tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33716308758052812772024-03-14T07:30:01.547-07:00Pro DIYerInside the mind of an engineering student.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-13886466202206225632009-07-25T23:27:00.000-07:002009-07-26T00:01:29.827-07:00TrineI have just recently started to play this new game called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Trine</span>, its an interesting combination of action and strategy. The story is of three adventures, a wizard, a thief and a knight, who get there souls combined. This limits them to one body but enables you to switch between each character. Each character is unique and each character can navigate each level with their own abilities. Personally I prefer the wizard, but the others are more use full for fighting enemies. The graphics are great and it plays well. The last boss is pretty hard, took me about 5 life's to beat him. So far I love the game. Keep building.<object height="344" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/rPrSf5Ts9bA&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/rPrSf5Ts9bA&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-32945283335311369222009-07-21T11:17:00.000-07:002009-07-21T11:21:37.819-07:00Battle Field HeroesI just recently started to play the new battlefield heroes and I've been blown away by it. The game is insanly fun to play and is free. It's an interesting 3rd person shooter but I has some rpg elements as your characters level up and gain new abilities. Very Addicting. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/bUmOt8uGB3s&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/bUmOt8uGB3s&hl=en&fs=1&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-76030005881008632462009-07-19T17:41:00.000-07:002009-07-19T17:51:21.641-07:00Build: Monitor Mod<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://666kb.com/i/b7amw0qyterh51rr7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 213px;" src="http://666kb.com/i/b7amw0qyterh51rr7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I have this pretty cool monitor mod on this forum by someone that calls themselves shadowlord. He got bored looking at his plain old 17" LG LCD and decided to spruce it up a little. It has the apple inspired glass screen and a bunch of added LED's to light up the screen. I think that it is a vast improvement. There are more pictures and the steps that he went through on his forum post that can be found <a href="http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1221027">here</a>. Not posting as often as I would like, looking forward to some Wii hack posts soon as I have just recently gotten into the Wii Hacking scene. Keep on building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-3777035773429509472009-07-04T19:35:00.000-07:002009-07-04T19:39:36.160-07:00Google 411I found a very interesting article written by one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Garett</span> Rogers about the true reason for google to make the google 411 service in which you call the number and ask work the location of a business and it provides you the directions to such <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">business</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Apparently</span> there isn't much commercial <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">applications</span> for it, but they are using the service to create a large database of recorded voices for voice to text <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">recognition</span>. Sounded pretty cool, the article can be found <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/Google/?p=852">here</a>.<br /><h3><br /></h3>Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-2567908092425881962009-05-25T13:43:00.000-07:002009-05-25T13:56:27.339-07:00Build: FireFox Search bars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mozilla.com/img/tignish/home/feature-logo.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 102px;" src="http://www.mozilla.com/img/tignish/home/feature-logo.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Well it has been a while since I've last posted something so I thought I would add a small project that I had just recently finished. I've all ways been disappointed that for FireFox there has never been a search bar for google images. Sometimes I'd just rather look up images of something rather then look it up on google. So I though hey why don't I just make my own search bar plug in. So I looked around and this <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Creating_OpenSearch_plugins_for_Firefox">article</a> on the Mozilla site really help you understand how to program the search bars. I've actually made two search bars, one for google images and one that searches google for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">GBA</span> Roms. A digital copy of a game that you can play if your have a corresponding emulator. Anyways the <a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/12060"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">GBA</span> Search</a> and the <a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/12061">Google Images Search</a> can be found there to download. Pretty impressed that the google images has been downloaded so far 100 times in 3 days and that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">GBA</span> search has be download 20 times. Pretty easy to program one yourself but I would help to know XML. Anyways I encourage everyone to try to make one themselves, download the two that I have made and to review the ones I made so that I can make them public and not just experimental. Keep building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-31533755267317983122009-05-01T17:08:00.000-07:002009-05-01T17:16:05.777-07:00Build: Electronic picture frames<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/walltop/tb/IMG_4282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 200px;" src="http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/walltop/tb/IMG_4282.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I found this very cool guide for turning your old laptops in a digital picture frame that you can post of your wall. Doesn't seem like it's that complicated of a build but what I really think that is interested about is that he found thin power cords that match the colour of his wall. It's very difficult to detect the cables, unless you are looking for them.Electronic picture frames have gotten pretty cheap recently but still a cool idea for any old laptops laying around the house. The entire build can be found <a href="http://www.grynx.com/projects/laptop-on-the-wall-walltop/">here</a>. Keep on building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-39522840507787465002009-04-17T14:44:00.000-07:002009-04-17T14:51:32.142-07:00Build: Multi Touch SurfaceI haven't been posting much since I've sort of started my exams today, but I will try my best to keep it up to date. I recently found this very interesting build for a multi-touch surface that seems pretty cool. It use internal refraction to work and the disturbance when it is touched. Very interesting build and even has a pretty cool video to show it off. The link can be found <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/maximum_pc_builds_a_multitouch_surface_computer">here</a>. I've also added the video here if your interested to watch it. <object width="450" height="254"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4030910&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4030910&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object>Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-75589485676184187632009-04-02T17:55:00.001-07:002009-04-02T18:05:45.276-07:00Bacon Crazy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/01/28/dining/bacon650.33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 186px;" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/01/28/dining/bacon650.33.