For questions regarding the assembly of computers from individual components and problems you might face.
-3
votes
0answers
21 views
Best Graphics Card for 1st Custom PC Build With Budget of CAN$900 [closed]
I'm soon building my first custom PC with a budget of around CAN$900 (in Canada). I plan to use my computer for gaming, programming and photo and video editing. (The $900 doesn't include Windows 8, ...
-3
votes
0answers
24 views
Judge this gaming rig please [closed]
The site is Romanian but the component codes are universal http://www.cel.ro/wish/&wid=8681
I would like, perhaps, a better motherboard, whether 700 power source is too much or not, and also a ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Small space between Cooler and GPU - how to secure components
I'm curious about how to secure my desktop computer setup.
I recently bought an Thermalright Macho CPU Cooler and a Gigabyte 7870 OC Windforce.
...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
generate command file from internet to windos 7
i work with APC for a UPS .. i have a command file expanded when the power failed and when the power restored but these command files didn't run in windows 7 system to generate the cmd file to show a ...
3
votes
3answers
228 views
Is buying 3 cheap graphics cards better than a single high end card?
I am thinking of building my own desktop computer, and I was wondering whether buying 2 or 3 low end graphics cards and running them in SLI would be faster than buying 1 high end graphics card.
If ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Move Windows 2008 to VM best practice
I need to move a Windows 2008 to VM to consolidate the hardware. The goal is not to circumvent license, but to retain all the files and settings on that computer in one shot (the old PC will not run ...
1
vote
2answers
66 views
How to select memory for motherboard when building a new machine? [duplicate]
I am building a new PC. What resources do I use to ensure the ram I select is compatible with the motherboard I am selecting?
Currently, this is what I know.
The motherboard accepts a type of ram, ...
-2
votes
3answers
79 views
What Power Supply Unit (PSU) is needed for 16GB RAM and Graphic card upgrade [duplicate]
I am planning to upgrade my computer case- A new graphic card and RAM to 16 GB.
PC Config :
Processor : Intel Core i3 2nd Gen
Motherboard : Intel Desktop board DH61WW
RAM: 4GB (upgrading to 16GB)
...
3
votes
1answer
129 views
If I combine a PCIe x16 graphics card and a PCIe x4 hardware RAID, does the graphics card get 16 lanes?
I'm planning to install a graphics card which can utilise 16 PCIe lanes and a RAID controller which supports PCIe x4.
The Ivy Bridge CPUs are all specified as supporting either one x16 or two x8 ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
Remove heatsink to add CPU
So I added the heatsink/fan assembly to the Z77 mPower motherboard without ever adding the i7 CPU. *facepalm*
How can I remove this assembly to insert the CPU? It has some plastic snap pieces that I ...
5
votes
1answer
89 views
Is Biostar's CPU Savior preventing my homebuilt PC from booting? [closed]
My 11-year old daughter and I built her first PC today, but now that all the components are in place, the machine will only turn on for a second then it turns off right away.
Possibly Relevant Specs:
...
3
votes
1answer
136 views
Do high-end video cards consume more power during regular PC usage?
For things like coding and web browsing, does a high-end GPU (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti) consume more power than a low/mid-range GPU (NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT)?
The reason I ask is because the 9800 ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Will a pedestal motherboard fit into a(ny) regular case?
I am looking to build a dual CPU workstation with a "long" graphics adapter and eight or more 3.5 inch drives. The problem is finding a chassis. Last time, I had to build a case out of wood to fit a ...
4
votes
3answers
139 views
Should I use plastic/insulating washers when attaching a motherboard to the case?
I'm screwing in a motherboard, around the screw holes in the motherboard there is a white painted circle and inside that circle are what look like eight pieces of solder.
Do I need to put ...
1
vote
3answers
405 views
Should I disable CPU fan error message and how?
I have just completed my first "build" consisting of:
ASUS P8Z77-V-Deluxe motherboard,
Intel i7-3770 processor,
Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler.
Each time I boot the computer, the ...
1
vote
4answers
113 views
Burned motherboard component
I got a desktop computer assembled with the following specs:
2x 4 GB DDR3
Intel Core i7-2600 CPU, 3.4 GHz LGA 1155 8 MB Cache
Intel DH67 BL Media Series motherboard, LGA 1155, 4 slot eSATA, HDMI, ...
