What's your latest tech purchase?

[Mac the Geek]

Last tech purchase that i recieved were these

Let's see... that's about $10K of hardware, sitting on top of a corrugated insulator laying on a carpeted insulator. My inner ESD nerd just puckered so hard I could hear it.

 

[LabRat 891]

My whine about halved moving from a corsair PSU to a fractal, because half the whine came FROM the PSU
Then the undervolting i do on the GPU removes it completely - even when I run it at an overclocked profile running 2GHz all the time at basically stock wattage (~360W vs 375W) it's gone.

Extensions added more whine for me, and i've learned more about electrical signals dealing with improving my VDSL cabling - even something as simple as sharp bends in a cable can cause feedback and whine, you can visualise it like a laser firing down a reflective tube - when it hits a kink, part of the 'signal' can get shaved off causing heat from friction and ricochet around in either direction, you can imagine how in a device that uses PWM power thats based on pulsing the flow, anything arriving slightly slower than the rest would make components work harder to smooth it out

This is what common mode chokes helped with, and used to be common as power filters for a while in PC builds before PSU's improved drastically


Holy crap i just googled this and found out someone else has already done this, the same tricks i did to boost my internet speeds worked for them to reduce coil while.
Try adding a choke to your PSU Cable

Three Dollar Ferrite Core May Be One Way for Reduced Noise During 3-D Gaming | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org


Resistors can be used with this too, by resisting the unwanted frequencies and are included in-line in some PSU cables, but not all of them - no idea if its a modern practice still
^ From a corsair PSU
View attachment 290591

A common mode choke is designed primarily with wrapped wires but helps to a reduced extent with straight ones, at the sharp bends the signal that bleeds out gets absorbed into the ferrite choke and converted into weak magnetism instead. This is done on the outside of the wire and not electrically connected, so its less effective but a ton easier to implement.

View attachment 290583


This is how you do it for a VDSL installation if you want things to really get better, with as many wraps as possible

My creation vs NBN co's recommendation - every wrap can add 3x to 6x noise reduction, which aint gunna work on GPU cables but you can always add more clip on chokes, one at the PSU end and one at the GPU end
View attachment 290588View attachment 290589

Buy some snap on chokes that fit over your PCI-E cables and see how you go?

You just confirmed things that've been knocking around in my head for years. THANK YOU!
Also, my 'idea' for using S/FTP 4p8c inside a case for DC power; suddenly seems a lot less nutty.

Let's see... that's about $10K of hardware, sitting on top of a corrugated insulator laying on a carpeted insulator. My inner ESD nerd just puckered so hard I could hear it.

If someone were to tell me that there is an inverse association between money and intelligence, I'd totally believe them.

 

[Dragam1337]

Let's see... that's about $10K of hardware, sitting on top of a corrugated insulator laying on a carpeted insulator. My inner ESD nerd just puckered so hard I could hear it.

Know what happened? Absolutely nothing. Know what happened the hundreds of other times i've built systems on the carpet? Nothing. Teoretically something COULD happen, but even a minor shock wouldn't really do any damage, as linus also tested in one of his vids some years ago - you would have to be particularly unlucky for it to kill your hardware, should a static electric shock even happen.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

Know what happened? Absolutely nothing. Know what happened the hundreds of other times i've built systems on the carpet? Nothing. Teoretically something COULD happen, but even a minor shock wouldn't really do any damage, as linus also tested in one of his vids some years ago - you would have to be particularly unlucky for it to kill your hardware, should a static electric shock even happen.

 

[LabRat 891]

Know what happened? Absolutely nothing. Know what happened the hundreds of other times i've built systems on the carpet? Nothing. Teoretically something COULD happen, but even a minor shock wouldn't really do any damage, as linus also tested in one of his vids some years ago - you would have to be particularly unlucky for it to kill your hardware, should a static electric shock even happen.

This sounds like something I used to say, until I started killing things w/ ESD last winter
(unlike Dragam, I can't afford simply replacing stuff willy-nilly. Not to mention out-of-production kit, that's simply irreplaceable)
I used to just briefly ground myself before touching components. Turns out, when the ambient humidity gets stupid-low from home heating, ESD becomes even more of a cruel mistress.

Also, ESD damage can be similar to Ionizing Radiation damage in electronics; it's cumulative, and a crapshoot if those displaced atoms ever cause/contribute-to a problem.

edit/PS: I also learned that there are far more ESD events from our bodies than we realize. Below a certain voltage (and depending on a ton of biological factors), you don't even perceive it. Yet, I have seen the consequences from 'un-feelable' ESDs.

 

[Chry]

Picture from the internet (because mine's already installed):
I bought Samsung 990 Pro a few days ago from Amazon.
Wanted to warn everybody: It comes without the latest firmware. Meaning: It will degrade fast! Very irresponsible from sellers/manufacturer to sell it in this state. Many people might not know to update firmware once SSD installed.

