The Computer Megathread

[SPooK]

I'm looking for stuff to upgrade on my Dell Inspiron 620, what should I do first? also, does this look good for my friend?:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133179
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341048
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130591
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820576009
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148681
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127545

That's good only a lot of those things are deactivated :/

[Ad Bot]

[TomTheGeek²]

lol guys whats this "cable management" everyone on computer forums are talking about

ikr!




Case pic incoming!



my legs are lovey.

[Ethan]

So my current computer is a piece of stuff and I would like a better one. Is there a website or place where you can build your own computer at a reasonable price (tell me what I would need, please), or if someone could recommend me a prebuilt computer that is decent at a good price?

If you're confident in building one yourself, you can get a really good one for cheap.

EDIT: I need help with networking.

I have my modem and router in my attic were my dad has his office and computer. I got a new desk and plan on building myself a workspace but our attic does not have enough room left. The only other place that is ideal is my basement. My only problem is that I plan on getting a new computer for my workspace but I do not intend on buying a wireless card or anything because I just want a strait cable connection to my internet. Only problem is that I am separated between three floors of housing :/ What do?

Powerline adapter. Turns your house electrical wiring into an internet signal carrier. Here's a diagram of how it works:

Router > Ethernet cord > Powerline kit > Wall socket > through your houses electrical system > Powerline kit at the other end picks up signal > Ethernet cord > Your computer

[steve5451]

Powerline adapter. Turns your house electrical wiring into an internet signal carrier. Here's a diagram of how it works:

Router > Ethernet cord > Powerline kit > Wall socket > through your houses electrical system > Powerline kit at the other end picks up signal > Ethernet cord > Your computer

That's cool.

[Ethan]

I'm looking for stuff to upgrade on my Dell Inspiron 620, what should I do first? also, does this look good for my friend?:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133179
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341048
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130591
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820576009
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148681
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127545

Very good build, however I'd suggest 2 of these kits instead of the one 2x8gb kit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148543
Cheaper and better RAM.

[Wedge]

A retail disk/key of Windows can be used on up to 3 installations.
An OEM disk/key of Windows is only good for 1 installation.

You can install both retail versions and OEM versions as many times as you want. The OEM version cannot be transferred to a different computer. You may have to activate the OEM version over the phone if you reinstall it.

This does bring up the issue of George Washington's axe - at what point does your computer become a new computer if you upgrade it? The answer is it's tied to the motherboard, you will probably need to call up Microsoft and ask them nicely to activate it for you if you change it. I don't entirely know how this works since I've never been in this position but it's worth a try.

In any case, you will have no problem reinstalling the OEM version on a laptop since you will probably never replace the motherboard. This is why the license key is generally printed on a sticker and stuck to the bottom of a laptop, just in case you ever need to reformat your laptop.

Ars Technica has a great article (including the long form of what I just summarized) on reinstalling Windows on laptops. I'd highly recommend anybody purchasing a laptop do this.

[Darkness ZXW]

Speaking of OSes, can I dual boot windows 7 with Ubuntu without a CD?

[steve5451]

Speaking of OSes, can I dual boot windows 7 with Ubuntu without a CD?

You can put Ubuntu on a flash drive.

[Darkness ZXW]

You can put Ubuntu on a flash drive.

:|

i mean without spending money.

[SPooK]

If you're confident in building one yourself, you can get a really good one for cheap.
Powerline adapter. Turns your house electrical wiring into an internet signal carrier. Here's a diagram of how it works:

Router > Ethernet cord > Powerline kit > Wall socket > through your houses electrical system > Powerline kit at the other end picks up signal > Ethernet cord > Your computer

OMG that is sick. Do you think this is a good option?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833146001&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Network%20-%20Powerline-_-Western%20Digital-_-33146001&AID=10440897&PID=1796839&SID=20316247

[steve5451]

:|

i mean without spending money.

Who doesn't have a flash drive these days?
Well, try Wubi then.

[Legodude77]

Ok my CPU still turns on high even though I bought a new case with 5 fans in it. I think the problem is that they all are facing wrong directions and stuff. Can anyone tell me which way the fans are facing and which way they should be? I suppose the top and back fan should be blowing out the hot air. Also could someone tell me which way my CPU fan blows? I believe the two side fans are blowing into the case. I know the front fan is blowing in.

[Kn276]

Ok my CPU still turns on high even though I bought a new case with 5 fans in it. I think the problem is that they all are facing wrong directions and stuff. Can anyone tell me which way the fans are facing and which way they should be? I suppose the top and back fan should be blowing out the hot air. Also could someone tell me which way my CPU fan blows? I believe the two side fans are blowing into the case. I know the front fan is blowing in.

Looks like your cpu heatsink has accumulated a lot of dust. It would probably help if you cleaned it out.

Otherwise, I think the clear fan on your side panel should be facing the other way, to serve as an intake fan.

[Legodude77]

Wait, so it's blowing air out? I thought it was blowing in.
What about the other fans?

Also how should I clean the dust?

[Kn276]

Wait, so it's blowing air out? I thought it was blowing in.
What about the other fans?

Yeah, it looks like it's facing the opposite direction. All of your other fans should be fine. The stock cooler on my cpu was running really loud too at one point. I cleared out all the dust with a compressed can of air and it stopped running so loudly.