[Ice Fire]

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.


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 sets of good how-to videos from Newegg:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok&feature=related

Thanks to SpankyTheElf for finding these additional ones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CStOC0hET8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3buj5cIh2Bs&feature=related


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.


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

(Threads 1-85 have been all pruned, may they rest in peace)

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/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1180239-the-community-tech-thread-no-99/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1188969-the-community-tech-thread-no-100/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1199194-the-community-tech-thread-no-101/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1207079-the-community-tech-thread-no-102/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1217232-the-community-tech-thread-no-103/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1224422-the-community-tech-thread-no-104/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1227492-the-community-tech-thread-no-104/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1228926-the-community-tech-thread-no-106/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1233177-the-community-tech-thread-no-107/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1241366-the-community-tech-thread-no-108/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1247846-the-community-tech-thread-no-109/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1297566-the-community-tech-thread-no-110/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1328500-the-community-tech-thread-no-111/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1348566-the-community-tech-thread-no-112/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1358707-the-community-tech-thread-no-113/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1368710-the-community-tech-thread-no-114/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1376885-the-community-tech-thread-no-115/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1386813-the-community-tech-thread-no-116/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1397168-the-community-tech-thread-no-117/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1402863-the-community-tech-thread-no-118/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1406651-the-community-tech-thread-no-119/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1413621-the-community-tech-thread-no-120/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1415651-the-community-tech-thread-no-121/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1423359-the-community-tech-thread-no-122/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1430631-the-community-tech-thread-no-123/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1435536-the-community-tech-thread-no-124/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1440306-the-community-tech-thread-no-125-quasquicentennial-edition/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1447730-the-community-tech-thread-no-126-all-tech-stuff-here/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1460497-the-community-tech-thread-no-127/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1464936-the-community-tech-thread-no-128/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1466573-the-community-tech-thread-no-129/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1468768-the-community-tech-thread-no-130/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1472491-the-community-tech-thread-no-131/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1476405-the-community-tech-thread-no-132/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1479675-the-community-tech-thread-no-133/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1482033-the-community-tech-thread-no-134/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1484868-the-community-tech-thread-no-135/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1490393-the-community-tech-thread-no-136/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1496131-the-community-tech-thread-no-137/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1499612-the-community-tech-thread-no-138/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1501074-the-community-tech-thread-no-139/
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1502877-the-community-tech-thread-no-140/



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
Tigs (Moderator)
Dogsbody
CCNA (Moderator)
Níeh?ggr
wolfpup
Wierd
Softnerd
wingus
DEFRON
Qwaxalot
iGuess
Starforce9
uncle fuzzy
Mark41


Other useful links

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1415492-a-freeware-guide-v3/
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/CPU/2
http://www.overclock.net/graphics-cards-general/502403-graphics-card-ranking-5th-time-last.html
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/articles.php?articleid=132
http://www.memtest86.com/
http://www.memtest.org/
http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/
http://entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm
http://www.irfanview.com/
http://www.knoppix.org/
http://www.jonnyguru.com/
http://www.overclock.net/power-supplies/183810-faq-recommended-power-supplies.html
http://www.overclock.net/power-supplies/715889-psu-articles.html#post9110838
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html#.
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/
http://trinityhome.org/Home/index.php?wpid=1&front_id=12

[dell]

Softnerd

> Yep, like I said, I've never used it because I use discreet sound cards, so I don't know how well it works. <

Yep, sorry i didn't realized you referring to an external sound-card. !!!

[Jessie Butterfield]

Is anyone here familiar with Joomla?

[Lance Vannortwick]

Define "familiar" Or in other words what exactly are you trying to do with it?

[Steve Smith]

Hopefully, someone who has used it before to site build, I am trying to install an extension, but either I don't think I am reading the instructions right, or I am missing an additional installer.

[Dan Scott]

That doesn't really make things any clearer as to what problems you are having

Maybe link to your website and the extension you are trying to install as well as your Joomla version. Also how was Joomla installed and on what operating system?

[Ricky Rayner]

I'm trying to install the freichat extention, but for some reason, I am having problems finding the correct way to install it. It says to drop the folder into the "CMS Installed Directory", which I think is different from the extention installer that is in the site adminitrator installer. When using the Site administrator installer, I cannot put the entire folder in, but rather only a single file.

I might just contact my admin partner to work on this tomorrow if I can't figure it out tonight.

