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The Official Graphics Card and PC gaming Thread
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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20. February 2014 @ 23:59 |
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3D nudity! LOL! Rich, I ended up buying a camera instead. The Canon 70D. I'll be content for quite some time ;) Neweggs loss. The one and only cheap 3D monitor that enticed me, was out of stock. So, I elected to buy the camera. On ebay! Plus, I needed to give the loaner camera back to my friend. He said he wasn't using it, but I felt uncomfortable using a high dollar camera, that wasn't mine ;)
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harvardguy
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21. February 2014 @ 00:02 |
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I hear you - what if you had broken the thing - trying to capture some ... uh ... nudity. (see my edit bottom of last page)
:D
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 21. February 2014 @ 00:03
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AfterDawn Addict
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21. February 2014 @ 00:13 |
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You're a funny guy Rich LOL!
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21. February 2014 @ 07:45 |
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Quote:
When you talk about the two types of ammunition, did they ever combine them - as in one round of one type, followed by another round of the other type. If not, when did they load the fragmentation shells, and when did they load the armor piercing incendiaries?
Just about every type of aircraft ammunition used during the war had ammo types alternating on the belts. Usually something like "HE Frag->HE Frag->AP Incendiary Tracer". So as you used up the ammo, it would be alternating between shell types constantly. Most ammo belts have some sort of tracer among the other types of rounds.
Quote:
What the hell? They already have 3d games!! Hmmm. Some of these games are scary enough without the zombie's claws coming right through the screen at me! What games would that be and how was it?
Killzone 3 on the PS3 was somewhat of a technological showcase for 3D when it came out. The actual 3D effect is just stunning, and the graphics push the PS3 to its stretching point, which enhances the 3D effect greatly. Not only are the objects popping out at you very convincingly, they are quite high fidelity as well. They took advantage of every little technique available to make it as visually impressive as possible. It is a very good looking game, even compared to many current PC titles.
The PS3 always had the advantage of superior graphics over the Xbox 360 as far as brand exclusives were concerned. The Xbox 360 held the edge on cross-platform titles due to its more conventional hardware.
In my opinion Killzone 2 and 3 are some of the finest shooters to ever grace a console. Both games push the PS3 to its absolute limits in terms of technology, and the gameplay and story are fantastic. Always felt that non PS3 owners were missing out there.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 21. February 2014 @ 07:57
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ddp
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21. February 2014 @ 13:13 |
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harvardguy, the 88mm does not have sides unless part of a tank or self propelled gun\tank destroyer.
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AfterDawn Addict
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22. February 2014 @ 00:04 |
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Rich, I believe in Brothers in Arms(I think that's the game you mean, as Band of Brothers was a TV series) you could take out the crews with small arms fire, as they were relatively unprotected. You could then blow the guns up with with explosives or use a thermite charge to disable the firing mechanism.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22. February 2014 @ 00:04
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harvardguy
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22. February 2014 @ 02:00 |
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Originally posted by ddp:
harvardguy, the 88mm does not have sides unless part of a tank or self propelled gun\tank destroyer.
Well, yes, you're right - it's a big cannon - but I recall that the bazooka team targeted it from the sides, and I think there was a nice explosion as they blew up the gun.
Originally posted by estuansis:
Rich, I believe in Brothers in Arms(I think that's the game you mean, as Band of Brothers was a TV series) you could take out the crews with small arms fire, as they were relatively unprotected. You could then blow the guns up with with explosives or use a thermite charge to disable the firing mechanism.
Yeah, Jeff, you're right, Brothers in Arms, Hells Highway. I presume a bazooka would damage it enough from the side to bust up the mechanism, or maybe ruin the cannon barrel? I recall that I signaled the bazooka team to take the gun out when we got around to the side. We may have killed the crew by then, but if not they died in the blast. I guess supposedly we were blowing up some of the ammo in the process. What do you guys think?
Originally posted by Jeff:
Just about every type of aircraft ammunition used during the war had ammo types alternating on the belts. Usually something like "HE Frag->HE Frag->AP Incendiary Tracer". So as you used up the ammo, it would be alternating between shell types constantly. Most ammo belts have some sort of tracer among the other types of rounds.
