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[hypernima]

I apologize in advance for the $200 copy of Windows that is going to turn this $600 build into an $800 build.

$200?! 64 bit home pre is only $99

Nah, I have Windows XP discs lying around somewhere, because this exact thing happened before. Now to just pray my dad still has them or that they're lying around in my parents house.

In fairness with sales tax it's already a $704 build. It doesn't include the build cost. Though I could try and convince my wife to just let me build it tonight...yeah like that's going to work lol.

Why XP in this day and age? Would that even tolerate your PC?

 

[Mr Nightman]

I wound up getting the one Lordcanti recommended since you said I need to get a power cord for the Antec, besides I can always switch it up later.

EDIT: Just sent the order in!

What kind of ram you end up buying? And what motherboard you end up with?

 

[LordCanti]

$200?! 64 bit home pre is only $99

Oh, huh, how about that. Microcenter has OEM versions of Windows apparently. I'm surprised Microsoft lets them sell those in store.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

What kind of ram you end up buying? And what motherboard you end up with?

RAM was Patriot
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317832

Mobo
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0358071

Why XP in this day and age? Would that even tolerate your PC?

I have Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade Student Edition.

 

[Mr Nightman]

RAM was Patriot
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317832

Mobo
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0358071


I have Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade Student Edition.

good choices, noticed your first llisted ram option was ddr2 and the mobo needs ddr3, glad that wasn't mixed up lol

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

good choices, noticed your first llisted ram option was ddr2 and the mobo needs ddr3, glad that wasn't mixed up lol

I hadn't even noticed that. Phew talking about dodging a bullet! See this is why the wife doesn't want me putting it together. lol

 

[LordCanti]

I hadn't even noticed that. Phew talking about dodging a bullet! See this is why the wife doesn't want me putting it together. lol

It wouldn't have gone in. DDR2 and DDR3 are keyed (notched) differently. Worst case scenario, you'd have had to exchange the RAM.

Good luck with your install.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

It wouldn't have gone in. DDR2 and DDR3 are keyed (notched) differently. Worst case scenario, you'd have had to exchange the RAM.

Good luck with your install.

Well more with how Microcenter does it, though man I really do want to try, but, doing it after rushing back tonight from the store, would not end well. That said if they want goofy money from it I might be able to make a compelling argument to my wife to let me try.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Being a true dork I'm going to MAX the hell out of CIV 5 first! I have no idea why that game needed to be some graphically complex!

Oh yeah, thank you everyone for all your help in the thread, I had very little knowledge to go on and as you can all see I nearly made many pitfalls. Thanks for helping me not make them and now well LOOK OUT HERE COMES THE MASTER RACE!*


*The Producers...it's okay

Thanks everyone!

 

[LordCanti]

Well more with how Microcenter does it, though man I really do want to try, but, doing it after rushing back tonight from the store, would not end well. That said if they want goofy money from it I might be able to make a compelling argument to my wife to let me try.

I think NCIX charges $50 or so. I've heard people talk about that like it was a reasonable sum. Anything more, and I'd cry foul. The minimum wage employee building the thing for $8 an hour or whatever, isn't costing them much in the half hour it should take to assemble a computer (and the hour after that where you only kind of need to pay attention as Windows installs).

 

[B-Dex]

I think NCIX charges $50 or so. I've heard people talk about that like it was a reasonable sum. Anything more, and I'd cry foul. The minimum wage employee building the thing for $8 an hour or whatever, isn't costing them much in the half hour it should take to assemble a computer (and the hour after that where you only kind of need to pay attention as Windows installs).

They also give a 1-year warranty if you get them to build it too.

 

[RS4-]

Being a true dork I'm going to MAX the hell out of CIV 5 first! I have no idea why that game needed to be some graphically complex!

Oh yeah, thank you everyone for all your help in the thread, I had very little knowledge to go on and as you can all see I nearly made many pitfalls. Thanks for helping me not make them and now well LOOK OUT HERE COMES THE MASTER RACE!*


*The Producers...it's okay

Thanks everyone!

I'm not sure if it was the graphics that made the game unplayable for decent PCs but the damn AI routines or something, I think that's what pushed PCs.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

I think NCIX charges $50 or so. I've heard people talk about that like it was a reasonable sum. Anything more, and I'd cry foul. The minimum wage employee building the thing for $8 an hour or whatever, isn't costing them much in the half hour it should take to assemble a computer (and the hour after that where you only kind of need to pay attention as Windows installs).

