Build or buy...

[donnato]

Thank you Hana. Just to check this out while at work on my laptop I followed your instructions and found some pretty interesting event entries. Some 0x80041003 errors too. I`m going to have to fix those and the M$ forum tells me how. I just have to figure how to open a command prompt window.

I should probably move this over to the hardware/software support section now.

[HeyYou]

For a command prompt, click on start, and in the "search" bar, type it:

CMD

And hit enter. That will open a new window, with a command prompt. Command line stuff gets typed in there.

[donnato]

Ah, thank you HY. I kinda figured it would need to be typed in the search but I didn`t want to just start experimenting.

[donnato]

Ok...well some time has gone by and you`ve all given me the guidance to build a very awsome rig...thank you. I`m thinking now about upgrades and have been saving up. I`m kinda torn between saving a bit more for a CPU upgrade...or using what I`ve got / will have soon for RAM sticks + HDD...or vid card. I`m leanong toward vid card because my existing GPU memory ia less than 1GB...so what do you think of ...this I`m pretty happy with Nvidia and Intel....that said I could not ignore any or all sensible suggestions so...wha do you folks think..? Thank you.

[darkstone]

I`m actually just about to order something very similar don

GTX Phantom

[donnato]

Wow, that looks awsome Stoney...if I were to save up that much (US $$) I`d probably upgrade my CPU. That said...I`m in no hurry here...I`ll save the link. I really like the looks of that cooling system. Thanks.

[HeyYou]

Bear in mind that is a triple-slot card to.... It's friggin' HUGE.

I just bought an ATI HD 6850 for a 150 bucks..... I thought that was a steal. Love the card.

I have a 4890 for sale. Just got back from warranty replacement. (1 gb card.)

[donnato]

Yup I saw the triple-slot spec, it is big,eh? HY, I just went to look at the specs for the 48990 and it looks very nice. What brand name is the card can you link me to the specs? I may be interested in purchasing.. It would make sense in my position.

[donnato]

Ok scroll fans...Bessie`s been up and serving my every need for awhile now. I`m thinking now of a sound card...nothing fancy but I do want performance...I tend to hear white noise and RF stuff...What kind of specs should I look for...not going the home theater rout or even surround sound just something that sounds good and has volume options..?

Like ...THIS

Edited March 9, 2012 by donnato

[HeyYou]

Surprisingly enough, this is a better card for gaming. The one you have there is a fake x-fi card, and is based on the predecessor of the Audigy 2.........

Edited to add: Bear in mind, to see ANY benefit from a hardware accelerated add-on card, you will have to use some flavor of third party software, creative alchemy for this card.... as direct sound doesn't exist in vista, or any O/S after it..... Say thank you microsloth......

[donnato]

Looks great HY thanks, but...108 snr..? I`m used to much lower...otherwise it all looks good. Accelerated software Is basicallly ok...I kinda like ...this ...specs look very good..

Edited March 9, 2012 by donnato

[Arion]

Creative

Can compare them all here.

[donnato]

Ok so i finally got the i7 2600k CPU and installed it. I`m a bit concerned about the temps I`m seeing...usually it`s hovering around 50-60- C . I converted to farenheit and have seen tamps up to 150F...This is on default settings with the fan that came with the CPU. Any thoughts..?

[Meo]

It should be around 50. Did you forget to reapply thermal paste? Did you put too much? Check the heatsink if its correctly placed. Air circulation in the case might be part of the problem.

[donnato]

meo...I used a thin coat of Arctic Silver. As far as I know the fan is locked in right. When you say "50" ... is that celsius? Also my core 1 and core 4 run hotter.

[lonewolf_kai]

Hmm I have a i7 2700K CPU and it usually stays at 40C, but I've also got a pretty "windy" tower that's niiiiiiice.

[donnato]

Cool , thanks folks. I found this same question at Tom`s hardware and got some ideas, but, it looks like I`ll be better off with a much better fan/heatsink......any suggestions..?

Edited June 2, 2012 by donnato

[Meo]

Check into Corsair H100. I hear great things about it, if it fits in your case that is.

[donnato]

Thanks Meo. Couldn`t find that exact one on Newegg but i`m sure I could find it with a bit more searching.

EDIT: ah, a quick search took me right to the Corsair H100 and I see that it`s a liquid cooling solution. Nice looking system but I wouldn`t know where to mount the radiator. Also, I`d prefer not to have to open the case every time I wanted to change the fan speeds or buy the optional digital controller. A very nice system nontheless. Thankyou.

EDIT2: Ok well here`s the cooler I decided on...LINKY

Edited June 3, 2012 by donnato

[donnato]

Ok folks...Bessie`s once again going under the knife, if you will, and I`m thinking that it`s time to put together a PC took kit. What would you suggest? What do you find you don`t have when you need it..?

[Arion]

I have don't have to look any further than the corner of the shelf on the side of my computer. Everything is right there and no worries about rooting around.

1- lg flashlight

1 - sm maglight

2 - needle nosed plyiers with different tips

1 - paint brush

1 - toothbrush

2 - small flat head screwdrivers

2 - magnetic phillips screwdrives with narrow and wide tips

3 - tubes of thermal paste

2 - cans of dust buster air cans

1 - pair sissors

1 - roll electric tape

1 - set of small micro screwdrivers

4 - mayo jars of assorted screws saved over the past 15 years from buildign various computers

Guess that's about it.

Edited June 8, 2012 by Arion

[donnato]

Looks right Arion...but what about nut drivers and magnetic retrieval tool? Soldering iron...crimpimg tool ...VOM.. oscilloscope...?

[Arion]

Nut drivers for what? I have a kit withchip pullers and nutdrivers but rarely use it.. Its also on the shelf. Just not important. Don't need a retrieval tool because I have magnetic screwdrivers so I don't lose screws. As for the rest of the stuff, you didnt' ask what you need for a full fledged repair shop

[Meo]

Dont forget the tie wraps.

[donnato]

Right Meo...I made sure to stock up on those. Almost as handy as duct tape, which , by the way conducts electricity. Long story how I found that out.