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What's your latest tech purchase?

Got this in the mail today...Click to enlarge.

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After some magic with tweezers.

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And it fit perfectly, though I'm a little worried about 1 pin in particular that got moved around the most from being deflected the farthest, the computer posts and runs things like it should.

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I got me a Fractal Torrent Compact, in Black and with the RGB fans.. If I don't like them I will just buy the black ones.. I am excited! My first "new" case since 2012 when I bought the Define R4 to celebrate the birth of my first son, and to use the H100 that I got for Christmas that year :D Previously I was using my old Stacker STC-T01.. on wheels :love: I bought my Meshify C used from Kijiji for 60 bucks in 2017, and it was missing some stuff.. now my oldest will get my Meshify C, and my youngest will get the Define R4.. Looks like the ol Z77 OC Formula will be put back into service until I am ready for a platform upgrade :D

Also, that is the only case that I have that can swallow that OC Formula.. she's a big girl..
 
Well frick, I've found a new obsession to spend money on: Graphing calculators. They seem very boring at first glance but actually it turns out that these are full-blown programmable 8-bit computers. The Texas Instruments TI-83 and TI-84 calculators use a Z80 processor and they have an onboard programming language called TI-BASIC (an adaptation of the BASIC language) which allows you to write and run programs directly on the calculator. No need for an external machine. That's super cool. (And they're dirt cheap.....this one I got for $10)

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M238 mouse
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a SSD for my laptop
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and board to replace my old aspire 4736 that hit the dust
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What have you used as a cleaner? Have you tried diluted white vinegar?
That's whats in there right now - very very diluted, with the primochill cleaning kit coming in


What set this is off is the dumb pump block/res design i have - it's designed for in-flow at the BOTTOM, and has huge dead spots if not used that way. That let all sorts of crap build up and broke the EK mystic fog (it doesnt like sitting still for long periods, it would seem)
This meant it had a location with low to zero water flow where sediment would collect -even just particles of the coloured dye slowly aggregating - and if or when it eventually got stirred up, it'd be big particles.
Those would then meet my EK CPU block with its very very tiny fins, and clog shit up. I have a filter in line, but the particles that pass through the filter get caught in the CPU fins - they're way too fine.

Long term i want to get myself a distro plate with a D5 mount, and do away with that drama... but it's not practical with my current case. a 120mm distro plate instead of a rear fan is the best i could achieve, and it's not exactly ideal (although it would make hose routing way easier)


Oh i need to REALLY praise this fractal PSU
1. It really is silent at all times
2. The way the PSU fan stays on when the PC shuts off to vent heat and drain capacitors* is pure genius for longevity and safety
3. I love the size. 140mm vs 180mm is massive. I could fit a bigger rad in the bottom of the case Or even better... i can now fit fan controllers, ARGB controllers etc in that space. Cable management holes built into the case are all reachable again, when some were previously blocked.
4. No matter what unbalanced load i throw at, zero whine.

Load screens at 800FPS, unigine heaven at 600FPS, 4K DLAA? Nope. No whine at all from the PSU or GPU.
And this is coming from a platinum rated corsair, that most people assume would be higher quality


*It wont drain them dry while its connected, but if flip the PSU switch after shutting the PC down it'll spin til its drained. I could do this on my corsair by pressing in the 'fan test' button, too.
 
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Good card. You'll be happy : )

Yeah the RX 6800 XT is a wonderful card i miss my AMD reference card so much traded with the MSI Gaming X Trio version for a RTX 3090 Ventus and that card I traded with a RTX 3070 ROG Strix plus £915/1075 euros last year.

So if I could I could get a AMD reference card again.
 
Yes, something went bad

I took out the second hand radiator (240mm) as i assume it came from there - now it's slowly cleaning out whatever loose crap is stuck elsewhere
I'm guessing you didn't use a not quite boiled kettle to put some warm/hot ish water in there to rinse it through first? I must admit, I've been very lucky with the rads and blocks because I haven't seen anything getting clogged up and temps have always seemed to be pretty good, as far as I know... Hopefully... lol :)

Yeah the RX 6800 XT is a wonderful card i miss my AMD reference card so much traded with the MSI Gaming X Trio version for a RTX 3090 Ventus and that card I traded with a RTX 3070 ROG Strix plus £915/1075 euros last year.

So if I could I could get a AMD reference card again.
I didn't think very much of my MSI Gaming Trio RTX 3090... For being the Gaming Trix X type model of MSI cards past, I was let down...
 
I really do like the look of those reference cards! I can see why you like them.

Where thermals good?

The temp for me in my Fractal Design Meshify 2 White TG with 5xXPG Nidec fans in storage mode was really great the card didn't make a lot of noise and was a real joy to game with on my 4K IPS panel.

Not saying my current Asus RTX 3070 ROG Strix (ROG-STRIX-RTX3080-O8G-GAMING) is a bad performer far from it.

I have tested some undervolting because the board power draw is about 282W by default in GPU-Z 2.47.0 while Unigine Heaven with the current clocks
GPU: 1950-1980MHz
Memory: 1750MHz

But when undervolting the board power draw goes down to under 190W in GPU-Z 2.47.0 with clocks
GPU: 1800MHz
Memory: 2000MHz

I haven't tested more but saving like on average 100W underload without feeling like I am loosing performance is a lot with the current electricity prices in my country.

I didn't think very much of my MSI Gaming Trio RTX 3090... For being the Gaming Trix X type model of MSI cards past, I was let down...

This time around the Gaming X Trio model I had the feeling MSI cheap the fell out on their anti-s**t bracket, because after the cooler was developed someone most had been like shit this is heavy and it will sag because MSI don't support the cooler in the rear backet that screws into the case so they make the sh**t moded anti-sag bracket that's a pain to install and cost like less than a penny to design and make.