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I just thought that I would post two different recipes that I found based on the best food every invented, Bacon. Both recipes seem to look very good but they will probably kill anyone that eats them. They both seem to start out the same way with the cooking of <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXCWwKh5HpQ7iTvNrcZnlaCQ62XxLKQE4LDPiOOYWPuQKE_Et2qQaezAC8u4vXO_weTyAtnDMx9AZ6g6MMTATU8EJSRsnwIHKrpPM8oFNnG83VuuSvKPiF7OSfML_85x0tTr8TNibH5EN/s400/bacon4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXCWwKh5HpQ7iTvNrcZnlaCQ62XxLKQE4LDPiOOYWPuQKE_Et2qQaezAC8u4vXO_weTyAtnDMx9AZ6g6MMTATU8EJSRsnwIHKrpPM8oFNnG83VuuSvKPiF7OSfML_85x0tTr8TNibH5EN/s400/bacon4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>a bacon weave. The first one, the bacon explosion, seems to be a layer of bacon stuffed with Italian sausage and crispy bacon. Warning as they do state that it has at least 5,000 calories and 500 grams of fat. This is the more healthy between the two recipes in my opinion. The second recipe seems to be some sort of bacon burrito, a layer of bacon stuffed with melted cheese. I don't know if it would taste good but it would definitely be something to try. The bacon explosion can be found <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/dining/28bacon.html?_r=3">here</a> while the bacon burrito can be found <a href="http://www.foodfightblog.com/2008/12/bacon-cheese-burrito.html">here</a>. I know this post doesn't really go with the whole theme of my blog but it's bacon and I love it. Hopefully I'll get into the flow of doing more posts.<br />Keep Building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-79509712353065634572009-03-24T17:53:00.000-07:002009-03-24T18:06:11.596-07:00Tech news: OnLive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/bto/20090323/090313_redeemer_hero_shot1_onwhite_610x471.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 267px;" src="http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/bto/20090323/090313_redeemer_hero_shot1_onwhite_610x471.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I've been pretty busy recently with mid terms and assignments recently and I haven't had much time to post anything new. But today I found an interesting article on <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-10202688-235.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cnet</span></a> about an of a new game distribution system called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OnLive</span>. It promises to allow you to play the most recent video games on any computer, it works something like stream my games which I have previously posted about. Their server runs the game in encodes it as a video over the Internet to your computer and interacts with keyboard communication. Seems to work with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Voip</span> headphones which is a good idea. I don't know how good of an idea this will actually be when you consider the price, the fast Internet speed (I personally don't think broadband can handle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">HD</span> streaming), as well as the fact that these server can only have a certain amount of clients per server. It would defiantly be something to try but I don't think it will really take off until Internet providers look to increase their Internet speeds through new technologies, but there really hasn't been much advancement in that field at least very little relative to the introduction of broadband. Anyways keep on building.<br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Administrator/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-8709106838110034372009-02-21T17:53:00.000-08:002009-02-21T17:59:50.151-08:00Story: Solar power batteries<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craziestgadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/solar_batteries-450x492.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 305px;" src="http://craziestgadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/solar_batteries-450x492.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I found a very cool little story about a new product that will be coming out by SunCat batteries. It is a pretty interesting idea but I don't know how well it would actually work out. I like the idea of solar energy but it's just not practical, at least not until they make further advances in the technology. The picture is a home-made version of their design. I would love to see some one design this as a build but I have no idea were you would find flexible solar cells. Anyways <a href="http://craziestgadgets.com/2009/02/18/solar-powered-rechargeable-batteries/">here</a> is the story if your interested. Keep on building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-78834366916456633122009-02-16T11:43:00.000-08:002009-02-16T11:48:24.763-08:00Story: Scotch tape X-rays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://greenerloudoun.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/scotch-tape.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 224px;" src="http://greenerloudoun.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/scotch-tape.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A little while a go I found this very interesting little story on the Internet that claims that there was a scientific discovery that when you peel scotch tape from human skin it emits x-rays. I have no idea if this is actually possible but it sounds very interesting so that I thought that I would post it. The go on to talk about the applications of this for taking x-rays in third world countries that are unable to afford x-ray machines. I don't think that scotch tape would create enough x-rays as a regular x-ray tube but you never know. Keep on building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-55208211032461815802009-02-07T19:27:00.000-08:002009-02-07T19:37:59.211-08:00Build: USB solar chargerA little while ago I found myself on an interesting little site. It's a simple design that seems to be pretty cheap to make. I'm pretty happy that at the end of the video he does a real-life test of the solar array rather then just his indoor testing because that light the he uses for that is fairly strong. I don't really think that there is a large amount of energy that can come from this build since most days, atleast not here in Toronto, are not as sunny. But go ahead a build it and prove me wrong. Here is the video anyways for anyone that is interested. Keep building. <br /><embed src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/800000/solar_powered_usb_charger_cheap_and_easy_to_make.swf" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="345"></embed><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-54480789180847847472009-01-31T19:15:00.000-08:002009-02-01T07:39:10.335-08:00Stream my gamesI've heard of stream my games before but I've never really thought to much of it. Now that I spent some time using it I really gotten into the idea of using the program. If you are not aware of what stream my games is, it is a program that allows you to stream a game your playing from one computer to another in your LAN or just through the internet. I haven't had the chance to try that yet, all I've been having fun is with the video capturing. Stream my games works by converting your display into a mp4 format that is transmitted. This enables you to make movies, allow others to stream you playing your game and it allows you to play your games from a secondary computer. I think the idea would be pretty cool to try with a netbook. I only have the free account so there is a limit to the maximum resolution that i can stream. It is a pretty low resolution but still pretty cool. Here's a video that I was able to capture and post on youtube of me playing some left 4 dead which is the reason why I don't post that much. This game is just to much fun.<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bb9h5rkpjnM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bb9h5rkpjnM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-88998986055883387512009-01-25T20:16:00.000-08:002009-01-25T20:24:29.033-08:00Mame Bar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9e/Mame_with_emuloader.