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Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 51

post #1501 of 15485
3/15/11 at 6:47am
This thread has kind of drifted into a memory discussion but while we're at it, newegg promo code DM15MR11US is active right now for 15% off all desktop memory and several Corsair (my favorite brand!) kits have a MIR going on right now too.
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #1502 of 15485
3/15/11 at 6:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

This thread has kind of drifted into a memory discussion but while we're at it, newegg promo code DM15MR11US is active right now for 15% off all desktop memory and several Corsair (my favorite brand!) kits have a MIR going on right now too.

This one (2x2GB DDR3 1600) is $22.50 AR.

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145260
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post #1503 of 15485
3/15/11 at 6:57am
I was pleaseantly suprised to find that the Hauppauge! WinTV 7.2 software plays back mt2s with HD audio bitstreaming. Now if they just had a better GUI and EPG than they do now. I am still working with getting MediaPortal set up because I think that it will suit my needs better but is a little more work to set up... In that I cannot seem to get it to give me the EPG at all but I haven't given it my full attention yet.
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post #1504 of 15485
3/15/11 at 7:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

This one (2x2GB DDR3 1600) is $22.50 AR.

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145260

I know. I just got that same memory from amazon for $54-$20MIR = $34 AR, but if I order from newegg I have to pay sales tax which makes it a bit more (about $3.50 more). I was thinking that I would order a couple of sticks for my desktop though.
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post #1505 of 15485
3/15/11 at 7:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

This thread has kind of drifted into a memory discussion but while we're at it, newegg promo code DM15MR11US is active right now for 15% off all desktop memory and several Corsair (my favorite brand!) kits have a MIR going on right now too.

Yeah, that is great news, too bad I ordered my RipJaws X on Sunday.
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post #1506 of 15485
3/15/11 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fyrfyter71 View Post

Yeah, that is great news, too bad I ordered my RipJaws X on Sunday.

Call them. They'll usually refund it.
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post #1507 of 15485
3/15/11 at 4:14pm
Thread Starter 
The mini-ITX zacate build parts are being shipped today for those who are following.

He decided to go with the bluray and 2TB green drive.

This is going to be a really cool and interesting system.

Stay tuned...
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post #1508 of 15485
3/15/11 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Call them. They'll usually refund it.

Thanks. I didn't know they would do that. Did a live chat and they refunded my $7.50 no problem.
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post #1509 of 15485
3/15/11 at 5:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fyrfyter71 View Post

Thanks. I didn't know they would do that. Did a live chat and they refunded my $7.50 no problem.

See? It pays to read my thread.
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post #1510 of 15485
3/15/11 at 5:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveGA View Post


How about this:

Cart Item List:
Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1
Intel Core i3-560 3.33GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor
Item #:N82E16819115068
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$149.99
1
GIGABYTE GA-H55M-USB3 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813128429
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$109.99
1
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 2TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822152245
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$89.99
1
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231190
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$44.99
1
Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W Continuous Power Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817371029
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$6.00 Instant
$59.99
$53.99
1
Rosewill R101-P-BK Black Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811147112
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$29.99
1
SAMSUNG Black Blu-ray Drive SATA Model SH-B123L LightScribe Support
Item #:N82E16827151222
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$69.99
1
Microsoft Windows 7 Family Pack/ Home Premium Upgrade - Retail 3 PCs
Item #:N82E16832116775
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
-$26.00 Instant
$149.99
$123.99
1
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Media Center Kit Dual TV Tuner 1213
Item #:N82E16815116036
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$1.50 Instant
$129.99
$128.49
Grand Total: $801.41

Its built

I've turned it on just to make sure it works. I'm glad this thread is so active. If Doubledownavs didn't ask about the power connection, I would have made the same mistake.

A few questions prior to going further:

1. The Samsung HD looks like it was manufactured in December 2010. Should I do a firmware update prior to installing Windows?
2. Along those same lines, when I turned the computer on, it showed a screen that asked about IDE or AHCI for the HD, but only gave 3 seconds to answer whatever question it was asking. Then moved on to "No operating system...." Should the drive be set as AHCI?
3. Finally, any other changes to the BIOS before I install Windows?

