Archives | DocHoloday.com

It’s like a junk yard around here…

by Matt | Oct 15, 2007 | Culture

There are computer parts from one end of my study to the other and I can’t decide what to do first. My ultimate goal is to get my number 1 computer up and running with it’s new parts. Secondarily I’m going to build my HTPC with yet another set of spare parts. Last, my current configuration will become my number 2 computer and will go into a case to be picked up later. This whole mess presents a myriad of problems. First, I want to paint my case. New parts just deserve a new case paint job. This will require sanding, priming and painting, a multi-day process. Do I wait and assemble the parts? Do I put them into my second (soon to be HTPC) case temporarily? Do I assemble them on my desk and simply get a switch to turn them on without a case? Regardless of whether I put it together now, I’ll still need to purchase a video card. I’m heavily considering getting a super cheap (although DX10) card to put in there temporarily and save for the big video card I eventually want. Also, there will be a considerable amount of time that I’ll be down completely. I certainly can’t paint my case with the current parts in it. Do I even bother putting those parts into my secondary case? They won’t be staying there, I have a much quieter solution that will become my HTPC. Do I forget all this case swapping crap and just take a trip to Fry’s and buy a cheap case? I think that might be the answer. I haven’t done any backup or computer moving preparations with my current system and I know I’ll have to before I move the hard drives. This would give me a case to paint without messing up my current configuration. It’s sad that I won’t be using my crazy uber case anymore. I have such fond memories of lugging that 200lb piece of crap to and from LAN parties with Chip and up and down stairs in college with Jason. It’s a real shame. Ok, well, talking it out seemed to help me decide what to do. I guess I’m off to Fry’s to pick up a cheap case, maybe a switch or two, and then an auto parts store for some painting supplies. Wish me luck.

New Computer Parts

by Matt | Oct 12, 2007 | Culture, Tech

Apologies on the brevity of this post, I’m heading out the door in a few minutes. I just wanted to say how cool it was of my boss to pick up some computer parts for me for all my hard work this month. It’s the beginnings of a great system. He had a bunch of stuff to order from NewEgg and slipped in a nice Gigabyte S-Series GA-M61P, 2Gs of Patriot DDR2 (PC2-6400) memory and a shiny new Athlon 64 X2 5600+ for me. That was so unexpected and total awesome. I haven’t given it much thought, but I’ll probably use my current 500w power supply and my hard drives and case of course (Uber case lives on!). I guess now all I need is a video card. It’s been so long since I’ve bought one. I know I’ll be going Nvidia, but does anyone have any suggestions for specific models or brands?

Halo 3 and Skate

by Matt | Oct 8, 2007 | Reviews

September and October are what many would consider a “perfect storm” of video gaming. Not only are there too many triple-A titles coming out to count, but there simply isn’t enough hours in the day to play them all. On a personal level, I had to be picky in my game selections. I don’t have the income to simply purchase all of my gaming desires, at least not all at once. I decided to go with Halo 3, an obvious choice, and Skate, which was receiving quite warm reviews. I could have certainly picked up PGR4, Eternal Sonata or Half-Life: Orange Box (which drops tomorrow), but I figured PGR would eventually be a “greatest hit” and I could pick it up for $20 and Half-Life was probably more suited to the PC.