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Bluethulhu

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Posts posted by Bluethulhu

  1. Hello all - 

     

    I'm unsure as to whether the Intel S2600G is compatible with 2x Intel Xeon E5 2670s. I found conflicting information on Intel's website, with the processors not being available under the compatibility checker, but I don't know if that is only due to outdated hardware not being shown. The S2600G is a dual LGA 2011 motherboard, and I don't know if there's any reason it would be incompatible with the Xeons.

     

    Thanks

  2. 7 minutes ago, Lotus said:

    You're going the right route, but since those boards don't support overclocking, it will be worth it to go to the x5670 ($150 for a pair) depending on if your budget can tolerate it. The clock speed bump is significant. You also might want to reconsider the PSU. A EVGA 500B would be a better choice if you're strapped for cash. You can also probably find that memory for a bit cheaper, maybe even down to $100-110. The SSD IIRC has the same problem as the 840 EVO with old memory decay, so I'd probably avoid it.

    Thanks for the reply, but would you mind pointing me in the right direction of a dual-socket 1366 motherboard that can OC? The only one I could come across was the EVGA SR-2, which is upwards of $350-400 on eBay.

     

  3. Hello all - 

     

    I'm looking for a dedicated render PC (or several) for some heavy number-crunching, and while my 3930k is certainly fast, it's just not necessarily cutting it in terms of performance. I've been considering a system based around 2x Xeon X5650s, which I can pick up for approximately $70/each on eBay. Most rendering will be done through Renderman/RIS, or After Effects (network rendering). Please keep in mind this will be sitting away from my main PC, so looks or noise are of little concern. Second opinions or other advice is appreciated. Here is a ballpark build of what I've been thinking:

     

    CPU - 2x Xeon X5660 - $70/ea

    Mobo - SuperMicro X8DTE - $90

    RAM - 8x8GB (64GB) DDR3 - $140

    Storage - ADATA SP550 120GB - $35

    GPU - Already owned

    Case - CM HAF 912 - $50

    PSU - Corsair CX500M - 55

    Total - $510 (not incl. shipping)

     

    Thanks

  4. Hello all -

     

    I’m pondering a display upgrade from my current setup, consisting of 3x XL2420Ts (1080p 120Hz) and a 1080p 60Hz. Reason being my use case changing a fair bit since my original purchase. My current use scenario is a balance between gaming (CS:GO, Arma, Terraria), ‘professional’ apps (Photoshop, Maya, 3DS Max), and web browsing (Reddit, Youtube). An important detail is I only use professional apps for hobbyist purposes, so color accuracy isn’t a mission-critical variable. I don’t play CSGO (or many video games) very seriously, so a high refresh rate or low response time isn’t incredibly important either, although they would be nice. My current GPU is a GTX 690, however I have two 980s for SLI in the mail.

     

    A major factor changing my decision to upgrade is how inconvenient and clunky I find 4 1080p monitors to be for apps like Maya - I would rather have a higher-resolution display with thin or no bezels where I could have multiple windows, on the same display, at a reasonable quality. My current top choice for a new monitor is the Dell U3415W (34” 3440x1440 21:9) - this seems to be a good compromise between an immersive gaming experience, and amount of screen real estate for productivity and web browsing. The price does seem a bit high (currently $899 USD), especially when compared to 4K 60Hz monitors going on sale for <$300. I’m torn on this decision when considering even more options (1440p?), so some input from other users would be nice. I don't have a set budget, however going above the ultrawide price range (~$900 USD) would be too much. Thanks

  5. Mechanical keyboards generally have a reputation as being superior to their counterparts, however it really just comes down to personal preference. Try some mechanical keyboards in-store if you can, and see how you like them.

  6. Piracy (in terms of violating copyright law) is typically used to describe acquisition of copyrighted content, without permission or purchase, over the internet. Piracy is not limited to the torrent protocol widely used for it, and if this falls under getting copyrighted content without permission, it is piracy, and laws in your region regarding it apply.

     

    Layman's terms: it's illegal, it's piracy

    • ~15" IPS display above 1080p
    • Decently clocked i7
    • Mobile GPU above or at tier of 750M
    • 16GB RAM
    • SSD-only storage
    • Decent battery life (5+ hrs)
    • Slim & light form factor

    I've only found one notebook to meet (most) of these needs, the 15" rMBP. Call me an Apple plebian, but It's fantastic. My ideal, albeit currently somewhat unrealistic solution, would be something in the form factor of a MBA or an Ultrabook, decent CPU/RAM/Storage, with a mobile GPU to keep the battery life acceptable. I've seen a few Thunderbolt GPU docks (Linus even covered one at CES), however I haven't seen anyone to implement a practical, elegant solution. The current docks seem very bulky, to a point where you couldn't carry them comfortably where you would need the extra horsepower. Something you could slip into a bag while only adding a few pounds of bulk, when paired with a sleek notebook, could blur the line between stationary and mobile machines. Apple, as much of a design and engineering force they are, would likely be one of the last companies to introduce a non-proprietary product to meet these needs. This is a product I have yet to see an ideal implementation into yet.

  7. I would opt for the 8GB if you insist on the MBA. Just keep in mind you can not upgrade RAM in new Macbooks, it's soldered to the logic board. You should also considering buying from the refurb store, as it's nearly the same product. Apple takes products returned within the 14-day return period, replaces the inclosure and battery, and sells it for a (usually) deep discount.

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