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Gaming PC build help (~€600)

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Comments

  • #152
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Help! I changed the boot config to AHCI and now the computer won't boot up. This was a few days after installing windows. Can you help but it back to normal?

    I stupidly changed it to AHCI in the boot screen, is there a way i can install the AHCI drivers via a usb stick? or even just get it back to IDE so it'll boot up? thanks :)


  • #153
    Monotype
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭Monotype


    Yeah, you can't just change it to AHCI mode after windows is installed.

    Does changing it back to IDE not work?

    Normally to get it to AHCI, you have to do a registry change and install the drivers. I'll have a look around to see if I can find a guide. One solution might be to do a startup repair. Keep hitting F8 just before windows starts booting to get the windows menu.



    Edit: Here's the registry change that you need to make.
    http://www.windows7news.com/2010/05/25/how-to-enable-ahci-in-windows-7/


  • #154
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    I can't get into windows at all - stuck at booting up. The boot option used to have an IDE option but after changing it to AHCI it has gone; it's just
    AHCI: P5 :M4-blahblah (SSD)
    UEFI:SanDisk Cruzer (my USB flashy)
    Disabled

    Do u think if I disabled, the IDE would be available again? Also do u think i could install the AHCI drivers from a USB?

    Statup repair only asks me to restore windows - i try to - and no dice, doesn't work. Lemme know if I can do this; or just cut my losses and re-install windows!


  • #155
    Monotype
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭Monotype


    Well you'd really want to be in windows to install the AHCI drivers. Windows has AHCI drivers anyway IIRC, it just doesn't always know that it's supposed to use them!

    Have a good look around the BIOS - there might be something else relying on it (you can discard changes if you need to). Yeah, try disabling all the drives, rebooting and then seeing if IDE is there.

    Actually, I think startup repair might be on the install disc... I look it up to check.

    --

    Edit: Yeah, startup repair is actually on the install disc. I think you can make registry changes from the command prompt. You can get to the command prompt from the same menu as the startup repair.

    --

    Edit 2:

    Leave it as AHCI and try this:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaFeELqEJ1Y

    If windows can't fix it itself, I'll look up to see if I can find commands for changing the registry.
    --


  • #156
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    startup repair on the windows or motherboard disc?

    also what do u think of "load UEFI defaults" for all setup questions? Worth a try or will i banjax everything!


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  • #157
    Monotype
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭Monotype


    Well... yeah that should work alright. Good thinking batman. It will just restore to the defaults. If you haven't actually changed anything like overclocking then there's no harm in doing so.

    Startup repair is on the windows install disc BTW. But don't install over your existing copy of windows!


  • #158
    Serephucus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,180 ✭✭✭Serephucus


    You could try just loading defaults in BIOS, should reset the controller to IDE for you that way.


  • #159
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    OH THANK GOD! Yes that did it. Restarted and it boots again just to be safe!

    THANK YOU so much! Mono Bueller, you're my hero! :)

    edit : cheers Sereph bro, crisis averted. Now Gunshy. Will try doing it properly in a few days lol.


  • #160
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Actually guys, just bought a Xbox 360 wireless adapter for PC, you guys know if there's something special i gotta do to get it working? Downloaded the driver of the MS website and trying to sync the controller, no dice! any ideas?


  • #161
    Monotype
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭Monotype


    You figured it out the solution yourself, not me!
    It's well worth switching to AHCI to get the best out of your drive. Just do the drivers and registry change first - but BIOS/UEFI with disappearing options could be something to watch out for.

    I've never used an xbox controller with a PC but sometimes uninstalling devices in the device manager and rebooting gets them to work again. Or just plain reinstalling the drivers.


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  • #162
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,929 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    Bejesus, just leave you here for few hours and world goes down :).


  • #163
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Hey guys, I need to buy some cable ties and re-apply thermal paste (i ruined it a bit pulling the heatsink on and off and so i can't clock the 2500k) - where around dublin city centre is best to get it? Also some cold cathode tubes maybe! Any brands you'd recommend?


  • #164
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,929 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    The only place I would expect to find it - maplins.

    Brand wise... Feck knows m8, I would not expect to see big difference between them.

    I haven't heard of bad quality paste, but I did heard about ****y applying methods.


  • #165
    glynf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,387 ✭✭✭glynf


    Trevor451 wrote: »
    Yeah skyrim is must buy now with the advent of the content creator and mods :D Be sure to pick up the HD texture pack (for free) as well :D


    Dont bother with the textures on Steam, the HD ones by NebuLa blow them away.

    http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=607


  • #166
    Monotype
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭Monotype


    Applying the paste is the most of the job. MX4 is what most people go for now, I think but memoryc have AS5 if you're willing to wait a few days.
    http://www.memoryc.com/pccomponents/coolingproducts/articsilver5thermalcompound35g.html

    Edit: Peats have AS5 and coolermaster thermal compound. The AS5 is out of stock but you could ask in their shop if they have the coolermaster. Don't know what kind of quality that is.
    http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog_v2.cgi?type=product&id=29185
    http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog_v2.cgi?type=product&id=7831


  • #167
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Hey guys, are wireless keyboards & mice expensive? Do they last long? Nothing too flashy. Recommend off amazon, ebay or in stores?


