[courtnay]

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/

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

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/

[Angel Torres]

I'm in the market for a $500 laptop. I'm not going to game on it, but I will be making music on it and would like a decent quality sound card. I want it to have a fast-ish processor for the price, at least 250G HD, 4G of Ram, and a webcam. I found http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6324999&CatId=4938, but it leaves a lot to be desired in the sound department. Hopefully you'll know of something that won't make me sacrifice too much for decent sound.

[OJY]

I'm back!

So, I just got another laptop! This one works! yay! It's an Acer Aspire 3000... One problem... The port that I plug in to power it... like to charge the battery... Doesn't really work, I have to jam the power cord in at an odd angle, it's charging right now because I have it smoothered against a wall... So, in general is the power port thing attached to the case of the laptop, or the motherboard? And is there a cheap fix for this? Or will I have to buy a new case or motherboard?

edit: OK! So, I found out, after playing for awhile on this laptop, that, it doesn't recognize the battery... Infact, I have it on my desk right now! And the power cord has to be jammed into the port for it to turn on. Soo now I'm off to find out why the battery isn't being recognized!

[Matt Gammond]

So I'm in the market for a GPU of the Nvidia 400 class.
I've been looking at a Gainward GTX460 "Goes Like Hell" which is overclocked to 800.

I've heard good things about the 460, such as it stays very cool and doesn't take that much power.
Would you suggest this (or other overclocked 460) or a standard 470?

[Sarah Unwin]

I'm looking to add some GPU power to my desktop for next year, and it's been quite a while since I've last updated anything apart from adding an X-Fi Xtreme Gamer sound card when my rusty old Audigy 2 got fried. Yeah, I said rusty.

While I haven't been keeping a focused track of the latest craze in tech, I'd still be able to pick out a solid system to build from scratch, but I'm a bit unsure about how to handle just a GPU upgrade, my CPU being as old as it is. Basically I'd need to know how far I can go without getting bottlenecked.

Mind you, I'm on a budget right now, and it'll probably take at least 16 months before I can finally build myself a new top-end system from scratch, so this is just going to be a transitional card.

What I've got now:

GPU: Gainward BLISS 7900GS 512 MB, stock clocked @ 450/1320 MHz
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Manchester Core @ 2.4 GHz
PSU: 450W ATX 2.0 (original Antec Sonata II case)

[Trevi]

I was browsing ebay and I came up on http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330464561493&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT. Would it be worth buying if I still had to buy a battery and a power cord (they're not included)?

[JUDY FIGHTS]

I was browsing ebay and I came up on http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330464561493&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT. Would it be worth buying if I still had to buy a battery and a power cord (they're not included)?

Vista and Core 2 Duo (as opposed to an i series) makes me think this is a fairly old model, but I dunno much about laptop specs to tell you if it's worth the price.

[Carys]

Vista and Core 2 Duo (as opposed to an i series) makes me think this is a fairly old model, but I dunno much about laptop specs to tell you if it's worth the price.

I'm more worried about the video card in all reality.

[Natasha Biss]

I was browsing ebay and I came up on http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330464561493&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT. Would it be worth buying if I still had to buy a battery and a power cord (they're not included)?

I'd say that laptop is BARELY worth what is being asked if it had a working battery and power cord. It also doesn't list resolution, but I'm guessing it's the always awful 1366 x 768.

[D IV]

I'd say that laptop is BARELY worth what is being asked if it had a working battery and power cord. It also doesn't list resolution, but I'm guessing it's the always awful 1366 x 768.

Thank you and Nami88 you too for the help. I'm starting to think using ebay isn't the best idea for buying a laptop...

[TASTY TRACY]

I'm in the market for a $500 laptop. I'm not going to game on it, but I will be making music on it and would like a decent quality sound card. I want it to have a fast-ish processor for the price, at least 250G HD, 4G of Ram, and a webcam. I found http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6324999&CatId=4938, but it leaves a lot to be desired in the sound department. Hopefully you'll know of something that won't make me sacrifice too much for decent sound.

If sound is that important to you, then you should be looking at external solutions for a notebook. Notebooks generally come with nothing more than onboard audio and for your price range that's pretty much a guarantee. External solution examples:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102020&cm_re=creative_x-fi-_-29-102-020-_-Product...at the least

Alternative notebooks:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115787
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146772

I'm back!

