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
EVGA 8800GT 512mb OC'd to 650MHz
3gb DDR2 ram
Vista 32-bit

My monitor is 18", so only 1368x768 max resolution....

Well. Not maxed but it should run well. 8800GT is the recommended (well above minimum).

 

[shinobi602]

Well. Not maxed but it should run well. 8800GT is the recommended (well above minimum).

Hmm, sounds good. You don't think I'll be able to max it at that low resolution?

 

[Deus Ex Machina]

Going from a 4870X2 to a 560 Ti is such a vast improvement. I can actually hear myself now. Lot less heat, etc. And I probably won't run into any more ATI driver issues.

Just sold my 5870 for a 560 ti, and got another one on its way for SLI.

 

[MacAttack]

Will a 6950 fit into my Antec 900 case? The 4870 512mb barely fits in the case.

looks like this guy pulled it off with about 1/2" to spare:

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2170/dscf0936c.jpg

 

[Ashhong]

Uh oh. The placement of the connectors on the new power cables doesn't match up with the placement of my components. They can't reach my DVD drives and my HDDs at the same time.

This shit just turned into a puzzle. There are going to be some tightly-bent cables.

There should be multiple cables with the connectors you need for DVD and HDD. You dont have to use the 2 connectors that are joined on the same cable.

How do I tell which way the fans are going to blow lol?

There are arrows on the fan showing wind direction. Find them

 

[fizzelopeguss]

lol, i think my new 560 is being seriously cock-blocked by my shitty core 2. *whistles*

 

[Quicksilver4648]

The GIGABYTE GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel H67 is now on NewEgg for $139.99. Get it while its hot.

 

[scoobs]

What tools do you guys use to OC nvidia nowadays? Used to be a built-in tuner w/ nvidia drivers, does that still exist?

 

[MisterNoisy]

What tools do you guys use to OC nvidia nowadays? Used to be a built-in tuner w/ nvidia drivers, does that still exist?

MSI Afterburner is pretty nice. I'm sure there are others, though.

 

[Zzoram]

Hmm, sounds good. You don't think I'll be able to max it at that low resolution?

Well maybe max without AA

 

[Unknown Soldier]

What tools do you guys use to OC nvidia nowadays? Used to be a built-in tuner w/ nvidia drivers, does that still exist?

MSI Afterburner.

(beaten)

 

[Dynamic3]

I'm up and running, fully operational!

My CPU fan (212+) is extremely loud though, suggestions on how to adjust it?

 

[RedSwirl]

Can you anyone tell me how well I'll be able to run ARMA 2?

Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
EVGA 8800GT 512mb OC'd to 650MHz
3gb DDR2 ram
Vista 32-bit

My monitor is 18", so only 1368x768 max resolution....

I've run ArmA II on the exact same system at a higher resolution. it's playable at high (not max but near max) settings. You won't always have a good framerate, but it'll definitely run. Should probably turn off the AA though.

 

[MisterNoisy]

I'm up and running, fully operational!

My CPU fan (212+) is extremely loud though, suggestions on how to adjust it?

Go into the BIOS and adjust the CPU fan settings - occasionally, they default to 100% CPU fan speed all the time. Usually, you can set a baseline for speed increase (40c is a good start there) and a minimum speed (25-50% is a good starting point) at the bare minimum - some boards will allow more detailed settings.

 

[Dynamic3]

Go into the BIOS and adjust the CPU fan settings - occasionally, they default to 100% CPU fan speed all the time. Usually, you can set a baseline for speed increase (40c is a good start there) and a minimum speed (25-50% is a good starting point) at the bare minimum - some boards will allow more detailed settings.

Here's an amateur question: how do I get back into the BIOS now that I've installed and entered W7?

 

[bumpkin]

Recently my old Dell laptop (Inspiron 6000) finally started to fall apart -- both literally and physically -- and that has me thinking about upgrading. I have an iMac that I purchased a year or so ago, but recent developments have me considering getting a new Windows desktop. In a nutshell, I want the ability to tinker with Epic's free UDK.

That being said, I'm hoping the PC gurus here can help me come up with a decent configuration. I've always been anti non-Intel CPU, but it's just a brand preference. No specific motivation behind it.

So yeah, here's my desktop questionnaire:

Your Current Specs: 1.6GHz Celeron-M / 1GB SDRAM / Unsure... Dell? / Intel Integrated (aka shit)
Budget: $600-800 USD
Main Use: General usage (web, email), website development, game development (Unreal Dev. Kit)
Monitor Resolution: High-ish? Whatever's a decent GPU is capable of
List SPECIFIC games that you MUST be able to play: Unsure... Just want a UDK capable rig
Are reusing any parts?: Nope
When will you build?: Whenever... Weeks, months.
Will you be overclocking?: No

 

[MisterNoisy]

Here's an amateur question: how do I get back into the BIOS now that I've installed and entered W7?

Restart the PC and hit the key for the BIOS during boot right after POST - usually Delete or F1 or something like that - generally the PC will display that onscreen - 'Press <key> to enter setup' or something similar. If you're still installing drivers, etc., do that first and restart back to a working desktop first, then go into the BIOS.

