Search results

  1. B

    Some questions for Software on New Rig - first time builder.

    Thanks for all the help everyone. Everything went fine minus some stubborn PCI-e 6 pin connectors. Temps good, not OC-ing yet but will run some stability tests just to make sure everything really is good. Only thing that's annoying right now is all the HDD activity (noise) from what I think...
  2. B

    Some questions for Software on New Rig - first time builder.

    Darn...I already installed Windows 7/downloaded some stuff. Should I bother re-installing or will it not make much of a difference unless I get an SSD? Also...not entirely related to software but might as well post here: I'm installing my GTX 560 Ti in a couple of hours and so I should...
  3. B

    Some questions for Software on New Rig - first time builder.

    Thanks for the responses Installing MSE now, about to use ninite too. A somewhat related question: Should I have set my HDD as AHCI before I installed Windows 7? The mobo prompts me at every start up whether or not I want it as AHCI or IDE. Did I do it wrong? Cause I just left it as...
  4. B

    Some questions for Software on New Rig - first time builder.

    Hi guys Rig: Gigabyte GAZ68-MX-UD2H-B3 mATX mobo Sparkle GTX 560 Ti (ref) i5 2500k 8gigs sniper ram 1TB F3 Spinpoint etc... finally got Windows 7 installed, activated, updated, and so now: a few questions -if I'm getting a GTX 560 Ti in the mail tomorrow, should I bother installing Intel...
  5. B

    Can't install Windows 7 on brand new rig

    Hi guys Just built a new rig. I'm having a hell of a time trying to install Windows 7 right now on my fresh HDD. I purchased a student-priced Upgrade, downloaded the .iso on my old home computer (Windows XP 32-bit). Planning on doing the Microsoft-supported double install. Tried burning it...
  6. B

    Building Micro-ATX/HTPC Rig, need portability as a college student. $800-$900

    Yeah definitely agree with you but oh well. Also got $5.66 credited back on the Sparkle GTX 560 Ti just now (: Built it today...having a hell of a time trying to install Windows 7 right now. Burned a ton of ISO DVDs, none got past loading finals said kernels were missing. I think my...
  7. B

    Building Micro-ATX/HTPC Rig, need portability as a college student. $800-$900

    Some updates for you guys. Will be building this rig tomorrow. I"m leaving the country within the next week so some exceptions had to be made in regard to component choice/pricing/etc. I'll try and take some pics too. Picked up a reference model Sparkle GTX 560 Ti for $201 shipped ^_^that'll...
  8. B

    Need helping picking between these 3 mATX Z68/P67 boards.

    Thanks for all the replies. Makes sense. I'm going for more of a mid-tier build and don't mind upgrading individual components especially because I'm keeping the build cost to a minimum right now, minus splurging on my case a little bit. I would get the Maximus but I probably don't need all...
  9. B

    Building Micro-ATX/HTPC Rig, need portability as a college student. $800-$900

    I'm really tempted to get the Maximus Gene now but I'm not really sure I need all that extra high-end functionality..I mean my build is pretty mid-tier at the moment. MC prices are great. Cheaper gigabyte = 60 after rebate More expensive one = 95 after rebate Asus = 100? or 110 but no rebate i...
  10. B

    Need helping picking between these 3 mATX Z68/P67 boards.

    Thanks for the response I would spring for that but I'm buying from my local MicroCenter via bundle deals within the next week or two and they don't seem to have any of them in stock unfortunately. Also, it's a little bit out of my budget. If they do happen to have them I"ll be sure to...
  11. B

    Need helping picking between these 3 mATX Z68/P67 boards.

    Options are limited due to purchasing in-store, so need some help deciding between these 3. P67: Asus P8P67-M-Pro-R3 1155 MATX @ $150 Z68: Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 1155 MATX @ $100 Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 1155 MATX @ $135 mATX P67/Z68 board options seem to be pretty limited and the...
  12. B

    Building Micro-ATX/HTPC Rig, need portability as a college student. $800-$900

    Hey mfenn, thanks for the response. I hate to keep on doing this because it feels like I'm not being appreciate of your responses but I went frys/microcenter/computer central journeying today and ended up picking up my case. The Silverstone Temjin TJ08-E. mATX form factor, JUST BARELY...
  13. B

