So I was thinking that it is not very efficient for me to leave my gaming rig on 24/7 just so that I have access to streaming media to other computers (on the network and over the internet). So I figured I would put some of the accumulating parts and pieces laying around to good use and build a small computer that could stay on 24/7 and be a little more power efficient. Esp. since running the air coniditioner is going to result in higher electricity costs in and of itself, not to mention running

I built my own computer a month ago, and I have never been able to run 2 CD or DVD drives together at the same time. I'd like to copy cd's from drive to drive, but Vista only recognizes one drive at a time. I can unplug the top drive, and when booted, I can use the bottom DVD drive. (And top works without the bottom plugged in) I know both of them work just fine, both are compatible with Vista, its just that I can't have both running. When they are both plugged in, during boot up, both drives are

Jim, I don't read your columns too often (nothing personal, just not on my list) but the title of this was too ridiculous to pass up. It felt a little like you were stretching to make a different argument against the same monotony that's been going on since the 3G IPhone was announced. For example: -Parents worrying about 200 txt messages not included? I'm not a teen, I'm 28 and not a socialite, but 200 messages is a drop in the bucket for most of these "txt crazy" teens you're arguing for. I regularly

I just bought a MSI 9600GT openbox. I uninstalled the old drivers for a 7300LE, installed the new card, hooked up the six pin connector, installed the new 174.74 driver from Nvidia and rebooted. Started to play Battlefield 2 with all settings on high (very pretty by the way) played about 5min when the game froze hard. No exiting, no task manager only way out was to restart using the power button. Since then the card hasn't worked right. In the windows driver manager it tells me the card cannot start

One of the most glaringly obvious facts you've missed is in the laptop market. Beware of Hewlett Packard and their trojan horses. Picture it, November 2007, you just came back from buy more, where you have just paid $1100 for a laptop with a HD monitor, dual core, 2gb ram, etc., open it up, plug it in and turn it on. Since this is the first time you have provided it life and Vista gets around to booting up, there it is the Welcome Center. You click on the Vista experience rating tab, wait for it.....With

-Which GPU should I choose to buy? It gives me a headache when choosing GPUs... -What makes me struggle is that EVGA 8800GS has 96 stream processors, 1900MHz, but 386MB. While PNY has 64 stream processors, 1800MHz, and 512MB. -What category should I think of when buying GPUs: stream processors, memory, company, and/or type as in 9600GT and 8800GS? EVGA 384-P3-N853-AR GeForce 8800GS Superclocked 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814130333

In a riff on ZigZgaZ' post, I have a system which is dying. Gotta build the next one. Now. My use profile is mostly PhotoShop CS3 & PSE6 and Manifold GIS. All three have heavy video rendering and databasing requirements. Plus the implied need for security of the data. I use dual digital monitors. I have already a PCIe XFX nVidia 8600 GT video card to use. Needed capabilities are Gb ethernet, minimum of 4 USB ports, at least one but preferably 2 IDE connections, minimum of 2 (4 better) SATA connections,

I cannot find it in me to get rid of both my SOCKET 939 OPTERON (175 & 185) PROCESSORS. They are plenty for what I do, but lately I have been experiencing problems with my motherboards. 1 is a DFI NF4 SLI and the other is s ASROCK 939 DUAL SATA. I just recently found a motherboard I would consider purchasing Biostar NF4 Ultra-A9A nForce4 Ultra Socket 939, I would just like to find out if this board is compatible with the AMD Opteron processors. Does anyone out there know for sure if the Biostar

These are the hardwares that I am trying to buy Computer Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119068 Motherboard: Open Box: MSI P31 Neo-F LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130129R Graphics Card: EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130062

Hey everyone! just wondering if you could take a look at the components i have so far selected for a budget build im doing. The machine will only be used mostly for internet browsing/email, some light photo editing, some multitasking, and itunes, so nothing to fancy :). My budget for the cpu (and if oem ill also need a hs/f), ram, and mobo cannot exceed $200, but the lower w/out loosing too much quality the better. I have everthing else i need- hdd, win. xp, new 500watt psu (a little overkill yes,