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    Low-power gaming card that can be softmodded into a workstation card?

    Hi, I'm looking for a cheap gaming video card that can be softmodded into its equivalent workstation card (FireGL or Quadro FX series). However, it has to run off the power available in Dell Vostro 200 desktops, so anything that requires a 6 pin PCIE power connector is out. That rules out the...
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    What's behind Dell's low-end pricing fluctuations?

    Late last year and early this year, you could get a Dell Vostro 220 with a 2.8 GHz E7400, 2 GB RAM, Vista Basic, and a 22" LCD for $419. Heck, the monitor alone was worth about half that. You couldn't build a system yourself for even close to that price, assuming you bought the OS license also...
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    The Defense Threat Reduction Agency wants to run military CFD simulations on GPUs

    Scroll to bottom In the latest DTRA Small Business Innovation Research solicitation, this agency is requesting proposals from small businesses to develop a CFD code optimized to run on GPUs. They want to simulate 'external blast events in urban settings' and 'internal blasts inside...
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    HD 4890 Power Consumption

    So, I've been reading some 4890 reviews, and it's pretty clear that it is neck and neck with the GTX 285 (which is $100+ more expensive) in performance, with potentially more overclocking headroom. What's not clear is how the cards compare power consumption-wise. X Bit Lab's Review has the...
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    My new (first) water setup

    OK, it took over a month, but I finally got my new water cooling system set up. The PC components are listed in my sig, but the loop is as follows: Loop picture Swiftech MCP355 pump w/ XSPC reservoir top Koolance 350 CPU Block Feser X-Changer 3x120 Radiator w/Sanyo Denki San Ace fans...
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    Automatic fan controller?

    Is there any device that will allow me to control 3+ fans based on the CPU core temperatures reported by the motherboard? I want to set up the fans on my radiator to automatically speed up as the CPU core temperatures rise. To be clear, what I DON'T want: -Manual rheobus control-I want it...
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    Hypothetical WC build

    I've found myself thinking about water cooling lately. Just for giggles, I put together this component list: Lian-Li PCA70B Case-$240 Lian-Li T-703 3x120mm top panel-$40 Swiftech MCP655 DC Pump-$80 Swiftech Apogee GTZ-$65 Swiftech 5.25" Bay Reservoir-$17 Thermochill PA 120.3...
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    ASUS P5Q Deluxe or Premium?

    My vanilla P5Q is holding back my Q9650 overclock because it doesn't allow enough GTL reference options in the BIOS. Thus, I'm looking at buying a Deluxe or Premium board. The Premium is actually $3 cheaper after rebate than the Deluxe on Newegg, but I don't really see the differences. I...
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    Q9650 on P5Q Overclocking issue

    I used to run an E8400 in my P5Q, and I had it at 4.34 GHz (482 FSB), with no problems whatsoever. I didn't really have to tweak anything, just bump up the CPU voltage a little bit. VTT, PLL, Northbridge voltage, all these things were at or near default values. I swapped out the E8400 for a...
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    Cheap server build. Critique please

    I work at a small engineering company (<20 employees), and it's time to replace our server (constant lockups and backup failures). We don't do any web hosting or SQL or anything like that; the server just stores all our technical data, acts as an antivirus server, and performs incremental...
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    Modded my ThermalTake Toughpower 700W Modular PSU

    So i have a ThermalTake Toughpower 700W modular PSU in a fairly old Lian-Li PC-68 mid tower case LINK TO CASE PIC. The case has only 2x80mm intake fans and one 80mm exhaust fan, so the PSU fan has to move a lot of air to keep the case cool. However, the fan in this PSU operates on a schedule...
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    Need 17" laptop with Windows XP

    We need a new data acquisition laptop at work. Because we interface with a lot of legacy instrumentation, we don't want to make the switch to Vista just yet. And I'd like a 17" screen, since our acquisition software has a pretty cluttered interface and this computer won't be moved very often...
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    Computational Node Build: Please Critique

    We are expanding our computational fluid dynamics (CFD) cluster at work, so I will be ordering four of these nodes. They need to offer reliability (since they will be at 100% load 24/7) and the most computational power per dollar possible. I will not be doing any overclocking. The machines will...
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    ASUS S96J notebook

    My sister is heading off to an internship where she has a very small living space, so she can't take her desktop. She plays Oblivion (I raised her to be the little brother I never had), and would like to continue doing so. So I am thinking x1600/7600 or better video is a must (she has played on...
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    Has anyone cleared the CMOS on a DFI NF4 w/ a dual-core Opteron?

    I had to clear the CMOS on my DFI NF4 Ultra-D a week or so after installing an Opteron 170 processor. However, after clearing the CMOS, the computer hangs if I try to enter the BIOS. It will boot into Windows and run all apps just fine. Has anyone cleared the CMOS with this mobo/CPU combo...
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    Can't enter BIOS

    I was playing with my memory settings, and apparently I chose timings that my memory couldn't handle, so my computer locked during boot. I wanted to go back into the BIOS to put the memory settings back to normal, but when I pressed delete during POST, instead of going to the BIOS, it goes to a...
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    My initial Opteron 170 overclocking results

    I got an 0546 Opteron 170 (2*2.0 GHz, 2*1MB) from Monarch in the mail yesterday, and popped it in my DFI NF4-Ultra D (after a BIOS flash). It is cooled by an XP-90 with a (slow/quiet) Panaflo 3000 RPM fan. I got up to 2.5 GHz on stock voltage (1.33 V), dual Prime small FFT stable all the way...
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    Biostar TFORCE 6100-939 and new Skt 939 Opterons?

