HELP is at hand for General PC queries, not Foxestalk ones

[Fox92]

I know this may sound abit stupid, but I have a single core @ 2.0ghz (amd athlon 64), and I have been looking for a dual core for ages and have seen a dual core @ 1.8ghz. If I was to buy the dual core @ 1.8ghz will I see much of a difference or not.

I understand single core and dual core cpu's but I do get slightly confuzed when I currently have a single core 2.0ghz and I am not sure if a dual core 1.8ghz will be any better?

(yes my system is 5 years old but I don't want to fork out over £150.00 to buy a new system, I have a slight of pride when I upgrade my current system - it gives me something to do!)

[DB11]

I know this may sound abit stupid, but I have a single core @ 2.0ghz (amd athlon 64), and I have been looking for a dual core for ages and have seen a dual core @ 1.8ghz. If I was to buy the dual core @ 1.8ghz will I see much of a difference or not.

I understand single core and dual core cpu's but I do get slightly confuzed when I currently have a single core 2.0ghz and I am not sure if a dual core 1.8ghz will be any better?

(yes my system is 5 years old but I don't want to fork out over £150.00 to buy a new system, I have a slight of pride when I upgrade my current system - it gives me something to do!)

Well it depends. Some programs can only make use of the single core, whereas others (Photoshop is a good example) can use both cores to process multiple things at whatever speed it is. I wouldn't 'downgrade' just to get another core as the performance experience would not negate the financial outlay , IMO.

Edited 12 December 2011 by DB11

[coale39]

I know this may sound abit stupid, but I have a single core @ 2.0ghz (amd athlon 64), and I have been looking for a dual core for ages and have seen a dual core @ 1.8ghz. If I was to buy the dual core @ 1.8ghz will I see much of a difference or not.

I understand single core and dual core cpu's but I do get slightly confuzed when I currently have a single core 2.0ghz and I am not sure if a dual core 1.8ghz will be any better?

(yes my system is 5 years old but I don't want to fork out over £150.00 to buy a new system, I have a slight of pride when I upgrade my current system - it gives me something to do!)

http://www.amazon.co...23729175&sr=1-1

and

http://www.amazon.co...uters_ai_ps_t_8

Would last you years and far faster then what you currently have!

(Oh, and forget the whole Ghz thing, its how its built not its Ghz which makes it fast. You could overclock a pentium 4 to 5ghz and it would still be slower then a dual core I3 at 3ghz)

Edited 12 December 2011 by coale39

[Fox92]

Well it depends. Some programs can only make use of the single core, whereas others (Photoshop is a good example) can use both cores to process multiple things at whatever speed it is. I wouldn't 'downgrade' just to get another core as the performance experience would not negate the financial outlay , IMO.

Ok, I'll go with that.

I did think it wouldn't be a vast improvement but I just enquired anyway.

http://www.amazon.co...23729175&sr=1-1

and

http://www.amazon.co...uters_ai_ps_t_8

Would last you years and far faster then what you currently have!

(Oh, and forget the whole Ghz thing, its how its built not its Ghz which makes it fast. You could overclock a pentium 4 to 5ghz and it would still be slower then a dual core I3 at 3ghz)

Yeah, I've had this system for 5 or 6 years now, and as it is socket 939, components such as the processor can be fairly expensive. I've already upgraded the graphics card, and installed more RAM, and yeah it is still serving me well (touch wood) but my processor ism't the best as what I could get (I know I can get at least a dual core athlon 64 x2).

I will go for a new motherboard, ram, cpu, power supply etc but at the minute I am just focussing on upgrading again.

[Fox92]

Y

http://www.amazon.co...23729175&sr=1-1

and

http://www.amazon.co...uters_ai_ps_t_8

Would last you years and far faster then what you currently have!

(Oh, and forget the whole Ghz thing, its how its built not its Ghz which makes it fast. You could overclock a pentium 4 to 5ghz and it would still be slower then a dual core I3 at 3ghz)

I've decided now that I am going to get a new motherboard, psu, ram and cpu instead of constantly upgrading my current socket 939 system, as I will get more value from a brand new system. Going to build it up myself though.