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 178px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9e/Mame_with_emuloader.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've been pretty busy recently with school starting again, so I've had little time to post. I had found this site a while ago of a pretty kick ass looking MAME bar. MAME stands for multiple arcade machine emulator if you didn't know. With MAME you can play any of your favorite arcade games, new or old. I have considered making my own arcade system cabinet and all but nothing has come from that yet. I do have a giant bunch of Roms at the ready. This is an interesting take on a MAME machine in which hes integrated it into his bar. Very cool but you don't get the true fell of an arcade if you ask me. Still pretty cool to check out if you ask me. The site can been seen <a href="http://www.teamteabag.com/2008/10/02/games-beer-diy-win/">here</a>. Keep building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-55212254554425989722009-01-07T21:21:00.000-08:002009-01-07T21:45:29.142-08:00Build: Game Man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEU_EgrlW4dElQYbps8TfKeSvFax3L21ZCJTUxtK7WRl2nCh6DXy1d2bsH6vQ1Zy2CKg2w6I3nU9uMGsyms2dyzIexOgGrHRnKA8MRMVI7PUq19wcX0shL99BPLq-RZ81kxcP3lrPIZI/s1600-h/gm-pokemon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEU_EgrlW4dElQYbps8TfKeSvFax3L21ZCJTUxtK7WRl2nCh6DXy1d2bsH6vQ1Zy2CKg2w6I3nU9uMGsyms2dyzIexOgGrHRnKA8MRMVI7PUq19wcX0shL99BPLq-RZ81kxcP3lrPIZI/s320/gm-pokemon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288788923260584594" border="0" /></a>I would like to make sure that everyone knows about this amazing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DIY</span> project that I've just so happened to stumble upon while searching the Internet. It's a giant sized original game boy. The impressive little device is called the Game Man and it was created by one Jeff Hermann of which you can see his site <a href="http://gameman.loungespot.com/">here</a>. I recommend checking out some of his pictures that he took during the build because there was a lot of work that went into it.<br /><br />The entire build is based upon an old Pentium 200 computer and a game boy emulator. The time spent on the detailing and the craftsmanship is very impressive. The entire body is made out of wood. I have no idea why anyone would want a giant game boy but i think that it is an amazing idea, even the power cord is in the same place as it should be, and I've considered following in his footsteps but making so minor changes to his build.<br /><br />One thing that I don't really like about his build is the way that the game cartridges work. He has these giant amazing looking cartridges that when the are connected into the Game Man the connected a switch that loads the specific ROM. The problem with this is that the are only so many switch that he can place on the inside of the Game Man (I believe that he has used 5). I think it would be interesting to make each cartridge a cheap <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">usb</span> drive that some metal plates that make connect, plates both for the Game Man and plates for the games them selves. The game plates can then <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfO1POSIdlXzsd0Y91wNZMYeRNkhh1gbcBSklDddwwyAfSDlrnAT-V-x9wcNewX9v21tHXK_hzBZtXz2VzTq95eSOfeHq5l4Dy2pUI6jPf9JNZZcvkpeZ2hjYu547_MTJAfW8IIRRkIs/s1600-h/31602-7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfO1POSIdlXzsd0Y91wNZMYeRNkhh1gbcBSklDddwwyAfSDlrnAT-V-x9wcNewX9v21tHXK_hzBZtXz2VzTq95eSOfeHq5l4Dy2pUI6jPf9JNZZcvkpeZ2hjYu547_MTJAfW8IIRRkIs/s320/31602-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288793226526940242" border="0" /></a>be soldered to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">usb</span> drive and the plates for the Game Man soldered to the female end of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">usb</span> for the computer. This maybe be more hard work more then anything but its just an initial idea. I would also be interested in each game being bunch of Roms from a specific system rather then just one game. I no it sorta takes away from the entire Game Boy idea but I think I would be interesting that way. I still have no idea how hes managed to get the buttons on the Game Man to work and his hasn't fully describe that off of his website. Anyways I just thought to mention it because I really think it is an amazing build, It has really sparked my interest into making ridiculously large old video game systems. Maybe a large Sega Game Gear should be in the works? Anyways that all I have to say, keep on building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-5897113393458991492008-12-27T09:37:00.000-08:002008-12-27T10:10:26.770-08:00Blue Prints: HTPC part 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxbewcgfgYIJuzpeUprbtxUg0kBlqOMjbY9rGHMuyOG9FlSYX939IOZvg7-Ze-CKf83um6d39Ea8YH8ZBlH-7RUHz6bFk7Dt8kPCZcSV8oRhojeFMap0LZuwUO9ixB5tLtfIgJPRswXs/s1600-h/blueprints.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxbewcgfgYIJuzpeUprbtxUg0kBlqOMjbY9rGHMuyOG9FlSYX939IOZvg7-Ze-CKf83um6d39Ea8YH8ZBlH-7RUHz6bFk7Dt8kPCZcSV8oRhojeFMap0LZuwUO9ixB5tLtfIgJPRswXs/s320/blueprints.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284525774272710178" border="0" /></a><br />So yeah I've been pretty busy over the holidays and I have not been able to update my blog but it seems that I am free to do that right now. Call of Duty: world at war and left 4 dead seem to be taking up most of my time right now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo5XduWI6xSyB4K2Qwi7VPnqp1r6RTKUU9D_ERLmbBD6pRu4QdIuq8HCH-1OBpzZobAnBygzSKzjYpHw4mJ-mnzI46XUIPMMSPFd2DLsaVbuP01IrK3rKUUFNVLhW1jNT3f3nTsWVijk/s1600-h/ram.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo5XduWI6xSyB4K2Qwi7VPnqp1r6RTKUU9D_ERLmbBD6pRu4QdIuq8HCH-1OBpzZobAnBygzSKzjYpHw4mJ-mnzI46XUIPMMSPFd2DLsaVbuP01IrK3rKUUFNVLhW1jNT3f3nTsWVijk/s320/ram.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284528381832830546" border="0" /></a>So it seems that the next important part that I need to look into is the ram for my HTPC. From what I've read online it doesn't seem that I need a lot of ram for this build but since I will be running windows Vista on it, it's probably a good idea to have at least 2 Gb. Luckily DDR2 ram right now is very cheap since retailers are getting ready to sell new DDR3 for the new Intel i7 systems out that. That made it easy to get 2 GB of ram for under $50. I decided to use G. Skill game from newegg.ca because it is fairly cheap and yet it has a very good rating (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144). The CAS speeds are looking pretty good too at 5 around the table. It is also the best kind of ram that the motherboard supports as DDR2 1066 which is the fastest DDR2 memory that is made. Besides that I don't know what else I can get into about this ram, I've never use the brand G. Skill before, mostly get to patriot but I sounds like they are pretty good at what they do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSPsQ2sHUPJoAnlWMfd40riTweXJ6Z8Zbt4eRvfjFTUag8JqxMy8N58q5FpHFs5H1Ry6o20peeGsm9H09eUj-6U8D0jH65u4XFym2VdWeZahfZe0AXTUxrsUraFOdrD81_Reg9K4s8vQ/s1600-h/hdd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSPsQ2sHUPJoAnlWMfd40riTweXJ6Z8Zbt4eRvfjFTUag8JqxMy8N58q5FpHFs5H1Ry6o20peeGsm9H09eUj-6U8D0jH65u4XFym2VdWeZahfZe0AXTUxrsUraFOdrD81_Reg9K4s8vQ/s320/hdd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284528817626986290" border="0" /></a>The Hard drive seems like the next part that needs some special details. As previously stated there are seems special requirements that are need to be met for this build, mostly lot power and quite. For this I have looked into Western Digital line of Green HDD. The one I have consider is their 640 GB model (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136298). It has the Sata 3.0GB/s speed which is important but also includes a bunch of power saving features. The reviews from this drive seem to be very impressive and the prices is only about $85 which is not much more expensive then a non-green hard drive with the same capacity. It also has a much of features to reduce vibrations to keep it nice and quite.