0
votes
0answers
129 views
GPU causes black screen on boot (new build)
Making my first build from scratch. I've managed to boot to bios just fine with everything except GPU plugged in, but when I plug in my GFX card, suddenly, black screen.
I've tried both onboard and ...
2
votes
2answers
352 views
Not filling all RAM slots - will it make the machine volatile?
I have done some searching and I have not found a straight forward answer to my problem. As all the questions I came over searching were concerning using only two RAM slots with not more than 4GB of ...
1
vote
1answer
162 views
Mounting another hard drive to a HP Envy h8-1414?
I've got an HP Envy h8-1414 with two hard drives already installed in it. I have a third drive I need to use to store backups on and I can't find any places where I can jam another harddrive in ...
0
votes
1answer
94 views
HDD thumping noise [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hard drive making a weird noise
My 2TB Western Digital Caviar Green is making this thumping noise. The thumps repeat about every 2 seconds and occasionally go away ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
Replacing an i5-43M with the more powerful i7-640M [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
swapping i5-430m for an i7-640m in asus k52jc
I have been asked to beef up a friends laptop and to try and find an intermittent issue with the laptop crashing.
I ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Building a pc to learn Linux — Anything to watch out for besides hardware compatibility issues?
I will need a new computer pretty soon, and am planning on building a dual-boot Windows/Linux box for weekend programming and play. Unfortunately, this will be my first time building a pc from the ...
1
vote
0answers
88 views
Partitions, symlinks, mounting as folders and performance
I'm going to have a 128-GB SSD which will contain Windows 8 and most applications, and a 1-TB hard drive which will contain most of the rest (large games, documents, select frequently overwritten ...
0
votes
1answer
92 views
Online PC builder [closed]
A friend of mine has asked me to help him build a high-end PC. While I've built a fair few PCs in my time, I'm not really up to date with every single hardware config currently available. This isn't ...
1
vote
1answer
149 views
Most efficient use of my SSD and new/old hard drives
To begin with, here are my computer's current specifications:
-Windows 8 Pro, 64 bits
-Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3
-Processor: AMD FX-8150 Zambezi 3.6GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop ...
1
vote
2answers
157 views
How can I figure out which PC component is faulty when the PC won't even start?
Me and my brother purchased and built a custom budget computer for our little brother for Christmas. It has been running fine for about a week, but last night it would no longer start. When the power ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Odd HDD issue, should I be worried?
Ok, so I get my build up and running on Friday and everything was working great. I have two drives, a 256GB SDD connected via SATA 3(which is the boot drive.) and a 1 TB 7200RPM connected via SATA 2. ...
0
votes
0answers
52 views
Issue with a computer I built
I just built a new computer and I'm having an issue and want to know if this is CPU or Motherboard.
The hardware is:
ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
Intel i7 3770k
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Heat Sink
Antec 750 ...
3
votes
1answer
166 views
How should I construct my own hard drive enclosure?
I recently replaced my laptop HDD with an SSD. It came with a handy transfer cable which lets me easily connect the old "naked" HDD to my laptop via USB. Now that I have switched over to the SSD, I ...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
No VGA signal - Could it be an issue with the case?
I am building a computer. First attempt there was no video signal. To cut a long story short, I swapped the motherboard (which tested ok at the shop) but when I installed it in the case, there was no ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Hardware selection in building PC [closed]
I'm about to build my first computer. I've been searching through all the parts on msy.com.au, and am almost sure I've got a compatible list.
My primary concern is that the CPU is not compatible ...
2
votes
1answer
66 views
Why do manufacturers not show all hardware power usage? [closed]
I find it slightly more difficult to build a computer when I do not know how much power is needed for a component. When selecting a power supply for a computer, it is difficult to know how large of ...
1
vote
3answers
387 views
Computer turns on and off very quickly, then nothing, then works?
The strange nature of this problem is what is stumping me. I built my computer about 7 months ago using all new parts off of Newegg (not a kit or anything).
One day, I wake up and turn on my ...
0
votes
1answer
72 views
How to look for better hardware for my computer?
I have Iball Designer PC (model No not confirmed) and that have motherboard ...
