Search results

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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'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?

    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

    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

    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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    H61 Motherboard and Sandy Bridge with Windows XP SP3?

    Hello all, I recently ordered parts for a computer with the belief I had access to a legal copy of Windows 7 through my work. This plan has fallen apart, so I have a few questions regarding versions of Windows. I already have Windows XP SP3 I can place on my new build, but I'm not sure if...
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    Recommend any old/bargain games for first time Builder looking to get into PC Gaming?

    So this may sound like an odd request... let me explain. So I've never had a good enough computer to play many games before (except a few early Command and Conquers and Starcraft). I recently ordered the parts for a i5 2500 / HD 6850 rig, and I'd like to find games that are a few years old...
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    Smart Backup to External Hard Drive Software?

    Hi guys, If this question is super obvious, I'm sorry, I'm coming from the Mac world, so I'm not very familiar with all of the tools available for Windows. Essentially, I'm looking for a way to keep a few folders on my computer synced to my external hard drive. I don't always leave my...
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    Wise PSU Choice for i5 / HD 6850 Build?

    Hi all, I'm putting the final touches on my build before I order the parts, and I'm trying to decide on a power supply. Initially I had picked the Corsair 430CX ($51 - including shipping) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9017&Tpk=430cx The reason I think I might need something else...
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    Antec Three Hundred - Quick "Room" Question

    Hi everyone, I'm going to be building my first computer, and am very close to ordering the parts. I've read in several reviews of a few GPU's that "they are quite large, make sure it will fit in your case." New Egg says that the maximum GPU size for the Three Hundred is 11 inches. 1. Will...
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    Best Bang For Buck GPU for new 2500k StarCraft 2 Rig?

    Hi All, I'm a first time builder with very little knowledge of video cards, so I thought I would seek your opinion on this matter :). I'm attempting to create an affordable StarCraft 2 rig. I've decided to go the i5 2500k / P67 route. I've had the GTX 460 recommended in random, dark, scary...
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    Recommend a Motherboard for i3 Sandy Bridge?

    Hi all, I'm looking to build my first computer, so my knowledge is really lacking, and I could use some help choosing a motherboard. I'm debating between an i3 Sandy Bridge and the i5 2500k. The motherboard I was recommended for the i5 is $135...
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    Semi-Final Build, Feedback Time - First Time Builder - i5 2500k -(StarCraft 2 rig)

    Hi everyone, You may have seen a few threads from me before, but I'm finally ready to go through with this now :) I'm looking to build a computer to play StarCraft 2 on maximum settings, so please correct any horrible hardware choices I made. I've included my likely flawed logic behind each...
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    Looking to build my first computer - Starcraft 2 Rig

    Hi all, I'm looking to build my first computer. I'm not very knowledgeable but I'll try to include all of the necessary information. 1. I'll be using the computer to play Starcraft 2. 2. My budget is... let's just say the most cost effective way to play SC2 at medium/high settings would be...
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    Help Me Convert a 2007 HP Desktop into a StarCraft 2 Machine?

    Hello all, I recently bought and installed StarCraft 2 on my 13" MacBook Pro (no dedicated graphics). I can play the game on low settings, but I really want to get the full experience. I have a 3-4 year old HP desktop sitting here that I don't use that often anymore. I'd like to sink a...
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    Which Netbook (brand, etc...) is the Easiest to Install Either XP or Ubuntu on?

    Hello, I'm in the market for a netbook. However, my friend recently purchased an HP netbook with Windows 7 Starter edition and we were both very disappointed by the lack of settings, etc... I would prefer to install XP (or Ubuntu if necessary) on a netbook, but I've heard horror stories...
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    How to Perform Full System Recovery Without Disks? (Utilizing Recovery Partition)

    I've had my Vista PC (HP Pavilion a1730N) for around 3-4 years (have had it since Vista first came out) and it feels about time to reformat (boot up time keeps slowly increasing). The only problem is HP didn't provide any recovery disks. However, there is a Recovery Partition, 6.25GB, which...
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    What's More Powerful - GeForce 9400M on Mac Mini or GeForce 6150 LE on an HP Desktop

    I'm assuming the answer is obvious; the Mac Mini's GeForce 9400M is more powerful? But I know virtually nothing about graphics cards / gaming rigs, so I thought I'd ask the knowledgeable users here. Perhaps there are other variables that would surprise me. For playing older games like World...
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    Is it possible to connect Classic Composite (RCA) cables to a Modern Display?

    Hi everyone, I'm curious if there is anyway to connect classic game consoles (or old home video equipment) or basically any device which uses composite RCA (haha, or as I call them, yellow-white-red) cables to a modern display that only has inputs for HDMI, Component RGB, VGA and DVI. I...
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    PLEASE HELP - Vista Explorer Problems

    Hello everyone, I was attempting to have Internet Explorer 7 run alongside my Internet Explorer 8 (as I code webpages and need to see how layouts look in both). I came across this IE7 Standalone installer and gave it a try. http://tredosoft.com/IE7_standalone?page=1 Well, it didn't...
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    Best Video Card for a Rig with Stock Power Supply?

