What's your latest tech purchase?

[Ruru]

How!? Image was loading dial-up style, so I was musing to myself: "Bet it's a 5450." Then: a 7850 for a tenner? That's almost an order of magnitude less than you can find them for in the States.

I just posted a thread on io-tech forums that I want to buy a cheap GPU and the dude gave it basically for free, I paid 10EUR incl. shipping.

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

I used to make 3d models in SolidWorks but I no longer have access to this software.

What software are you using? Free? Costs?

Sure here are three that I use and they all have their strenghts. All Free!

https://www.matterhackers.com/store/l/mattercontrol/sk/MKZGTDW6 - I use this one the most. It is very basic but for just messing with models or building basic shapes and exporting out to gcode it is great. Totally Free. Great for going to a respository like Thingiverse making slight mods or whatever and printing.

https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura - More advanced, more features, Also Free.

https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview?term=1-YEAR - Very advanced. Create anything. Can calculate stress/load/torque on pieces so you can build very complex, very strong designs. But it is sort of a PIA, needlessly complex in some ways at least for my use case. Completely free if registered as a student. But I usually end up exporting the STL out and Opening in MatterControl to finalize for printing.

 

[silentbogo]

Ok, my shopping spree continues. Besides a new 24U rack I've also acquired some accessories, like a rackmount kit for my Edgerouter 10X (ER-RMKIT), and a shitty bottom shelf which ended up being too wide and bending outwards a little. I think something heavy, like a big-ass UPS will fix it



And of course a bagful of screws

And lemme tell ya... These shmucks at online server stores are so greedy, they charge $1 per flippin' screw!!! Can you imagine that?
Bought these in a nearby hardware store (equivalent of 'murcan Home Depot). $10 a bag. And unlike those "proper" ones, these are M6 and included hardware actually fits in a mounting hole.
Apparently they have a whole section dedicated to networking and stuff. I should visit more often.

Reminds me this video

There were quite a few limited edition models from CSX. There was an Nvidia edition case, Medusa, Gargoyle, Dragon and if memory serves me right - something with an american flag (or maybe it was a CM Stacker...). Used to drool over this stuff when I was younger.

A graphics card for my 2nd PC. Paid 10EUR including shipping so it was basically a freebie.

HD7850 for how much?! I'll take two!
Solid card. A bit hot and power-hungry for my liking, but still useful as heck.

Forgot one more, though some time had passed since this purchase already. Just thought I'd share, cause it's interesting.
Not as cheap or powerful as Chloe's card, but still... $13 for a very rare GPU for my workshop, which I tried to hunt down for several years now (missed a Dell OEM variant two years ago, and nothing appeared on my radar ever since).

It's a regular boring Zotac GT730 1GB, but what makes it special, is that it's PCIe x1. Can be installed in an embedded board with no need for risers, or can be used to test broken boards in a workshop.
For now it's gonna hang out in my HP Z620.

 

[dorsetknob]

My NAS according to documentation only supports up to Raid 1 4TB ( it currently has 2 x 1TB in Raid 1)
but i acquired these Seagate 8TB Archive Drives (x 2 ).
two Hours to Install and see if they would configure

Yes Success Raid 1 and 7.9TB

 

[TheLostSwede]

My NAS according to documentation only supports up to Raid 1 4TB ( it currently has 2 x 1TB in Raid 1)
but i acquired these Seagate 8TB Archive Drives (x 2 ).
two Hours to Install and see if they would configure

Yes Success Raid 1 and 7.9TB

Which make and model is your NAS?
Most of those support lists are only for whatever firmware/software build they tested with and it's often not the limit, as you clearly found out.
Keep in mind that you got SMR drives now, which is not ideal for NAS usage, as per the review below.

Seagate Archive HDD Review (8TB)

The Seagate Archive HDD 8TB is a high capacity, energy efficient, and lower cost hard drive for active archive purposes. The drive comes with

www.storagereview.com

 

[dorsetknob]

Which make and model is your NAS?

