build gaming pc for D3 and GW2

[mithcol]

hey guys, Im currently working on getting all the parts. Im going to buy the monitor in the next couple days, here is what Ive been suggested;


ASUS VH236H 23 Inch WidescreenLCD Monitor - Black

ASUS VE247H 23.6-Inch1920x1080 LED Monitor

Viewsonic VX2450WM-LED 24-Inch(23.6-Inch Vis) Widescreen LEDMonitor with Full HD 1080p andSpeakers - Black

Anything I should know about monitors, or how they are related to the computer before I make my choice?

thanks again

 

[lehtv]

VH238H is $150 AR AP on newegg 🙂

Anything I should know about monitors, or how they are related to the computer before I make my choice?

Not really. I mean, there is a lot you can know about monitors that can help you make a better choice, but for most people it's as simple as picking a good bang for buck monitor that has the right resolution and size. Asus VH series usually fulfills those requirements pretty well.

The most popular and most affordable monitors are TN panels which, compared to higher cost IPS panels, have notoriously bad viewing angles and color reproduction. But for the average user, including myself, TN panels are just fine. Refresh rate is normally 60hz which, again for most people, is just fine. Hardcore gamers will sometimes demand a 120hz monitor for improved image smoothness, and I know from using one that it does make a difference; but it's does also pretty much double the cost of the monitor so it's not worth it for most people.

Another thing you only really know from experience is whether you will want a height adjustable monitor. For me, it's high on my list of requirements, but I'd count myself an exception in this regard.

 

[mithcol]

thanks,

Im willing to spend $200-300 on it and the 120hz is something I might consider if I can afford it.

 

[mithcol]

spent some time at the hardware market today, Im thinking of going with the Dell U2412M. They convinced me that the IPS monitor is worth the extra penny...

 

[mfenn]

spent some time at the hardware market today, Im thinking of going with the Dell U2412M. They convinced me that the IPS monitor is worth the extra penny...

I think that it is as well, but this is one of those things where you need to see one in person before you make the decision.

 

[mithcol]

hey, its finished 🙂 ;

it was actually alot simpler then I originally thought, the only thing I dont understand is what is the difference between the SSD and the internal hard drive. After installation I am unable to locate the internal hard drive, it doesnt make a difference if I plug it in or not. What is it for? After installing Windows and all I have less then 30gb left on the SSD!

 

[VirtualLarry]

it was actually alot simpler then I originally thought, the only thing I dont understand is what is the difference between the SSD and the internal hard drive. After installation I am unable to locate the internal hard drive, it doesnt make a difference if I plug it in or not. What is it for? After installing Windows and all I have less then 30gb left on the SSD!

The internal HD should show up in the BIOS. If you have AHCI enabled in BIOS (you should, it speeds up SSDs), then there should be an AHCI BIOS sign-on screen that lists your drives.

If you already have Windows installed, look under Device Manager, under Disks.
Also look under Disk Management. It should show up as "Disk #", and "Unallocated".

Assuming it does show up in BIOS and under disk management, then you just need to partition and format it, for it to show up as a drive letter under Explorer.

If it doesn't show up in either BIOS or Device Manager or Disk Management, make sure that both the power and SATA data cables are connected properly. If they are, and it doesn't show up, then the drive is toast and should be replaced.

 

[mithcol]

hm..just realized I cant get into BIOS. When I hit F2 or DEL it just takes me to a black screen with cursor and then Windows starts normally.

I tried looking for the latest BIOS update from ASRock but my model isnt listed...

 

[mfenn]

hey, its finished 🙂 ;

it was actually alot simpler then I originally thought, the only thing I dont understand is what is the difference between the SSD and the internal hard drive. After installation I am unable to locate the internal hard drive, it doesnt make a difference if I plug it in or not. What is it for? After installing Windows and all I have less then 30gb left on the SSD!

One tiny problem, there's no case! :awe:

As for your other question, the SSD is a small, very fast drive meant for your OS and important programs. The HDD is a larger, slower drive meant for mass storage. They will show up as two different drive letters in Windows once properly configured.

 

[MoxJr]

What parts did you end up getting?

 

[mithcol]

What parts did you end up getting?

Everything as posted by Dominion except memory, I didnt get Patriot. Got Evo Corsa instead.

Still cant Access the ASRock Bios or UEFI...not sure what else to try? And I found the internal HD in Device manager but still not sure how to configure it.

 

[mfenn]

Everything as posted by Dominion except memory, I didnt get Patriot. Got Evo Corsa instead.

Still cant Access the ASRock Bios or UEFI...not sure what else to try? And I found the internal HD in Device manager but still not sure how to configure it.

Start, type "computer management", press Enter, go to Disk Management. A wizard should pop up at that point, but if it doesn't right click on the HDD in the bottom pane (you will be able to tell by the size), tell it to initialize and then create a new simple volume.

As for not being able to access the BIOS, do you have the keyboard plugged into a USB 2.0 port? Is it plugged in through any hubs?

 

[VirtualLarry]

My Asrock 990FX Extreme4 mobo UEFI BIOS can be tricky to access as well.

For some reason, DEL does not work to enter the BIOS on a PS/2 keyboard. Must use "F2".

If I use a USB keyboard, I can press DEL.

Seems screwy to me.

Booting the mobo, without any disks attached, goes into the BIOS automagically.