Posts by Brian Campbell36

analogtiger19 said:What purpose did those 7770s serve back in the day during Counter-Strike? 🤔

On another note, they really are scumbags for trying to screw over the customer like this. 😠

For the sake of argument, when playing League of Legends, Dota 2, or similar titles, I much prefer having a steady 150 FPS in Counter-Strike rather than being stuck at a measly 60 FPS on a single card.😁

Furthermore, this Silent Pro M1000 power supply is fully modular, and it even features technology that allows only one GPU to run while I'm just browsing in Windows; Counter-Strike is merely a gaming application, whereas more intensive software like CATIA or Inventor—professional 3D modeling programs—demands significantly more from the hardware.

Nowadays, nobody wants to spend a dime; it used to be that people would practically sell their souls to get their money's worth on a piece of hardware they had specifically set aside funds for. Death to capitalism.

Sean Garcia3 said:I also suggested to him that he should just grab this motherboard, the SSD, and the cooler for now. Since there isn't anything else worth considering in the link at the moment, why wouldn't he take advantage of the trade-in compensation while they're still offering it? He could then sell those two HD 7770s to fund the rest of his build. $333 I have added it. $500 If you decide to pick up a GTX 970, you shouldn't worry too much about the motherboard; it’s quite easy enough to offload that later on for something in the neighborhood of $150.$67 And what if we were to consider this one, for instance? Is there any point in even browsing through this particular listing on the AMD website? One has to wonder if the technical specifications provided here truly offer enough substance to justify a serious inquiry, or if we are simply looking at a placeholder for data that remains frustratingly out of reach. Does the hardware listed actually meet the rigorous standards required for a modern workstation, or is it merely an aging relic being offered up for scrutiny without sufficient context? It seems almost redundant to present such information without a deeper dive into its practical application within a high-performance environment. Is anyone else finding these product descriptions to be somewhat lacking in the granular detail one would expect from a premier manufacturer? For AMD, an expenditure in that ballpark—roughly $250—would hardly be considered a significant burden, would it?$100 Honestly, I don't care about the excuses anymore. He needs to just grab this and deal with them before they have a chance to change their minds. Sure, his motherboard is giving him a bit of a headache, but that's a minor hurdle in the grand scheme of things. Why wait around?

I have consulted with my colleagues, and their consensus is quite clear: why bother wasting resources on upgrading the processor when the performance gains will be negligible? It would be far more prudent to invest that capital into an SSD, such as this one.

Is there any point in even discussing the merits of such a basic component when one considers the sheer ubiquity of low-capacity storage in today's market? I find myself looking at this 120GB SSD, a device that seems almost quaint in its simplicity, and I cannot help but wonder: does anyone truly believe that such a limited capacity serves any purpose in a modern computing environment beyond perhaps acting as a sacrificial drive for an OS installation? One must ask oneself, what is the actual utility of a 120GB drive when the average user’s library of applications and system files can easily swell past such a meager threshold? It sits there on the shelf, a relic of a time when every gigabyte was fought for, yet here we are, staring at a product that feels fundamentally insufficient for anything other than the most rudimentary tasks. Is it efficiency, or is it merely a way to cater to those who refuse to acknowledge the evolving demands of software? One can only speculate on the logic behind maintaining such inventory in an era defined by massive data requirements.

Is this hardware sufficient to run Windows (specifically the 64-bit version of Windows 7)?

As for the graphics card, I shall let that matter wait; I have no interest in gaming.

Timothy Kim60 said:What on earth is going on? This is completely unacceptable on their part because:

That motherboard simply isn't on the same level as yours; to suggest otherwise would be a mistake, as it holds absolutely no comparable value. $567 Which one did you actually end up selecting? And regarding this warranty business—I don't quite follow your logic. What exactly do you expect them to provide to you? By default, ASUS offers a three-year warranty, so they aren't really giving you anything extra; you’re essentially just settling for a cheaper motherboard that comes with a year less coverage. Is that really the trade-off you want to make? In my view, you're simply wasting your time there. You would be much better off choosing a different option entirely.

So, what exactly did they offer you as compensation? It seems quite clear that there isn't much intelligence left in those LGA 1155 motherboards to work with. Why on earth wouldn't you simply opt for a substantial SSD—say, something in the 250GB to 500GB range—or perhaps a 120GB SSD paired with an HDD if you actually require decent storage capacity? You could even push for a new cooler, or whatever else might be necessary to satisfy your requirements. Is there anything truly more essential to a modern workstation than a reliable 24" IPS monitor? When one considers the sheer necessity of color accuracy and wide viewing angles in today's digital landscape, can we really afford to settle for anything less? One must wonder if anyone actually understands the profound difference an IPS panel makes during a long session of creative work or even just standard multitasking.Perhaps you should consider picking up a printer or some other peripheral just to offset the cost. It might actually be worth the investment if it helps you break even on the total spend. As for the motherboard, honestly, just buy it from a reputable retailer. I realize this will end up costing you more upfront, but at least you'll be getting actual value out of your purchase rather than wasting money on that specific board from that link.

