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Author Topic: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread  (Read 332476 times)

MrBlu

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #200 on: 11 Apr 2009, 07:23 »

Crazy, did you have to mod the case in any way to put it there, or does it come with a compartment for the rad?

Also, it looks like there's no shroud on it...
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GuitarFreak

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #201 on: 11 Apr 2009, 09:20 »

It fits right on top just fine. Also, you don't need a shroud on a rad.
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MrBlu

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #202 on: 11 Apr 2009, 11:47 »

Yes, but as they say, watercooling with a shroud is "an insult to the art". ;)

Oh, my 4850 is DOA. This makes me sad.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #203 on: 14 Apr 2009, 19:57 »

http://www.amazon.com/wishlist/3SQ7OG1Z76L6W/ref=reg_hu-wl_goto-registry?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sort=date-added

How does all that look?

Looks like if I need to replace my PSU to run it, and I get the case, it would be under $1k, $about $750 if I opt out of updating those. Case is very likely at the least though. Vidya Card can wait until DX11 capable cards come out.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #204 on: 14 Apr 2009, 20:33 »

1) Shop at www.newegg.com, look for combo deals. They're much better than amazon (I'm pretty sure you live in the US, right?)

2) A 750W PSU is probably more than you need. I'd get something closer to 550W-650W depending on your GPU.

3) What's your current GPU, you realize that once DX 11 is released it will still take a couple years for it to make it into games, right? It might be a good idea to get a mid-range GPU for now.
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[22:49] Quietus: "Oh, lawd, why must them coons rock me so"

ackblom12

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #205 on: 14 Apr 2009, 21:10 »

1. I already checked at Newegg, I'll continue checking at newegg once I'm closer to the actual purchase, just for right now there's no difference in any prices or combos.

2. The PSU is one I'm definitely considering cutting down on, Kind of keeping it as a placeholder for the moment though. Trying to decide if I want to bother with Sli, if I do, I'll likely stick with it so I can have some overhead.

3. Got a 8800GTS with 648 Megs of RAM right now. Any suggestions for more up to date cards? Last one I checked on is the 9800 and it seems like it's basically a 8800 renamed.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #206 on: 14 Apr 2009, 21:33 »

It is. What resolution is your monitor? I am really opposed to SLI/Xfire. Unless you're pushing 30+" a gtx260/275/285 or HD4870 gb/4890 will be a much better value and more than powerful enough. If you buy a decent card now, then replace it with a decent DX11 card once games actually start utilizing it, you will probably be getting a much better value/$$.
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Quote from: meebo
[22:49] Quietus: I'm personally imagining a white supremacist locked in his basement, furtively listening to Parliament on headphones
[22:49] Quietus: "Oh, lawd, why must them coons rock me so"

ackblom12

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #207 on: 14 Apr 2009, 21:35 »

my monitor is 1680x1050, but I'm likely goign to be plugging it into my 47" television for 1920x1200 pretty regularly. One card is still likely to run that fine I imagine?
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #208 on: 14 Apr 2009, 21:48 »

Yeah, I run my 1920x1200 monitor with a GTX 260 and it's plenty powerful. There are even more powerful cards if you want to make sure it will last you a while, and they will be less of a hassle than running a dual card solution. It will also allow you to buy a smaller PSU, which should lower your electricity bill.
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Quote from: meebo
[22:49] Quietus: I'm personally imagining a white supremacist locked in his basement, furtively listening to Parliament on headphones
[22:49] Quietus: "Oh, lawd, why must them coons rock me so"

ackblom12

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #209 on: 14 Apr 2009, 22:09 »

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3SQ7OG1Z76L6W

Alright, made changes with those things in mind. I replaced the 750 PSU with a 650 just for possible future Video Card requirements and added the 260. Video Card is going to be low on the list of priorities for parts, so I figure of the 275/285 drop enough before I get around to it I can switch them out.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #210 on: 14 Apr 2009, 22:16 »

I hate to nitpick, but you should really get a name-brand PSU. something like that might sound good, and have a good price, but will probably deliver pretty irregular power to your parts (which will, in turn, reduce their life-span and the PSU itself could potentially burn out in a fairly spectacular fashion much sooner than a good one).