[Cartoon]

Let's say your installation of Joomla is in /var/www/foo/joomla

in that case you are to put it int the joomla folder, causing the freichat directory to be /var/www/foo/joomla/freichat

after that you open your browser and point it to

http://yourjoomlaurl/freichat/installation/index.php

[alicia hillier]

Thanks, that helps. Now I just have to find that. lol.

[Maya Maya]

Hey all, I just have a quick question about when I go to format my computer tomorrow when I get my new components. I'll be installing the OS on my SSD, as it is now, however I was just wondering about the best way to go about doing this. I know that you aren't supposed to do a full reformat of an SSD. The problem is that I can't use Secure Erase as my SSD is from OCZ, and their utility for doing this requires the drive be in AHCI mode. I made the mistake of not setting this in the BIOS when I last reformatted, so it's in IDE mode and of course, Windows won't boot if I change it to AHCI mode. I'll set it to run in AHCI mode when I get my new hardware but that doesn't solve the issue I have now. If I just do a regular format as part of the OS installation should I be ok, or is there another way I should go about doing it?

[Batricia Alele]

I haven't exactly understand the problem.

On you new SSD you want to put your drive definitively on ACHI mode. Just make a quick format (through the windows installation procedure) like any regular HDD drive, and install your OS. So that's covered then.

Now, if i understand right, you have your old HDD on IDE mode, and you want to set your new SSD to ACHI mode - CORRECT ???

That's would be a problem, because if you change your BIOS to ACHI as it is, you get most probably a BSOD.

------------

You can try this: (search for that on your Registry Editor)

1. Open the registry editor and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msahci.
2. Right click on the Start registry DWORD and select Modify.
3. Set the value to 0 and click OK.
4. Reboot and enable the AHCI setting in your BIOS.

You shouldn't have any problem.

[biiibi]

My question was in regards to the best way to format the SSD, not about setting ACHI mode. I believe I can assemble my new PC, go to the BIOS, set ACHI mode, and then boot from the CD to reinstall Windows. I was just wondering if quick formatting the SSD in the Windows installation procedure was the best way to actually format the drive, as I've heard that regular formats (as opposed to secure erase) can damage an SSD. But as you say, quick formatting it in the Windows installation procedure is fine, so that's what I'll do. My confusion came from the fact that my OS is currently installed on the SSD, so obviously I can't format the drive from within Windows.

All of my parts actually just arrived (the CPU, MOBO and RAM a day earlier than I expected), so I'm going to go ahead with the build now. Thanks for the help!

[El Goose]

A format of a new SSD wouldn't hurt it at all. Furthermore, since it's a new drive, it doesn't have a partition table or file system and thus NEEDS to be formatted.

secure erase on a new SSD would do nothing, as all secure erase does is actually delete the files off an SSD.

What you may be referring to is the difference of formatting vs erasing data. A format doesn't actually delete files. It merely removes their reference. The files are there. In an SSD, this can hinder performance since an SSD's performance greatly suffers once most blocks are written to. However, in the case of a new SSD, this is obviously not the case.

[TRIsha FEnnesse]

> My confusion came from the fact that my OS is currently installed on the SSD, so obviously I can't format the drive from within Windows. <

OK, just backup your files then, on an external Drive perhaps, and install the windows OS in it...as you know. !!! (if that what you meant)

------------

Actually, you shouldn't have to perform any maintenance on your SSD drive. SSD has been designed with self-sufficiency in mind, using algorithms and fail-safes to both maximizing the drives life and ensure data are properly discarded.

Using a secure “file shredder” to overwrite files or folders many times is not going to work either, because the drive writes all new incoming data to different blocks,

depending on the SSD's needs. Only the drive knows where this data is written, so secure deletion tools actually harm SSDs by performing an unnecessary number of additional writes.

Fortunately it is possible to erase most SSDs, but it's more likely a reset than a erase.

What it does actually, it applies a voltage spike to all available NAND's, resetting every available block of space in one operation, but still unnecessary unless you’re troubleshooting,

and always using the manufacturers secure erase software. !!!

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEW BUILD. !!!

[Dewayne Quattlebaum]

The SSD wasn't new, I had my OS installed on it previously. I ended up deleting the existing partition in the Windows Installation and creating a new one.

Anyway, the build went together fine (aside from a slice on my knuckle to the bone...ow) and booted up first try. I ran into some trouble configuring the drives in UEFI mode because this is the first MOBO I've had that uses UEFI and I'm pretty unfamiliar with it, but after awhile I think I got it sorted out. Now I'm just going through the regular slog of installing updates.

