Recent content by Smoolean

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    Best Modern GPU to Pair with i5 2500 (not 2500k) Without Severe Bottlenecking

    Hello everyone, Back in 2011 I built (with your help) a modest budget gaming rig. I don't play enough to warrant a completely new build in 2015, but I'm wondering if swapping in a new graphics card could help breathe a bit of new life into the system. I'd like be able to play GTA V at the...
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    Black Screen after Windows Updates (Intel Display Driver, other various 8.1 updates)

    I wish I had a Windows install disk, but the laptop only came with a "recovery" partition instead. I solved the issue - if anyone ever finds this post via searches during a similar problem here's how I fixed it: Push F11 during boot up - which opens some sort of recovery screen. Towards...
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    Black Screen after Windows Updates (Intel Display Driver, other various 8.1 updates)

    I'm running a new HP Laptop. I had updated from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 without any problems. Tonight I ran Windows Updates and there were several "recommended for 8.1" updates as well as an "Intel Display Driver" update. After letting the updates download and install the computer cannot...
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    Suggestions for a 2 channel receiver and mid-hight quality floorstanding speakers?

    @slashbinslashbash - thank you so much for the wealth of information. Also thanks for the insight on the Polk vs Klipsch sound signature differences. Based on the details you mentioned I definitely agree that I would prefer Polk. Like you mentioned, wattage is a very misunderstood concept but...
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    Suggestions for a 2 channel receiver and mid-hight quality floorstanding speakers?

    Hello everyone, I *think* I'm in the market for two floorstanding speakers and a simple 2 channel stereo receiver. I believe I want a traditional setup - I don't need a sub. I mention that I "think" that's what I'm in the market for - but I'm not quite sure. I'll describe my situation and...
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    Help Building an Affordable, CPU oriented "Minecraft" Box

    Hello everyone, I'm looking to build a computer for a friend of mine. Here are her primary concerns: She wants it to be fast enough to play Minecraft (a Java game) at a high level :) We know this isn't exactly the most demanding task for computers in the year 2013, but we thought it...
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    Recommend an LCD or LED with excellent vertical tilt options?

    Hi everyone, I'm looking for 18-21.5" monitor that has the capability to tilt vertically. Currently I'm using an L-desk, and one half of the L has a raised surface that I would like to set a reasonably lightweight monitor on. Since it is a bit raised I would like a monitor that can tilt...
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    Help Me Choose Parts for a "Grandma" Low Performance Rig

    Thanks trexpesto!! Definitely looks like there are some great Dell deals to be had - I'll keep an eye out on the links you included. I doubt she would ever even burn a CD, but I would feel a lot more comfortable if the computer at least had the ability to burn a quick CD. Otherwise I would...
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    Help Me Choose Parts for a "Grandma" Low Performance Rig

    Hello everyone, I've only put together one computer in the past (for myself, a i5 2500, HD 6850 rig) and I'm now interested in putting together a computer for a friend's grandmother. This would be extremely low budget - she wouldn't be doing much aside from opening Firefox and OpenOffice...
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    HD 6850 Black Screen - Windows+D Always Fixes It

    Wow, now that is weird! My system is still a newborn, hopefully nothing like that surfaces :) Good point, I went ahead and updated the drivers. Even if "the issue" still exists I probably won't experience it for a month or so :) I do know that in the latest ATI drivers there was a fix...
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    HD 6850 Black Screen - Windows+D Always Fixes It

    Hi everyone, I have an odd situation. From time to time, my screen will go black, and Windows+D to hide the "trigger" app always fixes the issue immediately. I'm running on a rig I built a few months ago. i5, HD 6850, Windows 7 64-bit, etc... I am overjoyed with the performance of this...
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    Semi-Final Build, Feedback Time - First Time Builder - i5 2500k -(StarCraft 2 rig)

    The monitor is indeed 1920x1200, but the issue has gone away. Not sure if Windows Updates might have solved the issue... but I can run apps and games at the native resolution now with zero problems. My temperatures seem very reasonable with just stock cooling - I am pleasantly surprised...
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    Semi-Final Build, Feedback Time - First Time Builder - i5 2500k -(StarCraft 2 rig)

    Thanks guys! I went with HWMonitor for now, but will try the others soon. Termie, thanks for putting numbers into context for me :). All of my numbers check out, CPU is 1.00v. The temps for the cores are 29, 31, 27, 27C. The GPU is .95v, temp is 35C. I wasn't able to find "Load...
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    Semi-Final Build, Feedback Time - First Time Builder - i5 2500k -(StarCraft 2 rig)

    Well thanks to everyone who helped me in this thread - I've assembled my first PC :). I ran it for a few hours last night, installed Win7, motherboard drivers, GPU drivers, Windows updates, etc... and during those few hours nothing blew up, so for the moment I will say that it was a successful...
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    Semi-Final Build, Feedback Time - First Time Builder - i5 2500k -(StarCraft 2 rig)

    Thanks for all of the help mfenn, mnewsham, and everyone else! So I went with the 2500 (since I won't be overclocking). My parts should all be here within the next few days. Here are three more first-time-builder-questions :) 1. Does anyone know if the i5 2500 will come with the heat sink...