Search found 446 matches

by PretzelB
Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:18 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Flat panel help (Samsung T220 and LG L22WTG)
Replies: 2
Views: 2553

The T220 is actually less than the L227WTG and I don't think the LG has a DVI cable included. But I'm just trying to get a good picture now. I didn't check out the Dells at Best Buy because I figured Samsung and LG should do a better job. The SP2208WFP seems to be about the same price. Having usb po...
by PretzelB
Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:44 pm
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: Flat panel help (Samsung T220 and LG L22WTG)
Replies: 2
Views: 2553

Flat panel help (Samsung T220 and LG L22WTG)

I wasn't sure if this should be VGA or general system question so I went with VGA. I'm shopping for a new 22" flat panel and I'm looking at the LG L227WTG, LG W2252TQ, and Samsung T220. What is puzzling me is that I've tried two Samsung T220 and they both seem overly bright. I used to have a 20" Del...
by PretzelB
Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:33 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: 9600GT can't read rpm?
Replies: 2
Views: 2355

That stinks.
by PretzelB
Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:32 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: X-bit labs reviews the 9600GT
Replies: 31
Views: 14898

Sure that extra 20W demands more of the PSU but choosing 9600GT over HD3870 only "just to be sure" doesn't make much sense imho. With a power efficient system overall and a good PSU the risk of problems are minimal. You'd think so, or at least I used to think so. I picked nearly all my parts for my...
by PretzelB
Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:48 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: GPU monitoring / tuning software
Replies: 4
Views: 3051

I feel your pain. I also tried nTune with Vista 64 and a 8800GT with the same results. As Gunzee pointed out, RivaTuner was was my video card manufacturer recommended. It has a large array of tools available.

For just temps I think HWMonitor and PC Wizard work (http://www.cpuid.com/index.php).
by PretzelB
Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:16 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: X-bit labs reviews the 9600GT
Replies: 31
Views: 14898

Power consumption at load is not that important really, as long as it is low enough to enable passive cooling. If you ever had to debug a system that would crash while gaming you'd change your tune about how important power consumption under load is. I know most cards don't need the excessive PSUs ...
by PretzelB
Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:52 am
Forum: Green Computing
Topic: MSI piston driven air power
Replies: 1
Views: 3651

MSI piston driven air power

I'm not sure if anyone else covered this already but it looked interesting to me. I think it falls under "green" more than cooling.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mainboards ... uting.html
by PretzelB
Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:10 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: CPU temp and Core temp
Replies: 2
Views: 2316

CPU temp and Core temp

I understand there are issues with the Wolfdale chips and reporting temps, especially with my IP35 Pro, but my last AMD cpu only reported a cpu temp. This concept of cpu and core temp confuses me. Which relates most to the "old days" of cpu temp? Right now I'm idle and my cpu is 20c and both core sh...
by PretzelB
Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:07 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: IP35 Pro fan control
Replies: 2
Views: 3002

IP35 Pro fan control

I think this is a stupid user question but is there a trick to getting the IP35 Pro to control your fans? I've had some nvlddmkm.sys video driver errors that I've been trying to debug and one thing I was never happy with was the inability to verify my cpu temps. I decided to take out the stock heats...
by PretzelB
Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:02 pm
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Which motherboard for Intel E8400 cpu?
Replies: 44
Views: 34419

One should be aware that the current bios for the Abit IP35 Pro does not fully support the E8x00 line of CPUs. It reports temperatures incorrectly which causes warnings in the bios and any system monitor programs that you have. You can still install Windows, but without accurate temperatures, the b...
by PretzelB
Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:33 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: E8400 temps should be?
Replies: 2
Views: 2588

CoreTemp doesn't work on Vista64 unless you adjust the security setting for signed drivers, which I'm not ready to do now. I have several reporting tools like PC Wizard 2008 and HW Monitor that seem to report the same thing. But there is a lot of debate on the Abit forums about the new Wolfdale chip...
by PretzelB
Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:17 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: E8400 temps should be?
Replies: 2
Views: 2588

E8400 temps should be?

I'm trying to figure out what the E8400 should run at for temps, or what would be normal. I'm not sure my cooler is seated correctly but this chip has issues with reporting temps so it's hard to tell. I'm running a beta bios on my IP35 Pro to get any kind of reading and it looks like it's this at re...
by PretzelB
Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:00 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: PC Power and Computing
Replies: 7
Views: 3360

Thanks for the quote, that does explain it a bit and I can certainly understand not being eager to review the 1K PSUs out there. But PC P&C does make a few models that compete directly against the likes of Seasonic and Corsair. I've been shopping lately and I started looking by brands I think are go...
by PretzelB
Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:54 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Wolfdale stock fan?
Replies: 6
Views: 4844

I haven't found the stock cooler very loud yet but it all depends on personal taste. I also don't mind the stock fans on my p182 (set to low) and I've heard others say they are terrible.
by PretzelB
Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:31 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

Here's something odd and new. When the display driver fails it usually crashes the game with a Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Error. I assumed this was just because the game could no longer communicate to the video driver. The root cause was always in my mind the display driver quitting. I jus...
by PretzelB
Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:06 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

No o/c at all. I set everything to auto. I have 169.25 drivers which are latest non-beta. I am running Vista 64 but I see others having issue with 32 bit.

