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The New Coffee Room

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  3. Tell me about building a PC

Tell me about building a PC

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  • RainmanR Rainman

    When you build your own, how do you know it's working at the high end of the expensive components? For example, it boots slow, or is slow in accessing data on one of the super-duper hard drives, or you're working with a graphics or music program, and it stalls or freezes or crashes, or just works at "meh" speed?
    I suppose there is software out there that can measure most everything, maybe it's no big deal except to figure out how to override hardware settings or something.

    I do know that in instruction manuals, the first suggestion is to check if your computer is plugged in.
    I wonder if ever there has been someone that actually realized, "oh shit, I forgot to plug it in!"

    markM Offline
    markM Offline
    mark
    wrote on last edited by
    #95

    @Rainman There is benchmark software that will run code that is meant to stress the system. Also some monitoring tools.

    MSI-After-Burner-GUI.jpg

    MSI-After-Burner-CPUUsage.jpg

    CPUID-HWMonitor.jpg

    Tech-Power-Up-GPU-Z-1.jpg

    Tech-Power-Up-GPU-Z-2.jpg

    1 Reply Last reply
    • RainmanR Offline
      RainmanR Offline
      Rainman
      wrote on last edited by
      #96

      Thanks, Mark. I figured as much.

      My question was more towards once one or several measurements indicate something is wrong, how do you fix something?
      On a mechanical device, it's often easy to spot what is causing the problem, and where to spray the WD-40. On a computer, that would seem to be very difficult, wondering if the problem has been resolved or whether a symptom of the problem has been tweaked to offset a higher-level cause.
      Don't respond, I'm just being too negative based upon my own types of experiences. Even a computer, I'd whip out the old WD-40 and start spraying.

      1 Reply Last reply
      • markM Offline
        markM Offline
        mark
        wrote on last edited by
        #97

        Took a chance and spent $210 on a Hisense 43" 4k UHD Roku TV to try as a monitor.

        https://www.costco.com/hisense-43"-class---r6-series---4k-uhd-led-lcd-tv.product.100676488.html

        Very impressive, immersive, and tack sharp. So far it has been very usable/non-fatiguing for hours of coding, browsing and gaming. The number of lines of code I can see at once is awesome. The RC Heli simulators work very well on it. Looking forward to trying the new MS Flight Sim on it after I build the new PC.

        George KG 1 Reply Last reply
        • markM mark

          Took a chance and spent $210 on a Hisense 43" 4k UHD Roku TV to try as a monitor.

          https://www.costco.com/hisense-43"-class---r6-series---4k-uhd-led-lcd-tv.product.100676488.html

          Very impressive, immersive, and tack sharp. So far it has been very usable/non-fatiguing for hours of coding, browsing and gaming. The number of lines of code I can see at once is awesome. The RC Heli simulators work very well on it. Looking forward to trying the new MS Flight Sim on it after I build the new PC.

          George KG Offline
          George KG Offline
          George K
          wrote on last edited by
          #98

          @mark said in Tell me about building a PC:

          UHD Roku TV to try as a monitor.

          Why did you decide to use that rather than a dedicated computer monitor?

          What about I/O ?

          "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

          The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

          markM 1 Reply Last reply
          • George KG George K

            @mark said in Tell me about building a PC:

            UHD Roku TV to try as a monitor.

            Why did you decide to use that rather than a dedicated computer monitor?

            What about I/O ?

            markM Offline
            markM Offline
            mark
            wrote on last edited by
            #99

            @George-K said in Tell me about building a PC:

            @mark said in Tell me about building a PC:

            UHD Roku TV to try as a monitor.

            Why did you decide to use that rather than a dedicated computer monitor?

            What about I/O ?

            Price/Performance was the overriding factor. Still considering the LG 38" Ultra-Wide 3780x1600 for $1,000 computer monitor if this proves to be less than ideal over the long term as far as comfort is concerned. Right now I do not see that as problem as it is sharp as a tack and easy on the eyes.

            I/O is not an issue. If it becomes one, I will just buy a hub.

            George KG 1 Reply Last reply
            • markM mark

              @George-K said in Tell me about building a PC:

              @mark said in Tell me about building a PC:

              UHD Roku TV to try as a monitor.

              Why did you decide to use that rather than a dedicated computer monitor?

              What about I/O ?

              Price/Performance was the overriding factor. Still considering the LG 38" Ultra-Wide 3780x1600 for $1,000 computer monitor if this proves to be less than ideal over the long term as far as comfort is concerned. Right now I do not see that as problem as it is sharp as a tack and easy on the eyes.

              I/O is not an issue. If it becomes one, I will just buy a hub.

              George KG Offline
              George KG Offline
              George K
              wrote on last edited by
              #100

              @mark so you're hooking up via HDMI for the video?

              "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

              The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

              markM 1 Reply Last reply
              • George KG George K

                @mark so you're hooking up via HDMI for the video?

                markM Offline
                markM Offline
                mark
                wrote on last edited by
                #101

                @George-K said in Tell me about building a PC:

                @mark so you're hooking up via HDMI for the video?