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtzqc1eQ0a7Y5efFMxVBlvSE5qd96UtVQVNLtAeMwvlognBLkLd9X4ouaXe7xDUWm_p8Sn0vk6cp-TmoJ1xZyclElxSFB54N68-MA6beY44STj8lUABN0TIHJGSaL8lFlAefbWyE3V2A/s1600-h/case.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtzqc1eQ0a7Y5efFMxVBlvSE5qd96UtVQVNLtAeMwvlognBLkLd9X4ouaXe7xDUWm_p8Sn0vk6cp-TmoJ1xZyclElxSFB54N68-MA6beY44STj8lUABN0TIHJGSaL8lFlAefbWyE3V2A/s320/case.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284531201578475298" border="0" /></a>The only thing left to consider is the case. It is one of the most important parts to consider which is kind of unique when making a HTPC. You have to consider looks and airflow when picking a good case. The case that I'm interested in is the Antec Silver veris Fusion 430 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129029). It is a micro atx case so my mother board will have no difficulty fitting into to it. its has the nice little display that you can program what it says which is a nice little feature. Has a 430 watt power supply which is enough power but I may have to replace if it gets to loud. It also come with two huge 120mm fans which is more then enough to keep my HTPC running cool. I think that it will nicely fit into my home theatre.<br /><br />For now I'm not going to look into getting a Blue-ray drive but I will defiantly do it in the future when prices are much lower so it looks like a DVD burner will have to do. Besides that I think I'm done. If you have an questions or you have found that I have missed something please leave a comment and I will get back to you asap. Anyways this build is done so keep on building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-81255082608616632652008-12-24T21:59:00.000-08:002008-12-24T22:04:10.594-08:00Merry ChristmasJust had my last day at my co-op a few hours ago an it's Christmas <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">all ready</span> and I've finally finished my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Christmas</span> wrapping on Christmas eve. That's my own Christmas tradition I guess. Will add a post for part 3 of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HTPC</span> within the next two days hopefully. I will be off work so I'll have more time for posts so look <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">forward</span> to that. The only thing I have to say then I guess is merry Christmas to all!Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-19054680095954221432008-12-21T19:26:00.001-08:002008-12-21T20:07:46.738-08:00Blue Prints: HTPC part 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEARppkCqZFGy_X0uFkHT8h3alylK-MrTCpdWMmfKmKfBgIZ6DHkEvApNkOYkrNciFy9btuRnkUTTJd3yWfXURNrLr341dJXk6nWshDRDo_ysXe1hzcNIafKGrjbRssmPJC6__LWdiZw/s1600-h/blueprints.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEARppkCqZFGy_X0uFkHT8h3alylK-MrTCpdWMmfKmKfBgIZ6DHkEvApNkOYkrNciFy9btuRnkUTTJd3yWfXURNrLr341dJXk6nWshDRDo_ysXe1hzcNIafKGrjbRssmPJC6__LWdiZw/s320/blueprints.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282455211478270962" border="0" /></a><br />So I've been pretty busy lately and I haven't had the time to update my blog, sorry for the wait but finally is part two of my blue print of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HTPC</span>. The first important thing is to decide exactly what you want your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HTPC</span> to do. I'm interested in having an HDTV tuner and possible to watch blue-ray discs some time in the future when they are cheaper, other maybe interested in play PC games. For this I've decided not to use a graphics card since it will only increase the noise and the heat generated by the system. I've decided after some research to go for integrated graphics based on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">AMD</span> 780G chip set. With this chip set I'll get a nice little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Radeon</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">HD</span> 3200 graphics chip. I could go for a higher level chip set but all it would add is cross-fire support for 2 or even 3 graphics chips. That maybe a good idea for a gaming PC but to much for my little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">HTPC</span>. Based on reviews I've heard from this integrated graphics chip, it is the best on the market right now and is more then capable to handle blue-ray decoding. So based on that I can look into a motherboard I'm interested in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhevNvjWKIX1-_gO9OgeGLofiTrdXrSCKV7u13EkA0uzbFL36q2JESgILPpDEiK17sOp30jpW21xqL3rxA26mIS9SoOALm8JqQtjq95UK2PfVi_uxsDzaJP3dqp251aNF3dQYrGdeKUA/s1600-h/asus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhevNvjWKIX1-_gO9OgeGLofiTrdXrSCKV7u13EkA0uzbFL36q2JESgILPpDEiK17sOp30jpW21xqL3rxA26mIS9SoOALm8JqQtjq95UK2PfVi_uxsDzaJP3dqp251aNF3dQYrGdeKUA/s400/asus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282456444920231698" border="0" /></a>I've done my research for my motherboard on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">newegg</span>.ca at work, don't tell my boss, since they have a wide selection and have a large amount of reviews collected from purchasers. I suggest this method of research for anyone interested in make a computer. The price may or may not be the cheapest but you can all ways look to your favourite vendor after you know what product you want. From there I have found a nice little Gem, the<span style="font-size:85%;"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ASUS</span> M3A78-EM</span>(http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131324). This motherboard has a lot of features I'm interested, the correct <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">chip set</span>, AM+ in case I was interested in going for a AM+ CPU (probably not, to much power), and it's a micro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ATX</span> which means I can fit it into on of those nice little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">HTPC</span> cases. Reviews for it too are all most all 100% which is pretty much amazing. Good features, good prices at currently $91 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">CDN</span> it is a dream come true, now to go onto the CPU.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK-pkrzsk-loGWGJJLFyoa6o2VsOPxagPg9Y3LxNeqWlDtD0-i_LHbupeFCCstuOVHjf2WCLzGlTrfDFUZvIxZMc_z-9HIAfTBK0AvYxUUrjHxsHwBlaOn-hIc7P27QrCDFc0_Ok3QLU/s1600-h/amd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK-pkrzsk-loGWGJJLFyoa6o2VsOPxagPg9Y3LxNeqWlDtD0-i_LHbupeFCCstuOVHjf2WCLzGlTrfDFUZvIxZMc_z-9HIAfTBK0AvYxUUrjHxsHwBlaOn-hIc7P27QrCDFc0_Ok3QLU/s400/amd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282459970646358722" border="0" /></a>Kinna set into getting a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">AMD</span> CPU now because of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">chip set</span>, but pretty excited for that because I wanted to make an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">AMD</span> based build for my gaming PC but Intel kicks their gaming <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">CPU's</span> out of the door. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">AMD</span> on the other hand has some nice low energy low heat solutions which make it perfect for my needs. For this I've picked the <span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">AMD</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Athlon</span> 64 X2 5050e (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103298)</span>, it's a nice little 2.6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Ghz</span> dual core that has a thermal power of 45W. That is an insanely small value for such a fast CPU. It's the fasted of the new Brisbane core series with a 65 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">nm</span> die size. For 75.99 I would be insane not to pick this CPU. There really hasn't any competition in my mind for which CPU I will be using.