A great many thanks to all who lend a hand!
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post #1511 of 15485
3/15/11 at 5:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveGA View Post

Its built

I've turned it on just to make sure it works. I'm glad this thread is so active. If Doubledownavs didn't ask about the power connection, I would have made the same mistake.

A few questions prior to going further:

1. The Samsung HD looks like it was manufactured in December 2010. Should I do a firmware update prior to installing Windows?
2. Along those same lines, when I turned the computer on, it showed a screen that asked about IDE or AHCI for the HD, but only gave 3 seconds to answer whatever question it was asking. Then moved on to "No operating system...." Should the drive be set as AHCI?
3. Finally, any other changes to the BIOS before I install Windows?

A great many thanks to all who lend a hand!

Excellent! Pics? (How come no one is posting pics, btw?!?)

I am so glad that you have that bad boy up and running.

What experiences can you share? How did you like the case, stock CPU fan, PSU, etc? What else did you learn? Etc?

1. I have read on other forums where some people have not been updating the Dec 2010 firmware and have been fine (including one of my friends). However I would recommend that you take the few minutes to do this as it is not at all hard to do. I would do it after you have installed windows - it won't delete or change anything on your hard drive.

Don't forget to partition about 50GB for you OS.

2. I'd set it as AHCI. You can do that in bios.

3. None that I can think of. Make sure bios has your RAM set to the proper speed. Otherwise there isn't a whole lot of adjustments that you need (or want) to make.

AND POST PICS!!!
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post #1512 of 15485
3/15/11 at 5:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post


Excellent! Pics? (How come no one is posting pics, btw?!?)

I am so glad that you have that bad boy up and running.

What experiences can you share? How did you like the case, stock CPU fan, PSU, etc? What else did you learn? Etc?

1. I have read on other forums where some people have not been updating the Dec 2010 firmware and have been fine (including one of my friends). However I would recommend that you take the few minutes to do this as it is not at all hard to do. I would do it after you have installed windows - it won't delete or change anything on your hard drive.

Don't forget to partition about 50GB for you OS.

2. I'd set it as AHCI. You can do that in bios.

3. None that I can think of. Make sure bios has your RAM set to the proper speed. Otherwise there isn't a whole lot of adjustments that you need (or want) to make.

AND POST PICS!!!

I just got internet tonight, that's why no pics yet

I have a number of things I've learned and will detail them when its not from my phone.

I'll have to double check about the RAM settings ... truth be told, I don't even know what speed ram I bought. Shows how long I've been out of the IT field.
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post #1513 of 15485
3/15/11 at 5:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post


Excellent! Pics? (How come no one is posting pics, btw?!?)

I am so glad that you have that bad boy up and running.

What experiences can you share? How did you like the case, stock CPU fan, PSU, etc? What else did you learn? Etc?

1. I have read on other forums where some people have not been updating the Dec 2010 firmware and have been fine (including one of my friends). However I would recommend that you take the few minutes to do this as it is not at all hard to do. I would do it after you have installed windows - it won't delete or change anything on your hard drive.

Don't forget to partition about 50GB for you OS.

2. I'd set it as AHCI. You can do that in bios.

3. None that I can think of. Make sure bios has your RAM set to the proper speed. Otherwise there isn't a whole lot of adjustments that you need (or want) to make.

AND POST PICS!!!

Haven't been through the install process for windows 7, I can do the partition during install, correct?
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post #1514 of 15485
3/15/11 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveGA View Post

I just got internet tonight, that's why no pics yet

I have a number of things I've learned and will detail them when its not from my phone.

I'll have to double check about the RAM settings ... truth be told, I don't even know what speed ram I bought. Shows how long I've been out of the IT field.

You bought 1333 RAM!

I'll post about how to partition.
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post #1515 of 15485
3/15/11 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveGA View Post

Haven't been through the install process for windows 7, I can do the partition during install, correct?

Its a good idea to perform a windows install with ONLY your OS drive connected to keep from accidentally installing it on the wrong drive. So if you have a SSD and a storage drive (like the 2TB Green) only connect the SSD or OS drive. If you only have a SSD there is no reason to partition anything.

If you only have a large drive (like the 2TB Green) then this is how to partition your drive for the OS.

***This is just a generic example. Screen shot specifics (like size of the drive) will vary.***

Choose custom install.


