The "Quick Questions That Don't Deserve A Thread"...Thread. v5 - Hardware & Software

[QUOTE=Amaurus;48084256]To put it simply, [url=http://www.speedtest.net/result/4469304314.png]my internet sucks. (Speedtest result)[/url] Of course there isn't really much of a way to fix it (if at all). My current housing situation forces me to use wireless (The router is too far away to use an Ethernet cable.) which has its own set of issues which I've spent time meticulously resolving. Using a cable does not fix my problem. Most recently, my internet has had a [i]very[/i] consistent lag spike that started around two or three months ago. It causes massive out-bound delays (all inbound packets are perfectly fine). I did a bit of testing and found that it was every seven minutes. The spike also affects other computers in the house, causing them to have similar lag as myself. If you're in disbelief that it is that consistent, here's a bit of proof. [img]http://i.imgur.com/QLd70JB.png[/img] It took a long time to figure it out and through some fluke and oversight, I finally managed to pin the issue on Google Chrome through the use of windows' built in resource monitor. Specifically, the issue seems to be chrome sending a good amount of packets (for my terrible internet) to . . . [img]http://i.imgur.com/G1Ltj5C.png[/img] After a bit of research, 1e100.net seems to be a domain owned by google. Disabling all my extensions yields no results and completely turning off chrome (and disabling it from running in the background when it's not open) [i]immediately[/i] fixes the issue. I haven't gotten around to testing if other internet browsers cause the same issue. I have disabled a number of options in google chrome that might have had any sort of relevance to my issue, none of which have aided my current situation. For now, my temporary solution is to simply not use chrome while playing a game. I would prefer to be able to use it as a matter of convenience and I would prefer to continue using it as it has a few extensions, bookmarks, and cookies that would be rather annoying to get back.[/QUOTE] Tried reinstalling it yet? Seems to be a freak problem as someone posted about it back in 2010 with no solution. [url]https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/X1Bi6vlrR2M[/url]

[QUOTE=MC3craze;48083226]I have a vapor-x 290 and noticed this gpu usage graph in a sawtooth pattern when I was playing BF4. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/AeckHwl.png[/IMG] This graph makes me think bottlenecking, but I have a 4690k overclocked to 4.7 ghz so I doubt it. Anyone know what's going on? Also its really noisy when I thought the vapor cooler was supposed to be quiet.[/QUOTE] It's POSSIBLE that it could be a PSU problem, but it could also be that your card is dying. You could try reinstalling drivers though.

[QUOTE=waxrock;48085054]Tried reinstalling it yet? Seems to be a freak problem as someone posted about it back in 2010 with no solution. [url]https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/X1Bi6vlrR2M[/url][/QUOTE] No dice, unfortunately. Still the same issue.

So all of a sudden BIOS stopped detecting my two secondary drives. I've checked that everything is plugged correctly and can't figure out what's wrong. Both drives are still warm to the touch after shutting down the computer. Any ideas of what could be wrong?

[QUOTE=Amaurus;48084256]To put it simply, [url=http://www.speedtest.net/result/4469304314.png]my internet sucks. (Speedtest result)[/url] Of course there isn't really much of a way to fix it (if at all). My current housing situation forces me to use wireless (The router is too far away to use an Ethernet cable.) which has its own set of issues which I've spent time meticulously resolving. Using a cable does not fix my problem. Most recently, my internet has had a [i]very[/i] consistent lag spike that started around two or three months ago. It causes massive out-bound delays (all inbound packets are perfectly fine). I did a bit of testing and found that it was every seven minutes. The spike also affects other computers in the house, causing them to have similar lag as myself. If you're in disbelief that it is that consistent, here's a bit of proof. [img]http://i.imgur.com/QLd70JB.png[/img] It took a long time to figure it out and through some fluke and oversight, I finally managed to pin the issue on Google Chrome through the use of windows' built in resource monitor. Specifically, the issue seems to be chrome sending a good amount of packets (for my terrible internet) to . . . [img]http://i.imgur.com/G1Ltj5C.png[/img] After a bit of research, 1e100.net seems to be a domain owned by google. Disabling all my extensions yields no results and completely turning off chrome (and disabling it from running in the background when it's not open) [i]immediately[/i] fixes the issue. I haven't gotten around to testing if other internet browsers cause the same issue. I have disabled a number of options in google chrome that might have had any sort of relevance to my issue, none of which have aided my current situation. For now, my temporary solution is to simply not use chrome while playing a game. I would prefer to be able to use it as a matter of convenience and I would prefer to continue using it as it has a few extensions, bookmarks, and cookies that would be rather annoying to get back.[/QUOTE] compare process in resource monitor to the process monitor in chrome, see what's doing it

[QUOTE=LordCrypto;48088070]compare process in resource monitor to the process monitor in chrome, see what's doing it[/QUOTE] The built in process monitor for chrome doesn't seem to show anything using a high amount of bandwidth during one of the spikes. After trying firefox for a little while, I didn't have my ping-spiking issue that I am having with chrome, so it seems to be an issue isolated with Chrome.