I was told it takes 5 days (same as NCIX) and it's either 60, 86, 125, or 175. They couldn't tell me which on the phone (she did try and find a tech guy though). Hey perhaps it encourages my wife to let me try.

I also promised to fill out every rebate form.

I really do want to try and put it together though, but my wife does make a good point that she assemblies all the furniture (she never asks me too, and she does a great job). Maybe I can get her to watch those GiantBomb and NewEgg Build Demos.

I'm not sure if it was the graphics that made the game unplayable for decent PCs but the damn AI routines or something, I think that's what pushed PCs.

True, but I meant just cranking up the graphics. I mean why does Civ5 need all those crazy bells and whistles!

Actually I look forward to really maxing out World in Conflict. Loved the game. Played it on low res at 20 FPS (if it was good). Soviet Assault never even ran!

 

[LordCanti]

I was told it takes 5 days (same as NCIX) and it's either 60, 86, 125, or 175. They couldn't tell me which on the phone (she did try and find a tech guy though). Hey perhaps it encourages my wife to let me try.

$60, sure. $86, no. $125, hell no. $175....demand to see a manager.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

$60, sure. $86, no. $125, hell no. $175....demand to see a manager.

I'm just hoping 60 is the we put things in make sure it does the beep and then we shut it off. That's all I want. I wonder what the hell the numbers correspond too (aside from a growing detachment from reality as they increase).

 

[Pai Pai Master]

See here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341043&Tpk=800w OCZ

Not sure how much damage you could do to one with the >300w load you'll be putting on it, but who knows.

I was looking at that. Think it's safe to go for a refurbed PSU?

 

[dgenx]

I just got a i7 2600 at 3.4, and I saw this OCCloud utility is it safe to OC it with OCCloud with stock cooling?

 

[Shambles]

$60, sure. $86, no. $125, hell no. $175....demand to see a manager.

Anything over 50 pay a competant friend to do it. Even $50 is kind of a joke for something that takes less than 10 minutes excluding installing/setting up the OS depending if you care about that or not. However companies are here to make money I doubt you'll find anything for under $50. Heck, I'd build friends parts for as little as a good meal of pizza or whatnot.

 

[LordCanti]

I was looking at that. Think it's safe to go for a refurbed PSU?

With four total reviews on Newegg, two of which peg the unit as DOA? I'm not sure that I'd risk it. It depends on what Microcenter's return policy is on refurbs, I guess.

 

[Hazaro]

I was looking at that. Think it's safe to go for a refurbed PSU?

No need for that.
Name what you will be using it for. A 550W is all you need for a single card setup.
I'd just move over your 750W.

 

[cartman414]

I wound up getting the one Lordcanti recommended since you said I need to get a power cord for the Antec, besides I can always switch it up later.

EDIT: Just sent the order in!

Dang. Would have shot you a couple words of recommendation, namely that that motherboard might have issues since it isn't one of the B3 steppings, not so much because of SLI, when it isn't really one of those PCIe lane heavy mobos. You also want to have other things in mind, like overclockability, and the P8Z68 Pro, also from ASUS, is supposed to be really good for that. I wonder if that held true for the P8P67 Pro.

I just got a i7 2600 at 3.4, and I saw this OCCloud utility is it safe to OC it with OCCloud with stock cooling?

You can only overclock K model CPUs.

 

[jarosh]

guys, i have been gaming on my new build for a few days now. as many of you know i used the beautiful silverstone gd05 htpc chassis (recommended by feist):

and man, it has been SUCH a joy. finally i'm gaming on my big plasma in the bedroom in a comfy chair (with kb + mouse). this is pretty much the final nail in the coffin of my ps3 and 360, outside of a handful of exclusives. now that i don't have to game in the office anymore i'll be buying pretty much everything on the pc. well, i've already started doing that during the steam summer sale...

anyway, i wanted to thank pc-gaf for all the helpful advice! especially feist and hazaro. but there's been plenty of other people giving great advice. sorry if i don't remember everyone but you guys have been great! you know who you are

fake edit: oh and for the love of god, do yourself a favor and get an ssd! best decision ever.

 

[Jinfash]

That sounds amazing. I'm filled with jelly!

