Personal computing discussed

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by MJZ82
Wed May 23, 2018 5:28 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Camping / Hiking :
Replies: 24
Views: 4150

Re: Camping / Hiking :

For new campers looking for tents -- The rated number of adult sleepers should be taken with a grain of salt. Unless you know otherwise, always get a tent rated for more people than you actually have. example for 2 people, get a "3 person" tent. Also, pay attention to height... I have a 2 ...
by MJZ82
Fri Dec 01, 2017 3:57 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: Upgrading to CoffeeLake, or should I wait ?
Replies: 43
Views: 13669

Re: Upgrading to CoffeeLake, or should I wait ?

So just venting a bit... since my doorstep is highly visible, I chose to have Amazon deliver my new CPU to their locker service. After a 'missed delivery' and a few more days' waiting, I received a refund notice from Amazon with no explanation. Perhaps the locker was full and they didn't want to hol...
by MJZ82
Tue Nov 28, 2017 6:56 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: Upgrading to CoffeeLake, or should I wait ?
Replies: 43
Views: 13669

Re: Upgrading to CoffeeLake, or should I wait ?

I'm in much the same situation... on an i5 2500k that only in the last year or less has suddenly become a major bottleneck. And my previous system had a Q6600 as well. There's always something new and better around the corner, but I decided to splurge a bit and get an i7 8700k. FWIW, my thinking is ...
by MJZ82
Wed Nov 22, 2017 3:34 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: I hate xmas shopping!
Replies: 2
Views: 1406

Re: I hate xmas shopping!

I do hate xmas shopping. It's stressful to try to think of things to buy people, and if there's something I really wanted to gift someone, I probably would have done it already. The pressure to buy things is stupid and vapid. Also, I don't want more things . Lights are cool, the music is annoying as...
by MJZ82
Wed Oct 28, 2015 11:10 am
Forum: General Software
Topic: Screen recording software
Replies: 8
Views: 2265

Re: Screen recording software

What's your intended use? If you don't require sound and want an easy way to create animated documentation or similar, there's a tool I started using recently called ShareX which is pretty good. You can record specific windows or screen regions and save them as gifs, which certainly cuts down on fil...
by MJZ82
Wed Mar 12, 2014 5:52 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Raid 0 with one slow and one fast SSD
Replies: 8
Views: 4052

Re: Raid 0 with one slow and one fast SSD

I think your performance may end up being lower than what you have right now. It might be a lot of work just to figure that out. Have you considered just adding the slower SSD to your computer, no RAID or anything? Use it to install new applications, and maybe offload a few existing applications if ...
by MJZ82
Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:47 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: Multimedia graphing software?
Replies: 2
Views: 1098

Re: Multimedia graphing software?

I don't know your skillset, but here are some suggestions... Excel plugins... there are some out there that could extend the existing functionality and might provide what you need. You'd really have to evaluate to see what meets your requirements though. Google Charts - to be honest I don't have eno...
by MJZ82
Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:58 pm
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: I'm PERPLEXED! Focal Length and angle of view on Sony A57
Replies: 14
Views: 4133

Re: I'm PERPLEXED! Focal Length and angle of view on Sony A5

On front focusing lenses (you can focus by turning the very end of the lens, or when you focus/autofocus, the end of the lens rotates, or if it telescopes slightly) then yes, your angle of view will change somewhat as a result of focusing. You kind had the right idea regarding the sensor size and ho...
by MJZ82
Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:27 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: First raid-0 array for me - FRAPS recording
Replies: 15
Views: 4009

Re: First raid-0 array for me - FRAPS recording

I'm not sure how big your SSD is, how much free space you have, or how the length of videos you plan to record. However, I would suggest instead of investing in a RAID 0 setup, consider if you could meet your needs with the hardware you already have - just record to your SSD (it is more resilient th...
by MJZ82
Thu Jan 02, 2014 12:13 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Homebrewing
Replies: 19
Views: 2709

Re: Homebrewing

I honestly don't have a lot of experience with all grain brewing (maybe JustBrewIt will chime in -- nvm he just did!) but I feel pretty confident a mash paddle would help. I can't comment on the water affecting efficiency, but depending on the quality of your tap water (and the exact additives... ch...
by MJZ82
Mon Dec 09, 2013 1:32 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: Strange DNS Errors In Windows Logs. Malware?
Replies: 20
Views: 9588

Re: Strange DNS Errors In Windows Logs. Malware?

