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    Building a gaming computer for about $1,000

    My old machine has served well, but I gave it to my GF's sister when hers died. So I get to build a new one. :) That said, money is somewhat of an issue these days, so I need to stick pretty close to $1,000. 1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be...
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    Contemplating building a SFF (shuttle) computer

    I've been toying with the idea of building a SFF computer for a few years now. I like the idea of the compactness of the system, though I realize that I'm limited somewhat by the space component-wise. Here's something that I've kitted together that's within my present budget...
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    What would $1,000 buy me?

    I'm looking to build a gaming PC for around $1,000. If I needed to, I could wait a couple of months and easily have $1,500 to spend. But I'm feeling impatient. ;) I'm running a 22-inch LCD with a native resolution of 1680x1050. Something with an upgrade path built-in would be nice, but at...
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    7950Gt (AGP) giving me fits

    In an attempt to wrest the last bit of life out of my current system, I have attempted to upgrade it. Recently, I bumped up to 2 gb of pc3200. This week, I bought a 7950 GT (AGP model), and installed it. It worked great for about a day. But all of a sudden, I've started gettting severe...
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    Getting artifacting with new 7950 GT AGP

    In an attempt to wrest the last bit of life out of my current system, I have attempted to upgrade it. Recently, I bumped up to 2 gb of pc3200. This week, I bought a 7950 GT (AGP model), and installed it. It worked great for about a day. But all of a sudden, I've started gettting severe...
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    What sort of PS does a 7950GT (AGP) require?

    I can't do a full system upgrade until next year, so I'm just trying to make the the best of what I have. I was looking at an ATI 1950 pro, but the power supply requirements are apparently much higher. What sort of PS does the 7950GT need to run comfortably? I currently run a 6800 GT on a...
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    Is it worth upgrading my AGP card?

    I have an Athlon 64 3200 processor and a gig of PC-3200 ram, running Windows XP. Currently, I'm using a 6800 GT. I'm thinking that I would like to upgrade my ram to 2 gig, but I'm also considering bumping up the video card. Since I have to pick an AGP card (bought my machine JUST before...
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    What would $1500 buy me by, say, October

    I'm weird: I upgrade my PC in October. I don't know why. If I managed to asmass that by then (which should probably be no problem,) what do you think I could buy for that? What would be a good build at current prices? Brian
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    Help me puzzle out some things with my new widescreen monitor

    I just bought a Samsung 225BW, which I like very much. I do have a few questions about it, however. The monitor's native resolution is 1680x1050. Great for many things. But sometimes, I'd like to change the resolution -- either for games or other reasons. I'd love to be able to change the...
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    VCR to DVD - Advice Needed?

    My S.O. and her family have many old videos of gatherings, Christmas parties, etc. on videocassette that they would like to transfer to DVD. Being the closest thing to an expert PC user in the equation (God help them), I have been tasked with finding out how to do this. I know that there are...
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    So say you wanted to build a cheap SFF media PC ...

    What would you recommend as far as configuration/parts/processor? I'm thinking around $600, which may be far too little. Brian
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    Call of Duty 2 Multiplayer problem

    CoD2's single player game runs like a champ, but when I try to start up a multiplayer game, the logo comes up and ... just stays there. Nothing else happens. I looked around and found that sometimes the game does hang at this point, but usually if you just wait a minute or two, it resolves...
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    Packing advice for video cards

    Looks like I'm about to sell both of my video cards soon. Any advice for a newbie on how to pack 'em and send them? How much should it typically cost via priority mail?
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    9800 pro

    What's the best way to determine what core your card has? I'm trying to sell mine and want to be able to tell folks which one it has. Thanks! Brian
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    SB Audigy 2ZS pops on occasion

    I bought it used here at Anandtech, but I honestly don't believe it's the card. It only happens rarely and then only when my drive light is blinking. It does not do this all the time, so it may only be activity from one of my two drives that's setting it off. When it happens, it produces a...
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    What makes F.E.A.R. so graphically hefty?

    This isn't a flame thread. I like F.E.A.R. I wish it wasn't just another a bunch of dark corridors again, but the firefights are fun and it runs well enough on my rig to be fast, fun and infinitely playable with nice graphical extras. Multiplayer works great, too. But I can't really tell much...
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    Packaging advice for computer hardware

    I was planning to sell some items here fairly soon, and I wanted some advice. Can't figure out anywhere else to post this. :D I've never really sold anyone any of my hardware before. I've always just either given it away or let it collect dust. But I'm thinking that since I actually have some...
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    CIV IV

    What do you guys think it will be like? More of the same. but prettier? Or are there any major revisions to the gameplay they've been touting? Brian
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    Some thoughts on Doom 3

    At the urgings of many, I have finally gotten back into playing Doom 3 and tried to examine it objectively. It's a corridor shooter. Always will be. It does, indeed, still rely far, far, FAR too much on the "secret door opens behind you OHMIGODIT'SADEMON!" trick. Gets old and even...
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    Installation Advice - Audigy 2ZS

    Having grown sick of the pops 'n' crackles of my onboard sound, I picked up an Audigy2ZS Gamer for cheap here on the Forums. (Thanks Sapiens74!) When I throw this sucker in my case tonight, do I need to completely disable the onboard sound before I do so? Or should the Detect New Hardware...
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    Windows XP - Still Slow

    Here's a log as some have requested. See anything untoward or that could/should be deleted? My system is very slow to boot and then fairly slow to become stable and usable even after I log in. Lots of hard drive activity. Once it all loads in and the disk light goes off, it runs great...
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    DVD Software

    I also posted this in software, but since this forum is devoted to "video products," and not just video cards, I thought I might get more readership and response here. For a while now, the only DVD software I have owned is the crappy version of My DVD that came with my rewritable. I also...
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    Software for DVD creation?

