420's New Compy!

[420]

OK, this is the first time I ever bought a computer that I didn't build from scratch.

Dell XPS 410

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4 GHz, 1066 FSB)
OS: Genuine Win XP Media Center 2005 with re-install CD
RAM: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 DIMMs)
Monitor: 19" Analog Flat Panel
Video: 256MB nVidia GeForce 7900 GS
HD: 250 GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s (7200 RPM) w/ DataBurst Cache
Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/ double layer write capability
Sound: Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition

~$1,500 before taxes!

-420

[Anheg]

That is a nice computer, im jelous. Though i might have waited for quadcore.

[cuchulann]

That is a nice computer, im jelous. Though i might have waited for quadcore.

[snapback]31786[/snapback]

Well if you worked for the Federal government you might be able to get something better than quad core, they had those as far back as '98. Damn rich boys, they get all the good toys before anyone else can.

[Soul Sojourner]

I don't trust store-bought, or pre-built computers. Normally oem trash and alot of the time, cheap brands for things people don't pay much attention to, like the power supply. I would rather build mine.

[Mo]

OK, this is the first time I ever bought a computer that I didn't build from scratch.

Dell XPS 410
~$1,500 before taxes!

-420

[snapback]31784[/snapback]

Sweet good stuff! All set for NWN2 huh.  Though may be tough to game on a 9'' screen lol

[420]

Sweet good stuff! All set for NWN2 huh.  Though may be tough to game on a 9'' screen lol :P

[snapback]31799[/snapback]

Fixed, added sound spec too.

-420

[Anheg]

Sweet good stuff! All set for NWN2 huh.  Though may be tough to game on a 9'' screen lol

[snapback]31799[/snapback]

I saw that and assumed it was a typo  

[420]

I don't trust store-bought, or pre-built computers. Normally oem trash and alot of the time, cheap brands for things people don't pay much attention to, like the power supply. I would rather build mine.

[snapback]31796[/snapback]

The days of OEM + cheap power supplies and cases are long gone. It's more expensive to build your own computer now a days even with all OEM parts. Throbble's was the last one I built before the Dell prices became ridiculously low.

We're going to my local OEM shop later this week to get Throbble a new video card, I'll put together a similar system to the Dell and post the price.

-420

[Cannixxxx]

Neat rig

[Soul Sojourner]

The days of OEM + cheap power supplies and cases are long gone. It's more expensive to build your own computer now a days even with all OEM parts. Throbble's was the last one I built before the Dell prices became ridiculously low.

We're going to my local OEM shop later this week to get Throbble a new video card, I'll put together a similar system to the Dell and post the price.

-420

[snapback]31822[/snapback]

I buy retail, which is more expensive yet. And yeah, it's generally more expensive, but to me it's worth it. And so is buying brands I know are good. Only places I ever have trouble are motherboards and video cards. With the mobo's, picking between a few pretty good brands gets me, when comparing. Same with video card, normally between ati/nvidia.

I always buy sparklers power supplies, and normally corsair memory chips, sound blaster/creative labs audio.

[420]

I know there was a thread split off of the "420's New Compy" thread, butnow I can't find the original. I thought it was in Random Ranting. Anyone know where it went?

Anyway, check this out (the FPS):
[attachmentid=983]

-420

[attachment deleted by admin]

[420]

My new one, up and running now thanks to Throbblefoot's superior network kung-fu:

Case: Antec Three Hundred Gaming MidTower
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast Series 850W
Motherboard: Asus P8P67 B3 Rev i7 i5 i3 LGA1155 P67 DDR3 USB3
CPU: Intel Core i7-2600 3.4Ghz 8MB Cache 32NM LGA1155
RAM: Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
HD: Seagate Barracuda SATA3 1.5 TB
Video Card: nVidia GeForce GTX 460 SE
Sound Card: On-Board Realtek High Definition Audio
Mouse: Logitech G9x Laser

~$1173

-420

[Illutian]

aww, should have gone with the 'K' version; mmmm, OC /drool

Pimp My Rig

[Mo]

My new one, up and running now thanks to Throbblefoot's superior network kung-fu:~$1173

-420

Nevermind the K version lol.  Very nice! Good case, very good CPU, Sandy Bridge is a nice step up from older generation.  Does your board support SLI?  If so then a decent upgrade in a year or so by adding in another 460.

How's in running so far?

[Illutian]

Nevermind the K version lol.

Buuut the cooores, the coooores; they be unlocked


[srs]
Looks to be 2-way SLI*
[/srs]
*http://www.centralcomputers.com/ccp78943-asus-p8p67-b3-rev--i7-i5-i3-lga1155-p67-ddr3-usb--p8p67-b3-rev-motasup8p66r.htm

[420]

Nevermind the K version lol.  Very nice! Good case, very good CPU, Sandy Bridge is a nice step up from older generation.  Does your board support SLI?  If so then a decent upgrade in a year or so by adding in another 460.

Yes, SLI ready. Also Solid State Harddrive ready in case I want to go that route someday.

What's the "K" version exactly? Is it some sort of Kosher thing?

How's in running so far?

