Random Question Thread: Tech

**Jojimbo** · 2013-02-01 15:04

You can build a pretty over the top HTPC for $500 alone, what other parts do you have in it?

**Artemicon** · 2013-02-01 15:15

I have a BLU ray payer a wifi card and the hard drive(s) available right now I just need the Core. I wouldn't mind something I could overclock and play some decent 30fps 1080p games like skyrim, so yeah preferably on chip graphics like the APU style CPUs.

**Isiolia** · 2013-02-01 16:22

The higher end AMD APUs could probably come close to 1080p/30 at lowered settings in Skyrim, but really not appreciably better than a $50-60 discrete GPU would do ( example ).

You'd probably want to take a look at the A10 5700 though, if you're set on the AMD Trinity lineup. It pulls significantly less power than the top end 5800k model, making it a lot friendlier for an (ideally) dead silent HTPC setup. I'm still running a 4850e chip with a passively cooled GT 430 in mine.

That said, if gaming on it is really a priority, I would probably look more to Intel chips and a discrete GPU.

CPU-wise, most anything current is sufficient, though if you are wanting to play 10-bit encodes (usually anime) those have been a bit CPU intensive (unless something is finally using GPU decoding on those?).

**Jojimbo** · 2013-02-01 16:29

Something ultra cheap:

Spoiler: show

Should be able to play skyrim at 1920x1080 on low settings and get 30 FPS (medium is about 22 FPS)

Spoiler: show

Significantly faster (30+ FPS at High~Ultra preset) and much more expensive but still relatively low power usage. Could save $100~ or so by going with cheaper case and mATX MB.

Spoiler: show

Slightly faster and more power hungry than above.

Spoiler: show

With the cheaper MB/Case.

There are alternatives for cases, although practically every other iTX will be limited to garbage quality ~250W PSUs (might work for the APU or 7750 setups, but even then).

**Artemicon** · 2013-02-01 17:39

Its not really a huge deal if I can't play Skyrim on the best settings I was just using that game as a benchmark for things to come. I just want an all around decent HTPC which its primary purpose is moves, music, hulu, netflix, anime and the occasional game. Thanks a lot for the inf guys.

**hey** · 2013-02-01 18:17

Originally Posted by Isiolia

CPU-wise, most anything current is sufficient, though if you are wanting to play 10-bit encodes (usually anime) those have been a bit CPU intensive (unless something is finally using GPU decoding on those?).

Not that intensive. My laptop with a 3 core phenom 2 at 2.2 ghz struggles a tiny, tiny bit on high quality 1080p blu ray rips, with 5.1 flac audio, but otherwise runs everything i've ever tried perfectly. Something even a little better than that would be plenty for 10 bit video.

**Tahona** · 2013-02-03 16:35

Was a dumbass and spilled tea on my keyboard. Luckily after cleaning it off and turning it upside down/next to a fan overnight it decided to continue living. All the keys work, but there is one, highly annoying (to me), problem. It's a blackwidow mechanical keyboard and the space bar no longer makes the "click" noise and may be a little slower to pop back up then normal. Is there any way to get in there after popping off the keys or opening up the whole keyboard and fix it?

**Erlayn** · 2013-02-04 18:32

Question. I'm using a 32" Sony TV as my monitor and somehow my menu sizing is really small when using windower. I've played with the menu resolution sizes and can't seem to get it back to where it was. Can someone help me with this issue. In Windower Launcher.ini file my size is 1024x620 and my FFXI-config is set to this: Overlay: 640x480(defaults to this size) Menu Resolution: 1360x768, Background Resolution: 1024x768. Granted I don't wanna play in full screen since I dualbox. But I do want a smaller screen for each of the windows but have the menus fit instead of being to small or to big. Any help would be great.

**Vendog** · 2013-02-05 11:51

how do i install a PS3 controller on my laptop, the plug and play drivers windows installs doesnt seem to be working.

**hey** · 2013-02-05 12:10

Originally Posted by Vendog

how do i install a PS3 controller on my laptop, the plug and play drivers windows installs doesnt seem to be working.

MotioninJoy is probably your best bet.

