Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Weekend finally arrives and finally got my laptop updated. New tower (old one died last weekend and too old to repair the hard drive) will have to wait until Cyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving here in USA) to get new one. Since many players visit Jocke's AAR, I'm asking for feedback on what they would recommend for new tower? I know I will need to go from Vista to Windows 10, but any models to look at will help. As side note, hope to get my stock version of AE on my laptop up to BTS lite and back to game playing.

LCU retreat path - my understanding is the units will head in direction that is easiest to travel and towards a friendly base. I've had units already marching in different direction follow these two general rules change direction.

Without a doubt you should get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811160008

Its the one I have been using for the last 6 or so years. I can fit one of the kids in there if I wanted! [:D] It has a great layout with several clever solutions. Best tower I have ever owned.

Nice Jocke! A link to a product that is "out of stock and may not be restocked" ! [:D]
The link to World of Warships on that page is good though! [:)]

When someone says "Tower" I am never sure whether they mean just the case or the whole system. I will assume the whole system and recommend the Alienware product sold through Dell. All of their machines are designed to handle heavy graphics loads and number crunching for 3D type games. They are expensive, but features like water-cooled chips mean you never have to worry about heat damage causing failure, and the fans are whisper quiet.
One point of warning - they are HEAVY - all the heat sinks and water cooling adds up! I think my tower is close to 100 pounds.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Nice Jocke! A link to a product that is "out of stock and may not be restocked" ! [:D]
The link to World of Warships on that page is good though! [:)]

When someone says "Tower" I am never sure whether they mean just the case or the whole system. I will assume the whole system and recommend the Alienware product sold through Dell. All of their machines are designed to handle heavy graphics loads and number crunching for 3D type games. They are expensive, but features like water-cooled chips mean you never have to worry about heat damage causing failure, and the fans are whisper quiet.
One point of warning - they are HEAVY - all the heat sinks and water cooling adds up! I think my tower is close to 100 pounds.

Haha, ooops! Didn´t notice it was out of stock... [:)]

People really buy pre-built computers? You can build the same stuff yourself for half the price and it takes less then 5 minutes to assemble. [X(]

With the Chieftech tower you don´t need water cooling. Its so big you can run pretty much anything without extra fans even. [:)]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

People really buy pre-built computers? You can build the same stuff yourself for half the price and it takes less then 5 minutes to assemble. [X(]

With the Chieftech tower you don´t need water cooling. Its so big you can run pretty much anything without extra fans even. [:)]

Five minutes?! [8D] Come on!

I'll build my next one. The CPU heat paste thing always worried me, but there are now many YouTubes on assembly now that I could easily do it.

I have a CoolerMaster full tower and it's sweet too. I think you can safely bypass the liquid cooling unless you overclock. I do not overclock and run COD games and GTA5 with graphics pretty high with no heat issues. My tower has five large fans plus a very good CPU cooling system with a wind-tunnel fan. I expect to build my next PC using the same tower, power supply, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Just a new mobo, CPU, and graphics array. Maybe new RAM, maybe not.

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Five minutes?! [8D] Come on!

I'll build my next one. The CPU heat paste thing always worried me, but there are no many YouTubes on assembly now that I could easily do it.

I have a CoolerMaster full tower and it's sweet too. I think you can safely bypass the liquid cooling unless you overclock. I do not overclock and run COD games and GTA5 with graphics pretty high with no heat issues. My tower has five large fans plus a very good CPU cooling system with a wind-tunnel fan. I expect to build my next PC using the same tower, power supply, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Just a new mobo, CPU, and graphics array. Maybe new RAM, maybe not.

Okay, small exaggeration... [;)] 30 minutes is more realistic. I´ve build every computer I ever had from scratch though but for someone doing it for the first time it should take no more then 1-2 hours on a standard setup. Its not hard and as you say there are tons of guides and youtube vids. [:)]

I´ve done exactly as you plan on doing. I just upgrade mobo, RAM, CPU and GFX card. You can usually buy the RAM, mobo and CPU in a package deal. Never buy the latest stuff and you can get away quite cheaply. [:)]

I used to upgrade about every year. Nowadays its just every 3rd or 4th year. Although I have to buy new HDDs every now and then. [:)]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Five minutes?! [8D] Come on!

