Hardware Discussion Thread

Effluo · 11-08-2011 3:21pm

the story I read about AMD's RAM was headlined, "AMD quietly release range of RAM" xD

If any company does that you know it's going to be sh*t

Unregistered. · 11-08-2011 10:27pm

Unregistered. wrote: »

Just noticed this RAM kit from G-Skill. 1600MHz CL7 @ 1.35v!!! The fact that they run at 1.35, means there is a lot of headroom for overclocking and they already have very tight timings for 1600Mhz. Not even sure if the times are right or if it's a typo. Has anybody got them?

Just to follow up on this. The specs seem to be 100%
http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=247

Surely there is a catch I'm not seeing?

deconduo · 11-08-2011 10:47pm

Unregistered. wrote: »

Just to follow up on this. The specs seem to be 100%
http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=247

Surely there is a catch I'm not seeing?

Its twice the price of most other kits? :P

Unregistered. · 11-08-2011 11:11pm

deconduo wrote: »

Its twice the price of most other kits? :P

Ah so there's the typo. It said 8GB the other day. *cough cough*

Monotype · 16-08-2011 11:32pm

Intel is selling upgrade codes to unlock features of a few of their low end CPUs.
https://retailupgrades.intel.com/Page.aspx?Name=Benefits

There's a few extra details on Anandtech, to save you from looking up the model numbers.

I heard of this before but didn't think much of it. I'd say Intel are testing the waters for viability. In later series, we might see it appearing throughout their entire range. I wonder how hackers will do in their efforts to copy the software. I also wonder how much longer "free" upgrades with overclocking processors will last with this.

Tea_Bag · 17-08-2011 3:51pm

scummy imo.

charging you extra for unlocking something your processor can already do. especially the extra cache ones. and to lock it down so no hardware OC was bad enough.

future is looking bleak. next series may have no 'K' SKU at all initially but a seperate purchase later to give different OCs approved by Intel.

I hope hackers go to town on this.

Tea_Bag · 17-08-2011 5:59pm

Sandy Bridge-E prices are out according to this link... and its the same as the socket its replacing. also interesting that there is a rumour about a new i7K socket 1155 on the way.

and stolen from OCUK:

Model Cores Threads Frequency Turbo Frequency L3 cache Price

Core i7-3820 4 8 3.6 GHz 3.9 GHz 10 MB $294 Core i7-3930K 6 12 3.2 GHz 3.8 GHz 12 MB $583 Core i7-3960X 6 12 3.3 GHz 3.9 GHz 15 MB $999

15mb cache is impressive, but @$1000 I guess it should be.

I'm wondering how much better SBe will actually be than ivy bridge when ivy is on 22nm and a more refined SB anyway?

Monotype · 17-08-2011 6:14pm

Tea_Bag wrote: »

also interesting that there is a rumour about a new i7K socket 1155 on the way.

2800K to replace the 2600K, iirc.

Unregistered. · 18-08-2011 2:40pm

Monotype wrote: »

2800K to replace the 2600K, iirc.

Anything more than a speed bump?

Monotype · 18-08-2011 3:03pm

I don't know. I just thought 'replace' was an interesting term as it could mean cheaper 2600Ks. If it was just a bit more than the 2500K, it could be worth getting in more situations.

There were also reports of Intel not supplying heatsinks with this lineup. I don't think that worked out too well for AMD when they did it with their early black editions.

Edit: 2800K not until 1H 2012.
http://wccftech.com/intel-sandy-bridgee-lga-2011-pricing-leaked-core-i7-3960x-extreme-edition-cost-1000us/

Trevor451 · 18-08-2011 3:05pm

I am very impatient (they told me that the RMA might take up to 6 weeks for my 6850 to be fixed) and I was thinking of getting a 6950 anyway for BF3.

It would run OK on my super flower amazon 550w?

