The Official PC building thread - 4th Edition [page 66/301]

AfterDawn Addict

31. March 2011 @ 21:52

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Originally posted by sammorris:
http://www.coolermaster.nl/shop/ - Where I went, after CM ignored all my support requests.
When burning as an actual DVD, 178 minutes is going to be too long for a standard DVD5, you should definitely be using dual layers for that. I haven't used real DVDs for a very long time, so I can't give much personal experience, but I wouldn't really expect 140 mins to turn out that great either, the standard bitrate allows for up to 120 minutes at respectable quality.

Sam,

Rick taught me how to do torrents about a year and a half ago. The majority of the first 9 months was spent on experimenting with different software, and experimenting using them with all the various settings. Quality HD 16:9 1080p converted to a DVD 5, is not a problem. My original Avatar, 1080p runs 141 minutes, and looks fabulous! Not quite as good as BD, but far superior to watching a commercial DVD! The Extended version at 178 minutes looks like crap!

Please don't argue with me about the way I do certain things, because all I can say is it all works perfectly, and gives me much better video quality than the commercial DVD. The single most important thing is to uncompress the video! Believe me, it makes a huge difference in picture quality, with the final DVD 5!

I start with the download, usually 1080p and a file size about 4GB, if it's available. I prefer files that are MP4, TS, or Avi, and I try to stay away from R5s and MKVs, as I often get sound issues with them. The first thing I do is process the file with the proper Muxer. Then I rip the files with ConvertX 4 to a DVD9, uncompressing the files. ConvertX 4 can process HD content extremely well. This transcode's a high definition source, to loss-less DVD 9 compliancy. I run the resulting files through DVDRB/CCE 2 pass, and the results are generally spectacular! If they aren't, I plan on burning the ConvertX files to DL, as they are usually under 8.2GB.

Perfect, no! But light years better than DVD quality, and look awesome on the new monitor. I continue to use the same software, because it works and works well. I spent many hundreds of hours learning all of this, and I can generally start with the downloaded files, and have a burnable file in under an hour!

Best Regards,
Russ

GigaByte 990FXA-UD5 - AMD FX-8320 @4.0GHz @1.312v - Corsair H-60 liquid CPU Cooler - 4x4 GB GSkill RipJaws DDR3/1866 Cas8, 8-9-9-24 - Corsair 400-R Case - OCZ FATAL1TY 550 watt Modular PSU - Intel 330 120GB SATA III SSD - WD Black 500GB SATA III - WD black 1 TB Sata III - WD Black 500GB SATA II - 2 Asus DRW-24B1ST DVD-Burner - Sony 420W 5.1 PL-II Suround Sound - GigaByte GTX550/1GB 970 Mhz Video - Asus VE247H 23.6" HDMI 1080p Monitor

AfterDawn Addict

31. March 2011 @ 22:56

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I'm thinking about purchasing a new PSU. My 3.3v has been fading from a high of 3.297v when I first got it all the way down to 3.216v, and occasionally I have to completely power it down with the PSU switch to get the computer running. Anyone care to comment on this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL033111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL033111-_-EMC-033111-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17341022-L0E

I can get it for a total cost of $44.67, between the $10 Promo Code and the $20 MIR. It's modular and 80% certified, with Active PFC. It has two 25A +12v rails. Should work pretty good with my 6 Core!

Russ

Deadrum33

Senior Member

31. March 2011 @ 23:34

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Originally posted by theonejrs:
I'm thinking about purchasing a new PSU. My 3.3v has been fading from a high of 3.297v when I first got it all the way down to 3.216v, and occasionally I have to completely power it down with the PSU switch to get the computer running. Anyone care to comment on this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL033111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL033111-_-EMC-033111-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17341022-L0E

I can get it for a total cost of $44.67, between the $10 Promo Code and the $20 MIR. It's modular and 80% certified, with Active PFC. It has two 25A +12v rails. Should work pretty good with my 6 Core!