So, I just got another laptop! This one works! yay! It's an Acer Aspire 3000... One problem... The port that I plug in to power it... like to charge the battery... Doesn't really work, I have to jam the power cord in at an odd angle, it's charging right now because I have it smoothered against a wall... So, in general is the power port thing attached to the case of the laptop, or the motherboard? And is there a cheap fix for this? Or will I have to buy a new case or motherboard?

edit: OK! So, I found out, after playing for awhile on this laptop, that, it doesn't recognize the battery... Infact, I have it on my desk right now! And the power cord has to be jammed into the port for it to turn on. Soo now I'm off to find out why the battery isn't being recognized!

Usually, the charger port is connected to the motherboard. In which case, it won't really be worth replacing a motherboard for in my opinion. You can go to a PC shop that has technicians and see what they can do for you to get that port replaced. This will be a take apart the notebook, unsolder the damage port, solder a new port in its place kind of job....I don't expect it to be less than $100 worth of services. In any case, you should take the notebook to a shop to at least find out where the problem lies...whether it's the port or the actual AC adapter (loose wire or something).

Or if you're savvy enough, you can try what the responder of this similar victim:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiwNOSYERktJV9KqoH7LQyls7hR.;_ylv=3?qid=20090518135755AAR5MIi

...or just deal with the methods you're currently using to get the charge.

So I'm in the market for a GPU of the Nvidia 400 class.
I've been looking at a Gainward GTX460 "Goes Like Hell" which is overclocked to 800.

I've heard good things about the 460, such as it stays very cool and doesn't take that much power.
Would you suggest this (or other overclocked 460) or a standard 470?

The GTX 460 is a great card....can be overclocked to reach GTX 470 speeds rather easily. You won't go wrong with the card. The GTX 470 costs quite a bit more and IMO doesn't justify the performance gain. Then again, the GTX 470 can be overclocked too. Either card will suit fine.

I'm looking to add some GPU power to my desktop for next year, and it's been quite a while since I've last updated anything apart from adding an X-Fi Xtreme Gamer sound card when my rusty old Audigy 2 got fried. Yeah, I said rusty.

While I haven't been keeping a focused track of the latest craze in tech, I'd still be able to pick out a solid system to build from scratch, but I'm a bit unsure about how to handle just a GPU upgrade, my CPU being as old as it is. Basically I'd need to know how far I can go without getting bottlenecked.

Mind you, I'm on a budget right now, and it'll probably take at least 16 months before I can finally build myself a new top-end system from scratch, so this is just going to be a transitional card.

What I've got now:

GPU: Gainward BLISS 7900GS 512 MB, stock clocked @ 450/1320 MHz
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Manchester Core @ 2.4 GHz
PSU: 450W ATX 2.0 (original Antec Sonata II case)

Well, you're about balanced as it is. The next card up that I would consider "tolerably" bottlenecked is something like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102820&cm_re=radeon_4670-_-14-102-820-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150467&cm_re=1gb_radeon_5670-_-14-150-467-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127483&cm_re=1gb_gt_240-_-14-127-483-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&Description=1gb%209800gt&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

I have to say you've been pretty lucky with that Antec 450W power supply that came with your Sonata II...there is an ugly history of those PSUs dying after a few months.

I was browsing ebay and I came up on http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330464561493&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT. Would it be worth buying if I still had to buy a battery and a power cord (they're not included)?

This model was a good model though and pretty powerful with the GTX 260M. However, Ebay is kind of the last place I'd look for a used notebook. Do yourself a favor....get a refurbished one that comes with everything for not too much more:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5250511&CatId=4948
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5753605&CatId=4965
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6471592&CatId=4948

[Kevin S]

Well, you're about balanced as it is. The next card up that I would consider "tolerably" bottlenecked is something like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102820&cm_re=radeon_4670-_-14-102-820-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150467&cm_re=1gb_radeon_5670-_-14-150-467-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127483&cm_re=1gb_gt_240-_-14-127-483-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&Description=1gb%209800gt&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

I have to say you've been pretty lucky with that Antec 450W power supply that came with your Sonata II...there is an ugly history of those PSUs dying after a few months.

Thanks for the input.

I guess I should consider myself lucky then, as I spend quite a lot of time on the 'puter, and still it's humming away. And I've had the desktop on for at least 20 hours in succession on multiple occasions, with games running practically all the time.

