Any Computer hobbyists?

[oscaryu1]

Anyone have an hobby with computers? If so, post your current rig :D

Core 2 Duo E4300 @ 1.81GHz
1GB DDR2 533 Ram
Abit IP-95 LGA775 mb
Sony DVD-RW IDE
Generic CD-Rw
3 1/4 Floppy
Western Digital IDE 120GB
Ultra Wizard ATX Case (blue)
Nvidia GeForce 7300LE PCI-E x16 512MB Turbocache
Lead Power 600W 20+4 +12V@24A

2nd Best

Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz @ 3.1GHz Hyperthreading
Pc Chips P25G Skt 478
Sony DVD-Rom IDE
Asus 52x CD drive
Spire Blackfin III ATX Case
3 1/4 Floppy Drive
2x KEEP 80mm Case Fan 4 pin
Nvidia GeForce FX5200 128MB AGP
Seagate 160GB IDE
768MB DDR333 Ram

[norite]

Here's my setup....the graphics card is an ATI Radeon 9800, but the ATI Linux drivers are a pile of pooh, so i haven't used them on this new setup; I'm using the default drivers, so no 3D desktop for me :(
No Tux racer either! :(
Oh yeah, I also have an LG DVD writer and an old Aopen CD writer/DVD combo drive, but they aren't listed coz they aren't mounted (currently empty)

I have a Pentium III file & backup server (running SuSE linux) and a Toshiba TE2000 laptop, also running SuSE linux

[Usta Bee]

Anyone have an hobby with computers? If so, post your current rig :D



(I've quit smoking since then)......

[Tachikoma]

I do, but a chronic lack of money prevents me from upgrading as often as I'd like.

My main machine is currently a Toshiba notebook, with a Dothan 1.8 processor, 1gb of ram and a sssslllloooowwww Radeon 9700 mobility video card (which I can't upgrade).

I had saved up some €600 with which I was hoping to build a better gaming rig (overclocked Intel 4300, 2gb of RAM, Radeon 8800 320), but just today I scratched an Audi TT while maneuvering out of a parking lot. It's a scratch, not a bump, so just repainting the affected area should cure it, but it's an Audi. I have a sinking feeling that the repair price will be high enough to delay my new rig for a good while... *sigh*

[Andy W]

I just built a new one..

Abit IP35 m'board (for the RAID)
E6850 (Dual Core 3.0GHz) w/Zalman CNPS9700 cooler
8GB DDR2 w/OCZ cooler
2x300GB SATA RAID 0 primary
2x500GB SATA secondarys
nVidia GEForce 8600 (I'm not a gamer)
48X LightScribe DVD dual layer
All in an Antec Nine Hundred 5-fan case with a 750W PSU

Should be able to get it up to 3.6GHz or so..
..a

[oscaryu1]

nice! Them one I'm working on right now:

AMD Mobile Sonora Sempron 2600+ @ 1.9GHz (overclocked)
XFX AGP FX5200 128MB
20GB EIDE (don't underestimate this monster! faster than my 160GB)

Anyone recommend an good GFX?

[Sirion]

Be nice to get one of the new Dell XPS M1730 (heavy) laptops with dual drives, twin nVidia 512MB GeForce 8700M GT video cards (SLI configuration) and a Core 2 Duo X7900 Extreme processor running at 2.8Ghz. They've got the Ageia PhysX card as an option. The CPU can be overclocked from the BIOS to 3.4GHz. Plenty of other options to make others jealous and the machine is designed pick up the new DX10 technology and blow the opposition away. Love to see the latest flight sim set up on one :) .

[Usta Bee]

Computers themselves are nothing more than a tool, and quite boring. The only interesting thing about them is what you can do WITH them. ;)

[orenda635]

Used to be into the computer stuff big time. Not so much anymore since I stopped visiting the hardware forums. I've fallen a bit out of the loop. Got a few systems.

