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Upgrading season

I recently bought a Western Digital 320 GB internal laptop drive, works rock solid, so if you choose WD you're getting a good drive, I noticed a big improvement over the 5400 rpm 200 GB drive that was in there previously, when I get home I'll look and see exactly what brand the 200 GB drive is. I noticed a huge increase in read and write speeds with the new WD internal.

I'm surprised you don't spring for a SSD unless you really just want the space.
 
I really want the extra space. Especially since this is for my laptop, which I take with me during every long road trip. My concern with the HDD selection is the overall performance level, as I don't want a huge performance drop-off from what I'm getting now with my WD Scorpio Black 320GB HDD.
 
well you have the same 320 GB drive I do, just took a look, i don't think the drop off will be bad at all if there's even any, have you tried looking at benchmarks?

if you're buying it mostly for storage then performance really shouldn't be the main issue
 
All that I've been able to find on the new Travelstar are user reviews from online retailers like NewEgg and Amazon). The biggest negatives that I've seen from said reviews are that it uses more power than 5400rpm HDDs (though some positive reviews contradict those claims), Hitachi only offers a one-year warranty (compared to WD's three-year warranty on its Scorpio Blue HDDs), and some people were claiming that they've received 5400rpm drives instead of 7200rpm drives.

I've seen plenty of reviews of the Scorpio 640GB HDD on its own, and while I'm impressed with the results (especially compared to the Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB HDD), I'd like to compare the Scorpio's performance to the new Travelstar.

And yes, performance matters to me. I upgraded my laptop to the Scorpio Black 320GB mainly for the performance boost.
 
Fail said:
well you have the same 320 GB drive I do, just took a look, i don't think the drop off will be bad at all if there's even any, have you tried looking at benchmarks?

if you're buying it mostly for storage then performance really shouldn't be the main issue
Click to expand...

Are you saying you can't have both storage and performance?!?! :confused: I want my cake, and I want to eat it, too!!!! :p
 
yeah yeah, whatever, lol

you can, but usually the primary goal of having massive storage isn't the speed of it, but that's not to say you can't get both :p

but i am interested in what results you get

i'm really wanting to replace that generic 5400 rpm 200 GB hard drive that came with my Gateway 7811-FX

i was thinking of adding in another Scorpio next year, maybe Feb-ish. I don't need the storage but i would like to have 2 drives in there that are both high performance.

I don't keep much on my hard drives, i have most of my stuff on my external, i just move the essentials over to the laptop's hard drives and i backup anything new to my external, like steamapps games i buy or whatnot, saves a LOT of time when it comes to reformatting.
 
Looking back -- and ignoring the "extra" purchases that I've made along the way -- here's the "final" build list for my X58 system:

Silverstone SST-TJ08-B microATX mid-tower case - $90 (Amazon)
PPA Int'l DiscArmor PortaDriver Internal SATA HDD rack - $19 (Micro Center)
Two Yate Loon D12SM-12 120mm case fans (packaged under Danger Den) - $25 (Micro Center)
Corsair HX620 620W modular PSU - $90 (HardForum FS/FT forum)
Intel Core i7 920 - $210 (Micro Center)
Noctua NH-U9B 92mm CPU cooler - $63 (Micro Center)
Noctua NM-i3 mounting kit - $15 (NewEgg)
Noctua NF-B9-1600 92mm case fan - $25 (NewEgg)
MASSCOOL (Shin-Etsu G751) TIM - $3 (NewEgg)
MSI X58M microATX motherboard - $180 (NewEgg)
Thermalright HR-05 IFX chipset heatsink - $29 (Jab-Tech)
Two kits of G.Skill 3x2GB DDR3 1600 CL9 1.5V tri-channel RAM - $237 (NewEgg - bought on two separate occasions)
Samsung SH-S223Q LightScribe 22X DVD±RW burner - $31 (Micro Center)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB HDD - $90 (NewEgg)
XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD4890 video card - $220 (NewEgg)
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Full Version - $320 (Microsoft Store)
Samsung 2233SW 21.5" 1080p LCD monitor - $178 (Micro Center - clearance)

Total of above parts - $1825 (rounded to nearest USD, including shipping and taxes)

For comparison's sake, here is my "baseline" system. I know, I can't really say that I did a stellar job, especially considering how I let everything fall off the rails over the past few months.