That is interesting. I understand the need for tracers, but I didn't know they would mix up rounds like armor piercing incendiary, followed by fragmentation. Sounds like quite a weapon, indeed. I remember, maybe on hulu, that a couple of years back I watched some rare color world war 2 footage - the series was Word War II in Color - including when they sent a film crew on a bombing run from England over Germany. They sent them with the very best crew they had - and after that the crew did not fly any more missions - they just trained other flight crews. So you could hear the guys talking to the belly gunner and tail gunner about the German pilots coming from the lower rear - "There's one trying to swing around behind us - okay you got him." And this was real - I was stunned.
I have had just one experience with tracer rounds on the M16. When I did the night firing range in Basic Training to complete my expert badge, we had tracer rounds mixed in with the regular ammo, so we could make sure we were sighting high enough to allow for the fall of gravity. I think we were prone, but firing more by watching our tracers than by looking through the iron gun sights.
I remember standing way off to the side, completely off the firing range of course, and watching those tracers shoot across - I suppose they were going a thousand miles an hour - Jeff, you'll know exactly how fast M16 rounds travel - but the half second or so that they took to go across was easy to follow - not as super fast as one might think.
Let's see, 1000 miles an hour is 1466 feet per second (using the old rule of thumb 60 miles an hour is 88 feet per second) so 1/2 second is 730 feet. Maybe we were firing 200 yards, but it seems to me that it was a 100 yard firing range. Either the range was longer, or the bullets were moving slower, but I don't think they crossed that range any faster than half a second - like I'm pretty sure it wasn't a quarter second - nothing that quick.
What do you think Jeff? Also, when you go out with your AK or other rifles, do you guys ever do night firing with tracer rounds?
Rich
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AfterDawn Addict
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4. March 2014 @ 01:55 |
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Rich, tracer rounds are expensive and hard to get. We usually use Full Metal Jacket.
Well I've been back to modding Oblivion. Every time I do it from a fresh install, I clean up the process and refine the result a little more. Just tonight the weather and lighting and the angle I was standing to the sun really made it look gorgeous. Real testament to the engine's capacity for graphical fidelity, and to the work of all the mod authors who have high expectations of what their games should look like.
The first mod any Oblivion player should do is to install all of the unofficial patches. They drastically improve the performance, stability, seamlessness, and function of the game. Whether you intend to run "modded"or not, they are essential to having a fun a smooth gaming experience. The next step I took was to make the game Large Address Aware, effectively increasing its memory limit from 2GB to 3GB, freeing up some breathing space and helping immensely with hitching and loading. After that, I have nearly every single object and surface in the game re-textured, every single plant and tree remodeled and retextured, a complex weather and lighting mod that removes global lighting and makes every light emitting object a light source, and more. Especially a mod which makes all windows transparent to the outside world and allows you to hear outside weather effects from indoors. A revolutionary step in detail and capability for the game. The water is also replaced with a custom water texture and shader, turning it from relatively primitive video game soup into seriously decent looking water.
I also have custom shaders enabled through the Oblivion Graphics Extender. Currently they are GodRays, Color Grading, and DLAA which is a very subtle type of FXAA that helps immensely. I am unable to use traditional AA without glitches thanks to the custom shaders, but the DLAA more than makes up for it. The entire image is drastically cleaner and everything flows together much more smoothly. The high res textures are simply too sharp, and can be very jarring to look at compared to others. This TRANSFORMS IT ALL. The GodRays are also quite well done, much akin to Crysis. They spread and disperse the light, giving everything a natural hue depending on lighting conditions. Mixing this with the real light sources mod is AMAZING.
On top of all the graphics effects, I installed a mod compilation called Unique Landscapes which simply takes some of the more sparsely detailed areas of the game, and gives them that artist's touch. Small waterfalls, islands in the rivers with trees, scary forest areas with gnarled trees, extra detail in ruins, expanded farmland, etc. Nothing that would be out of place in the game. I adhere to that one rule very strictly. Preserve the original assets and art style. No goofy looking BS, no crazy spell effects, and absolutely no changes to the gameplay, just more detail. Oblivion is downright ugly without mods, and seriously and genuinely impressive with them. This is why I mod.
