Personal computing discussed

Search found 82 matches

by vandy
Thu Dec 26, 2013 1:46 am
Forum: SFF Station
Topic: What are dimensions of i3 stock heatsink/fan?
Replies: 11
Views: 12437

Re: What are dimensions of i3 stock heatsink/fan?

The Prolimatech Samuel 17 *MIGHT* work for you. It uses a 120mm fan but it is designed to over hang the ram and other compoents. I've used this heatsink on 4 different ITX motherboards and it fits all of them. Depending on orientation, it will clear the PCIE slot.
by vandy
Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:49 pm
Forum: Windows
Topic: Windows 8.1 update or clean install?
Replies: 8
Views: 5807

Re: Windows 8.1 update or clean install?

Thanks for all the response guys. Even though the in-place upgrade seems relatively trouble free, the little quirks that you guys encountered doesn't quite sit well with me so I am going to do a clean install. Unless you have a 8.1 key you can't do a fresh install, it will only allow you to upgrade ...
by vandy
Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:50 am
Forum: Windows
Topic: Windows 8.1 update or clean install?
Replies: 8
Views: 5807

Windows 8.1 update or clean install?

For those of you that are using Windows 8.1, did you run the update or did a full install? I usually do a clean install when there is major update to windows. I already downloaded 8.1 and have ISO image made to be put onto my USB stick. Just not sure if I should do a clean install because I'm feelin...
by vandy
Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:25 am
Forum: General Software
Topic: any AfterFX CS6 users here?
Replies: 5
Views: 1988

Re: any AfterFX CS6 users here?

It does makes things a *little* snappier while working but in the end, you are still bottlenecked by CPU, RAM and disk throughput. The biggest performance gain for me was using a SSD raid 0 array for my projects (for cache and assets). Is it worth upgrading from CS5.5 to CS6 for the caching feature ...
by vandy
Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:38 pm
Forum: Graphics
Topic: I think I'm in the right on this, but wanted to double check
Replies: 24
Views: 3550

Re: I think I'm in the right on this, but wanted to double c

they definitely sent you the wrong card. tell newegg to give you a straight refund and have them to pay for the return shipping. the best way is to either call them or do the online chat.
by vandy
Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:49 am
Forum: Cases and Power Supplies
Topic: Mini-ITX case market driving me insane, advice pls
Replies: 27
Views: 11526

Re: Mini-ITX case market driving me insane, advice pls

WRT the ISK-300 I looked at that back in the day and thought "after a few iterations Antec will have a really nice design on their hands here." Then they stopped innovating entirely. Still not a bad case, but again only slim optical and cramped enough I might need to replace the 150W PSU ...
by vandy
Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:55 am
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Opening a laptop to install stuff
Replies: 40
Views: 11470

Re: Opening a laptop to install stuff

Wait. Are most SSD's 9mm? I will be doing a swap soon on a new pseudo ultrabook when I get paid. If it doesn't fit I can remove it from the case and install it? The Samsung's are 7mm. You should watch that 3rd link then. But remember, once you remove the casing, you void the warranty. If you have n...
by vandy
Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:53 am
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Opening a laptop to install stuff
Replies: 40
Views: 11470

Re: Opening a laptop to install stuff

I followed the youtube videos to install ram and ssd into my UX32VD as well. The screws are really tiny. I usually have a small plastic container for me to drop screws in while taking things apart. Another thing I do that has helped me in the past is get a camera ready and take pictures as you take ...
by vandy
Mon Jan 28, 2013 12:29 am
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Advice needed for a new laptop
Replies: 20
Views: 6836

Re: Advice needed for a new laptop

linda wrote:
The ram will help a lot im sure, i notice a lag in videos playing.


what player are you using? i use media player classic HC with LAV filters and MadVR. Playback is butter smooth with 1080p MKV files.
by vandy
Sun Jan 27, 2013 5:29 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Newegg squishes patent troll.
Replies: 7
Views: 2277

Newegg squishes patent troll.