While I'm still mulling over the upgrades to the laptop -- I'm still trying to find decent benchmarks of the Hitachi HDD -- I'm thinking of swapping out the rest of the peripherals to:

Speakers: Swan D1080MkII 2.0 active speaker set
Keyboard: Filco Majestouch Linear Force NKRO 104-key keyboard
Mouse: Kensington Orbit Trackball with Scroll Ring (I'll keep the MX518 as a gaming/troubleshooting mouse)

Well...?
 
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I also had a MX518 mouse, I loved how that mouse felt in my hand. If you liked it and you want to game, you might want to consider a Razer Lachesis mouse. My friend gave me his old Lachesis mouse because it was out of warranty and he bought a new one, I gave him my MX518 so he could have a mouse to use for his laptop while he used his Lachesis on his desktop.

The Lachesis would probably feel just as good as the MX518 once you got used to it, it's also a lot more precise in FPS games or it feels that way at least.
 
Because I'm half-expecting some nitpicking, I should have:

- Picked up the SATA HDD rack the moment that I expected the tight room was going to be an issue.
- Stayed with the stock Silverstone fans that came with the case.
- Stuck with the HDT-SD964. Even with a second 92mm fan, it would have cost less than half of what I spent on either the Corsiar H50 or the entire Noctua NH-U9B kit.
- Bought the WD Caviar Black 1TB HDD instead of the 640GB HDD -- and kept it.
- Kept the Windows 7 Home Premium OEM DVD pre-order -- Windows XP Mode wasn't worth the money, IMO.
- Bought the second 3x2GB G.Skill kit while it was still under $100.
- Not used so much of the Arctic Cooling MX-2 TIM.

I should have, but I didn't, so... :p

Fail said:
I also had a MX518 mouse, I loved how that mouse felt in my hand. If you liked it and you want to game, you might want to consider a Razer Lachesis mouse. My friend gave me his old Lachesis mouse because it was out of warranty and he bought a new one, I gave him my MX518 so he could have a mouse to use for his laptop while he used his Lachesis on his desktop.

The Lachesis would probably feel just as good as the MX518 once you got used to it, it's also a lot more precise in FPS games or it feels that way at least.
Click to expand...

The Kensington trackball will probably end up being my laptop "mouse," as I have an MX Revolution wireless mouse that I'm constantly recharging, and I'm getting sick of having to constantly recharge it. The trackball will be more for everyday use, while I stick with the MX518 -- I have no desire to buy a "specialized" gaming mouse -- for the occasional FPS that I revisit every now and again.

I'm considering replacing the cheap "utility cart" that I'm currently using for my printer and system with a three-tier shelving unit that's widely available. However, I want to place a solid, sturdy, "base" on top of each shelf. Got any (cheap, creative, etc.) ideas?
 
I have not had much luck finding a "MSI X58m Owner's Thread".

Are you going to add any heatsinks to your MOSFETs?

I am looking to pick up a Thermalright HR-05 IFX for the IOH. Any clearance issues with a CPU heatsink/fan?

I am really scoping out a Mugen 2 or a COGAGE TRUE Spirit, but I am not sure about clearance.

I assume your Noctua NH-U9B 92mm CPU cooler fits?
 
The X58M thread is actually listed as Cheapest MATX x58 sighted!

I'm not going to mess with the MOSFETs, as I haven't had any issues with them getting hot. Then again, the second 92mm fan on the NH-U9B is positioned directly above the MOSFETs.

Check out the pictures of the Xigmatek S1283V that I've posted earlier, as it takes up about the same amount of space as the Mugen 2 or TRUE Spirit. The problem for me was that, since I was using a microATX mid-tower case, the larger 120mm tower HSFs wouldn't fit properly. I was only able to make the 92mm NH-U9B fit inside my case after using a 5.25" SATA HDD rack to hold my 3.5" HDD. Keep in mind, however, that the 92mm tower-style CPU coolers won't perform as well as their 120mm siblings since the fans are pushing less air around.

One more thing: Though the X58M has holes for Socket 775 and Socket 1366 heatsinks, the CPU backplate makes Socket 1366 mounting kits a necessity. Every Socket 775 mounting kit that I've tried to use ended up bending the board -- fortunately (for me), I didn't inflict any long-term damage on the board itself.
 
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Well, I decided to extend the upgrading season....