 

[Ecto311]

The GIGABYTE GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel H67 is now on NewEgg for $139.99. Get it while its hot.

I thought the p67 was "hot" - is the h67 worth a shit?

 

[Dynamic3]

Restart the PC and hit the key for the BIOS during boot right after POST - usually Delete or F1 or something like that - generally the PC will display that onscreen - 'Press <key> to enter setup' or something similar. If you're still installing drivers, etc., do that first and restart back to a working desktop first, then go into the BIOS.

That worked, thank you!

For some reason sys fan 3 doesn't show in my BIOS though despite having 3 sys fans.

 

[MisterNoisy]

That worked, thank you!

For some reason sys fan 3 doesn't show in my BIOS though despite having 3 sys fans.

Sweet!

As for the other part, the motherboard can only monitor fans hooked to motherboard headers. Is one of your fans on a molex from the PSU or a fan controller?

 

[InertiaXr]

I thought the p67 was "hot" - is the h67 worth a shit?

P67 allows CPU overclocking, H67 does not. I assume there are probably other differences but that's the major one.

 

[Dynamic3]

Sweet!

As for the other part, the motherboard can only monitor fans hooked to motherboard headers. Is one of your fans on a molex from the PSU or a fan controller?

Fan controller. The fan is spinning too.

 

[Negator]

I have my new build up and running.

Good god, this is FUCKING AMAZING.

 

[MisterNoisy]

Crap. 2x post.

 

[MisterNoisy]

Fan controller. The fan is spinning too.

If it's not hooked up directly to a mobo fan header, the motherboard can't monitor it. Don't sweat it unless it's not running.

I have my new build up and running.

Good god, this is FUCKING AMAZING.

 

[shinobi602]

So I just downloaded the EVGA Precision utility (I have EVGA 8800GT).

It's already factory overclocked to 650MHz, sooo...how do I know if I OC it too much without frying it? >__>

 

[Dynamic3]

If it's not hooked up directly to a mobo fan header, the motherboard can't monitor it. Don't sweat it unless it's not running.

It is hooked up to one though.

Also, now it shows none of my sound devices plugged in...hmmm.

I need to figure out how to enable my 2nd hdd too. Only my SSD is showing.

 

[MisterNoisy]

It is hooked up to one though.

Also, now it shows none of my sound devices plugged in...hmmm.

I need to figure out how to enable my 2nd hdd too. Only my SSD is showing.

I thought you said one was hooked to a fan controller. If all of your case fans are hooked up to the motherboard, then the only thing I can think of is that you might be using a Y-cable (in which case only one is reporting back) or one of the fans is a 2-wire fan or otherwise isn't reporting a signal back though the tach wire. That said, if it's spinning normally and not crazy loud, I'd ignore it.

The missing HDD is a bigger issue - does it show up in the BIOS?

 

[Dynamic3]

I thought you said one was hooked to a fan controller. If all of your case fans are hooked up to the motherboard, then the only thing I can think of is that you might be using a Y-cable (in which case only one is reporting back) or one of the fans is a 2-wire fan or otherwise isn't reporting a signal back though the tach wire. That said, if it's spinning normally and not crazy loud, I'd ignore it.

The missing HDD is a bigger issue - does it show up in the BIOS?

Fan is connected to mb.

Sound is fixed.

The hdd2 does show up in the bios and w7 device manager, just cant find it under computer to add files to it.

 

[opticalmace]

Current system:

E8500 @ 4Ghz
4GB DDR800
Crossfire 2x4870 1gb
EP45 mobo, Corsair TX750
Couple WD HDDs

Sort of interested in Sandy Bridge maybe. Would it be a waste upgrading (probably to a 2500K+components)? Should I just wait until Ivy Bridge?

Main uses: gaming, some programming/general usage (nothing intense like encoding, video editing or the like). Thanks.

Edit: Or maybe an SSD would be a better upgrade? (Currently using a WD black for main, WD green for storage.)

 

[Ecto311]

Is 32gb enough for a windows 7 home 64bit install?

 

[MisterNoisy]

Fan is connected to mb.

Sound is fixed.

The hdd2 does show up in the bios and w7 device manager, just cant find it under computer to add files to it.

Open Control Panel.

Change View By to Small Icons

Click Folder Options, then View tab

Uncheck 'Hide Empty Drives in the Computer Folder', then click 'OK'

 

[Dynamic3]

Open Control Panel.

Change View By to Small Icons

Click Folder Options, then View tab

Uncheck 'Hide Empty Drives in the Computer Folder', then click 'OK'

Didn't work, do I need to format it perhaps?

 

[opticalmace]

Is 32gb enough for a windows 7 home 64bit install?

Should be okay. Windows supposedly requires ~9GB (from some googling). Personally I would make the partition a lot larger but you should be able to get away with it.

 

[MisterNoisy]

Didn't work, do I need to format it perhaps?

Try running diskmgmt.msc from the Start menu. Does it show up there?

 

[shinobi602]

Can anybody help me out

I'll just quote what I posted earlier:

So I just downloaded the EVGA Precision utility (I have EVGA 8800GT).

It's already factory overclocked to 650MHz, sooo...how do I know if I OC it too much without frying it? >__>