I'll build my next one. The CPU heat paste thing always worried me, but there are no many YouTubes on assembly now that I could easily do it.

I have a CoolerMaster full tower and it's sweet too. I think you can safely bypass the liquid cooling unless you overclock. I do not overclock and run COD games and GTA5 with graphics pretty high with no heat issues. My tower has five large fans plus a very good CPU cooling system with a wind-tunnel fan. I expect to build my next PC using the same tower, power supply, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Just a new mobo, CPU, and graphics array. Maybe new RAM, maybe not.

Okay, small exaggeration... [;)] 30 minutes is more realistic. I´ve build every computer I ever had from scratch though but for someone doing it for the first time it should take no more then 1-2 hours on a standard setup. Its not hard and as you say there are tons of guides and youtube vids. [:)]

I´ve done exactly as you plan on doing. I just upgrade mobo, RAM, CPU and GFX card. You can usually buy the RAM, mobo and CPU in a package deal. Never buy the latest stuff and you can get away quite cheaply. [:)]

I used to upgrade about every year. Nowadays its just every 3rd or 4th year. Although I have to buy new HDDs every now and then. [:)]

I go back to the days you really couldn't build your own and a new PC started at $3000 in 1983 bucks. That was a very good used car!

The time for me would be reading the mobo manual and getting all its settings, jumpers, switches correct, and then the cable hauling and bundling. I'm all fingers there.

Going back to my first 20 meg HD in 1986 I have never had one fail. Just lucky I guess. This year I did have the graphics card smoke--literally. Burning plastic smell in the office for a couple of days.

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

People really buy pre-built computers? You can build the same stuff yourself for half the price and it takes less then 5 minutes to assemble. [X(]

With the Chieftech tower you don´t need water cooling. Its so big you can run pretty much anything without extra fans even. [:)]

Five minutes?! [8D] Come on!

I'll build my next one. The CPU heat paste thing always worried me, but there are now many YouTubes on assembly now that I could easily do it.

I have a CoolerMaster full tower and it's sweet too. I think you can safely bypass the liquid cooling unless you overclock. I do not overclock and run COD games and GTA5 with graphics pretty high with no heat issues. My tower has five large fans plus a very good CPU cooling system with a wind-tunnel fan. I expect to build my next PC using the same tower, power supply, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Just a new mobo, CPU, and graphics array. Maybe new RAM, maybe not.

It's more like 60 minutes, honestly... you gotta get the various boards out of the static packaging and all.

When shopping for a new one, look for those package deals first. You might be able to find a motherboard/RAM/video package, or case/power supply/motherboard/CPU package, or motherboard/CPU/RAM, and so on... Check Newegg as well as Amazon (which owns Newegg now, IIRC).

It's been 4 years since I swapped the "guts" on mine. I might do it again sometime in the spring, but it's still doing just fine. A bit longer load times than I'd prefer at times, but I also frequently have >60% of my RAM used between various things. I almost always have at least 1 instance of Tracker open, for example...

I spent 12 years as Electronics Tech in USN and civilian life, so the actual assembly shouldn't be difficult for me. Is it realistic to get everything for around $500? If so, we may need a separate threat on building your own computer. Should I still wait to Cyber Monday to get the components? I haven't been an ET since '92. [X(]

Not $500, no, if you need a CPU and a graphics card and RAM all three. For sure under $1000 if you want mid-range on those three, especially the graphics. Probably even $750. But if you buy a CPU and new RAM you almost certainly want a new mobo too. If it goes it can take your new CPU or RAM with it.

If you need a tower and power supply add a couple hundred there. I would pop for a full sized tower as Jocke says. So much more room for air and extra components. And they last a long, long time.

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Not $500, no, if you need a CPU and a graphics card and RAM all three. For sure under $1000 if you want mid-range on those three, especially the graphics. Probably even $750. But if you buy a CPU and new RAM you almost certainly want a new mobo too. If it goes it can take your new CPU or RAM with it.

If you need a tower and power supply add a couple hundred there. I would pop for a full sized tower as Jocke says. So much more room for air and extra components. And they last a long, long time.

