Search results

  1. R

    Sceptre X20G-NAGA III Problems (VGA)

    Hello, I purchased this monitor in March and I was using it exclusively on VGA because the colours were better (because they were adjustable) and because I used the DVI header for my TV to watch movies. I was using it at 1680x1050 @ 60Hz from day one, exactly as suggested in the product...
  2. R

    Help! Athlon64 3000+ Running REALLY Hot

    Well you've all been incredibly helpful and I really appreciate all your support! I contacted Soltek and after they tried to tell me 50C was normal for this processor (which prompted me to research and produce this: http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/details.aspx?opn=ADA3000DAA4BP - the...
  3. R

    Help! Athlon64 3000+ Running REALLY Hot

    I have decided to go ahead and bug the Soltek tech. support; we'll see what they have to say on this issue. One thing that strikes me as REALLY odd, the other day I took the cpu out to swap heatsinks and right after it came out of the system (I mean RIGHT after, I was waiting for it to...
  4. R

    Help! Athlon64 3000+ Running REALLY Hot

    I appreciate your response furballi. Right now the only real changes to the BIOS are minimal. The system is and has never been overclocked. I made sure to do 'load bios defaults' right after I updated the BIOS (right after I got the board), and then my changes were minimal like disabling the...
  5. R

    Help! Athlon64 3000+ Running REALLY Hot

    That's a good idea trout; I will do that as soon as I get home.
  6. R

    Help! Athlon64 3000+ Running REALLY Hot

    Why would the soltek hardware monitor and BIOS report this as 'CPU Core Temperature' though?
  7. R

    Help! Athlon64 3000+ Running REALLY Hot

    I was a but uneasy about the clip strength too, but the stock AMD HSF gives really bad results too which leads me to believe that may not be the issue. I'm not sure of a good way to increase the tension? Put a sharper bend in it? The messed up sensor thing is an interresting idea... food for...
  8. R

    Help! Athlon64 3000+ Running REALLY Hot

    I followed the directions outlined by the AS5 instructions, by applying 2/3 of a BB sized spot in the centre and letting it spread of its own accord. I initially tried spreading it out manually (before lapping) and same thing... There is a fan directly above the HSF (from the PSU, 90MM I...
  9. R

    Help! Athlon64 3000+ Running REALLY Hot

    Yes, I follow directions. I used a very flat surface while performing the lapping process. And I did it very carefully. Exactly as the instructions I followed said to. Do keep in mind that the temperature was just as bad before I did any lapping.
  10. R

    Help! Athlon64 3000+ Running REALLY Hot

    Hello! I have a problem here, and it's driving me nuts! I finally got into the 64-bit thing, and bought a new mobo/proc/hard drive. I got an Athlon64 3000+, Venice core (I heard this was much better than Winchester). I had high hopes for overclocking this chip, as it seemed that most...
  11. R

    Do you guys leave your comps plugged in when you disassemble them?

    I disagree (with the OPs statement). The PSU is grounded through the outlet and thus does not need to ground itself to the chasis (this would also be a very risky practice which is, I believe, why it is not done), thus there is N.C. between the chasis and the ground of the outlet. Looking at...
  12. R

    NEC 3520a

    Only some burners will do this with some media. It's not like CD-Rs used to be, where you could burn at 52x on 40x media. One "x" in terms of DVDs is a much bigger difference than it was with CDs... it's not really very relative. I had this issue with my Lite-On and updating the firmware and...
  13. R

    2 psu's or 1 big one?

    I was wondering when someone was going to bring that up. What does the sticker say for your output per rail? Should look like: +3.3V+5V+12V 34A40A35A and so on... if you are too weak in one area (as many PSUs are) it can cause undervoltage on that rail, while "technically" the total...
  14. R

    OVERCLOCKED!!!

    hmm, i'm not sure i like the sound of that ^_^ Congrats to the OP, I still remember how it feels the first time, even if it isn't much... (I got kind of carried away my first time [not TOO carried away though] but I did start out with really small steps). It'll grow on you :P
  15. R

    Best PS out there?

    I think that instead of bickering over the brand-name wars we should just stick to a format similar to what BouZouki posted. Just a side note/testimonial: I bought an Enermax Noisetaker 475W and I'm very pleased. Looks good, has two fans (90mm in the bottom, 80mm in the rear), adjustable...
  16. R

    Ever heard of this happening?

    First of all - and I hope you'll forgive me - LOL. (your topic summary is classic btw) I've never personally heard of that happening but the only things that comes to mind are [in no particular order!] (a) power supply malfunction or (b) "burner" (snicker) malfunction. While it is possible...
  17. R

    the ultimate "do i need a 24pin PSU ?" thread

    OK, I'm back and armed with pictures (well, A picture...) This should give a better idea of how to calculate what you are doing to your PSU and its wiring. Examine the following picture and read the details below. http://www.rocketpack.net/stuff/psu_currents.jpg In the picture you will...
  18. R

    Building a computer for the first time

    That sounds like a pretty cool suggestion. You can also do what I do to keep the bank happy: eBay all the parts you replace down the road. (Specifically the processor, which should still be worth at least $100 (OEM) by then if you get the 3200, probably more.) Oh yeah, I wanted to mention...
  19. R

    How would I completely wipe my hard drive clean?