I would spend the extra $10 on something like this

or this if you can swing the extra cash.

(If you get it from newegg they have a $40 MIR....if you're willing to chance it)
« Last Edit: 14 Apr 2009, 22:18 by Dire bacterium »
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Quote from: meebo
[22:49] Quietus: I'm personally imagining a white supremacist locked in his basement, furtively listening to Parliament on headphones
[22:49] Quietus: "Oh, lawd, why must them coons rock me so"

ackblom12

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #211 on: 14 Apr 2009, 22:21 »

No prob, I haven't done parts shopping in years so I'm a bit out of the loop. I do actually recall the name of PC Power though and it is a slight less voltage, so it seems like a good idea to me. The Corsair is definitely out of the "willing to pay" range unfortunately.

But yeah, seriously, pick away.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #212 on: 14 Apr 2009, 22:22 »

Well if you get the PC power PSU (It delivers 49A on the +12V rail, which is actually enough to power a GTX295, I think you'll be good with this one for quite a while). I think you have a kick ass system that I am quite jealous of...so unless anyone else has anything to say, my advice is to order away!
« Last Edit: 14 Apr 2009, 22:25 by Dire bacterium »
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Quote from: meebo
[22:49] Quietus: I'm personally imagining a white supremacist locked in his basement, furtively listening to Parliament on headphones
[22:49] Quietus: "Oh, lawd, why must them coons rock me so"

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #213 on: 15 Apr 2009, 19:15 »

There's nothing that cures you of cheap power supplies than having one blow up on you while you're using it.
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ackblom12

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #214 on: 15 Apr 2009, 19:30 »

I had that happen once. I was not a happy camper.
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GuitarFreak

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #215 on: 17 Apr 2009, 07:39 »

I got a block for my GTX280 recently. Here's a few pics.







It rocks :D
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ackblom12

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #216 on: 17 Apr 2009, 13:21 »

(If you get it from newegg they have a $40 MIR....if you're willing to chance it)

Ooh, if they still have the rebate going enxt paycheck I will probably jump on that.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #217 on: 18 Apr 2009, 17:36 »

So I just got a micro ATX motherboard to find out that my RAM's disappeared. Yay spiraling costs! The only new 775 processors I can find online are 64 bit. I guess around £85 for a nicer processor and RAM isn't too bad, just means I have to wait longer and reinstall everything again.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #218 on: 19 Apr 2009, 05:49 »

Why do you dislike 64 bit cpus?
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #219 on: 19 Apr 2009, 07:50 »

64 bit is unknown territory. I found a cheap Pentium 4 on ebay though.

My plan at the moment is:

Buy now - 32-bit 3GHz Pentium 4
                1 x 2GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM

Buy later - 64-bit 2.2GHz Dual Core
                 1 x 2BG 667MHz DDR2 RAM
                 320GB (or more) SATA HD (3Gbit/s)
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #220 on: 19 Apr 2009, 08:18 »

I am not really sure why 64-bit cpus would cause a problem.  You don't need a 64-bit OS, 32-bit OSes run fine on 64-bit hardware.  Maybe I am missing some info here?  I dunno.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #221 on: 19 Apr 2009, 08:20 »

Oh also, I have a 4890 now too.  I have it running in Crossfire with the 4870 I already had.  I can now crank up pretty much everything in whichever game I want to play and it chugs along quite happily, so I am happy also!
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #222 on: 19 Apr 2009, 08:36 »

Maybe I was missing some info.
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GuitarFreak

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #223 on: 20 Apr 2009, 07:13 »

If you've bought a CPU since 2003/2004, it's a 64bit CPU. AMD came out with the AMD64 in 2003, intel started with the P4 with the EMT64 instruction set in 2004.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #224 on: 25 Apr 2009, 06:37 »

All I know about processors is that clock speed is an inaccurate measurement of performance.
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DonInKansas

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #225 on: 25 Apr 2009, 06:55 »

All I know about processors is that clock speed is an inaccurate measurement of performance.

Yes indeed.

Stock clocks are for suckas.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #226 on: 09 May 2009, 09:40 »

Okay, folks, my BIOS needs to be flashed.