    Hello everyone, I will surely get flamed for this topic, but it's an honest question, and I really wouldn't know where else to begin. I tried various searches with Google, but didn't find what I was looking for. I've got a Vista HP rig from 2007. It's dual 2.4ghz AMD, 2GB RAM, with...
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    Vista Question (Tab + Alt Window Switch)

    Hi everyone! I have one question specific to Windows Vista, and one general to all Windows versions. 1) When I push tab+alt on the keyboard I get the retro Window Switcher. When I click the link in the Quick Launch bar I get the new Vista version. Can I change it so tab+alt uses the new...
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    Removing items from right click menu?

    Hi everyone, First off, before I get flamed for asking a question this general, let it be known that I tried searching both these forums and Google, and didn't have any luck. Ok so, if uninstalling an application doesn't remove the options that it added to your systems right click menu, is...
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    Vista Question: Direct System Audio Recording

    In Windows XP, I used to be able to Open CoolEdit and record whatever sound was being played through my sound card at the moment, with surprisingly clear quality. Now in Vista, I can only record what is played through my computer speakers and no matter how loud I play them, the recording is...
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    Quick Vista "User Account Control" Question

    So two days into using Vista, the new paranoid "User Account Control" feature hasn't annoyed me enough to turn it off. However, is there a way to tell it that certain programs are safe? My RSS Feed Reader, RSSOwl, makes the UAC notice come up EVERY time I launch it. I've looked around for an...
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    AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600 vs Intel Core 2 Duo

    Hi everyone, I don't know a whole lot about computers as far as hardware goes, please keep this in mind before unleashing any extreme flaming. I've heard that Core 2 Duo is the way to go. However, how much of an advantage does it offer for the casual user vs, say, an Athlon 64 X2 4600...
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    Best sub $200 External Hard Drive?

    Hello everyone, I'm trying to prolong the life of my PowerMac G4. It does everything I need it to, and runs like a dream. Only problem is it's hard drive is running out of space. Fast. I realize this is primarily a PC-based forum, but I figured external hard drives work with both...
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    Where are we in the current "Wave?"

    This is one of, if not the most, knowledgeable computer forum I know of on the web today. And while my question may seem lame, please understand that I am only asking it here because I respect the opinions on these forums more so than anywhere else. That, and I am honestly curious. The last...
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    What Pre-made brand of PC's would you choose?

    The last time I bought a computer was in '98, so I don't have much experience on who to trust, not to trust. Also, I value the opinions of AnandTech members more so than the employees at Radio Shack, or Circuit City . . . so I was curious, if a not-so-hardware-savy friend came up to you, and...
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    Would this be a good idea?

    Alright, for a few months now I've been in the market for a new PC. All of the computers that caught my eye were around the $850-$1000 range. Then yesterday I see an eMachines (T6520) with everything those higher priced computers have, and maybe even more for only $600. I have only a few...
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    USB Key Drives and Windows 98 - Mac OS X

    First of all, I've read that Windows 98 needs a driver update or something along those lines to accept USB Key Drives. I have searched for those drivers on Microsoft.com and haven't found anything yet. Has anyone had success using a key drive on a machine running 98? And if so, would you...
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    1MB vs 2MB L2 Cache...

    When looking at the Intel P4 530 and 630, aside from the EM64T, the big difference I noted were the 1MB vs 2MB L2 Cache. Common sense would tell me that a number twice as big as the other, must make a huge difference. An employee at a local computer store told me that the difference between...
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    Renaming Multiple Files

    Is anyone aware of any programs that are free, and also free of any spyware/adware, that would allow me to rename many photographs or any other files all at once. Renaming each file by hand is just wrong, there's got to be an easier way. Windows 98 support would be the best, but XP is fine too...
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    XP in five years...

    For someone who buys a new computer once every 4-5 years, and uses the OS that was installed on it (which would be XP today) would it be smart to buy a new computer right now? With Longhorn on the horizon, how much longer will XP still be... completely usable with new software, etc... The...
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    Any Media Center PC Owner's Upgrade Your Graphics Card?

    If so, when you installed the graphics card, did it disable all of the input features (PVR, S Video and RCA) from your existing setup?
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    Video Card Recommendations

    From what I've gathered from these boards, integrated graphics are frowned upon. I am not a hardcore gamer, but I am a Photoshoper and video editor, and am notorious for having way too many windows open at any given moment. I am not the type to constantly upgrade my PC, I want to have the...
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    Any Gateway Desktop Owners?

    For anyone who owns a Gateway desktop, do you have any qualms with it? Has their customer service burned you? Would you reccomend a Gateway to your friends? Have any of the parts turned out to be defective? I'd like to know a little about how the owners of these computers feel. Who better...
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    Photoshop - L2 Cache or Slight GHz Improvement

    Intel's 6XX have 2 MB L2, the only one that I've seen included in computers that are in my pricerange is the 630 (3.00 GHz). My question is this, would I be better suited going down to some of the 5XX processors, which have 3.2 or 3.4 GHz, but only 1 MB L2 cache. Basically, is Photoshop a...