Tea_Bag · 18-08-2011 3:10pm

apparently sandy E will come without a heatsink, but id stake money on the 2800k having a heatsink. its probably nothing more than a higher clocked 2700k.

Unregistered. · 18-08-2011 3:11pm

Monotype wrote: »

Edit: 2800K not until 1H 2012.
http://wccftech.com/intel-sandy-bridgee-lga-2011-pricing-leaked-core-i7-3960x-extreme-edition-cost-1000us/

Looks like Q3 '11 to me. (as denoted by "≥ i7-2600k")

Monotype · 18-08-2011 3:29pm

Trevor451 wrote: »

I am very impatient (they told me that the RMA might take up to 6 weeks for my 6850 to be fixed) and I was thinking of getting a 6950 anyway for BF3.

It would run OK on my super flower amazon 550w?

Yeah.

deconduo · 27-08-2011 9:23pm

Good news for anyone with a Crucial M4:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/crucial-m4-ssd-firmware-update,news-36290.html

Unregistered. · 28-08-2011 12:17pm

^^^ Look forward to reviews revisited.

VenomIreland · 28-08-2011 12:18pm

I'm getting an M4 this week, how do you update the firmware on it?

Monotype · 28-08-2011 3:30pm

If it's the same as updating for the C300, first you need to change it to IDE in the CMOS. Then you'll need to make a bootable USB drive with DOS on it. Just enter the command and you're done.

It's a little bit of hassle but it's not bad once you get a hold of the DOS files and a bootable USB tool. You can find these on the internet or I can dig up the files if you're not sure. It will tell you in the update guide with the firmware anyway.

VenomIreland · 28-08-2011 3:33pm

Monotype wrote: »

If it's the same as updating for the C300, first you need to change it to IDE in the CMOS. Then you'll need to make a bootable USB drive with DOS on it. Just enter the command and you're done.

It's a little bit of hassle but it's not bad once you get a hold of the DOS files and a bootable USB tool. You can find these on the internet or I can dig up the files if you're not sure. It will tell you in the update guide with the firmware anyway.

I just finished reading the guide they have on the site a few minutes ago, they supply a bootable ISO image to upgrade the firmware

Really excited for this build, according to DHL it'll arrive either tomorrow or Tuesday.

Monotype · 28-08-2011 3:44pm

Oh well that sounds a lot easier. I thought it was a bit ridiculous having to boot to DOS to be honest.

deejer · 30-08-2011 1:16pm

http://wccftech.com/amd-fx-bulldozer-chips-start-shipping-week/

Looks like we wont have to wait too much longer for the first of these Bulldozer chips. Im looking forward to seeing what they can do.

While the whole intel/AMD thing doesnt bother me I would like to see them at least catch up with the Sandybridge.

Tea_Bag · 30-08-2011 1:50pm

any reason why HWmonitor isnt showing both my gpu's temps?
ive got 6950's crossfired.

Ryan451 · 03-09-2011 7:19pm

Hey guys, i'm ordering an i5 2500k and a Gigabyte z68x UD3P. I also want to upgrade RAM but dont really understand all the Numbers and stats about RAM. I was wondering would anybody know the best 8GB kit to go with the i5 and z68x?

deconduo · 03-09-2011 7:57pm

Just grab the cheapst DDR3 kit, it'll be fine. If you're ordering from HWVS, this is what you'd go for:
http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44315&agid=1192

Ryan451 · 03-09-2011 8:09pm

deconduo wrote: »

Just grab the cheapst DDR3 kit, it'll be fine. If you're ordering from HWVS, this is what you'd go for:
http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44315&agid=1192

Would i see improved performance in a kit with higher mhz? Like 1600mhz instead of 1333mhz?

deconduo · 03-09-2011 8:13pm

Ryan451 wrote: »

Would i see improved performance in a kit with higher mhz? Like 1600mhz instead of 1333mhz?

The increase in performance is miniscule, and not something you'd notice.