Netgear ReadyNAS Duo ver 2 circa 2011

Keep in mind that you got SMR drives now, which is not ideal for NAS usage, as per the review below.

yes i know...........its all in the Name ( Archive ).
Nas will only be powered on occasionally to archive files and occasional access ...then powered off

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Not actually purchased but gifted to me from a friend cuz I helped him out with his pc and cock blocked him from getting stuck in debt and overpaying for parts during lockdown

The bonus is its Samsung instead of hynix

But it's cheap Samsung M-Die in single rank that doesn't overlock well but can tighten up pretty good on timings

Big sad but 32gb is better than 16gb I had before

 

[scoutingwraith]

Got myself a Nvidia Quadro P620 ($70) for my old system that I was using before my current one. It had a 1660Ti before but I gave it to my dad to use it since the 670 he had was not cutting it anymore.

On a side note. How does the Quadro stack for video editing ?

 

[silentbogo]

On a side note. How does the Quadro stack for video editing ?

It'll get the job done. Same as 1050, only a little slower and cooler.
Recently did a build for a customer (tiny Premiere Pro editing station on a very tight budget). Added GTX1050 just for the sake of having NVENC and CUDA. I think he's happy, or at least I've heard no complaints ever since our last benchmarking session.

 

[scoutingwraith]

It'll get the job done. Same as 1050, only a little slower and cooler.
Recently did a build for a customer (tiny Premiere Pro editing station on a very tight budget). Added GTX1050 just for the sake of having NVENC and CUDA. I think he's happy, or at least I've heard no complaints ever since our last benchmarking session.

Good to know. I wanted to have something decent because using the intel integrated one on the 3770k was not a thing that would cut it.

 

[silentbogo]

Ivy Bridge is a bit old for that. I don't think it even supports HEVC decode, or any of the modern codecs except H.264.
That P620 can do lots. If performance isn't critical, and all you need is a good set of features - it has pretty much anything and everything you need, including HEVC 4K 10-bit etc.

 

[P4-630]

Have a look at FreeCAD, it's a bit tedious to work with but it has good functionality.

Well I tried it, IMO with SolidWorks it is much easier to create something...
The Siemens software looks promising but only can get a Trial... After that it's quite expensive and you have to pay anually.
I won't try the Siemens software since I can only use it for a short time anyway.

Currently trying the free version of: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal
This looks more promising than FreeCAD sofar, however it is "limited" , have to see how that affects the things I do with it.

At this time, the following file formats are supported:

• Auotdesk Alias (*.wire)
• AutoCAD DWG Files (*.dwg)
• Autodesk Fusion 360 Archive Files (*.f3d)
• Autodesk Fusion 360 Toolpath Archive Files (*.cam360)
• Autodesk Sim360 Archive Files (*.sim360)
• Autodesk Inventor Files (*.ipt, *.iam)
• CATIA V5 Files (*.CATProduct, *.CATPart)
• DXF Files (*.dxf)
• FBX (*.fbx)
• IGES (*ige, *iges, *igs)
• NX (*prt)
• OBJ (*.obj)
• Parasolid Binary Files (*.x_b)
• Parasolid Text Files (*.x_t)
• Pro/ENGINEER and Creo Parametric Files (*.asm, *.prt)
• Pro/ENGINEER Granite Files (*.g)
• Pro/ENGINEER Neutral Files(*.neu)
• Rhino Files (*.3dm)
• SAT/SMT Files (*.sab, *.sat, *.smb, *.smt)
• SolidWorks Files (*.prt, *.asm, *.sldprt, *.sldasm)
• STEP Files (*.ste, *.step, *.step
• STL Files (*.stl)

Too bad, I can't open any parts I've created with SolidWorks... It seems that's one of the limitations...

 

[80-watt Hamster]

Pretty sure I a) paid too much and b) don't really need it, but nevertheless:

 

[FireFox]

Ordered a Black Ice Nemesis GTX - 420 for the Top, my plan was a 360 because i know i will have problems trying to fit 1x 420 top + 2x 480 front, that said, i see myself very soon doing some kind a weird Mod to the top of the case

You have engaged in what is termed "over-kill".

