Computer M-M-M-MEGATHREAD

[Timmee]

The reason I'm going with apogee over storm is because of flow rates. I'm running 3 90 degree fittings in my system and I don't want to risk having high heat due to low flow.

Btw: WATERCOOLING PARTS ARE IN THE MAIL YAY!

Another thing... Where's a good place to get a dremel cheap? I need to buy one that isn't crap or 100 dollars. I've checked out home depot, sears, kmart, and costco.

Well, when you get it, pop the top and check for shavings (that's one of the complaints of the Apogee).

[FooTemps]

Modding talk

Well, when you get it, pop the top and check for shavings (that's one of the complaints of the Apogee).

Yep, I'm gonna take a wirebrush to it and get all those annoying shavings out.

You know what's funny? I totally saw your worklog on bit-tech and it didn't connect that you were Timmee from AO. hahahaha

[Timmee]

Yep, I'm gonna take a wirebrush to it and get all those annoying shavings out.

You know what's funny? I totally saw your worklog on bit-tech and it didn't connect that you were Timmee from AO. hahahaha

You saw it, but didn't comment on it?





J/K I know it's a poor worklog (in comparison to the people that update it everyday).

[kosmo]

Ok Ive got some questions, and I suppose this might be a decent place to ask rather than making an entirely new thread.

Firstly, that Ideq I mentioned in my previous post. What all would I need to make that into a carputer? Do I completely scrap the power supply in it and get a dc-dc power supply, or do I get a converter and keep the normal power supply? What would I need to hook that into the cd deck? And since this is going to be a college car, how would I go about putting a touchscreen LCD in the car in a place that is either discrete and still easy to access from the drivers seat, or some kind of bracket that it can be quickly attatched and detatched to be hidden?

Also, in my upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, I will need internet access that is, well, less stringent than what the army allows for. Im not necessarily talking pron because Im in a unit full of females already notorious for tales of scandal and debauchery, so I shouldnt need it. But in my previous overseas tour they didnt even allow me to access these forums from a government computer. What would be the best way to get around this? So far options that I am aware of include getting a decent size portable thumbstick and installing firefox/thunderbird on it, attempting to find some non government controlled way to access the internet in the middle of nowhere afghanistan (would a satellite internet connection work over there?), and Ive also seen a portable linux box that is about the size of a pocket hard drive. Of these options, it would be the best if I could get some non government controlled internet access like satellite because then I could bring my own computer. But if that wouldnt work, would installing a browser on a thumb drive still be monitored directly by the people monitoring what websites you are going on? I dont think it would because afaik, they arent constantly monitoring what processes the computer is running, only checking the internet explorer history every so often. If that isnt secure enough though, would the tiny linux box be? It wouldnt even be running those processes on that computer that theyre monitoring, it just connects via usb and creates a virtual network and you can access media and run programs from it.

[tribalman]

i was wondering if you all knew the answer to this, i've never known the answer, and i've never had worries about a computer running hot. but what is the preffered internal temprature? i know you don't want it too low or too high, but what is too high and too low? according to somesoft ware that came with my mobo it's running at about 75* F. is that too low? i havent checked the temp. after it's been on over night, but i have put my hand by the fans and it's sill fairly cool. and also, i've been looking into getting water cooling just cause, what's a good brand? i'm looking for a setup that will cool both a processor and a video card but all the ones i've seen at stores only setup for the cpu only. thanks for any help.

just a side note, anybody remember when cases didn't have a window and hardwork was required to put a window in?

and timmie, i was looking at your work log, what are you going to do with the ps1 screen? is it going to display computer settings or what?

[Timmee]

i was wondering if you all knew the answer to this, i've never known the answer, and i've never had worries about a computer running hot. but what is the preffered internal temprature? i know you don't want it too low or too high, but what is too high and too low? according to somesoft ware that came with my mobo it's running at about 75* F. is that too low? i havent checked the temp. after it's been on over night, but i have put my hand by the fans and it's sill fairly cool. and also, i've been looking into getting water cooling just cause, what's a good brand? i'm looking for a setup that will cool both a processor and a video card but all the ones i've seen at stores only setup for the cpu only. thanks for any help.

just a side note, anybody remember when cases didn't have a window and hardwork was required to put a window in?

and timmie, i was looking at your work log, what are you going to do with the ps1 screen? is it going to display computer settings or what?

