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  1. E

    question about replacement of GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 LGA 775 motherboard

    You can also check the FS/T forum if you want something better than a GXX chipset, but don't want to pay too much.
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    Dell Vostro 460- upgradeable enough to be worth it?

    Yah, I've been buying dell deals (for home use) and upgrading the vidcards for a while now (if needed). It's usually for my family/friends who don't want to spend much on a custom system, and need a monitor/kb/mouse along with the tower. Price ranges from $350 (w/o monitor) up to $500 (w/...
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    So you've built a monster computer - What do you do with yours?

    [1] HTPC, browsing, office, (intended use was FPS gaming, but I haven't upgraded the vidcard yet, lol... been busy/lazy) [2] browsing, VMs for dev work, office, pandora, gaming while compiling/testing (tetris, sudoku, minesweeper, freecell, pokerstars) [3] server
  4. E

    ~~~ Computer-building resource thread ~~~

    LGA775 HSF installation link died. Here's the link direct to Intel: http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/products/100617.htm (wmv file) found on this page: http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/products/99345.htm
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    budget workstation / some games

    Something to get you started... $194 - COMBO: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 + GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AM3 ($15MIR) $94 - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1600 F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL [FS] $27 - Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B [FS] $55 - Samsung...
  6. E

    Hopefully Final Build (Might need tweaking)

    Unless the CavBlack 500GB switched to a single platter, go for the 640GB instead, which uses higher density platters and is therefore faster. If you don't see yourself going Crossfire in the future, you can drop the board down to the $130 level or less (non Pro or some UD3 gigabyte board). $135...
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    i7 860 New Build VERY SLOW BOOT and POST! Please HELP

    Have you enabled TLER on your drives? Have you run any HDTune or HDTach benchmarks on your array? Do you have the Intel Storage Matrix Driver installed/configured w/ Write-Back cache enabled?
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    Why would i want a bluetooth enabled netbook?

    http://www.meritline.com/showLargImage.aspx?sku=192-094 -- $5 shipped ($1 shipped when its on sale) That's barely noticeable. The only drawback is it will take up a USB slot, which are rather hard to come by on typical netbooks -- but then again, most people don't plug many USB things into...
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    Low Budget Gaming PC Build

    For gaming, you'd be best served by the X3 720. Simply switch out your Intel CPU and P45 board for the X3 720 and 790GPT board Syran linked to. $194 - COMBO: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 + GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AM3 ($15MIR) Ditch the Zalman and go for the Cooler Master Hyper 212+...
  10. E

    Computer won't turn on

    lol, I see what SOSTrooper is talking about, but I think its fine -- its ass-backwards, but it should be fine if the pins are properly matched (+12v leads to a +12V and ground to ground). I really think the OP needs to start over. Take EVERYTHING out of the case. Unplug ALL cables from the...
  11. E

    Building HTPC for friend, need advice (prelim build inside)

    What's his audio setup like? I'd swap that board for a GeForce 9300 and ditch the discrete vidcard. $110 - ZOTAC GF9300-A-E LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9300 HDMI Micro ATX ... or you could get a faster CPU with AMD, and go with DDR3 instead, since DDR2 is way overpriced (and again, ditch the...
  12. E

    New Quiet budget build for step-dad.

    A pre-built dell deal or refurb from dell outlet for $350-$450 would be ideal, complete with OS and monitor. Typical specs are E5300/E7500, 2-4GB ram, 160-320GB HDD, X4500HD, 18-22" LCD, home premium, etc.
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    Upgrading an older PC on a budget, need opinions.

    Yah, looks like a good upgrade. Another option is to sell your current board/cpu/ram and use that money to upgrade to the newer, AM3 platform. I mention this because I hate to see you pay $25 for 1GB of DDR2, and nearly the same price for a much older/inferior CPU. $60 - AMD Athlon II X2 240...
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    Here's my build! 1200/gaming/school rig LINKS FIXED

    The performance difference still isn't worth any noticeable price premium, IMO, between CL7 and CL9 unless you run benchmarks all day. Higher speed ram yields more performance gains than lower timings with DDR/2/3.
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    Upgrade time soon, need some help

    If the price difference is negligible to you, then yes, get the higher speed RAM. However, I'd at least get DDR3-1333. You could re-use your DDR2 if you wanted to with an AM3 CPU, simply by getting an AM2+/AM3 DDR2 motherboard. However, this may limit your upgrade path with regards to both...
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    Please rate/comment my i5 build

    The F3 is indeed a nice drive. Love mine.
  17. E

    Now just does not seem like a good time to build...am I wrong?