    Building Micro-ATX/HTPC Rig, need portability as a college student. $800-$900

    Some updates for you guys. Decided to stick with MicroATX, either getting a Fractal Design Core 1000 (just $40) or a Silverstone Temjin TJ08B-E. ($100) Not sure on which yet but leaning towards the Temjin due to what is most likely better cooling/better build quality to stand up to the...
  14. B

    I need a 'gaming' case that fits in a 19 x 14.5 x 7.75 inch suitcase <$120

    Hey guys, thanks for all the responses/help. As mentioned above, the Core 1000 is out already. Along with the much-anticipated Design Mini and Arc Mini. Unfortunately those are too big for my needs. Turns out I have a tiny bit more height clearance for carry-on baggage for Southwest so even...
  15. B

    I need a 'gaming' case that fits in a 19 x 14.5 x 7.75 inch suitcase <$120

    This limits me to mATX or mITX cases. At the moment I would prefer NOT to go mITX (cooling, SFX PSUs, etc) but if somebody has a really great solution then II'm open to it. Heres some that I've found: HTPC-style: Silverstone Grandia GD05B - $70...
  16. B

    Building Micro-ATX/HTPC Rig, need portability as a college student. $800-$900

    Hi mfenn, thanks for the response I would go ITX except I really do want Dolby Headphone for gaming, and the external DACs with DH/CMSS3d (x-fi) aren't too great, along wiht being more expensive. I know the DG isn't too great but for 20-30$ it seems decent, has op amps too along with the Dolby...
  17. B

    Building Micro-ATX/HTPC Rig, need portability as a college student. $800-$900

    Hi all After some deliberation I've decided it would be best for me to build a mATX build as my computer of choice, one that I've been anticipating for a really long time. Still using this old P4 desktop to write this...heh Anyways I'm heading off to college next year, only problem is: I"m...
  18. B

    Help me find a small(er), quiet(er) case, please!

    http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=58 Fractal Define Mini. Supposed to be due out in May, if you can wait that is... Should satisfy a) fairly small b)quiet. Planning on housing my next build in one of these myself actually, pending reviews. Flexibility to stick a big old video...
  19. B

    $600-$700 Build, Need Help with Mobo/Processor

    Sounds good. Does anybody know when MicroCenter might end their free AMD Proc + Mobo deals? I'm thinking of getting a Phenom II 965 instead of that Athlon II for the added cache, cause it only ends up being $50 more...would that be a bad idea/not worth it? I've read that the Athlon II is...
  20. B

    $600-$700 Build, Need Help with Mobo/Processor

    Wow, thanks for all the replies! I do have a windows license actually, so that doesn't need to be added to the budget. I'm considering just using my friends case, he also has a spare 450w Seasonic "SuperSilent" PSU...but it's pretty old since it was salvaged from a mutual friend's old computer...
  21. B

    $600-$700 Build, Need Help with Mobo/Processor

    Hey all Planning on building this relatively soon. I have a few things in mind but am open to all and any suggestions. I'm okay with going either AMD or Intel for the CPU, I know that bang for the buck at my budget might lean towards AMD but I do have Microcenters near me so I'd be able to get...
  22. B

    overall not impressed going from gtx260 to gtx470

    ^ANGRY NVIDIA MAN? Honestly I think it has a lot to do with the perceived performance thing. Right now is just not a great time to buy video cards - they're bloated in price, and the performance leaps while good have been nothing amazing over the last generation. If you have a decent last...
  23. B

    How nVidia blacklists review sites: example Hardware Secrets

    Lol was this even a serious post? Like really? Come on.. anyways I think its obvious that certain members here may even be a part of that! Or just die-hard fan boys. Think with your wallet and your benchmarks/FPS/heat/noise/etc, not anything else :thumbsdown:
  24. B

    8800 GTX to ATI 4550

    Seems like most of the people involved in tech/computer shops are straight up scammers/people who take advantage of common people who don't know much about computers and overcharge like a little bish.
  25. B

    Custom Painted and Real Carbon Fiber Xbox Controllers/Cases

    looks great to me, but i really do like carbon fiber so yeah nice job!
  26. B

    Official Modern Warfare 2 thread

    I just had my first 30+ kill flawless game the other day on PC. Was on Scrapyard, TDM. I rushed in the beginning and just started out on a rampage, getting almost all of my team's kills and it was just carnage from the very beginning. Kept rushing spawns/stopping to deploy killstreaks until...
  27. B

