Your Guide to a Magic PC - Guide in First Post [2012/03/05]

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Bone

Yeah, going online for drivers is what I'd normally do. But the Asus mobo I have (as do probably most people who used this thread in the last year) doesn't seem to be recognized by Windows 7 for at least the network, USB and Bluetooth drivers. Since I have to use the cd to install the network I just spend a couple extra minutes throwing the other drivers on there.

Well Asus stuff is good enough to take those extra steps. Still some of the best MB's around.

[LiquidRain]

Yeah, I usually install networking if I have to, then grab the rest off the net. I also never install motherboard software from ASUS/MSI/etc like monitoring programs. Just the drivers.

[Xerxes]

Looks like I got bigger problems. Like where is my Windows 7 Ultimate Disc? O_o

[PathMaster]

Seems like a good place to ask, suggestions on software to do a backup of drivers from a Win7 Pro system? The Toshiba site is a mess for drivers and this laptop needs to go down and back up as soon as possible when I do reformat.

[LiquidRain]

Oof, good question.

[Xerxes]

Up and running with the new drive. At about 80%.

Still trying to figure out what's the best move. I'm guessing I just install steam on one of the TB drives and use steam mover if I want to put games on the SSD. So much SSD space. ^_^

[Savok]

I have Steam on my SSD, just copy whatever I'm not playing to the mechanical and uninstall. When I want something I've already dled I just copy it back and install, Steam detects everything.

[resikel]

Intel 330 Series Solid-State Drive 120 GB SATA 6 Gb/s 2.5-Inch - SSDSC2CT120A3K5

$99.99 (Ends 8/2/2012)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B007P71J9W

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by Savok

I have Steam on my SSD, just copy whatever I'm not playing to the mechanical and uninstall. When I want something I've already dled I just copy it back and install, Steam detects everything.

Copy to the mechanical and uninstall? I'm confused. O_o

[Savok]

I'm just backing up the files so I don't have to redownload them. I know Steam has a backup feature, I also know it doesn't work. Just copying everything is easier.

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by Savok

I'm just backing up the files so I don't have to redownload them. I know Steam has a backup feature, I also know it doesn't work. Just copying everything is easier.

Oooooh. I was just wondering why you had to uninstall. But you don't mean "delete" the files.


Side question. Rebuilt the computer yesterday. I'm at work trying to install my normal apps and get everything back to normal using Chrome Remote Desktop. I noticed a memory spike linked to "dwm.exe." Now I can turn Aero off and it's fine but I'm wondering could this be related to me using Remote Desktop or if that shouldn't be the issue? Another 4 hours before I can get home and check the computer itself in the flesh.

[Karak]

570 GTX died yesterday in the 105 degree heat here. A mixture of a poor AC, the room getting to boiling point and playing GTA with the fated Direct X 9.dll that for GTA 4 ichancer combined to get it to a 97C temp. Shot up and fried.

So I got a 580GTX. Man I wanted to just get a 660ti but I can't wait and the price seems likes its in a big flux.

Anyone else have a 580gtx? What do you think of it?

[Crittias]

So, I'm likely going to pick up a Vizio ultrabook in the next few days. Anyone want to weigh in on whether or not the upgrade from the 1.8GHz i3-3217U to the 1.7GHz i5-3317U is worth the $50 premium? I'm only going to use the laptop for web browsing and word processing (and maybe some light coding, nothing large or complicated).

[LiquidRain]

The i3 has no turbo, which means if you're doing something single-threaded you're going to be down quite a bit on performance. The i5 can go up to 2.6GHz if there's enough thermal headroom, the i3 is stuck at 1.8GHz no matter what. (and no that will not affect battery life, if anything it'll improve it) You also miss out on few of the extras like hardware-accelerated AES encryption (a godsend for battery life if you use Truecrypt in any fashion) and better virtualization if you plan on running any VMs.

Honestly even I'm not sure if it's worth $50. I use TrueCrypt so I'd probably get it, but you might not.

[Crittias]

Originally Posted by LiquidRain

Honestly even I'm not sure if it's worth $50. I use TrueCrypt so I'd probably get it, but you might not.

I got it, but not really for any of those reasons. I figured, "It's someone else's $50, and if I don't spend it, I lose it." Stupid corporate budgets and their asinine incentives.

[Slack3r78]

Be sure to let us know what you think about it. I'm still kicking around the idea of getting one myself. Was looking last night actually, and somewhat thinking about the 15.6" even though I was originally interested in the 14". Twice the vertical screen real estate would be nice, but portability is the obvious trade-off.

Also have a Cooler Master Silencio 550 coming this week. I'd been eyeing it for a while, then found out it's been discontinued and I'm not a fan of the aesthetics of the replacement Silencio 650. Figured I'd go ahead and grab one while they're still available since NCIX was pretty much the only place that still had them in stock.

[Shjinta]

Originally Posted by Karak

570 GTX died yesterday in the 105 degree heat here. A mixture of a poor AC, the room getting to boiling point and playing GTA with the fated Direct X 9.dll that for GTA 4 ichancer combined to get it to a 97C temp. Shot up and fried.

So I got a 580GTX. Man I wanted to just get a 660ti but I can't wait and the price seems likes its in a big flux.

Anyone else have a 580gtx? What do you think of it?

I have them in SLI 580s and i love them. Run everything i throw at it. (Note: I run single display at 1080 Res) So i don't really think I'm pushing them very hard lol.

[Crittias]

Originally Posted by Slack3r78

Be sure to let us know what you think about it. I'm still kicking around the idea of getting one myself. Was looking last night actually, and somewhat thinking about the 15.6" even though I was originally interested in the 14". Twice the vertical screen real estate would be nice, but portability is the obvious trade-off.

I will post impressions.

[Abyssion]

Originally Posted by Crittias

I will post impressions.

Can't wait to hear em! The Verge gave the laptop a mediocre overall score, but the individual scores were all great aside from a few areas, one of which being the keyboard which is the only concern I would actually have.

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Shjinta

I have them in SLI 580s and i love them. Run everything i throw at it. (Note: I run single display at 1080 Res) So i don't really think I'm pushing them very hard lol.

Went with a 670gtx from Gigabyte.

Damn...my old 570 idled more than 20c hotter than this thing. Holy shit. I am in love already. Triple low RPM fans, excellent heatpipe setup. Got it for 319 with a coupon and midnight sale. So happy.