75*F shoudn't be bad (just make sure it isn't reading in celcius). I've got parts from Danger Den that I'll be installing in my system, but Swiftech also makes a decent kit (if you want small bore, AC is pricey but reported to be good).

It's going into my case (probably where the 3.5" bays are), so I can display my system stats on it. I'm going to be running a Samurize config on it, based somewhat on this one:

[Automaggot68]

The reason I'm going with apogee over storm is because of flow rates. I'm running 3 90 degree fittings in my system and I don't want to risk having high heat due to low flow.

Btw: WATERCOOLING PARTS ARE IN THE MAIL YAY!

Another thing... Where's a good place to get a dremel cheap? I need to buy one that isn't crap or 100 dollars. I've checked out home depot, sears, kmart, and costco.

I hate to but in without any Computer talk Li, but I work at costco, and the Dremels we carry down here in San Diego are under $50.
What did you find at your warehouse?

[FooTemps]

Ok Ive got some questions, and I suppose this might be a decent place to ask rather than making an entirely new thread.

Firstly, that Ideq I mentioned in my previous post. What all would I need to make that into a carputer? Do I completely scrap the power supply in it and get a dc-dc power supply, or do I get a converter and keep the normal power supply? What would I need to hook that into the cd deck? And since this is going to be a college car, how would I go about putting a touchscreen LCD in the car in a place that is either discrete and still easy to access from the drivers seat, or some kind of bracket that it can be quickly attatched and detatched to be hidden?

Also, in my upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, I will need internet access that is, well, less stringent than what the army allows for. Im not necessarily talking pron because Im in a unit full of females already notorious for tales of scandal and debauchery, so I shouldnt need it. But in my previous overseas tour they didnt even allow me to access these forums from a government computer. What would be the best way to get around this? So far options that I am aware of include getting a decent size portable thumbstick and installing firefox/thunderbird on it, attempting to find some non government controlled way to access the internet in the middle of nowhere afghanistan (would a satellite internet connection work over there?), and Ive also seen a portable linux box that is about the size of a pocket hard drive. Of these options, it would be the best if I could get some non government controlled internet access like satellite because then I could bring my own computer. But if that wouldnt work, would installing a browser on a thumb drive still be monitored directly by the people monitoring what websites you are going on? I dont think it would because afaik, they arent constantly monitoring what processes the computer is running, only checking the internet explorer history every so often. If that isnt secure enough though, would the tiny linux box be? It wouldnt even be running those processes on that computer that theyre monitoring, it just connects via usb and creates a virtual network and you can access media and run programs from it.

Okay, for the first question, I have no clue about the psu. You can either mod it for dcdc or you can convert it. I have no clue which way is better but either way is possible. And you should run the pc in some sort of easy to access but hidden away place, like in the trunk or under the seats for example. For the LCD screen in the front console, sites like newegg sell various touchscreen lcd screens so it will be easy to install those since it seems like many even come with installation kits. I think that maybe you should get a wireless keyboard/remote to go along with it to finish off the package.

Second question. If you want to get around the system, use a linux boot disk or bart PE boot disk. Hell, I run bart PE straight off my USB pen. If you choose right, they should provide the plugins to surf the internet freely.

I hate to but in without any Computer talk Li, but I work at costco, and the Dremels we carry down here in San Diego are under $50.
What did you find at your warehouse?

no dremel stock. I caught them at a time when they didn't have any for sale. And I was looking at kits with attachments (which were the only things available at the time at the other stores)

[Timmee]

The reason I'm going with apogee over storm is because of flow rates. I'm running 3 90 degree fittings in my system and I don't want to risk having high heat due to low flow.

Btw: WATERCOOLING PARTS ARE IN THE MAIL YAY!

Another thing... Where's a good place to get a dremel cheap? I need to buy one that isn't crap or 100 dollars. I've checked out home depot, sears, kmart, and costco.

Check eBay? They had some Dremels and Foredom rotary tools (more powerful than the Dremel) available.

[Mango]

Didn't there used to be a general merchandise forum on here to sell things like computer equipment?I'd like to list my equipment for sale.

I refuse to use e-bay since I was scammed badly on there a year ago. Now I only deal with people I trust.

[MarkM]

Didn't there used to be a general merchandise forum on here to sell things like computer equipment?I'd like to list my equipment for sale.

I refuse to use e-bay since I was scammed badly on there a year ago. Now I only deal with people I trust.

