Personal computing discussed

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by [SDG]Mantis
Wed May 14, 2014 10:02 am
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: New Build Opinion ... on a budget.
Replies: 26
Views: 4998

Re: New Build Opinion ... on a budget.

Asus is a good motherboard brand but I've had good luck with ASRock too. Newegg slots the Z87-M Plus at $130 including shipping which is IMO a rather uncomfortable position between the much nicer Z87 Gryphon for $25 more and the feature-rich Asrock Z87M Extreme4 for $25 less. The newly launched 9-s...
by [SDG]Mantis
Tue May 07, 2013 4:08 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: Looking to build a WoW system
Replies: 18
Views: 4002

Re: Looking to build a WoW system

According to the GeForce site, the average for a GTX460 with all of the settings maxed at that resolution should be about 61 FPS. To never drop below that, you're talking about upgrading the graphics card as well as the processor. But, in all honesty, it is WoW. You don't need to never drop below 60...
by [SDG]Mantis
Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:49 am
Forum: General Software
Topic: Avira not Windows 8 compatable
Replies: 8
Views: 2953

Re: Avira not Windows 8 compatable

Don't forget that Windows 8 does have Microsoft Security Essentials installed by defaults.

Here are some options for Windows 8, both free and paid.
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-8/
by [SDG]Mantis
Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:53 am
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: $800 Mid-Level Gaming Build
Replies: 35
Views: 9542

Re: $800 Mid-Level Gaming Build

How do I know if I need the 2.5-3.5 conversion bracket and cables? Looking at the case you selected, the manufacturer says that the 3.5" bays are 2.5" compatible. I found this review on Tom's Hardware. The white brackets slide out and have mounting holes for both 3.5" and 2.5" d...
by [SDG]Mantis
Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:40 am
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: First Go at a Mini PC
Replies: 7
Views: 2223

Re: First Go at a Mini PC

Now...to the system itself. There are a number of nettop options. But you might be better off building your own mITX system. It will probably be a little bigger, but you will get more bang or the buck. If you want the absolutely smallest case you can find, you could go with the M350 . You can also g...
by [SDG]Mantis
Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:05 am
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: First Go at a Mini PC
Replies: 7
Views: 2223

Re: First Go at a Mini PC

You need to have access to a computer with a DVD drive and a USB drive of at least 4 GB.

Follow these instructions from Microsoft.
by [SDG]Mantis
Fri Aug 10, 2012 2:28 am
Forum: Graphics
Topic: Gigabyte Windforce 670 vs MSI GTX670 PE, which one?
Replies: 12
Views: 4512

Re: EVGA GTX670 FTW vs MSI GTX670 PE, which one?

MSI's cooler design does a good job at keeping the card operating at lower temperatures with less noise than the EVGA cooler. I have had MSI cards in the past. About my only complaint is if you need to send them the card, they do not cross ship. (I have read about them sometimes doing this if you re...
by [SDG]Mantis
Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:10 am
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: First Time Builder Needs Less Than $400 Gaming PC
Replies: 59
Views: 12390

Re: First Time Builder Needs Less Than $400 Gaming PC

I do have a monitor that I can use in the mean time. Also I appreciate the recommendations and will look into them. What's the resolution on the monitor? That will have some influence on what graphics level you need to run a given game at a particular frame rate if you want to use the monitor's nat...
by [SDG]Mantis
Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:21 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: First Time Builder Needs Less Than $400 Gaming PC
Replies: 59
Views: 12390

Re: First Time Builder Needs Less Than $400 Gaming PC

Do you have a monitor, keyboard, mouse that you already plan to use? Those are items that will eat significantly into a $400 budget too.
by [SDG]Mantis
Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:02 pm
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: Employer buying us Tablets
Replies: 25
Views: 5936

Re: Employer buying us Tablets

I've got a ASUS TF300. Great device. I think that if I were buying a tablet now I might wait for the imminent release of the TF700. July 16 seems to be the US release date.
by [SDG]Mantis
Fri May 25, 2012 12:24 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: best antivirus software?
Replies: 62
Views: 15523

Re: best antivirus software?

