Difference between revisions of "Secret page"
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====Graphics Tablets==== | ====Graphics Tablets==== | ||
| − | + | Wacom are probably the best and best known tablet makers, however there are many cheap alternatives available which might tempt new users and disappoint with poor tracking and terrible build quality. | |
| + | |||
| + | It is worth noting that basic Wacom tablets are now available [http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/103585 for under £40.] | ||
====Card Readers==== | ====Card Readers==== | ||
Revision as of 01:56, 19 December 2006
Right, this is meant as a reference for people who have some idea what they're doing.
If you get stuck or have no idea, post in the forum as people will be able to help you better than this generic guide to everything.
Contents
Hardware
Processors
Manufacturers
AMD Vs. Intel - Current best of each, and best overall (also best perf/£)
Intel, AMD and VIA (most common in mini-ITX motherboards)
Sockets
Most recent sockets that you're still likely to find.
- A (AMD)
- 423 (Intel)
- 478 (Intel)
- LGA775 (Intel)
- 754 (AMD)
- 940 (AMD)
- 939 (AMD)
- AM2 (AMD)
Cores
Number of cores, performance effect
Temperatures
Ideally the max temp of any CPU should be below 70 degrees, with below 60 being ideal.
More info in the cooling section.
Memory
Types
(obsolete)
- SDRAM (168-pin modules)
Getting old now, still turns up in older Socket A, Socket 423 and some older Socket 478 Motherboards.
- PC-66: SDR at 66 MHz
- PC-100: SDR at 100 MHz
- PC-133: SDR at 133 MHz
- RDRAM (RIMM)
Old, very rarely used, very pricey nowadays, was mainly used in some Socket 423 and Socket 478 Motherboards.
(current)
- DDR (184-pin modules)
Used in Socket 754, 939, 940 and Intel 478 Motherboards.
- DDR2 (240-pin modules)
Used in Socket 775 and AM2 Motherboards.
(future)
- DDR3
Not yet used.
Speeds
DDR
- PC-1600: DDR at 100 MHz using DDR-200 chips
- PC-2100: DDR at 133 MHz using DDR-266 chips
- PC-2700: DDR at 166 MHz using DDR-333 chips
- PC-3200: DDR at 200 MHz using DDR-400 chips
- PC-3500: DDR at 216 MHz using DDR-433 chips*
- PC-4000: DDR at 250 MHz using DDR-500 chips*
DDR2
- PC-4200: DDR2 at 266 MHz using DDR2-533 chips
- PC-5300: DDR2 at 333 MHz using DDR2-667 chips
- PC-6400: DDR2 at 400 MHz using DDR2-800 chips
- PC-8000: DDR2 at 500 MHz using DDR2-1000 chips*
- PC-8500: DDR2 at 533 MHz using DDR2-1066 chips*
- PC-9600: DDR2 at 600 MHz using DDR2-1200 chips*
*These are non-standard, generally manufacturers making memory faster than specified (mainly for overclockers)
Heatsinks (ramsinks)
Ramsinks do /not/ help the memory cool, but they can help keep temps stable which can help with system stability.
Generally don't bother unless they came fitted on your memory
Motherboards
Sockets
See CPU Socket Guide
Multi-GPU
Specific technologies will be covered in depth in the graphics card section.
For a motherboard to be able to support a multi-gpu technology it has to specifically made to do so, this usually requires The motherboard to have;
A Chipset which supports your chosen technology (either Nvidia's SLI or ATI's Crossfire) A pair of Physical PCI-E 16x Slots (often only the primary slot will be 16x electronically, with the secondary being 8x electronically)
Layouts
Motherboards are often laid out similarly, but there are Differences with the placement of the cable connections, often these differences can make some motherboards unusable with some cases, also certain placements of cables can restrict airflow and impede cooling.
Badgers
Heatpipes
Some makers use heatpipes for cooling components on the motherboard,
However the heatpipes used often do not work as well if the motherboard is used flat or upside-down (as in lian li v1000 etc)
Optical Drives
Types
- CD
- DVD
- HDHVD
- BluRay
Common problems
Interfaces
Optical drives will talk on PATA or SATA (the latter being less common, but now coming down in price)
Hard Drives
Types
- 2.5" (Laptop)
- 3.5" (Desktop)
longitudinal perpendicular
Interfaces
PATA, SATA, Blah
Cache
2,8 or 16MB
Speeds (RPM)
Common speeds are
- 5400rpm
- 7200rpm
- 10000rpm
RAID
Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks
Most common RAID levels:
RAID0
RAID1
RAID3
RAID5
RAID6
RAID10/01
RAID50
Common problems
Death
Interfaces
pata/sata (maybe warrants a section?)
Video Cards
Onboard Vs. Video Cards
Multi-Card Solutions
SLI vs. Crossfire
Pictures and how they go together
Brands
For gaming graphics cards come down to nvidia vs. ATI - The majority of graphics cards will just be repackaged reference boards from nvidia or ATI with a few small tweaks (usually just a different sticker, heatsink or a minor overclock.)