Has anyone ever actually done it themselves? I've heard screwing it up can result in basically destroying your mobo. How hard is it and would you recommend just going and getting it done professionally? I'd rather not take the risk if it's that severe.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #227 on: 09 May 2009, 10:57 »

Yes, flashing the BIOS incorrectly can result in a total system frack-up. However, if you take the necessary precaution there is little risk, and no more so than having it done professionally.

The main risk when flashing a BIOS is that any discontinuation of power to the motherboard will result in bricking. If you live in a building with faulty electrical, or happen to be toying with your computer in the middle of a lightning storm, please don't flash your BIOS. Otherwise, your chances are pretty good.

The flashing itself is relatively simple: you need to know the EXACT model of your motherboard, and the EXACT BIOS you're flashing to. Most major motherboard manufacturers have a few different file types to flash with (you'll find instructions on the website), but the principle is the same: load the file onto a floppy (it's not a boot disk) and run the flash from BIOS. Wait 5 minutes, let the computer reset, and you're golden.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #228 on: 09 May 2009, 11:13 »

Van it be done from a flash drive? I don't actually have a floppy drive in my PC.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #229 on: 09 May 2009, 11:56 »

If your PC is new enough to boot from USB, you can probably do it that way. A boot CD is also an option.

Personally I've only done it with floppies.

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #230 on: 11 May 2009, 20:57 »

On the recommendations of various folks here and elsewhere, I attempted to flash my BIOS today.

Went perfectly fine and I am very glad I did it. The revision I was running on must've had some serioues issues. Since flashing, my FPS in WoW has effectively doubled and Left 4 Dead, which was running choppy as shit in even the lowest of settings, is now running smooth as silk in mid-high settings on the top resolution. This game is so much more fun when your PC isn't laggy as shit. Also nice, I was finally able to add the fourth stick of RAM I had sitting around (My previous BIOS revision was causing it to lockup if there was anything in the fourth slot).

It's seriously like I got an entirely new PC. Everything is running smooth now and it's not like I even have top of the line stuff. I'm running an AMD 4800+ (2.4 ghz dual core), four gigs of RAM and a GeForece 9800GT.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #231 on: 12 May 2009, 01:04 »

Cool stuff, Jon.  Glad it made such a difference.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #232 on: 12 May 2009, 15:04 »

It also seems to have resolved the major syncing problems I was having with Assassin's Creed where the sound was a good ten to fifteen seconds out of sync with the video at all points.
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MrBlu

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #233 on: 21 May 2009, 20:25 »

Hmm, someone wants to sell me an Alienware M9700. AMD Turion 64 (single core) at 2.0, 2GB RAM, 2 x 7900GS SLI.

Would that be able to let me play COD4 at least on 1440 x 900?
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #234 on: 22 May 2009, 06:42 »

Most likely, yes.  The biggest bottleneck would be in the processor, but I don't see it being a problem.
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MrBlu

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #235 on: 23 May 2009, 18:21 »

Well it's either buy the laptop and get it NOW NOW NOW.

Or order:

E7400
Gigabyte P43 mobo
HD 4850
OCZ Reaper 2x1GB DDR2 1150
320GB HDD
SATA DVD Burner
Asus 19" 1680x1050 monitor
Coolmax 500W Modular PSU

and get it 3 weeks later.

I'm thinking of the second option.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #236 on: 23 May 2009, 18:36 »

Second option sounds better to me, too.  Are they similarly priced?
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MrBlu

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #237 on: 24 May 2009, 15:25 »

Basically. Dude's giving me a great deal on the laptop because he doesn't use it (read: never used it) and he games on his desktop.

I'm just gonna go and order the stuff, I guess. At least that way I can fit two radiators in a case.
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DonInKansas

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #238 on: 25 May 2009, 13:32 »

That old Alienware will get stomped by the second option.  Go with that.
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MrBlu

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #239 on: 26 May 2009, 01:07 »

Ugggghhhh, guys, remember I'm in Jamaica. And they just decided to reinstate the 16.5% GCT on computers. And since our Govt. is so damned greedy, and didn't want to give us any leeway to save some money, they're even taxing INCOMING pc parts. So, I'm paying courier fees, plus 16.5% on what I'm buying.