Didn't know about the failing motherboard possibly frying the CPU and RAM! My thought has always been that it makes no sense to buy great modern RAM and CPU and then throttle its performance by sticking it on an old mobo with limited clock speed and paths. If I were forced by budget to choose which components to get, I would get a good motherboard first.

I'm a card carrying Luddite, have hammer will travel!

Watched my son and my Bro in Law put together a tower & I'm sure I could do it in under 2 hours!

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Not $500, no, if you need a CPU and a graphics card and RAM all three. For sure under $1000 if you want mid-range on those three, especially the graphics. Probably even $750. But if you buy a CPU and new RAM you almost certainly want a new mobo too. If it goes it can take your new CPU or RAM with it.

If you need a tower and power supply add a couple hundred there. I would pop for a full sized tower as Jocke says. So much more room for air and extra components. And they last a long, long time.

Didn't know about the failing motherboard possibly frying the CPU and RAM! My thought has always been that it makes no sense to buy great modern RAM and CPU and then throttle its performance by sticking it on an old mobo with limited clock speed and paths. If I were forced by budget to choose which components to get, I would get a good motherboard first.

Probably better to say a failing mobo will allow the power supply to fry the others.

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I spent 12 years as Electronics Tech in USN and civilian life, so the actual assembly shouldn't be difficult for me. Is it realistic to get everything for around $500? If so, we may need a separate threat on building your own computer. Should I still wait to Cyber Monday to get the components? I haven't been an ET since '92. [X(]

It depends on what you plan on buying. But as Bull says I think 750-1000 is more realistic. I went back and looked at my own last upgrade. I found a good deal on a package with a mid range MB, RAM and CPU. Cost me around 550 USD. Then you have to add GFX card, tower and most likely power supply.

Todays components (especially GFX card) eats a tremendous amount of wattage. Had to ditch my Hiper 580 Watt in my last upgrade. Now running on a 800 Watt one which give me some room to maneuver. [:)]

Don´t buy the latest stuff. Not worth the money. I´m running a pretty old rig now (Quad 3,4GHz Intel CPU, 8GB DDR3 RAM, ASUS 560Ti GFX card) and I have no problem running stuff on a decent setting. My last update was 3,5 years ago and I think I can get by for another years or so.

My personal advice would also be to go for at least 1-2 SSD disks. I have two. One running Windows and one running all my games. You can´t compare the speed with a conventional disc. Its breathtakingly fast. From the moment I press the power button to windows is completely loaded is around 20 seconds. And its completely silent! [&o]

When you look for a GFX card I would go a generation older then the newest one. Buy one of the better cards in that generation rather then the cheapest one in the latest generation.

I usually spend 1-2 weeks just reading up on everything that has changed since I last bought stuff and another day or two finding where they are cheapest to order from. Its well worth taking the time to read up on everything and what works well and not. Google is your friend! [:)]

[font="Verdana"]May 19th[/font]
______________________________________________________________________________

Got a lot of "behind the scenes" work done.

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NORPAC
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Jeff resumes the bombing hitting the airfield (mistake?) at Seattle. I think he has given up one this. With 90% of his bombers in China he doesn´t have enough bombers to make this work.

Not calling it a failure yet but I don´t see how he can turn this into something positive VP wise.

------------------------
SOPAC
------------------------
I´ve decided to take a little bit of a gamble here. Reinforcing Noumea and Suva. More mines and CD guns are on their way. Pago Pago will have to do with what it has. Noumea will get a full Ozzy ID I bought out a while back while Suva will get some more armor and the 1st Marines. Both places have some arty, AA, armor and level 4 forts (closing on 5).

If Jeff comes it should buy me enough time to reinforce even further hopefully stopping him. 40 subs are upgraded with radar and if the KB shows up I´ll try to swarm it with subs. I also have lots and lots of P39s down here and I know from experience that the Zero really struggles to down them.

If he comes I´ll fight.

------------------------
India
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Preparing my counter attack here. Mostly waiting for the armored BDEs to upgrade to Valentines and Jeff to move deeper into India. Went through IM this morning and I have confirmation on 3 Japanese IDs. So at an absolute most I would say he has 6 IDs. That is nowhere near enough to pose a credible threat to India. He is also maneuvering very aggressively here not covering his flank toward Calcutta which I hope to exploit shortly.