Desktop:
AMD Athlon X2 3800 2.0ghz stock
ASRock 939Dual SATA2
1gb PC2700 DDR1
BFG Geforce 7600 GS 256mb overclocked to 475/920
Soundblaster X-FI XtremeMusic
160gb total HDD space on two PATA, one SATA drives.
LG 16x DVDRW, LG 16x10x40 CDRW
CoolerMaster Real Power 450w PSU
PixelView PlayTV Pro Tuner/Capture card
Windows XP Home SP2
Thermaltake Soprano case with 2x 120mm fan, 1x 92mm fan, Thermaltake Typhoon CPU cooler, Zalman VF-700 AlCU GPU cooler

Laptop: Apple 12'' iBook G4
AIM G4 1.33ghz
768mb PC3200 DDR
ATI Radeon 9500 32mb
40gb HDD

I've also got my old desktop set up in the basement. Was running OpenSUSE on an Athlon XP 2000+ system, but I took the hard drive out to use it as a DVR drive on my current desktop. I also have a Sony Playstation 3 running Ubuntu Linux. Most of the parts have been collected and added onto over several years.

[Challenger 413]

I was in it a couple of years ago and built this one.

Abit AI7 motherboard
P-4 2.4 o/c to 3.097
1 gig of ram
Nvidia geforce 5600 FX ( have this o/c some also)
80 gig HD
450 watt P/S

I need a new video card, but am shocked at the prices. Will probably build a new rig in a couple of years....

Challenger413

[m4rs]

I build / order a new one almost every year. Need to for the write off.
Lastest gaming machine=
6400 c2d o/c from 2.13 - 3.2ghz w/ a 1600 fsb
Ive been on the fence over the evga 680i board since I bought it. However its working great now.
My next machine is going to be a mac book.
Maybe a second 8800 to go sli with for x-mas.

Seen any of the new dx10 demos? Only one Ive got is cod4...havent been able to find anymore, yet.
My buudy stopped by last night with a "demo" for crysis. Unfortunatly it wasnt a demo, just hype for the game. Movies and a ton of screen shots, plus a hint to a couple of semi secret stuff....
Where is a demo for sof3?

Just checked for ut3 demo, dl now. :)

[Challenger 413]

Far Cry was one of the better games I bought. I saw some pics. of the newer game Crisis and it looks like it will be great. Too bad my rig won't run it at full throttle because of the video card. Oh well, it will still be around when I upgrade.

Challenger413

[m4rs]

it will still be around when I upgrade.

Challenger413

For years if it lives up to the hype.
Last year kinda sucked for new games. Seems they are on a every two year cycle. 4 big FPS, crysis, ut3, cod4, sof3 this year. SOF3 I read has already been banned by the Aussie's, until they make it more friendly. :rolleyes:

btw- just found the crysis demo, its online but another buddy has it on cd so next week I'll pick it up.


Excellent!


OMG....this game rocks! Only played one TDM, this game is AWESOME.

[Challenger 413]

The last 2 games I bought were, COD2, MOH Pacific Assualt. This year I didn't see any I really liked, heard good reviews about FEAR, bought it and was a big disappointment.

It's like they don't make any good games anymore, maybe it's like you said, every 3 years or so...I didn't know about COD 4 or even 3, I need to get out more or (stop flying RC). I usually go to Best Buy every 3 months or so, to look around, never saw the newer COD games.

Guess I will order them online, thanks for the heads up :)

Challenger413

[m4rs]

Here's a screen shot from the beginning of COD4.

This screen shot is at night under one of those magnessum flare.
This game is very impressive as well. Just not as futuristic.
Check out that rpg flying through the air.
These are demo's as the games arent out till next month.

[Challenger 413]

I got a feeling my rig won't run it with all the eye candy. I think I need at least a 7600 GT card to play some of the newer games, will look at NewEgg for a deal.

Any thoughts on a newer card for an older AGP 4/8X system?

Next build will be the PCI express, but that is at least 2 years away, am stingy with money and am spending a lot on house upkeep now.

Challenger413

[m4rs]

Here's what dug up..
http://www.yougamers.com/news/12705_call_of_duty_4_system_requirements_revealed/
I hear you on spending money on the house. I keep saying next year. :)
Just get what you need (vid card) and youll be fine for a couple to few more years.

[orenda635]

You can make all the games in the world with the most stunning visuals but it's how they play is what really matters. That's why the Wii is outselling everything.

Any thoughts on a newer card for an older AGP 4/8X system?