But instead of looking at your suggestions (cheers, by the way for those), I think I am going for the gigabyte ga-ma785gmt-ud2h motherboard, amd phenom ii x2 550 cpu, pc3-10666 ddr3 ram and probably the darkpower pro 650w psu (although I am not very good at choosing power supplies).

This way, I can get a way better value socket am3 cpu, the form factor is the same as my current motherboard so I can keep my case, keep the same optical drives and graphics card.

Going to start saving money better, and I should be able to get some money on eBay from my current system as socket 939 hardware is pretty hard to come by these days.

Should be fun.

[coale39]

Y

I've decided now that I am going to get a new motherboard, psu, ram and cpu instead of constantly upgrading my current socket 939 system, as I will get more value from a brand new system. Going to build it up myself though.

But instead of looking at your suggestions (cheers, by the way for those), I think I am going for the gigabyte ga-ma785gmt-ud2h motherboard, amd phenom ii x2 550 cpu, pc3-10666 ddr3 ram and probably the darkpower pro 650w psu (although I am not very good at choosing power supplies).

This way, I can get a way better value socket am3 cpu, the form factor is the same as my current motherboard so I can keep my case, keep the same optical drives and graphics card.

Going to start saving money better, and I should be able to get some money on eBay from my current system as socket 939 hardware is pretty hard to come by these days.

Should be fun.

Yeah, not a bad processor, what price you found it for?

You can also sometimes unlock more cores for free with that processor.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/254737-11-unlock-phenom-with-asus-m4a785td

The 4670 hd? you have should still be fine for FM for a while yet as well.

[Fox92]

Yeah, not a bad processor, what price you found it for?

You can also sometimes unlock more cores for free with that processor.

http://www.tomshardw...h-asus-m4a785td

The 4670 hd? you have should still be fine for FM for a while yet as well.

I've been looking around for the best price (so not found one yet) even picked up a few magazines etc. If I get a boxed processor then the cooler should be included as well, which is something I am going to do.

And if you are referring to my graphics, it is the 2250. It runs football manager, and my system fine, at the minute, so like I say, I think I will save up spare change and get different hardware at the end of each month or something.

Not completely nailed this idea down yet, just trying to look for a decent Micro-ATX motherboard in particular so I can keep my case.

[Brainy]

Black screen on Dell inspiron 1720

I turn on the laptop and the loading screen comes on after 5 seconds, lasting for about 3/4 more seconds, then it goes to a black screen. Not what it usually does as usually it would go to a black but lighter screen which would mean that its actually turned on. This is completely black and although the battery is charging (battery is very nearly dead but I dont think this is a battery problem) every other light is turned on as usual. Any ideas?

no problem now

Edited 6 January 2012 by Walkers

[Fox92]

Would any body ever buy hardware off of eBay? I have brought RAM before which has never let me down, but I am rebuilding my system and someone on eBay is selling their "used" motherboard for about 50.00 cheaper than the RRP.

[Fox92]

Need a little bit of help with my custom PC. Got my Mobo, CPU and RAM. I need a PSU. But this is the tricky part, I never know what wattage to go for.

My current desktop pc (Athlon 64 @ 2.0GHz, 3gb ram, 160gb hdd, 2 optical drives, wireless pci card, fireproMV2250 graphics) is currently running a 300W power supply. Will that be ok for my new pc? I have upgraded a bit; for example my cpu is an athlon ii x2 260 @ 3.2ghz.

I just want to overload the pc, or undercook it either

[Rusko187]

Need a little bit of help with my custom PC. Got my Mobo, CPU and RAM. I need a PSU. But this is the tricky part, I never know what wattage to go for.

My current desktop pc (Athlon 64 @ 2.0GHz, 3gb ram, 160gb hdd, 2 optical drives, wireless pci card, fireproMV2250 graphics) is currently running a 300W power supply. Will that be ok for my new pc? I have upgraded a bit; for example my cpu is an athlon ii x2 260 @ 3.2ghz.

I just want to overload the pc, or undercook it either

I would recommend a bigger PSU.. 500W should do it.

[Fox92]

I would recommend a bigger PSU.. 500W should do it.

Yeah, I brought a 500W OCZModXStream (they have good reviews in Computer Shopper magazine) and it came through the post yesterday.