  • #168
    Serephucus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,180 ✭✭✭Serephucus


    My last three mice have been wireless, and they're great. I was using an MX Revolution, I'm now using a Performance MX. I'm so used to the shape at this point, I just don't find anything else comfortable.

    As for keyboards, that's one thing I still tend to like wired. I mean you can get wireless ones, and I'm sure they're fine, but 95% of keyboards are still wired, so you get more, and higher quality, options if you stick to that.


  • #169
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,929 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    Well I got for my old pc a wireless k+m, because it is connected to telly now.

    I got Microsoft wireless desktop for 20eu in sound store and it is very nice quality thing.

    Though if you are gamer, then I recomend wired mouses. Any wireless mouse I had, there would be some random **** up. ( very rare ). Then if you want very accurate wireless mouse then get ready to spend alot m8.


  • #170
    Nibs05
    Registered Users Posts: 678 ✭✭✭Nibs05


    Lidl have k+m this thursday for €20

    http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/SID-0F13A157-49B4BF77/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/index_18272.htm


  • #171
    _AVALANCHE_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,620 ✭✭✭_AVALANCHE_


    Nibs05 wrote: »
    Lidl have k+m this thursday for €20

    http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/SID-0F13A157-49B4BF77/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/index_18272.htm
    Lidl/Aldi stuff is usually dirt but am looking for wireless of both.

    Anyone ever buy these before?


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  • #172
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    this looks ideal - i'd be using it just for TV purposes. Is it decent quality, i'd want to last at least a few years!

    Also, what's the best thermal paste/stuff for the i5 2500k? I was in maplins today and they had expensive crystal stuff for €16, thermal strips, general paste etc? I'll need it for clocking, worn off a bit when putting the pc together but core temps are ok right now but not when clocking :)


  • #173
    Fluffy88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,414 ✭✭✭Fluffy88


    _AVALANCHE_ wrote: »
    Lidl/Aldi stuff is usually dirt but am looking for wireless of both.

    Anyone ever buy these before?
    I got an Aldi PC 5 years ago. I'm not mad on the feel of the keyboard, but after a week or two on it you get used to it. TBH I got used to the Aldi keyboard much quicker than my laptops one, I've been using my laptop since Christmas and I'm still not used to it's keyboard. I don't know the going rate for a wireless K&M but if €20 is a good price I'd buy it.

    One thing I love is the spinny audio volume thing, it's a class way to do it and I wish more keyboards had it :)


  • #174
    Serephucus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,180 ✭✭✭Serephucus


    The easiest thermal paste to use is MX-4 (well any of the MXs really, but 4 performs the best). It has no cure time, and never expires.

    http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Arctic-Cooling-MX-4-Thermal-Compound-paste-4g-Retail-/130645423943?pt=Computing_ComputerComponents_Fans_Heatsinks_SR&hash=item1e6b12f747

    That probably works out at about €10-12. Expensive, but I can't find anywhere cheaper after a quick Google.


  • #175
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Nothing's up, I just wanted to say thanks again for everyone who helped me get this beast of a pc!

    So thank you Jaafa, infowars, Tij da feen, partyatmygaff, Completionist, greenheart, Markd250 Trevor451, _AVALANCHE_, Fluffy88, glynf, Nibs05 and kearneybobs

    and a special thank you to Eboggles, Serephucus, ShadowHearth, Monotype, cherryghost, and deconduo, you guys had to suffer the most with my quibbles! As a console gamer dipping his toes into PCs, i was blown away by the support :)

    I'm really happy with it and enjoy it, every time it boots up around 25 seconds or someone new sees it and marks out!


  • #176
    infowars.com
    Closed Accounts Posts: 145 ✭✭infowars.com


    jaykhunter wrote: »
    Nothing's up, I just wanted to say thanks again for everyone who helped me get this beast of a pc!

