Forum posts

Google Chrome has come out of the beta phase and is now available in its final release.

So far, I can already tell that the final version is even faster than the beta, and some of the minor bugs are gone.

It's one sweet browser. I no longer use my FF anymore. Chrome is my default browser.

These are the memory that I bought. They have low cas latency and they work great.

I got my 8 GB of G.Skill DDR2 memory (the PI Black series) for $99 from Newegg.

8 GB is incredibly huge. In fact, I can't think of any program that can use that much memory.

You should get 4 GB of memory. 2 GB is quite small nowadays.

GeForce 8800 is much better than 9600.

BTW, here's my rig:

I am getting my RMA through Newegg instead of directly with EVGA. In fact, the EVGA tech support dude told me to use Newegg, because Newegg has even better service.

Newegg promises a turn around time of 2-3 days.

Look at this commercial gaming rig. It costs twice as much and my rig probably runs faster than it.

I called EVGA support this morning, and they admit that it's a defective video card.

I am RMA right now.

It's not a new monitor. The monitor still works fine with my old computer. In fact, that's what I am using now (my old computer, because the new rig has no display).

I'll see whether I can get my hands on another monitor.

I finished building my new rig, and everything works fine, except that when I turn on the computer, the monitor does not turn on.

I cannot even manually turn on the monitor. The damn thing just wouldn't turn on.

Everything else runs fine, because I can hear the OS loading and the audio feedback is fine.

Every ten boots, the monitor would turn on. The strangest thing is that the problem is intermittent.

If I press the reset button, sometimes the monitor would turn on, but most of the times not.

What the heck?

I changed all sorts of settings on BIOS, but nothing works.

Any ideas?

No wonder there are so many Asian doctors at my work.

More than half of the doctors in the medical center are Asian, and more than 3/4 of the doctors who trained at my medical school and pediatric residency program were Asian.

Why are Asians far superior in math and science achievement than their peers? I don't know.

Added.

Hey, srry, I am pretty close to you.

So, I put together a system with E8400 Wolfdale processor, GTX260 gfx card, 650 GB of HDD, and 8 GB of ram for less than a thousand bucks.

Pretty sweet deal.

I won't have to upgrade for at least three years.

Yeah, I don't hate Newegg anymore.

Returning the extra memory will cost me money. I'd rather keep them.

I am running Vista 64, so all 8 GB of RAM can be used.

Newegg finally solved the Antec case problem. I should be receiving my case tomorrow.

They also gave me a discount. The original price of the Antec case was $140. I got it for $30. Pretty good deal!

Except I have four memory modules.

I only have two installed in that picture.

I am already using Picasa to organize my photos on my computer, but it got even better today when I received the latest update on the software.

Now it comes with a photo viewer for Windows. The interface is extremely fast (even faster than the native coded Windows picture viewer) and sleek. Google programmers are quite amazing.

I'll see what happens when the fan starts spinning.

It may be okay.

Here's another picture of my partially built computer, with the CPU fan touching the memory module:

How do you turn on the machine without the case? Trying to short a connection on the mobo to turn it on? Too risky for me.

Once I assembled my components, I realized that there is a slight problem.

With this Gigabyte mobo, this Arctic Freezer CPU cooler, and this G.Skill memory with the extra-tall heat spreader, the memory module nearest to the CPU is actually touching the CPU cooling fan.

I hope this won't pose a problem when everything is running. I don't want any noise or heat issue because the tight fit.

I got all the components, but no case.

Newegg has not even shipped the case, even though they already charged my credit card more than a week ago.

When I called Newegg, they have no idea why the delivery is delayed.

What's wrong with Newegg? I thought they knew what they were doing.

You may find it a bit troublesome to screw the motherboard to the case if you've got dangly components in the way.

On the other hand, it's harder to struggle with the CPU cooler once the mobo is seated into the case.

I won't install the graphics card yet. The huge 260 will make it unwieldy to install the mobo into the case for sure.

I accidentally bought 8 GB instead of just 4 GB. I am not going to return the extra memory. 8 GB should last a long time before the next upgrade.

Anyway, all the components arrived today except for the case, so I can only assemble some of the components:

Well, I didn't notice it really.

The only movie that I remember the shaki-cam being abused was "Blair Witch Project".

I never saw "Cloverfield".

I don't remember any shaky cam in this movie. Obviously it did not bother me very much.

The luxury hotel in the middle of nowhere is because the crooked politicians need a place to do dirty business without anyone knowing.

And the reason for the hydrogen fuel cells is because there's no electricity in the middle of the desert.

Plus, it's a James Bond movie, so it makes better explosions.

That's just not Superman. They should leave the dark stuff to Wolverine or Batman.

I have been a pediatrician for the past ten years.

"Quantum of Solace" presents a vengeful Bond who is also vulnerable at the same time. Daniel Craig plays a tough and ruthless Bond who is just as capable (probably more capable) Bond as all of his predecessors, but his vulnerability lies in the fact that he still cares about certain people and principles. Friendship still means something to him, and he actually considers the consequences of his action. This is drastically different from the standard Bond character that we are all familiar with.

Perhaps that's why Quantum is more satisfying. It's not just a typical action flick, but one with a tortured soul and where the line between good and evil is continuously shifting. Is doing the right thing always the best thing to do?

In addition, all the main characters in this film are all laced with emotional burden that haunts them and motivates them at the same time. Psychological torment is the force that drives everyone, either to their salvation or ultimate doom.

Quantum presents a darker Bond than before, and this adds more dimensions to the suave, Martini drinking spy that we used to know. It's satisfying the franchise has taken a new direction, and the box office proves that the audience appreciates it as well.