Not even talking about the Ventus card it was a great performaner yes but the cooling solution wasn't 100% right because of it's noise even MSI sized it up and gave it an extra fan I would do a custom cooler on it any day.
 
This time around the Gaming X Trio model I had the feeling MSI cheap the fell out on their anti-s**t bracket, because after the cooler was developed someone most had been like shit this is heavy and it will sag because MSI don't support the cooler in the rear backet that screws into the case so they make the sh**t moded anti-sag bracket that's a pain to install and cost like less than a penny to design and make.

Not even talking about the Ventus card it was a great performaner yes but the cooling solution wasn't 100% right because of it's noise even MSI sized it up and gave it an extra fan I would do a custom cooler on it any day.
I always gave MSI credit for their Gaming X line, but this one was a let down, the £1900 I paid for the card wasn't a good deal really but then I did sell it for £1900 as well, so I couldn't complain.. Ended up then buying a Strix and a Kingpin 3090 card instead.. The Strix I got a full cover block back and front for it, temps are just so much better. The MSI wasn't great and did get hot for the RAM but no amount of modding ever really helped. The problem was always internally with the card.

We tested some 3080's we have with the copper shims, temps dropped like a stone in comparison. Absolutely blown away by the difference.. Still, manufactures cheaping out and not making a product good to start with in the time when everyone should have it. Just my opinion though....
 
It’s empty, but I will have a tea and get used to the light and begin my build..

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Hi,
Nice lamp shade extension :cool:
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Only item I'd ever have from msi is afterburner.
 
It’s empty, but I will have a tea and get used to the light and begin my build..

View attachment 255687
I actually love how the Fractal Design Torrent case looks but it only got space for 1x3.5inch HDD which sadly ain't enough for me unless I get like a enterprice graded 40TB drive or so.
 
Unfortunately the cassette is a 105 for £54. I wanted the ultegra for £68 (They were selling for £85) but the guy at the shop refused to price match with a shop that was 10mins down the road :laugh:

when i asked politely, he just simply said "No" - I should have responded with an "okay" and put back whatever else i was gonna buy, wished them a good day and left the shop. :roll:

He didnt bother to ask me how much the other place was selling for. He just shut me down instantly. :laugh:

Like - me as a store owner, Even if i wasnt going to give you that price, id still like to know the competitors price then say "Hmmm, thats a really good price. Unfortunately we cant match that but we can do ££ if youre interested"

it feels like i kinda still rewarded him with a sale even though he responded like that.
Better than the guy at an old store here known as "Electronic Resourcing Inc." or "ERI."
They had the best prices in the biz. But if you ever questioned them (I made the mistake once) the owner would outright cuss you out.

He was kinda infamous around here, like the soup nazi.
 
Hi,
Wally world 110.us "gaming chair" is dope :cool:

110us-chair is dope.JPG
 
Hi,
Wally world 110.us "gaming chair" is dope :cool:

View attachment 255707
How is that even ergonomical? Your mouse is basically where your head would be, keyboard is at weird angle and you sit lower than in Lambo, not to mention that there's some random carton box where legs should be.
 
Hi,
Photo-op dude plus I'm always laid back it's about comfort not ergonomics :laugh:

Cardboard box is simply a foot rest and works very well although I could use a newer box.
 
Better than the guy at an old store here known as "Electronic Resourcing Inc." or "ERI."
They had the best prices in the biz. But if you ever questioned them (I made the mistake once) the owner would outright cuss you out.

He was kinda infamous around here, like the soup nazi.

My response to that would be oddball's response but slightly edited:


"Hey man, Im about to put you on to something very good and youre giving me a problem. Listen, I'm kinda hung up. These prices are too god damn high... (blah blah blah) - you dont want in this thing, you dont get in this thing. I dont need you, I cut you out of everything, an Ultegra 11-28 cassette i can pick up almost anywhere, schmuck"

for reference:


If it was only one to three dollars difference i wouldnt ask. but there was $20.50 difference. The other shop was in the same direction i was heading after leaving the current shop albeit ever so slightly off route. I gave the the opportunity to match the price or give me a closer offer to get the sale. I actually like the folks at the store i bought from anyway but next time its cheaper elsewhere, I'll go elsewhere instead of asking and they lose a sales opportunity.
 
That's whats in there right now - very very diluted, with the primochill cleaning kit coming in
Ah, thus the corroded fragments breaking off. Makes sense.

Better than the guy at an old store here known as "Electronic Resourcing Inc." or "ERI."
They had the best prices in the biz. But if you ever questioned them (I made the mistake once) the owner would outright cuss you out.

He was kinda infamous around here, like the soup nazi.
I never heard of them? What did I miss?
 
I never heard of them? What did I miss?
Well during the 2010s they were like radio shack but local, well stocked, and half the price. Sadly the owner was... different. During his "going out of business sale" I wished him well and then made the mistake of saying "sorry you're going out of business" to which he replied in an almost donald duck grade rage tone "I'M NOT GOING OUT OF FUCKING BUSINESS; I GOTTA MOVE!"

2 years later no sign of him. Honestly it was a loss, but only just barely.

"Hey man, Im about to put you on to something very good and youre giving me a problem. Listen, I'm kinda hung up. These prices are too god damn high... (blah blah blah) - you dont want in this thing, you dont get in this thing. I dont need you, I cut you out of everything, an Ultegra 11-28 cassette i can pick up almost anywhere, schmuck"
I'm 90% certain this would result in him physically removing the merchandise you were holding from your hands, and him "escorting you" out of his "fucking business."
 
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