PC Discussion Thread - All PC related in here.

[echo1 0]

To the best of my knowledge, its impossible to build a laptop. Theres no standardized parts, and if you ever look inside one, you'd realize that theyre more than likely machine made (apparently 90% of all laptops are made in one factory in Taiwan... thought Id throw in that useless fact ) The closest thing is to get a decent laptop, cheap the cheapest RAM and Hard Drive options, and then buy your own.

[456820 0]

Well I have a small problem...

When I boot my computer up I get an error message saying "Unable to boot from boot.ini, booting from c:/windows" (Windows still boots though, slightly odd though since I don't actually have a C drive)

Or something similar to that. After a quick search of my computer I have no boot.ini file. I have had a quick google but had no real luck mainly cause I don't want to repair using my CD if I can find an easier way.

Basically I've asked a few of my friends who are also using Windows XP Home edition and they all report they don't have a boot.ini file either however they don't get this error message that I get.

Just wondering what's best to do? Since my computer works fine despite having that error message, I've only just thought of looking into this matter.

Cheers.

[echo1 0]

If this is a recent thing, try running system Restore. That probably would get rid of the problem.

Out of curiosity, I checked my own PC (Win XP Pro, SP2) for Boot.ini. Unusually, I found it on my D: drive instead of the C: drive which my Windows installation. I think it is only created/used when you have more than one Windows operating system installed, or use certain software that creates a second Windows Kernel.

[Infam0us 10]

To the best of my knowledge, its impossible to build a laptop. Theres no standardized parts, and if you ever look inside one, you'd realize that theyre more than likely machine made (apparently 90% of all laptops are made in one factory in Taiwan... thought Id throw in that useless fact   ) The closest thing is to get a decent laptop, cheap the cheapest RAM and Hard Drive options, and then buy your own.

Thanks for the useless facts ...

Any suggestions as to where to by these laptops from then? I've been looking into Dell XPS models ... and I know Dell suck, but their laptops seem to be the best on the market so far?

[MehMan 0]

A quick question for Audigy 2 ZS owners:

Once in every blue moon I get this problem with my card that it simply doesn't get recognized by Windows, as in the drivers are not there, but a reboot solves that. Does anbody else get that? It's very rare and a simple reboot solves that, but still gets me worried that my card might be dying. I am running an onboard sound card, but disabled ofcourse.

[echo1 0]

To the best of my knowledge, its impossible to build a laptop. Theres no standardized parts, and if you ever look inside one, you'd realize that theyre more than likely machine made (apparently 90% of all laptops are made in one factory in Taiwan... thought Id throw in that useless fact ) The closest thing is to get a decent laptop, cheap the cheapest RAM and Hard Drive options, and then buy your own.

Thanks for the useless facts ...

Any suggestions as to where to by these laptops from then? I've been looking into Dell XPS models ... and I know Dell suck, but their laptops seem to be the best on the market so far?

Theres a company called Rock Direct that makes good gaming laptops. If you want a more conventional one, then Dell is good.

[TrevorOfCrete 0]

quich software question about Itunes.

How do i view all my podcasts? ie. not just the latest ones, all the podcasts of the people ive subscribed too.

[Heatseeker 0]

A quick question for Audigy 2 ZS owners:

Once in every blue moon I get this problem with my card that it simply doesn't get recognized by Windows, as in the drivers are not there, but a reboot solves that. Does anbody else get that? It's very rare and a simple reboot solves that, but still gets me worried that my card might be dying. I am running an onboard sound card, but disabled ofcourse.

Nope, might be conflicting with your onboard sound somehow.. you might want to make sure in BIOS.

[Colossus 2]

Optimus Tactus keyboard - fancy

[Shashman 0]

Setup:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750, boxed

Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R

2x1024 MiB Samsung DDR2-RAM (PC2-800)

Club 3D CGNX-G866DD

250 GB WD HDD (WD2500AAKS)

Enermax Liberty 400 W

Lian Li PC-7 SE-B III

Eizo S1931SH-BK

I'm upgrading and the hardware I've selected is very close to yours (Same mobo and same RAM but I'll be getting an E6850) so I'm interested in any feedback anyone might have on this setup. Oh and I'll be sticking with my Gainward Bliss Golden Sample 7800GT factory overclocked, 512mb.

[Balschoiw 0]

Hi !

I´ve been searching the net to get some answers for quite a while now, but I didn´t have much luck, that´s why I post here now.

My setup:

- Athlon XP 3000+ Barton @ 2314 Mhz, Multiplier 13.0, CPU FSB 178.00 MHz

- Asus A7V600-X with VIA Apollo KT600 chipset

- 2 Gig PC 3200 GEIL RAM DDR 400 2,5-3-3-6

As you can see I have already clocked the CPU and it´s very stable. Did some tests with PRIME overnight without problems.