Russ

As long as you dont re-wire your case every week you should be fine. While lurking on OCZ forums for SSD info i read complaints of the modular connectors not being of high quality. Stable PSU, If you are going to set it and forget it you should be fine. I dont have 1st hand knowledge though so i nominate you guinea pig!
Anyway, i didnt think and old fart like you would like the light show LOL! I tease because i prefer blue...

http://www.youtube.com/user/maniacdrums/videos

AfterDawn Addict

1. April 2011 @ 00:05

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Originally posted by Deadrum33:

Originally posted by theonejrs:
I'm thinking about purchasing a new PSU. My 3.3v has been fading from a high of 3.297v when I first got it all the way down to 3.216v, and occasionally I have to completely power it down with the PSU switch to get the computer running. Anyone care to comment on this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL033111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL033111-_-EMC-033111-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17341022-L0E

I can get it for a total cost of $44.67, between the $10 Promo Code and the $20 MIR. It's modular and 80% certified, with Active PFC. It has two 25A +12v rails. Should work pretty good with my 6 Core!

Russ
As long as you dont re-wire your case every week you should be fine. While lurking on OCZ forums for SSD info i read complaints of the modular connectors not being of high quality. Stable PSU, If you are going to set it and forget it you should be fine. I dont have 1st hand knowledge though so i nominate you guinea pig!
Anyway, i didnt think and old fart like you would like the light show LOL! I tease because i prefer blue...

Deadrum33,

If you use an anti corrosive paste, like they use in connecting automobile wiring harnesses, the connections should last a lifetime! It prevents air and moisture from causing corrosion, which causes a high resistance connection, and heat.

Thanks,
Russ

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 1. April 2011 @ 00:07

Deadrum33

Senior Member

1. April 2011 @ 01:49

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Originally posted by theonejrs:
Deadrum33,

If you use an anti corrosive paste, like they use in connecting automobile wiring harnesses, the connections should last a lifetime! It prevents air and moisture from causing corrosion, which causes a high resistance connection, and heat.

Thanks,
Russ

I agree about the paste, but if i recall correctly the issues weren't with the harness but the female end not being set in it or crimped in place properly and the male pins pushing them away instead of mating.

http://www.youtube.com/user/maniacdrums/videos

AfterDawn Addict

1. April 2011 @ 01:57

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Originally posted by Deadrum33:

Originally posted by theonejrs:
Deadrum33,

If you use an anti corrosive paste, like they use in connecting automobile wiring harnesses, the connections should last a lifetime! It prevents air and moisture from causing corrosion, which causes a high resistance connection, and heat.

Thanks,
Russ
I agree about the paste, but if i recall correctly the issues weren't with the harness but the female end not being set in it or crimped in place properly and the male pins pushing them away instead of mating.

Deadrum33,

I spoke to OCZ about that today, and some of the flat tabs that lock the female connector in place were not spread far enough, and would push back into the socket. They say that the problem has already been corrected! I'll check mine before I install it, and I have a special tool that will fix the problem if any of them are that way.

Russ

Estuansis

AfterDawn Addict

15 product reviews

1. April 2011 @ 05:09

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Personally OCZ is not a recommended brand. Would have said get a 380W Antec Earthwatts :P

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

sammorris

AfterDawn Addict

4 product reviews

1. April 2011 @ 06:29

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Go for one of these. The reviews speak for themselves:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13

AfterDawn Addict

1. April 2011 @ 08:15

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Originally posted by sammorris:
Go for one of these. The reviews speak for themselves:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

Sam,

I'm not a very big Antec fan, plus I plan to upgrade my video card to a GTX460 SE, which I can now get for $139, so 380w is not going to cover it! That, and I need 2 6 pin plugs for the GTX460, and the Antec 380w only comes with 1. I'll probably get the OCZ 550.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130591

I also plan to rebuild the GameStream 700 and keep it as a spare.

Thanks,
Russ

sammorris

AfterDawn Addict

4 product reviews

1. April 2011 @ 09:35

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I don't really understand why you'd get the GTX460SE. It's very slow, and overpriced, and it uses an enormous amount of power compared to its competitors. If you want to stick with a geforce get a GTX550Ti, they're similarly powerful, and much more efficient.

I would actually go as far as saying the 380W Antec earthwatts is a better unit than the 550W OCZ, even including its power abilities. The 380W Earthwatts I have is a stellar unit.

Also, ftr, a 380W PSU would easily handle the power hog that is the GTX460SE. Even with an overclocked quad core, you could actually run an overclocked proper GTX460 1GB off a 380W unit. Would I recommend it? No, but it would definitely work. 380W is more power than most people realise.

Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 1. April 2011 @ 09:37

sammorris

AfterDawn Addict

4 product reviews

1. April 2011 @ 18:13

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The OCZ's 120mm will actually be louder than the 80mm in the Antec, because OCZ are well known for very poor fan speed control, whereas the antec earthwatts units, certainly the older ones, controlled them well. I share your concern over 80mm units, but in this case, the Antec is the better unit in every way. Take the unit apart and there's nothing old-fashioned underneath.

Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13

AfterDawn Addict

1. April 2011 @ 18:13

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Originally posted by sammorris:
I don't really understand why you'd get the GTX460SE. It's very slow, and overpriced, and it uses an enormous amount of power compared to its competitors. If you want to stick with a geforce get a GTX550Ti, they're similarly powerful, and much more efficient.

I would actually go as far as saying the 380W Antec earthwatts is a better unit than the 550W OCZ, even including its power abilities. The 380W Earthwatts I have is a stellar unit.

Also, ftr, a 380W PSU would easily handle the power hog that is the GTX460SE. Even with an overclocked quad core, you could actually run an overclocked proper GTX460 1GB off a 380W unit. Would I recommend it? No, but it would definitely work. 380W is more power than most people realise.

Sam,

It's funny, the GTX550Ti was my first choice. I thought that the GTX560SE would be the better card at only $10 more, but I stand corrected, so the GTX550Ti is what I'll go for!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625

I don't know that much about video cards, and quite frankly I've been more lucky than smart in my video card choices over the last 5 years or more. It only cost me $88 for my last two video cards combined. The MSI 9500GT lost the video anomaly with the change of monitor, and the XFX HD4670 turned out to be a great card for the Bucks!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150449&cm_re=hd_4670_1gb_ddr3-_-14-150-449-_-Product

As far as the Antec 380w goes, I don't like the old fashioned design, and the noise of an 80mm fan in my heat environment, is out of the question. I would much prefer the slower turning quieter 135mm fan on the OCZ. I also like the semi-modular design a lot better, and some dielectric paste will solve any possible issue of plug failure, by eliminating oxidation. I really don't want to go below 500w anyway. I like the idea of having 2 12v 25A rails rather than 1 15A and 1 17A, and it easily handles a 500W plus load, while maintaining nominal voltages (+ or - 1%).

Eventually my 1090T will be our HDTV because the present 27" CRT set is slowly dying. We like this monitor, as it fits the space and isn't so large that you have to be too far back from it. It's got an LED backlight, and run's far cooler and consumes less power than a CFL screen. At only 13.33 Lbs, it's much lighter too!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236103

Add an HD TV tuner, and we are in business!

Best Regards,
Russ

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 1. April 2011 @ 18:20

AfterDawn Addict

7 product reviews

1. April 2011 @ 20:07

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Well...so much for my Push pull configuration on my cool it radiator. I was blowing out the machine, and Blocked the fan blades with a metallic item. Apparently there was enough space/momentum to spin the blades fast enough to snap one off. My scythe 1200Rpm just bit it hard. I loved that fan :( Gonna have to get another now.

And my new Sata/eSATA/IDE card isn't working. Yet! I reversed the pins on the card, since apparently default is for internal. So logically, reversing them would enable both eSATA ports. So far windows 7 does not recognize my Sata Dock. Gonna have to do some digging.

To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question!

Estuansis

AfterDawn Addict

15 product reviews

1. April 2011 @ 20:09

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Yeah totally loving my dual fan setup. Cooling has never been so redundant and worry free :P

AfterDawn Addict

1. April 2011 @ 20:17

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Originally posted by Estuansis:
Yeah totally loving my dual fan setup. Cooling has never been so redundant and worry free :P

Estuansis,

I've yet to clean mine, since it was first installed. It still looks perfectly clean!

Russ

Mr-Movies

Senior Member

1. April 2011 @ 20:18

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Russ, your better off with the ATI cards over Nvidia's. Before AMD took over ATI Nvidia was the way to go but these days not only are ATI's better but they tend to be cheaper too. I use to buy Nvidia only now it is just the opposite.

AfterDawn Addict

7 product reviews

1. April 2011 @ 20:26

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Disregard my last post. I'm an idiot LOL! I assumed windows 7 (in it's infinite wisdom), would automatically acknowledge and install the appropriate drivers. Nope. Had to do that with the included driver cd. Yup, I'm a fool LOL! Nah, I got so used to windows 7 just taking care of most things. :p

To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question!

