Your Guide to a Magic PC - Guide in First Post [2012/03/05] - Page 174

Xerxes · 08-21-2012, 09:05 AM

I didn't think of none of that when I got my 480GB. I was mostly concerned with consolidating drives. I think I've finally got about 400GB on it stupidly (Just adding games I feel like I might play without playing them) but I just checked the health and it's like a ox. Expected 8 years of life.

jpublic · 08-21-2012, 12:43 PM

I plan on a 240/256GB unit for my next PC, unless the 480/512's drop in price to something reasonable.

Doogie2K · 08-21-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerxes

I didn't think of none of that when I got my 480GB. I was mostly concerned with consolidating drives. I think I've finally got about 400GB on it stupidly (Just adding games I feel like I might play without playing them) but I just checked the health and it's like a ox. Expected 8 years of life.

You can check the health on those things? Really? How?

J Arcane · 08-22-2012, 10:05 AM

Ars has a laptop buyer's guide up: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/...chool-edition/

Xerxes · 08-22-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doogie2K

You can check the health on those things? Really? How?

http://ssd-life.com/

Doogie2K · 08-22-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerxes

http://ssd-life.com/

Bookmarked. I'll be checking this out tonight, since my new drive arrived at home about an hour ago.

Bone · 08-22-2012, 12:24 PM

My Samsung SSD 830 doesn't provide detailed wear out information. Apparently

Doogie2K · 08-23-2012, 11:44 AM

Nine years of projected life. Fuckin' eh.

While the BIOS sequence doesn't seem to be any faster (if anything, it may be slightly slower since enabling AHCI; I dunno), the actual Windows-loading part is way the fuck faster. Instead of sitting on the Windows logo at bootup for 10-15 seconds, it's maybe two. Then the login screen appears instantly, I type my password, Windows is there and ready almost instantly. Shutdown, same thing. Press the button, boom, it's gone within a couple of seconds.

Haven't tried any games yet - only got my OS drive migrated about midnight last night, and spent overnight expanding my documents drive to fill the vacated space on the old drive - but I'm hoping to try it tonight with something that has a long-ass load time, like BioShock 2. I still have Minerva's Den to complete, so that's as good an excuse as any.

And, that most important of all indices, WEI, now shows a 7.8 for HDD instead of 5.9.

Though because Catalyst is being all fucky right now (can't enable/disable fan independently of Overdrive controls), my graphics score went way down; have to fix that tonight.

Crittias · 08-23-2012, 12:29 PM

So, anything on the GPU, CPU, or mobo horizon that would warrant waiting a few months before a rebuild? If not, I may pull the trigger on a new rig sometime in the next few weeks.

LiquidRain · 08-23-2012, 01:58 PM

Pull the trigger. We're 8-10 months from the next Intel refresh and AMD and nVidia have entered their quiet periods as well. Use the Tech Report link that I gave you.

Crittias · 08-23-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidRain

Pull the trigger. We're 8-10 months from the next Intel refresh and AMD and nVidia have entered their quiet periods as well. Use the Tech Report link that I gave you.

Thanks. Will do.

Doogie2K · 08-23-2012, 04:35 PM

Could you please edit that Tech Report link into the OP, so it doesn't get lost in the thread?

LiquidRain · 08-23-2012, 10:37 PM

Done. Thanks for telling me to do that.

Doogie2K · 08-24-2012, 03:21 PM

Final updates on the SSD:

1) BioShock 2 has long load times. Full stop. Less long that before, but still kind of unreasonable. I mean, are they loading the entire level architecture in one go? Hell, I even had texture pop last night, which I don't recall before.

2) My mom wants one, too. She actually wanted one at the time but didn't say anything because she thought I'd be upset she wanted her computer to match mine at something. Which...yeah, that was probably actually a valid worry, though entirely unreasonable on my part. But I ordered it for her, so I have another project for next weekend.

Savok · 08-24-2012, 06:48 PM

Bioshock 2 have a loading animation? I know the Mass Effects would keep playing that shit even when the game had already loaded.

