I opened up my computer today, something I don't do terribly often. Foolishly I forgot to check how many RAM slots I have left. I have a horrible feeling I only have the two slots in total
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The X800 (and the 9800) require large power output from the PSU and both have HDD splitter cables. This worries me: What the hell do I do with those? Obviously they attach to the Hard Drive somehow to feed it more power. I hope it's in the instruction manual if I can bring myself to buy one of these cards. I wonder, though, if that would slow down HD access slightly...Hmm, HDD splitter cables? Are we talking about standard 12V/5V splitter cables for ANY device within a standard PC? It's also known as a Y-cable, coz it umm, looks like a letter Y! :P The bottom of the Y is the male end, and the two tops of the Y are female. And the wires are typically red, black and yellow (two blacks). So is this what we're talking about
( ... )
Thanks mate, I knew I could count on you. I'll have to apprentice with you some time. ;)
I haven't actually seen the cables because I'm still in the 'should I/shouldn't I' stage of mid to end research. It's an ongoing problem with me. ;)
Anyway, I'm definitely under the impression they are power related. I'll be saving your comment as secondary instructions should I end up getting rid of my stupid procrastination.
No, I've still no idea about cards or what their specs really mean and how good each actually is. I'm mostly guessing and trusting (which I'd rather not have to do) in reviews and comparisons.
Yes, I thought 64 things might be a little futuristic for the moment and I'm not that pre-emptive yet.
Thanks for your expertise, I feel a bit better about the HDD cables now. Perhaps they're optional and even if they're not it's nice to know their effect will be minimal if any at all.
No worries, Jay. I never got this reply in E-Mail, hence this reply coming a few days later than you may have expected...
I've gotta say, I'm surprised at your lack of knowledge of the basics of a PC's hardware. Do they seriously not teach that in IT Uni courses??? They really, really should. But moving right along!
In reply to a few of your comments/questions below:
I'm a little concerned about whether I can fit a bigger PSU in my case (having no idea if 400W is bigger in physical size), it seems a bit tight at the moment though I have very little in there.
The physical size won't be any bigger, so rest assured it will fit. ATX power supplies, like anything following a form factor, must conform to certain criteria. A big part of that criteria is physical dimensions, so it's more of a "one size fits all" kinds of set up. If things weren't set up this way, there would be mayhem in the IT industry. And technicians like myself wouldn't have any hair :P
Something else I've been considering is a UPS.It certainly wouldn't hurt
( ... )
I suspected as much regaring Vivo. Doesn't really interest me. That means you can hook a VCR to the computer or is my imagination going rampant?
No, they really don't have any more than one hardware course in the BIT degree. It's appalling! Also only one networking course and one systems admin course. Those three I enjoyed the most. Bastards.
This is why I was thinking of TAFE if I ever lose my job so I can learn these interesting and useful things. Waste of time Uni degree (except I get paid better now).
The UPS is about $150 from a local store, only one I've seen. Sounds like it might be really low-end, then. I don't know the specs.
Damn, I was afraid of that. I'm a little concerned about whether I can fit a bigger PSU in my case (having no idea if 400W is bigger in physical size), it seems a bit tight at the moment though I have very little in there.
I will need another HDD sometime. Running close to filling my 80Gig. I'm a hoarder but over two years, that's not too bad. My other system was 20!
They are DirectX 9x games.
I was thinking of putting off the RAM, thanks for confirming that being a good idea.
Something else I've been considering is a UPS. It's probably not necessary but I've had to get rid of the powerboard with cut-off because our light switches keep tripping it and it's awfully irritating. They're pricy and I don't know just how worthwhile it'd be (we get very few storms, though I know spikes aren't limited to storms).
By the by, I do take things in reviews with a grain of salt but as I've no real idea myself it can be tricky figuring out the good bits from the hype.
I just called around the four computer stores here. Harvey Norman have a power supply 12cm fan, blue LED (:p) for $89.
@Tech has a powersupply, either 400W or 450W (he can't recall) for $49. They are also the only ones outside of online retails that stock the card in question (X800). Theirs is an Asus and includes Vivo(?) and DVI etc etc. 256MB.
My current GeForce is an Asus and I've had no trouble with it. Don't suppose hubby has any opinion?
I note you're not in hospital being induced. Did I stuff up the timeline? Perhaps that wasn't until this afternoon. If so, best of luck.