    Also, you can use (since I see from your signature that you have a WD drive) the Western Digital tools option that says "Write Zeros to Drive". This is on the physical level, and is essentially the only way to completely, absolutely, and once-in-for-all eliminate ANY trace of data that could...
  20. R

    Building a computer for the first time

    http://www.storagereview.com/articles/200311/20031111WD740GD_1.html I am not trying to start a fight, by any means - honestly. I just wanted to point out (and I cannot say that is the article I was refering to earlier, I honestly have no clue where the one I refered to went), but the first 3...
  21. R

    the ultimate "do i need a 24pin PSU ?" thread

    Thank you! I was afraid people would mis-interpret what I said and blow me off, but I'm glad to see that it's being taken seriously. I will try to put together a better representation of the hazards and risks posed by these kinds of issues so that people with little to no electrical background...
  22. R

    Building a computer for the first time

    Don't take it up with me - I read it in a review of the drive (the 74gb) ages ago when it first came out. Bottom line - the 36gb raptor was not intended for the same use as the 74gb. Also, did anyone even read my other post? (Edited). I think I'm pretty much barking up the same tree as...
  23. R

    memory dividers

    This would require a rather awkward ratio though which would produce very long delays. Personally I think running the memory slightly under its rating to achieve a DRAM 1:1 is better because the lower clock will allow more aggressive timings on top of being in sync.
  24. R

    Building a computer for the first time

    http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=2101 Not worth your money (if they're for a RAID0). Personally I would install Windows and all my programs to one drive (a raptor), and then use the other for file storage (which, obviously, would not require a raptor... spend less and buy a...
  25. R

    Building a computer for the first time

    I agree with biostud, the 74gb raptors are optimized for desktop performance whereas the 36gb raptors are optimized for workstation/server performance (and there is quite a difference). Also, make sure you buy zip-ties and get ALL of your tools laid out before you start. It's really annoying...
  26. R

    memory dividers

    For example, if you had an nForce2 board with an Athlon XP 1700+ (133MHz FSB) in it, and you stuck DDR333/PC2700 memory into it, you would not be utilizing the memory to its fullest potential by running it at the standard 2xFSB (266MHz). So you apply a DRAM ratio to make the memory run faster...
  27. R

    the ultimate "do i need a 24pin PSU ?" thread

    I wasn't talking about the $350 PSUs. An Enermax or Antec is pretty much what I was refering to. That wasn't really my point though. I just want people to be aware about the effects of series and parallel current before they go out and buy adapters and splitters and stuff for their power...
  28. R

    Going from 2 (1GB) memory to 4 (2GB) - What gain?

    I encourage you to download an app that lets you monitor your current physical memory usage (NOT pagefile/virtual memory usage, but physical memory)... I have 1gb (2x512mb) in my PC and I never use more than 400mb with a couple of instances of firefox, AIM, APC PowerChute, Microsoft antispyware...
  29. R

    the ultimate "do i need a 24pin PSU ?" thread

    I think a quickie electronics lesson is in order. The OP mentioned using a 2-molex connector to provide power to a 6-pin adapter for a PCIe graphics card. (This actually applies to pretty much any use of splitters/adapters and power supplies in general.) DO NOTE THAT USING TWO MOLEX...
  30. R

    Gravity problem

    Make sure you wear some PPE when you take the final plunge, I hear it gets warm around the middle.
  31. R

    Things We Can Do To The Moon

    ahahahahaahaha. yes.
  32. R

    Another free energy hoax?

    I wouldn't go that far. If in 1850 you told someone that 100 years from now you could see a persons face from 5000 miles away and hear them speak they'd probably have stabbed you. Or shot you once and then took 30 seconds to reload... remember those days? Doubt and cynacism help keep things...
  33. R

    mechanics question 2 *****SOLVED*****

    This is exactly why I went into electronics.
  34. R

    Can God (if there is one) make something so.......

    That's called a logical fallacy.
  35. R

    Replacing PIB Heatsink voids warranty?

    Have you already used the HSF with the thermal pad on it? If so then you're pretty much stuck unless you want to lap the HSF. According to Arctic Silver when you use (ie. heat up) those thermal pads they excrete oils and waxes that leech into the grooves of the HSF and are nearly impossible to...
  36. R

    Firewire with destructional mind

    What filesystem? I think ideally you want to use FAT32 for interoperability between Mac and Windows. If you use anything else that might be the problem. Also, have you run any hardware analysis on the drive to make sure it's working OK? Lastly, whats the power situation? Perhaps your Mac can...
  37. R

    Mobo Dead?

    Yes, it can. But to be sure, why not try it? There is no harm. Just unplug the PSU, pull the CMOS battery out, and let it sit for a minute (sometimes cycling the power button once or twice helps), let it sit for about a minute and hook it all back up. Go to BIOS and select "Load Optimized...
  38. R

    PSU advice

    Not sure how much you were wanting to spend but here is just about the best PSU you can buy for your application: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-437&depa=0 It's an Enermax 550W
  39. R

    Strange XP Booting Problem

    I noticed an incredibly long boot time if I left my iPod connected when booting. Also, make sure you disable any PATA or SATA channels in BIOS that are not being used. Leaving those to auto can lead windows to believe (for whatever reason) that something exists and it will attempt to search for...