Now that i am adding another big Rad how do you describe this, madness


Bigger fans needed

 

[Valantar]

Now that i am adding another big Rad how do you describe this, madness

I believe the term is "throwing money out the window", but to each their own!

 

[8BitZ80]

Well I tried it, IMO with SolidWorks it is much easier to create something...
The Siemens software looks promising but only can get a Trial... After that it's quite expensive and you have to pay anually.
I won't try the Siemens software since I can only use it for a short time anyway.

Currently trying the free version of: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal
This looks more promising than FreeCAD sofar, however it is "limited" , have to see how that affects the things I do with it.

At this time, the following file formats are supported:

• Auotdesk Alias (*.wire)
• AutoCAD DWG Files (*.dwg)
• Autodesk Fusion 360 Archive Files (*.f3d)
• Autodesk Fusion 360 Toolpath Archive Files (*.cam360)
• Autodesk Sim360 Archive Files (*.sim360)
• Autodesk Inventor Files (*.ipt, *.iam)
• CATIA V5 Files (*.CATProduct, *.CATPart)
• DXF Files (*.dxf)
• FBX (*.fbx)
• IGES (*ige, *iges, *igs)
• NX (*prt)
• OBJ (*.obj)
• Parasolid Binary Files (*.x_b)
• Parasolid Text Files (*.x_t)
• Pro/ENGINEER and Creo Parametric Files (*.asm, *.prt)
• Pro/ENGINEER Granite Files (*.g)
• Pro/ENGINEER Neutral Files(*.neu)
• Rhino Files (*.3dm)
• SAT/SMT Files (*.sab, *.sat, *.smb, *.smt)
• SolidWorks Files (*.prt, *.asm, *.sldprt, *.sldasm)
• STEP Files (*.ste, *.step, *.step
• STL Files (*.stl)

Too bad, I can't open any parts I've created with SolidWorks... It seems that's one of the limitations...

I don't recall doing much to get the Student version of Siemens NX. You just enter a university name but you don't need to provide any specific information to prove you're a "student". Once you get the download, it will just install onto any machine and run straight away. You don't need to enter in details, or link the software to your account or any of that nonsense.

These are the only limitations that Siemens mentions on their site regarding the Student version:

• Watermarks are added to printed and plotted data, to prevent the NX Student Edition from being used for commercial work
• Part files created in NX Student Edition cannot be retrieved in a commercial version of NX, but can be retrieved in the full academic packages available to educational establishments
• CAM data is not available for post-processing, and the displayed output of tool path information has limited precision

In my settings they call it the "NX Learning Edition", not a "trial version", and there's no information in the software information section that indicates a limited trial period:

 

[lexluthermiester]

I believe the term is "throwing money out the window", but to each their own!

That depends on their systems heat-soak.

 

[FireFox]

I believe the term is "throwing money out the window", but to each their own!

Reason?

 

[Valantar]

Reason?

Because the actual gain in thermals and/or noise is going to be nearly nothing? When your system already has two 480mm radiators, unless it's dissipating several thousand watts your fluid is already going to be close to the practical limit of thermal exchange - the major cooling bottleneck at that point is going to be cooling block thermal transfer, not radiator-to-air thermal transfer. So adding another 420mm rad gives you ... maybe a couple of degrees difference across components and fluid? I would love to see some data of course, but I would be downright shocked if this amounted to a meaningful change in actual temperatures. There's of course the argument for lowering fan speeds, but unless your current setup is in a case that severely impedes airflow, 2x 480mm radiators should already allow your fans to run at a minimum practical rpm. And you'll be adding the motor noise of another three fans, of course, which goes against any reduction in noise.