You should see your hard drive. Select Drive options advanced.


Click new.


For the size select 50000 (roughly 50GB).


Windows will tell you that it is going to make a partition. Tell it ok.


Now you should see your "original" hard drive minus the 50GB partition and a "new" hard drive which is the 50GB partition that you just made. There will also be a 100-200MB reserved partition there for windows. Ignore that and leave it alone.

Select your 50GB partition and install windows there.


That's it!
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post #1516 of 15485
3/15/11 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 
I am going to add that last post to my FAQ.
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post #1517 of 15485
3/15/11 at 9:51pm
With an ssd you should always install it with no other drives attached.

Windows likes to put a small 100 mb files on the 2nd drive. i.e. your 2 tb storage drive. or whatever.

Then if you ever take that storage drive out windows will not boot.
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post #1518 of 15485
3/16/11 at 7:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post


2. I'd set it as AHCI. You can do that in bios.

I saw two places where I could choose IDE or AHCI. From what I remember, it was a SATA option and the SATA Controller option. Just to be sure, I would change it in both places?
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post #1519 of 15485
3/16/11 at 7:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveGA View Post

I saw two places where I could choose IDE or AHCI. From what I remember, it was a SATA option and the SATA Controller option. Just to be sure, I would change it in both places?

Correct.
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post #1520 of 15485
3/16/11 at 7:39am
You've been asking for pictures. Here they are.
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post #1521 of 15485
3/16/11 at 8:01am
Feel kinda silly asking this but what the check is AHCI and should I be using it?
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post #1522 of 15485
3/16/11 at 8:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

See? It pays to read my thread.

This is good to know for next time. I guess I got a hard a** when I called about my SSD which dropped $30 a few days after I bought it. They told me there was no price guarantee and gave me $15 in the form of a store credit.
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post #1523 of 15485
3/16/11 at 8:29am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul E. Fox, II View Post

Feel kinda silly asking this but what the check is AHCI and should I be using it?

Improved efficiency, less wear and tear on your system, improved speed, etc.

Here's a good summary.

http://expertester.wordpress.com/200...ark-advantage/

Quote:


These extensive benchmarks clearly show to us, AHCI (NCQ) definitely could improve computer system responsiveness, transfer rate, number of IO per second and the list goes on. Enough to say, it will make your hard disk more efficient (and indirectly reduce it wear and tear). Notice that, not every hard disk with NCQ turn on could provide positive performance gain at every single benchmark. I believe this phenomenon explain why certain author claim NCQ improve their benchmark score while others don't.
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post #1524 of 15485
3/16/11 at 8:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

You've been asking for pictures. Here they are.

Great!

Here are a few of his pictures for everyone!




Note the blue light on the receiver... Bitstreaming Dolby TrueHD 5.1

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post #1525 of 15485
3/16/11 at 8:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

I am going to add that last post to my FAQ.

Can you include a link to your FAQ in your signature line as well?
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post #1526 of 15485
3/16/11 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbbransc View Post

Can you include a link to your FAQ in your signature line as well?

Absolutely!
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post #1527 of 15485
3/16/11 at 8:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

The mini-ITX zacate build parts are being shipped today for those who are following.

He decided to go with the bluray and 2TB green drive.

This is going to be a really cool and interesting system.

Stay tuned...

How's this build coming along?
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post #1528 of 15485
3/16/11 at 9:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

How's this build coming along?

The parts are on the way and will be getting here tomorrow.

I am very excited about this build and will post lots of pics and my thoughts/experience with zacate as this is my first zacate build.

He and I really chose great parts (imo) so I think its going to be a great build.
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post #1529 of 15485
3/16/11 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Eureka!

Your answer is in the top right part of that picture!

(I'll let you figure it out first. Come back and post here if you don't see it!)


Quote:
Originally Posted by doubledownavs View Post

making me work for it? thanks!

if i cant get it i'll PM you if thats ok!

Did doubledownsnavs ever get this resolved?
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post #1530 of 15485
3/16/11 at 10:46am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Did doubledownsnavs ever get this resolved?

He sent me a PM.

He also had some bent and broken CPU pins and was RMAing the board.

Not sure if that was factory induced, shipping induced or end-user induced.

Here are the pics he sent me...


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