PC Discussion Thread - All PC related in here.

[echo1 0]

When you say it was intstalling core files, was this before or after it formatted? In every version of Windows the installation formats before it installs.

If it has formatted and then the problem is during the actual installation, the problem is with the disk or the PC. Otherwise you arent installing windows the right way - ie. booting from the Disk instead of running the disk from windows.

If Data Privacy is a concern like Baddo was saying, look up a tool called DBAN, which boots from a floppy disk or CD and can be used to completely wipe your disk. However, unless you have something to hide, and the person getting the disk is very good at computers, I wouldnnt bother...

[operation madman 0]

Hi it's me, again. I dint want to keep bothering people in this forum but they cancelled my topic and told me to post it here. so..

As some of you might already now that i am purchasing a 7600GT but i don't now if my computer can handle it(because of the Wat's it uses).

Here is part of the spec

System Requirements- A minimum recommended 300W system power supply required. For two PX7600 GT running in SLI configurations, a minimum 400W system power supply (with 12V rating of 22A) is recommended

Are they saying minimum 300 Wat's for the graphic or for the hole computer Wat usage?

Oh and here is my computer specs(mine's is not candian)

http://www.gateway.com/retail/gt5408.php

And here is the GFX card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814122245

[dwringer 45]

Well, I just wanted to point out that this thread is now 81 pages long, which IMO makes it just about useless for finding any actual information. It's a shame, because when I search the forums for stuff about how hardware works with ArmA, all the threads (relevant ones to my search) have been closed and redirected to this one. What's the point of a search if you then have 80 odd pages to cull? I like forums because they let you find discussions that are RELEVANT, not full of tangents, rants, and in this case topics largely unrelated to my search.

[echo1 0]

@ Operation Madman:

They mean 300W overall. No such thing as a 300W card. The 7600GT should be able to work with most computers.

@Dwringer:

Theres several threads on the ArmA section of the forum about having the right hardware. This is kinda like a general tech support section. If you want to know if your PC is poweful enough to run ArmA, you should, like everyone else does, post your specs here and you will get a reply. As for the rant thing, I have seen none on this thread. And everything is perfectly relevant here in this massive, general purpose, all encompassing "PC Section" thread

[operation madman 0]

I have posted my computer specs.

http://www.gateway.com/retail/gt5408.php

[wex-q 0]

If Data Privacy is a concern like Baddo was saying, look up a tool called DBAN, which boots from a floppy disk or CD and can be used to completely wipe your disk. However, unless you have something to hide, and the person getting the disk is very good at computers, I wouldnnt bother...

I have nothing to hide, but the HD is full of viruses and crap, but the 40GB is well enough for my sister

I've checked out DBAN, and I will plug in the floppy today, download and run it.

Thanks for help

wex

[echo1 0]

I have posted my computer specs.

http://www.gateway.com/retail/gt5408.php

Should work. Without knowing the PSU of the system its impossible to be 100%, but most PCs nowadays have 350W+ PSUs so you should have no problem.

[operation madman 0]

Thanks. and thank you guys all who help me find a computer and the right graphics card. And hopefully i will stop posting here agian

[wex-q 0]

Can you fit a PCI-E card in a 2U chassi (family thinking of getting a compact solution for all the comps, in a small rack)?

Or do I need the 3U? I've read somewhere that 3U chassis constructions are unstable, but that might have been just one brand.

Thanks for input

wex

[echo1 0]

Emm....Id get a barebones PC (Like These) I think youre limiting yourself building rack systems because theyre designed more for networking solutions than gaming/home use.

[wex-q 0]

Apparantly, 4U chassies are the ones that are of the same proportions as standard chassi.

We still got to look into it, it can be a very efficient solution.

But, if you dont need a GFX (as my parents comp wouldn't require) a 2U chassi would be enough for standard components, aslong as I get a 2U fan.

[BlackScorpion 0]

Any idea how much I could safely oveclock my system for better specs without... well, anything additional?

AMD Athlon XP 2800+ (2.08 GHz), Geforce FX5600... 512 MB of RAM, but couldn't find the frequency anywhere... well that's gonna be updated anyways.

[froggyluv 2136]

Any idea how much I could safely oveclock my system for better specs without... well, anything additional?

AMD Athlon XP 2800+ (2.08 GHz), Geforce FX5600... 512 MB of RAM, but couldn't find the frequency anywhere... well that's gonna be updated anyways.

First you need to list your motherboard as that greatly determines your ability to OC

[echo1 0]

Athlon XPs are very easy to overclock, and theyre still pretty sufficient for most things. Im sure you can overclock your Graphics card, but I would fail to see the point, the 5600 is damn slow, and any incremental speed increase is not going to do much about it. I think you need an upgrade on RAM and graphics IMO.

[456820 0]

Well i'm soon to buy my new computer (should be this week)

This is the current rig...