    We're currently in an intel Tock (new arch)... I'd typically wait for the Tick (die shrink). http://www.intel.com/technology/tick-tock/
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    Here's my build! 1200/gaming/school rig LINKS FIXED

    Dominators are overpriced. I'd stick with regular XMS3 instead, since there is little performance difference between CL8 and CL9 (not enough to warrant the $26 price premium): $94 - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1600 CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 Judging by the price, I think that PQI SSD uses a jmicron...
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    New build reassurance

    Yup, more than enough. If you live near a Fry's, you can typically get an $80 CPU/Mobo combo during their weekly sales. I'd suggest avoiding Norton AV and just get them MS Security Essentials (free) instead -- less resource intensive and actually quite good.
  20. E

    Need help with PC upgrades

    I agree, the best upgrades would be a CPU and Vidcard, and the cheapest way is through the FS/T forums. ;)
  21. E

    Last will and testament/Closing remarks/rate my build- Trigger pull imminent

    Looks fine. For $10 more you can double your space and get a much faster HDD with the Samsung F3 or Seagate 7200.12 500GB: $55 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA300 16MB Cache $55 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA300 16MB Cache
  22. E

    Thoughts on PC

    Not bad. That HD4350 is not a gaming card, so you'll definitely want to replace it. What size monitor? That PSU probably can't handle much of a vidcard upgrade, though, so that may need to be replaced, unfortunately.
  23. E

    Please rate/comment my i5 build

    Yah, that PSU is very quiet. What size monitor do you have? As for a cooler, I'd suggest the CM Hyper 212+, unless you change your mind and feel like breaking OC'ing records. If you have money burning a hole through your pocket, I'd suggest an Intel X25-M SSD (or a Kingston rebranded version).
  24. E

    Apt burned down - building new PC

    Order what you can from Amazon. ;)
  25. E

    A new computer.

    Oh, I forgot... new vidcards are out from NVIDIA and ATI's are coming out next week. So, wait for some reviews on those. gpureview.com is a good resource for vidcard info.
  26. E

    Need to buy new work laptops

    Get Thinkpads or Toughbooks.
  27. E

    New build

    Everything looks good. An alternative mobo would be the MSI Neo2-FR. It has better NB/mosfet cooling to allow better OC'ing. Oh yah, you should really get the $7 Xigmatek LGA775 retention kit for that HDT-S1283 (bolt-thru kit).
  28. E

    A new computer.

    Newegg mostly, but also buy.com (esp for PSUs). Other etailers to check out are zipzoomfly.com, clubit.com, directron.com, mwave.com, ewiz.com, ncixus.com, etc. Check the deal sites regularly (fatwallet hot deals forum, slickdeals.net, bensbargains.net, hot deals subforum here and other forums...
  29. E

    A new computer.

    Read mechbgon's build guide and you'll be fine. Here's something to start you off... rough price estimates... $250 - 22" LCD Monitor $160 - Asus 8800GT ($30MIR) (vidcard) $135 - Intel Core2Duo E7200 (CPU) $110 - WD 640GB WD6400AAKS (HDD) $100 - MS Windows Vista Home Premium OEM (OS) $70...
  30. E

    New System

    Good choices... almost exactly what I was about to recommend, except for the case and PSU. I like the Centurion 532 or 534 better than the standard 5 because they use a 120mm intake fan instead of an 80mm intake fan. 120mm fans are more quiet and push more air. As for the PSU, I would have...
  31. E

    New Build

    The EA430 has 30A on the +12V rail, so it will most likely handle many high end cards, including the 8800GTS 512MB or HD3870X2.
  32. E

    New Build

    I agree with Marc. The 9600GT would be better than the 8800GS, of course, but especially with a 24" monitor. The Antec Designer 500 is overpriced, IMO, but hey, cases are personal preference.
  33. E

    Building mainstream PC - recommendations?

    Yah, go for a good dell deal. Check http://www.gotapex.com/ for dell deals. Here's a few headlines from there... Today's deals... Yesterday's deals...
  34. E

    Cheapest upgrade path to get me into the PCI-E era

    If you need to save some cash, you still can, by using your old parts. Just to let you know, you can still use your old AGP card and DDR ram, and still have the ability to upgrade to PCI-E and DDR2 RAM, if you're still interested. The AsRock 4CoreDual-VSTA or 4CoreDual-SATA2 supports both AGP...
  35. E

    Just took the plunge

    If you don't need SLI, then there's no reason to pay for an SLI board. You only need SLI if you're rendering 3D at HIGH RESOLUTIONS -- think 1920x1200 or higher. Anything less and you're not really getting your money's worth. Though, thats all subjective, so buy what you want, its your money...
  36. E

    New Build!

    In 5 years, you'll need a new motherboard anyhow, so ditch the X38 for a P35, like everyone else said. The only reason to buy an X38 board is for Crossfire, and you don't game much, so you're paying for something you'll never use. If you want bragging rights, buy a SkullTrail board when they...
  37. E

    Building a new computer

    I disagree as far as the E6750 being a poor choice for those reasons. The only reason its a poor choice is because the E8400 can be picked up for $189 at Microcenter. The E6750 may be $65 more, but it can reach a higher clock speed than the E4500, despite its lower multiplier. Most P35...
  38. E

    Building for a friend: need analysis!

    I agree, a prebuilt like Dell is the way to go for such needs. If you go with a pre-built and don't want all the crap, there's a decrapifier program out there, but I'm not sure how well it works. You could also easily re-install the OS with a Dell, just make sure you get the media with the system.
  39. E

    SATA Cable Question

    Really? I've had no issues with mine. I've been using them for a couple years now, and none of the dozen or so I own have broken on me, nor do I find them obtrusive to the power plug. To each, his own. The new gigabyte boards come with sata cables with locking latches... now if they only came...