**Vendog** · 2013-02-05 13:15

I'm trying to use that, but I think I'm doing something wrong. Because whenever I'm in game the button I press doesn't match up with the action I'm doing. (trying to use it on TERA the user interface actually shows a controller and the buttons light up when pressed.)

**Caiyuo** · 2013-02-05 13:34

Here's a video guide if it helps, might've done something differently:

**Arximiro** · 2013-02-05 16:16

What's a good free program I can get that will show me all the devices connected to my network and do other network related things? I used to use Linksys Network Magic but I can't seem to find a free version of that anymore.

ty

**Buffy** · 2013-02-05 18:08

Originally Posted by Arximiro

What's a good free program I can get that will show me all the devices connected to my network and do other network related things? I used to use Linksys Network Magic but I can't seem to find a free version of that anymore.

ty

http://www.spiceworks.com/free-netwo...ping-software/

**Vendog** · 2013-02-05 22:06

That worked but every once in a while the analogs sticks stop working and movement goes to the D-pad whats up with that?

**Aylee** · 2013-02-07 16:15

Trying to wipe my iphone completely and use a new apple ID and re-jail break with the new update. How exactly do I do this and how long does it take? Went under settings and hit erase all contacts and settings or what ever the second option is and the screen just goes black with the little circle thing spinning in the middle (been going for about 20 minutes now) Everything i've read said it should only take 5-10 seconds.

**Dotsudoku** · 2013-02-08 13:45

Built a new desktop a few weeks ago while I was living at place A, recently moved to place B. It was short lived, but while I was at place A my FPS for full-graphics, full-shadows etc. XI was always hovering above 29 no matter the situation. Now that I'm at place B, my FPS is pretty horrific with these things all turned down and no PC/NPC model is displaying. ISP for both locations is Uverse, and my service now is actually better than when I was at place A.

Thoughts?

Ignoring the FPS issue for a moment, the lack of model display leads me to believe that something's going on with my graphics card? Can't say anything with any degree of confidence, though. I know dickall about this, and had my hand held through the building process.

tl;dr had perfect specs. and perfect results while I was in one place, now I'm in another place and everything's gone to shit. halp >:

**Obiron** · 2013-02-08 17:21

Originally Posted by Dotsudoku

Built a new desktop a few weeks ago while I was living at place A, recently moved to place B. It was short lived, but while I was at place A my FPS for full-graphics, full-shadows etc. XI was always hovering above 29 no matter the situation. Now that I'm at place B, my FPS is pretty horrific with these things all turned down and no PC/NPC model is displaying. ISP for both locations is Uverse, and my service now is actually better than when I was at place A.

Thoughts?

Ignoring the FPS issue for a moment, the lack of model display leads me to believe that something's going on with my graphics card? Can't say anything with any degree of confidence, though. I know dickall about this, and had my hand held through the building process.

tl;dr had perfect specs. and perfect results while I was in one place, now I'm in another place and everything's gone to shit. halp >:

The first thing I would try is to re-seat the video card. It could have come a little loose while moving. Shut the PC down and unplug it. Open the case and remove the video card from the motherboard and put it back in. See if that resolves your issues.

**Chocoboy** · 2013-02-08 20:57

Hey guys, has anyone successfully rooted their Kindle Fire HD? I got one as a christmas present and decided to keep it. I've been trying to root mine for about a week, but all of the youtube videos, links on google seem to be dated, or just not work for me at all. Any help would be appreciated. I like the device a lot, but not having android market and google on it fucking blows.

**Dotsudoku** · 2013-02-08 22:36

Originally Posted by Obiron

The first thing I would try is to re-seat the video card. It could have come a little loose while moving. Shut the PC down and unplug it. Open the case and remove the video card from the motherboard and put it back in. See if that resolves your issues.

Removed it, replaced it. Nothing.

Went into device manager, says both GPU and intel graphics card are working properly.

what do ._.

Edit: ..nevermind, I think this is telling a different story

GPU with FFXI loaded
http://gpuz.techpowerup.com/13/02/08/50a.png

Intel graphics card at the same time
http://gpuz.techpowerup.com/13/02/08/b3b.png

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