Recent content by AllWhacked

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    keeping old CPU/mobo/ram vs cheapest new CPU/mobo/ram

    I think if you want to upgrade, buy an Intel G3258 + motherboard combo. I've seen them go on sale at NewEgg for as low as $75, but on average around $80-$100. That G3258 at stock or overclocked to 4.2Ghz (can be done on stock cooler and non-Z87/Z97 motherboard) will out perform even an FX-8350...
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    Upgrade Advice

    The Mushkin SSD caddy that Cerb linked should also work and is cheaper. The SilverStone you linked may not work. I can't see the angle, but it looks like the SSD is mounting strait in the middle, which will cause problems with the power connector. The type of memory you get doesn't have to...
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    Upgrade Advice

    I've setup a few of these and here is my opinion: 1) If you plan to upgrade the primary to an SSD, I would suggest getting an IcyDock 2.5" to 3.5" converter. There are cheaper 2.5" to 3.5" brackets, but due to how Dell cut the SATA power cables, they are just long enough to fit standard 3.5"...
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    PS4 GTA 5 + Last of Us Remastered Bundle on Amazon

    The PS4 console by itself typically sells for $400 MSRP, though this holiday season they were selling the stand alone console for as low as $330...
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    [Newegg] [OOS] PowerColor PCS+ AX R9 290 w/4 free games = $209.99 AR

    You get the Civ game with the all three of them. The TigerDirect item page doesn't mention Beyond Earth, but it's here in this promo page http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...ampaignID=3053
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    [Newegg] [OOS] PowerColor PCS+ AX R9 290 w/4 free games = $209.99 AR

    You can't apply promo codes to items that have free gifts (eg. the games) attached to it. Otherwise at $210 for a factory oc'd R9 290, it's not a bad deal. Though the reviews are scary. I ended up getting the Sapphire R9 290 Tri-X when it was $200AR/AC at TigerDirect. Another alternative is...
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    Best Value CPU/MB combo right now

    Sub-$100 range, get a G3258 and overclock it. You could go with an i3, but with a G3258 overclocked to 4.2 or higher with z87/z97 board and aftermarket cooler, it will be about as fast as the fastest i3 at 1/3 to 1/2 the cost. $200 range, get an i5-4590 or i5-4690K for $220 and overclock the...
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    Do you charge for disposal of older PCs?

    You should definitely charge a fee. If they don't like it, they can haul it to the recycler themselves. However, in my area the reyclers and scrap dealers will actually come to my shop to pick it up if I have enough stuff for them to make it worth their while. Also the scrap dealers will pay...
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    Should I get a dedicated sound card?

    The onboard audio does vary, though not by much on motherboards of the same quality. So for example, the Z87/Z97 boards are geared towards gamers, so have better onboard audio than on an entry H81 board. Also, some motherboards will offer features like DTS and others do not. I think only...
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    Computer build, recommendations, what not.

    I would look into either an H97 or Z97 motherboard vs H87. For starters they're around the same price or less. And the H97/Z97 are Broadwell ready whereas we don't know with the 87 series. For recommendations, you can get the ASRock H97M Anniversary for $60AR -...
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    Should I get a dedicated sound card?

    I forgot what the technical details were, but there is a video on youtube by TekSyndicate that explains that the onboard sound provided by your motherboard is usually just as good as those on a dedicated soundcard. This is especially the case if you're using the optical port. Video Link -...
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    Date and time keep changing on laptop?

    Check to see if your computer is set for the correct time zone. If this is the case, then whenever your computer syncs with the NTP server, it will revert back to that region's correct time.
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    New I5 Build

    Before going to Staples, check whom Staples will pricematch. In the past I've gotten their online chat to pricematch MicroCenter despite not having a Microcenter anywhere near me as well as Frys, despite Frys not having the item in stock. Almost a year ago picked up an i7-4770K for $200 (wish...
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    Z97 vs Z87 for overclocking. Any difference?

    Thanks, I'll just have to make the effort to test both boards and see for myself then. Knowing my luck they'll overclock the same.
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    Z97 vs Z87 for overclocking. Any difference?

    I have an ASRock z87 Extreme4 w/ an i7-4770K overclocked to 4.2GHz at 1.23v. I just bought the MSI Z97-G55 from NewEgg because it's currently $79AR and I needed it to build an office computer. I'll be pairing it up with a Pentium G3258 and then overclocking it. So my question is, does anyone...