    [Retired] The LCD Thread

    Glossy IPS monitors. Do they exist? There are pros and cons to glossy but I prefer glossy screens over matte ones. Just because. Oversaturation yadadadada I think they look better, matte screens often look like they're dusty+washed out and the colors simply aren't vibrant/don't pop as much...
  28. B

    [Retired] The LCD Thread

    Are IPS monitors noticeably bulky? I ask this because they look rather thick on the back end, compared to LCDs at least, which are generally around just an inch thick. For me, as a college student that is going to have to undergo a bunch of moving days and will be pretty darn cramped on space...
  29. B

    Next gen AMD/ATi Southern Islands by Christmas? Any guesstimates of performance yet?

    The makeup of SI as a 'hybrid' part has mostly been determined actually, at least according to 'rumors'. Rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, but in terms of tech we have to remember that oftentimes they are correct - depending on your sources. Anyways, SI (via semiaccurate): -minimal...
  30. B

    Next gen AMD/ATi Southern Islands by Christmas? Any guesstimates of performance yet?

    Yup. This is mostly due to Fermi failing to meet expectations and silicon fabs failing to get their 28nm process ready..Like I've been saying earlier it's a bad time to buy a graphics card. But, it will be better after ATI releases Southern Islands - prices should go down and performance will...
  31. B

    Exactly how loud is the GTX470? 480?

    I see. Well. My friend owns a GTX260 rig with a decent case + airflow. He has an H50 + 3 fans? + NZXT Apollo. The noise is tolerable, it's actually somewhat silent. In fact, it's quieter than the current P4 PC I"m currently using. How bad is the GTX470/480 compared to the GTX260...
  32. B

    Next gen AMD/ATi Southern Islands by Christmas? Any guesstimates of performance yet?

    SI Guestimates are 20-30&#37; over 5870 via Charlie @ Semiaccurate + rumors from Chinese chip sites (chiphell). They've/he's been right before, so yeah. Either way it'll place ATI at the top of the single GPU category (most likely at least). This is probably before driver enhancements too, so...
  33. B

    A plea from a PC gamer - Best Single card solution right now?

    If I were you, I'd honestly just wait a little bit. The GTX275 can probably still handle most things you throw at it if you're gaming at 1080p.. ATI's SI should be due late Q3/Q4 and while it's not a major leap in performance by any means (20-30&#37; over single card 5870 not counting potential...
  34. B

    Exactly how loud is the GTX470? 480?

    Hi all I'm building a rig for college use and I"m going to be in a dorm. The last thing I want is a screamer that could potentially annoy other people/myself, especially when I"m wanting to take a quick nap or other stuff. To me, bringing a desktop to college is already a bit of a burden -...
  35. B

    [Retired] The LCD Thread

    Input Lag Wise/Response time HPzR24W vs Dell u2410? I"m leaning towards the HP mainly due to price, but if the Dell is significantly better in terms of gaming performance I might wait for a sale. From what I've read though, the Dell actually performs worse in that area and makes up for it...
  36. B

    [Retired] The LCD Thread

    I personally am waiting on reviews on the new, budget IPS panels from Dell, mostly the U2311H. Despite what a lot of you might think, I actually am pretty sensitive to motion blur/input lag and stuff. I can't stand vsync being on without triple buffering even on no lag TN panels, and it just...
  37. B

    Sharp-Dressed Man! $99 suits at Amazon.com

    I"d bite on these if it wasn't for the drop being way too small for me..
  38. B

    Lowering DPI on high DPI Mouses

    Oh okay, great. No tracking/whatever else issues? Thats good then. The reason I made this thread was because the first revision of the DeathAdder actually had issues with playing below 1800 DPI - like there were major problems and the mouse didn't function correctly.. Hopefully Razer has...
  39. B

    Lowering DPI on high DPI Mouses

    Is this okay? Any type of performance hit/anything out of the ordinary? To be more specific, I went to BestBuy earlier today to try out some mouses. As far as ergonomics go, the Razer Deathadder felt perfect for me. My hands aren't very big, probably below average. I can palm a basketball...
  40. B

    New "gaming" laptop 600$? Need more than IGP

    folks over at notebookreview.com forums will be able to help you. Unfortunately I can't think of much that comes to mind around $600. I feel like the UL line is a great option with the thinness+batterylife+decent graphics card. You're probably not gonna get better than a GT310m or whatever in a...