As the 3000+ Barton is superlocked I can´t mod the CPU to unlock the multiplier, so I´m stuck with raising the FSB.

Right now the temperature of the CPU is ~38° Celsius, the passiv cooled RAM modules are at 26° Celsius.

I have tested the computer with settings beyond the 180 Mhz FSB line and it worked welll with all CPU tests. The temps were smooth ~45° Celsius under heavy load and I had no errors when running tests. I was able to achieve around 2400 Mhz that way but somehow the RAM seems to be a problem as some games crashed me to Desktop with these settings. I then tested the RAM and CPU separately and it showed me that the RAM is causing the problems.

Now, what can I do ?

-Will raising my Vcore help ? Currently it´s running at 1.76 V

-Will lowering my RAM Mhz settings help to push it more ? Currently it´s running at 213,6 Mhz, default would be 200 Mhz. If I switch to 166 default would this give me some more room for overclocking the CPU and how would this affect performance ?

- Will changing the RAM timings give me a benefit ? Currently the 2 modules are running at 2.5-3-3-6

I know those questions are quite specific, but it would be nice if someone could have a look. As I said I already searched a lot for info on oc-boards and such but didn´t come up with something usefull.

[Shashman 0]

That's all way over my head unfortunately, Balschoiw Too many electrical references, and I sucked at physics at school

I'm about to upgrade my system from

AMD Athlon 64 3800+

1gb DDR

Gainward 7800GT Golden Sample (512)

to

Intel E6850

Corsair 2GB DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2

ASUS P5KC AiLifestyle Series iP35 Socket 775

Total I've spent is about 240GBP leaving me with around 125GBP. Now the question is ; Is the 7800GT still ok or should I get a new graphics card in the price range of my remaining budget? I've narrowed the choices down to either ATi HD3870, 3850, nVidia 8600 series (I'll be buying off ebay, hence the low prices)

[Lepardi 0]

I've narrowed the choices down to either ATi HD3870, 3850, nVidia 8600 series (I'll be buying off ebay, hence the low prices)

If those you are your choices, ATI HD3870 is the best by far, so you really should get it.

[Shashman 0]

Thanks for the response.

So are you saying that the 7800GT is no good anymore? Of course I'd like to spend the least possible on this. Can the 7800GT still hold it out, considering my new cpu, mobo and ram?

Edit:

Hmm I've read a few reviews and benchmarks and the 512mb HD3850 seems to be pretty close to the 512mb 8800GT, and definitely beating the 256mb 8800GT. The only problem with it, and it's not a small one, is that it struggles with anti aliasing, but turn off AA and in some of the tests, it beats the 512 8800GT, which costs around 175-180GBP.

At around 99-120GBP, the 3850 seems to be a very attractive choice.

P.S, the HD3850 totally wipes the floor with all the 8600 series

[echo1 0]

I think your 7800GT is good enough for now. My 6800GT is still soldiering on with a 20" widescreen and its acceptable with the stuff I run.

[Shashman 0]

Heh...

Just bought an Inno3D 8800GTS 320mb for 110GBP

Anyone wanna buy a 7800GT?

[ArmaVidz 0]

Is this your ram Bals? Usually when you're overclocking, considering the AthlonXP platform, DDR3200 usually can get to 250+ Mhz range, however usually you loosen the timings to get higher FSB.

If you're ram is rated for 2-3-3-6. and you're running at 2.5-3-3-6, loosening the timings to 3-3-3-6 may help in achieving a higher FSB. Although, if you have a divider option in the BIOS you could use that to set the ddr mhz lower, while increasing the FSB. Usually 5/4 works pretty well.

Some of the Geil 512MB sticks of DDR can take up to 2.7v, which of course, depends on the model of the ram. With my older system, I usually run the CPU as far as it will go, with tight timings because I like the 'snappiness' of tight timings. Of course, that method doesn't always yield over-the-top-performance.

Lowering the ram to 166mhz will kill performance for sure. Alot of games crave bandwidth in my opinion. I think if you continue getting crashes, more than likely it's the motherboard and not the CPU or RAM. Geil is typically a good performer, as are the Bartons (for their time) and the Asus A7V600 is kind of dubbed a 'budget board' meaning the overclocking isn't so spectacular. I'd say a 2314 OC is pretty good considering the motherboard.

How much voltage you giving that CPU?

[Balschoiw 0]

Currently the voltage is @ 1,76 V

I did some more tweaking yesterday and found that lowering the input Mhz value for RAM did the trick for me as it is upped by the FSB increase again.

