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The (new) Official PC building thread!
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Senior Member
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14. August 2007 @ 22:01 |
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OK. My friend on another board told me oughta get two 8800 GTX GPUs and have them both at SLI mode. Is that a good idea?
Also, which is better, GTX or GTS?
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6spdSER
Junior Member
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14. August 2007 @ 22:02 |
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@mphsbelle
Replacing a Hard Drive in a laptop is generally pretty simple. On most newer laptops, there are panels on the bottom of the computer in which memory, network cards, modems, and hard drives are tucked away. On some occasions they are accessed from the side of the laptop. Also there are no separate power cables for laptop drives either, they are "built-in" to the ribbon cable, well at least the non-SATA drives that I've changed out anyways. Just remove the old, and replace with the new. Have your operating CD and a CD of all the drivers for your laptop..and you should be good to go.
As for your DSL modem is it not working or is the wireless signal just weak? If your are talking about the wireless portion of it then the modem part of it should be fine..I'm guessing you went with the upgrade 2wire modem/router thing...it is fine as a modem but lacks in signal strength for the wireless signal. If this is indeed the case...you may be better off getting a separate wi-fi router (ie. Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, etc.) to handle the wireless needs you have for your two story home.
Cheers!
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AfterDawn Addict
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14. August 2007 @ 22:22 |
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mphsbelle,
If it's a weak signal you can get higher gain antennas as well. they aren't very expensive. Tigerdirect has a sale going on with Netgear re-certified routers for cheap. 108Mbps!
I bought one of these:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...1&Sku=N100-1499
And one of these that plugs in the usb. Works great!
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...4962&CatId=2688
4 wired ports as well. Warranty is only 30 days but it's a lot cheaper than a brand new one. If I'm working on a computer I just plug it in and run it from anywhere in the house! I don't have to load ISP software as my ISP address is already in the router!
Clock On,
theone :>}
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
 This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. August 2007 @ 00:57
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Senior Member
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15. August 2007 @ 00:54 |
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theonjrs.
thats what i do :D i love it.
Thanks ireland!![afterdawn legend]
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AfterDawn Addict
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15. August 2007 @ 01:03 |
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billybob,
Quote:
thats what i do :D i love it.
Sure makes working on computers a lot easier. Before I used to have to install my ISP software and then take it out again when I was done. Pain in the butt! Now I just either plug in a lan cable or plug the wireless in and it's up and running! Simple and fast!
BTW, I guessed you were a pipe man! LOL!!
Best Regards,
theone :>)
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
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Senior Member
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15. August 2007 @ 01:43 |
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Quote:
BTW, I guessed you were a pipe man! LOL!!
HAHA!
Is that a bad thing?
Thanks ireland!![afterdawn legend]
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AfterDawn Addict
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15. August 2007 @ 01:46 |
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billybob,
Quote:
Is that a bad thing?
Not from my side of the fence! LOL!!
Roll On,
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
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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15. August 2007 @ 02:15 |
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OmriSama: Only if you're rich, two 8800GTXs is about $1000 just for the graphics cards, and you need a decent power supply for them, so that makes it up to $1200 just for two parts of the system.
GTX is better than GTS.
mphsbelle: Replacing a hard drive is one of the simplest things to do in a laptop, the only difficult bit is working out which panel you have to take off!
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Senior Member
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15. August 2007 @ 02:33 |
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So a single GTX costs 500 bucks?
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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15. August 2007 @ 02:39 |
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Yep. That's the cheapest one too.
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Senior Member
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15. August 2007 @ 08:18 |
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Oh man... but the GTX is improved by alot from the GTS?
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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15. August 2007 @ 08:23 |
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Yes, a lot. In Oblivion at 1920x1200, with all settings turned up to maximum outside, the 8800GTS gets 21fps, whereas the 8800GTX gets 29fps. That's probably the difference between playable and unplayable for a lot of people.
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Senior Member
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15. August 2007 @ 10:04 |
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Well... i always put my games on 640x480 resolution so they'll work fast, but if Oblivion runs in 29 fps at that resoulution... damn, this is gonna be great. Finally having a computer that actually runs good games :P
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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15. August 2007 @ 11:00 |
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For that cost I should hope so!
I can't believe you live with 640x480 resolution...
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6spdSER
Junior Member
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16. August 2007 @ 06:43 |
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@Omrisama
You are definitely missing out gaming only at 640x480 but if you continue to do so, even with your new setup...you should just forget about getting a pair of GTX', even one would be overkill. Stick with a 7950 or 8800 GTS, this way you can save a ton of money and/or spend it on other parts for your setup.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 16. August 2007 @ 06:51
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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16. August 2007 @ 06:45 |
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Indeed, I used to play some games at 1920x1200 on the graphics card before the one I have now.