 

[K' Dash]

Guys, I want to make my PC a gaming PC, but I need halp! so what do I need to tell you so you can tell me if I need an upgrade or a new PC.

I know I have:

-Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz
-RAM 4GB
-Video: Nvidia 8500gt 512MB
-Motherboard: Intel ______
-Sound: Integrated

If you need more info please tell me, I'll update the motherboard when I get home and anything else you ask.

 

[·feist·]

$40-60

$70-$100

$120-$200

$35 - Cooler Master 310/33x/34x ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

$80 - Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced ,,,,,,,

$140 - SilverStone RV02/FT02​

$40 - NZXT Source 210/210 Elite ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

$100 - Fractal Design Arc ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

$150 - Corsair 600T​

$45 - Diablotek Evo/Rosewill Challenger ,,,,,

$100 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K62/K63/K68X-E ,,,

$180 - Cooler Master HAF X​

$60 - Cooler Master HAF 912/922 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

$100 - Corsair 400R/500R ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

$ N/A - Various Lian Li​

[QUIET OPTIONS]

$60 - BitFenix Shinobi ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

$100 - Fractal Design Define R3 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

$160 - Antec P183-V3 BI/P280​

 

[·feist·]

Thoughts?

BTW, the Lian Li Lancool PC-K63 is currently $30 off, instantly, with a Newegg promo code, making it $70 out the door (expires 7/15). Good option for those currently looking at something like a HAF 912, or CM 690 II.

Not a fan of the window and fascia, but it's not like they detract from the K63's quality and features.

Lian Li Lancool PC-K63 features & specs
http://www.lancoolpc.com/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=42&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=96&g=f

Guys, I want to make my PC a gaming PC, but I need halp! so what do I need to tell you so you can tell me if I need an upgrade or a new PC.

I know I have:

-Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz
-RAM 4GB
-Video: Nvidia 8500gt 512MB
-Motherboard: Intel ______
-Sound: Integrated

If you need more info please tell me, I'll update the motherboard when I get home and anything else you ask.

"I need a New PC!" 2011 Thread of reading the OP. Seriously. |OT2|

guys, i have been gaming on my new build for a few days now.

You're welcome, Jarosh, and congrats.

Now, pics or it didn't happen ban!

 

[jarosh]

Your welcome, Jarosh, and congrats.

Now, pics or it didn't happen ban!

i'll take pics, i promise! i wanted to take some during the building process, but uh... it was a bit of a frustrating experience initially. and then i just got increasingly impatient and just wanted the damn thing done.

i've just been to ikea to get some new shelves and some stuff for cable management and once i have everything in its correct place i'll take pics!

 

[Smokey]

ah nvm

 

[Hazaro]

So many good case choices for $60 or under. Added to OP, and linked the post.
Wowowow.

I might pick up the Shinobi and slap more Scythe Kama's on it. Even the NZXT looks very nice.
My Lian Li is just too large :/ (No foot room)

 

[Rice-Eater]

PC noob here, I'm going to build a new PC at the end of the year. But for now I'm actually buying a couple parts earlier then the rest. I wanted a new video card, so I got a GTX 460. But I just found out that my power supply doesn't have the necessary pins to power it. So what would you recommend for something with these as the main power sucking components(at least I think they are)

i7-950 3.06 GHz
8 GB DDR3 1600
GTX 460 SLI(planning on getting the other one later)

I was looking at this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

But is that overkill or just right for what I want. I want something reliable that may still come in handy if I upgrade again a few years later so I was wondering what you guys thought about that or should I get something else? I was looking to buy today so hopefully I can get some good answers soon.

 

[Hazaro]

The answer is in the OP.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

 

[Rice-Eater]

The answer is in the OP.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

LOL I feel like a moron. I skipped the op and just went to the last page to post up my question, ok I'll be reading the op now.

 

[black_vegeta]

PC noob here, I'm going to build a new PC at the end of the year. But for now I'm actually buying a couple parts earlier then the rest. I wanted a new video card, so I got a GTX 460. But I just found out that my power supply doesn't have the necessary pins to power it. So what would you recommend for something with these as the main power sucking components(at least I think they are)

i7-950 3.06 GHz
8 GB DDR3 1600
GTX 460 SLI(planning on getting the other one later)

I was looking at this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

But is that overkill or just right for what I want. I want something reliable that may still come in handy if I upgrade again a few years later so I was wondering what you guys thought about that or should I get something else? I was looking to buy today so hopefully I can get some good answers soon.