So far it's running pretty good. I'm having some difficulty with the Windows 7 security settings but I think I got it worked out for the most part.

The biggest problem I'm having right now is running NWN. The server icon (nwserver.exe) has some kind of yellow and blue shield and it doesn't save any of my settings when I restart it. While it's running Throbble and I can see it in the server list but if we try to join we time out unless we direct connect using the IP address. Lastly, I get 11 FPS in-game.

I tried running both the server and game in compatibility mode (Win XP SP3) but no luck. I'm probably going to have to get some help on the BioWare social forums or maybe just hook up my old compy to use as a stand alone NWN server.

-420

[cuchulann]

The biggest problem I'm having right now is running NWN. The server icon (nwserver.exe) has some kind of yellow and blue shield and it doesn't save any of my settings when I restart it. While it's running Throbble and I can see it in the server list but if we try to join we time out unless we direct connect using the IP address. Lastly, I get 11 FPS in-game.

I tried running both the server and game in compatibility mode (Win XP SP3) but no luck. I'm probably going to have to get some help on the BioWare social forums or maybe just hook up my old compy to use as a stand alone NWN server.

-420

Planned obsolescence. We're just going to have to choke on it from now on alas.

[Illutian]

Yes, SLI ready. Also Solid State Harddrive ready in case I want to go that route someday.

What's the "K" version exactly? Is it some sort of Kosher thing?
So far it's running pretty good. I'm having some difficulty with the Windows 7 security settings but I think I got it worked out for the most part.

The biggest problem I'm having right now is running NWN. The server icon (nwserver.exe) has some kind of yellow and blue shield and it doesn't save any of my settings when I restart it. While it's running Throbble and I can see it in the server list but if we try to join we time out unless we direct connect using the IP address. Lastly, I get 11 FPS in-game.

I tried running both the server and game in compatibility mode (Win XP SP3) but no luck. I'm probably going to have to get some help on the BioWare social forums or maybe just hook up my old compy to use as a stand alone NWN server.

-420

'K' is the unlocked-core version; much easier and safer to OC.

Do NOT disable the UAC (yellow-shield) it's better to have it pop up asking if you want to authorize something than have "bloat-ware" installed. Had a game that was going to force me to install Xfire; thanks UAC, told it [UAC] not to authorize the Xfire installer. BTW, there was no option during game installation to not install Xfire.....gotta love Free2Play games

You may need to go to gog.com and get NWN: Diamond Edition. I think they modified it..so a non-GOG Diamond Edition still won't work

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/neverwinter_nights_diamond_edition

Then I believe I just used the CD Keys from my "hard copies" of NWN+Expansions*

*Multiplayer notice: online multiplayer mode is available after register your unique CD-key for the game. For details see: Support.; they use a generic Key just for installation then you request a unique key (included in purchase)

[420]

'K' is the unlocked-core version; much easier and safer to OC.

Christ Almighty!

Like I said, it's been awhile since I've built a computer from scratch. (Over 10 years.) So I did a bit of searching on Google.

Apparently this has something to do with using K-Style and OxyContin to unlock your Sandy Bridge? Dude, that's just nasty.

Wait, look what I found:

Sandy Bridge - The 2nd Gen Intel® Core™ Processors | Intel.com
www.intel.com/SandyBridge

OK, so this has something to do with overclocking my processor? Still don't know what the 'K' stands for but I've never overclocked any of my hardware in the 20+ years I've been building computers. Not sure how it is today but overclocking used to reduce the lifespan of your hardware.

I'd appreciate any further education on the matter.

Thanks,
420

[Illutian]

'K' just denotes "unlocked"

Just like the X58 (LGA1366) denoted unlocked by using "Extreme Edition". Guess using one letter is cheaper (printing ink) than using words

OCing will always lessen the lifespan, but moderate OCing lifespan reduction still leaves it well outside the time frame in which you'll own the hardware.

Plus, you can save money. I paid for a i7-920 (2.66GHz) but I'm running it at speeds close to an i7-975 (3.77GHz; 975 is actually 3.33GHz..but it's still quad-core). The i7-975 is ~$1000 USD vs the i7-920's ~$269 (when I made the purchase).

Both Intel and AMD have finally begun to encourage Overclocking; AMD being the first. What G.E.E.K doesn't like taking something and making it perform above specs

This is why I like unlocked cores:
http://www.overclock.net/intel-general/910467-ultimate-sandy-bridge-oc-guide-p67a.html

Step #1: Do not overclock RAM yet, let it run at stock frequencies. RAM is not like it was on previous platforms, it can run at 1333mhz and you can do 5.2ghz, believe me I have. Let’s tackle one thing at a time.

We still have yet to see a 4.5GHz (stock; consumer-grade) CPU

[420]

icons...lolwut

Also...you have an alert in the Action Center....

Yeah, Windows Firewall is disabled and no anti-virus software installed (despite the McAfee icon on the desktop).

-420

[Illutian]

Yeah, Windows Firewall is disabled and no anti-virus software installed (despite the McAfee icon on the desktop).