I use MSE on some of my systems and Norton on others. For those that upgrade Norton Internet Security and shop sales it basically costs a stamp per year for 3 systems. It had gotten bloated in the past, but is fast and lightweight these days. Its idle time scans actually impact the computer less tha...
by [SDG]Mantis
Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:30 pm
Forum: Gaming
Topic: Memories of Ultima
Replies: 28
Views: 5799

Re: Memories of Ultima

Love-Sol-Moon-Death.

Ultima III
by [SDG]Mantis
Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:58 pm
Forum: Processors
Topic: Atom D525 vs E-350
Replies: 9
Views: 3838

Re: Atom D525 vs E-350

Currently have an E-350 running Fedora. Absolutely zero problems. It is the faster of the two systems.
by [SDG]Mantis
Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:57 am
Forum: Mobile Tech
Topic: What Smartphone and plan is best?
Replies: 28
Views: 7559

Re: What Smartphone and plan is best?

I would like a family plan with 4 phones (three smart, one not smart, whatever you call that). I would like the phones to have 2GB data and unlimited messaging. My main concern is monthly cost. Currently we are paying $145 for unlimited everything, but Verizon is screwing us over to get us off that...
by [SDG]Mantis
Tue Dec 27, 2011 4:03 pm
Forum: Storage
Topic: Should I pull the trigger? (SSD)
Replies: 8
Views: 2387

Re: Should I pull the trigger? (SSD)

I have a 120GB Intel 320 SSD. I had two drive failures -- probably a bad drive batch as the replacement was from the same source as the original. The third drive came straight from Intel and their support was great. I have had zero actual performance problems with the drive and absolutely love it. I...
by [SDG]Mantis
Sat Nov 19, 2011 6:30 pm
Forum: General Software
Topic: Word Perfect 15
Replies: 18
Views: 3633

Re: Word Perfect 15

Captain Ned wrote:
It's been 2 1/2 decades yet I still, and will always, long for Word to adopt the "Reveal Codes" switch.


Ditto. But at least they finally made equation editor almost as easy to use as it was in WP 5.1.
by [SDG]Mantis
Sat Nov 05, 2011 2:45 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Light gas guns as weapons?
Replies: 5
Views: 3932

Re: Light gas guns as weapons?

7km/s? You sure that's not in a vacuum? The test chamber is 0.2 torr to 1.7 atm pressure. The lower pressure, 0.2 torr is about 0.0003 atm, so, yes, essentially a vacuum which is almost certainly where the high end velocity was measured. The main problem with a light-gas gun is that you need a supp...
by [SDG]Mantis
Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:55 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Ten years later: Where were you when you first heard?
Replies: 42
Views: 4993

Re: Ten years later: Where were you when you first heard?

I was at work teaching in a high school about 30 miles from NYC. We were having a normal class day. And, apparently some of the people from PE classes up in the weight room had a TV on during their workout and so news that something was going on started to leak out. This was the crash of the first p...
by [SDG]Mantis
Mon Sep 05, 2011 1:33 pm
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Flashlights!
Replies: 140
Views: 18493

Re: Flashlights!

thegleek wrote:
So then what's the CHEAPEST flashlight that has the CREE XM-L in it?


Probably something like the $35 Olight i1. That's a small, single-cell CR123-powered light. You can search the site referenced for XM-L and get a list of flashlights.
by [SDG]Mantis
Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:18 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: Building Gaming/Browsing/etc Rig
Replies: 15
Views: 1901

Re: Building Gaming/Browsing/etc Rig

Life is too short for small monitors. Go for a 24" or a 27" if you can afford it. IPS is best, but I have seen 27" TN panels at compusa.com for around $400 or so. +1 for a larger monitor; +1 for the SSD over the Raptor drive. +1 on both from me as well. Though I would also say go for...
by [SDG]Mantis
Sat Sep 03, 2011 6:09 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Lucas doing it again.... won't leave SW alone
Replies: 98
Views: 8067

Re: Lucas doing it again.... won't leave SW alone

Never have I seen a better case for the original US copyright law of 1790 with its 28-year copyright (14 years with one 14 year renewal). It was fully intended that people would be able to make derivative works within their lifetimes of works that they saw early in their life. Case in point: Walt Di...
by [SDG]Mantis
Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:37 pm
Forum: Processors
Topic: Processor good enough?
Replies: 8
Views: 1684

Re: Processor good enough?