Ryan451 · 03-09-2011 8:17pm

deconduo wrote: »

The increase in performance is miniscule, and not something you'd notice.

Ok, thanks, i will get on that. Time to watch the X Factor :P

Brian · 05-09-2011 11:36am

Anybody know if it's possible to buy the reference AMD 6450? I can't seem to find a 3rd party version that uses GDDR5 and not DDR3.

Effluo · 05-09-2011 11:46am

Baza210 wrote: »

Anybody know if it's possible to buy the reference AMD 6450? I can't seem to find a 3rd party version that uses GDDR5 and not DDR3.

Did a quick search there and it doesn't seem as though they're on the market at all

Edit:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/10013120/art/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd-6450-512-mb-gd.html?srcid=867&key=YU96cRc9a+beL9ojAzRQDCofEiMLEYS7H+sRNQU0MxxweEdxa4ONBt0nUGFSA3lPFCFYXA==

Found one

Brian · 05-09-2011 12:35pm

I found that one too, cheers. The HSF looks small enough that it hopefully won't be noticeable in a MicroServer. There are no passive DDR5s sadly.

Tea_Bag · 05-09-2011 1:52pm

In a server system would it really matter? I'd take a passive over a noisy slight improvement.

Brian · 05-09-2011 2:43pm

sapphire-hd6450-512mb-ddr5-64bit-memory-graphics-card-frsc-s6450512d5.jpg

The HSF is tiny. Plus there are already 120 mm and 40 mm case and PSU fans, I doubt it will change much. The performance (at least with the AMD reference card) is markedly improved, however.

The Sapphire version that I bought is 512 MB though, so I'm guessing it would be somewhere in between the two (the Sapphire shown in this graph is the passive DDR3 model vs the AMD reference DDR5).

Monotype · 10-09-2011 1:08pm

I was on komplett this morning and spotted A-Data HM-650 650 Watt PSU for €59. What is this madness, I thought, doesn't Adata sell RAM and SSDs?

Well it seems they sell PSUs now too, and they're not too bad apparently. It's based on CWT's PSH II series - similar to Corsair's GS and TX PSUs and it's modular.

At €59 delivered, it looks better than anything else around at that price.

Reviews
http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/adata-hm-series-650w-power-supply-review/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/HM-650W/1.html

Tea_Bag · 10-09-2011 1:31pm

That's a big ugly blue label though

DannyD · 10-09-2011 7:55pm

So I bought this board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131668

I want a mid tower for this. What sort of a case do I need? I take it a ATX case but how will I know if it is correctly speced for all the inputs/outputs on the board (eg: usb, hdmi etc...).

Will this suffice ? Does it have the correct layout for all the ports on the board?
http://www.elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=ECE2023677

Donny5 · 10-09-2011 8:11pm

DannyD wrote: »

So I bought this board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131668

I want a mid tower for this. What sort of a case do I need? I take it a ATX case but how will I know if it is correctly speced for all the inputs/outputs on the board (eg: usb, hdmi etc...).

Will this suffice ? Does it have the correct layout for all the ports on the board?
http://www.elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=ECE2023677

Any ATX will do. Your motherboard will come with a rectangular I/O plate which has all the correct slots. You just put that into place in the case, and you're set.

It looks like this:

Trevor451 · 10-09-2011 10:11pm

Monotype wrote: »

I was on komplett this morning and spotted A-Data HM-650 650 Watt PSU for €59. What is this madness, I thought, doesn't Adata sell RAM and SSDs?

Well it seems they sell PSUs now too, and they're not too bad apparently. It's based on CWT's PSH II series - similar to Corsair's GS and TX PSUs and it's modular.

At €59 delivered, it looks better than anything else around at that price.

Reviews
http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/adata-hm-series-650w-power-supply-review/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AData/HM-650W/1.html

Is this as good as the super flower amazon series of psu? I don't think that A-Data is as catchy of a name as super flower though :pac:

Solitaire · 10-09-2011 11:28pm

Very close. The A-Data is basically a slightly cheaper Corsair TX650 (PSH2 platform). The Amazon 650W competes with them directly.