As a finishing touch, I have Ambient Occlusion set to Quality in the Nvidia control panel. None of the custom SSAO effects are satisfactory, while the cheap Nvidia effect is subtle enough not to be annoying while having the lowest performance impact. This is a nice addition, and ties everything together that little bit more. Gives the image much more depth.
The following screens were shot today and are 1080p downscaled to 1600 x 900, just right click and view. Was just exploring some ruins, and the sky became overcast, creating this very dynamic, dappled lighting effect. Really caught my eye. This is all done leveraging effects that the engine is already capable of, but the developers chose not to use or couldn't due to performance constraints. A lot of these effects are already being used in unmodded Skyrim though not to this level without yet more mods.
At the top of the hill looking into the sun. Hence the massive lighting difference.
I am seriously having problems enjoying the game currently as I can't stop scrutinizing the virtual world around my character in high detail. This is seriously impressive. Well beyond anything I ever thought possible at the beginning of my modding adventures.
Here's a very similar area but without mods. To give some sort of contrast for what's been changed. Keep in mind weather conditions affect a lot. Still, the unmodded game is super ugly in motion.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4. March 2014 @ 03:10
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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4. March 2014 @ 09:00 |
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Sorry for the double but just wanted to add, Skyrim will be receiving a similar treatment very shortly. I already have the majority of the mods figured out for it, and am currently figuring out the best installation order. It's also a long process of play testing and other stuff before I decide what mods are quality or what can be improved upon.
The goal here is to improve the Gamebryo games to their maximum potential until I can't find anything to improve upon. 99% of what I add to the games is higher res textures, bug fixes, graphical/atmospheric enhancements, fixing broken/unfinished game mechanics etc. I have gone through nearly every single mod on the Skyrim and Oblivion Nexus by hand(some thousands of different mods) and picked only the very best, most bug free, and most seamless to the existing world.
I did have a nearly 100% complete Oblivion save on a very bloated and buggy modded install. It was deleted due to bad luck, so I have decided to re-mod both Oblivion and Skyrim and start fresh with as much polish as possible. I will eventually start my 100% final playthroughs of both games. The nature of the games' save systems means manipulating mods and then saving creates lots of glitches and bloat, so the only proper way to accomplish what I want to do is get my mods perfected, then start a true new game meant for the long haul.
Also, as you can see from the framerates in the screenshots, all of this hardware is still necessary to run a game from 2005. A mixture of the mods and the original game running badly. Skyrim never drops quite as low as Oblivion. Both games can be gotten to a near-Crysis level of visual artistry.
While being the game that largely drew in the casual crowd to Elder Scrolls, Skyrim also gains some major advantages from its popularity. Particularly the much more active modding community, and better tested and supported mods. There are several compilations of the best mods, and compilations of compilations, allowing you to streamline rebuilding the game world.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. March 2014 @ 07:16
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harvardguy
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6. March 2014 @ 23:17 |
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Wow!!
I have a 4.5 hour drive ahead of me tomorrow morning - going up to Santa Maria to visit my brother and his little girl - I missed her 10th birthday last month. Then I'll be back in a few days and work on my corporate taxes, harvard guy inc., a California corporation (tax advantages) requiring taxes to be filed by 3/15, lol.
(DDP, I seriously doubt that they have such a thing as corporations up there in Canada - [the concept is that people share group ownership of a company] - since given the frigid conditions, it's more likely that while people might have group ownership of an igloo, regarding anything else it's probably "Every man for himself!" .... but maybe I'm wrong.)
THEN when I get back, I will take an hour or two and fully digest your two posts, Jeff, and that will probably be the final straw that hooks me into getting Skyrim.
So - back at you guys in about a week!
Rich
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ddp
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7. March 2014 @ 13:16 |
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AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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9. March 2014 @ 22:13 |
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Originally posted by ddp:
harvardguy, we have corporations in canada like air canada, magna international, Maple Leaf Foods, mccains foods & many others. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companies_of_Canada
And Canadian Tire, Tim Hourtons, and Bombardier aren't worth mentioning? Why I remember when the only fast-food burger and fries you could purchase in 1970, Toronto, was Harvey's because there were no Burger King's or McDonald's "pink slime, to be found."
