Off-Topic Thread

marco_polo · 23-11-2013 02:08AM

More notes on HTPC build, on the plus side, the beQuiet PSU, case fans and even the stock are almost inaudible during normal operation. The main negative thus far is the non existent cable management on the Fractal Node 304, also the thumbscrews on the internal drive bays might as well have been welded on, it took a borrowed vice-grip to loosen a few of them. I still like it once you manage to get everything in and close it

, but it has a good few minor annoyances.

Squaredude · 23-11-2013 02:11AM

What are specialtech like for returns?One of the uv cathodes I got for my case is cracked and doesn't work.

BloodBath · 23-11-2013 02:17AM

You should be able to get 280x's for more than £100 less. They can be got as cheaply as €243 with €19 delivery from hwvs. Although I just noticed this on amazon. Not sure if it's a pricing mistake or because of the long delivery estimate but the price is crazy good. I still would avoid anything using the stock cooling though.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00G9IJRS8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

-edit Didn't notice it was a 290 and not a 290x. The performance is pretty much the same though. The 290 can be got even cheaper on Scan anyway. I'd still wait for better coolers from card vendors before getting one though.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/4gb-msi-radeon-r9-290-28nm-5000mhz-gddr5-gpu-947mhz-boost-1000mhz-2560-streams-dport-dvi-hdm

..Brian.. · 23-11-2013 02:40AM

Not worried about coolers as it will be going under water. There's a 290 unlocked to a 290x on OCUK for £320. If only I had money now!

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-015-VX

:EDIT: wait thats just flashed to unlock voltage. This one is flashed to a 290x but its another £40

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-014-VX&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

Headshot · 23-11-2013 06:18PM

lads any suggestions of what cool stuff to do with a Raspberry Pi? Iv been meaning to do somthing with it for quite a while now. I do have centos on it, thats all

VenomIreland · 23-11-2013 06:19PM

Headshot wrote: »

lads any suggestions of what cool stuff to do with a Raspberry Pi? Iv been meaning to do somthing with it for quite a while now. I do have centos on it, thats all

I'm in the same boat, I'm trying to find something interesting to do with it that can't be done better by my media server. Although, I had it running as an access point up until I got my Mikrotik router.

glynf · 23-11-2013 08:45PM

Use the Pi to turn an old TV into a Smart TV?

alex1997123 · 23-11-2013 09:20PM

Should I get a second one of these or get myself a 2560 x 1440 monitor?

rd1izb7lvpuksx · 23-11-2013 09:31PM

alex1997123 wrote: »

Should I get a second one of these or get myself a 2560 x 1440 monitor?

I'd say that probably depends on your own preference and what you'll be using it for. I had intended to get a Qnix or similar, but having read more about the BLB and warranty issues, I decided to buy the 27 inch Dell 1440p.

I was talking to a friend of mine about it and it turned out that he had one, so I had a look. It was beautiful, but it was too big for my desk and really no substitute for multiple monitors for my purposes (software development, mostly), so I'm back to multiple 23 inch 1080p screens. I'd say it's worth seeing one in person to get an idea of whether it's for you or not.

alex1997123 · 23-11-2013 09:43PM

Amanda Ashy Flutist wrote: »

I'd say that probably depends on your own preference and what you'll be using it for. I had intended to get a Qnix or similar, but having read more about the BLB and warranty issues, I decided to buy the 27 inch Dell 1440p.

I was talking to a friend of mine about it and it turned out that he had one, so I had a look. It was beautiful, but it was too big for my desk and really no substitute for multiple monitors for my purposes (software development, mostly), so I'm back to multiple 23 inch 1080p screens. I'd say it's worth seeing one in person to get an idea of whether it's for you or not.

My main uses would probably be mostly gaming and photoshop. I would rather buy from the likes of dell if I was to buy a 2560 x 1440 monitor just so I wouldn't have to deal with warranty issues. Only think about the dell ones are that they are expensive as hell. I was leaning toward the 2 monitors but the 2560 x 1440 looks so good lol

Seaaan · 23-11-2013 11:11PM

Are mechanical keyboards worth getting? I actually despise my current keyboard, really regret buying a cheap one.

BobbyPropane · 23-11-2013 11:33PM

Seaaan wrote: »

Are mechanical keyboards worth getting? I actually despise my current keyboard, really regret buying a cheap one.

Yes purely for clickity clack :P

Anyway need headphones for under 100. @NTMK Sennheiser HD449s worth it?

Seaaan · 23-11-2013 11:41PM

Any chance of a nice backlit one for €60-€80?