Depends on how much you want to spend. AGP cards cost more because they now have to include a bridge chip, since the chipsets themselves are designed to natively run on PCIe. The best cards right now are probably the ATI X1950 Pro and the nVidia Geforce 7900GS. Keep in mind, you can overclock them to squeeze out some more performance. Here's a list of AGP cards.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609639&bop=And&Order=PRICED

[m4rs]

I know we'll be getting a Wii for the kids. Since Nintendo games are more kid friendly.
As for pc games are you implying they are sub standard to a console format?

[orenda635]

As for pc games are you implying they are sub standard to a console format?

Depends. I recently bought a Playstation and it was the first I've bough in many years. I wanted to move to something hassle free. I've found that there are a number of PC games experiencing coding problems. Nothing worse than paying $60 for a game, getting it home, and it won't run properly. You can't return it to the store so you're stuck with it until they patch it. BioShock comes to mind, which is hugely popular. Only the first part of the demo was playable, but as soon as it tried to load the city level, I got the blue screen of death, repeatedly. At least with consoles, I can rent before I buy to see if I like it. No GameFly here and the video store doesn't rent PC games. Not all games have demos either.

I feel games in general have gotten a bit substandard to what they were when I was growing up in the 80s and 90s. Consoles included. They're either overly complicated, have crappy controls, or bugs galore. The graphics look fantastic but the other stuff is what's dragging them down.

[Challenger 413]

Here's what dug up..
http://www.yougamers.com/news/12705_call_of_duty_4_system_requirements_revealed/
I hear you on spending money on the house. I keep saying next year. :)
Just get what you need (vid card) and youll be fine for a couple to few more years.

Thanks for the info, looks like I will try for the 7800.

Challenger413

[m4rs]

Demo's are free. If you know what your doing any game can be free.
Yes there are many, many tricks to keeping a pc running tight. However, when a custom built gaming pc has everything it needs, and is running perfect there is no comparison. For instance those screenshots I posted are compressed to fit rcg. They where taken from a 22" lcd at a reso of 1440x900. A wii cant even do HD. Let alone the fact that Wii's, xbox's, ps3 are all running hardware that was available for pc's years ago.
In short pc gaming is not for everyone. Its costs more, requires more work to keep games current, etc...but the rewards are greater too. Faster game play, better graphics, bigger maps, mods, voice packs, skins, online multi-play(bf2 servers with 64 real people). I could go on and on. Dont get me wrong, we have always had a console in our house, but I never touch it, its for the kids.

I have my games locked at 90fps, isnt that smooth enough? The only stutter I ever see is if my ping jumps.

Sorry if Im coming across as a pc geek, Im just excited for all the new dx10 games hitting the market. Some have been on hold for over 2 years.

[m4rs]

Thanks for the info, looks like I will try for the 7800.

Challenger413
No prob.
Maybe try downloading the demo and see if it runs on your current set-up. Wont cost you a dime to try it.
http://files.filefront.com/Call+of+Duty+4+Modern+Warfare+Demo/;8774322;/fileinfo.html
Many other places to DL it at. Kinda big though, 1.4gigs for a demo!
Games are getting huge, crysis is listed at 12 gigs with no mods.

[m4rs]

Here's a great tool for finding out what your pc can run.
You have to instal the active x controls but it lets look at any game then scans your pc.
http://www.systemrequirementslab.com

[Challenger 413]

No prob.
Maybe try downloading the demo and see if it runs on your current set-up. Wont cost you a dime to try it.
http://files.filefront.com/Call+of+Duty+4+Modern+Warfare+Demo/;8774322;/fileinfo.html
Many other places to DL it at. Kinda big though, 1.4gigs for a demo!
Games are getting huge, crysis is listed at 12 gigs with no mods.

Thanks for the link, am D/L it now, although on DSL, it's going at 335 Kb. I use to have cable, got tired of the outages when in a game online. With DSL, I hardly ever get dropped, only slower D/L times.

I will play it to see if rig will run it.

Thanks again,
Challenger413

[m4rs]

Shoot thats faster then I D/L at. LOL.
Hope it works or is at least playable.
Good luck!

[Challenger 413]

Thanks, I think with cable I was at 389/393 Kb...so DSL ain't as slow as they(cable companies) want you to think it is.

