Hardware Discussion General

Silly as it may sound, I made a pretty revolutionary change to the way I use computers [as in, all computers] after watching this here video. I've known for a long time that fullsize keyboards were tradtionally superior to TKLs - in my case, since I never quite memorized the top row of keys - but I never even considered the amount of power they could have with stuff like macros.

Right now, I'm using Num+9 to summon a window for CopyQ, a FOSS, keyboard-navigable clipboard program, and I might set up Num+1 to open a .txt list of my favorite Japanese emoji.

Interestingly, my K95 Platinum also has a set of nonstandard macro keys labeled G1-G6 to the left of the standard layout. I just saw one person who uses it to switch between different virtual desktops. Might look into that myself. ^^

Loko wrote

Backlash wrote

Loko wrote

Backlash wrote

Heheheheheh! Hoo, boy, is AMD absolutely demolishing it these days! I figured we were gonna lapse into a comfy bipolar dynamic in both the CPU and GPU spaces, where AMD marketed more productivity users and mainstream gamers, while Nvidia and Shintel trended towards enthusiasts until, hey, I dunno, Samsung makes a 7nm node that doesn't suck?

But to think Team Red would completely uproot the 10900k with its lowest-spec Zen 3 processor at launch, and take the fight to Nvidia at the high-end [ That is~, assuming stockrooms are large enough and third-party benchmarks corroborate it~ ], man! Lisa Su is one tough sunuva bitch. Or... well, you get the idea.

One peculiar thing I've run into is a handful of people on Reddit who claim to have bought a bunch of AMD stock on the cheap back during the financial crisis back in '08. Gotta say, I can't help but envy 'em just that tiny bit.

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Not too late to jump on that AMD stock train. I may have invested a bit myself!

On the other hand, my 3080 is finally on the way! Super stoked!!

AAAAAAAAA that's amazing! How close is it now? Is it already there?! You gotta tell me how it performs, love!

Hey Backlash! It's actually sitting in my system now I've been running most of my games with no problemo. Haven't tested any games other than Watch Dogs Legion for raytracing performance since it came with my card,  but it's been an absolute godsend compared to my 5700 XT. Though those new AMD cards will hopefully give it a run for their money!

Heheheh, that's awesome Loko! I'm real happy for ya... I've seen the benchmarks, that thing really is amazing!

As for everything else... Heh. Well~, two weeks and a whole buncha paper launches later, and apparently RDNA 2 really did age like a fine wine. It's looking like the best 6800 XTs are marginally faster than a 3080 in rasterization, but only as fast as a 3070 in RT. Still~, no slouch, but for $50 difference, you kinda expect the whole package...

Of course, what does that even matter, when everything is currently being scalped, pahah? On the other hand, I'm personally more interested in the cheap new m.2 SSDs on the market. It looks like those drives have finally reached parity with the standard 2.5" SSDs in terms of Price-per-Gig; I even saw premium Samsung 1TBs selling for just over $110 on Amazon right after Black Friday. Not bad at all.

Welp~. Just when I thought I'd seen it all, apparently KFC partnered with Cooler Master to make a PC chassis with an inbuilt vapor chamber meant to keep your chicken nice and hot, essentially turning the entire thing into a very expensive air fryer.

https://landing.coolermaster.com/kfconsole/

I mean... On the one hand, props?(!) Like, credit where it's due, actually doing something with the heat generated generated by even an Intel NUC is a genuinely pretty novel for an SFF gaming build, especially if it's gonna be running custom firmware. And, while we're at it, it's about damn time they made an upgradeable console. Even if it's just gonna run SteamOS and have a handful of GPU options [ although, who knows, maybe it's universal ], that's still pretty commendable.

But on the other hand... Dude, have you tried to eat food while playing games? I haven't seen the thing, but while fine mesh will protect its internals, your perpherals are gonna suffer.

Regardless though~... As marketing, it's pretty much genius, especially at the current moment. I'm willing to bet we see at least Tech Jesus, and LTT getting at least a million views each when their inevitable reviews of this thing go live. ^~^

Anyone else been keeping an eye on tech news lately? Gamers Nexus just reported on something I read a few days ago, regarding the expiration of some critical waivers on computer hardware from China.

There's a good chance the new president will reinstate it, but that doesn't solve the issue of the virus and the resurgence of scalpers/mining. At least for new parts, I reckon this year could end up looking like an extreme version of 2018. >_<'

Backlash wrote

Anyone else been keeping an eye on tech news lately? Gamers Nexus just reported on something I read a few days ago, regarding the expiration of some critical waivers on computer hardware from China.

There's a good chance the new president will reinstate it, but that doesn't solve the issue of the virus and the resurgence of scalpers/mining. At least for new parts, I reckon this year could end up looking like an extreme version of 2018. >_<'

Got a link to that? I seem to be struggling to find the video ^^'7

So~, I recently bought a FiiO BTR5... For those unfamiliar, it's basically a miniature Bluetooth-connected DAC-amp. It pushes a pretty stout 250 Watts, according to the product sheet, though word is it can go to 300W, and drive an HD600.

I have to say, for once, it really does live up to the hype. The battery lasts for two days powering my WH-1000XM3's, and it offers a full range of Bluetooth protocols to sync with your phone, though a USB C>C or A>C cable makes it great for laptops. I hooked it to my laptop running the latest Pop!_OS, and it works flawlessly.

I will say the Sabre DAC in the device has a slightly different sound character to the Burr-Browns in my iFi equipment~... Less laidback, and less warm. One instance stands out to me, when  I noticed crisp cymbals in a live recording, wherein they were muted before. It's possible this was just a problem with my EQ curves, so this is just a curiosity. ^^'7

I also bought a pair of DT 770 Pros, the 250 Ohm versions... I'm still playing with EQ presets on them, so I'll get back to y'all on them.