I possess a rather substantial collection of peripherals.

I find myself questioning whether there is any practical reason to upgrade beyond my current setup. I am currently utilizing a 23'' Dell U2312HM LED monitor, and frankly, I have reached a point where anything more powerful or larger feels entirely superfluous to my needs. Why seek out more when what I possess already fulfills every requirement?
Is the HP DeskJet 2545 multifunctional device—incorporating printer, scanner, and copier capabilities with a 4800dpi resolution, Ink Advantage technology, and both WiFi and USB connectivity—actually up to the task? One might reasonably assume such specifications are sufficient for standard requirements, but is that truly the case?

I am considering picking up that 120 GB SSD. For my operating system, I really don't require any more capacity than that just to handle the essential programs.

I have been reviewing the specifications for this 120GB SSD, and I find myself questioning whether such a limited capacity truly serves any modern purpose in a standard workstation setup. While the price point may appear enticing to the casual observer, one must consider the inevitable bottleneck created by such a meager storage ceiling. Is it not a fundamental mistake to invest in hardware that will necessitate an upgrade almost immediately upon installation? In an era where operating systems and basic applications demand increasingly large footprints, does a 120GB drive offer anything more than a temporary reprieve from the limitations of traditional mechanical drives? It seems a rather short-sighted endeavor to prioritize immediate savings over long-term utility.

In the end, I reached out to the service center, and we finally arrived at a definitive conclusion: it’s either a direct replacement with the exact same motherboard I currently have, or they provide a full cash payout. They aren't about to hand me some subpar socialized component and then have the audacity to brag about how much "better" it is than my previous one. What kind of deceptive maneuvering is that?

The folks over at Best Buy are stating the following:

1.) you could potentially opt for an ASUS ROG Maximus (S.1155)

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z77V_LX/

While the service center is offering this as a replacement board, it leaves me in a bit of a bind because I wouldn't have the option to offset the cost by picking up an SSD or something similar. They claim they’re providing a 24-month warranty, which sounds generous enough on paper, doesn't it?

2.) alternatively, I could transition to the newer s.1150 socket, though that would necessitate spending significantly more $667 on a processor since the motherboard alone is costing me roughly $433.

3.) they refuse to issue a cash refund, insisting they need to consult with the service center first—even though I didn't actually purchase the motherboard from them, but rather directly from Best Buy. It seems everyone is suddenly playing dumb.

Frankly, this entire ordeal is enough to drive a person to distraction.🤦

MaxGaming said:So you are actually planning on going with the GTX 970 and putting an old processor into the motherboard they offered you?

It would be far more prudent to look at the full range of motherboards available for the 1155 socket. If you are committing to a GTX 970, there is really no need to splurge on an expensive Z77 board; a standard motherboard would suffice, especially since the i5 2320 doesn't allow for overclocking anyway.

By the way, your processor is compatible with the MSI Z77A-G43, so you could certainly opt for that.

Wait, so it isn't compatible with the MSI B95 - G43, but it works with the MSI Z77A-G43? 🤔

Furthermore, I require a motherboard that supports CrossFire and features a passive heatsink, yet they keep trying to offer me ones without any passive cooling at all.

Tomorrow, Best Buy will provide what they call a "Customer Response."

I cannot say anything definitive at this moment; according to the gentleman in the link, I am waiting to hear from Best Buy tomorrow regarding whether they can issue a refund. I am honestly unsure what the consumer protection laws dictate concerning whether they are legally obligated to return my money if they find themselves unable to repair the component, specifically the motherboard.

Should it turn out that funds are unavailable and they still insist on offering this Asus P8Z77 - VLX, I will be forced to pivot to "Plan B," which involves purchasing a completely new motherboard and processor for a different socket.

As I previously stated, my intention is to move toward the Asus Z97 - A paired with an Intel i5 4690k box.

I will reach out to you via private message regarding the processor; we can easily coordinate once I have resolved this current mess.

Ryan Hayes82 said:The B85 chipset isn't compatible with your CPU.