[Antony Holdsworth]

Back again, this time with an easier problem though. I'm looking for a computer that can max WoW on highest settings, max MS flight simulator, work on a 40" LCD screen via HDMI and also work on a normal monitor. It needs to be as cheap as possible really, no sense in skimping on the important parts though. A build that was suggested to me on here a while ago seems like it may fit the bill. The parts were as follows:

Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz XMS3 Memory Kit CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.6V
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P AMD 770 Socket AM3 6 Channel Audio Out ATX Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition 3.1GHz 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3
Corsair 550W VX Series PSU - 120mm Fan

Any revisions to the above? It's basically just a rip from a build that I think Tig suggested a year or so ago, anything need to be changed to better suit the above purpose? Or are those parts not appropriate at all?
I'm stuck for a graphics card that will do HDMI on a 40" LCD and also on a normal monitor (Not at the same time). I could do with suggestions for that and a decent wirless card to put in it. The HDD and Optical drive are salvageable from an old computer I have.

[jenny goodwin]

I have a computer with what I think is a PCI-E slot (It looks like http://www.karbosguide.com/books/pcarchitecture/images/828.jpg). However, from what I can make out the power supply is only 160 Watts. Would it still be able to support a video card? I am not looking at anything expensive. Something that plays the Sims 2 and Oblivion at low settings is enough. In other words, a ￡20 8400 would be fine.


(It is an old Optiplex GX280. I think it is low profile)


My computer has a 250W power supply in the back... I am assuming that would support something like a 8400 no problems.


Last question, can I run dual screens with a DIV and VGA port? Or would I need a splitter? I assume I can but it is worth checking.



(I do know that an 8400 isn't worth it, but at present I am using a 6150LE. I am fairly sure it is a set up )

[A Boy called Marilyn]

Ive had this issue a while now, but a few keys on my laptop keyboard (space, enter, backspace, up/down arrows) will stop working at times. When it happens they do still work, just it can take many hits before they do.

The problem comes and goes without warning.......Im thinking its a loose connection, but I cant take it in for repairs and just thought i might ask in case there is something i can do.

[Nancy RIP]

Back again, this time with an easier problem though. I'm looking for a computer that can max WoW on highest settings, max MS flight simulator, work on a 40" LCD screen via HDMI and also work on a normal monitor. It needs to be as cheap as possible really, no sense in skimping on the important parts though. A build that was suggested to me on here a while ago seems like it may fit the bill. The parts were as follows:

Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz XMS3 Memory Kit CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.6V
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P AMD 770 Socket AM3 6 Channel Audio Out ATX Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition 3.1GHz 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3
Corsair 550W VX Series PSU - 120mm Fan

Any revisions to the above? It's basically just a rip from a build that I think Tig suggested a year or so ago, anything need to be changed to better suit the above purpose? Or are those parts not appropriate at all?
I'm stuck for a graphics card that will do HDMI on a 40" LCD and also on a normal monitor (Not at the same time). I could do with suggestions for that and a decent wirless card to put in it. The HDD and Optical drive are salvageable from an old computer I have.

As long as the graphics card has HDMI and VGA/DVI output you'll be able to do that. My vote is for an ATI card, works well with multiple monitors (hook both up at the same time, but the ATI software allows you to only use one at a time, or both on the fly).

I'm not familiar with Flight Simulator's requirements, but http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814102873&RandomID=3406075121815120100827090635 is very well priced.

[Andres Lechuga]

Are hard drives on a raid card interchangable between brands? mine are configured for jbod on 2 highpoint pcie cards might end up getting an areca or promise with higher sata/sas ports...

[Oyuki Manson Lavey]

As long as the graphics card has HDMI and VGA/DVI output you'll be able to do that. My vote is for an ATI card, works well with multiple monitors (hook both up at the same time, but the ATI software allows you to only use one at a time, or both on the fly).

I'm not familiar with Flight Simulator's requirements, but http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814102873&RandomID=3406075121815120100827090635 is very well priced.

Ah, looks like a nice card. You think the rest of the components I listed look good for the job? Also, what's the process involved in using a HDMI cable with a TV and your PC? Is it as simple as just plugging in a monitor with a VGA?

Thanks for the suggestion by the way.

[Pete Schmitzer]

Usually, the charger port is connected to the motherboard. In which case, it won't really be worth replacing a motherboard for in my opinion. You can go to a PC shop that has technicians and see what they can do for you to get that port replaced. This will be a take apart the notebook, unsolder the damage port, solder a new port in its place kind of job....I don't expect it to be less than $100 worth of services. In any case, you should take the notebook to a shop to at least find out where the problem lies...whether it's the port or the actual AC adapter (loose wire or something).

Or if you're savvy enough, you can try what the responder of this similar victim:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiwNOSYERktJV9KqoH7LQyls7hR.;_ylv=3?qid=20090518135755AAR5MIi

...or just deal with the methods you're currently using to get the charge.