                Yes. Using an HDMI 2.0b cable rated for 4k 4096x2160 @60Hz.

                1 Reply Last reply
                • markM Offline
                  markM Offline
                  mark
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #102

                  I ended up having some issues with the 43" 4k TV. It is just too big in the vertical and I was getting a sore neck, always dragging windows into the center for comfortable viewing. Everything is very small including
                  text at 100% resolution. Because of the smallness of everything, I had to sit closer to read text. Although it was awesome to see that many lines of code at one time, without having to scroll, the viewing angle made the edges actually disappear and wrap around the edge. Overall, I wasn't happy so I got the LG 38" 3740x1600 ultra wide, curved monitor.
                  20201012-133428.jpg

                  I also hooked up my Sony, 12" subwoofer. Combined with the JBL studio monitors, it makes nice A/V experience.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  • markM Offline
                    markM Offline
                    mark
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #103

                    AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Overclocked to 6.35 GHz Achieving Many World Records At Launch

                    alt text

                    https://techplusgame.com/amd-ryzen-9-5950x-overclocked-to-6-35-ghz-breaking-world-records-at-launch/

                    I Pre-Ordered 2 of them.

                    Case, Motherboard and power supply was ordered for the first build.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    • KlausK Online
                      KlausK Online
                      Klaus
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #104

                      LED strips on the RAM? That must be the mullet of motherboard modding.

                      George KG markM 2 Replies Last reply
                      • KlausK Klaus

                        LED strips on the RAM? That must be the mullet of motherboard modding.

                        George KG Offline
                        George KG Offline
                        George K
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #105

                        @Klaus said in Tell me about building a PC:

                        LED strips on the RAM? That must be the mullet of motherboard modding.

                        Coffee...everywhere this morning.

                        "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                        The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        • KlausK Klaus

                          LED strips on the RAM? That must be the mullet of motherboard modding.

                          markM Offline
                          markM Offline
                          mark
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #106

                          @Klaus said in Tell me about building a PC:

                          LED strips on the RAM? That must be the mullet of motherboard modding.

                          Where have you been? PC builders get crazy with the RGB lighting effects and custom liquid cooling loops.

                          alt text

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          • markM Offline
                            markM Offline
                            mark
                            wrote on last edited by mark
                            #107

                            Some of the fastest (affordable) Memory only comes in RGB and some of the fastest ram looks like it belongs in a jewelry case.

                            alt text

                            The color is user assignable to any color in the RGB color space. They can be programmed to perform rainbow color waves, ripples, etc. The entire interior of the PC becomes a light show.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            • markM Offline
                              markM Offline
                              mark
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #108

                              You have the option to turn it all off. My build is going to use some RGB components and I am still undecided on the custom liquid cooling loop stuff. It totally tickles the geek nerve to "plumb" a PC. lol

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              • Doctor PhibesD Offline
                                Doctor PhibesD Offline
                                Doctor Phibes
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #109

                                My last gaming rig had liquid cooling.

                                It was very quiet, and worked really well, right up until the point after about 4 years when it leaked and trashed the motherboard.

                                I was only joking

                                markM 1 Reply Last reply
                                • Doctor PhibesD Doctor Phibes

                                  My last gaming rig had liquid cooling.

                                  It was very quiet, and worked really well, right up until the point after about 4 years when it leaked and trashed the motherboard.

                                  markM Offline
                                  markM Offline
                                  mark
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #110

                                  @Doctor-Phibes Did you do any maintenance on it?

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  • Doctor PhibesD Offline
                                    Doctor PhibesD Offline
                                    Doctor Phibes
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #111

                                    Of course not. Computers last for ever!

                                    I did quite a bit of research after the fact, of course 🙂

                                    I was only joking

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    • markM Offline
                                      markM Offline
                                      mark
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #112

                                      Water cooling does come with some risks. If I decide to go with water cooling of any ilk, (AIO or custom) I will be inspecting it on a regular basis for permeation and leaks. It does require a lot more diligence than air cooling. I have not ruled out a top quality air cooler.

                                      X 1 Reply Last reply
                                      • markM mark

                                        Water cooling does come with some risks. If I decide to go with water cooling of any ilk, (AIO or custom) I will be inspecting it on a regular basis for permeation and leaks. It does require a lot more diligence than air cooling. I have not ruled out a top quality air cooler.

                                        X Offline
                                        X Offline
                                        xenon
                                        wrote on last edited by xenon
                                        #113

                                        @mark look into some of the big honking heat sinks and air coolers from Noctua, Mark.

                                        Aside from perhaps the most demanding overclocking - they both perform better and are quieter than liquid coolers (no pump).

                                        markM 1 Reply Last reply
                                        • Doctor PhibesD Offline
                                          Doctor PhibesD Offline
                                          Doctor Phibes
                                          wrote on last edited by Doctor Phibes
                                          #114

                                          After all the research I did, I got the impression that air cooling can be every bit as good as liquid, although not as quiet. I could be wrong about the noise, of course.

                                          I was only joking

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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