I'm glad you recommended a 500W now, because I was still worrying having got it - installing it all later today.

[Rusko187]

Yeah, I brought a 500W OCZModXStream (they have good reviews in Computer Shopper magazine) and it came through the post yesterday.

I'm glad you recommended a 500W now, because I was still worrying having got it - installing it all later today.

Good choice, is this your first build?

[Fox92]

Good choice, is this your first build?

Yeah Been working on it all day. Got everything installed expect the hard drive (still in the post ). I only started today because I thought the postwoman would bring my hard drive but she didn't. Hoping it comes tomorow now, because I haven't got a desktop

Anyway, I powered it on and it comes on but obviously asks for a boot device because no hard drive is installed so I hope it will all work once I get that installed

[SeCrEt FoX]

My tool bar at the bottom has gone, its just a black strip now. Any how i can get it back cheers ps i am awful with computers

[m00nie]

My tool bar at the bottom has gone, its just a black strip now. Any how i can get it back cheers ps i am awful with computers

pu the mouse at teh bottom of the screen, so you get the arrows, left click hold it down drag up

then right click and select lock taskbar

Edited 1 February 2012 by m00nie

[SeCrEt FoX]

pu the mouse at teh bottom of the screen, so you get the arrows, left click hold it down drag up

then right click and select lock taskbar

Tried it mate dont work, its weird i mean ive lost it before and did what you said above and it came back but at the moment i just have a black box twice the size of the toolbar.

Edited 1 February 2012 by SeCrEt FoX

[Haydos]

Yeah, I brought a 500W OCZModXStream (they have good reviews in Computer Shopper magazine) and it came through the post yesterday.

I'm glad you recommended a 500W now, because I was still worrying having got it - installing it all later today.

Same one I've got (I might have the 600w, not sure ) But they're quiet as anything, perfect so far.

[Fox92]

Same one I've got (I might have the 600w, not sure ) But they're quiet as anything, perfect so far.

Yeah, the system has been running for a few days now since I have built it. It is ok, and I agree the PSU is quiet. Only problem I have got is that my case fan is fairly loud and I don't understand why to be honest.

[Haydos]

Yeah, the system has been running for a few days now since I have built it. It is ok, and I agree the PSU is quiet. Only problem I have got is that my case fan is fairly loud and I don't understand why to be honest.

If you bought a cheap case that might be it? I got a cheap case for about £25 without a fan because I didn't think I needed one. Not sure it's necessary unless you're overclocking. Might be an idea to disconnect it if it's annoyingly loud.

[Fox92]

If you bought a cheap case that might be it? I got a cheap case for about £25 without a fan because I didn't think I needed one. Not sure it's necessary unless you're overclocking. Might be an idea to disconnect it if it's annoyingly loud.

I kept the same case as what I had before and the same case fan and it wasn't loud last time. Having said that, I might not have noticed it before because my previous hard drive was very loud. I might disconnect it, which is a good idea, because I am not overclocking or anything like that.

[MikeyT]

HELP PLEASE!!!!

My internet keeps cutting out for no reason at all. Actually to be more specific the laptop keeps logging off the internet and then logging itself on again. Main internet at the router is fine.

Why is it doing this?

[WardyisPukka]

Can anyone recommend any good software for cleaning your pc up e.g like registry errors etc!!

I'm currently running a trial version of tuneup 2012 - http://www.tune-up.com/

is this currently the best one out there?

Edited 14 February 2012 by WardyisPukka

[hairy]

HELP PLEASE!!!!

My internet keeps cutting out for no reason at all. Actually to be more specific the laptop keeps logging off the internet and then logging itself on again. Main internet at the router is fine.

Why is it doing this?

Is it on a wireless connection? If so try changing the channel. If someone close by is using the same channel that maybe the cause of the problem. You could use some wifi snifing software to find any conflicts.

[ScouseFox]

Sooo...

Laptop flashed up with the usual "close to no battery put it on charge now" message thing. All good. Put the charger in, and it is "6% battery, plugged in, NOT CHARGING".

Not charging?! Any ideas? Is the charger done in? Is the battery broken? Have I pressed something daft like "don't charge"?

Ta.