Search found 15 matches

by sgent
Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:07 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Soundcard - alternatives to Creative
Replies: 39
Views: 17352

I run my audio out using an optical connection to my Denon reciever -- which does the DAC and plays it.

A lot of audiophiles have a similar setup.
by sgent
Fri Nov 18, 2005 4:12 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Soundcard - alternatives to Creative
Replies: 39
Views: 17352

Just another option

M-Audio makes the Revolution 5.1 based on the Envy chip with very good DACs for about $60 (do a froogle search). Its supposed to have a very stable driverset, and will do EAX for gameplay -- but its software EAX, not hardware. The 7.1 version is $20 more. They also have the 2496 card which doesn't h...
by sgent
Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:54 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: finally! almost ready to build, need advice
Replies: 15
Views: 6022

I don't think that mboard comes with onboard video -- you might want to double check.
by sgent
Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:45 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Any assembly tips?
Replies: 7
Views: 5812

Make sure your grounded -- either with a wriststrap, a mat, or some other method.

Don't use magnetic screwdrivers as much as you might want to.
by sgent
Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:07 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Building new monster rig - help needed
Replies: 13
Views: 4745

For sound

If you want high fidelity sound, look at the M-Audio Revolution 7.1 or 5.1 -- however they don't have hardware EAX for games (software only). That being said, they are supposed to run w/o conflict with a SB Audiology, so if you combine them you get the best of both worlds. The M-Audio cards will tro...
by sgent
Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:24 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Evaluating the New Dell Dimension Desktops
Replies: 10
Views: 5217

I'm not a huge fan of Dells

their support is fairly bad....

Today, I like HP's, and Sony's. HP has excellent support if you upgrade, and Sony tends to have the best "overall" deal IMHO. They are more expensive, but you get more computer for it.
by sgent
Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:49 am
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: opinions on new pc
Replies: 6
Views: 3171

Looks good

It looks good to me!
by sgent
Sun Nov 13, 2005 3:49 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Upgrading to something more powerful
Replies: 4
Views: 2232

Hmm...

You mentioned SAS -- so a few warnings... The one performance area that AMD is inferior to Intel is in Floating Point Operations. Intel's chip design performs more FPU calc's/cycle, and can be significant. If SAS is your bottleneck, I would stick with Intel. Other than dual core, and possibly 64 bit...
by sgent
Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:10 pm
Forum: User Reviews
Topic: LAN over Electricity Wires
Replies: 22
Views: 29626

Wirless

A little OT, but I have noticed a significant difference in speed depending on hardware for 802.11b. I plug in my linksys stuff and get 5-6Mbits max, but if I plug in my Cisco Aironet stuff from work, I can usually hit 100Mbits from a much larger range. I'm not sure why the difference, but component...
by sgent
Thu Nov 10, 2005 3:12 am
Forum: Video Cards & Monitors
Topic: S3 caters to quiet PC users -- Chrome20 series
Replies: 19
Views: 6474

Linux and S3

Have traditionally gotten along very well -- S3 was one of the few companies that actually allowed open source development for their drivers. That being the case, I would expect Linux drivers to be out almost as quickly as S3 makes the interface available. Note -- this is based on past experience, n...
by sgent
Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:13 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: opinions on new pc
Replies: 6
Views: 3171

some thoughts

Hauppauge 980 ( WinTV-PVR-250 ) PCI Interface TV Tuner Card I would look at an ATI Theater 550Pro for TV capture -- it tends to get the best reviews in the AV crowd by far. Hauppauge in general is not well thought of. Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply This is a good PS, but for no...
by sgent
Wed Nov 09, 2005 7:23 am
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Another SPCR recommended list: Cases
Replies: 123
Views: 265285

Also

I'm not sure if the FK is even available in the US -- I wasn't able to find it listed anywhere.
by sgent
Tue Nov 08, 2005 4:59 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Dream machine?
Replies: 7
Views: 3259

Clarification

I just wanted to clarify -- the reviews I've seen of the 6800GS (anadtech) have the GS performing about the same as the 6800GT. More importantly, for the purposes of silent PC's -- it uses a new chip with a smaller die size and less wattage output. SLI GS's (which is what I suggested) solidly trounc...
by sgent
Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:01 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Please validate my 1st build
Replies: 4
Views: 3022

Given

your needs for video capture, I would suggest at least looking at a Raid 5 solution with 3 hd's. Almost as much data security, with much faster sustained writes. I would also make sure whatever graphics card you get supports hardware based playback -- assuming you are going to be doing editing as we...
by sgent
Mon Nov 07, 2005 6:58 pm
Forum: System Advice / Troubleshooting
Topic: Dream machine?
Replies: 7
Views: 3259

KVM?

Buy a KVM with a long cord (or even better bluetooth) and put the monster in the closet? Otherwise... I would definately go with the P180. Suspend the hard drives, and possibly look at running SLI version of the new 6800GS which puts out comparitvely little heat and still beats the 7800GT. They shou...