Random Question Thread: Tech

**TheDangerousDave** · 2012-06-12 10:15

Basically I work in CAD and for certain applications (SolidWorks mainly for me) require specific CAD graphics cards to use certain functions (Realview for Solidworks for example) even though there are normal graphics cards that are powerful enough to perform these tasks (like my ATI 5770). I know I could softmod this card to make my PC think it's a CAD specific GFX card but I don't want to mess with stuff like that so I'm considering buying a CAD specific graphics card, however they are not as good for gaming as other cards.
I'm curious if anyone knows if it's possible to have both a CAD graphics card and an ATI 5770 for example, and set a graphics card to be used to each program individually so the CAD graphics card would be used for SolidWorks and the ATI would be used for games? I have a friend who knows his stuff and he said he knows no way to do it but I'm hoping someone does.
Also, would it then be possible to buy a weak-ish CAD graphics card (like 512MB) just to enable SolidWorks to use Realview and then support that graphics card with the ATI? Thanks.

**Jojimbo** · 2012-06-12 10:17

What heatsink and is the CPU overclocked? The quality of paste only varies by a few degrees at max so it's either came loose/faulty or wasn't properly mounted in the first place (impossible to tell atm).

You need to clean off the current paste if you want to take it off and put it/something else back on, I use isopropyl alcohol and a microfibre cloth/towel to clean it. As for new paste, I last used Arctic Cooling MX-4 as it was cheap and pretty good.

**Datonare** · 2012-06-12 10:20

Not sure what kind of heatsink... whatever it came with. The CPU is stock at 3.04ghz or whatever, not overclocked. Thanks for the recommendation for the paste. I'll pick some up, make sure the heatsink is mounted properly, and hope that does the trick. I know it varies a lot, but what is standard idling temp for an i7? Around 40?

**hey** · 2012-06-12 12:51

Originally Posted by Datonare

but what is standard idling temp for an i7? Around 40?

20-40c or so, depending on cooler, and ambient temperature.

**Niya** · 2012-06-12 13:12

btw, just to mention it: when you apply the new paste, don't go after the manual and distribute it over the whole CPU, but just put a spot of paste roughly the size of a pea in the center and let the pressure of the heatsink do the rest. That way you need less paste and if heatsink or heatspreader are not 100% plane that also gets "fixed". Just make sure you apply the main pressure to the center and not to one of the edges when you put the heatsink on ^^

**Mazmaz** · 2012-06-12 13:48

Hi, did the new Flash Player update break anyone else's videos? I literally can't watch anything online.

**Ratatapa** · 2012-06-12 14:05

You have adblock on firefox?

**Qeomash** · 2012-06-12 15:45

In what way can't you watch videos online? Awhile back I had an issue where all of my flash videos were appearing green or black. After reinstalling flash several times with more and more thoroughness of the removal, I finally updated my graphics card driver and everything works again.

**Mazmaz** · 2012-06-12 20:23

Yes adblock on Firefox.

Like literally anything that uses Flash Player will not be on the page any longer.

**Ratatapa** · 2012-06-13 04:54

try without ad block?

**Buffy** · 2012-06-13 19:25

Originally Posted by Mazmaz

Yes adblock on Firefox.

Like literally anything that uses Flash Player will not be on the page any longer.

My computer crashed last night, running espn3. I've watched videos on espn and hulu today though. But yes, I had HUGE problems with flash and firefox yesterday.

**Mazmaz** · 2012-06-14 00:27

I just installed 11.2. Guess I'll just wait until next update.

**Datonare** · 2012-06-18 11:44

So last week I asked about my high CPU temps. Well I got my thermal paste in the mail and when I went to take my heatsink off, it was noticeably loose and cool, so that I'm sure was a lot of my problem. I cleaned the old paste and put the new stuff on and then put on the heatsink properly... there's still one peg that doesn't quite sit right in the hole, leading me to believe it's not as tight as it could be. I'm thinking of getting a new heatsink altogether in a couple months perhaps. Going to do some shopping around, if someone has a recommendation for one I'd appreciate it.

I did lower my idle temps to low to mid 40s (from 60s) and i'm in the mid 60s to mid 70s when playing 14 (down from 92-100 lol) so it'll do for now and i am no longer worried about destroying my cpu.

**Purrrfect** · 2012-06-18 12:46

If one of the holes doesn't hold like the rest, perhaps a cooler with a backplate is the solution. I like them better than intel's stupid pushpin design anyways.

**Niya** · 2012-06-18 13:09

40-70° sounds fine to me, but i don't really know much about temp ranges for Intel... Only Intel CPU (other than a Pentium III xD) is in my Laptop, and those get hotter by design. (~60° on idle, up to 95° C with FFXIV)
Had a similar temp drop on my Phenom II x4 a month back, the paste was completely dried in and that resulted in ~75° C on idle... Cleaned up, removed dust and applied new paste, now it's back to ~40-45 ^^

**hey** · 2012-06-18 14:29

40-70c is definitely fine. And with stock cooling, is probably to be expected.

**Mojo** · 2012-06-19 16:45

I need an OEM copy of Windows XP Professional. Has anybody ever tried torrenting one before? I'm not looking for a cracked version. Just an OEM copy I can reinstall with using a legitimate serial number.

**Qeomash** · 2012-06-19 22:21

Considering buying a pen/tablet for some minor graphics stuff and really don't know anything about them. Looking for one in the 100-150 dollar range, and I'm just wondering if anyone has any recommendations. My main question is what exactly the "active area" means.

Was mainly looking at this one over this one.

**Isiolia** · 2012-06-19 22:58

Originally Posted by Qeomash

Considering buying a pen/tablet for some minor graphics stuff and really don't know anything about them. Looking for one in the 100-150 dollar range, and I'm just wondering if anyone has any recommendations. My main question is what exactly the "active area" means.

Active area refers to the actual area on the tablet that you'd draw on.

More or less, find the Wacom product that fits your budget and buy that. They more or less own the tablet market.

Amazon is selling the old model Intuos4 Small for $145 (or factory refurb for $117), which fits your budget, and gets you into the better Intuos line. The digitizer is far better, and the active area is slightly larger to boot. By contrast, the current Intuos5 Small is about $230. They tend to stay "good" for a long time, so picking up last year's model or a used one isn't really an issue.

The Bamboo Create has a larger active area, but is slightly outside your budget ($170ish). Or you can find refurb Intuos4 Mediums for $195. I realize this is a bit above and beyond your budget, but it'll be very worth it if you do wind up using it often.

**Cantih** · 2012-06-20 02:45

So, because it was the only upgrade available to me, I picked up more RAM for my laptop.

Installed it, turned on the laptop, and for several minutes it just cycled trying to boot itself (lights, CD tray spins up a few times times, turns off. Then goes again).
Put the old RAM back in, everything worked as normal.

Sooo, options?

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