I finally found some information that convinced me to pick up the Hitachi Travelstar 500GB HDD. Just in time, too, as I jumped on a promo deal that allowed me to buy it for $90 shipped. All in all:

Hitachi Travelstar HD20500 IDK/7K 500GB 7200 RPM 2.5" HDD - $89.99 (free shipping; $20 discount obtained via promo code that expires tomorrow)
Microsoft LifeCam Cinema 720p webcam - $62.99 (free shipping)
SYBA CL-HD-MRDU25S dual 2.5" hot swap SATA rack - $35.99 (plus $6.98 shipping)

Total from NewEgg (this time) - $195.95

I found some information on an internal notebook 802.11n card that can work as a simultaneous dual band card, but from what I'm reading, I'll need to purchase and set up a third antenna in order to use it to its full potential. If anyone has any more information on the Intel WiFi 5300 mini-PCI card, please let me know.
 
720p... thats one heavy duty webcam you've got there buddy... plan on doin a nightly show? lol.
 
thank you thank you very helpful!
I have plenty of room in my A05B, but I do want the HR-05 IFX to be able to fit!

I do not plan to ever run SLi/Crossfire. Perhaps I could get a HR-05 IFX SLi and just block that first video slot?

Do you think a TRUE rev A would be way too big compared to Xigmatek S1283V?
Once I add the 1366 mounting hardware for the COGAGE, it makes it too expensive...
I can get a TRUE Rev A for cheaper with two fans!

tiraides said:
The X58M thread is actually listed as Cheapest MATX x58 sighted!

I'm not going to mess with the MOSFETs, as I haven't had any issues with them getting hot. Then again, the second 92mm fan on the NH-U9B is positioned directly above the MOSFETs.

Check out the pictures of the Xigmatek S1283V that I've posted earlier, as it takes up about the same amount of space as the Mugen 2 or TRUE Spirit. The problem for me was that, since I was using a microATX mid-tower case, the larger 120mm tower HSFs wouldn't fit properly. I was only able to make the 92mm NH-U9B fit inside my case after using a 5.25" SATA HDD rack to hold my 3.5" HDD. Keep in mind, however, that the 92mm tower-style CPU coolers won't perform as well as their 120mm siblings since the fans are pushing less air around.

One more thing: Though the X58M has holes for Socket 775 and Socket 1366 heatsinks, the CPU backplate makes Socket 1366 mounting kits a necessity. Every Socket 775 mounting kit that I've tried to use ended up bending the board -- fortunately (for me), I didn't inflict any long-term damage on the board itself.
Click to expand...
 
Just my luck... I picked up my NewEgg items on Saturday, and then I forgot about the OS. (I thought I didn't have enough money for it at the time... let's just say that there was an accounting error on my part. :eek: ) I guess I have to run to that Mom-and-Pop computer store nearby and pay the idiot tax on the OEM DVD (of Windows 7 Home Premium).

Meanwhile, I was trying to install some programs onto my desktop and it crashes about every 15 minutes. Basically, the BSOD tells me that it having "memory handling" errors (though I keep forgetting to set Windows so it doesn't reset itself after a BSOD) -- and some initial diagnosis/troubleshooting tells me that I may have to manually set the RAM speed in the BIOS.

I'll perform a more proper troubleshooting session within the next day or so. I'll hold off on upgrading the laptop until the weekend, when I (hopefully) will have a handle on my desktop issues.

Prodeje79 said:
thank you thank you very helpful!
I have plenty of room in my A05B, but I do want the HR-05 IFX to be able to fit!

I do not plan to ever run SLi/Crossfire. Perhaps I could get a HR-05 IFX SLi and just block that first video slot?

Do you think a TRUE rev A would be way too big compared to Xigmatek S1283V?
Once I add the 1366 mounting hardware for the COGAGE, it makes it too expensive...
I can get a TRUE Rev A for cheaper with two fans!
Click to expand...

I originally thought about getting the HR-05 IFX/SLI, but I wasn't so sure that I would be able to power the video card from the second PCI-E x16 slot. (IIRC, the first PCI-E x16 slot is also the main/primary slot.)

If you haven't bought an aftermarket CPU cooler yet, I recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus instead of the Cogage TRUE Spirit. It's a bit cheaper and it has the mounting kit for the LGA 1366 socket already included. With that said, you may be better off by simply placing a 40mm x 15mm fan on top of the existing northbridge heatsink of the X58M. Additionally, the mounting bracket may "cover up" the MOSFETs, preventing you from using an aftermarket heatsink on top of them.
 