I take it that you are looking at this combo from CompUSA or an equivalent combo from TigerDirect (same company). Here is a NewEgg combo deal with a Pentium G620, Biostar H61MU3 motherboard, 4GB RAM, and Rosewill R363-M case. For Win 7, you really want at least 4 GB of RAM, what I am presuming is yo...
by [SDG]Mantis
Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:00 am
Forum: The Back Porch
Topic: Recommendations for a sci-fi novel
Replies: 104
Views: 10426

Re: Recommendations for a sci-fi novel

On Basilisk Station, David Weber (and the rest of the Honor Harrington Books) Old Man's War, John Scalzi Ringworld, Larry Niven Little Fuzzy, H. Beam Piper (and its reimagining Fuzzy Nation, John Scalzi) March Upcountry, David Weber and John Ringo A Hymm Before Battle, John Ringo Into the Looking Gl...
by [SDG]Mantis
Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:49 am
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: I need a low powered PC/ARM for download/upload files
Replies: 25
Views: 4158

Re: I need a low powered PC/ARM for download/upload files

Another possibility: NorhTec MicroClient JrSX.

It only has 128 MB of RAM which sort of limits linux distro possibilities...particularly if you want a GUI. But if you don't mind a bit of work, DSL comes to mind.
by [SDG]Mantis
Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:50 pm
Forum: General Hardware
Topic: I need a low powered PC/ARM for download/upload files
Replies: 25
Views: 4158

Re: I need a low powered PC/ARM for download/upload files

Guru Plug or one of the other systems on that site.

I do not know if you can run X-Windows on one and remote to it via something like NX. But the unit itself does not have a display output. There is a $200 model that does. The server version for $30 more has eSATA.
by [SDG]Mantis
Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:45 pm
Forum: Motherboards, Chipsets, & RAM
Topic: RAM help
Replies: 6
Views: 2149

Re: RAM help

I agree with Starfalcon. I would guess that it is a bios restriction.

What specific system are you working with? It is probably that we can find data online about the BIOS and max recognized memory.
by [SDG]Mantis
Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:44 pm
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: New Build - I'm Stumped?
Replies: 11
Views: 1944

Re: New Build - I'm Stumped?

I like the build. Very similar to my current system. (P8Z68-V, i7-2600k, G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB -- do some CAD work and largish Photoshop images with the system, Intel 320/120 GB, Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000/2 TB, MSI N560GTX Ti, LG WH12LS30 BD, SB X-Fi Xtreme Music, Lian Li PC-A05N, Corsair AX75...
by [SDG]Mantis
Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:08 am
Forum: System Builders Anonymous
Topic: Question about build
Replies: 47
Views: 4634

Re: Question about build

Audio: Asus Xonar DG Building your own rig is like an idea that keeps evolving. One that grows with you if you give it time and careful thought. For gaming, I would go with a Creative X-Fi Titanium . I was massively disappointed by the Xonar DG. It is more expensive, but, for gaming -- particularly...
by [SDG]Mantis
Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:15 am
Forum: Hot Deals
Topic: Unbelievable deal on the PII 840
Replies: 10
Views: 2658

Re: Unbelievable deal on the PII 840

You know the M5A97 is AM3+ as well, right? AMD 970, 900 series chips only ship on AM3+ boards (not to say that AM3+ only have 900 series chips, just that 900-series chips are automatically AM3+ boards) Either I misread the entry or they had a typo that said it was AM3. I did not realize that all 97...
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