SUCKS.

But, whatever, I ordered them.

EDIT::

Stuff's coming in on Saturday whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
« Last Edit: 06 Jun 2009, 00:10 by MrBlu »
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GuitarFreak

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #240 on: 06 Jun 2009, 10:55 »

A few new pics I took




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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #241 on: 06 Jun 2009, 21:48 »

Looks pretty good, man.  I'd go without the luminous coils around the tubes, but each to their own.
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MrBlu

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #242 on: 07 Jun 2009, 22:58 »

Love the rig.

Update (Final one for a while):
Courier decided to only process half of my order, so I only got my monitor. Currently it's being used in a dual-display setup with my brother's GTX 260.

I'm gonna pick 'em up on Monday, and I'll post pics, along with some sketches and (hopefully) diagrams and schematics for my case mod plans.

A friend is coming down in a couple weeks, so I might ask him to bring down a Drive bay res, or the Enzotech waterblock I want.

Also: one of the folks at a tech review site is offering me a GTX 280 for $200, so I'm gonna try and sell my brother's 260 for a Jamaican price and then buy the 280.

With lug,
~Blu
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #243 on: 08 Jun 2009, 15:39 »

Love the rig.

Update (Final one for a while):
Courier decided to only process half of my order, so I only got my monitor. Currently it's being used in a dual-display setup with my brother's GTX 260.

I'm gonna pick 'em up on Monday, and I'll post pics, along with some sketches and (hopefully) diagrams and schematics for my case mod plans.

A friend is coming down in a couple weeks, so I might ask him to bring down a Drive bay res, or the Enzotech waterblock I want.

Also: one of the folks at a tech review site is offering me a GTX 280 for $200, so I'm gonna try and sell my brother's 260 for a Jamaican price and then buy the 280.

With lug,
~Blu

Very nice on the 280. I love mine :D

Also, new coolant got here today



Gotta wait for the tubing though to redo my loop. It just shipped today :(
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MrBlu

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #244 on: 09 Jun 2009, 10:44 »

New system's up and running. The pictures are on my camera, but in the mess that is my bedroom, I can't find it... >.>
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #245 on: 10 Jun 2009, 13:03 »

All finished...it's green!












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MrBlu

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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #246 on: 10 Jun 2009, 20:52 »

Is that a nForce 7 board?

Also, which ras is that?
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #247 on: 10 Jun 2009, 22:08 »

It's a 790i mobo and swiftech MCR320 rad.
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #248 on: 11 Jun 2009, 02:56 »

Just a small advice from someone who studied in the field of Electrotechnics:

If you are going to replace your Power Supply Unit (PSU), always go for the "a little bigger" ones than you actually need.

Reason: PSUs run smoothest in the area (little distorted gauss bell) of 45-75% of their maximum output capability. If you know that your system needs around 420 Watts, never go for a 500 Wmax PSU. The heat produced by units is not linear with their power. And in the upper area of the output capability, it can come to peaks and quality fall-off in voltage and current (brownout). Which can massively disturb or even damage your system. A good portion of system crashes and bluescreens do come from peaks produced by your PSU.

A good PSU enhances your system. Think of it like a car. I mean, having a V8 Bigblock motor, racing gear and such and a Nissan Micra fuel pump?

And you are ready for "future" enhancements without having to think about your PSU before you build it in, like an extra harddrive or things like that.

The actual pricing is roughly 1-1.5 $ per 10 Watts, no matter what producer. And let me tell you, an extra 20 or 30 Dollars are really good investment on that.
« Last Edit: 11 Jun 2009, 02:57 by Llewellian »
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Re: The PC-building/hardware knowledge thread
« Reply #249 on: 11 Jun 2009, 07:33 »

Of course, if you actually pay attention to peak power draw from a computer it's typically significantly lower than one would expect. Really, nobody needs a 750W PSU unless you're running tri-SLI or Xfire. A typical midrange computer with something like a C2D or Athlon X2 and HD4850 will often draw around 200W under load. It goes the other way too. You don't want to buy an 850W PSU and be running it at 20% load, decreasing its efficiency.
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