Well, I may take it in and see what's wrong. If it's not too expensive to do that. But for $100 wouldn't it be close to just get a replacement motherboard?

I know it's not the actual AC adapter, because it charges another laptop fine.

heh, I wouldn't mind just keeping it how it is, if either, the battery was recognized, so it could be charged, or the AC port worked fine, so I don't have to jam the cord in, then put the back of my laptop against something solid so the cord doesn't move... like a wall...

edit: Would I have to buy a particuler AC port for the laptop, if I wanted to open it up and replace the port myself?.. Actually my Uncle would do it for me, he works with soldering stuff.

[Lindsay Dunn]

Ah, looks like a nice card. You think the rest of the components I listed look good for the job? Also, what's the process involved in using a HDMI cable with a TV and your PC? Is it as simple as just plugging in a monitor with a VGA?

Thanks for the suggestion by the way.

Yeah, the rest of your components look good. I have the same processor, and I'm very happy with it. As for HDMI, just run the cable from the computer to your TV and it'll be up and running. Sound might be an issue, I've had a very hard time with my computer putting out sound via HDMI (ie, it doesn't work anymore). Most cards, from what I've read, have this problem.

[rebecca moody]

Well, I may take it in and see what's wrong. If it's not too expensive to do that. But for $100 wouldn't it be close to just get a replacement motherboard?

I know it's not the actual AC adapter, because it charges another laptop fine.

heh, I wouldn't mind just keeping it how it is, if either, the battery was recognized, so it could be charged, or the AC port worked fine, so I don't have to jam the cord in, then put the back of my laptop against something solid so the cord doesn't move... like a wall...

edit: Would I have to buy a particuler AC port for the laptop, if I wanted to open it up and replace the port myself?.. Actually my Uncle would do it for me, he works with soldering stuff.

If you just got it, isn't it under warranty?

[BethanyRhain]

I'm stuck for a graphics card that will do HDMI on a 40" LCD and also on a normal monitor (Not at the same time). I could do with suggestions for that and a decent wirless card to put in it.

If you go ATI make sure to go into the sound options and select "ATI HDMI output" when using the HDMI cable or you will have no sound. I'll assume Nvidia would be similar. I see many new ATI owners not doing it and asking why they have no sound.

[Philip Rua]

If you just got it, isn't it under warranty?

Just got it from a cousin, who got it from a cousin, who got it awhile ago.. No warranty for me

[Chris Johnston]

Alright, I'm looking to upgrade my PC to be able to run TF2 reasonably well.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E1681 is my ancient motherboard, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to basically rebuild my PC from the ground up except for the monitor, keyboard, mouse and case. Currently I have 2 gigs of DDR400 memory and an AMD Sempron 64 1.6 gHz processor. I'm using the onboard video and sound. I'll probably need a new power source because IIRC my current is 250w. I'd like to get it as cheap as possible, but I'll go up to around $500 if I need to.
So I'll be needing a new motherboard, memory, (probably) power supply, processor, and video card.
Thanks in advance.
Edit: Alright, just ordered http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.471446
Edit2: I'm considering getting http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687 processor. Anyone know a of good motherboard?

[Cedric Pearson]

I have a computer with what I think is a PCI-E slot (It looks like http://www.karbosguide.com/books/pcarchitecture/images/828.jpg). However, from what I can make out the power supply is only 160 Watts. Would it still be able to support a video card? I am not looking at anything expensive. Something that plays the Sims 2 and Oblivion at low settings is enough. In other words, a ￡20 8400 would be fine.


(It is an old Optiplex GX280. I think it is low profile)

I am not really sure about the 160W power supply. I checked the 8400s maximum draw and it was 71W, which only leaves ~90W for everything else. I would be happy to buy a 8400, put it in the Optiplex and try and max the system (Go play Oblivion or something) however I am not sure if that would damage the system.

The other option was that I found a fanless Radeon HD 2400 Pro for about ￡24. I can't find the power draw for it though and I am not sure how well ATI GPUs do given that this system will be using Linux.

Last question, can I run dual screens with a DIV and VGA port? Or would I need a splitter? I assume I can but it is worth checking.

I have found something that seems to split the DVI signal on the back of another computer. I should be able to acquire it so this question is moot.

I also had a look at the prices. I can get a 8400 with 512mb of ram for ￡26 and one with 256mb of ram for ￡20. I am assuming the one for ￡20 is the better option? I am aslo assuming it would work fine with a 250W power supply?