I switched back in '05 after getting DSL at work and comparing the speeds to my home cable connection, it wasn't that much slower. After 3 years of dial up at work, getting DSL was a big boost, but also an eye opener on comparable speeds, am running at 340 Kb now, 25% D/L ed.

Challenger413

That's my question of the day, will it even play at the lowest settings :)

[m4rs]

I cant get either where Im at. My gamin buddy bought a T1 and Im off that but restricted to 100k :(. So downloads suck but gamin speed is solid.

Only way I know of is to just try it. Load that up after the D/L finishes and let me know. You may need to update your video driver.

[Challenger 413]

It looks like I need to upgrade my old FX5600 to play it, will look to do that around X-mas. Says the min. is a 6600, but I might as well go as high as I can (7800) to last a few more years. Thank again for the link, am going to look for COD 3, like I said, I didn't even know that was out :)

Challenger413

[m4rs]

Here's a better link for getting games and patches. Has a auto install program so you cant screw it up. Plus it keeps them all organized in case you need to reinstall.

http://www.fileplanet.com/

[aximbigfan]

Ohh!

that'd be me too!

DESKTOP:
Intel Pentium D 805 (overclocking)
2 X 512mb DDR2-533 with heat spreaders by patroit
Sound blaster Live 24bit
logitech z-530 5.1 sound system
Acer 19" widescreen LCD, 5ms
Logitech MX revolution
Liteon DVD rw dl drive
160gb WD sata 8mb cache 7200rpm (c)
61.1gb maxtor 7200rpm (page file, ect)
Radiaon x1650XT by asus
Asrock 775dual VISTA mobo, going to change (soon?)
plain old ARK case

TABLET:
Core 2 duo merom 1.83ghz
2 X 512mb DDR2-667


Chris

[m4rs]

Nice!

[orenda635]

Ohh!

that'd be me too!

DESKTOP:
Intel Pentium D 805 (overclocking)
2 X 512mb DDR2-533 with heat spreaders by patroit
Sound blaster Live 24bit
logitech z-530 5.1 sound system
Acer 19" widescreen LCD, 5ms
Logitech MX revolution
Liteon DVD rw dl drive
160gb WD sata 8mb cache 7200rpm (c)
61.1gb maxtor 7200rpm (page file, ect)
Radiaon x1650XT by asus
Asrock 775dual VISTA mobo, going to change (soon?)
plain old ARK case

TABLET:
Core 2 duo merom 1.83ghz
2 X 512mb DDR2-667


Chris

I was thinking about getting that board but I didn't like it being limited to 4x PCIe. Not that PCIe bandwidth makes a big difference but it wasn't any better than my old AGP board. That and I got a good deal on some AMD stuff.
Rather than upgrading the mobo, you'll get better performance by upgrading your Pentium D to a Core 2 Duo. The P4 based Pentium Ds just aren't good processors.

I'm sinking some cash into my laptop right now. Got OS X Leopard pre-ordered. It's coming on Friday. Then I'm going to upgrade to 1.5gb of ram.

[Usta Bee]

I had a WebTV at one time :)

[HELModels]

I'm downloading that game demo right now at 688Kb on DSL. That sounds fast, but it is only 86 KB and it takes 1000 of those to make a MB.

I finally did manage to get my network working properly. I went with a D-link 10/100 card which autonegotiates to full duplex and a 108Mbps D-link wireless adapter. I set the router to G mode only and when the turbo kicks in, I can download from the other computer in minutes what took hours at 11Mbps, but my network throughput looks like a square wave with 90 % duty cycle. That 10% when the network is doing nothing prevents video streaming. If I use the WMM function, it streams marginally better but is still choppy.

I'll buy new hardware when they can make old hardware work properly, specification mismatches notwithstanding, but it is those mismatches which keep HW/SW in business.

[m4rs]

I had a WebTV at one time :)
LOL!
I bought on e for my parents to introduce them to the net.
I dont think they have ever forgiven me!

[orenda635]

Got OS X Leopard today for my laptop. Looking good so far.

As for streaming video and such, you really want to used wired connections rather than wireless. Using 1000/100/10 LAN works the best as you can stream video at much higher bit rates. You'll need to purchase a Gigabit LAN card for your desktop. Certain higher end media servers should have 1000mpbs LAN already built in. I know Sony's do.