<br /><br />Anyways that's all my time for tonight, look forward to part 3 of this build much sooner then before. I also would like to start posting some Tech news that's happened just recently that I think people would be interested in hearing about. Till then, keep on building.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-54658261072572766252008-12-04T16:58:00.000-08:002008-12-04T17:37:52.270-08:00Blue Prints: HTPC part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigejcPbvDRMZdVr218zX-_GmQii9-BTJsuEFEK4JlZi4xh4AxMzi-lxcWcIFaA0GaQ4Al6lFFsKUVgGlNwP5JOiOTdwnc6blMUKBsn1DmI7ZwJ3OX2JfPDP2o-mgVYSa-CZM3tm5etAKo/s1600-h/ist2_2006025-robot-blueprint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigejcPbvDRMZdVr218zX-_GmQii9-BTJsuEFEK4JlZi4xh4AxMzi-lxcWcIFaA0GaQ4Al6lFFsKUVgGlNwP5JOiOTdwnc6blMUKBsn1DmI7ZwJ3OX2JfPDP2o-mgVYSa-CZM3tm5etAKo/s320/ist2_2006025-robot-blueprint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276105028100244946" border="0" /></a><br />Sorry for the lack of updates, but I've been busy with work and other Christmas events that have come up. In this section I would to just go into a brief explanation of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HTPC</span> and explanation on why they are so cool. I will try to stick a specific format so my previous post may change appearance over the next little while while I experiment with different formats. The content will most likely remain the same. Anyways here's everything that you would like to know about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HTPC's</span>.<br /><br />Well what exactly is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HTPC</span> one would ask? Well like my previous post on building a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NAS</span>, an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">HTPC</span> is a computer design with a specific role in mind. With the introduction of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">HDTV's</span> over the past few years the line between the experience between TV and computers have start to blur. Any one can look only line for that latest TV episodes that they have missed. It's equally easy for anyone to play a video game on a PS3 or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Xbox</span> 360 against their friends on there <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">PC's</span>. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">HTPC</span> is just extension of the idea of combining the two experiences together.<br /><br />In their simplest forms, an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">HTPC</span> is a computer that connects to your Television to display content. With the relevantly new introduction of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">HD</span> TV tuner available on the PC market, they can do so much more. A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">HTPC</span> is very much like a personal video recording in that matter such as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">TIVO</span>. The difference is that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">HTPC's</span> don't lack the features that many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">PVR's</span> do and they come out at a lower price. A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">HTPC</span> can store all your digital stored movies, such as downloaded movies or achieved <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">DVD's</span>, play anything from you movie collection, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">DVD's</span> Blue Ray <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">DVD's</span> and even <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">HDDVD's</span>, as well as play your stored music collection.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrKmRobQnSzz409Sey-Dz-7q_rjZ4imzFvI-NAx26AB8Vs1lIzJyPfea1EjfJ1gRvjlosAyhkC1HxJXETcfP1YLx_-ZWk7JGnTDVWbJOhy0yIWJfpiHitF-aGMvs9gU332Go_RZQZE_4/s1600-h/thermaltake-dh-102-htpc-with-seven-inch-touchscreen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrKmRobQnSzz409Sey-Dz-7q_rjZ4imzFvI-NAx26AB8Vs1lIzJyPfea1EjfJ1gRvjlosAyhkC1HxJXETcfP1YLx_-ZWk7JGnTDVWbJOhy0yIWJfpiHitF-aGMvs9gU332Go_RZQZE_4/s320/thermaltake-dh-102-htpc-with-seven-inch-touchscreen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276111875147665442" border="0" /></a>There are a bunch of commercially available <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">HTPC</span> but I won't being going into much detail about these because I'd rather take the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">DIY</span>-er approach. There are many different aspects of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">HTPC</span> that make it unique from a killer gaming rig, you have to remember that this PC will most likely remain in your family so you can use the latest graphics cards with insanely huge fans and heat sinks that sound like a jet-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">figther</span> in your house. So there are some hardware issues that have to be looked into but also software issues. Should you use the two version's of windows vista that come with the latest version of windows media centre (Vista ultimate and Home Premium), Windows <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">MCE</span> ( a build based on windows <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">XP</span>), or do you go the adventurist way and try a Linux based build. Through out the next week post I will go into these different issues and hopefully you will understand why I have been so interested in making this build. But that's for another day.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-23347640636143927082008-11-23T17:39:00.000-08:002008-11-23T18:58:49.122-08:00N.A.S. Build<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.canadacomputers.com/ProductImages/011834/678.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.canadacomputers.com/ProductImages/011834/678.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />So what exactly is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NAS</span>? Well <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NAS</span> stands for network attached storage which is pretty much what it sounds like. It's a dummy computer that is setup in a network just for the purpose of network storage. Of course there are commercial solutions which are sold for a fair price such as an external <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HDD</span> or a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pre</span>-built <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">NAS</span> (<a href="http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011834&cid=HD.342">Buffalo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LinkStation</span> Pro Network Shared Storage 320GB Network Hard </a><a href="http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011834&cid=HD.342">Drive $199.99</a>) but where would be the fun in that? The true <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">DIYer</span> would just take an old computer that they have lying around and setup it up with a large <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">HDD</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SSD</span> or solid state drive are available now for the home user but still to expensive. Solid state drives are more durable and require less electricity then the standard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">HDD</span> but are much more expensive for much less storage. It would be interesting to see a build based on a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">SSD</span> in which size of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">NAS</span> was in consideration.