It will be a 4 ID counter attack backed up by loads of AA and artillery + 200 tanks. If it goes down the drain I can always retreat to Calcutta and UH + level 7 forts.

With MKB and KB in CENTPAC I can also start using the navy a lot more aggressively here.

Lets do this! Time to start hitting back!

AA Bde - The one that comes in at Colombo would go with my lead counterattack stack.

SeaBee power!! [:D] - You go from not enough for first six months to swimming in them over the next four months. These are going to help in SoPac and India very soon. Something JFB don't realize enough unless they play the Allies every once in while.

O19 & 20 - If these two Dutch minelaying subs survived, time to go further down Strait of Malacca to lay some mines. [;)]

SBDs - Hope at least 4 groups are headed to India. Looks like you could use them at Chittagong.

OT - Thanks for computer advice. [&o]

what a rack! [:D]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Not $500, no, if you need a CPU and a graphics card and RAM all three. For sure under $1000 if you want mid-range on those three, especially the graphics. Probably even $750. But if you buy a CPU and new RAM you almost certainly want a new mobo too. If it goes it can take your new CPU or RAM with it.

If you need a tower and power supply add a couple hundred there. I would pop for a full sized tower as Jocke says. So much more room for air and extra components. And they last a long, long time.

I wouldn't be concerned about motherboard failure from age - it'll either fail during its useful lifetime or it won't. In my experience, mobo failures happen sooner rather than later. If it hasn't failed by now, it likely won't.

I do recommend getting a new one if you are significantly upgrading your machine, however. It's likely that at 5+ years old your existing motherboard will not be able to fully support any/all of your new CPU, RAM, or video components and may cause a bottleneck in performance. Motherboards are relatively cheap.

When I upgrade, I typically buy models that are a year old or so. I think last time I spent $600 to upgrade CPU, RAM, video, and mobo. I usually look for a video card in the 200-250 range, and CPU in the 75-150 range. Mobo then tends to run 70-125, and RAM usually about 100. If I were upgrading right now, I'd shoot for the 200-250 video card, 75-150 for the CPU, and then get 16GB of RAM in 4x4GB sticks. I would then have to make sure that the mobo would support 4x4GB chips, but that would be my main requirement for it.

I also always buy an aftermarket heatsink and fan for the CPU. The stock ones just aren't worth anything unless you're running the computer for office use only. For any kind of gaming, get a Zalman or CoolerMaster aftermarket model. It costs about $50, but it's very worth it.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Not $500, no, if you need a CPU and a graphics card and RAM all three. For sure under $1000 if you want mid-range on those three, especially the graphics. Probably even $750. But if you buy a CPU and new RAM you almost certainly want a new mobo too. If it goes it can take your new CPU or RAM with it.

If you need a tower and power supply add a couple hundred there. I would pop for a full sized tower as Jocke says. So much more room for air and extra components. And they last a long, long time.

Didn't know about the failing motherboard possibly frying the CPU and RAM! My thought has always been that it makes no sense to buy great modern RAM and CPU and then throttle its performance by sticking it on an old mobo with limited clock speed and paths. If I were forced by budget to choose which components to get, I would get a good motherboard first.

Any kind of motherboard or PSU failure (or hiccups...) can cause frying. I've had a motherboard kill a RAM stick before when the slot it was in was damaged from undue pressure on the RAM stick from the CPU heat sink.

Some action this turn but I´m feeling quite sick so the update will have to wait for tomorrow. Mostly bad news too! [:(]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Some action this turn but I´m feeling quite sick so the update will have to wait for tomorrow. Mostly bad news too! [:(]

You are getting sick a lot - better stop hanging out with sick people and your own little germ incubators!
By no means should you stop playing WITP-AE and get some sleep! [;)]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Some action this turn but I´m feeling quite sick so the update will have to wait for tomorrow. Mostly bad news too! [:(]

So, what were you for Halloween? And how late did the party go? [8D]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Some action this turn but I´m feeling quite sick so the update will have to wait for tomorrow. Mostly bad news too! [:(]

So, what were you for Halloween? And how late did the party go? [8D]

Sounds like it went pretty late, and he might have been a whiskey receptacle...