Curse

Quaker · Jul 16, 2011, 07:30 PM // 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by SH4D0WZ0MB1E

The "mesh" part I was talking about was the side panel on the HAF 922, where it's open for installation of two more fans. Was wondering if dust would easily get into that section.

I wasn't commenting about that particular case, just high-airflow cases with mesh fronts in general. I use an older CM Centurion case which has a mesh front. The front is constantly covered in dust trapped in the mesh and requires constant vacuuming with a handy-vac. For my next case I'd like to have one without so much mesh.

Quote:

My monitor is a 17" or 19" (don't exactly remember off-hand) with a rez of 1024 x 768. So I should be able to pull decent settings with a 460 right?

It's time to enter the 21st century.

Get yourself a nice 22-24" 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 monitor - you won't regret it. I couldn't imagine going back to so little screen space.

But, in any case, at 1024x768, a GTX 460 would get fat from lack of exercise.

P.s - are you sure it's not 1280x1024 at least?

Quote:

.....seems the big difference between the one I linked to in my OP and the one you linked to is that mine has a heat spreader. Is that something I really need, or is it just more mark-up stuff to get more money out of me? lol

Heat spreaders started out as aids to overclocking where the RAM may dissipate extra heat, then, of course, they became eye candy. But no, if you are not overclocking, or even mildly oc'ing, you don't need heat spreaders.

SH4D0WZ0MB1E · Jul 17, 2011, 05:14 AM // 05:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

It's time to enter the 21st century.

Get yourself a nice 22-24" 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 monitor - you won't regret it. I couldn't imagine going back to so little screen space.

But, in any case, at 1024x768, a GTX 460 would get fat from lack of exercise.

P.s - are you sure it's not 1280x1024 at least?

Unfortunately, I currently don't have any extra space for a bigger monitor at the moment. Taking a quick look at my graphics center, I can go bigger (1360 x 1024 to be exact), but I like this current rez since nothing is either super tiny or super big. Also I'm guessing by that exercise comment your saying the GTX 460 will suit my needs quite well?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

Heat spreaders started out as aids to overclocking where the RAM may dissipate extra heat, then, of course, they became eye candy. But no, if you are not overclocking, or even mildly oc'ing, you don't need heat spreaders.

After doing a bit of internet search after making my post, I came up with the same thing. Heat spreaders are only needed if you are either a)OC'ing your RAM or b) Trying to run some sort of server that is doing a lot of processing. Since I'm not running a server and I'm not going to be OC'ing anything because this is my first build and I don't want to screw anything up I'll probably save myself a few bucks and go with those 1333 G.Skills you linked to.

Draca · Jul 17, 2011, 07:40 AM // 07:40

With that low res monitor the gtx460 will be overkill if anything.

SH4D0WZ0MB1E · Jul 23, 2011, 04:56 PM // 16:56

Well I ordered my parts. Changed a few things from my first post (new case, smaller PSU, and different RAM). I appreciate all of the input from everybody.

Next question...

Anybody have any tips for when I'm actually building it?

Quaker · Jul 23, 2011, 09:17 PM // 21:17

Don't put it together in an area where you generate static and make sure you are discharged before handling anything electronic.

Make sure you don't have any excess standoffs under the motherboard when you install it. There should only be one standoff for each corresponding mounting hole in the mobo.

Draca · Jul 24, 2011, 09:13 AM // 09:13

Have as light grip on the sides of the cards as possible. Do not the alarmed some components like the ram might need some force to get in place.

SH4D0WZ0MB1E · Aug 06, 2011, 05:09 AM // 05:09

Have another question...

So last week I got my parts and built my system. However, when I turned on the computer I got no image on my monitor. It seemed like it went into a power save state of sorts. I reseated my vid card and all of the other troubleshooting things and narrowed it down to either a bad card or the PCIe slot on my mobo was bad. After talking to Nvidia tech support they said it was probably a bad card so I RMA'd it since that would have been the lesser of two evils instead of having to dismantle the whole thing if it was a bad PCIe slot.