My respect for Newegg went up after reading this: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/01/how-newegg-crushed-the-shopping-cart-patent-and-saved-online-retail/ I am surprised that so many companies (with the exception of newegg) decided to settle with the patent troll. I can see how small companie...
by vandy
Sat Jan 26, 2013 5:31 pm
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Advice needed for a new laptop
Replies: 20
Views: 6836

Re: Advice needed for a new laptop

$44 8 GiB PC3-12800 204-pin SODIMM Crucial CT3340957 (DDR3-1600, CAS 11, 1.35 V) laptop memory $5 or $13 Torx T5 screwdriver +1 that crucial memory is the one I have too. Make sure you get the same one as I tried a GSkill stick that runs in 1.5v results in the laptop running in single channel and a...
by vandy
Sun Jan 20, 2013 2:30 pm
Forum: Networking
Topic: Help with Router and Modem
Replies: 8
Views: 2802

Re: Help with Router and Modem

Cable internet identifies you via your mac address so they can know who is authorized to use their network. As much as I hate ComCrap, the only MAC address they care about for me is the addy in the modem. That's the way Cox works too. I was a little confused when he said that as I hadn't experience...
by vandy
Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:50 pm
Forum: Networking
Topic: Help with Router and Modem
Replies: 8
Views: 2802

Re: Help with Router and Modem

One other thing you can try is cloning the MAC address of the computer to the router. There is usually a setting somewhere in the router administration which will let you do this, or at least manually enter it. +1 Cable internet identifies you via your mac address so they can know who is authorized...
by vandy
Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:47 am
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Advice needed for a new laptop
Replies: 20
Views: 6836

Re: Advice needed for a new laptop

I got a Asus UX32VD a month ago. Absolutely love it! What sold me on it was the 1080p IPS screen. I upgraded the ram to 10gb and swap the HDD with SSD in there with a full clean install of windows 8. At stock, the 4gb ram and HDD was just not cutting it. However, with the ram and SSD upgrade, it was...
by vandy
Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:31 am
Forum: Overclocking, Tweaking, & Cooling
Topic: What thermal compound?
Replies: 48
Views: 15876

Re: What thermal compound?

Considering the things people do with mirrors that don't leave a scratch (drugs, including pretty vigorous use of razor blades against powder and crystalline... substances), to scratch a mirror with a paste that's a suspension of diamond dust would be pretty impressive - either a Gorilla arm or a c...
by vandy
Sun Jan 13, 2013 8:10 pm
Forum: Overclocking, Tweaking, & Cooling
Topic: What thermal compound?
Replies: 48
Views: 15876

Re: What thermal compound?

What are you afraid of? I use IC Diamond in my desktop, PS3, and both laptops, so apparently nothing? I've re-applied it at one point or another in three of the four objects too. I haven't seen any damage other than harmless staining. I've also used the others you list. Albeit I would note that zin...
by vandy
Sun Dec 23, 2012 6:11 pm
Forum: Overclocking, Tweaking, & Cooling
Topic: What thermal compound?
Replies: 48
Views: 15876

Re: What thermal compound?

Go ahead and rub some AS5, PK1 or generic zinc oxide thermal paste on a mirror and rub it and see if you get the same abrasions as IC Diamond causes.

No seriously go and try it. What are you afraid of?
by vandy
Sun Dec 23, 2012 3:54 am
Forum: Overclocking, Tweaking, & Cooling
Topic: What thermal compound?
Replies: 48
Views: 15876

Re: What thermal compound?

Tell that to my Thermalright Archon that used to have has a nicely polished, reflective base. Keep in mind, this heatsink went through 3 cpus and had AS5 and MX3 thermal paste at on point or another. I clean it the same way every time where I do horizontal wipes with a paper towel followed by kimtec...
by vandy
Sat Dec 22, 2012 5:18 pm
Forum: Overclocking, Tweaking, & Cooling
Topic: What thermal compound?
Replies: 48
Views: 15876

Re: What thermal compound?

I went with prolimatech pk1 after reading skineelabs reviews. Very easy to work with and easy to clean plus good performance. Stay away from ic diamond !!!!! I fell for the hype and the damn thermal paste scratch the heck out of my CPU heat spreader and the heatsink base. Not to mention it stains a...
by vandy
Sat Dec 22, 2012 3:40 am
Forum: Overclocking, Tweaking, & Cooling
Topic: What thermal compound?
Replies: 48
Views: 15876

Re: What thermal compound?