Me to hubby: Would you buy an Asus brand X800? Hubby: Sure why not? They have a 3 year warranty.
I think you can safely count that particular purchase endorsed ;-)
I would stay away from any power supply selling for under $70 if you want quality (although personally I don't care enough about my system to put quality parts in it -- hence my constant hardware issues). They're pretty easy to research online if you're serious about getting a quality power supply with a decent warranty.
Inducing appointment was in the morning, but they send you away to give it time to take effect. Second appointment was in the afternoon. Third and final appointment was late that night.
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I haven't actually seen the cables because I'm still in the 'should I/shouldn't I' stage of mid to end research. It's an ongoing problem with me. ;)
Anyway, I'm definitely under the impression they are power related. I'll be saving your comment as secondary instructions should I end up getting rid of my stupid procrastination.
No, I've still no idea about cards or what their specs really mean and how good each actually is. I'm mostly guessing and trusting (which I'd rather not have to do) in reviews and comparisons.
Yes, I thought 64 things might be a little futuristic for the moment and I'm not that pre-emptive yet.
Thanks for your expertise, I feel a bit better about the HDD cables now. Perhaps they're optional and even if they're not it's nice to know their effect will be minimal if any at all.
Reply
I've gotta say, I'm surprised at your lack of knowledge of the basics of a PC's hardware. Do they seriously not teach that in IT Uni courses??? They really, really should. But moving right along!
In reply to a few of your comments/questions below:
I'm a little concerned about whether I can fit a bigger PSU in my case (having no idea if 400W is bigger in physical size), it seems a bit tight at the moment though I have very little in there.
The physical size won't be any bigger, so rest assured it will fit. ATX power supplies, like anything following a form factor, must conform to certain criteria. A big part of that criteria is physical dimensions, so it's more of a "one size fits all" kinds of set up. If things weren't set up this way, there would be mayhem in the IT industry. And technicians like myself wouldn't have any hair :P
Something else I've been considering is a UPS.It certainly wouldn't hurt ( ... )
Reply
I suspected as much regaring Vivo. Doesn't really interest me. That means you can hook a VCR to the computer or is my imagination going rampant?
No, they really don't have any more than one hardware course in the BIT degree. It's appalling! Also only one networking course and one systems admin course. Those three I enjoyed the most. Bastards.
This is why I was thinking of TAFE if I ever lose my job so I can learn these interesting and useful things. Waste of time Uni degree (except I get paid better now).
The UPS is about $150 from a local store, only one I've seen. Sounds like it might be really low-end, then. I don't know the specs.
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Damn, I was afraid of that. I'm a little concerned about whether I can fit a bigger PSU in my case (having no idea if 400W is bigger in physical size), it seems a bit tight at the moment though I have very little in there.
I will need another HDD sometime. Running close to filling my 80Gig. I'm a hoarder but over two years, that's not too bad. My other system was 20!
They are DirectX 9x games.
I was thinking of putting off the RAM, thanks for confirming that being a good idea.
Something else I've been considering is a UPS. It's probably not necessary but I've had to get rid of the powerboard with cut-off because our light switches keep tripping it and it's awfully irritating. They're pricy and I don't know just how worthwhile it'd be (we get very few storms, though I know spikes aren't limited to storms).
Reply
I just called around the four computer stores here. Harvey Norman have a power supply 12cm fan, blue LED (:p) for $89.
@Tech has a powersupply, either 400W or 450W (he can't recall) for $49. They are also the only ones outside of online retails that stock the card in question (X800). Theirs is an Asus and includes Vivo(?) and DVI etc etc. 256MB.
My current GeForce is an Asus and I've had no trouble with it. Don't suppose hubby has any opinion?
I note you're not in hospital being induced. Did I stuff up the timeline? Perhaps that wasn't until this afternoon. If so, best of luck.
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Hubby: Sure why not? They have a 3 year warranty.
I think you can safely count that particular purchase endorsed ;-)
I would stay away from any power supply selling for under $70 if you want quality (although personally I don't care enough about my system to put quality parts in it -- hence my constant hardware issues). They're pretty easy to research online if you're serious about getting a quality power supply with a decent warranty.
Inducing appointment was in the morning, but they send you away to give it time to take effect. Second appointment was in the afternoon. Third and final appointment was late that night.
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