So today I got my replacement card in the mail and now I'm looking at the DVI/VGA adapter that came packaged with it. It was missing a few pins and I was at first shocked. But after looking at the Wikipedia page I saw that it is normal for some pins to be missing. However my connector does not look like any of those shown. Here's what it looks like:

Code:

x x     x x x
---     x x x
x x

I talked to Nvidia tech support about this and all I got was a response that different manufacturers make different pin layouts. Ok, I can get that maybe but then why does this pin layout not match anything online that I searched for. I can't find anything that shows this same pin layout in an adapter.

I haven't tested this new card out yet because I haven't had the time, but before I do I want to ask if this adapter could be defective with this pin layout. Should I buy a new adapter instead of trying this one? I'm just trying to narrow possible things to look at if this new card doesn't work and does the same thing as the first.

Just for quick reference:
My monitor has a VGA cable
Vid card: GTX 460 which only has DVI slots

Draca · Aug 06, 2011, 10:52 AM // 10:52

First if your monitor support dvi use it, it's better for signal noise.

However the vga/dvi should atleast have the pins shown in dvi-a in this picture from the same wiki article clicky.

Also try both outputs sometimes one is the "first" connector and only that will show a picture monitor. Also make sure the card is fully resting in the top pci-e slot and has all the power connectors inserted.

Quaker · Aug 06, 2011, 02:23 PM // 14:23

1. If the motherboard you got has on-board video, make sure (in the BIOS/setup) that the on-board is disabled or set to "auto".

2. Did you remember to connect the PCIe power connector(s) to the GTX460? I think the GTX 460 needs two 6-pin connectors.

3. There are several different configurations of DVI connectors. Almost any DVI-to-VGA adapter should fit. The adapter does not need to have all of the DVI pins to work - just the ones needed for VGA - however there is a possibility that it may not pass all the wanted connections - specifically, the connections related to P'n'P detection of the monitor.
In any case, you don't have to use the specific adapter that came with the card.

n0rth · Aug 10, 2011, 03:17 AM // 03:17

I personally think you should save up more and build something decent. With any iX processor that intel offers. I have been building (and overclocking) for years, starting with AMD. Everytime I switched to intel I was very impressed. As others have mentioned, you don't need to worry about airflow with your current system. I would recommend saving more money to build it right the first time, as I am currently doing. 2k budget for mine, but im saving to meet the budget.

EDIT: Late on my post

Anyway, make sure to read your mobo manual. Sometimes you have to disable particular PCIe slots in order for a single GPU to be recognized properly.

Draca · Aug 10, 2011, 09:27 AM // 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0rth

I personally think you should save up more and build something decent. With any iX processor that intel offers. I have been building (and overclocking) for years, starting with AMD. Everytime I switched to intel I was very impressed. As others have mentioned, you don't need to worry about airflow with your current system. I would recommend saving more money to build it right the first time, as I am currently doing. 2k budget for mine, but im saving to meet the budget.

EDIT: Late on my post

Anyway, make sure to read your mobo manual. Sometimes you have to disable particular PCIe slots in order for a single GPU to be recognized properly.

Problem is, it's a decent system. Just not a amazing one.

Snograt · Aug 10, 2011, 11:43 AM // 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by SH4D0WZ0MB1E

Code:

x x     x x x
---     x x x
x x

Bit hard to tell from that, but one of the problems with DVI is that video cards often have DVI-I sockets whereas monitors generally have DVI-D sockets (Or is that vice versa?)

A DVI-D plug will fit into a DVI-I socket, but the reverse is not true.

SH4D0WZ0MB1E · Aug 17, 2011, 09:23 PM // 21:23

Well it turns out the PCI-E slots on my MOBO were dead. Tested this with a friend's card that I new worked and still no picture. Also just to be sure I plugged my card into his system and it worked. So I'm currently waiting on a replacement MOBO atm...