NTMK · 24-11-2013 12:49AM

BobbyPropane wrote: »

Yes purely for clickity clack :P

Anyway need headphones for under 100. @NTMK Sennheiser HD449s worth it?

theres probably better tbh. they're good imo but for €100~ id at least expect a head band with a headband that doesn't loosen so much

i only got them cause i got them for €50 and im an Unapologetic sennheiser fanboy

I much prefer iem's for music and open headphones for gaming and general home use

what will you be using them for?

Luck100 · 24-11-2013 01:27AM

Seaaan wrote: »

Any chance of a nice backlit one for €60-€80?

A little bit over that amount on Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooler-Master-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00C67C79C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1385252581&sr=8-2&keywords=CM+Storm+QuickFire+TK

Just got that one off Amazon US for $80, gave it a quick try earlier tonight. Backlight is nice, key action is good. Enter key was getting stuck at first but it seems okay after a little exercise. I don't think you can get real MX Cherry keyboards for much less.

twinsen · 24-11-2013 03:50AM

Luck100 wrote: »

A little bit over that amount on Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooler-Master-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00C67C79C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1385252581&sr=8-2&keywords=CM+Storm+QuickFire+TK

Just got that one off Amazon US for $80, gave it a quick try earlier tonight. Backlight is nice, key action is good. Enter key was getting stuck at first but it seems okay after a little exercise. I don't think you can get real MX Cherry keyboards for much less.

I have this keyboard. It is nice, and fast to type. But also ****ing bright. It so bright, that I had to switch off backlit off completely.
its ok during the day. When playing games with no lights on, all you can see is just keyboard

marco_polo · 24-11-2013 04:20AM

twinsen wrote: »

I have this keyboard. It is nice, and fast to type. But also ****ing bright. It so bright, that I had to switch off backlit off completely.
its ok during the day. When playing games with no lights on, all you can see is just keyboard

Even the lowest level is fairly bright for sure, that said I don't mind it myself as I find it fairly unobtrusive if you aren't looking directly at it (it doesn't distract in my peripheral vision at least)

Seaaan · 24-11-2013 10:45AM

Luck100 wrote: »

A little bit over that amount on Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooler-Master-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00C67C79C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1385252581&sr=8-2&keywords=CM+Storm+QuickFire+TK

Just got that one off Amazon US for $80, gave it a quick try earlier tonight. Backlight is nice, key action is good. Enter key was getting stuck at first but it seems okay after a little exercise. I don't think you can get real MX Cherry keyboards for much less.

One more question. How can I justify spending 100€ on a keyboard. Just to shut myself up.

BloodBath · 24-11-2013 10:49AM

It will give you more long term satisfaction than a hooker will.

Seaaan · 24-11-2013 11:40AM

BloodBath wrote: »

It will give you more long term satisfaction than a hooker will.

That seems adequate. God, my Christmas presents to myself are going to get pricey..

BobbyPropane · 24-11-2013 02:41PM

NTMK wrote: »

theres probably better tbh. they're good imo but for €100~ id at least expect a head band with a headband that doesn't loosen so much

i only got them cause i got them for €50 and im an Unapologetic sennheiser fanboy

I much prefer iem's for music and open headphones for gaming and general home use

what will you be using them for?

Gaming,Music,Video

fergus1001 · 24-11-2013 03:04PM

Anyone in the opinion that pc gaming is going to be held back by the weak hardware in the next gen consoles

Monotype · 24-11-2013 03:12PM

PC gaming is seeing a revival. I think that the weak hardware could push more people into PC Gaming. More people in the market means more money which means more games/focus of development.

fergus1001 · 24-11-2013 03:24PM

Anyone in the opinion that pc gaming is going to be held back by the weak hardware in the next gen consoles

BloodBath · 24-11-2013 03:33PM

It's not really weak hardware in fairness. It's just not as good for it's time as the last gen was. PC is still going to be pushed running next gen games at higher frame rates / resolution with extra levels of AF and AA.

Monotype · 24-11-2013 04:24PM

I agree, but if they're supposed to last 10 years, they'll be looking weak in about two years. It'll be nice to see the jump moving into this generation over the next year or two.

Nolars · 24-11-2013 04:48PM

Next Gen Console vs PC in AC4 & BF4

NTMK · 24-11-2013 08:07PM

BobbyPropane wrote: »

Gaming,Music,Video

Home use exclusively or portable too

if i was buying headphones for home use id go (and i will be) for HD558 or 598s but they are a stretch on your budget. Id head over to the Headphones and Portable audio forum as they would have better knowledge than i have

BloodBath · 24-11-2013 08:14PM

Good comparison from Linus but saying there are no exclusives on pc is just wrong. There's a **** load of pc exclusives.

Nolars · 25-11-2013 12:24AM

http://imgur.com/3uZQpxB

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