Well I read your post and thought I couldn't help, but that reminded me to check the logs on some of my servers.

When I opened the log, the first thing that popped up was the same error for clubfiat, from the last few minutes. Maybe it has something to do with ads/content on techreport?
by MJZ82
Tue Jun 11, 2013 12:54 am
Forum: Motherboards, Chipsets, & RAM
Topic: MOTHERBOARD provides clear graphics & high end sound?
Replies: 23
Views: 6999

Re: MOTHERBOARD provides clear graphics & high end sound?

I am using generally a digital audio system, so it should be fine from that side. What do you mean by this? Are you using digital speakers, which take a digital input, or you are using a receiver with a digital input? In this case, you will be using a digital out (likely optical or hdmi) and if tha...
by MJZ82
Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:28 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upgrade
Replies: 8
Views: 4631

Re: Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upg

Which version of RST? 11.7 was just released http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Software+Products&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%c2%ae+Rapid+Storage+Technology+(Intel%c2%ae+RST) (Personally I'm all about Storage Spaces over RAID, ...
by MJZ82
Sun Dec 16, 2012 4:51 am
Forum: Storage
Topic: Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upgrade
Replies: 8
Views: 4631

Re: Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upg

vandy wrote:
I had this same "perpetual spinning up" problem...


Hmm well I've had these drives in RAID 1 for over a year with no problems whatsoever. This happened as soon as I upgraded to Windows 8.
by MJZ82
Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:15 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upgrade
Replies: 8
Views: 4631

Re: Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upg

Hardware:
OS - OCZ Vertex 3 120GB
Data - x2 Samsung Spinpoint F4 2TB
MOBO - ASUS P8P67 LE
RAID 1 is setup via the MOBO
by MJZ82
Sat Dec 15, 2012 7:40 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upgrade
Replies: 8
Views: 4631

Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upgrade

I'd really appreciate any help troubleshooting this issue. I put together a computer with all new parts about a year ago. I have a SSD as an OS disk and 2x 2TB drives in RAID 1 as a data disk. I never had any problems related to the drives at all, until I did an upgrade install from Windows 7 to Win...
by MJZ82
Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:13 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Tipping etiquette question
Replies: 32
Views: 6650

Re: Tipping etiquette question

Another thing worth noting is that in jobs where people are expected to receive tips, the government assumes they are making a minimum amount of tips per hour, and charges them taxes accordingly. If someone makes no tips in a given hour, they still pay taxes for the tips they aren't receiving.
by MJZ82
Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:44 pm
Forum: Overclocking, Tweaking, & Cooling
Topic: CPU fan blows air to cool or pulls off hot air coming off
Replies: 22
Views: 26995

Re: CPU fan blows air to cool or pulls off hot air coming of

Yea it should be blowing air onto the heatsink between the fan and the CPU. If adding an outside fan helps that much, there are a couple things you can do to likely help reduce your CPU temps. First, see if you can do anything to clean up the cables and things inside the case. First, make sure every...
by MJZ82
Tue May 01, 2012 1:05 am
Forum: Windows
Topic: Windows 7 version and RAM
Replies: 15
Views: 3206

Re: Windows 7 version and RAM

Let's see if I can post that link better... http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778%28v=vs.85%29.aspx In short, here are the limits for each version of 64-bit Windows 7, according to that page: Home Basic - 8gb Home Premium - 16gb Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate - 192...
by MJZ82
Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:28 am
Forum: Processors
Topic: Cpu advice please
Replies: 17
Views: 3115

Re: Cpu advice please

I think that processor would probably be more than adequate for most photography work. Is she a professional that makes a living off photography? I work with Lightroom and Photoshop and only use a Core i5 2500k (4 cores, 3.3ghz, overclocked to 4.3ghz) and it feels pretty snappy. If the hardware you ...
by MJZ82
Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:06 am
Forum: Overclocking, Tweaking, & Cooling
Topic: Cooler recommendation for i5-2500 & G.Skill Sniper combo
Replies: 9
Views: 4459