Backlash wrote

So~, I recently bought a FiiO BTR5... For those unfamiliar, it's basically a miniature Bluetooth-connected DAC-amp. It pushes a pretty stout 250 Watts, according to the product sheet, though word is it can go to 300W, and drive an HD600.

I have to say, for once, it really does live up to the hype. The battery lasts for two days powering my WH-1000XM3's, and it offers a full range of Bluetooth protocols to sync with your phone, though a USB C>C or A>C cable makes it great for laptops. I hooked it to my laptop running the latest Pop!_OS, and it works flawlessly.

I will say the Sabre DAC in the device has a slightly different sound character to the Burr-Browns in my iFi equipment~... Less laidback, and less warm. One instance stands out to me, when  I noticed crisp cymbals in a live recording, wherein they were muted before. It's possible this was just a problem with my EQ curves, so this is just a curiosity. ^^'7

I also bought a pair of DT 770 Pros, the 250 Ohm versions... I'm still playing with EQ presets on them, so I'll get back to y'all on them.

The FiiO looks pretty cool! Though I do wonder, just how much better one of those is than, say, an LG V50. Although... looking at pricing, I might have just answered my own question ^^'

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sigh Anyone out there having better luck?

malmon Bought my GPU before all this nonsense. Kind of had buyers remorse because the 3000 series came out soon after, but considering I know so many people who are struggling to grab a card I feel pretty happy that I got my 2060 Super when I did, hell even got it on a sale.

malmon I grabbed my 1070Ti during the first big crypto crash. Since then the fan bearings took a shit. It sounded horrible any time it was under load. I slapped a NZXT Kraken kit and the cheapest compatible 240mm AIO I could find on it as a stop gap until the RTX 3000 and new AMD cards came out.
Turns out I'm completely happy with a water cooled 1070Ti. It plays everything I want at 1440p, some even at 145hz, and is completely silent and cool while doing it. I've written about it before, but where it used to sound like a jet and hit over 90°C it now stays at 60°C and the fans just ramp up and down based on CPU temp. I have been laughing at everyone overpaying for cards ever since.
The upgrade that I did plan on making that I'll probably be skipping was to grab a cheap AMD R9 3950X when they got clearanced out. I got a steal on a ASUS Strix X370-F and R7 2700 when the 3000 series launched and was hoping it would happen again when the next series dropped. That price drop never happened to AMD CPUs. Intel chips are very reasonable despite this chip shortage, but fuuuuuuck those power usage numbers. I'd probably have to stick a 360mm rad in the top of my case to have any hope of having a silent system with those things.

Erika

Haven't the 3950X prices dropped? At least, used ones on eBay here can be had for _£350. Admittedly, I don't remember what the RRP was, and that is pretty close to what you can get the 5900X for over here.

malmon

Retail 3950x's haven't really dropped in price from what I've seen. I bought mine in November, and it was still $750 brand new. You could probably get one for cheaper shopping used though.

I can't personally justify upgrading past my 3950x, not yet at least. And honestly, unless you're a programmer who does a fuck ton of compiling, I can't justify buying anything beefier than a 3900x at best. I usually suggest 3600s to my friends who are going to build, at least if they plan to play video games. For just daily use, something less.

Anyways, I digress. Maybe the 3950x's have dropped in price since November, but not from any store I've found online that I would consider reputable.

malmon Yeah, retail-wise they haven't gone down much. I feel like even the 3900X has been at $400 for a long time. I nearly bought one before covid for that price, and again with my "hazard pay" checks during covid. I was just hoping for the deep discounts that the 2000 series got or something similar to the first gen Threadripper parts. I could have had a whole Threadripper system for the price of a retail 3950X. I want as much overkill as I can get and stepping up to basically two of my current CPU in a single socket is the kind of thing that gets me wet.

Equinox

Erika

I suppose not then ^_^' You can get the 5950X for pretty cheap compared to other places over here though - £560

mnl What about one of those AMD APUs? I've heard they are pretty decent for integrated graphics, then you can buy a better CPU and proper graphics card when prices come down.

I'm planning on getting a new smartphone soonish. Anyone got some recommendations? I'm looking in the direction of a Pixel 5/4a or a Oneplus 9/8T right now. I was considering the Samsung S21, but I don't like the lack of a bundled charger.

Not really sure, whether I really should really go for one of these current/last gen flagship models. I've always had cheap smartphones (currently a Moto G5), but I'm kind of fed up and want something fast.

Backlash I might have to get one of these to power my DT 990 Pros, as none of the smartphones comes with a headphone jack... ^_^

mnl

Hmm, my mum recently got the Sony Xperia 1 III. Has some pretty cool features (the camera stuff is quite amazing, and it has a good DAC apparently), but I'm really not a fan of the form factor. Battery life could be better too. So not really a recommendation, just some info should you come across that one ^^'7

malmon I think I'll probably go with a Samsung S20 FE (non 5G version) as it seems to be alot cheaper than the alternatives atm. There is a Snapdragon version of it, which apparently has LDAC support (a bluetooth audio codec, or sth like that). That would play nicely with a FiiO Bluetooth amp/dac like the BTR3k or BTR5 for max audio quality and latency.

Would have loved a Pixel 5, but they seem to be out of stock in most places and prices have shot up to unreasonable heights.

mnl

Don't think I'd personally go with Samsung after their BS with disabling the cameras when the bootloader's unlocked. But I think that's only a thing on the new foldable ones. And the lack of a headphone jack would make it a dealbreaker otherwise ^_^' I doubt you'll miss much without the 5G though~