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Senior Member
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16. August 2007 @ 06:50 |
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Lol, i have to put Halo: Combat Evolved on Low Textures, and turn off many settings + put it on 640x480 to get it work fast. It also works with all the settings on plus highest resolution but it works slow.
Question, what if i get 2 GTSs and SLI them? Will that be good?
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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16. August 2007 @ 06:55 |
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Two 8800GTSs in SLI I thinkk are overkill. Are you underestimating their performance?
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6spdSER
Junior Member
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16. August 2007 @ 07:02 |
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Like Sam said it would still be overkill. If you plan to turn up the resolution, let's say 1600x1200 then you'd be getting better use out of them...but if you plan on staying with 640x480 it's truly wasting money. As Sam pointed out Oblivion @ 1920x1200 with a GTS is 21FPS and GTX 29FPS. And that is with everything on...turn a few details to medium and you can easily attain 30FPS on a GTS @ 1920x1200.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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16. August 2007 @ 07:07 |
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My graphics card is not even as powerful as a GTS, but turn a couple of settings off, and I got over 40fps at 2560x1600.
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Senior Member
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16. August 2007 @ 07:16 |
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Hmm... ok maybe 1 GTS is enough. I don't think the monitor i'm gonna get will be that big... but what if i end up getting to connect my PC to a TV? oh lol.
Still, if games will run sleek in 1024x768 (which is the maximum resolution of my notebook) it'll be fine.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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16. August 2007 @ 07:22 |
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There's nothing now, or in the near future I wager, that an 8800GTS can't handle at 1024x768. At that resolution, even my card can run every game at max.
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Senior Member
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21. August 2007 @ 02:00 |
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Has anyone used these fans...Impressive specs...
http://www.svc.com/silenx-brand.html
120x38mm Standard
SilenX IXP-76-18 Ixtrema Pro 120mm x 38mm 18dBA 90CFM Fan Sale Price $23.95
SilenX IXP-76-14 Ixtrema Pro 120mm x 38mm 14dBA 72CFM Fan Sale Price $24.95
Or these
120x25mm Standard
SilenX IXP-74-11 Ixtrema Pro 120mm x 25mm 11dBA 46CFM Fan Sale Price $23.95
SilenX IXP-74-14 Ixtrema Pro 120mm x 25mm 14dBA 72CFM Fan Sale Price $22.95
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AfterDawn Addict
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21. August 2007 @ 03:06 |
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LP531,
I haven't used them but I have read that they are not very honest about how much noise they make! Several members here and on another forum I belong to advised me against them! It's the main reason I tried the Silverstone FM-121 instead! Running the FM-121 at 1400 rpm moves about 70 cfm of air and is very quiet doing it. It has a maximum at 2500 rpm of 110 cfm, but very noisy at that speed. They are also cheaper than the Silenex, have their own speed control and have gotten a bit quieter with use. They are dual ball bearing and take a bit of working in to get the bearings seated properly. I now have that one and an FM-83 80mm side fan, blowing out at 1300 rpm. Fast enough to move about 27.5 cfm. Between the 100 or so cfm of the two Silverstones, plus the air flow of the power supply, balanced against the lower cfm of the front case fan allows the air vents in the case to draw lots of air, keeping the video card cool and with the 80mm pulling hot air off of the top of my Freezer 7 Pro, I get extremely cool temperatures for both the CPU and the MB! If you have a side vent in your case in front of the video card, you can't go wrong with this pair. Much quieter than the Thermaltake Thunderblade I tried in the old case! The supplied controllers keep the rpms nice and steady and the electronics are built into the fan so that all there is to the control is a tiny potentiometer.
Most of the complaints I've read about the Silenex fans has been to do with them wearing out fast. Not surprising considering their "Fluid Dynamic Bearings", or more correctly bushings. Not surprising as friction of the turning shaft generates heat which liberates the lubricant out of the "bushing" to the shaft where it lubricates the motor. I prefer the longer life span of dual ball bearings, and the lack of surge you can only get with dual ball bearing motors.
Here's a link to my posted temps.
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/18/81431
I'm running an E4300 at 3.2GHz with GSkill Cas 4 DDR2800 memory overclocked to 890MHz. My video card is an XFX 7600GT overclocked from 570/1450 to 650 core and 1600 memory. My encode temps with DVDRB/CCE are in the mid 40s!
Clock On,
theone :>}
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
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 21. August 2007 @ 04:55
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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21. August 2007 @ 04:55 |
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The specs are impressive, but they're wrong, so who cares?
If you're after a good airflow to noise ratio, the Scythe S-Flex fans seem to be the ones to go with. Assuming you have a steel case, most fans will do, but in lightweight or cheap cases, you'll need something that doesn't vibrate much, and the Silverstones aren't so good there.
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