Luckily, I performed the firmware update through USB .iso file before installing Windows. I recommend everyone do the same to minimize any possible damage to the disc through usage.

 

[LabRat 891]

View attachment 290695
Picture from the internet (because mine's already installed):
I bought Samsung 990 Pro a few days ago from Amazon.
Wanted to warn everybody: It comes without the latest firmware. Meaning: It will degrade fast! Very irresponsible from sellers/manufacturer to sell it in this state. Many people might not know to update firmware once SSD installed.

Luckily, I performed the firmware update through USB .iso file before installing Windows. I recommend everyone do the same to minimize any possible damage to the disc through usage.

Thanks for the warning.
I don't buy Samsung SSDs after the issues w/ the 840 Evos. With all the issues that keep popping up over the years w/ their NAND products in general, it's has reinforced that decision.
I was tempted by the 990pro until the reports of rapid wear-out; now, the SK Hynix / Solidgm P41 and P44 series have my eye instead.

 

[bobbybluz]

Thanks for the warning.
I don't buy Samsung SSDs after the issues w/ the 840 Evos. With all the issues that keep popping up over the years w/ their NAND products in general, it's has reinforced that decision.
I was tempted by the 990pro until the reports of rapid wear-out; now, the SK Hynix / Solidgm P41 and P44 series have my eye instead.

Same here. I have two P41's and a P44 Pro. I haven't finished the rig with the P44 Pro in it yet but the two SK hynix drives are still doing great. Both are a lot faster than my 1TB 980 Pro I just did the firmware update on. I benchmarked all three two days ago.

 

[Mac the Geek]

This sounds like something I used to say, until I started killing things w/ ESD last winter
(unlike Dragam, I can't afford simply replacing stuff willy-nilly. Not to mention out-of-production kit, that's simply irreplaceable)
I used to just briefly ground myself before touching components. Turns out, when the ambient humidity gets stupid-low from home heating, ESD becomes even more of a cruel mistress.

Also, ESD damage can be similar to Ionizing Radiation damage in electronics; it's cumulative, and a crapshoot if those displaced atoms ever cause/contribute-to a problem.

edit/PS: I also learned that there are far more ESD events from our bodies than we realize. Below a certain voltage (and depending on a ton of biological factors), you don't even perceive it. Yet, I have seen the consequences from 'un-feelable' ESDs.

All of this. Yes, my first-ever motherboard replacement involved using carpet as a work surface, and nothing died; but PCB pathways were a lot wider in 1992. (Plus, it was summertime in St. Louis, which means humidity was roughly 172%.)

Dragam, I'm glad that your components didn't suffer any damage. May they live long and glorious lives.

 

[unwind-protect]

Thanks for the warning.
I don't buy Samsung SSDs after the issues w/ the 840 Evos. With all the issues that keep popping up over the years w/ their NAND products in general, it's has reinforced that decision.
I was tempted by the 990pro until the reports of rapid wear-out; now, the SK Hynix / Solidgm P41 and P44 series have my eye instead.

What was wrong with the 840 Evos?

 

[wNotyarD]

Thanks for the warning.
I don't buy Samsung SSDs after the issues w/ the 840 Evos. With all the issues that keep popping up over the years w/ their NAND products in general, it's has reinforced that decision.
I was tempted by the 990pro until the reports of rapid wear-out; now, the SK Hynix / Solidgm P41 and P44 series have my eye instead.

Dunno about the 840 Evos, but I do have an 850 Evo for 6 years and counting. Still my OS drive even with an NVMe installed.

 

[LabRat 891]

What was wrong with the 840 Evos?

My apologies for an external link to another tech forum, but it was the easiest rundown i could find:

Samsung 840 EVO read speed drops on old-written data in...

www.overclock.net

 

[GreiverBlade]

Following @VSG review I've decided to give Truthear x Crinacle ZERO a try. Will update once they get here.

aye! all hail @VSG headphone (and keyboard) reviews!

Bought the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones.
While the 9 years old Sennheiser HD6 mix still works the leather on headband is deteriorating and the top rubber has decided to separate too.
Compared to the HD6 the DT 770 is more neutral, less emphasis on the bass. It's also a lot lighter and doesn't clamp as hard.
Only minor thing is the fixed cable.

ah, i have the DT 770 Pro 80ohm and 250ohm on whishlist since a loooooooooong time ...

i might get the 80ohm for at ho(h)me usage ... but after hearing my first planar ever i doubt i will ever go back to dynamic
still might get them just for the sake of having one ...

 

[freeagent]

If you guys are looking for a set of cheap argb fans, my 3 pack of Thermalright TL-C12C-S came in and I have them installed. Nice to have matching fans!