Burgo · 11-09-2011 12:15am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjeU6957d7Q

check out the insanely huge case, as well of the contents :eek:

Solitaire · 11-09-2011 1:09am

Now THAT is a lunacy booth rig! :eek::D

Tea_Bag · 11-09-2011 1:41am

One of those little devil cases was for sale on adverts.ie for a while, still might be. Has a custom powder coated chassis no less.

zero19 · 11-09-2011 1:54am

Lads is there such a thing as a sort of beginners kit to build your own basic PC on the cheap? I've always wanted to give it a go but i'd hate to spend a load of money on bits only to make a balls of something.

Trevor451 · 11-09-2011 2:05am

zero19 wrote: »

Lads is there such a thing as a sort of beginners kit to build your own basic PC on the cheap? I've always wanted to give it a go but i'd hate to spend a load of money on bits only to make a balls of something.

I suppose the best thing in your case to do is get a old desktop PC that you never use and try to take apart / re install it. It wont be that much different from when you install a new system.

Tea_Bag · 11-09-2011 3:39am

zero19 wrote: »

Lads is there such a thing as a sort of beginners kit to build your own basic PC on the cheap? I've always wanted to give it a go but i'd hate to spend a load of money on bits only to make a balls of something.

The only kit you need is a Philips head screw driver, and an optional extra is a static wristband.

Also a clean work surface. I use my dining room table :cool:

deejer · 11-09-2011 9:01am

Tea_Bag wrote: »

One of those little devil cases was for sale on adverts.ie for a while, still might be. Has a custom powder coated chassis no less.

Ya its still there.If I had Eur300

Wups forgot the link

http://www.adverts.ie/hardware/custom-littledevil-v8-pc-watercooling-case/604016

Monotype · 11-09-2011 10:31pm

Trevor451 wrote: »

Is this as good as the super flower amazon series of psu? I don't think that A-Data is as catchy of a name as super flower though :pac:

You're right, super flower is a pretty mad name that you'd remember more.

Solitaire wrote: »

Very close. The A-Data is basically a slightly cheaper Corsair TX650 (PSH2 platform). The Amazon 650W competes with them directly.

But the A-data has the big advantage of being modular.

Burgo wrote: »

check out the insanely huge case, as well of the contents :eek:

You could fit two boards in there! Or half a corpse.

Trevor451 wrote: »

I suppose the best thing in your case to do is get a old desktop PC that you never use and try to take apart / re install it. It wont be that much different from when you install a new system.

I agree, although if it's more than 6 or 7 years old, there'll be a lot of ports and parts which haven't been around for a while. At least we don't have to put up with those messy ribbon cables anymore.

Brian · 12-09-2011 12:08am

Could anyone recommend me a replacement HSF for my x4 955? Its stock one is supposedly pretty good, but mine is extremely noisy even when at low temps at ~1800 rpm. Looking at the Scythe Mugen.

Monotype · 12-09-2011 7:32am

Scythe mugen 2/3 is good and it will be a lot quieter. It's huge in comparison to the stock cooler. It's a bit of a pain to install though.
You could always get something halfway like the freezer pro 7 or 13. It would be quieter but if you're overclocking the mugen would be more suited.

Brian · 12-09-2011 10:15am

Okay, looking at a Mugen 3 for the CPU and a Nexus Real Silent for the case. Not sure if it's the Basic or PWM version that I need. My mobo is a Gigabyte GA-870A-USB3. Also going to pick up Scythe Slip Stream from the SPCR Microserver Review.

deejer · 12-09-2011 10:22am

http://www.techpowerup.com/151949/AMD-FX-Series-Processors-Up-For-Pre-Order.html

Looks like the 8 core FX chip is going to come in a little more expensive than the 2500k. Guess its down to performance then. Gaming performance to be more percise.

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