-420

*strangles*

Is this so you could run the NWN Server? If so...you don't need to do that >_>

[420]

*strangles*

Is this so you could run the NWN Server? If so...you don't need to do that >_>

Well, I'm having some problems with NWN Server right now. I'll turn it back on once I get that resolved.

-420

[Illutian]

v_v"

nwserver.exe -should be running as admin

Allow the exe's exception in Windows Firewall

port-forward 5121 (or what ever port you specified for the server)

That's all I had to do

Oh Lyrasia...how I've missed thee

[420]

v_v"

nwserver.exe -should be running as admin

Allow the exe's exception in Windows Firewall

port-forward 5121 (or what ever port you specified for the server)

That's all I had to do

Oh Lyrasia...how I've missed thee

OK, so I already had it running as admin. I'll look into the Windows Firewall exception. I believe the port is forwarded but I'll double check.

So far it's a bit inconsistent, sometimes I can log in through the server menu, sometimes I can log in by direct connect to the IP. Most of the time it times out when trying to connect. Also, is the authentication server down for everyone or is that just me?

Finally, after searching the BioWare forums, it turns out that nVidia GeForce 4xx series and later uses some newer version of OpenGL or possibly OpenGL is no longer a standard. Whatever the reason, I'm stuck at 15 FPS in-game and it sucks. I found a workaround someone posted to NWVault but I'm dubious about installing this kind of thing.

I think it may just be easier to hook the old XP computer back up and plug it into our new Ethernet switch. That way I have the best of both worlds. Just need a box so I can switch over my mouse/keyboard/monitor on the fly. Do they still make that kind of thing?

Anyway, thanks the suggestions! I'll post my results here once I try them out.

-420

[Illutian]

o_O

wow; technology hatz y00


400 series uses OpenGL 4.0

Are you running NWN Diamond Edition?

[Soul Sojourner]

Mcafee? I feel sorry for your computer.

That's sucks titty about your fps. Khad might be on to something with the GoG idea, but that obviously means spending more dough.

As for your connection problems, double check your firewalls, and if you have a router (of course you do) make sure to correctly port forward through your router for the machine you desire to host with.

As for quick switching, I don't know anything about that, but a decent keyboard and mouse won't cost a whole lot and having a spare will prove helpful a thousand times over, in the case of a monitor, however, you'd have to be willing to dish out at least a moderate sum, unless you know someone or a place where you can pick up old monitors for free/cheap.

If you lived nearby I'd be more than willing to give you all three, I've got all kinds of spare shit, lol.

[Illutian]

Mcafee? I feel sorry for your computer.

That's sucks titty about your fps. Khad might be on to something with the GoG idea, but that obviously means spending more dough.

As for your connection problems, double check your firewalls, and if you have a router (of course you do) make sure to correctly port forward through your router for the machine you desire to host with.

As for quick switching, I don't know anything about that, but a decent keyboard and mouse won't cost a whole lot and having a spare will prove helpful a thousand times over, in the case of a monitor, however, you'd have to be willing to dish out at least a moderate sum, unless you know someone or a place where you can pick up old monitors for free/cheap.

If you lived nearby I'd be more than willing to give you all three, I've got all kinds of spare shit, lol.

That's why I need to know if he's got Diamond Edition, which is the same edition GOG sells; if he does then all he'll need is to replace the CD Key(s) in the INI with his own...I'll see if I can seed a torrent of it; seeing as he would have already bought that version of the game...I think of this as a 'fix' that Bioware should have done.

I know for a fact that NWN and NWN Server will work just fine on a Win7 Pro [64] machine; you'll even see the server in the Gamespy list...so long as it's on port 5121 (default port)...not sure why. I changed the server port in the INI to 5122 and it didn't show up...soon as I changed it back to the default port it showed up; must have missed a '5121' reference somewhere......oh well not like I'd be running more than 1 Server at any given time.

My router's a NETGEAR Router WNDR3700 forwarding port 5121 [UDP] on IP 192.168.1.100

[420]

OK I think I fixed the problem with running nwserver.exe on my new computer. I forwarded the NWN ports to my router and it seems to have worked like a charm. I'll need some people to test it though. Strange that I had to forward ports on our Win 2K machines but not on our Win XP machines.

Channel: Social
Server: ThrobbleServ
Game: Smith Hold

If anyone can just check to see if they can log in and post some feedback it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
420

EDIT: Just found this on the GOG NWN forums discussing the low frame rate on newer nVidia cards:

There's a beta release v280.19 available now, and it has solved the problem for me (GTX570).

Looks like I'll be back up an running soon. Gotta finish that final (9th) Purple Dragon quest.

[420]

Update, I can confirm that the v280.19 Beta drivers for the GeForce fixes the FPS issue in NWN that occurs with 400 and later series cards. My FPS went from average 13 to average 70. Apparently a lot of games that use an older version of OpenGL benefit from this new beta driver.

Also had an issue with getting nwserver to save the settings I use, so I had to edit the nwplayer file manually but it worked.

The last issue I think I have is to get a new Sound Blaster so I can enable the cool sound options in NWN and Diablo 2.

-420

EDIT: It's nwplayer not nwconfig. Fixed.