    Our company is building a new computational cluster around the Biostar TFORCE 6100-939 motherboard and the new Opteron 144 (1.8 GHz, 1 MB cache, 90nm, socket 939). However, Biostar support says they don't know if this processor will work with the motherboard, and they will not test it because...
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    Processors for CFD

    At my work we do a lot of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and we are currently expanding our processing cluster from 4 dual-xeon nodes to include 4 or more Athlon64 single-core nodes. When cluster-building, the key is bang for the buck; for instance, the dual-Xeon nodes only iterate 10-20%...
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    X800XL Fan problem

    I have a BBA X800XL. I removed the stock HSF and installed an Arctic Cooling ATI Silencer 5 rev.2 on it a few months ago, but recently the fan stopped working. If I plug the stock HSF into the fan header on the card, it doesn't work either, so I am inclined to think it is the header on the video...
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    ATI Silencer 5 rev.2 review

    I installed an Arctic Cooling ATI Silencer 5 rev. 2 on my ATI x800XL. I bought it from Jab-tech for $32.50 shipped. Installation was easy; took about 10 minutes. I used Arctic Silver 5 instead of the supplied thermal compound. Temps went down about 8 C Idle and 20 C load, resulting in...
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    How to enable triple buffering in CS:S?

    I am using a Dell 2001 FP with an x800XL, and I don't like tearing so vsync is on. However, the FPS is either 60 or 30, so triple buffering must not be enabled. What is the cfg or console command to enable triple-buffering? There is no setting for it in the ATI control panel for D3D.
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    Strange home networking issue

    I have Adelphia cable service and two routers, a Linksys and D-link wireless g. The problem is the same regardless of which router I use. When my desktop is off, the laptop's internet connection works fine. As soon as the desktop gets to the XP logon screen, the laptop drops its connection...
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    Vsync won't enable in Far Cry

    I have an x800XL and a Dell2001FP. Even with vsync enabled within the game, in the far cry configurator, and set to 'always on' in the ATI Direct3D setting, the fps go above 60 and I experience tearing. I have the newest Catalyst drivers too. Is there a known fix to this problem?
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    Where to buy ATI Silencer 5? **Found it**

    I have an x800XL that I would like to run cooler/quieter. Artic Cooling recommends the ATI Silencer 5, but I can't find this product for sale ANYWHERE. Is it not out yet, or am I just not looking in the right place?
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    WinXP install stuck on 'Setup is inspecting your...

    I built a new machine, and I am trying to install WinXP. I booted from the install CD, but it hangs on the very first screen where it inspects my computer's hardware configuration. My hardware is: DFI NF4 Ultra-D A64 3200+ Winchester ATI x800XL WD Raptor 74gb SATA 2x512 Geil Ultra...
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    New DFI NF4-Ultra can't find CPU**Fixed**

    My new system is as follows: DFI NF4-Ultra mobo A64 3200+ Winchester 2x512 Geil Ultra PC3200 OCZ Powerstream 520W ATI X800XL Thermalright XP-90 with 92mm Panaflo I put everything together, turned computer on, all the fans spun etc. But nothing showed up on the screen, and the...
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    Computer will not turn on **now fixed**

    I have the following hardware (I'm at work, so I dont have exact model numbers etc): Epox Socket A Mobo (8K7A I think) 1.4 GHz Thunderbird Athlon 2x256 Crucial PC2100 memory Decent 350W PSU (Sparkle maybe?). Lian-Li case with lots of cooling Geforce 3, Phillips sound card, WD HD...
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    Toshiba Tecra M2-S730: Opinions?

    My wife and I are looking to buy our first laptop, and we will be sharing it. She is starting an MBA program and laptops are required, and I travel for work about 5-10 times a year so I will need to use it occasionally. I found this Toshiba on Newegg for $1530 shipped: Toshiba Tecra M2-730...
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    Intel Stock Thermal Pad Thickness?

    Hello, does anyone know the thickness of the thermal pad on the retail P4 HSF? I am trying to use thermal grease instead, but I don't know how much I need to shim the surface the cams roll on so that I still get good CPU/HSF contact. This is a work computer, and I never saw the pad (it was...
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    Where to get Memtest86?

    I would like to use this program, but all the links I have found don't seem to work. Since I don't have a floppy drive, I need the CD-ROM ISO. The link below is where the file SHOULD be, but the links don't work. Official Memtest site with broken links Does anyone know another source for...
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    Random Reboot: ACPI Error

    I am getting random system reboots. I have had no changes in hardware, drivers, BIOS, etc for over a year. My hardware is: Epox 8k7a Mobo 2x256 Crucial PC 2100 AMD Thunderbird 1.4 GHz, not overclocked WD 40 GB HD Elsa Geforce 3, old drivers Sparkle 300-something W PSU (Rails read 3.33V...
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    Dell 30" LCD Flat-Panel HDTV $2399 SHIPPED

    IUnitek is selling the new Dell 30" LCD FP HDTV for $2399 shipped. If you buy this directly from Dell,it is $100 more, and then you probably have to pay tax in most states. 720P, 25 ms response, 350:1 contrast...specs aren't stellar, but for the price it can't be beat. IUnitek 30" Dell...