0
votes
0answers
41 views
Are these products compatible with each other? [closed]
The following is a part of a computer specification I intend to buy, but I'm not 100% sure whether the individual parts are compatible (with each other).
Can the following products be put together in ...
1
vote
2answers
166 views
Do I need a 3 pin to 4 pin adapter for my motherboard fan connectors?
I'm buying new fans for my machine right now, and it seems that everyone prefers using 3-pin fans over 4-pin fans these days. If my motherboard has 4-pin fan connectors, do I need to use all 4 pins or ...
3
votes
1answer
146 views
Can I daisy chain two chassis fans together?
I have two 120mm fans in the front of my machine and I'd like to connect them as chassis fans, but I'd like them to share the same 4 pin connector on my motherboard so that they both scale up and down ...
2
votes
2answers
141 views
Is there anything essential to check before powering on a self-built PC for the first time?
I've just put together a computer for the first time. I've found plenty of info online that covered the construction, but now I'm ready - I think - to power it up I'm wondering if there are any checks ...
1
vote
1answer
115 views
New build won't POST, no video, no beeps
Specs:
Motherboard: MSI 760GM-P23 FX
Integrated graphics (on MoBo)
CPU: AMD Athlon II x4 640
RAM: GeIL Pristine 4GB DDR3
Case/PSU: TOPOWER TP-4107BB-400
Is not POSTing, no video output, no beeps. ...
1
vote
1answer
159 views
Grey screen of death?
I built my computer in July of this year and have had no problems with it until about a month ago. Generally I leave my pc on overnight. (It goes to "sleep"). But sometimes I'll wake up in the morning ...
2
votes
4answers
128 views
Are there any computers that could fit inside a standard North American power outlet box?
I would like to be able to put a computer in the wall. With decent-performing boards as small as the Raspberry Pi, has anyone ever attempted to put one inside of a power box? If so, which ones and how ...
-1
votes
2answers
76 views
Cloned my hard disk, now the system doesn't work [closed]
I tried cloning my hard disk, but now my computer doesn't boot: it just shows a black screen which says BOOTMGR missing. What can I do to fix it?
0
votes
3answers
71 views
Adding a 2x2GB RAM kit to a different 2x2GB kit - will performance be hurt?
I currently have a 2x2GB RAM kit with the following specs (link):
DDR3
1600MHz
7-8-7-20 latency
I want to buy another set, but I couldn't find the exact model anymore.
So, I'm thinking of getting ...
2
votes
2answers
103 views
AMD Socket FM1 A8 3870 3.0Ghz ASUS F1A75-M LE
I am building a new computer for my wife and plan on using an:
AMD socket FM1 A8 3870 3.0Ghz quad core processor
ASUS f1a75-M LE motherboard
Corsair xms3 8gb 1600 memory (2x4)
Western Digital Caviar ...
-2
votes
1answer
45 views
Is the following combination of components valid to function as a desktop computer? [closed]
Could someone with more PC building experience than me tell me whether these PC components can cooperate fully as a self-made PC?
Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K
Video card: Asus Radeon HD 7870
...
0
votes
1answer
184 views
New Western Digital Black HD not being detected by Windows
I added a new HD to my PC, but it isn't being detected by Windows 8.
I've checked the cables and it does appear in the BIOS. It isn't listed in the Disk Management in Windows, though.
I don't think ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Installing Windows 8 pro on a built PC
I'm planning on building my own PC with the help of a friend, and after reading through this article, it seems that I need to purchase a System Builder licence. Does this mean that I should not buy ...
0
votes
1answer
355 views
how to use multiple RAM chips with different timings and voltages
Last thanksgiving, I built a computer using this RAM. I have decided to upgrade to 8GB, so I just bought this.
As you can see, the 2 kits have different timings, voltages, and CLs. Is it possible ...
4
votes
2answers
260 views
How do I know which hardware components are compatible when building a computer?
I am trying to setup my own new computer. I haven't done this before and hence needed guidance from all here.
I can google out the results for steps to follow for setting up my machine, but I do not ...
0
votes
0answers
9 views
How to put a Pandora window image file to another hard drive?
I have a notebook which I want to upgrade the hard drive. The notebook does NOT come with any recovery disk. Would it be possible to put the image file to a new hard drive? Thanks
