http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:13:59 +0000 30 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/71484-cpu-pentium-4-vs-core-2-help/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:43:47 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/71484-cpu-pentium-4-vs-core-2-help/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/71267-want-to-upgrade-to-sata-from-ide-and-keep-window-help/ Hello I have a Hp Desktop and want to upgrade my 250gb hardrive which is IDE to a 500gb SATA. My question is how do I keep my windows if I change the hard drive, and second question is there a big speed boost using Sata hard drive VS. an IDE. My pc came with Windows XP and I upgraded it to Vista so I have a vista upgrade disc not a full install disc. FYI Ive already replaced the Motherboard that came with it with an MSI Motherboard, and the power supply to a 500w and upgraded the memory from 512mb to 2gb. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:08:46 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/71267-want-to-upgrade-to-sata-from-ide-and-keep-window-help/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/71157-core-i7-920-for-gaming/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:56:40 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/71157-core-i7-920-for-gaming/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70999-upgrading-my-desktop/
I want to upgrade my Desktop video card, cooling fan, and power supply, but I don't know what to buy.

Here are my specs:

Motherboard: Asus P5GC-MX/1333 (Socket 775)
Bios: Updated to the latest version
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core 2.50Ghz (overclockable)
RAM: PC5300/5400 2GB DDR2 667 (upgradeable to 4GB max, which I plan to do)
PCIe x16 Slot: 1 (I don't know if it's 1.0 or 2.0)
PCI Slots: 2
PCI 1.0 Slots: 1 (that tiny one)
Video: 128MB Media Graphics Accelerator (built in)
Power Supply: 350watts
OS: Windows XP SP3 32-bit
DirectX: 9.0c
Screen Res.: 1440x900 (using VGA)

If I missed anything, I'll do an update. If photos are needed, I'll add those too.

Note: I'm new to upgrading, the only thing I ever upgraded was the RAM on my laptop.]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:42:37 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70999-upgrading-my-desktop/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70908-log-off-end-now-and-hang-up-problems/ But, I would like a "second opinion" on this before I dedicate more time to the preparation for a system restore.
Has anyone had this happen and does anyone have a recommendation to this problem?]]> Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:31:21 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70908-log-off-end-now-and-hang-up-problems/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70897-windows-7/ I HAVE AN HP PAVILLION JUST UPGRADES FROM VISTA TO WINDOWS 7. IPUT IT IN SLEEP MODE, WHEN I COME BACK IN THE ROOM AFTER 10-20 MINUTES ITS OUT OF SLEEP MODE. HAD THIS PROBLEM IN VISTA ALSO. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:39:57 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70897-windows-7/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70874-help-me-make-a-list/
I also want to be able to play some games. I don't know what games I'll be playing. I've been out of the PC gaming for a while. I do however like first person shooters... left 4 dead 1,2....halflife 1,2.... quake 2 [I make levels using quark] and duke nukem using the opengl32...[also make levels for it] [altho right now on my dell optiplex gx240 eduke wont load the poly or opengl32/16 without lagging]

I would like to stay around 300ish... but can flex a little bit.

things I already have.....
monitor, keyboard, mouse, external 1TB harddrive

I saw a few deals on newegg, but don't know if they are what I should be looking at... I'm still a noob at building

this mobo?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128342

this proc?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

this vid card?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129138&cm_re=hd4850-_-14-129-138-_-Product

Like I said, I dont know if any of these are any good... so thats why i turn to you guys]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:07:14 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70874-help-me-make-a-list/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70848-few-questions-about-this-build-ive-put-2gether/
I was also thinking about doing that crossfire thing and hooking up 2 of the same video cards... later on when I had more money of course..


Rosewill R226-P-BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147110

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL - Retail $78.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274

Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136298

ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/1GD3/A Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121325

PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS370X 370W ATX12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703018

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - OEM $25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

Total: $504.93


I dont really need the dvd/cd drive because I already have one. so i guess the total price would be 475$ any suggestions or advice on different mobos/processors?]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:54:33 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70848-few-questions-about-this-build-ive-put-2gether/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70816-upgrading-from-my-current-psu-help/
I was planning on buying this graphics card..
HIS Radeon HD 4850 512MB

My computer is a Gateway GT5676
Specifications

This is the power supply my computer came with.
Bestec


I want to know what you think of the graphics card and if there's a better one that will work in my system.
I'm not really on a budget but i dont expect to pay more than $150 for the GPU and idk how much an average PCU is..

Thanks in advance!]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:29:40 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70816-upgrading-from-my-current-psu-help/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70718-something-i-am-considering/

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4485017&sku=S445-10025&SRCCODE=WEM2078AT&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-WEM2078-_-tiger]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:49:50 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70718-something-i-am-considering/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70699-dual-raid-question/
In my research for my future build, I came across conflicting information.
One saying you can the other, no you can not.

The board in question is the first link though all are potential candidates.

Can you dual RAID sata HDDs?

My plan is a dual boot pc, my current SATA 1.5 HDDs, 80GBs each for XP.
The other is W-7 on SATA 3.0 HDDs, around 320GBs each.

Both in a RAID 0 configuration.
Any thoughts on this would be appriciated. Thank you,

Rommel

There are some MSI boards of interest but I didn't want to throw too many links at you.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131402

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131363

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131392

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131366]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:09:07 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70699-dual-raid-question/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70587-vista-boosts/ which are the false secret boosts?..

TNX...]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:30:23 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70587-vista-boosts/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70558-looking-to-invest-on-a-new-tower/
PS: Not sure if i posted in the correct category, if so relocate me! ]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:07:40 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70558-looking-to-invest-on-a-new-tower/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70519-dell-in-trouble/
Anyone else seeing this or am I paranoid?]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:12:18 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70519-dell-in-trouble/ http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70406-pc-help-needed/
Here is the deal, last night my PC was making a noise that sounded like a cable was touching one of the fans inside and i did not want to open the chasis to move the cable so i turned the thing off (something i rarelly do as my PC normally runs all the time, also should mention power button does not turn PC off even if held had to flip switch to put it down). This morning i go to turn it on and there is nothing, no POST no Beep Codes nothing aside from the CPU fan starts spinning but at a lower rate than normal. There is also a very high pitch noise which comes and goes but ill describe when its present below.

I have done the following to try and isoate the problem which to me right now is poinitng to PSU (really hope its not).

-Unplugged everything and turned on PC : Result - Nothing on screen (used onboard video instead of video card), no beeps but CPU fan still the same spinning rate

-Took out a spare Mobo/CPU + RAM , tested PSU on it and that CPU kicked in no problem spun at the rate it was supposed to which seems to indicate PSU is providing enough juice

-Plugged in the video card and high pitch noise hits immediatlly (noise continues for a few seconds even after i cut the power)

-Attempted to boot up with only HD/RAM : Result - CPU fan starts to spin, HD does nothing almost as if there is no power going to it, also no POST/Beep codes of any kind

The PSU is one i got about two years ago its an OCZ GameXtsream 700 Watt, CPU AMD Black Edition, Mushkin Ram, EVGA Video card, Raptor HD. I should mention that im in IT and have been for about 5 years but never seen a PC do this before. Any suggestions would be great.

I will monitor this post and provide any extra information which i may have missed, will keep updated.]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:53:41 +0000 http://forums.pcworld.com/index.php?/topic/70406-pc-help-needed/