Sup Rice, that PSU is fine for your current components and for future upgrades. My only recommendation would be that get a "modular" PSU. This way your power cords won't be all coming out of one hole from your PSU. You can pick and choose what power connections you want attached to your PSU. I have this one in my current build. It's very solid and provides more than enough power.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=corsair_850w_modular-_-17-139-015-_-Product

 

[Rice-Eater]

Sup Rice, that PSU is fine for your current components and for future upgrades. My only recommendation would be that get a "modular" PSU. This way your power cords won't be all coming out of one hole from your PSU. You can pick and choose what power connections you want attached to your PSU. I have this one in my current build. It's very solid and provides more than enough power.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=corsair_850w_modular-_-17-139-015-_-Product

Thanks for the answer, it's a little higher then I wanted to go. I guess I'll be doing some more research before making my final decision. But thanks, I didn't know the difference between modular and non-modular before. Now that will be apart of my decision.

 

[Hazaro]

No need to jump to the Gold 'S' class PSU's.
A modular HX would be fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Now showing my wife the build videos in the OP. Let's see if we can't make some headway here!

 

[Deadstar]

Hey friends, I am looking for a 24 inch diagonal LED screen with a 75 refresh rate or higher. I probably don't want 120 hz because I'm not sure if it would be too fast. Please recommend something awesome!

 

[Hazaro]

Hey friends, I am looking for a 24 inch diagonal LED screen with a 75 refresh rate or higher. I probably don't want 120 hz because I'm not sure if it would be too fast. Please recommend something awesome!

Most LED's are subpar to LCD in picture/backlight. LED is lighter.
You get 60 or 120Hz

You can set refresher to 70 or 75 but it gets fuzzy and isn't really supported to my knowledge.

 

[momolicious]

Ok, i have the $1000 build in the OP with the GTX 570, how come 1080p videos still are not completely fast? It will run but I can tell by skipping around that it loads alot slower than any other resolution. I hear the HDD alot when skipping around with 1080p vids. Isnt 2500k and GTX 570 fast enough for 1080p video playback?

 

[Hazaro]

Ok, i have the $1000 build in the OP with the GTX 570, how come 1080p videos still are not completely fast? It will run but I can tell by skipping around that it loads alot slower than any other resolution. I hear the HDD alot when skipping around with 1080p vids. Isnt 2500k and GTX 570 fast enough for 1080p video playback?

Use Media Player Classic Home Cinema?

I have had zero problems with 1080 playback on my C2D and 2500K.

 

[Deadstar]

Most LED's are subpar to LCD in picture/backlight. LED is lighter.
You get 60 or 120Hz

You can set refresher to 70 or 75 but it gets fuzzy and isn't really supported to my knowledge.

I want to go LED because of eye strain. I'm hoping that the different technology can help my eyes. I don't really care about quality. Just need the pain to go away.

Many Acer monitors typically have a refresh rate of 75. 60 hz is unnaceptable even with D3Doverrider. I'm tired of screen tearing. I paid a lot of money for my system and I'm not going to waste it with a garbage monitor.

Asus 75 hz

 

[1-D_FTW]

guys, i have been gaming on my new build for a few days now. as many of you know i used the beautiful silverstone gd05 htpc chassis (recommended by feist):

and man, it has been SUCH a joy. finally i'm gaming on my big plasma in the bedroom in a comfy chair (with kb + mouse). this is pretty much the final nail in the coffin of my ps3 and 360, outside of a handful of exclusives. now that i don't have to game in the office anymore i'll be buying pretty much everything on the pc. well, i've already started doing that during the steam summer sale...

anyway, i wanted to thank pc-gaf for all the helpful advice! especially feist and hazaro. but there's been plenty of other people giving great advice. sorry if i don't remember everyone but you guys have been great! you know who you are

fake edit: oh and for the love of god, do yourself a favor and get an ssd! best decision ever.

That looks a lot like the layout of the case I built years ago. It's only logical to have a low height and intake fans blowing directly on the CPU and Memory (and another one blowing down on the GPU). The airflow is so much more efficient. Nice to see production cases have finally caught on to this.