<br /><br />Anyways I decided to go the cheaper way and just use a previously used computer that was currently not in use with an old 200 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">IDE</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">HDD</span> from my previous gaming system that can longer go into my new rig since it only has <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">SATA</span> connections, damn you advances in technology. So the computer I used was an old HP Pentium 850 MHz with 512 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">mb</span> of ram. This is much more computing power then what you need. You can make a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">NAS</span> from pretty much any system. As i said before, the system will be using a 200 GB western digital <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">IDE</span> hard drive. If I had to make any suggestion to people interested in making a really nice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">NAS</span> I would tell them to use a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">SATA</span> 2 3<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Gb</span>/s Hard drive and a gigabyte LAN network card. Gigabyte LAN cards are pretty cheap now and will make a huge difference when move a large amount of data.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU73VuUEd9KzSHzq8ozhD6y3iDGVkVUFSDHuAEVtGuFtAOyuOHBUe1_KJtTBfbXqgecDB6UouROjpXsqrMv8A9njtBuGq9hWB29cL7rhaH9f5uVV2Zjmcm0vut-58y5gXjGWqYzotR3X4/s1600-h/Capture.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU73VuUEd9KzSHzq8ozhD6y3iDGVkVUFSDHuAEVtGuFtAOyuOHBUe1_KJtTBfbXqgecDB6UouROjpXsqrMv8A9njtBuGq9hWB29cL7rhaH9f5uVV2Zjmcm0vut-58y5gXjGWqYzotR3X4/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272047606711377586" border="0" /></a>The software setup for my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">NAS</span> was pretty easy but it did take a little while for me to get it going. I used <a href="http://www.freenas.org/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">FreeNAS</span></a> which is a free open source <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">NAS</span> OS which a huge range of different features all the while taking up just under 32MB. You can get it to run off the hard drive, compact flash or even a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">USB</span> key. I decided just to use the hard drive that I am going to use for storage. It was fairly easy to get it to run on my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">NAS</span> comp but a little bit more difficult for me to get it setup. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">FreesNAS</span> has a web browser type interface that can be open from any computer on the network with an easy to understand interface. It supports a lot of different <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">protcols</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">CIFS</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">SMB</span>, FTP, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">UPnP</span> and UPS just to name a few) for every computer in your network. Since pretty much all the computers in my network are running off of windows (all except one which is running <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Ubuntu</span>) I decided just to use <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">CIFS</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">SMB</span>. It was very easy to setup this up after I got the drive mounted and setup properly. It did take me a while to realize that I need to setup a share so that my computer would have to have some place to add data. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">NAS</span> is now running smoothly with not attached to it but a power cord and Ethernet cable. When building a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">NAS</span> i would consider using more energy efficient parts but I had not considered that for this build. So all in all I've made myself a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">NAS</span> out of a old computer and a old hard drive all for free. Pretty sweet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbZQnsCYGvExVyMJ4ezRpC0nCXFTHDjG5AvdIAVgeamzpkJS5-is064wF713Ai0Px_PxEBogWq7VxXARG_IcMvx8rgIAME3_1k5Rp-SWIoXayR7tJSlcFO0GCtRvaf7MnKayiNVmWXd8/s1600-h/free+nas.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbZQnsCYGvExVyMJ4ezRpC0nCXFTHDjG5AvdIAVgeamzpkJS5-is064wF713Ai0Px_PxEBogWq7VxXARG_IcMvx8rgIAME3_1k5Rp-SWIoXayR7tJSlcFO0GCtRvaf7MnKayiNVmWXd8/s400/free+nas.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272051660405151970" border="0" /></a> Free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">NAS</span> web interface<br /><br />Hopefully pretty soon I will be able to add a new post on a car computer build or a home theatre build that I have been considering. Look forward to both of them.<br />Price: $0 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">CDN</span>Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-76786193738773405632008-11-10T21:17:00.000-08:002008-11-23T19:00:17.520-08:00Gaming PC Finale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qxc5yh7NUtXQVjexUdTunp58hUwXSxSuhYg4upOtCxd4a7Ltt9-EHjvyXDXOI2bzI-On9jF0TT0D54ocrwKNU-zeo77H580FOkN2pUuW0sjlPgN362CfE2n1mgTJHmMU64MJHeO2Lhk/s1600-h/DSCN1918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qxc5yh7NUtXQVjexUdTunp58hUwXSxSuhYg4upOtCxd4a7Ltt9-EHjvyXDXOI2bzI-On9jF0TT0D54ocrwKNU-zeo77H580FOkN2pUuW0sjlPgN362CfE2n1mgTJHmMU64MJHeO2Lhk/s320/DSCN1918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267267961639732322" border="0" /></a>Sorry for taking so long, but I will finally get into the steps I went through to making my gaming PC. The first step that you have to take when you put together your own PC is to replace/install the back plate that came with your motherboard. I have to say that in my experience I've always hated back plates. The process of actually installing it is actually really easy, all you have to do is just snap it in, but I've always had difficulty installing the motherboard properly after the back plate is installed. The reason for this is because the back plate has little piece of aluminum that I guess are supposed to wrap around the different ports on the motherboard but it never seems to work out so smoothly. These little pieces of metal seem just to get in the way and they prevent a clean connection the back plate and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mobo</span></span> (motherboard). Maybe I'm just doing it wrong, but feel its easier to just bend and brake these small pieces off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlkUacFbDyhNNEP1MHrooY0bEy-AlTuK6SSAHC7VoRpI9StoHqB2x6XyWE52zUOW9Hwgd94QFd5yWFzenNrQWANQIXvf2PiWMM-sdxI1oUu9qmowByNUzncVm7YrVyCJHWj1K_WEuGVQ/s1600-h/DSCN1919.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlkUacFbDyhNNEP1MHrooY0bEy-AlTuK6SSAHC7VoRpI9StoHqB2x6XyWE52zUOW9Hwgd94QFd5yWFzenNrQWANQIXvf2PiWMM-sdxI1oUu9qmowByNUzncVm7YrVyCJHWj1K_WEuGVQ/s320/DSCN1919.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267269868012097858" border="0" /></a>The next step is pretty easy, all it is installing the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mobo</span></span>. You do have to make sure that you have your case has the little screw slots setup correctly for the form factor of your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mobo</span></span>. The standard form factor is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ATX</span></span> and that is the form of my P45R2000. The most important part is that you get the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mobo</span></span> aligned with the back plate. Screwing the screws in is pretty easy, try not to use a magnetic screwdriver. You do not to need to put a screw in every slot, just put as many in as you can. It's fairly important that you get your motherboard to remain flat and secure. That's pretty much all you need for this step, nothing really complicated.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQ1TT-2xdvVIC5SbfQVVFtwjgxVAqi0De39yJdIVuhzPPF49WzXYWj-Ld2j5K5M0PtCS4kW5ReXr0lhrzsN4uX-APpWyeesk1ndtPVhiW4uW391cgRoOCxM-EDOMA1cN_tK2WziiTjBk/s1600-h/DSCN1921.