Here's a tentative upgrade "plan" for 2010 (as of January 5)...
  • This weekend: Fix "memory handling" issues with X58M desktop; install Hitachi Travelstar 500GB HDD and Windows 7 Home Premium onto laptop; install 3.5" SATA HDD bay onto computer and load it with my "old" WD Scorpio Black 320GB HDD (which will be my first VM HDD)
  • Next week: Order new mouse, keyboard, and speakers set; research Intel WiFi 5300 card (and third antenna) for laptop
  • End of the month (January): Buy and install Intel WiFi 5300 card and third antenna, if subsequent research shows that the wi-fi card and antenna are easy to install (read: little to no "case" modding required for the antenna)
  • End of next month (February): Find and buy a used Herman Miller Aeron office chair (unless you geniuses have any better ideas for less than $500)
  • March: Research parts for mini ITX firewall (tentative "budget" is less than $400 for all parts) and "acceptable" quality 23-28 inch 1920x1200 monitor (yeah, I know: Good luck with that... :rolleyes: )
But I have to be honest: With the cold that I'm currently suffering through, I don't know if I'll even make it to this weekend. I've already delayed my laptop's proposed HDD and wireless card upgrades for over a month now.

Before I forget, the idiot tax...

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM DVD - $115.49 (Golden Tech Computers)

(Yeah, I just noticed that the website's design is pretty shoddy. It doesn't even have a link to the x64 OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium... maybe because I bought the last copy they had last night....)
 
you can replace your laptop's HDD within a few minutes

why would that take a month's delay? :p

goober

edit: oh although it would take longer if you had to back up stuff on the drive you're replacing to some other source or need the time to do an imaging
 
Eh... I just use dd from any linux live cd if i want a quick swap of HDDs.
 
Fail said:
you can replace your laptop's HDD within a few minutes

why would that take a month's delay? :p

goober

edit: oh although it would take longer if you had to back up stuff on the drive you're replacing to some other source or need the time to do an imaging
Click to expand...

I have a life, and sometimes, it's more important than whatever computer I'm working on.

Besides, it's not like the computers pay me to work on them. :p

enginurd said:
Eh... I just use dd from any linux live cd if i want a quick swap of HDDs.
Click to expand...

Eh, I figured that I'd play around with several OSes in various ways. (I know I have a couple of CDs lying around somewhere....)
 
wow... very tempting... but i passed on a 28" for $300 from costco... if you or tiraides get that monitor, lmk how you like it. :)
 
I tried ordering my shit off Newegg today but failed spectecularly at the extra layer of Visa authentication, so my order didn't go through

i got my order cancellation email from Newegg

now I'm waiting to see if they took money out of my account so I don't overdraft

thanks a lot Visa you assholes
 
visa is just a brand... blame the bank that issued the card, lol.

sorry for cluttering your thread tiraides, lol.
 
Nice to know I wasn't the only one with a recent crappy sales experience. Micro Center was having a sale on HDDs and enclosures, but a quick NewEgg search (ironically, through one of their computers) persuaded me to get nothing from them.

Sucks to hear about your problems, Fail, but I recommend calling the bank (that issued your card) first and finding out why NewEgg would drop the order. If they don't tell you anything, contact NewEgg's customer support line, ask for specifics as to why the order was drop, and call the bank back with this information. But that's just my two cents' worth on the matter....

The following are the proposed "upgrades" that I'm currently planning, but I'm going to hold off on a concrete timeline for each task.

- External 2.5" HDD with eSATA and USB 2.0 (or, if available, USB 3.0)
- Compact, low energy mini ITX firewall (delayed for a few months, until I handle a few personal issues)
- Replacement 1920x1200 monitor (I know, I know... :p )
- New keyboard, mouse/trackball, and speakers (may be purchased separately)
- (Possibly) new internal dual band 802.11n card for laptop (still have to figure out whether I have to mod anything)
- (Possibly) new processor for laptop (big maybe... last time I attempted this upgrade, I fried my old laptop)

I may research a few things tonight and attempt a NewEgg purchase myself tomorrow. (FWIW, I'm using a MasterCard....)
 
Did you attempt to have Micro Center price match new egg? Sometimes it is worth a shot!

What are you planning as far as the ITX firewall? Is there a thread with a build you liked?

For some reason I thought you were OCing your i7? Did you try just a slight bump?
 
I didn't go to Micro Center for anything in particular. From my prior trips, I know that price matching is hit or miss, depending on the product.