Doogie2K · 08-25-2012, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savok

Bioshock 2 have a loading animation? I know the Mass Effects would keep playing that shit even when the game had already loaded.

Nah, just a static screen with periodic changing photos/tooltips.

Crittias · 08-26-2012, 06:26 PM

So, initial impressions of the Vizio 14" laptop (finally got it back from the tech department):

Nice form factor. Very thin, very light. Plastic finish on the outside isn't as nice as the brushed aluminum finish on my wife's Samsung 9, but it looks good.
Screen is very good.
Keyboard is...meh so far. I'm not sure I like the flat-surface structure. I think it'll be too easy to slip from one key to another. I'm also not quite sure about the travel on the keyboard. I found myself pounding on the keys pretty hard in order to maintain accuracy, but I think that's user error on my part: when I purposely typed more lightly, I typed more accurately. I also have only used it while standing up, so my form for typing is terrible. I'll get some more time on it over the next few weeks and report back on this one.
Trackpad is also meh. Update helps it out, but it still lacks one critical element (that I find many trackpads lack): no middle button support. I use the middle button on my mouse ALL THE TIME to update new browser tabs. No middle button = no go for me.
Bluetooth mouse solves the trackpad issue for me.
Fan seemed to spin up quite often during my initial break-in period, but I was doing a lot of software installs. During browsing and typing, the fan has been less active.

Overall, I'm lukewarm. I like the lack of bloatware. Just not so sure on the input form factor yet. I'll post more impressions after I use it for a while.

Shjinta · 08-28-2012, 08:16 AM

So a friend of mine bought a Super clocked Evga 680, He runs the multi monitor setup with the high Resolution. He wants to swap me my 2x 580s for the one 680. Since I run 1 monitor with a res of no higher than 1080p is it a better deal? I mean I feel like I'm wasting my SLI rig. Granted my two cards are more expensive than 1 680 but I've had them for over 2 years now.

Psykoboy2 · 08-28-2012, 08:18 AM

If your two card cost more than one 680, do the trade and grab some cash with it. Then SLI another 680 down the line.

Course, that doesn't really answer your original question of resolution.

Xerxes · 08-28-2012, 10:23 AM

I'm with Psyko. Would be a tech bump for you and he gets to run his multi monitors. Cash would just even things out.

08-21-2012, 09:05 AM	#3461
Xerxes ONE FUCKING BOX Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: HTX Posts: 20,259 Blog Entries: 8	I didn't think of none of that when I got my 480GB. I was mostly concerned with consolidating drives. I think I've finally got about 400GB on it stupidly (Just adding games I feel like I might play without playing them) but I just checked the health and it's like a ox. Expected 8 years of life. __________________ 360: Xerxes PSN: ArmoredXerxes Bitch, please. I've gone through the alphabet with more girls than a kindergarten teacher. -Ox My life requires busting faggoty assed bitches like yourself in the fucking face. -Zeal the original Game Boy was the size of a VCR -pronounconnoun

08-21-2012, 12:43 PM	#3462
jpublic I am the Dangan Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toontown, Canuckia Posts: 7,798 Blog Entries: 21	I plan on a 240/256GB unit for my next PC, unless the 480/512's drop in price to something reasonable. __________________ "We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary." --James D. Nicoll "The closest they came [to] Platonic ideas is [using] two paper plates for lunch." --Pale Ale

08-22-2012, 10:05 AM	#3464
J Arcane Bedroom Wall Press Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16,467 Blog Entries: 1	Ars has a laptop buyer's guide up: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/...chool-edition/ __________________ Arcana Rising - An Urban Fantasy Roleplaying Game, powered by Hulks and Horrors. Now on Kickstarter! Bedroom Wall Press - Games that make you feel like a kid again. Hulks and Horrors - A Sci-Fi Roleplaying game of Exploration and Dungeon Adventure Heaven's Shadow - A Roleplaying Game of Faith and Assassination

08-22-2012, 12:24 PM	#3467
Bone Extraordinary Prick Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 8,264 Blog Entries: 8	My Samsung SSD 830 doesn't provide detailed wear out information. Apparently __________________ I think I want to be you when I grow up, but I'm far more likely to be Bone. - Superman's Dead XBL: xx 8one xx 3DS: 0516-7281-0600 Steam: -Bone-

08-23-2012, 12:29 PM	#3469
Crittias The Professor Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,900 Blog Entries: 14	So, anything on the GPU, CPU, or mobo horizon that would warrant waiting a few months before a rebuild? If not, I may pull the trigger on a new rig sometime in the next few weeks. __________________ The Ghost, the Girl, and the Gun, only $0.99 on Kindle! Free on my site! Proceeds go to charity!

