Random Question Thread: Tech

**Yugl** · 2012-02-04 03:45

Well GD. I went through hell trying to order the laptop in the first place. Hopefully, I can find a solution that doesn't involve me going lap-topless while this one gets repairs.

**madpersian** · 2012-02-09 12:37

I have a pc that's currently running on a 128 gb SSD. Just got a sata 3, 1 tb drive.

I read that excessive writing such as caching wears down an SSD drive. Is it better to instal my system on the 1 tb drive and just putting my games on the SSD or should I keep my boot drive on the SSD?

I don't care about boot time do that factor doesn't need to be considered.

**hey** · 2012-02-09 12:48

Keep your OS on the ssd.

**Salodin** · 2012-02-09 13:24

On that note, what is the average life of a ssd compared to a normal hd?

**madpersian** · 2012-02-09 13:25

I would like an answer to that too. I'm hoping it's much longer due to lack of moving parts.

**hey** · 2012-02-09 13:33

I read that excessive writing such as caching wears down an SSD drive.

This is basically a nonissue, unless you're retarded or doing things like running a program that does nothing but constantly write random data to the ssd. Even then, it's still not really an issue for a good ssd, which can last upwards of 50 years of nonstop writing as fast as possible.

Otherwise they should last so long that you'll have thrown out your tiny 128 gb ssd because it's no longer worth the space for an ssd with "only" 128 gb, before it dies. No moving parts does indeed make them much, much more durable.

**Niya** · 2012-02-09 16:57

Most SSD manufacturers estimate that their SSDs will last 3-5 years, based on a certain value of Terabytes written during that time. I think there was an example for one that said the SSD can survive 35TBW. that would mean you'd have to write 20GByte of data to the disk PER WEEK to reach that much in 3 years. So, with realistic values, most SSDs should easily survive 5+ years.

btw: c't, a german IT magazine, has been torturing some SSDs for months now with constant writing. they've reached way over 100TBW already and none of the disks has died. some only got horribly slow.

**Salodin** · 2012-02-09 17:10

Hmm...interesting indeed. With my kind of use, I could probably get 7-8 years out of one.

Can't wait till we get under 60cents a gb or something.

**hey** · 2012-02-09 17:19

http://www.storagesearch.com/ssdmyths-endurance.html

That's from 2007 btw.

I think there was an example for one that said the SSD can survive 35TBW

Maybe 10 years ago, but not today. Even a cheap ssd should survive a million writes (so, for a 64 gb ssd, that'd be around 64 pb, though obviously you'd want to replace it long before then).

It's not even possible to kill a modern (ie, anything worth buying right now) ssd in under 10 years by writing to it.

**madpersian** · 2012-02-09 19:08

That's good to know. Thanks all for the info.

**Kerberoz** · 2012-02-09 20:04

How the flying fuck do you get the card out without breaking it? I hope whoever made this piece of shit jumps off a factory roof and misses the net.

**Kerberoz** · 2012-02-09 22:02

nevermind.

Spoiler: show

**Niya** · 2012-02-10 03:35

Originally Posted by hey

[URL]Even a cheap ssd should survive a million writes (so, for a 64 gb ssd, that'd be around 64 pb, though obviously you'd want to replace it long before then).

Most cheap SSDs use MLC flash chips, and each cell can only survive a few 100 writes before it dies. The "better" ones with SLC flash (way more expensive per GB) can survive up to 5000 writes/cell. Based on that the manufacturers calculate the TBW values for each drive.
The wear leveling algorithms today are pretty advanced, but they still can't change the physical limits of the flash chips

(this is all based on reading about SSDs, i don't have any. And i'm talking about "consumer" SSDs, not enterprise ones with hand-selected flash chips that survive way more write cycles. Since they're mass manufactured today the overall quality may be lower, but you might still get a SSD that lasts way longer than the manufacturer says. Those are just values they can guarantee for all of the drives)

**Fryte** · 2012-02-10 20:22

Heard the major cell-phone companies are cracking down on tethering just as I am finally finding a use for it. What is the best way to tether nowadays? I currently have AT&T with 2gb/mo data plan, but I'd be willing to switch elsewhere if that is my only option. Heard that there was a way to buy pay-as-you-go phones and use those for tethering and only have to pay once, but I can't find anything on it.

**Guitarman** · 2012-02-10 21:00

New computer, after about 2 weeks i notice small black squares flashing everywhere when I play games. Started with Serious Sam HD now Warcraft is doing it. They seem to only appear over buildings. I updated my video card drivers and no luck. Any ideas?
Nvidia 3.0GB 580,
Intel i7
windows professional 64bit

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...012_210949.jpg

picture for reference. you can see the boxes in the shoulders of my toon.

**Asai** · 2012-02-11 05:13

Originally Posted by Guitarman

New computer, after about 2 weeks i notice small black squares flashing everywhere when I play games. Started with Serious Sam HD now Warcraft is doing it. They seem to only appear over buildings. I updated my video card drivers and no luck. Any ideas?
Nvidia 3.0GB 580,
Intel i7
windows professional 64bit

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...012_210949.jpg

picture for reference. you can see the boxes in the shoulders of my toon.

Looks like a defective card starting to artifact. Test it in another system and see if it still happens.

**Niya** · 2012-02-11 08:48

use the "scan for artifacts" function of ATItool (yes, works with nvidia too

). you should see a rotating fur cube, and if there's any yellow spots showing up your GPU is the culprit. had it a few years back on one of my cards, and the cube was almost completely yellow... got a replacement card for it.

**Salodin** · 2012-02-11 11:50

I want a 360 wireless gaming receiver for my pc, but don't want to spend more then 15-20 bucks on it. I know some one on the forums awhile ago said they got their for a dollar, was wondering if any one knew of where, or for a better alternative to using my 360 controller.

I have a ps3 controller too, but it doesn't work half the time on the pc. I'm using the motionjoy drivers, if any one has a better driver they'd recommend.

**hey** · 2012-02-11 12:49

Nope, 360 doesn't use bluetooth, so it'll cost a lot for the reciever.

Motionjoy is retarded, but unfortunately there's nothing better. When you first start it, you need to to go ps3 controller options, then click save changes, or it won't work properly. After that, if it doesn't work, either do the same thing every time you reconnect it (if using wired), or disconnect and reconnect it if using bluetooth.

**Yugl** · 2012-02-11 13:35

I had the same experience as Hey when I tried using my PS3 controller. It worked fine upon first use, but I couldn't get the controller to work well after that. It's a complete and utter mess.

Thread: Random Question Thread: Tech

Thread Tools

Latest Threads

Up & Coming Threads

Hottest Threads