" Please Read!!! Post your questions only in This Thread or they will go unanswered:
Help with development of BD RB: Donations at: http://www.jdobbs.com/. |
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ddp
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9. March 2014 @ 22:24 |
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no a&w around that time or in your area?
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AfterDawn Addict
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9. March 2014 @ 22:54 |
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Originally posted by ddp:
no a&w around that time or in your area?
Can't remember if there was an A&W, but it would seem to me that if they served burger and fries in T.O back then, I would remember it. Dairy Queen however was in Quebec City in 1971 and so was Kentucky Fried Chicken. I was doing a gig at Le Boites a Musique, in Quebec City, which was called Le Temple and I remember them both.
" Please Read!!! Post your questions only in This Thread or they will go unanswered:
Help with development of BD RB: Donations at: http://www.jdobbs.com/. |
AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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10. March 2014 @ 06:57 |
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For the record I only ever go to Hardees if I want a fast food burger. Seems to be higher quality than any other choice, tastes better, but is proportionately more expensive. Amazing burgers though.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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10. March 2014 @ 13:50 |
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Mmmm, there was a Hardees near me in Minnesota. They do make good stuff. Similar to Carls Jr.
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AfterDawn Addict
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10. March 2014 @ 20:37 |
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Carls Jr. is literally a regional name for Hardees. Same food.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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10. March 2014 @ 23:59 |
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Originally posted by Estuansis:
Carls Jr. is literally a regional name for Hardees. Same food.
Ahh, I wondered about that!
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AfterDawn Addict
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11. March 2014 @ 22:03 |
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Nothing like an In-N-Out Burger though. My California son treats me to them when we go out there for a visit, every year or 2.
Life is good!
GrandpaBruce - Vietnam Vet - 1970 - 1971
Computer: Intel Core i7-920 Nehalim;Asus P6T Deluxe V2
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harvardguy
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12. March 2014 @ 21:25 |
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Back from Santa Maria and astounded at all those corporations up there in frigid Canada. What about IgloosRUs, LLC?
Yeah, I heard that In-N-Out is some kind of great, but I had a Rocket burger last week - my LA brother had a Groupon - something with a giant burger and bacon - now THAT was pretty awesome. (The juke box was a nickel a song - the manager said they all worked, but alas we didn't have any nickels.)
Now it's tax time.
I got a note back from my animator close relative, which made me look up turtle rock and blizzard. The former head of turtlerock, Mike Booth, is over at Blizzard putting something together, while his former employees are in the re-incarnated Turtle Rock putting the finishing touches on Evolve. Here is a very interesting interview for anybody who likes CounterStrike, or Left 4 Dead, or Valve, or Gabe Newell.
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/...ck-studios.aspx
Rich
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ddp
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12. March 2014 @ 23:51 |
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harvardguy, IgloosRUs LLC is located in alaska not canada as it is an american owned company.
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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13. March 2014 @ 00:37 |
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I would love to go to one of those burger houses, that fit a name like "Heart Attack Burger" LOL! I guarantee i'm one of those few, that can put away a beast of a burger :p
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harvardguy
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13. March 2014 @ 21:52 |
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Hah, now I know who the ads are targeted to:
EAT LIKE YOU MEAN IT!!
Kevin is here to tell you "Tomb raider nude has nothin on THIS burger!!!"
:P
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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13. March 2014 @ 22:14 |
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Rich, you're a funny guy :p
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14. March 2014 @ 20:27 |
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hey guys whats the best gpu or multi gpu setup for six 17" monitors? single gpu or thought about running 3 nvidia cards separate without sli its not for gaming more server monitoring applications or music production... could even use old cards tbh dx9 or something not bothered about gaming or hd or any of that stuff at all.
edit: something that still runs flash videos tho lol and forgot to mention i have a core 2 quad q9550 and striker 2 extreme with 8 gb ddr3 and two open pci-e slots one of them been filled with a gtx 260
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 14. March 2014 @ 20:50
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