They are cheap, but dont feel it entirely. They are nice and quiet, and move some air, not a ton, but some A 3 Pack was about 20 bucks delivered, so that would be like 15 USD?

Mine are the black framed ones, I actually just ordered a 3 pack of the white framed ones for my sons Meshify C, they will stack up in the front. They should be here Sunday

 

[lexluthermiester]

I'm yet to find any brand immune to it

This. Not one vendor, even NVidia's own, is immune.

 

[P4-630]

It arrived!.....

 

[maxfly]

Noctua ippc 2000s and Phantek Halos showed up yesterday. Typically packaged in a bag of all things, not even a padded envelope...Amazon of course. Sigh. I feel like the Rodney Dangerfield of customers at this point! If only it were possible to order EVERYTHING from ppcs.
But...the loop inevitably continues!

 

[Veseleil]

Noctua ippc 2000s and Phantek Halos showed up yesterday. Typically packaged in a bag of all things, not even a padded envelope...Amazon of course. Sigh. I feel like the Rodney Dangerfield of customers at this point! If only it were possible to order EVERYTHING from ppcs.
But...the loop inevitably continues!

View attachment 290803

I feel you. It's hard not to become angry when they just wrap things in a stretch foil. Things like this for example:

And send it through a courier service you once worked for, and know well how the packages are usually handled...

 

[KrazyT]

In theory, the packaging is solid enough ... but the transparent stretch foil !?
Everydoby who had the package in hands knows what's inside !
They could at least wrap it in black stretch foil !

 

[Klemc]

R1280Ts

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/IMAGERENDERING_521856-T1/images/I/71kzQ1lgpqL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

//

But subwoofer to add will cost an arm, how to buy a cheap subwoofer ?

 

[happy medium]

Lenovo tab 11 pro 2nd gen for 230$.
Glacier white PS4 pro and 2 white controllers.
250$.
New Nvidia remote.40$

 

[GreiverBlade]

R1280Ts

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/IMAGERENDERING_521856-T1/images/I/71kzQ1lgpqL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

//

But subwoofer to add will cost an arm, how to buy a cheap subwoofer ?

they don't really need sub ... that's the cheapest option (i also plan on swapping my 2.1 Logi Z333 with something from Edifier later )

quote from a review (https://www.liquidaudio.com/edifier-r1280t-2-0-review/ )
"The R1280T has a pleasantly round bass and is also fun as a subwoofer. Of course, the upper bass is very strong, but the Edifier R1280T has to admit defeat to systems with an external subwoofer in the low bass range. However, even in this area, the speakers still do an amazingly good job for a 2.0 system of this size and price range."

in short unless low freq bass are a must ... they are more than fine

Lenovo tab 11 pro 2nd gen for 230$.
Glacier white PS4 pro and 2 white controllers.
250$.
New Nvidia remote.40$

Nvidia remote? pics? oh, it's the Shield TV remote? ... because, if it's that, 40 seems a bit overblown for a remote ... although Nvidia ... not surprised, i usually prefer something like a Minix Neo A2/A3 but depending on the Shield device ... there might not be a USB-A to use a cheaper, usually not more than 25$, (hilariously superior also ... imho ) remote

 

[happy medium]

they don't really need sub ... that's the cheapest option (i also plan on swapping my 2.1 Logi Z333 with something from Edifier later )

quote from a review (https://www.liquidaudio.com/edifier-r1280t-2-0-review/ )
"The R1280T has a pleasantly round bass and is also fun as a subwoofer. Of course, the upper bass is very strong, but the Edifier R1280T has to admit defeat to systems with an external subwoofer in the low bass range. However, even in this area, the speakers still do an amazingly good job for a 2.0 system of this size and price range."

in short unless low freq bass are a must ... they are more than fine


Nvidia remote? pics? oh, it's the Shield TV remote? ... because, if it's that, 40 seems a bit overblown for a remote ... although Nvidia ... not surprised, i usually prefer something like a Minix Neo A2/A3 but depending on the Shield device ... there might not be a USB-A to use a cheaper, usually not more than 25$, (hilariously superior also ... imho ) remote

For a 2015 Shield. My girlfriend got pissed and threw the original.

 

[avidgamer121]

got a 480gb bx500 from my brother, technically not a purchase for me because he bought it for himself but now i took it and he's allowing me to keep it loading times are better in the games now that i moved to ssd from my 2tb seagate drive

 

[lexluthermiester]

My grandson's Nintendo GBA-SP's battery decided to die. Luckily, it didn't burst or catch fire. But good grief did it bulge!

The battery cover literally popped open when I unscrewed it. Yeah, kinda scary. And that was an official Nintendo battery. Granted, it's the original, so 20ish years isn't bad for battery life. However, technology/chemistry moves forward and they can now pack 2000mAh into the same space they made a 600mAh batteries 20 years ago. He's happy again!