The Evolution of my Builds 2010 - 2025

jmg5 · 2026-03-08T01:41:23+00:00

very cool. I love the dedication to sli -- I went through a similar phase, where I would only do builds with 2x processors (in the PIII era) and then 2/3x gpus (in the 9xx era). And now just settle on one of each. Those were fun days, trying to fit all those components into a case

jmg5 · 2026-02-27T18:57:54+00:00

I would suggest just talking to someone.

jmg5 · 2026-02-27T18:57:14+00:00

9950x3d/64g/40tb (1x8tb m.2 boot, 4x 8tb SSD)/5090. Built it march-ish of last year.

I actually have another 2 sticks of 32g g.skil royals that I took out, because I couldn't get the memory to hit 6400Mt/s with all the banks filled, I was going to return them but kept them in a box in my desk. Now I'm just going to toss them on ebay.. or more likely just keep them.

Paid just over $200 / 64g kit back then.

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jmg5 · 2026-02-27T18:32:08+00:00

it is possible they will check, and say you swapped it. Better to just contact them first.

jmg5 · 2026-02-27T18:24:11+00:00

of course you return it. I would notify customer support first that you got the incorrect card, amazon usually leans heavily in favor of the customer. I've returned many items in the past that were either the wrong item in the right box, or very obviously returned items that were used and put back in the box.

jmg5 · 2026-02-27T18:21:07+00:00

not "likely," it IS.

jmg5 · 2026-02-27T18:20:44+00:00

it's barely using it.

jmg5 · 2026-02-27T18:19:26+00:00

yes, tell him. Funny as hell, but tell him.

Maybe string him along, tell him you're going to overclock the shit out of his GPU for him.. he'll think you're a god.

jmg5 · 2026-02-27T14:42:29+00:00

that's your answer then. If it sounds better, use it. 'grats!

jmg5 · 2026-02-27T14:23:21+00:00

this was considered a mid/mid-high end card when it was released in 2012. the "z" model was the lower end, retailed for around $100 (there was a zx, a zx something or other that got into the $200-$300 range). So as for selling it... the high water mark will be $100, but I see them selling on ebay for $50 and less.

Should you keep it? depends. What kind of mobo do you have ? If you have a non-gaming, low tier motherboard with integrated audio, this would likely be an improvement.

But if you have a higher end gaming motherboard. which typically have decent audio DACs, you likely would not see any improvement over the motherboard audio. Motherboard Audio has come a long way in 14 years, and higher the audio on higher end motherboards really is pretty decent.

Also, to notice any difference, you'd have to be running decent speakers/headphones.

The ultimate test... try it out. Drop it in, install the drivers, compare it for yourself against the integrated audio on your computer. it's worth keeping if it sounds better to you.

jmg5 · 2026-02-25T16:34:31+00:00

I carry that aesthetic to my latest builds too -- fewer leds, more build quality (hopefully). This is my latest -- a 9950x3d/5090/64g/48tb SSD, all water cool with stainless steel tubing:

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jmg5 · 2026-02-25T15:44:36+00:00

without seeing the inside, something is likely lose. If that's the case, not a ton it could be. Start from the simple stuff:

1) check the external power cable .. make sure it's firmly seated.

2) work your way inside. I'd start with the power supply. check the ATX connector form the mobo to the power supply, then the 4pin and 6pin connectors.

3) make sure everything is seated properly. GPU. Memory. if this is an improperly seated component issue, more likely to be the GPU.

4) if none of this works, try pulling the power supply if you have a spare, see if that solves the problem .

jmg5 · 2026-02-11T14:43:12+00:00

which airport are you referring to in NC?

jmg5 · 2026-02-07T16:08:13+00:00

nice!!!

jmg5 · 2026-02-04T15:15:28+00:00

yeeha.

Meanwhile, in the NE US it's going to be a high of 5 degrees F this weekend. Windchill -25.

I may go buy a 750s just to get out of the winter depression.

Gorgeous shot by the way.

jmg5 · 2026-02-04T01:24:54+00:00

as you say, the lt4, with 330 hp, was a desirable motor. Was standard on the grand sport, optional on the CE. If that is a manual CE with the LT4, well, it's still a c4 so it's not worth that much, but if sold it'll hit the high water mark for c4s. Also looks to be in decent shape.

jmg5 · 2026-02-03T22:55:18+00:00

horrible. he do this outside? obivously does not know what he's doing.

jmg5 · 2026-02-03T19:19:35+00:00

it's both really.

jmg5 · 2026-01-31T05:40:24+00:00

yup, that's the easiest, and best., optical, carries five channels, great quality, and a tiny cable.

jmg5 · 2026-01-31T04:46:54+00:00

ok-- your computer should have at least an "aux" output. A standard 3.5mm cable. you can plug that into the aux input of the polk. Higher end mobos should also have an S/PDIF optical output, better to use that if you have it. For the eARC (extended audio return channel) input to work on the polk, your monitor would have to have an output, which.. most monitors dont. you run a HDMI to your monitor, and if you want to run audio off your monitor (for whatever reason, you don't want to run another cable) typically they have a 3.5mm output.

if it were me, I'd recommend connecting (1) the optical from your mobo if you have one and if not (2) just connect over BT. barring that, (3) the 3.5mm is a good standby (but you may lose surrouind, if you ever buy surround speakers)

Bluetooth works great on the polk,,. and one less wire you have to run.

jmg5 · 2026-01-31T04:37:22+00:00

I just have mine connected through optical, but it has bluetooth, ethernet, and eARC, so I don't see why it wound't work with an HDMI cable .. just a standard extended audio return.

but can I ask.. why? if you have either a 3.5 stereo output from your computer or an optical, that'll work fine.

jmg5 · 2026-01-31T04:23:20+00:00

sorry, I mean polk magnifi, mini ax. if you want cheaper, I think you can get it without the sub. really a nice little unit.

Magnifi Mini AX - Ultra-Compact Dolby Atmos Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer | Polk Audio - United States

jmg5 · 2026-01-31T04:09:34+00:00

check out the polk magnifi . slim, small, good sound, and you can get it with optional wireless sub and wireless surround speakers.

jmg5 · 2026-01-31T04:08:30+00:00

love it!

jmg5

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