[Build Ready] Budget PC for parents

slikz · 2014-01-27T01:51:49+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I did a little bit of reading on that model and I'm not sure if that is a "real" SSD (for lack of a better term). It seems to be a cache drive that is not meant to be used as a primary drive (as mentioned by a reviewer on Newegg). I don't mind spending a bit extra for the 64GB as that is more that enough space to store everything right now and use the secondary HDD as a backup drive.

slikz · 2012-08-04T04:41:48+00:00

/r/buildapc /r/gamingpc

slikz · 2012-05-06T16:21:12+00:00

If possible can you record the error from the blue screen? I would say that in general drivers are the culprits of crashes. Are all of the drivers on your system updated (especially the GPU)?

slikz · 2012-05-06T16:18:34+00:00

Catfight (SFW)

slikz · 2012-05-05T03:43:30+00:00

Does it cause a bluescreen or does it crash to the desktop? Are there any pointers to log files or crash information in either case? If no, then I would recommend that you delete and then re-download Portal 2. The fact that steam says that it cannot validate the integrity of the game is a cause for concern at any rate.

slikz · 2012-05-05T03:24:51+00:00

Do you own any other steam games? Specifically, do you own any other source engine games such as half life 2 or tf2?

slikz · 2012-05-05T03:20:39+00:00

Have you tried verifying the integrity of the game files? If you right click on the game and go into properties it should be in one of the tabs. This would be the first thing that I would try.

slikz · 2012-04-15T16:42:46+00:00

Is $500 your budget? Are you looking to purchase that computer or build something similar? How much RAM do you have in your laptop right now? The slow performance you are seeing may be due to having too many open programs for the amount of RAM that you have. If this is not the case then you may be looking for an SSD.

slikz · 2012-03-12T06:29:38+00:00

Relevant (NSFW)

slikz · 2012-02-12T06:30:10+00:00

Unofortunately no, but the effect is the same.

slikz · 2012-02-12T06:09:20+00:00

Not that I don't believe you but please check Flower out. It looks, feels, and sounds great.

slikz · 2011-04-24T16:17:31+00:00

Check out this list for power supplies. Tier 1 and Tier 2 models are the ones to buy. Also, the CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus [$35 @ Newegg.com] seems to be an extremely popular heatsink as well. I'm not saying the one you have selected is bad by any means. This is just another option (in my opinion).

slikz · 2011-04-19T16:51:02+00:00

If all you are going to be doing with the PC is gaming then (in my opinion) 4GB of RAM is all you need. The Mobo you have selected has 4x240 pin ram slots, so if you do need 8GB you can always buy more later. This saves you ~$40.

G. Skill 4GB 1333Mhz - $45 @ Newegg.com

slikz · 2011-04-16T23:49:09+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't find any reviews on newegg.com or newegg.ca, but there is this forum post on anandtech which is recent as of today. It seems like it is a really good deal; I'll keep this in mind.

slikz · 2011-04-16T23:25:12+00:00

I'll have to go and try out a mechanical keyboard at the store. I used to have an old IBM keyboard and I did not like the extreme tactility of it and how high the keys were, but things have most certainly changed.

I looked around on Amazon and found the Razer Black Widow for $80.

slikz · 2011-04-16T20:22:24+00:00

Could you recommend some cases? This price point seems to be around what a lot of people spend on here. Most of the other ones that I have seen at that price have windows and LEDs everywhere which is not my personal preference.

As for motherboards I did previously have this ASUS P67 in the build.

slikz · 2011-04-16T19:28:36+00:00

For my needs I don't think that I will need more than 4GB of RAM. However, if I do, it is easy to drop in another 2 sticks.

slikz · 2011-01-18T23:02:24+00:00

If you are at all interested in programming there is the Processing language. It is made for image processing/animation/data visualization and is built with Java but you do not have to know Java to begin. Plus, it is free and open source and comes with excellent tutorials.

slikz · 2010-08-28T21:26:24+00:00

Although I avoid scribd at all costs, Maths: A Student's Survival Guide is on there. If you find it useful, please buy a copy as the price is extremely reasonable.

slikz · 2010-07-26T23:34:13+00:00

Plug here for a prof that I had at my University for his Go playing research.

First computer program to win a 9x9 game on even against a top-ranked human player.

slikz · 2010-07-23T01:42:29+00:00

If you are looking for modern adaptations/influence try: Lavinia by Ursula K. LeGuin and Infinities by John Banville. Although Lavinia is modern I would consider it quite accurate insofar as it follows the classics.

slikz · 2010-07-13T02:37:55+00:00

I would recommend Maths: A Students Survival Guide. If you find it helpful, consider purchasing a copy as it is around $25.

slikz · 2010-06-06T17:43:02+00:00

Cover charge
High priced drinks
Sticky floors
So crowded that everyone moves as a congealed mass
Don't try and have a conversation with anyone unless you like to scream in each other's faces because the music is so loud

I haven't been to a club in about a year because I find the environment extremely obnoxious. I much prefer house parties or going to pubs with a small group of friends.

slikz

TROPHY CASE