 

[dgenx]

Guys i have a problem, i bought a new cpu and mobo, thing is pc was havin problems to boot up, like it booted for5 seconds then turn off then turned on again and so on, when i used Windows is ok but when i game it freezes within 20 min , now freakin thing turns on for 2 secs then it turns off and keep trying and trying...what could it be? Cpu? Paste?psu? Vodoo?

 

[Tenck]

So I got an nasty virus that is driving me nuts on my Vista OS. A friend of mine let me borrow a disc with W7 trial, but I need to partition my HDD. The virus usually gives me 6 minutes to do whatever I want before crashing explore. Here's some questions I have for gaf.

1: I should be able to kill the virus from another OS since it's not being executed on the infected OS right?

2: Is 6 minutes enough to partition a hard drive for a few GBs?

3: Is there a simpler way to kill the virus? My HDD is in my laptop, so I doubt I can pull it out and drag the files somewhere else to find the virus.

This is the most appropriate thread I could find to ask this. And if it isn't, all this typing on an iPad really sucked.

 

[Laurentius]

Thoughts?

BTW, the Lian Li Lancool PC-K63 is currently $30 off, instantly, with a Newegg promo code, making it $70 out the door (expires 7/15). Good option for those currently looking at something like a HAF 912, or CM 690 II.

Not a fan of the window and fascia, but it's not like they detract from the K63's quality and features.

Lian Li Lancool PC-K63 features & specs
http://www.lancoolpc.com/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=42&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=96&g=f

Looks like a nice case, especially for that price...hm, might have to consider that. Then again, I've been thinking I would just reuse my current case, as that would save me $70 or so that I could put it into the GPU or CPU....hm....

 

[Rice-Eater]

No need to jump to the Gold 'S' class PSU's.
A modular HX would be fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

bought'ed, thanks for the recommendation.

 

[momolicious]

Use Media Player Classic Home Cinema?

I have had zero problems with 1080 playback on my C2D and 2500K.

Could it be the Harddrive? 1080p playback runs but isnt as snappy as other rez

 

[·feist·]

Looks like a nice case, especially for that price...hm, might have to consider that. Then again, I've been thinking I would just reuse my current case, as that would save me $70 or so that I could put it into the GPU or CPU....hm....

Very hard to top it, in stock form, at $70. Having a better GPU is always good, as is the ability to properly cool, and house it comfortably.

Guys i have a problem, i bought a new cpu and mobo, thing is pc was havin problems to boot up, like it booted for5 seconds then turn off then turned on again and so on, when i used Windows is ok but when i game it freezes within 20 min , now freakin thing turns on for 2 secs then it turns off and keep trying and trying...what could it be? Cpu? Paste?psu? Vodoo?

Could be memory, GPU, HDD, mobo, loose/detached/faulty connector or another gremlin. Run memtest to test your ram. Run OCCT to test your CPU and PSU. Run Furmark to test your GPU. Also test for a faulty, or failing HDD.

So I got an nasty virus that is driving me nuts on my Vista OS. A friend of mine let me borrow a disc with W7 trial, but I need to partition my HDD. The virus usually gives me 6 minutes to do whatever I want before crashing explore. Here's some questions I have for gaf.

1: I should be able to kill the virus from another OS since it's not being executed on the infected OS right?

2: Is 6 minutes enough to partition a hard drive for a few GBs?

3: Is there a simpler way to kill the virus? My HDD is in my laptop, so I doubt I can pull it out and drag the files somewhere else to find the virus.

This is the most appropriate thread I could find to ask this. And if it isn't, all this typing on an iPad really sucked.

You have a few options, here are two choices: attach it to another PC, to run as a non-OS drive, or get a boot CD. Running it as a secondary drive in another PC, you can attempt to clean it, or recover important data, wipe the laptop drive, then re-install the OS and data. The second option would be to use Hiren's, UBCD (original, or 64), or another boot CD (like any of the linux ones with virus scanning and removal tools) to view your laptop's OS drive. This will allow you to bypass windows in order to clean the HDD, or recover important data. None of these are perfect, and you can run across false positives, so you may want to take precautions beforehand, like doing a backup if possible, or first cloning the drive.

I might pick up the Shinobi and slap more Scythe Kama's on it. Even the NZXT looks very nice.
My Lian Li is just too large :/ (No foot room)

If you're cool with the aesthetics, the Lancool K63 kicks the shit out of the Shinobi, HAF 912, or anything else in that listed price range. Unless you already have a few spare fans, you may be better served getting a slightly pricier case from the offset.

