The "Quick Questions that does not Deserve a Thread"...Thread. V3 - Hardware & Software

[QUOTE=:smugspike:;35825254]Yes, PCI 2.0 cards don't even use every lane in a 2.0 x16 slot so it is likely that a 2.0 slot will have enough bandwidth for a 3.0 card.[/QUOTE] Assuming that I want to put a HD7970 in my ASUS P6T SE motherboard (It has PCIe 2.0 16x slots), would there be enough bandwidth?

Is there a difference between PS/2 and USB? I have two identical keyboards with PS/2 and USB so I'd like to free up a USB port if possible.

PS/2 is slower I believe but for a keyboard it shouldn't matter.

PS/2 is Slower. Free up some space on your rear slots or buy an additional USB card.

[QUOTE=FlamingSpaz;35825815]Is there a difference between PS/2 and USB? I have two identical keyboards with PS/2 and USB so I'd like to free up a USB port if possible.[/QUOTE] I have Das Keyboard, which has full n-key rollover. However, they state that it's only truly 'n' if I use the USB to PS/2 adapter.

[QUOTE=:smugspike:;35825254]Yes, PCI 2.0 cards don't even use every lane in a 2.0 x16 slot so it is likely that a 2.0 slot will have enough bandwidth for a 3.0 card.[/QUOTE] It will use every lane, but it won't use them very long.

PS/2 is better for keyboards.

[QUOTE=Shadaez;35822999]I still don't understand fermis reputation of running hot, mine doesn't get hot at all.[/QUOTE] first run of test batches had 98.3% of tested cards overheat and die. Some people continue the joke

[QUOTE=Hell Strike;35824206]I just got my first paid internship a few days ago so I still don't have any money yet, but let's say $2-300. Would one of those GTX 5 or 6 series be good? My neighbor has a GTX 470 I think and he runs things pretty good, but I'd rather get a newer one and not have to upgrade for a while. Also do I need a motherboard with PCI-e 3.0? I see some video cards on newegg use that.[/QUOTE] For this amount you can either get a GTX570 or, if you up the budget a notch, a HD7870. Take a look at [URL="http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148-6.html"]this[/URL] for some benchmarks. The HD7870 sits just in between the GTX570 and the GTX580. In some cases the HD7870 even surpasses the GTX580. Then it's up to you to decide which card to take. PCI-e 3.0 is basicly PCI-e 2.0 but with double the bandwidth. Although you should take into consideration that your graphics card or AFAIK any graphics card on the market right now can't be bottlenecked by the bandwidth of PCI-2.0. IMO the PCI-e 3.0 is currently more of a gimmick then a necessary upgrade.

I've been looking at buying the XFX 7970 DD, but it's a bit too expensive for my budget. Anyone have any substitution ideas? Build so far (minus the card) : [url]http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=23809447[/url]

[QUOTE=Grand_Raven;35827681]I've been looking at buying the XFX 7970 DD, but it's a bit too expensive for my budget. Anyone have any substitution ideas? Build so far (minus the card) : [url]http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=23809447[/url][/QUOTE] I'd wait for a 670 personally.

[QUOTE=martijnp3000;35827036]For this amount you can either get a GTX570 or, if you up the budget a notch, a HD7870. Take a look at [URL="http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148-6.html"]this[/URL] for some benchmarks. The HD7870 sits just in between the GTX570 and the GTX580. In some cases the HD7870 even surpasses the GTX580. Then it's up to you to decide which card to take. PCI-e 3.0 is basicly PCI-e 2.0 but with double the bandwidth. Although you should take into consideration that your graphics card or AFAIK any graphics card on the market right now can't be bottlenecked by the bandwidth of PCI-2.0. IMO the PCI-e 3.0 is currently more of a gimmick then a necessary upgrade.[/QUOTE] Sounds good! thanks for the help.

[QUOTE=.FLAP.JACK.DAN.;35806277]Does it have any cable management? If not try managing the cables; that would give you good airflow.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I have, still gets way too hot.