Personal reasons, not a lack of proper research, are why I'm delaying the firewall for now. I currently can't justify building a third computer at this time.

I'm not overclocking the Core i7 system just yet. Let's just say that it's at the bottom of the priority list.
 
Well, I decided upon my next project... and did some damage over at NewEgg....

Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD6400BEVT 640GB 5400RPM 2.5" SATA Hard Drive (OEM) - $89.99
Vantec NexStar 3 NST-260SU-BK 2.5" USB2.0 & eSATA External Enclosure - $28.99
Kensington Orbit USB Trackball with Scroll Ring - $34.99
(plus $8.13 for shipping charges)

Total from NewEgg (this time) - $162.10

enginurd said:
You know you want a 37" 1080p... :D
Click to expand...

So, you're also going to buy me the new desk that I need to place it on? (BTW, I like the IKEA Galant L-shaped desk series....) ;)
 
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galant? psh, way too expensive... i'll find you some vika amon/curry tables on CL. :p

I have that NexStar... great enclosure. LMK how you like that trackball. I'm currently using an MS Trackball Explorer. :)
 
The new Orbit trackball works as expected -- which is to say that it works. It was a bit larger than I expected, but it didn't take me much time to get comfortable with it. ("It's just like riding a bike!") It comes with a wristpad that I didn't like using, but the scroll ring was a godsend. That said, I've heard nothing but good things from the majority of people who were (still) using the MS Trackball Explorer... but Logitech and Microsoft both need to update (and, in Microsoft's case, revive) their trackball selection.

As an aside, I believe that Kensington blew it royally by not providing Windows 7 drivers for the Expert Mouse. As I read more and more reviews on it (the Expert Mouse), I'm convinced that it could have been an almost-perfect "mouse" for my desktop. (As for my laptop... I got one of the "new" Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000 models with BlueTrack technology -- that works pretty well, as advertised -- for around $25 a few weeks ago. The long story short is that it's a better and cheaper "laptop" mouse than the last one that I've had for several years now... but I haven't really "tested out" the battery life yet.)

As for the HDD and enclosure... well, that's why I got a NexStar. :p I'm liking how everything works in eSATA mode, but I've just been reminded of what I hate about USB mode: the Y-cable (and how you can't get it to work properly using only one USB port) and the molasses-by-comparison slower transfer speeds. (FYI, the design of the NexStar enclosure makes it capable of using only 9.5mm thick hard drives.)

I guess I can stop being lazy and buy that second notebook HDD for my VM "server"... or I can buy that new keyboard and speaker set that I keep talking about... or maybe see if I can find the WiFi 5300 card on eBay....
 
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Well... I'm playing with my new toy right now... I might as well finish what I started, for once....

What's more worth the $160+ including tax/shipping: the Swan D1800MkII or the M-Audio AV-40? (In case you have any better ideas, I'm keeping my options limited to under $200 and a 2.0 active system.)
 
That's what I'm thinking, and what I've wanted for the longest time. The older version of those speakers have since been discontinued and have jumped up in price. (And I missed several chances to buy them when they were only $125 plus shipping/taxes. :mad: ) I think I'll make the order for the Swans this weekend... unless anyone else come up with some better ideas. And since I'm trying to stop procrastinating during this "upgrading season," I may make a quick stop over to MC -- it's close to where I work, compared to where I live -- and pick up that second WD Scorpio Black (unless NewEgg counters with an awesome deal this weekend).
 
The next round of "upgrades" will probably come this weekend, after I pay a few bills and file my taxes. I've already ordered the Swans, but now I feel like upgrading a few of my HDDs.

- I want to replace the HDD in my PS3 to the same 640GB HDD I have in my new 2.5" external HDD.
- Given the overall performance of my laptop "upgrade," I want to buy two more of the Hitachi 500GB 7200RPM HDDs to fill my 3.5" dual 2.5" SATA HDD rack.
- (SSDs are still too expensive for my capacity-loving self, though I'm considering buying a second 3.5" HDD rack for a future purchase.)
- That means I'll have a WD Scorpio Black 320GB HDD up for grabs... any takers?

Does anyone know of a guide to installing a third antenna -- to the Intel/Dell WiFi 5300 card I mentioned earlier -- inside the Dell Studio 15 series laptop? I've tried finding one this weekend, but I may have used the wrong search terms.

Yeah, yeah... I'll take some pictures this weekend. :p
 
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