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQ1TT-2xdvVIC5SbfQVVFtwjgxVAqi0De39yJdIVuhzPPF49WzXYWj-Ld2j5K5M0PtCS4kW5ReXr0lhrzsN4uX-APpWyeesk1ndtPVhiW4uW391cgRoOCxM-EDOMA1cN_tK2WziiTjBk/s320/DSCN1921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267278389958558898" border="0" /></a>The next step is to install the processor on to the motherboard. This step is relatively easy with a Pentium <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LGA</span></span>775 processor but with any processor the instructions should be pretty easy. Since the pins in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">LGA</span></span>775 are in the socket rather then the CPU itself. This makes it easier and less likely for you to damage it. There is a little are that you need to unlock before your able to place in the CPU. All you need to do is to align the little triangle on the CPU with the on the socket. It's pretty easy because the socket itself is square but it has some notches that also help you align it. There is a little plastic piece that you have to remove from the socket before you add the CPU. Make sure you close the lid and then lock the arm back into place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQ_vUjE057wq7XM-1kNmd3ig_2gA2iWfvnrcWePcKjq_HuPxOVURoz4DxKFHQ3KUd-R4x31Lt8t-5X7x21ZKc6aJWqlHCUDW5M_ZgP1JnYybprJMcxS30W1mYMYAiOYyWNdqPyYalV60/s1600-h/DSCN1923.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQ_vUjE057wq7XM-1kNmd3ig_2gA2iWfvnrcWePcKjq_HuPxOVURoz4DxKFHQ3KUd-R4x31Lt8t-5X7x21ZKc6aJWqlHCUDW5M_ZgP1JnYybprJMcxS30W1mYMYAiOYyWNdqPyYalV60/s320/DSCN1923.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267280842424487906" border="0" /></a>The next step is to install the CPU heat sink and fan to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Mobo</span></span>. I never enjoyed this part because the little clips that the fan use to attached to the motherboard never work quite as well as you would like. Before you install the fan and heat sink, make sure you put thermal compound on the CPU if it is not already on the bottom of the heat sink. Just press down on the pins when the heat sink and fan is placed over the CPU. Make sure you clip one in the and then the opposite one to ensure it attaches better. It is very important that you get a tight connect and it may require a little bit of force, you may be surprised by how much. The next step is really which is just to install the ram. Simple align the ram correctly with the ram slot. In my gaming PC I install a pair of patriot 1 GB <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">DDR</span></span>3 1333 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Mhz</span></span>. Runs pretty fast but I would like to upgrade that since Crisis isn't running as fast as I would like to and I noticed that its my ram that is being bunch and not my CPU.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLf3pN6XneAQ_xwwgNX19iRz0EGvg8a-QQbOtFPfEFqY21lKDb42jFR9v5265aMkmcfAZ3TNaJtWCpf1AQc-ZqKoYk4E74fAdSZfVjMK4NpsPCx2UgdUJuKQqsVXuqibQXPuTvrhGZMc/s1600-h/DSCN1927.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLf3pN6XneAQ_xwwgNX19iRz0EGvg8a-QQbOtFPfEFqY21lKDb42jFR9v5265aMkmcfAZ3TNaJtWCpf1AQc-ZqKoYk4E74fAdSZfVjMK4NpsPCx2UgdUJuKQqsVXuqibQXPuTvrhGZMc/s320/DSCN1927.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267284369475828834" border="0" /></a>Installing the Hard drive is pretty easy. The new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">SATA</span></span> cables are significantly smaller then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">IDE</span></span> ribbon which makes it easier to manage and I lowers the affect on the airflow of your system. Connecting the correct power cables are pretty easy. Pretty much just attached what fits and don't force anything if it doesn't. Installing my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Radeon</span></span> 4850 was pretty easy and it was my first close look at my new video card and I must say this thing is huge. The heat sink and fan are just as big if not bigger then the puny stock fan that came with my Intel e8400 CPU. Pretty happy that I have a full case to work with and not a mid case. Pretty much all that was left was to connect the power supply to everything and my DVD burner. Nothing complicated. Putting together a PC is very easy and I do suggest that everyone try it but only after they have done their research on all the parts they need. The next step was to setup the software which is all ways the hardest part.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhYuaunAWQCm4wCpukwc3-l5oPU03wH0zFiOk_ZJLRE_lI9Ty08u03e7pczhBYpZ7DLTrNh0zGbRfJhp4VWrxCbT0-rh7NRTne7EMVSZVnrMvzdQ8O-TsNBRMaYigRvtzE_Gx_Dw2kAw/s1600-h/cpu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhYuaunAWQCm4wCpukwc3-l5oPU03wH0zFiOk_ZJLRE_lI9Ty08u03e7pczhBYpZ7DLTrNh0zGbRfJhp4VWrxCbT0-rh7NRTne7EMVSZVnrMvzdQ8O-TsNBRMaYigRvtzE_Gx_Dw2kAw/s320/cpu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267291738622971426" border="0" /></a>When i tried to boot-up my PC it wouldn't work and I would hear three beeps. After looking it up, turns out the motherboard has some problems with ram so I removed on of the dims and it started to boot-up correctly, I later had to flash my motherboards BIOS to fix the problem with my RAM and get 2 GB in my system. Started to install windows vista but it had trouble finding my hard drive. After way to much trying to fix this problem (looking for drivers and what not) I found that I connected it to the wrong place on the motherboard. Stupid me I guess. Got vista running smoothly and then start to go into overclocking. It usually requires you to go through the BIOS, but with my P45R2000 comes with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Asrock</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">OC</span></span> tuner which enables me to Over cloak within windows. Overclocked my E8400 from 3.0GHz to 3.4GHz with stock fan a heat sink with a max load temp of about 50C. Pretty happy with that but considering a water cooling kit it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">OC</span></span> it more. Anyways <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">that's</span> the end of this post, hopefully all and a new one a new build idea maybe <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">tomorrow</span> since I have the day off work but we'll see.<br /><br /><br />Price: $800 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">CDN</span>Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-6690463632744587972008-11-01T22:02:00.000-07:002008-11-01T23:23:23.563-07:00Gaming PC BuildWell here it is finally my first post on a build that I've actually completed last Sunday October 26 2008. I'm just gonna start with the different pieces that I bought rather then the process of putting them all together, hopefully I will post that tomorrow but the latest it will be is by next week.<br /><br />Let me first start that this is not my first PC that I've built (just my second from scratch, I have done a bunch of upgrades to different machines but not full builds), so for this build I decided to save some money by using a full tower case that I've previously used, a used Benq DVD burner and a 500 watt ultra power supply. 500 watts was just enough power for the build that I had in mind, I may have to upgrade later but it should be fine for awhile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S5pkq9Gnl_pjct8ypFycRsu0Y1T3c3kwv89rXw7ySRMyBzsBvGBpkgCIyNXJJHkp0zC4ASTLLxiJ5xRaQvgOLkl9R6Oc4U09ZcCzJHKVgUEpKzbZ6ttE4BDK3nonIr_QWGJgk3ry8Vk/s1600-h/DSCN1911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S5pkq9Gnl_pjct8ypFycRsu0Y1T3c3kwv89rXw7ySRMyBzsBvGBpkgCIyNXJJHkp0zC4ASTLLxiJ5xRaQvgOLkl9R6Oc4U09ZcCzJHKVgUEpKzbZ6ttE4BDK3nonIr_QWGJgk3ry8Vk/s320/DSCN1911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263927466055376690" border="0" /></a>The most simple piece for me to pick was my 500 GB Hitachi SATA 2 300 HDD. The last hard drive I had purcashed for my previous machine was just about the time when they started to introduce SATA 150 but for some reason I had decided to go with a 250 GB Western Digital ATA. This was my first experience with a SATA drive and I must say that their is a huge difference between SATA and traditional parallel ATA. All the brands for hard drive where pretty much that same price so I managed to pick this one up for $70 CDN. I picked that size of HDD just because it was the best value because a bigger drive would cost significantly more and a smaller driver would not be much cheaper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mlfUBAZWhQ5m1HA_0WSYhlPG9P0Ap5K8COvwzCl4lUyRKQunzep0WekI1QLjYYoPPd4y3RRMHJbs02lxAj92WvfQUV-uvQcWG5-xPHjIlSS7tb0NcUXystRSsPX6BZpTpLpLJh8W3g4/s1600-h/DSCN1910.