08-23-2012, 01:58 PM	#3470
LiquidRain Documentarian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,962	Pull the trigger. We're 8-10 months from the next Intel refresh and AMD and nVidia have entered their quiet periods as well. Use the Tech Report link that I gave you. __________________ Rainwave.cc - Video game music and Overclocked Remix radio!

08-23-2012, 10:37 PM	#3473
LiquidRain Documentarian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,962	Done. Thanks for telling me to do that. __________________ Rainwave.cc - Video game music and Overclocked Remix radio!

08-24-2012, 06:48 PM	#3475
Savok Vulcan Rage! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 9,424	Bioshock 2 have a loading animation? I know the Mass Effects would keep playing that shit even when the game had already loaded.

08-26-2012, 06:26 PM	#3477
Crittias The Professor Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,900 Blog Entries: 14	So, initial impressions of the Vizio 14" laptop (finally got it back from the tech department): Nice form factor. Very thin, very light. Plastic finish on the outside isn't as nice as the brushed aluminum finish on my wife's Samsung 9, but it looks good. Screen is very good. Keyboard is...meh so far. I'm not sure I like the flat-surface structure. I think it'll be too easy to slip from one key to another. I'm also not quite sure about the travel on the keyboard. I found myself pounding on the keys pretty hard in order to maintain accuracy, but I think that's user error on my part: when I purposely typed more lightly, I typed more accurately. I also have only used it while standing up, so my form for typing is terrible. I'll get some more time on it over the next few weeks and report back on this one. Trackpad is also meh. Update helps it out, but it still lacks one critical element (that I find many trackpads lack): no middle button support. I use the middle button on my mouse ALL THE TIME to update new browser tabs. No middle button = no go for me. Bluetooth mouse solves the trackpad issue for me. Fan seemed to spin up quite often during my initial break-in period, but I was doing a lot of software installs. During browsing and typing, the fan has been less active. Overall, I'm lukewarm. I like the lack of bloatware. Just not so sure on the input form factor yet. I'll post more impressions after I use it for a while. __________________ The Ghost, the Girl, and the Gun, only $0.99 on Kindle! Free on my site! Proceeds go to charity!

08-28-2012, 08:16 AM	#3478
Shjinta Old Picky Bastard Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Belleville, Ontario Posts: 1,940 Blog Entries: 2	So a friend of mine bought a Super clocked Evga 680, He runs the multi monitor setup with the high Resolution. He wants to swap me my 2x 580s for the one 680. Since I run 1 monitor with a res of no higher than 1080p is it a better deal? I mean I feel like I'm wasting my SLI rig. Granted my two cards are more expensive than 1 680 but I've had them for over 2 years now. __________________ Currently Watching: Buffy The Vampire Slayer 2/7, Becker 1/3

08-28-2012, 08:18 AM	#3479
Psykoboy2 Enigma Of The Mystical Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,499 Blog Entries: 1	If your two card cost more than one 680, do the trade and grab some cash with it. Then SLI another 680 down the line. Course, that doesn't really answer your original question of resolution.

08-28-2012, 10:23 AM	#3480
Xerxes ONE FUCKING BOX Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: HTX Posts: 20,259 Blog Entries: 8	I'm with Psyko. Would be a tech bump for you and he gets to run his multi monitors. Cash would just even things out. __________________ 360: Xerxes PSN: ArmoredXerxes Bitch, please. I've gone through the alphabet with more girls than a kindergarten teacher. -Ox My life requires busting faggoty assed bitches like yourself in the fucking face. -Zeal the original Game Boy was the size of a VCR -pronounconnoun

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