@satchmo, 100 death-ants are enough to kill a toddler

You haven't met my toddler then.

When anything is outnumbered 1 to 100, the loner has no chance at victory.

There are exceptions, of course (like a toddler and 100 ants).

There's power in number.

So I decided to buy the stuff today.

About two hours after I placed my order, the Antec 900 case with $80 instant reduction was sold out.

Am I glad that I ordered at the perfect time.

Yeah, the question now is whether to wait even longer and risk Newegg run out of stock for the stuff I want.

Of course, I haven't ordered yet, because I knew this would happen over Thanksgiving.

In less than a week, the cost of my rig dropped more than $200.

It's incredible what the Thanksgiving holiday does for Newegg shoppers.

Now the same rig I listed earlier costs only US$912.

Every guy's mother had a penis at one time.

No, I don't mean having a penis inside, but actually "making" a penis.

Seal - Kiss from a Rose

Holy Batman!

China is going to overtake the US as the next World Superpower. Some may say that it already has.

If the Chinese stop export goods to the rest of the world, more than half of the world's population would be dead in a week.

I bet a lot of people improved their English skills at TWHL.

Through mapping, I became a more technical gamer, and I am more savvy with hardware because of gaming.

The experience has only enriched my life.

I waited to get a mobile phone for the longest time. I gave in when I had to be on-call. Instead of sitting in front of a telephone 24 hours a day, my mobile phone allowed me to actually get out of the house once in a while when I am on-call.

The forum is a microcosm of the real world, and having early interaction with other people online makes one a better communication and the risks of offending really important people in the real world is less (i.e. your boss).

I wonder how Jack Thompson will respond to video games being important to social development in teens.

He's going to suck his mama's nipples until blood comes out.

Gmail now has a new theme feature.

I totally dig the geekiest of all themes:

Adolescents spending time online with MySpace, messaging service, and playing multiplayer games may not be wasting time after all. A new study showed that online experience is a crucial part of growing up, and essential social skills are learned during the time spent on the internet interacting with others.

I read all the 1 and 2 star reviews at Newegg on the 900 Antec case, and I could live with that. I'll try not to mess with the top fan.

It cools well and it's quiet. Those are the most important things in a case for me.

I am finalizing my build. Here are the specs:

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Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 English for System Builders 1 Pack CD - OEM
Model #:N09-02215
Item #:N82E16832116511
Return Policy:Software Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$89.99 $89.99

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:Nine Hundred
Item #:N82E16811129021
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$139.99 -$30.00 Instant $109.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:GA-EP45-DS3L
Item #:N82E16813128345
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
Note (Add)
$102.99 $102.99

EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:896-P3-1260-AR
Item #:N82E16814130370
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$264.99 -$45.00 Instant $219.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Model #:CMPSU-650TX
Item #:N82E16817139005
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
Note (Add)
$159.99 -$50.00 Instant $109.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail
Model #:BX80570E8500
Item #:N82E16819115036
Return Policy:Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$188.99 $188.99

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-4GBPI-B - Retail
Model #:F2-6400CL4D-4GBPI-B
Item #:N82E16820231209
Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$54.99 -$5.00 Instant $49.99

Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST3640323AS
Item #:N82E16822148335
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$79.99 $79.99

SAMSUNG 22X DVD?R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM
Model #:SH-S223Q
Item #:N82E16827151173
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$27.99 $27.99

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #:ACFZ7-PRO
Item #:N82E16835186134
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$36.99 -$10.00 Instant $26.99

---

Subtotal: $1,006.90

So this is it. No more changes if everything looks good.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have made some modifications. Here is the updated list:

---

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:GA-EP45-DS3L
Item #:N82E16813128345
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$102.99 $102.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model HH80562PH0568M - OEM
Model #:HH80562PH0568M
Item #:N82E16819115018
Return Policy:Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
In Stock
$179.99 $179.99

EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:896-P3-1260-AR
Item #:N82E16814130370
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$279.99 -$40.00 Instant $239.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Model #:CMPSU-650TX
Item #:N82E16817139005
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$159.99 -$50.00 Instant $109.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX - Retail
Model #:TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX
Item #:N82E16820145177
Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$54.99 -$5.00 Instant $49.99

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:Nine Hundred
Item #:N82E16811129021
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$139.99 -$30.00 Instant $109.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST31000340AS
Item #:N82E16822148274
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$119.99 -$10.00 Instant $109.99

Pioneer 20X DVD?R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-116DBK - OEM
Model #:DVR-116DBK
Item #:N82E16827129023
Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$29.99 $29.99

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #:ACFZ7-PRO
Item #:N82E16835186134
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$36.99 -$10.00 Instant $26.99

---

Subtotal: $959.91

What do you think? Which OS should I get? XP or Vista? Vista is more costly with usurping resources when it comes to gaming, at least that's my understanding.

You can't upgrade from a DDR2 mobo to DDR3 memory. You'll have to upgrade everything in a year, which would be more wasteful.

Here is what I have so far...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121338

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130384

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145199

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148274

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129023

Subtotal: $997.92

I am willing to spend US$3,000.

And of course I am going to build it for gaming. Why else would anyone use a computer?

Wouldn't DDR2 mobo become obsolete in two to three years?

But there aren't too many DDR3 mobos out there.

Okay, I am thinking about building a new rig again, even though I bought my mom a new computer already.

So, my questions are:

1. Dual-Core vs. Quad-Core?
2. DDR2 vs. DDR3 mobo and memory?
3. ATI vs. nVidia?

Nice video on the behind the scene making of L4D.