Apollo Advance Custom Gamer-Black

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=25650

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Retail

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=23828

MSI 975X Platinum PE Socket 775

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=24038

OCZ 2GB kit EL DDR2 PC2-6400

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=23920

XFX GeForce 7600GT 256MB PCI-E DDR3

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=24290

XFX GeForce 7600GT 256MB PCI-E DDR3

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=24290

Hiper 580W Modular PSU BLACK

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=21014

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 PRO Intel Socket 775

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=20729

ASUS 1608P3S 16x DVDRW/RAM Black

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=24179

Full price is just over £850.

A few questions though...

- Is all compatible with each other?

- Should the 2 GFX Cards work (first time with sli)

- Is it worth it?

Thats about it. Cheers.

[echo1 0]

No point in getting SLI - on that site for less than £20 more than 2x7600GT you can get a 320MB 8800GTS, which would be faster and also DirectX 10 compliant. In a matter of fact, just looking at that Mobo...It isnt SLI compatible, it only has support for ATI Crossfire.

EDIT: You could probably save some money by going for a non-dual card motherboard such as this. You shouldnt notice any serious performance drop, unless the motherboard you originally picked has some extra functions that this one doesnt.

[froggyluv 2136]

@456820

I agree with ch_123 on the video card- go for one really good one over two medicore.

I see your getting a cooling unit and if your planning on overclocking i highly recommend the Asus Commando Mobo. I've been through a slew of Mobo's trying to fing the right girl to kick my e6400 into high gear and Commando takes the cake hands down. I've got her running at 450 FSB, 3.2 Ghz with zero problems and thats not said lightly considering past boards( Gig ds-3; Asus P5n-sli).

Pricey but you'll love her

[456820 0]

Okay thanks for replys. Heres an update

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Retail

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=23828

Abit AB9 PRO i965 WiFi Edition

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=26487

OCZ 2GB kit EL DDR2 PC2-6400

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=23920

EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB ACS

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=26691

Hiper 580W Modular PSU BLACK

http://www.aria.co.uk/Product....d=21014

Updated the mobo and gfx card.

2 more questions though.

- Is the PSU sufficient?

- Would it be better (for upgrading in the future) to buy a second of the current gfx cards or to buy a newer card?

Thanks

[echo1 0]

The PSU seems to be out of stock on that site, and isnt showing a price, so cant really say whether youre getting good value for money or not. I have a Hiper 580W and Ive had no problems with it, but there are better ones there. Need the price to give more advice.

SLI vs. Upgrade? Upgrade. SLI doesnt always work as it should, a lot depends on the game, whereas with a new card you will always get full power. Also newer cards may incorporate new technology that a pair of old cards may not be quite as advanced.

[456820 0]

Well the price of the PSU is 57.52 pounds.

So SLI is a bit like Dual cores? The game may not use power from both cards like how they dont always use both cores effectively?

[echo1 0]

Yes, thats a pretty accurate analogy. I think that PSU is as good as you can get for that price range. Seems all good to go

[456820 0]

Thanks alot, shall be ordering very soon then.

[froggyluv 2136]

Thanks alot, shall be ordering very soon then.

I think you'll be happy with that system. The Abit Mobo had problems exceeding 375 FSB initially but I've heard of people getting up to 450 with newer Bios so you'll probably have to flash it. I got a OCZ 700 watt psu for about $100 @ Tiger Direct so you might want to check that out. 580 is definitely sufficient but these new graphic cards are getting greedier so extra wattage can't hurt.

Good luck

[wex-q 0]

I have an old Siemens comp with a PIII 450Mhz. But today, I changed to a PIII 700Mhz, wich a friend gave me (he has tons of old comp-parts laying around )

But, during bootup, it says that I need to update FLASH BIOS version or something.

I've searched around and got pretty far, but I'm not 100% sure of what to do.

Firstly, by Intels Chipset Identification Utility, the detected chipset is of Intel 440 chipset family.

According to CPU-Z, it's Intel i440BX/ZX, but no information about BIOS.

Some more digging led to eSupport BIOS Agent, giving me this info:

Program: Unicore BIOS Agent Version 1.9

BIOS Date: 11/02/99

BIOS Type: PhoenixBIOS Version 4.06 Rev. 1.10.1107

BIOS ID: unknown

Chipset: Intel 440BX/ZX rev 3

Super I/O: SMC 70x or 80x rev 1 found at port 370h

Then, searching on Phoenixtech. homepage led me to get drivers from the mobo-manufacturer, and we're back to the top.

So, instead Googling led me to a tiny little ZIP-archive,

containing:

AWDFLASH.EXE

6610S162.BIN

661UPD.TXT

No installation-info in the TXT-file, but should I put these on a discette and boot it from there, and the BIOS will update?

With regards and thanks for answers

wex

[froggyluv 2136]

...FLASH BIOS...

Be real careful here bro. I've lobotomized a perfectly new Gigabyte ds-3 Mobo by flashing with a Bios that was built for a Mobo 1 digit different-in-name ie. Gs-3. If your not sure- Don't do it, its one of those mistakes you can't take back.

I really wish all Mobo manufacturers would do more to make Bios Update easier