Hardware Discussion Thread

[NaturalViolence]

Garteal Wrote:That new control panel looks awful.

That's what you get when you try to make your desktop app more "mobile user friendly". Notice how everything is now done through big buttons leading you from one option page to another. No dropdown lists or tabs. This is clearly aimed at making it easier for touchscreen users. *resists urge to begin rant about how the same thing has happened to every major PC/crossplatform rpg*

[DatKid20]

So i finally have all the parts to my new computer and guess what? I can't get the motherboard screwed in. This sucks so much.

[NaturalViolence]

Be more precise. Are the standoffs all in the correct spots?

[DatKid20]

(09-08-2014, 11:12 AM)NaturalViolence Wrote: Be more precise. Are the standoffs all in the correct spots?

Yes. It's just I don't know which screws go into the motherboard and what screwdriver to use. :/ (I think all of them can be tightened by a philips head screwdriver.)

[Quicklime_Mistress]

(09-05-2014, 01:47 AM)KHg8m3r Wrote: In the old manager it was very easy
(img)

In the new manager, it was convoluted:
(img)

Hey I've got a question:
Earlier I just re installed windows on my laptop. Jumping to windows 8, using classic shell was the best thing for it. Very happy I did so.
But the intel HD graphics driver was super weird.
I installed it and everything was fine until I tried to enter a skype call. Skype would just crash if I started a call with anyone (but i could still speak with them while skype was frozen... O_o). I did some research and found out it had to do with the intel HD graphics driver, so I installed an older beta version and everything was fine.

But being behind has me worried.. so I was wondering if anyone knew if upgrading the driver version would get me that skype problem again? I've never seen that new interface, so I'm thinking it might be okay since it's super new, but I figured I'd ask here before I go messing around with drivers again.

The processor has intel HD graphics 3000.

if anyone has any info, that'd be cool, if not i'll just leave it be~
thanks :)

[Qaazavaca Qaanic]

Case screws generally look like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:6-32_computer_screw_with_hexagonal_head_and_Phillips_drive.png

[Garteal]

I was pondering in the last few days which sound card I should get. I was looking at the Xonar DGX and DX at first, but that might not be an option now that I've checked if I could actually place them inside.
Unfortunately my GPU blocks one slot and the others aren't really inviting either. One slot is very close to the CPU cooler and GPU while another blocks the GPU airflow.

So I'll either go with the above if you guys think it'll fit, or start looking for PCI cards or external cards. Recommendations are very welcome of course.

This is what the layout of my motherboard looks like.

Spoiler: (Show Spoiler)

Here's a pic showing how all the PCIE slots.

Spoiler: (Show Spoiler)

First slot from another angle.
I don't know how thick the cards are, but I could try to push them in here... although it's too close for comfort imo.

Spoiler: (Show Spoiler)

Third slot from another angle.

Spoiler: (Show Spoiler)

[kinkinkijkin]

I'd very much recommend using a PCI card. Gaming cards mostly only use PCIe so that they're guaranteed to fit in a slot on modern mobos. There's not really an advantage to using PCIe; iirc, most soundcards don't even fill up PCI all of the way.

In terms of what card to get, I'm not even going to suggest anything. I have a very high minimum.

[MayImilae]

PCI is being phased out. It's actually getting difficult to find boards with plain PCI these days. Go with PCIe if you can, since your next motherboard probably isn't going to have PCI at all. And I'm pretty sure you can fit a sound card into one of those PCIe slots, they aren't very thick usually.

[Garteal]

Yeah, what MaJoR said, hence why I didn't immediately go with one. Will be ordering a Xonar DX then on Monday unless someone brings up something in between.