So, is there a difference in quality between a Toslink cable and a similar non-toslink digital optical cable? In other words, blinky [i]toslink[/i] vs standard blinky cable

[QUOTE=NorseTech;35830649]So, is there a difference in quality between a Toslink cable and a similar non-toslink digital optical cable? In other words, blinky [i]toslink[/i] vs standard blinky cable[/QUOTE] it's all the same shit

[QUOTE=NorseTech;35830649]So, is there a difference in quality between a Toslink cable and a similar non-toslink digital optical cable? In other words, blinky [i]toslink[/i] vs standard blinky cable[/QUOTE] it just has to make sure the light is bright enough, otherwise the quality of cable as no effect on quality.

Is the 6870 a decent card?

[QUOTE=WubWubWompWomp;35831913]Is the 6870 a decent card?[/QUOTE] yes

Sweet, might get that.

I have Windows 7 installed on this pre-built HP PC that I got a couple years ago, is it possible to deactivate windows on this PC and use it on a future custom built PC?

[QUOTE=Astronaut491;35835194]I have Windows 7 installed on this pre-built HP PC that I got a couple years ago, is it possible to deactivate windows on this PC and use it on a future custom built PC?[/QUOTE] Yeah, usually. Though, technically it's an illegal copy but it'll work and windows should authenticate.

Hey, I have multiple Gmail accounts. I'm looking to have all the mail forwarded from the one account to the primary account, and then have it placed in its own label in the primary account. I figured out how to get the mail forwarding working, but I don't know how to set up the mail filter.

Hey all. How does this look? [b]I'm going to upgrade from this:[/b] Intel E7500 Wolfdale 2.93 GHz Dual core LGA 775 (cpu) GIGABYTE EP43T-UD3L LGA 775 (mobo) [b]To this:[/b] Intel Core i5-3550 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz (cpu) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505[/url] GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 (mobo) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545[/url] [b]1.[/b] Can I expect a "plug and play" situation when upgrading these 2 things? Out with the old, and in with the new, and be one my way? Is there anything special that has to be done besides installing it to make it work? Some said a new Windows install, yet one of the reviews of the board said he didn't have to reinstall. Just looking for some clarification here. ( I'd like to try and keep my current Windows install, but if I can't oh well.) [b]2.[/b] Is USB 3.0 backwards compatible? For example: Could I just plug my generic mouse into a 3.0 plug, and have it work? [b]3.[/b] Is PCI 3.0 backwards compatible? For example: Would my GTX 460 work on this board. [b]4.[/b] If you know of any mobos that are just as solid and cheaper, send it my way. [b]5.[/b] Is this thermal paste..ok? [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007[/url] This my first time just upgrading a cpu and mobo, so I want to be REALLY sure nothing stupid is going to happen. Note: I don't have ANY devices that use SATA 3.0, USB 3.0, or PCI 3.0-(although i want it cause my card is getting old)

Mobo will probably need to re-authenticate windows. Motherboard will also have drivers to make the USB3 work. Everything is backwards compatible. Paste is good. First two links don't work.

[QUOTE=SataniX;35838283]Mobo will probably need to re-authenticate windows. Motherboard will also have drivers to make the USB3 work. Everything is backwards compatible. Paste is good. First two links don't work.[/QUOTE] Fixed links. Sorry, but what do you mean by re-authenticate windows? Like verifying the product code or something?

[QUOTE=Mighty Cow;35838359]Fixed links. Sorry, but what do you mean by re-authenticate windows? Like verifying the product code or something?[/QUOTE] Yes, you'll need the activation code.

[QUOTE=SataniX;35838399]Yes, you'll need the activation code.[/QUOTE] Oh boy.. that might be a problem. Just to be safe, will a fresh install fix things if I can't find it?

You'll still need the activation code to install Windows.

Why not get the 3550K?

Get the K version. You might need to reinstall windows. Go test your luck and see if it boots with the new Mobo or not. Or some guy messed with it for ~4 hours to get all working. CPU changing doesn't do much, mobo change does.