[xx_Jess_xx]

Hey again all. If anyone would like to help me with my pc problems yet again it would be very much appreciated.

So I got around to building my computer and I know this sounds vague, but when I try to run a newer game like Splinter Cell: Blacklist or Farcry 3: Blood Dragon it doesn't run very well. I know I'm new at this but I'm pretty confused on what I've done wrong. I feel like I bought quality parts, I'm pretty sure I installed everything correctly, I think I did my bios right, I updated my drivers, and I used nVidia Geforce Experience to configure some games after my first attempt at it went bad. I'm worried a big part of the problem is that I'm using an HDTV instead of a monitor but I really have no idea. I'm just sad because I spent a grand on this computer and I have no idea why it's running so poorly when playing last gen games.

EDIT: Hmm, I just tried playing CSS and Transistor which worked perfectly fine. Maybe it's a uPlay problem?

[Pawel Platek]

What werror do you get trying playing Farcry 3: Blood Dragon u-play ???, because there ar some differences.

It could be u-play *** related, and it could be hardware related. As for the HDTV, i doubt it would be that problem, but again what's the exact error to you get ???

*** or even a proxy server problem.

(Go to Control Panel and than click on Programs and Features and scroll down and find Uplay, click it and uninstall Uplay, than go to Blood Dragons support folder/Game installer/uplayinstaller.exe,

it will try and update, might take a while. This may fix your problem.)

Actually, if you RIG is powerfulll enough, you shouldn't use Nvidia experience at all. Sometimes this utility do more harm as good.

From your last post : (THE COMMUNITY TECH THREAD No. 140 - # 137) this should be your configuration ???

(The GREAT build from logicalincrements.com with $677). Obviously you have bought the GTX 770 instead of the R9 270X ?!?

FX 6300, R9 270X GTX 770, ASUS M5A97 R2.0, 8GB, 1TB HDD, SeaSonic S12II 620, HAF 912

[Sierra Ritsuka]

Hey guys, I have another question about Windows' power management plans. When I have my PC set to the balanced plan, my CPU's core frequency tends to hang around 600MHz at idle. I haven't checked to see what speed it goes up to when playing a game, but I'd assume it goes either to the maximum or whatever it needs. When I have it set to the high performance plan, the speeds stays around 3600MHz when idle, occasionally jumping to 3800Mhz (200-400MHz higher than the CPU's stated 3.4GHz speed). I'm wondering if there are any cons to keeping my PC on the high performance setting, aside from greater power usage. Will this cause the CPU to wear more quickly? MSI Afterburner reports that my CPU is idling between 30-34 degrees when on the high performance setting, so that seems pretty good.

[maddison]

‘High Performance’ sets clock speed to its maximum value. Therefore you get speeds betteen 3.4GHz and 3.8GHz. ***

*** It frequently jumps up to 3.8GHz as well, thanks to Intel’s Turbo Boost technology.

With “Balanced” setting, windows changes the clock speed based on demand by your running applications.

Actually balanced is the most recommended option. It reduces clock speed for very basic tasks like checking email, web browsing, listening music etc,

and cranks up when you are doing things like encoding HD videos, editing huge images, gaming and so on...so, windows 7 dynamically scales the level of performance.

High Performance Mode

Advantages

• The display is brighter.
• The computer operates at very high performance mode

Disadvantages

• More heat generation.
• Processor not optimized on short idle periods.
• The CPU fan spins up more.

----------------------

However, based on some reviews, you may want to switch to High Performance when you know you are about to run a resource-intensive applications. !!!

Some people stated that their games running more smooth when they switch from Balanced to High Performance, but you can try it yourself and see the difference.

[Amy Melissa]

Hi, I would like to play Skyrim on my PC but I need to know if it can run it or not. Some of you may have known about the "Can you run it "website by system requirements lab but the website won't display if my PC is compatible or not so I am turning to this thread.

Here is my hardware:

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit SP1 (Note: My PC keeps saying that my copy of windows isn't genuine for some reason, I think it may have something to do with my new PC being a "referbished" or something not sure. Anyway, would it be a problem to run Skyrim)

Processor: AMD Athion ™ Dual core processor 5000B

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE (Microsoft COrporation- WDDM)

Pixel Shader : 3.0

Direct X : 11

RAM: 2.00 GB Dual Channel DDR2 @ 200MHz (6-6-6-18)

Free Space: 679.9 GB Seagate ST375064 0NS SCSI Disk Device (SATA)

Motherboard: Dell Inc. 0YP696 (Socket M2)

Optical Drives: HL-DT-ST DVD +-RWGH50N SCSI CdRom Device

Audio: SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC

Thanks in advance

[Honey Suckle]

Rather aged PC. As it is, you'd be lucky to get the lowest of settings due to that 6150LE integrated graphic chipset. Its not a real dedicated video card and it has always been a very poor performer.