    So thank you Jaafa, infowars, Tij da feen, partyatmygaff, Completionist, greenheart, Markd250 Trevor451, _AVALANCHE_, Fluffy88, glynf, Nibs05 and kearneybobs

    and a special thank you to Eboggles, Serephucus, ShadowHearth, Monotype, cherryghost, and deconduo, you guys had to suffer the most with my quibbles! As a console gamer dipping his toes into PCs, i was blown away by the support :)

    I'm really happy with it and enjoy it, every time it boots up around 25 seconds or someone new sees it and marks out!
    good stuff get sniper ghost warrior n have a game :)


  • #177
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Hey guys, quick Q, the HDMI ports of the monitor and graphics card stopped working so sent it in to Just in Time via HWVS.de for repairs. So at the moment I'm using mobo ASRock Z68 Pro3 Gen3 and plugging it into my panasonic HDTV.

    However I can only get up to 1280x1024 resolution which is 4:3 and cuts off the outer frame of the pic something fierce. The TV does 1080p and the HDMI cable does 1080p (on the WD player). I installed a 'generic PnP monitor on standard VGA Graphics Adapter' after asking win7 to look for a video driver for me. Still at 1280x1024. I imagine I need a specific mobo driver.

    Could someone tell me what the right driver on the page is?
    http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?cat=Download&os=Win764&Model=Z68%20Pro3%20Gen3

    Or if I can find it on another page? I'm on Win7 64bit. Cheers


  • #178
    Serephucus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,180 ✭✭✭Serephucus


    jaykhunter wrote: »
    Hey guys, quick Q, the HDMI ports of the monitor and graphics card stopped working so sent it in to Just in Time via HWVS.de for repairs. So at the moment I'm using mobo ASRock Z68 Pro3 Gen3 and plugging it into my panasonic HDTV.

    However I can only get up to 1280x1024 resolution which is 4:3 and cuts off the outer frame of the pic something fierce. The TV does 1080p and the HDMI cable does 1080p (on the WD player). I installed a 'generic PnP monitor on standard VGA Graphics Adapter' after asking win7 to look for a video driver for me. Still at 1280x1024. I imagine I need a specific mobo driver.

    Could someone tell me what the right driver on the page is?
    http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?cat=Download&os=Win764&Model=Z68%20Pro3%20Gen3

    Or if I can find it on another page? I'm on Win7 64bit. Cheers

    Second from the bottom in the drivers section. VGA driver.


  • #179
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    LEGEND! Back in proper hd :)


  • #180
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Hey dudes! Have a quick query for ya. I just got my AMD Radeon 6870 graphics card back (I needed to get the HDMI port repaired) and I'm back in business playing Tomb Raider (Hooray! - lording the resolution over my console friends :pac:)

    Anywoo, I have the graphics card outputting to my monitor (DVI) and TV (HDMI) I noticed a bit of screen tearing and that the driver for my TV is "generic pnp monitor". I went to AMD's site to get their drivers and installed the Catalyst Control Center. Although I've sorted the image not filling the screen, I haven't sorted the screen tearing. Any ideas? Here's my desktop... it's quite large so i'll leave it as a link.

    http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4147/radeoni.jpg

    Also would turning off "tressfx" or "tessellation" or "v-sync" help the screen tearing?


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  • #181
    BloodBath
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,299 ✭✭✭✭BloodBath


    Screen tearing is mainly caused by the card rendering a higher frame rate than the screen can handle. Most monitors and tv's these days are 60hz meaning they can do a maximum of 60 frames per second. Turning on v-sync should stop the problem but has it's own issues if you are dropping below 60fps.

    That's 1 thing virtu mvp is good for.


  • #182
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    What's virtu mvp? I still do get a wee bit of screen tearing, any other ideas?


  • #183
    BloodBath
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,299 ✭✭✭✭BloodBath


    It's a program that's supposed to utilise your igp to boost the performance of your graphics card. It only does this with weak ass graphics cards but it does have a handy feature in Virtual Vsync.

    Normally v-sync has the problem where if you drop below 60 fps, even to 59, your frame rate has to go down to an integer division of 60. If you had a single frame buffer it would drop to 30fps to keep vysnc working properly. Drop below 30 and you're down to 20fps. Virtual v-sync acts as a triple buffer to prevent this happening as well as stopping tearing if you are going over 60fps. It's about the only good feature of the software that works properly.

    It's only compatible with certain mobos afaik though.


  • #184
    Serephucus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,180 ✭✭✭Serephucus


    I thought ever since NVIDIA added adaptive v-sync (same idea) to their drivers, AMD enabled something similar (could be wrong here). Doesn't that make MVP pretty much useless now?


  • #185
    BloodBath
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,299 ✭✭✭✭BloodBath


    I haven't seen anything like that but I haven't updated my driver's in a while.


  • #186
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Hey guys, I'm in the market for a 2TB (or 3TB depending on value) internal hard drive. At the moment I just have a SDD internally (and I've been using my ext HDD as a 2ndary drive), no RAID or NAS or anything like that. It'll be used for a bit of storage, video editing/gaming. Although I'm attracted to getting a 3TB, it's prob not worth it seeing as it's an internal drive (ie wait and get a large external instead)

    I was interested in the WD Red 3TB, since it's supposed to be a hardcore HDD, runs cooler, used 24/7 with 3 yr warranty, But Tom's Hardware shows it's not got great desktop performance? I'll still be turning the comp off every day, thoughts on the Red?