Hi so I dunno if this is the right thread but can someone recommend a dirt cheap 500W PSU that wont fry my system, if such a thing exists, I cant afford to buy a new full price once really as I have a lot of other things to pay for at the moment tyty

What is "cheap" to you?

I dug this hard drive out of an ancient laptop. I want to plug it in to wipe it so it can safely be disposed of, but the connectors are strage. It looks like an IDE connector but the pins are spaced a little too close together and the last 2 pairs are set apart from the rest. Am I just gonna have to physically destroy it? [IMG]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13781308/IMG_20150630_173122_669.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=~Kiwi~v2;48089777]That's a MINI-IDE [editline]1st July 2015[/editline] You'll want something like this. [img]http://ibt.ca/v2/items/lgh/images/lgh-ide-k_600.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] And if you flip that around, then you're gonna toast the HDD (and probably also your IDE port)

Thanks guys. I don't have any mini IDE's around or any adapters so I guess it'll be cheaper to just physically destroy it.

[QUOTE=BeAR!);48089352]Hi so I dunno if this is the right thread but can someone recommend a dirt cheap 500W PSU that wont fry my system, if such a thing exists, I cant afford to buy a new full price once really as I have a lot of other things to pay for at the moment tyty[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027[/url] $50. $30 after $20 MIR.

[QUOTE=~Kiwi~v2;48089885]corsair are rebranded cwts and they're also IEDs also hes from the uk not america[/QUOTE] I don't know what you're talking about. CWT/Corsair is pretty good as far as PSUs go unless you have some counter examples. And great, he can go find the equivalent at some other UK store.

[QUOTE=Pelf;48089771]I dug this hard drive out of an ancient laptop. I want to plug it in to wipe it so it can safely be disposed of, but the connectors are strage. It looks like an IDE connector but the pins are spaced a little too close together and the last 2 pairs are set apart from the rest. Am I just gonna have to physically destroy it? [IMG]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13781308/IMG_20150630_173122_669.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] Just take a hammer to it. One good whack will do the job. [editline]30th June 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=waxrock;48089955]I don't know what you're talking about. CWT/Corsair is pretty good as far as PSUs go unless you have some counter examples. And great, he can go find the equivalent at some other UK store.[/QUOTE] Subpar chinese caps, only main cap is panasonic but it's an inferior model to what you'd find on any other good power supply, voltage regulation subpar, build quality subpar. Plus Corsair pulled the whole bait and switch with that line. Initial model for reviews was a seasonic rebrand, then without telling anyone they switched it to the shitty CWT one.

Can either of you guys post sources as I'd like to read up on them.

[QUOTE=Amaurus;48089273]The built in process monitor for chrome doesn't seem to show anything using a high amount of bandwidth during one of the spikes. After trying firefox for a little while, I didn't have my ping-spiking issue that I am having with chrome, so it seems to be an issue isolated with Chrome.[/QUOTE] as in, find the process that spikes, note its PID look for that PID in the chrome process monitor, see what the heck it is

Hello all, I have 250€ to spend and I live in Portugal. My build: i5 4570 8gb ram 550W XFX XTR GTX 260 I want to upgrade my graphics card. I have the following options: 200€ GTX960 2gb and R9 380 2gb 250€ GTX960 4gb, R9380 4gb and R9 280x 3gb Is the 2gb vs 4gb redundant (same performance)? (saving 50€?) Or should I go the 280x route, even if it's "old" technology (the r9 380 is a 285 rebrand anyways) Thanks!

[QUOTE=Levelog;48090193] Subpar chinese caps, only main cap is panasonic but it's an inferior model to what you'd find on any other good power supply, voltage regulation subpar, build quality subpar. Plus Corsair pulled the whole bait and switch with that line. Initial model for reviews was a seasonic rebrand, then without telling anyone they switched it to the shitty CWT one.[/QUOTE] I wouldn't worry too much, compared to some I've seen it's pretty reasonable, although I would not run them near their rating or in a hot environment without replacing the caps. [QUOTE=Jay1ty0;48090309]Hello all, I have 250€ to spend and I live in Portugal. My build: i5 4570 8gb ram 550W XFX XTR GTX 260 I want to upgrade my graphics card. I have the following options: 200€ GTX960 2gb and R9 380 2gb 250€ GTX960 4gb, R9380 4gb and R9 280x 3gb Is the 2gb vs 4gb redundant (same performance)? (saving 50€?) Or should I go the 280x route, even if it's "old" technology (the r9 380 is a 285 rebrand anyways) Thanks![/QUOTE] I would personally save a little more and get a GTX970, although last time I checked there was a GTX 960 Ti coming out which may be worth waiting for. As for 2GB vs 4GB it really depends on the game, some of the more heavy games like GTA V would benefit from the increased memory whereas others it will make no difference, I would still go with 4GB to be future proofed.