I went with prolimatech pk1 after reading skineelabs reviews. Very easy to work with and easy to clean plus good performance. Stay away from ic diamond !!!!! I fell for the hype and the damn thermal paste scratch the heck out of my CPU heat spreader and the heatsink base. Not to mention it stains an...
by vandy
Wed Dec 19, 2012 8:15 am
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Lenovo Yoga 13" Mini Review
Replies: 2
Views: 4722

Re: Lenovo Yoga 13" Mini Review

manufacturers have lost the plot in the ridiculous chase of the thin and light form factor. The only victims are build quality, value for money, and battery life. I 100% agree with you. It also seems they want to capture every "price bracket" and end up with too many products. I can imagi...
by vandy
Wed Dec 19, 2012 6:45 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Quality kitchen utensils?
Replies: 28
Views: 14180

Re: Quality kitchen utensils?

Family used to own restaurants and they all used Zwilling J.A. Henckels gear. I love my Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives. But be sure to get the quality ones because they do make some lower end / lower priced models that are not so great.
by vandy
Wed Dec 19, 2012 6:29 am
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Lenovo Yoga 13" Mini Review
Replies: 2
Views: 4722

Lenovo Yoga 13" Mini Review

I recently got a Lenovo Yoga 13" and posted this mini review over at Lenovo's forums. I thought some of you gerbils might be interested in this aswell. I hope a few of you out there will fine this information useful. I got my Yoga 13, Orange, 8gb ram and 256gb SSD on Monday the 17th. I also ord...
by vandy
Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:13 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upgrade
Replies: 8
Views: 4626

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

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. Exactly same thing happened to my 8x 2TB Samsung F4 RAID 6 Array. Powers down fine for the first year....
by vandy
Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:43 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: SSD format or secure erase
Replies: 4
Views: 2483

Re: SSD format or secure erase

Windows 7 and 8 understand SSDs well enough to issue the necessary TRIM commands, so you don't need to worry about it. TRIM lets your SSD controller handle wear leveling and sectors with garbage/stale data. A secure erase operation is effectively like TRIM for the whole SSD, but a little more compr...
by vandy
Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:16 am
Forum: Storage
Topic: Data drive keeps "spooling up" repeatedly after Win8 Upgrade
Replies: 8
Views: 4626

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

I had this same "perpetual spinning up" problem with my 8x 2tb Samsung F4 array as well (this is with areca hardware raid). I solve it by setting "turn off hard disk after" to "never" in the windows control panel -> power options settings. It seems either the F4 have tr...
by vandy
Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:06 pm
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Quality Built Laptop
Replies: 17
Views: 6135

Re: Quality Built Laptop

I was too looking for a laptop at the $800 price range but maybe is my old age, lugging a 5lb laptop is not too comfortable for me. It seems anything at that price range seems to weigh a little too much for my shoulder. The closest candidate on my list was the dell laptops and the Vizio thin an ligh...
by vandy
Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:47 pm
Forum: SFF Station
Topic: uATX transplant project
Replies: 6
Views: 12534

Re: uATX transplant project

Even more hilarious is the second post is from Sep 2011!
by vandy
Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:40 pm
Forum: Visual Haven
Topic: IPS Monitor Gift Recommendations
Replies: 37
Views: 10748

Re: IPS Monitor Gift Recommendations

Congrats on your purchase! I'm sure your friend will love the monitor. I hopped on the $1049 deal for the U3011 for my sister. Yes there are rumors that the U2413 and a U3013 will come out in March. But i'm sure you won't be seeing the new models with the deals that is going on now. For those that a...
by vandy
Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:29 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: File Server and HTPC (Separate Builds)
Replies: 26
Views: 9238

Re: File Server and HTPC (Separate Builds)

NAS4Free is just a branch from the 7.0 line of FreeNAS. I'm surprised it uses ZFS now because that was the main reason for the split from what I understand. There are a handful of linux/bsd based NAS systems out there - FreeNAS, NAS4Free, Nexenta, OpenFiler, and several others. It might be a good i...
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