The section never existed. people have used the Misc section in the BST sub forums however the temptation is there for it to become a kind of mini ebay with no relation to the paintball forum that this is. So use that section to sell your PC parts but treat it as a mini ebay and the thread will go, you have to understand that the paintball items for sale are being allowed as a service for which there is no payment...I am sure you are aware of this but writing it like this so other users (hopefully) will read this also. The other temptation is for users to say "First dibs" or make a silly offer which already happens with the normal paintball items, plus flame posts saying that you can get (insert item) for $X on Ebay
I can understand your attitude with Ebay..I have been scammed twice, fortunately not too bad of a burn as I got some of my money back.

I will attempt to contact Tom and ask if an additional sub forum can be added but don't hold your breath...but you make get lucky?

[GT]

HardOCP is a great site as well as Anandtech.

The rig I built in october:
BFG mobo
BFG 7800gt
2 gig crucial value
seagate baracude IV 60 gig
AMD 64 3000, vience core, 939
Seasonic s12 500
toshiba/NEC DVD burner
Antec super Lanboy case
Samsung 193P+
Mx518

I want another HD but the 'cuda is so dam silent I can't give her up.

[Mango]

So use that section to sell your PC parts but treat it as a mini ebay and the thread will go, you have to understand that the paintball items for sale are being allowed as a service for which there is no payment..

Wow! Thanks Mark!

[slade]

Also, in my upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, I will need internet access that is, well, less stringent than what the army allows for. Im not necessarily talking pron because Im in a unit full of females already notorious for tales of scandal and debauchery, so I shouldnt need it. But in my previous overseas tour they didnt even allow me to access these forums from a government computer. What would be the best way to get around this? So far options that I am aware of include getting a decent size portable thumbstick and installing firefox/thunderbird on it, attempting to find some non government controlled way to access the internet in the middle of nowhere afghanistan (would a satellite internet connection work over there?), and Ive also seen a portable linux box that is about the size of a pocket hard drive. Of these options, it would be the best if I could get some non government controlled internet access like satellite because then I could bring my own computer. But if that wouldnt work, would installing a browser on a thumb drive still be monitored directly by the people monitoring what websites you are going on? I dont think it would because afaik, they arent constantly monitoring what processes the computer is running, only checking the internet explorer history every so often. If that isnt secure enough though, would the tiny linux box be? It wouldnt even be running those processes on that computer that theyre monitoring, it just connects via usb and creates a virtual network and you can access media and run programs from it.

you could make a knoppix boot CD (linux) which will come with firefox. you will probably need the computer connected through an ethernet cable, or know how to set up the connection if it is a different type. you will have to change the BIOS boot sequence if it is currently set up to boot from the hard drive before the cd drive, but no one should really notice and you can change it back. you might be able to just use firefox from a usb drive but that seems like it would be easier for them to notice what youre looking at.

i have a question about adding ram to my computer. Right now i have 512 MB PC3200 400MHz DDR ram, and if i look on the motherboard theres two sticks of ram so i guess i have two sticks of 256 MB. Theres four slots total, two sets of two, the left slot is blue and the right black; the blue in both sets occupied, the black unoccupied, but they look the same. so the configuration is occupied, unoccupied, (space) occupied, unoccupied. it says the computer can hold a max of 2GB ram, so im guessing each slot can hold one stick of 512 mb. But what would i do to add ram to the current configuration? do i always have to have ram in pairs? could i add two sticks of 512 mb, and keep the two sticks of 256 mb, for a total of 1.5 Gb, or would all the sticks have to be the same size? if they could be different sizes, would the larger size sticks have to be in a certain place?

im not sure exactly what motherboard i have, but it came with my sony VGC-RB53. on the motherboard it says "intel desktop board" and then "D915GRO/D915PRO/D915GVRO" im not sure if thats the model number or what. i couldnt find much on google.

[FooTemps]

Modding

Okay, got the first way of watercooling parts.

Now I realize that I'm an idiot. The single pass radiator has holes on the opposite sides than I need them. (I'm running single pass so remember the intake/output holes are on opposite sides)

Oh well, I can still run the system anyway. Just a little wrench in the works.

AAAAND WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE (i mean pictures)


mmmm radiator (see how the intake/out put holes are in the top left and bottom right? i needed them to be in the bottom left and top right. No, I can't fix the problem by flipping it over.)


pump


heatsink shot


random pci slot shot


lcd mount arm which i will be modding into the case.