Memory
Beware low end cards bearing masses of memory.
Often you'll be far better off with a higher end card sporting 256Mb of memory, than a mid range card with 512mb of memory as a less-powerful card will not be able to use the memory efficiently enough to warrant the extra memory.
TV out
Looks like shite on older CRT televisions, often not worth the time and effort taken.
Looks pretty decent on HDTVs but redundant as they'll often have VGA, DVI or HDMI connections which allow for high enough resolutions without excessive cable shuffling
Connectors
The most common connectors on Graphics cards are DVI, D-sub, HDMI (on some newer cards) and an 8-pin din plug component/composite for TV out.
*labelled photos*
Overclocking
Power Consumption
Sound Cards
Soundcards are another oft overlooked component of mid-range computers for reasons we'll cover below.
Onboard vs. Soundcard
Onboard sound can be a great feature for family desktops and non-gaming machines.
However, as onboard sound uses the CPU for Processing sounds there is a risk of gameplay affecting performance issues when using onboard sound.
Also onboard sound can often pick up noise from interference on the motherboard which can sound like very quiet pops and clicks, this is often only a problem on headphones as speakers aren't sensitive enough to pick them up and any digital outputs aren't prone to the interference, but is worth a mention nonetheless.
Soundcards use a dedicated processor to process sound information with negligible load on the CPU, this improves overall performance including higher framerates.
Recommended cards
audigy/audigy 2, SBlive.
Surround, digital etc.
Surround is an area where onboard sound can excel in the price/performance field as many onboard sound systems support 5.1 or 7.1 surround over analogue and digital
You can also run a full analogue or digital surround system on your onboard sound for media purposes, while keeping a soundcard dedicated for gaming.
Power Supplies
General
Power Supplies (PSUs) are the most often overlooked and underspecced component in a computer.
Often a poor PSU will cause system instability, unexpected problems and can lead to component damage.
Wattages
Before we get into how many watts a PSU needs, we need to understand the ways it can be measured
Wattage on a PSU is usually quoting peak output, or sustained output.
Peak output (what most cheap PSUs are measured in) refers to the peak wattage a PSU can put out for a short period of time (seconds) often these will be fine for a while, then will develop issues (from being overloaded) and die horribly, potentially killing other components
Sustained output (nice PSUs) refers to the output the PSU can give all day every day without issue, sometimes a PSU that has a sustained output will also mention a peak somewhere such as "650W (710W peak)"
How big a PSU do i need?
If you're running a single GPU system, you'll need a 450W PSU max.
If you're running a dual GPU system, you'll need a PSU around the 550-600W Mark
Modding
*DANGER*
Anything within this section will probably kill you and your family if you fuck up
Fan Speed mod (also fan replacement)
Cable sheathing (pffft. sheath)
Case replacements, just don't, bad chav.
Cooling
CPU Heatsinks
Graphics Coolers
Fans
Extreme Cooling
Pros/cons of Watercooling
Pros/cons of Refrigeration
Cases
Types
- Standard ATX
ATX is your bog standard form factor from the past few years. Chances are if you own a computer it's living in an ATX case
- Upside down ATX (notes about not BTX)
Some ATX cases mount the motherboard upside-down as it can allow for better cooling and cleaner airflow.
These cases are often Called BTX cases by people who don't know better, BTX is a separate standard covered below, Upside down ATX cases adhere to all the ATX standards, but hold the motherboard upside down.
- BTX
BTX is a new form factor designed to replace ATX while offering better cooling and better designs for components
- SSF
SSF is not a form factor, but is a terrm used to describe cases such as shuttles.
- Mini-ITX
Is a very compact form factor designed by via, often used for in-car PCs and home-theater PCs as they're low noise, very low power consumption and heat output.
Materials
alu,steel
Layouts
where stuff goes in standard and common but weird cases
Modding
windows, lights, stealthing.
BIOS
General Info
Basic Setup
Advanced Setup
Flashing/updating
help me it's all gone wrong!
Monitors
LCD Vs. CRT
Pros/cons of each
Refresh Rates/flannel response times
connectors
DVI,D-sub, tv stuff.
Peripherals
Keyboards
simple cheap keyboards
nice expensive keyboards
Mice
gaming mice
Wired vs. Wireless
pros, cons, blah blah blah
Joysticks
eurgh (yes, that's what she said)
Gamepads
Unfortunately for PC gamepads your choices are pretty limited these days, often all you'll get are nasty Playstation controller clones.
If you own a PS2, Xbox or Xbox360 you may do well to buy a suitable controller > USB adaptor such as This for the PS2.
Adaptors and connectors
how to make plug A go into socket B (generally a bigger hammer)
Graphics Tablets
Wacom are probably the best and best known tablet makers, however there are many cheap alternatives available which might tempt new users and disappoint with poor tracking and terrible build quality.
It is worth noting that basic Wacom tablets are now available for under £40.
Card Readers
handy.
Overclocking
Potential of given types, risks and gains, low-cost options
FSB
overvolting (list of standard voltages for cpus?)