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mlfUBAZWhQ5m1HA_0WSYhlPG9P0Ap5K8COvwzCl4lUyRKQunzep0WekI1QLjYYoPPd4y3RRMHJbs02lxAj92WvfQUV-uvQcWG5-xPHjIlSS7tb0NcUXystRSsPX6BZpTpLpLJh8W3g4/s320/DSCN1910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263929980915070962" border="0" /></a>The ram that I decided to use where a 2 GB kit of Patriot Extreme Performance DDR3 - 13333. My previous build when they also had just introduced DDR2 so I had decided to use some new DDR2- 533 with that system so it just seemed that I would follow my pattern and upgrade to the new standard. Only reason that I had decided to pick up some Patriot ram was because it was currently on sale at my local Canada Computers. With the sale price, they only managed to put me back about $60-65 CDN. They are pretty cool looking with there aluminum shielding to reduce heat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2M2QFrqjX4hjgfwcnWx1kKkrJcfAuSng8RsCOoqCheBBJPhkvIPJCzgRVHPMniNksDdRNaPaujkq4gb0008KADUG9LPSqAuiYl3_5FwmNeIItYLgohFmhkjtagobh_BLt5gW-ODZ5mo/s1600-h/DSCN1913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2M2QFrqjX4hjgfwcnWx1kKkrJcfAuSng8RsCOoqCheBBJPhkvIPJCzgRVHPMniNksDdRNaPaujkq4gb0008KADUG9LPSqAuiYl3_5FwmNeIItYLgohFmhkjtagobh_BLt5gW-ODZ5mo/s320/DSCN1913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263931275912565650" border="0" /></a>The video card that I would have to pick would be very important to my machine if I were to use it for gaming so I spent a lot of time to do research on what was the best value. I decided to pick an ATI Radeon 4850 for the value. I had read a lot of good reviews on these cards and they were about $100 cheaper then the 4870's. I had been interest in a nvidea card but the 280's are damn expensive. Just not something that I can afford. Canada Computers did have another sale on the Palet Radeon 4850 for $150 but by the time I had got there they had sold all ready. In my dismay I decided to just get the Saphire version since I have heard good things about there products. This card does use the new PCI express X2 which is the new standard along with direct X10. I would be interested in crossfire in the future but was not an option at my current time on my budget and from what I've read from the reviews I would not need it. This ended up the most expensive part of my machine and more expensive then the original one I wanted at $200 CDN.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmCAw76SxVMipgXiDUv8lgvC-hh8-AzuF3MUaIq6PvPlSxkBBCvv1JnoX7tthMSpMuJ7CqKkP12wCkUGFnhhgPRVwtYa259O2iwrqjC8f5FtuTpJyJyicQ2yo__YvEZ6FRas2tMcQjWA/s1600-h/DSCN1920.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmCAw76SxVMipgXiDUv8lgvC-hh8-AzuF3MUaIq6PvPlSxkBBCvv1JnoX7tthMSpMuJ7CqKkP12wCkUGFnhhgPRVwtYa259O2iwrqjC8f5FtuTpJyJyicQ2yo__YvEZ6FRas2tMcQjWA/s320/DSCN1920.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263933483759530450" border="0" /></a>The CPU was the next really important part that I would need to buy. I like to go on account that I've had a long history of bad experiences with Intel (a 3.2 GHz single core and a 3.0 GHz dual core D, both which seemed never to work) and my dad had just purchased a new AMD based machine so I was more then interest in getting a AMD X2 6000+ or a Phenom X4 9850 but after doing some catching up on some new developments on CPU's i had decided against it. I had know that the AMD duals cores destroyed the Intel D series but I had not heard any news about the new dual core duo's. Turns out Intel has turned the tables. I looked up a article from TomsHardware.com (which is a great site if your interested in computer hardware) that they had create a chart of all the new CPU's for 2008 Q3 on a bunch of benchmarks. No AMD was even in the top ten. At about 6th I found an affordable looking Intel core 2 duo e8400 at $150. I looked into more and found people were going crazy for it. Turns out that it can be overclock insanely not that I was interested in overclocking my gaming PC. I did wanna try a AMD for the first time, but I decide to go for the better Intel core 2 duo e8400 at $200 CDN.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHn_5pjrDtdAyyagB7mWb1q53wcNYvNOhGh58eHTsyCBFkL9KiY93bRRDxLW4O5wa5bLBrhgU6PuUbTLbiy7QKOeutOo5tkZz81-vITUG-geGJ-_qYvD66WMvniGwxJl_kJJn1Zpwxs0/s1600-h/DSCN1916.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHn_5pjrDtdAyyagB7mWb1q53wcNYvNOhGh58eHTsyCBFkL9KiY93bRRDxLW4O5wa5bLBrhgU6PuUbTLbiy7QKOeutOo5tkZz81-vITUG-geGJ-_qYvD66WMvniGwxJl_kJJn1Zpwxs0/s320/DSCN1916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263937563932603650" border="0" /></a>The most important part for an PC is the motherboard. I can't really explain why I decided to go for a less know and less popular ASRock motherboard. It was sorta based on a cheap motherboard of theirs that I was interested in that I didn't even end up buying. I've had two Asus motherboards and they had only been trouble for me so I thought I would try something new. I decided on the AsRock P45R2000-WIFI. My timing was perfect with the recent release of the new Intel P45 chip set (Sept 2008). This motherboard has option for both DDR2 and DDR3 ram separately like the another of the models I was interested but this one had 4 DDR3 slots rather then the other that had 4 DDR2's. I know it might be weird in a gaming computer to use wifi rather then being hard wired but it was an important selling point for me rather then buy a wifi card separate. It put me back about another $200 CDN for it.<br /><br />So in total the system cost me about $800 CDN which really isn't bad for a gaming PC especially considering how much of a monster I thought this machine would be. I had previously bought a new 22" Acer monitor from Canada Computers for $200 CDN so I very interested in getting this rig up and running. Next post I will get into the installation and the setup for my new gaming PC, look forward to it soon.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371630875805281277.post-38137972236518062342008-10-26T10:45:00.000-07:002008-10-26T12:32:14.400-07:00IntroWelcome everyone to my first blog. This blog will be Tech/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DIY</span> based, I planned to post info on different projects that I have undertaken, future projects that I plan for in the future and about interesting topics in the world of tech that I find interesting.<br /><br />Just to let you have some background information about myself, I am a 21 year old chemical engineering student at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ryerson</span> University in Toronto Ontario Canada. Since I'm student, I don't really have that much capital so most of my projects will be more budget based then other blogs. I would like everyone to know that I am an engineering student and not an English so my writing may not be the best but please try to bear with it. The second purpose of this blog is for my own personal reference. Hopefully I can find out how to get google advertisements into that blog so that I can use that earned money in projects. I apologize to all my readers in advance if this in any way offends you.<br /><br />I hope you will still read my blog.I hope to update this blog every week with a new project idea of project update. I will also try to make it a little bit more interesting with photos of the projects as they are be developed. A lot of my ideas will be computer/tech based but I do have a few of interesting ideas. Hopefully others will be inspired to undertake their own projects or suggest ideas of our own. I hope to heard back from others, and I hope that this blog will have a long life.Dr_Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18176677519196970469noreply@blogger.com0