Re: Cooler recommendation for i5-2500 & G.Skill Sniper combo

If you really want quiet, look into Noctua. Their NH-U12P SE2 ( http://noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=31&lng=en ) is one of their less 'extreme' offerings... it doesn't have a ton of heat pipes, but it is quiet, dissipates heat well, and is smaller than some of their other s...
by MJZ82
Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:35 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Ambient lighting LEDs. Which colour?
Replies: 33
Views: 8910

Re: Ambient lighting LEDs. Which colour?

I have the Ikea color-changing LED lightstrips (Dioder is the name) as shown in the OPs picture. FYI the 'white' color is really harsh and has a rainbowing effect due to the different colors not blending well. This made the white setting unusable IMO. Some of the other colors are alright. The primar...
by MJZ82
Sat Feb 18, 2012 11:46 am
Forum: Windows
Topic: Today I Learned
Replies: 13
Views: 3569

Re: Today I Learned

Relevant: there are some shortcuts to useful window sizes/positions by holding the Windows key and pressing an arrow button (up, down, left, right)... multiple presses of the arrow keys can do some useful things if you have more than one monitor set up. Also, there's always the Cascade Windows featu...
by MJZ82
Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:47 am
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: i5 or i7? Do I need to overclock?
Replies: 5
Views: 2100

Re: i5 or i7? Do I need to overclock?

I too agree to get the i5 2500k. It's so easy to overclock, just set it to 100/101 x 43/44 or thereabouts and be done with it. Most likely you'll be stable without having to change anything else. That's all the processor you'll need for most gaming anyway and spending more on the graphics card will ...
by MJZ82
Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:46 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: build recommendation for music production
Replies: 13
Views: 2909

Re: build recommendation for music production

I don't have a lot to add but here's a couple thoughts... unless he already has a good backup storage solution, you should consider adding something for that as well. I dunno if the Caviar Blue is ideal for this build, but I do think 500GB might be too little. I'm not real familiar with that PSU, bu...
by MJZ82
Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:10 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Good sound solution for my home theatre setup?
Replies: 10
Views: 1654

Re: Good sound solution for my home theatre setup?

The only issue is that unless the PC resolution is less than 1080p OR if the hertz is 30hz and not 60hz, the Tv/screen flickers badly every second. Tried swapping HDMI cables and ports on the amp to no avail. Hmm that kinda blows, eh? Maybe you can look around at settings for the video driver on yo...
by MJZ82
Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:07 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: Good sound solution for my home theatre setup?
Replies: 10
Views: 1654

Re: Good sound solution for my home theatre setup?

PenGun wrote:
Now all you need is a decent DAC and you can run your audio system from your computer too. Always better to exit the noisy box as directly as possible.


This has zero relevance if he's outputting through HDMI (or optical) to the receiver.
by MJZ82
Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:38 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: Building new system $2,000 budget
Replies: 16
Views: 2094

Re: Building new system $2,000 budget

I can't really speak to the quality of those speakers you linked. However, it appears they are more geared toward home theater VS audio, which means they might be intended more for movies rather than music. This doesn't mean they'd sound bad, but this is a distinction that is made a lot when the wor...
by MJZ82
Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:09 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: Building new system $2,000 budget
Replies: 16
Views: 2094

Re: Building new system $2,000 budget

For your audio upgrade path, you should focus on speakers, amp, dac... in that order. While I don't doubt those speakers are impressive for their price, if you really do listen to a lot of music, a 2.0 setup of nice solid speakers with bigger cones might blow you away.
by MJZ82
Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:34 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: Building new system $2,000 budget
Replies: 16
Views: 2094

Re: Building new system $2,000 budget

Can you be more specific about your audiophile requirements and intentions? Typically having good audio has very little to do with most of the hardware, and what parts do matter really depends on if you are talking about only using headphones, nearfield monitors, a surround system, or a combination ...
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