Computer thread!!!

[Wschnitz]

Hey guys, I need a bit of advise on a couple things please.

Background, putting together new system. Purpose, basic use with a little bit of gaming and fair amount of solidworks/photoshop. I have a recommended list of parts including an Intel Core i5-4590 processor and Asus H97-Plus Motherboard.

Graphics card options (these are both already in my possession).
-AMD Firepro W2100 (new, little guy)
-ATI Radeon HD 4890 (older, big guy)
Which would be the better card for me?

*Also it seems like programs like SW and PS are harder to get *grey versions of now days. Am I mistaken? if so please PM me, I'd really appreciate it. I'm not super savvy but understand basics.

Probably the firepro, has more Vram so if your not using it for gaming it should be better. The HD 4890 is kind of aging.

SW and PS can be had fairly easily in a couple ways, but id suggest a subscription, cheaper in the long run if you decide you dont need one or the other.

[Wschnitz]

Lol at idle obviously. Im not encoding video 24/7 so that's the temp the computer will be running at the majority of the time. With some load such as gaming it'll get up to 45 but no more

Processor is an AMD Phenom 2 955 Black at 3.5ghz

Here's the temps at idle on a hot California summer day :D
Ambient temp today was around 25C


Haters gonna hate

So you just proved my point, wasnt even running at 30C even at idle.

[pandaboo911]

So you just proved my point, wasnt even running at 30C even at idle.

Word. It'll run 30C easy in the mornings and at night. Next.

[UlrichFennec]

I picked up a nice cheapo Viewsonic VX924 LCD monitor (on the left) to pair with my ASUS VH238H (Right) for my battlestation so I can run a dual screen setup.
Works great for the 20 bucks I paid for it. Rearranged everything in my room to make a big entertainment station and have my rig wired via HDMI to my TV.

That, and I did some annual maintenance and cleaning on the rig. New thermal paste and cleaning of the filters, using compressed air etc...

Nice clean cabin!

[lambo]

lol I bought a 19" Acer panel from Goodwill earlier today for $13 so I could monitor temps and spotify while in game... But, being as dumb as I am, I forgot to grab the power cord.

[SkiFree]

Thank you Schnitz for your help.

[Exodus_2pt0]

[ATTACH]99756[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]99755[/ATTACH]

I sold that same model mobo a few months ago. Served me well until I went with the 9590 processor.

Just a little tidbit, I originally had an MSI board and one of the MOSFETs caught fire during a load test, pushing my Phenom II 3.6 to 4.2ghz.

Slapped in the mobo you are running and it ran the same processor at the same speed for over a year without issue.

Needless to say, I'll never run MSI again.

[UlrichFennec]

I sold that same model mobo a few months ago. Served me well until I went with the 9590 processor.

Just a little tidbit, I originally had an MSI board and one of the MOSFETs caught fire during a load test, pushing my Phenom II 3.6 to 4.2ghz.

Slapped in the mobo you are running and it ran the same processor at the same speed for over a year without issue.

Needless to say, I'll never run MSI again.

It's a reliable board for what I paid for it. Had it for two years and has had no hiccups!

[EN318isPDX]

Pfft watercooling..

[Massimo]

Pfft watercooling..

It works a lot better when you put water in the system.

[DrewSkii]

So I ordered 120gb SSD.. Can anyone tell me or lead me in the right direction on how to go about setting up my OS on it? I'm a total noob. Thanks in advance!

[EN318isPDX]

So I ordered 120gb SSD.. Can anyone tell me or lead me in the right direction on how to go about setting up my OS on it? I'm a total noob. Thanks in advance!

Turn on your PC so that Windows starts normally, insert the DVD or USB flash drive, and then shut down your PC.

Restart your PC, and then press any key to boot from the DVD or USB flash drive.

If you restart your PC and your current version of Windows starts, you might have to open a boot menu or change the boot order in your PC's BIOS or UEFI settings so that your PC boots from the media. To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you'll typically need to press a combination of keys (such as F2, F12, Delete, Esc, etc.) immediately after you turn on your PC. For instructions on changing the boot order for your PC, check the documentation that came with your PC or go to the manufacturer's website.

If your current version of Windows still starts, try again by waiting until Windows asks you to sign in, shutdown completely, and then restart your PC again.

On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then tap or click Next.

Tap or click Install Windows.

On the Enter the product key to activate Windows page, enter your product key.

The product key should be on the box that the Windows 8.1 DVD came in, or in a purchase confirmation email. It looks like this: PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.

On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, tap or click I accept the license terms, and then tap or click Next.

On the Which type of installation do you want? page, tap or click Custom.

On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, do one of the following:

In Windows 8.1, tap or click the partition that you want, tap or click the formatting option you want to perform if needed, and then follow the instructions.

In Windows 8, tap or click Drive options (advanced), tap or click the partition that you want to change, tap or click the formatting option you want to perform if needed, and then follow the instructions.

When you've finished formatting, tap or click Next.

Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/clean-install

[DrewSkii]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w.../clean-install

Thanks for this! I skimmed through it, but I'll read back up when I get the SSD in the mail. :p

[TurboJake]

Thanks for this! I skimmed through it, but I'll read back up when I get the SSD in the mail. :p

Boop!
Everything you need to know about SSD boot drive installation and optimization.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

[DrewSkii]

Boop!
Everything you need to know about SSD boot drive installation and optimization.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/s...-for-ssds-hdds

Thank you! Will be attempting this soon.. Is there a way to find my OS serial and all of that so I don't have to purchase a new one? I bought the computer with it installed and don't want to buy a new one. Hopefully it's not a cracked version or w/e lol