Bergauk's PC Thread. [Slight GFX Upgrade]

[Seismica]

I've heard that HDMI and DVI are pretty close, but never really seen anything that proves it. Any sort of source on that? I'm going to be getting a monitor eventually that'll have both on it just for convenience anyways, in case I feel like hooking up a gaming system to it.

They are both the same type of digital signal, only HDMI also transmits sound whereas DVI does not.

First, to clear away one element that can be confusing: DVI and HDMI are exactly the same as one another, image-quality-wise. The principal differences are that HDMI carries audio as well as video, and uses a different type of connector, but both use the same encoding scheme, and that's why a DVI source can be connected to an HDMI monitor, or vice versa, with a DVI/HDMI cable, with no intervening converter box.

I like HDMI because of the convenience of not having to buy speakers or a seperate cable for the sound (Ironic seen as I always use my headset with my PC anyway).

In this situation you will want to take into account what connectors your monitor/TV has before you decide. Adding a DVI to HDMI adaptor (or vice versa) always adds one more element into the signal cable that can go wrong. Plus, it is an added cost.

 

[bergauk]

Wait.. I thought you had 10 inches of space. That XFX looks like it will run quite hot though... no overclocking there.

I do have about 10 inches of space, however I have about 7 inches of space that can fit some sort of cooler. I'm going down to the store today to see if I can see one of these in an open box and get some more exact measurements off it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127566

if I can, and it fits, then I've picked my card out.

Edit: It doesn't fit. So.. Back to the drawing board. The 6770's would all work, but I still don't know if theres anything out there that would be comparable from Nvidia. I did get to see a Zotac Nvidia GTX 550TI out of the box in the store today, but I'm REALLY not sure where it falls in place against an AMD/ATI card.

I did come home and look at Zotac cards online and it seems like a 560TI might fit, but the card might need a little bit of "work" done to it.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Newegg sells GPU fans and heatsinks... just giving you a heads up. If you are gonna go with a 6770, go with the Powercolor, as I am quite happy with it.

Its stable Overclock for me is 960MHZ GPU and 1335MHZ of the VRAM. However, it might differ from cards to card.

 

[Azuremen]

Most likely the adapter. I wouldn't trust something that small to hold a DVI adapter in place. Especially as the cable I have currently is massive. Also.. The card I linked in my earlier post, is practically the same card, with a larger heatsink, and already has DVI, HDMI, and VGA on it. Not much else is different. Saves me the effort of buying an adapter too.

VGA is the fail. And the adapter isn't going to break...

 

[bergauk]

VGA is the fail. And the adapter isn't going to break...

VGA's always been fail. I'm really not concerned with the adapter so long as I have either Dual link DVI, or HDMI. I just don't want to go buy a silly adapter for a port I'll never use otherwise.

i'm really leaning towards one of the 6770's or the 550TI. It's just a matter of time till I get my next paycheck and I'll make the purchase.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Oi, don't diss VGA. I'm still using it with my 12 year old 15" LCD Dell Monitor.

 

[Azuremen]

VGA's always been fail. I'm really not concerned with the adapter so long as I have either Dual link DVI, or HDMI. I just don't want to go buy a silly adapter for a port I'll never use otherwise.

i'm really leaning towards one of the 6770's or the 550TI. It's just a matter of time till I get my next paycheck and I'll make the purchase.

Just get a setup with dual DVI and either displayport or HDMI. I'm certainly not minding running three displays at once with DVI and displayport.

 

[bergauk]

Just get a setup with dual DVI and either displayport or HDMI. I'm certainly not minding running three displays at once with DVI and displayport.

I'll most likely never get above two displays with my computer. Don't have too much need for more than one unless I feel like watching a movie and doing something else at the same time. But thanks. It'll most likely be Dual DVI and HDMI.

 

[bergauk]

Settled on a budget card for the moment. Went and picked up a MSI R5450 MD1GD3H/LP.

Not too much of a boost in performance, but my computer runs a little bit quieter and I have extra memory in the GPU that I can play with.

Unfortunately I had to get this card as I will no longer have a job as of tomorrow, I was hoping for something like a 6770 or a GTX 550TI, but this'll do for now.

I also picked up a new[old, never used] Lacie Rikiki 640GB and a Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 500GB drives.

Pics will be available tomorrow.

 

[eSZee]

Sorry to hear about your employment.
Hang in there.

 

[bergauk]

Thanks.

Even with this card I'm happy.. Lol. It may be smaller, it may have cost 40$. But I was able to raise quality levels in all of my games and still have playable frames. Technology is nuts when you think about it. I'll have to do a comparison Picture of both of the cards.

My X1950XTX looks insanely huge next to it.

 

[bergauk]

Bump.

So, I finally got around to taking pictures of everything.

First up, we have the LaCie Rikiki 640GB, it is seriously the smallest enclosure I've ever seen. I took a picture of it next to my Ipod for comparison.

Next up, the new MSI R5450 1GB, for a budget card, it's pretty nice. Though it's not going to be a permanent solution. I'll still aim to get something like a 5770/6770/Whatever the new generation of Radeon cards is that'll still fit inside my huge, yet cramped case. Or maybe even a Nvidia 550Ti/560Ti Since I know that they also fit.

Third we have the size comparison between the Old X1950XTX and the New R5450.
Funny how the 5450 is smaller, requires only power from the board, and cost next to nothing. Yet it'll beat the X1950XTX any day.

Last, We see my new 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM drive sitting below the current drive. This is probably the most storage I've had in a long long time.