I actually am thinking of underclocking the video card but I never have done that so I'm not sure how it's done.
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:19 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: PC Power and Computing
Replies: 7
Views: 3360

PC Power and Computing

Is there any reason why I don't see reviews for PC Power and Computing PSU's? I have never owned one but I seem to recall they were always deemed bullet proof (but expensive). I see they appear to come with 80mm fans so maybe they are loud?
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:43 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

Well the RAM tested fine with memtest 2.0 after running all night. I also ran cpu burn for over an hour to make sure the cpu wasn't overheating (the e8400 and the IP35 Pro won't communicate temps with latest bios). AFAIK that leaves (for hardware) the video card and psu. The card is new so it's poss...
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:41 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

Interesting. I apologize if this is old ground you've covered in a review but to tell the truth most of the details in some of the PSU reviews go over my head. But today I'm learning and it's sinking in for some reason. Any idea why Corsair is marketing the 520/620 HX has having multiple rails? Or r...
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:50 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

Not that I want to argue with MikeC but doesn't this link http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151024 indicate it has 2 lines? Specifically the part in the output that lists +12V1 and +12V2. +3.3V@30A, +5V@30A, +12V1@17A, +12V2@16A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A I haven't used another PSU ...
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:34 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

I am randomly getting the infamous nvlddmkm display driver has stop responding error. It will happen when I game or when I run a dx10 graphics demo. But not always.
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:13 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

Actually maybe the PSU is an issue. I found this for the EVGA 8800GT Requirements Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply. (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 22 Amp Amps.) Minimum 450 Watt for SLI mode system. (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating o...
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:04 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

I just can't picture what the physical plug looks like for the rails right now so it's hard for me to guess what is plugged where until I get home. But it's going to be the first thing I check. I am randomly getting the infamous nvlddmkm nvidia display driver error. I have times when everything goes...
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:51 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: PSU cord length and P182
Replies: 5
Views: 3905

I swore I tried to find those at NewEgg a while back and couldn't. I am not sure how I missed that. I may need to grab one someday. Still seems odd that I'm the only one complaining because the P180/2 appears to be very popular.
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:49 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

Well I can go look at my rig and see if maybe I am using one rail. Well, wait a sec, to be honest I'm not sure I know what to look for or what to do about it. I think I have a 6 pin and a 4 pin ATX connector (or maybe it's 8 and 6). I think the 6 pin is on the mb and the 4 pin is on the video card b...
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:08 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: PSU cord length and P182
Replies: 5
Views: 3905

I did run it through the back but it was too tight for my comfort. I had to work very hard to make it work and I don't like putting that much pressure on the cord to stretch it. I was hoping some PSU makers made longer cords so I could get at least an extra inch or two and take the strain off.
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:20 am
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: Single vs dual rail PSU
Replies: 16
Views: 5734

Single vs dual rail PSU

I'm trying to debug some issues with my latest rig (info at bottom) and I started to research the PSU. I searched the ABIT forums and found a post on PSU where someone recommended (for stability) a single rail high amp (35 min) PSU. I did some searching at NewEgg and then looked at my Seasonic and r...
by PretzelB
Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:02 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: PSU cord length and P182
Replies: 5
Views: 3905

PSU cord length and P182

Am I the only one finding it very hard to make the PSU cords reach in a P182? The major problem child is the ATX connector which always appears to be at the "top left" corner of just about every mb made. I'm using a Seasonic S12-500 that is a few years old but I recently built a rig (not in a P182) ...
by PretzelB
Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:40 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: ABIT IP35 Pro, uGuru, Vista 64
Replies: 16
Views: 10220

Oh, I'm just mad because I didn't verify the IP35 Pro was certified with the E8400. I know at least Gigabyte says it has boards that will run Wolfdale and I assume others must also. I would normally never go with a combo that wasn't at least promised to work together but I didn't cross my T's or dot...
by PretzelB
Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:43 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: ABIT IP35 Pro, uGuru, Vista 64
Replies: 16
Views: 10220

I feel like such a fool right now. I cruised the Abit forums and found someone else who posted on bad temp readings and someone pointed out that the officially the E8400 isn't even on the supported list for the IP35 Pro. I tortured myself over this last purchase and now it's such a kick to the groin...