AfterDawn Addict

1. April 2011 @ 20:42

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Originally posted by Mr-Movies:
Russ, your better off with the ATI cards over Nvidia's. Before AMD took over ATI Nvidia was the way to go but these days not only are ATI's better but they tend to be cheaper too. I use to buy Nvidia only now it is just the opposite.

Mr-Movies,

I've been an nVidia fan for many years. I haven't had the best luck with Ati. I also need an nVidia card for my company's AutoCad custom software. It requires Cuda! I have an XFX HD4670 1GB DDR3 card for Oxi, and it's a great card! My last Ati card before the HD was an 800GTS that essentially became an 800GT, by enabling all the piplines. I always wind up with driver headaches with Ati cards, never happens with nVidia cards.

Best Regards,
Russ

AfterDawn Addict

7 product reviews

1. April 2011 @ 20:47

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Yah well, in my opinion, Ati integrated has my vote. I've had/seen too many failures on the Nvidia integrated boards. I say this with respect, believe me. I love the hell out of my GTX 260. :D

Oh man! I'm loving my eSATA ports! I just averaged over 100MB/second on my transfer from Wanda(2TB) to Yolanda(1TB) :P I'll be watching some videos from the dock tonight, to see if the problem comes back. But I firmly believe it was the HAF932's issue that introduced the problem.

To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question!

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 1. April 2011 @ 20:54

Mr-Movies

Senior Member

1. April 2011 @ 20:59

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Again I use to breath Nvidia but ATI is hands down better and I've not had problems with all the pipes loaded plus you get way more to load with ATI. Now if you need a ProE/AutoCAD workstation card then you are limited of course just like if you have a MAC.

AfterDawn Addict

1. April 2011 @ 23:54

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Originally posted by omegaman7:
Yah well, in my opinion, Ati integrated has my vote. I've had/seen too many failures on the Nvidia integrated boards. I say this with respect, believe me. I love the hell out of my GTX 260. :D

Oh man! I'm loving my eSATA ports! I just averaged over 100MB/second on my transfer from Wanda(2TB) to Yolanda(1TB) :P I'll be watching some videos from the dock tonight, to see if the problem comes back. But I firmly believe it was the HAF932's issue that introduced the problem.

Oman7,

I agree 100% on the Ati integrated. For one, you don't lose memory resources when you switch to a dedicated video card like you do with the nVidia chipset, and when you turn it off, it's completely off! I know I'll be looking forward to a GTX550 Ti, hopefully in the not too distant future.

I'm very glad to hear that the eSata card worked out for you! I went ahead and ordered the OCZ550FTY 550w PSU. I read all of the reviews I could find, and only came up with one negative one, and the guy who wrote the review made it obvious that he had an axe to grind with OCZ!

Best Regards,
Russ

AfterDawn Addict

7 product reviews

2. April 2011 @ 00:34

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Yah, the card is working wonderfully so far. I've streamed over an hour of video, no hiccups. Definitely have a problem with the front HAF932 port.

I hope the new PSU solves your problem ;)

To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question!

AfterDawn Addict

2. April 2011 @ 01:39

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Originally posted by omegaman7:
Yah, the card is working wonderfully so far. I've streamed over an hour of video, no hiccups. Definitely have a problem with the front HAF932 port.

I hope the new PSU solves your problem ;)

Oman7,

I'm sure it will. I think there is a couple of Caps slowly going bad in it, or a VRM is going bad. I'm going to fix it and keep it as a spare. I can get everything I need locally, so it should be fairly easy to repair. Nothing lasts forever! LOL!! I don't think there is anything seriously wrong with it though. Oddly enough the biggest complaint about the 550 is that the Power and CPU plugs aren't modular. My attitude is why make them modular? It's not like it's an option not to use them, so what's the point of having to provide another cable and socket. I personally think it was a smart idea on OCZ's part to make it that way!

Russ

AfterDawn Addict

7 product reviews

2. April 2011 @ 02:42

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Pays to be a handy man. I know all about that ;)

I'm really appreciating the HAF932 now. My external drive via the sata dock is running over 13C hotter than my internal drives. Man that HAF932 is impressive!