[URL="http://www.overclock.net/t/1431436/why-you-should-not-buy-a-corsair-cx"]Here's a good explanation.[/URL] As is said in there, it's not a [I]bad[/I], just not trustworthy for a gaming system. So I guess it does meet his guidelines, but I really wouldn't recommend it. [URL="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004RJ8EKI/?tag=pcp0f-21"]Here's[/URL] one for about £5 more that's a far more reliable model. [editline]30th June 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Chryseus;48090318]I wouldn't worry too much, compared to some I've seen it's pretty reasonable, although I would not run them near their rating or in a hot environment without replacing the caps.[/QUOTE] Yeah, they're just a subpar PSU. I wouldn't put it in a performance system. An office system? Without a doubt, but you can get 300w Seasonic units for cheaper that will do the same job.

[QUOTE=~Kiwi~v2;48090297][URL]http://www.overclock.net/t/1431436/why-you-should-not-buy-a-corsair-cx[/URL][/QUOTE] [quote]Does this mean that the CX is crap / trash / junk / garbage or any other such things NO! they are NOT! that bad they are just mediocre[/quote] [quote]They're also IED's[/quote] A bit hyperbolic, don't ya think? What PSU, then, would you recommend for <$50? EDIT: Nevermind, Levelog posted it. Last thing, so other than the Builders series, how is the rest of the Corsair line? I honestly haven't been keeping up with "what is reputable and what isn't" as far as PSUs go, and initially thought Corsair was good.

Corsair's gotten lazy. Their first revision TX and HX ones were pretty great, but it's been downhill since then. The RM is midrange, but priced high end. The AX and AXi are fantastic units, but are priced higher than the Antec HCP, which is pretty much the best PSU currently in production. [editline]30th June 2015[/editline] Current revisions of TX and HX fall under the category of not good for the price as well.

[QUOTE=waxrock;48090338]A bit hyperbolic, don't ya think? What PSU, then, would you recommend for <$50? EDIT: Nevermind, Levelog posted it. Last thing, so other than the Builders series, how is the rest of the Corsair line? I honestly haven't been keeping up with "what is reputable and what isn't" as far as PSUs go, and initially thought Corsair was good.[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.jonnyguru.com/index.php"]Jonnnyguru[/URL] has in depth reviews of lots of PSUs. They even identify most important components inside so you'll know exactly what you're getting.

Yeah, jonnyguru is one of my go-to sites for info on PSU's.

[QUOTE=Chryseus;48090318] I would personally save a little more and get a GTX970, although last time I checked there was a GTX 960 Ti coming out which may be worth waiting for. As for 2GB vs 4GB it really depends on the game, some of the more heavy games like GTA V would benefit from the increased memory whereas others it will make no difference, I would still go with 4GB to be future proofed.[/QUOTE] Cheapest GTX970 I can get is 360€, 100€ more :/ They retail for 400€ here in most stores... And it's the 950Ti that it's rumored to come out soon, still it's slower than the 960, so I have no interest in that. Still, thank you for your response!

[QUOTE=Jay1ty0;48090430]Cheapest GTX970 I can get is 360€, 100€ more :/ They retail for 400€ here in most stores... And it's the 950Ti that it's rumored to come out soon, still it's slower than the 960, so I have no interest in that. Still, thank you for your response![/QUOTE] In that case I'd go with the GTX 960 4GB, it should last you a good long time if you're gaming at 1080p.

[QUOTE=LordCrypto;48090291]as in, find the process that spikes, note its PID look for that PID in the chrome process monitor, see what the heck it is[/QUOTE] Nothing was spiking. The amounts were 0 or only changed for a fraction of a second to something that wouldn't even affect it. I can take a screenshot as proof if need-be.

Help, everything sounds like there's karaoke mode enabled right now I'm here because it isn't [editline]1st July 2015[/editline] ok so i fixed it by turning down the right speaker to 0 from "balance" [editline]1st July 2015[/editline] everything sounds mono now though that means it's not fixed.

[QUOTE=Amaurus;48090666]Nothing was spiking. The amounts were 0 or only changed for a fraction of a second to something that wouldn't even affect it. I can take a screenshot as proof if need-be.[/QUOTE] you're still not getting it you posted a screenshot from resource monitor where chrome had hella network utilization, it's PID 4988 open chrome's process manager, look for PID 4988

it seems like i gotta fiddle with the computer's insides [editline]1st July 2015[/editline] again [editline]1st July 2015[/editline] Okay so I fixed it. A wire was loose or something.

[QUOTE=~Kiwi~v2;48091298]Hyperbolic maybe. But I do have a CX500M and so far it has 0 issues but then I don't have a powerful GPU or anything else that might even put it over 50% of it's claimed wattage but that doesn't mean it will or will not fail when you shove a real mans GPU. Better to be safe then sorry. Don't buy Corsair PSUs until they get better components.[/QUOTE] I have a CX430 in my server 24/7. Knock on wood. Then again, that PSU is from at least 2 years ago at this point and I'm probably only use 150 W tops, who knows what changes they've made since then.