    Anyway my 3 front-runners are :
    Seagate Barracuda 3.5 inch 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB 6GB/S Internal SATA Drive for £67

    Seagate 3TB 3.5 inch 7200RPM 64MB Cache SATA3 Hard Drive for £90
    and
    WD Caviar Green 2TB Internal Hard Drive, £73

    Have you guys any input/preferences? Where else could I get HDDs for reasonable prices you'd recommend? Thanks for reading :)


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  • #187
    Serephucus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,180 ✭✭✭Serephucus


    The WD Reds look quite nice to me... fastest of the 5400RPM drives, the only things beating it are 7200RPM.

    3TB Red gets my vote. Slightly better €/GB than the 2TB.


  • #188
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Thanks Sereph. With my current setup (I'm really just looking for more space), I should stick with my current setup (SDD and 1.5TB ext. via USB3.0) and just get a 3TB external? I'm thinking that way, the HDD will last longer (as I'd just plug it in to access files).


  • #189
    Serephucus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,180 ✭✭✭Serephucus


    I'd nearly trust an internal drive more. Sure it'll be powered on more, but they have a MTBF of something like a million hours (114 years), so I'd trust it being safe and secure in a case vs. out in the open where it could be knocked, dropped, etc. (I lost an ex. HDD to a cat knocking it off a table a couple of years back, and last year to my girlfriend knocking one off a table).


  • #190
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Guys, got a confession. My computer an i5 2500k, ASRock Z68 mobo, 1GB Sapphire Radeon 6870, 550w power supply, but I've never over-clocked it. I messed up the thermal paste initially and never fixed it. I really wanna overclock it! Any suggestions/help?


  • #191
    alex1997123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 231 ✭✭alex1997123


    jaykhunter wrote: »
    Guys, got a confession. My computer an i5 2500k, ASRock Z68 mobo, 1GB Sapphire Radeon 6870, 550w power supply, but I've never over-clocked it. I messed up the thermal paste initially and never fixed it. I really wanna overclock it! Any suggestions/help?

    Fix the thermal paste, get a decent cooler and go crazy!


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  • #192
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    alex1997123 wrote: »
    Fix the thermal paste, get a decent cooler and go crazy!

    Do I need a new cooler? It's a SuperFlower 550w Amazon. What could I clock it to with this one?


  • #193
    alex1997123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 231 ✭✭alex1997123


    jaykhunter wrote: »
    Do I need a new cooler? It's a SuperFlower 550w Amazon. What could I clock it to with this one?

    That's you power supply. I'm talking about your CPU cooler. 2500k is pretty beast when it comes to overclocking so I'm sure you'll get a good overclock.


  • #194
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    This is what's under the hood! Hoping to get away without buying new stuff?

    CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Box, LGA1155
    GPU: Sapphire HD6870 1G GDDR5 PCI-E
    Mobo: ASRock Z68 Pro3 Gen3, Sockel 1155, ATX
    SSD: Crucial M4 64GB SSD 6,4cm (2,5")
    RAM: 8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9
    Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 13 Pro
    Power Supply: Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 550W
    Case: Raidmax Midi-Tower Sagittarius silber/schwarz
    Monitor: ASUS VS228H


  • #195
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    2500K is a good overclocker but a 6870 is dated at this stage. You'd see large gains at 1080p with a new card without overclocking. Not that you shouldn't overclock still, but in this case it'd be the GPU not the CPU holding you back.


  • #196
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    I have two problems with getting a new GPU, the cost of it, and admitting it to my console-only buddy. He'd have a field-day seeing me upgrade so (relatively) soon after buying!


  • #197
    jaykhunter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,013 ✭✭✭✭jaykhunter


    Hey guys! In the market again, would love some input before making an order. My GPU (Radeon Sapphire 6870 1GB) is giving me grief again, it's crashing a few times and having to use the HDMI port on the mobo and it being not recognised. I checked around dublin and it seems nobody does repairs (?) so it's time go shopping.

    Could you have a look over this? I've been looking at a new GPU, looking for best value with a nice bit of power - specifically the Asus Nvidia GeForce GTX 760 2GB GDDR5.

    1. Would you recommend another card over it? My budget is around €200-230 but of course cheaper is better!

    2. Silly question but is it compatible with an i5 2500k, ASRock Z68 mobo and Super Flower Amazon 550W?

    3. Also are there differences in the type of GTX 760 to buy? What'd be best? Looking a results there's ~40 quid difference between models.

    Thanks


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