    For a while now, the only DVD software I have is the crappy version of My DVD that came with my rewritable. I also have the version of Nero Burning Rom that came with the same drive, but it practically won't do anything DVD-related until you pony up some more cash. I've decided to end my...
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    Surround sound headphones

    Anyone have a pair? I'm curious to know how well they really work. Brian
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    Windows XP takes forever to start

    When I boot my machine, Windows XP takes forever to complete its start-up cycle. I get to the screen where it has the XP pro logo with the cycling bar, and it stays there a long, long, long time. Eventually, things reconcile, and once everything starts up the computer runs fine. But it's...
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    Windows sloooooooow to boot

    When I boot my machine, Windows XP takes forever to complete its start-up cycle. I get to the screen where it has the XP pro logo with the cycling bar, and it stays there a long, long, long time. Eventually, things reconcile, and once everything starts up the computer runs fine. But it's...
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    Reasonable price for used Audigy2 ZS?

    What the subject says. I'll probably look to pick one up soon. Brian
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    If I'm looking for a 6800gt AGP ...

    What's the cheapest price I should expect to pay for one new? Also, Newegg has some refurbished cards, but I'm a bit wary of them. Anyone have experience buying refurbished? It does seem you have save quite a few dollars that way, but at what true cost? Thanks! Brian
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    Looking for a good AGP card

    I'll be looking to pump up my graphical capabilities in a couple of months. I have: Athlon 64 3200+ 1 gigabyte PC 3200 RAM Radeon 9800 pro 128mb Two 80 gigabyte hard drives Onboard sound Windows XP Pro I'd like to just get an AGP card. Are there any being produced anymore? Or is...
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    Help me plan my upgrade

    Hi there, oh great ones. Here's my system as it stands: -Athlon 64 3200 - 1 gigabyte 3200 RAM (three on motherboard, one RAM slot left) - ATI Radeon 9800 pro 128 - Two 80 gig hard drives, one SATA, the other regular EIDE. I think it'a an ATA-100 drive. - Windows XP pro - Onboard sound...
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    Best sound card for use with Fruityloops

    I have some relatively crappy onboard sound, which produces many pops and clicks when I set the audio latency low enough to play in real-time on my MIDI keyboard. I want to be able to keep the quality high and play in more or less real time. I've got an Athlon 64 3200 and a gig of RAM, so I...
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    New Video Cards for AGP users?

    I haven't been following the new cards, so I'd appreciate some help. I plan to ugrade my video card around October, but I don't want to upgrade my processor/ram/etc. (Well, that's not true -- I may up my RAM to about 2mb at the same time.) My specs: AMD 64 3200 1gigabyte of PC3200 ATI...
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    Monitor Mayhem

    There's an older gentleman who goes to our church. Lately, his computer has been giving him fits, so I went over to look at it. Here's what happens: - The machine boots. - He tries to click on any icon. Doesn't matter. - Suddenly, the monitor begins turning itself on. And off. And...
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    PCI Video Card for a Friend

    My friend has a 2.4 gigahertz Compaq Presario. Yes, I have taught him the error of his ways, and he's going to be upgrading to something a lot better in the future. But the key is -- the future. For now, he's stuck with the machine for another year or so. He has been trying to play some...
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    Upgrade path

    Just got a new PC that came with a 128 mb 9800 pro. In the next four to six months, I'll be looking to upgrade my card. Obviously the machine has an AGP slot, so I'm looking to stay with AGP for another year or so. Here's what I have under the hood, purchased from a local shop: Ati 9800...
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    Win XP problems on brand new machine

    brought my new computer home from the shop and booted it up. Things seemed to go fine until I tried to run some what I thought were rather basic applications. I can't remember the exact error (had to go back to work,) but at various points it kept saying: - File XXXX.XXX (usually DLL...
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    New Computer, New Problems

    I brought my new computer home from the shop and booted it up. Things seemed to go fine until I tried to run some what I thought were rather basic applications. I can't remember the exact error (had to go back to work,) but at various points it kept saying: - File XXXX.XXX (usually DLL...
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    Sound Problem

    I'm getting my new computer tomorrow. I'm a wimp, so I'm having a local shop I've been using about 12 years now build it for me (hey -- that two year, total parts and labor warranty is cool, and believe me -- the price is actually competitive). It's not going to be the fastest box on the...
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    Sounds Like I Have a Problem -- Or Do I?

    I'm getting my new computer tomorrow. I'm a wimp, so I'm having a local shop I've been using about 12 years now build it for me (hey -- that two year, total parts and labor warranty is cool, and believe me -- the price is actually competitive). It's not going to be the fastest box on the...
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    Shuttle SFF questions (and barebones)

    I'm looking to build my own system for the first time. I can swap out power supplies, drives and cards and such, install oses, etc., so I think I'm ready to give it a try. I'm curious about the shuttle Small Form Factor barebones systems. Does the mainboard and such come installed and hooked...