Which is where "to each their own" comes from. If you're one of those people who insists on coolant temps below 30°C or some other mostly arbitrary metric, or who prefers to run 12 fans at 600rpm rather than four fans at 1000rpm, then you do you - it's your time and money and your hobby, after all. We all have our tastes and desires, and they're never really rational after all - I don't need a smaller case than my current NZXT H200, but I'm going to get one, and that the one I'm getting is >40% smaller while offering much better airflow and component clearances just allows for the alignment of some rational arguments with the ones that are purely based on taste, aesthetics, and personal and highly specific practical preferences. A significant portion of PC building as a hobby is throwing money out the window in one way or another. There are obviously differences of kind and degree, but it's still pretty much always there. My comment is purely based on the sheer excess of your setup and that it, for me, constitutes spending significant money for no perceptible gain. But again, to each their own

 

[R-T-B]

Amazon.com: Cable Matters 48Gbps USB C to HDMI Adapter Supporting 4K 120Hz and 8K HDR - Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 Port Compatible - Maximum Supported Resolution on Any Mac via This Adapter is 4K@60Hz: Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com: Cable Matters 48Gbps USB C to HDMI Adapter Supporting 4K 120Hz and 8K HDR - Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 Port Compatible - Maximum Supported Resolution on Any Mac via This Adapter is 4K@60Hz: Computers & Accessories

www.amazon.com

Uses the VirtualLink connector to give me HDMI 2.1 on Turing... interesting. Hopefully will work better than my present adapter (which converts displayport and uses a chipset vendor nvidia seems to hate).

It also aparently works with gsync.

 

[FireFox]

Because the actual gain in thermals and/or noise is going to be nearly nothing?

I am aware of that.

There are a few reasons for this setup.

1 - The Case is freaking big and it is half empty maybe a little bit more and i want to fit as much as i can into it.
2- My plan is to add a Mini-ITX Build into that case and obviously will be added to the Custom Loop.
3 - After spending 600€ for my Case i find it fear that if i add/build something into it should be done properly.

Maybe the way i am thinking is wrong, i dont know.

 

[Valantar]

I am aware of that.

There are a few reasons for this setup.

1 - The Case is freaking big and it is half empty maybe a little bit more and i want to fit as much as i can into it.
2- My plan is to add a Mini-ITX Build into that case and obviously will be added to the Custom Loop.
3 - After spending 600€ for my Case i find it fear that if i add/build something into it should be done properly.

Maybe the way i am thinking is wrong, i dont know.

I don't think "right" or "wrong" is applicable. People have different tastes, and while there are always a myriad of factors involved, from the aesthetic to the practical to the ethical, environmental, economical, social, psychological, etc. (and neither of these are themselves a single factor, but rather broad categories possibly containing any combination of factors), whether a taste is "right" or "wrong" is... kind of like discussing whether pasta is right or wrong.

Your thinking seems decidedly maximalist and seems to lean towards totalizing, grand ideas with no expense spared. Not everyone will agree with that (I'd say I'm more atomistic myself, preferring multiple focused/purpose-built PCs to one giant do-it-all box), but if that's what works for you and you're comfortable with the expenditure, then why not? I wouldn't have gone the same route, and to me it looks wasteful in several ways, but that's me, not you. Deciding how much of your money you choose to throw out the window and in which particular way to do it is your prerogative after all

It also has to be said, "I have such a huge case, I need to buy enough hardware to fill it!" is a rather delicious expression of privilege

 

[FireFox]

I'd say I'm more atomistic myself, preferring multiple focused/purpose-built PCs to one giant do-it-all box)

Again maybe i am wrong but what would be the difference if i have to build a separate PC and build a Watercooling just for it when i could save some money and just build it in the same case where my main is and add it to the Loop without extra costs?

It also has to be said, "I have such a huge case, I need to buy enough hardware to fill it!" is a rather delicious expression of privilege

 

[phill]

And this was delivered Today

I would really appreciate if those members in Europe could help me to find a Hardwarelabs BLACK ICE NEMESIS GTX 360 RADIATOR - BLACK.

View attachment 192820

I thought I gave you the link for one @FireFox, apologies A choice of a few Black Ice 360s...

GTS 360??

They are all out of stock everywhere

 

[FireFox]

They are all out of stock everywhere

Indeed. i was looking everywhere in Europe but not luck, just in Switzerland were available but they dont ship to Germany, solved the problem ordering a Hardwarelabs BLACK ICE NEMESIS GTX 420, it is going to be fun because i need to Mod the top of the case