Right now I´m running the board @ 2519 Mhz at a 1:1 setting for the CPU-RAM FSB dependancy. This means that I have a FSB of 193,769 for both, RAM and CPU. The GEIL RAM I use is a blue one and it´s supposed to work @200 Mhz by default, so I´m coming very close to that value with my current settings while having a gain of ~400 Mhz for the CPU without changing the timing of RAM.

CPU temp under heavy load is now 50° Celsius and RAM is @34° Celsius, so it´s a safe setup.

The GEIL RAM I use is a dual channel kit 2 GB that looks like this:

Looks like that kit, but has different timings

2 Gig PC 3200 GEIL RAM DDR 400 2,5-3-3-6

They are capable of taking 2.7 V by default but from reviews I have read they even take more than that. I´m going to read more about RAM tuning as it seems there still is room for more tweaking.

Right now I´m pretty happy with the results as the oc gave me a noticeable performance boost of ~ 20 percent more CPU power while almost keeping the RAM at the default performance level with 193 Mhz.

Thx for the input ArmaVidz

[Lepardi 0]

Heh...

Just bought an Inno3D 8800GTS 320mb for 110GBP

Anyone wanna buy a 7800GT?

Would you have got the 3870 for cheaper? It outperforms 8800GTS.

[ArmaVidz 0]

That's a really respectible overclock! Yep typically with the divider it lowers the RAM mhz but I didn't think even a 3000+ Barton could get that high in Mhz! Given that the stock voltage on the Barton 3000+ should be 1.65v and you're giving it 1.76v I think it's rather safe to say you're not giving it too much voltage as well.

Usually tweaking the Tras 2.5-3-3-6, in my experience, doesn't yield good results for me(non-boot), but the CAS itself 2.5-3-3-6 really helps alot with performance. At the risk of stating the obvious, the tighter(lower)your timings are the better.

Another option is to look for the Command Rate option in the BIOS (if you have one). Lowering the Command Rate option to 1T and seeing if your ram can perform at 1T might give an extra performance boost as well. Some people report a %1-5 performance gain, while others report a %10-15 performance gain, while some report no performance gain... If you can set the command rate to 1T, be sure to backup your bios settings first, as if your board/ram can't perform at 1T, your system will not boot(most likely) and you'll have to reset the BIOS.

Temps look good, voltages look good, and wow, you're ASUS mobo is really holding up well!

[Balschoiw 0]

Quote[/b] ]Temps look good, voltages look good, and wow, you're ASUS mobo is really holding up well!

Yes, that´s one thing I´m also surprised about. It´s very overclocking friendly and stable for me. I´ve read that some have/had issues with the board, but I actually never had such. The only thing I really miss is the Dual channel support, but apart from that the board works really well. There were issues when I didn´t have the 120mm fan in the side of the case, but since I installed it there to get airflow over RAM and to fill up the case with fresh air, I never had any problems anymore. I also attached a little 40mm fan to the chipset and all worries were gone.

The board also has a nifty feature, It doesn´t lock up once the settings made it crash. It reverts to standard settings on its own and lets you access the BIOS again without any manual operations.

I will try your tip with the Command Rate option and report back.

Cheers !

[Mr_Tea 0]

The "Bartons" are that overclocking friendly, that AMD has given them an fixed multiplier. Else they would not have sold that much CPU`s with not that much more power. Everyone would have "superclocked" their`e CPU`s instead of buying new ones.

[Shashman 0]

Heh...

Just bought an Inno3D 8800GTS 320mb for 110GBP

Anyone wanna buy a 7800GT?

Would you have got the 3870 for cheaper? It outperforms 8800GTS.

Well, the cheapest HD3570 I found (new anyway) was 99GBP. Cheapest HD3870 I found was about 140GBP.

I found the 8800GTS on eBay and got it for 112GBP. I think I got a good deal.

Together with my e6850 cpu and asus P5KC iP35 mobo I'll be sorted

[Shashman 0]

Hi all,

what fan/heatsink would you recommend for an e6850 cpu? Is the supplied one good enough?

Will be used with an 8800GTS 320 on an ASUS P5KC AiLifestyle Series iP35 Socket 775 motherboard.

Cheers

P.S I'm on a budget, so realistic options please

[walker 0]

Hi all

With regard to processors for ArmA

Fast processor is most of what it is about, multi core means some other processes like say windows OS can be shunted to the other cores and can improve things; however...

You can improve realy big SP missions on multi core by running them as MP on Dual processors. You start by making an MP version of your SP mission; then running the windows MP client of ArmA and then logging on to it as the only player and loading up the MP version of the mission. Gives about a 20% to 25% performance boost.

Kind Regards walker