So many good case choices for $60 or under. Added to OP, and linked the post.
Wowowow.

Yeah, and there are more coming, like the new BitFenix Merc Beta (~$40), and BitFenix Merc Alpha (~$50). Looking forward to try them out.

Merc Alpha with vented roof, Merc Beta with solid roof and external 3.5"

pics
http://www.computerbase.de/bildstrecke/34863/4/
http://www.computerbase.de/bildstrecke/34863/5/
http://www.computerbase.de/bildstrecke/34863/6/
http://www.computerbase.de/bildstrecke/34863/7/

Bitfenix Outlaw + Merc value cases @ Computex 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88dk9FaEqlY

COMPUTEX 2011 - BitFenix Unveils New Cases and Fans Plus More
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idwd4OfHhcs

 

[·feist·]

Is 320 firmware buggy?
http://communities.intel.com/thread/22227?start=0&tstart=0

Be wary of the new Intel SSD 320 series. Currently, there's a bug in the
controller that can cause the device to revert to 8MB during a power
failure. AFAIK they have not yet publicly announced it, and won't have a
firmware fix ready for release until the end of July.

We had an SSD 320 600GB 2.5" SATA drive in for evaluation from our Intel
rep. I was able to kill it in two or three hours by power cycling it.
Apparently (according to the Intel rep) when the power failure is
happening, the SSD device tries to reconnect with the SATA port instead of
initiating a proper shutdown. Something to do with interrupt priority
being higher for reconnection rather than a proper shutdown.

Intel 320-Series SSDs Affected by Firmware Bug That Causes Data Loss
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Inte...rmware-Bug-that-Causes-Data-Loss-210809.shtml

via: http://www.sweclockers.com/nyhet/14...-serien-ssd-lagringsenheter-krymper-till-8-mb

A series of consumers who have bought Intel 320-series solid state drives have reported that the units are affected by a strange firmware issue that causes these SSDs to drop in capacity to just 8MB and lose all the data that is stored on them.

320-series SSD owners who are affected by these issues started a thread on Intel's official support forums to complain about the problems, but no official response has been provided at this time.

These problems were first spotted by the PC Review publication, which wrote:

“Be wary of the new Intel SSD 320 series. Currently, there's a bug in the controller that can cause the device to revert to 8MB during a power failure. AFAIK they have not yet publicly announced it, and won't have a firmware fix ready for release until the end of July.”

According to an Intel representative, these issues can be triggered by power failures as the SSD tries to reconnect with the SATA port instead of starting a proper shutdown.

So far, there is still no clear solution for this problem, but some users have reported that drive space can be restored by performing a secure erase with the help of Intel's SSD Toolbox utility.

A new firmware that is supposed to resolve these issues is expected by the end of the month, but Intel hasn't made any official statements in this regard.

Intel's 320 SSD Series is comprised of six models with capacities ranging from 40GB to 600GB and all these drives use the SATA 3Gbps interface.

Their performance varies according to drive capacity, but the fastest SSDs are able to reach sequential read and write speeds of 270MB/s and 220MB/s, respectively, as well as 39,500 input/output operations per second (IOPS) random reads and 23,000 IOPS random writes.

Since the second half of May, the drives are backed up by one of the largest warranties in the industry which spans over no less than five years. (via SweClockers)

 

[fin]

Just put down half for my new PC! I was going to wait till after PAX. But looked at my finances and I could afford it now. He said it cold be ready to go by Friday, they had to order some stuff in.

I'm not building it myself, it's only $40 for the build, OS install, tests etc. Plus a better warranty. In the end it probably cost me about $200 more than it would have. But I'm ok with that. Maybe next time I'll build it myself.

Intel i5 2500k
ASUS 1155 P8Z68-V Pro
Coolermaster 700W Silent Pro
EVGA GTX580
Coolermaster HAF 912 Case
WD1002FAEX Black 1TB
Corsair 60GB Force Series SSD SATA3
Corsair Liquid H70 Cooler
The Blue RIPJAWS 8gb RAM

Thanks everyone for the help. I'm really pumped. Can't wait to see how Civ5, SC2, Crysis, GTA4, and others look on this thing. Finally a gaming PC! You'll be seeing a lot of me in the PC screenshot thread! Now to switch all my pre-orders to the PC versions. My PS3 and 360 are going to be neglected!