Computer Rebuilds

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Since NEC is not making optical drives any more, I have been looking at Pioneer instead (e.g., http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Electronics-Internal-Burner-BDR-208DBK/dp/B00A4ZXE40)

 

For media, I have considered Verbatim my top choice for a long time (http://www.amazon.com/Verbatim-97457-Blu-ray-Recordable-25-Disc/dp/B00471HK0Q), preferably made in Germany.

 

Holding out for 50 GB discs/burners, preferably RW, at a good price point, to step up from my dual layer DVD+R.

[PrinzII]

The other issue is the new quad-layer BD disks. I like the concept but none of those have Lightscribe.

[PrinzII]

WW: My go-to brand of choice for optical drives was Lite-On. But for the blu-rays, I go for LG.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Now we just need BR media to drop to DVD price levels Since hard drives and software keep getting ever larger, need max optical capacity!

[PrinzII]

I had to put things on hold partially because I just spent $150 for a new battery for the Edge today.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

First time replacement? I guess 3 years is a good time for the battery out in the heat of AZ.

[PrinzII]

Actually two years is the norm. Optimas are capable of lasting 3.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Ever tried the thermal wraps they sell on Amazon? I have been wondering if we could make 'em last longer with proper insulation.

[PrinzII]

Interesting theory. Would they guard against the heat from the engine as well?

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

I believe that is their intended application, so hopefully they will be able to account for the heat from the high ambient temps also!

 

This is the product I was referring to:

http://www.amazon.com/DEI-010480-Cell-Saver-Insulation/dp/B000MY0MQ6

 

The specs on the site seem to be incorrect tho.

Edited July 17, 2013 by WWWPerfA_ZN0W

[PrinzII]

After seeing the FX 9590, I am going in that direction with a Corsair water cooling system and a 1600w power supply for the desktop. The home theater PC is going to change to one of the AMD processors with integrated graphics which also means a different motherboard than the one I bought.

[Eatinitup]

The price of that FX 9590, I could build three Home Theater PC's that would run just as fast as whatever setup you're preparing to build.. Too often you see people blowing money on components that aren't needed. In the world of Computer Engineering and Network Engineering, i have this problem with 99% of my clients. In the end, sometimes they listen, other times they dont! FYI, if you're trying to do eyefinity or something of that nature, ATI has sub 200$ cards that will boast a picture eyefinity on 6 different 50" screens in Full 1080p, non watercooled.

Edited October 17, 2013 by Eatinitup

[Eatinitup]

Awesome review of that FX 9590, i lol'd.. AMD just tries too hard.. Stick with Intel!

 

Pros: AMD fans will think it's the cats pajamas. It's got a 5.0Ghz turbo clock.

 

Cons: 220watt TDP. Still built with the lacking Piledriver architecture. Given the high stock clock speed, it's performance SHOULD be better than it is, but Piledriver/Vishera architecture is still holding it down, it's just an inefficient way to build a processor.

 

Other Thoughts: Ok, in the benchmark testing done, with all CPUs running at stock clocks, and turbo engaged if available, this CPU doesn't do that bad against the i5 and i7 INTELS in some benchmarks, it's about even with the i7's in 115x sockets in SOME benches, as we already know with AMD it's single threaded performance isn't even up to i3 performance. BUT, it is priced higher than all but the i7extreme procs, and it's still a 220w TDP. And the less expensive i7's and i5's in the 115x sockets STILL beat it in MOST benchmarks (and are way cheaper and lower temp also). It's neat to see a 5ghz stock proc. but since you can get an intel i5/i7 OR AMD FX-8350 to that same speed through OC, for half the price or better, it's like looking back at Netwar days again. And once you OC them, the true lack of performance from the 9590 shows through.

[akirby]

Just curious - what is the benefit of a home theater PC over dedicated AV components?

[Eatinitup]

Nothing really.. People for years have always wanted to have media center PC but in this current world we live in, its so easy to just stream something from your computer directly to a smart TV. I have a computer/study/guest beedroom/game room all in one. Basically a nautical themed room with a futon, hi def entertainment area.. I purchased a MacMini and hooked it up to the TV. In my living room, across the other side of the house, I have an Apple TV that my wife and I use occasionally for Netflix, Music streaming and what not.. We have all of that built into our LED Samsung Smart TV, but its just sometimes laggy and buggy. With having the MacMini, I can download and play movies and stream my monitor of MacMini, Directly to my Apple TV.. So in theory, having a media center PC is useless now adays as long as you have an Apple TV or another type of device that you can throw your current computer things from, to the attached device.

[akirby]

That was my point. With TVs having builtin internet access and apps and cheap settop boxes along with the normal cable and satellite receivers plus cheap blu-ray players I just don't see the advantage to having a PC in your home theater. Personally I don't want the hassles of hardware and software upgrades, patches, reboots, backups, etc.

 

I was just wondering if there was some use case I was missing somewhere.

[PrinzII]

For me, there is more involved than streaming. Whilst I agree that I could connect a plethora of other devices, I prefer my HTPC in that I can do more with it than the limited scope of the devices mentioned. For instance, a Mac Mini, while good for streaming still does not have enough storage capacity other than any given external storage device you connect to it.

 

As for my desktop, whilst your arguments may be valid, I have not had any issues running AMD and have done so for many years. Am I a fanboy? No. Even Intel processors have their limitations.