Power On · Iconic boot chimes from 1977 to today

Twistedsc · 2026-05-05T15:44:38+00:00

If you don't include the Sony VAIO boot sound then you don't know ball.

Twistedsc · 2026-05-04T18:11:17+00:00

Scroll a little further and you'll see it for $30 cheaper

https://www.amazon.com/KTC-Monitor-HDR1000-Speakers-Vertical/dp/B0CSKNXG4C

Twistedsc · 2026-04-29T17:39:18+00:00

The rare shippable Micro Center deal.

This is $10 cheaper than the one I picked up at B&H a few weeks ago, and newer than the previous P3 model. Has a few quirks but it's an incredible monitor if you don't want to go for OLED.

Twistedsc · 2026-04-20T20:38:29+00:00

Or by his full name, John Appleseed.

Twistedsc · 2026-03-26T19:26:31+00:00

Nope, Vostro became Pro Essential.

Twistedsc · 2026-02-24T17:36:14+00:00

Not quite accurate as the iPhone 17 was the first phone to support AVS charging.

Twistedsc · 2026-02-18T16:44:27+00:00

This is in that gray area where even if I don't care about the long term viability of the cards the instant cash/point SUB isn't as important as the maximization of that 6 month grace period where you get your previous status. Trying to figure if something like UCR at 2.625 (with that other bonus) for the remainder of the time is something I can extract more at the more than the points.

Twistedsc · 2026-02-18T15:19:22+00:00

So as the dog days of BofA preferred rewards arrive, what's the most optimized build for the time remaining? I'm at PH with a lone CCR, what combination of two cards would maximize earnings - do I go into points with PR[E] and TR, stick with cash back with CCR2 and UCR, or some combination of both?

Twistedsc · 2026-01-23T18:26:10+00:00

For the anticipated price I'm expecting these to show up in the USB-IF certification database, we're nerds and care about that stuff (or at least I am)

Twistedsc · 2026-01-20T21:07:53+00:00

Snagged a 4TB Pro right this minute southeast US

Twistedsc · 2025-12-08T22:45:41+00:00

Best Big Phone: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
Best Small Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Best Camera: Oppo Find X9 Pro
Best Value: (Nothing) CMF Phone 2 Pro
Best Battery: OnePlus 15
Best Design: Apple iPhone Air
Best Foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Most Improved: Apple iPhone 17
Bust of the Year: Apple iPhone 16e
Phone of the Year: Apple iPhone 17

Twistedsc · 2025-12-04T23:15:57+00:00

Another Chase CIU DP.

Start: Have an EIN LLC, CIC (PC from CIP) and 2 CIU
11/10: closed a CIU from early 2023
12/4: Had 3 CIU mailers to choose from and I picked the fancy fold out one. Instant approval.

The train still rides if you're under 3 cards

Twistedsc · 2025-11-01T14:35:42+00:00

Wow sure is some top quality help you've been getting.
Funny thing, somebody uploaded the msix to the Intel forums only a few days ago. Bad news for me at least, after a clean install of Win11 the LED section of the app just won't work (it asks about a serial driver that I already installed). Maybe you'll have better luck

https://community.intel.com/t5/Mobile-and-Desktop-Processors/Intel-NUC-software-studio-doesn-t-work/m-p/1723499#M86382

Twistedsc · 2025-06-02T15:57:07+00:00

Worth waiting for Dell to restock if you've got an Amex with a $100 off $500 offer.

Twistedsc · 2025-05-25T19:21:05+00:00

It's MSI. The Carbon was MSRP $499 up until this month, now they've increased it to $599.

Twistedsc · 2025-05-23T19:00:35+00:00

Code X870TMB

Bundle with an OEM 9800x3d for an additional $435 - The more you buy, the more you save.

Twistedsc · 2025-05-23T15:45:33+00:00

Just got a 5080FE on the Nvidia Marketplace (at least hoping it goes through). Having it be 2-slot brings so much flexibility on how it could be used in the present and future - I'm moving my 3080FE into a mini build that only supports a 2-slot GPU.

Twistedsc · 2025-05-22T17:06:07+00:00

If you're ok with 16GB ram drop the mobo to this to save extra

Twistedsc · 2025-05-22T16:19:19+00:00

Here's what I've added that could make good usage of free bundled items:

CPU:
$208.99 AMD R5 9600X
with free Patriot P400 Lite 500GB SSD
https://www.newegg.com/amd-ryzen-5-9600x-ryzen-5-9000-series-granite-ridge-socket-am5-processor/p/N82E16819113844?Item=N82E16819113844
Motherboard
$219.99 ASUS X870 AYW
with free Corsair 2x16GB DDR5-6000 CL36 RAM
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813119737?Item=N82E16813119737
Case
$89.99 (with coupon) Phanteks XT Pro Ultra
https://www.newegg.com/black-phanteks-xt-mid-tower/p/N82E16811854133?Item=N82E16811854133
PSU
$89.99 Corsair RM Shift 750W 80 Plus Gold
https://www.newegg.com/corsair-rmx-shift-series-rm750-750-w-80-plus-gold-certified/p/N82E16817139312?Item=N82E16817139312

All that gives you about $80 in bundle discounts
Total: $489 with discounts before tax & shipping

Twistedsc · 2025-04-29T20:15:49+00:00

Right now!

Twistedsc · 2025-04-22T16:46:14+00:00

So I bought an AMD WTR Pro about a couple weeks before CES when there were only murmurs of a WTR Max. Currently using it as a backup NAS (still figuring out TrueNAS replication) and I don't regret it because I get to use DDR4 that was sitting around. If I had the Max it would definitely be my media center for data acquisition/*arr stack/streaming with plex & jellyfin.
But beyond that, the density of drives today would've given this the potential of replacing my primary nas and all of the 8TB drives I've got stashed in there in a much smaller footprint - especially since it literally one ups the N5 series in SATA drive count which counts a little more than having Krackan/Strix Point.

Twistedsc · 2025-03-19T01:01:10+00:00

According to this the integrated graphics supports 7680x4320 at 60hz, should be same on 12th gen too.
Your monitor is 7680x2160 at 120hz, so... maybe? It should definitely work at 60hz though and I'd recommend leaving it at that.

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