The motherboard appears to have a PCI-E slot for a real video card upgrade, but that 5000B processor is gonna hold back even midrange video cards of today. And you're likely going to need a new power supply for such an upgrade. 2GB of RAM is a rather low amount these days as well. I take this is some Dell Optiplex pc?

My personal recommendation is to get a new pc instead of trying to upgrade this outdated one. But depending on budget, you may have little choice. So what can you spend?

[helliehexx]

You need to resolve this before you even think about trying to run Skyrim. Where did you get your PC?

[carly mcdonough]

Run this: http://www.google.gr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=http://forums.bethsoft.com/topic/1504758-the-community-tech-thread-no-141/s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgo.microsoft.com%2Ffwlink%2F%3Flinkid%3D52012&ei=3zfAU9C7KIyS7Aa7q4DgBw&usg=AFQjCNH5Zcs6VID448dqfDkoyf9nzmkx7w&bvm=bv.70810081,d.bGE

Run as administrator: Press continue. After it finished see under LIcensing-> LIcense status.

----------------

The problem could be in the Licensing Store - please try the following.

Recreate the Licensing Store with the correct data.

1) Open an Internet Browser window.

2) Type: %windir%\system32 into the browser address bar.

3) Find the file CMD.exe

4) Right-Click on CMD.exe and select 'Run as Administrator'

5) Type: net stop slsvc (it may ask you if you are sure, select yes)

6) Type: cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareLicensing

7) Type: rename tokens.dat tokens.bar

8) Type: cd %windir%\system32

9) Type: net start slsvc

10) Type: cscript slmgr.vbs -rilc (It may take a long time for this to complete, please be patient)

11) Restart your computer twice.

You may be asked to enter your COA Key and/or Activate. – if asked for the Key, use the one on your COA sticker on the machine’s case (you may need to activate by telephone).

Once complete, run another MGADiag report. Restart !!!!

---------------

Processor: AMD Athion ? Dual core processor 5000B

That's a Dual-Core Processor 2.6 GHZ - Performance wise it should be more or less like an Core 2Duo E6300.

NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE - it's a Integrated Graphics GPU, and it uses probably 64-128MB of Ram selectable in the bios, possible even 256MB.

That's you problem actually, it is very weak, almost not existing !!!!

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+6150+LE

[Mistress trades Melissa]

Alright, thanks. I guess I'll just have to test and see.

Also, what do people recommend for a GPU overclocking utility? With my 6970 I didn't really overclock (and if I tried to I just used CCC), but since my 770 seems to have a lot of headroom it might be worthwhile. I downloaded MSI Afterburner and Kombustor, though I wanted to get other peoples' opinions. Would using ASUS GPU Tweak be better since I have an ASUS GPU, or does it not really matter?

[Racheal Robertson]

You can use Afterburner, and the Kombustor utility while you overclock to test for stability, and overclock your GPU clock by 5mhz at a time as a safety margin.

As soon as artifacts start showing back down your overclock by 15mhz-20mhz. Apply the same to your ram. It takes time to find the best overclock and stability point for your GPU.

-------------------------------------

ASUS own GPU overclocking utility is ASUS GPU Tweak. It features a simplistic design with your regular sliders and a separate panel for monitoring which includes basic temperature monitoring fan speeds and as such things.

GPU Tweak allows you to add a number of things such as memory temperature, power temperature, board temperature, GPU usage, VID usage, FB usage, GPU voltage, memory voltage, PCIE12V voltage, GPU fan RPM,

GPU Fan 2 RPM, core clock, memory clock and processor clock.

The utility allows to change between 2D/3D mode depending on the work load. You can even fix it to a certain mode.

Also present is a GPU-Z type information center. You can activate it by clicking the info button. !!! Additionally GPU Tweak also allows you to update your BIOS and GPU driver automatically.

How to: http://rog.asus.com/96782012/gaming-graphics-cards-2/a-simple-guide-to-overclocking-your-graphics-card-with-gpu-tweak/

-------------------------------------

You should try out yourself, what's suits you better, actually...