Why not just pick up an ASUS Z77 Extreme 6 instead? 🤔

There is also an option from MSI.

the MSI Z77 A-G43

Does this motherboard also fail to support my processor? 🤔

Sean Garcia3 said:What kind of value could I realistically get for that old i5? Would it be worth trading it toward the $267 deal, and does it happen to still be under warranty? A friend might be interested, so I’m just checking.

If I were in your shoes, I would prioritize taking that motherboard they offered from Dell along with a 250GB SSD; instead of splurging on a new processor, why not simply keep the old one on the new board and sell off those two HD 7770 Vapor-X cards to fund a GTX 970? Wouldn't you agree that such a move would yield significantly better performance?

The issue remains that it lacks a passive heatsink. I intend to contact them tomorrow to see if they can provide a superior option, perhaps an Intel Z77 Extreme Motherboard or an MSI B85-G43.

Links has graciously extended an offer allowing me to select whatever I desire for $500.

I have decided to secure both a processor and a motherboard;

The motherboard is an ASUS Z97-A

Specifically, the ASUS Z97-A motherboard

As for the processor;

mellowtiger83 said:That Dell they’re offering you isn't half bad, but if you actually care about performance, why settle? Pick something else from their stock or just hunt for it elsewhere.

Ultimately, the MSI Z77 Gaming Series is your premier choice, and if I were in your shoes, that is precisely what I would demand they stock.

I have a few pointed questions for you: how exactly did you attempt to overclock the processor without adjusting the memory settings? 🙂, and just how much voltage did you pump into those memory slots? Come now, tell this man—this is a community forum, not a private chat—are you seriously suggesting you might have fried a memory slot? 🙂🙂🙂🙂, it was a wise move on your part to revert the BIOS to default settings; otherwise, the folks over at Links wouldn't have stood a chance of figuring out what happened.

And that power supply in your build? What on earth were you thinking? Why? For what purpose? You could have easily purchased a decent K-series processor and overclocked it like a gentleman, rather than risking the destruction of motherboard slots from $567

I didn't manually adjust anything; I used a software utility within win that I found on an old motherboard DVD, simply pushing the turbo boost from 3.4 to 3.8 GHz (noting that 3.8 GHz is the turbo limit).

That 3.8 GHz is merely the turbo boost; the base clock sits at 3.1 GHz, which is how it functions straight out of the box.

If they are going to insist on offering such junk, my plan is to just grab the MSI Z97 Gaming Series instead.

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87A/

Intel i5 4690K processor

crimsonstag84 said:It’s a massive step down from your previous setup; this is just a low-end ASUS Z77 board with mediocre VRMs, lacks passive cooling, and the overclocking potential on it is honestly pretty pathetic.

So, what am I supposed to do—just walk into Micro Center tomorrow and demand they swap it out for a different board?

Dear fellow enthusiasts, I have been offered an ASUS P8Z77-V LX 🤔

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z77V_LX/

Does it truly make sense to acquire this specific model, or would I be better served by continuing my search for something more robust and capable? 🍿

Ryan Hayes82 said:It all depends on what’s actually on the table. Honestly, if you're sticking with that i5, a B75 motherboard is perfectly adequate since you won't be overclocking it anyway. However, if your intention is to run dual graphics cards in CrossFire, then you absolutely require a high-end Z68 or Z77 chipset. What other components are currently sitting in your build?

EDIT: I see now that you have two 7770s. You need a board that supports that specific socket (Z68/Z77) and provides at least two PCIe x16 slots capable of running in x8/x8 mode. For instance, this ASRock model handles that configuration just fine.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%2...Specifications

I find myself skeptical regarding that ASRock option; I have little desire to deal with a motherboard failing after only two months of use. I frequently hear accounts from colleagues regarding reliability issues and frequent RMA requests with that particular brand.

ASUS remains my premier choice for quality, though I might even inquire with the service department about an MSI alternative if that doesn't provide the level of confidence I require.

Ryan Hayes82 said:It really depends on what kind of options are on the table. To be perfectly honest, if you're sticking with that i5, a B75 motherboard would actually suffice, given that you won't be attempting any overclocking anyway. However, if your intention is to run dual graphics cards in CrossFire, then you absolutely require a high-end Z68 or Z77 chipset. What else are we working with in terms of components?

I have successfully overclocked my processor to 3.8 GHz, and it is running quite stably.

2x CF 7770 Vapor X
Cooler Master: Silent Pro Gold 1000W
16 GB RAM (Corsair)
1 TB HDD WD Black
500 GB WD Green
Intel Core i5-2320

mellowtiger83 said:First off, ASRock isn't garbage.🙂 The Z77 is a top-tier chipset; since they don't make many boards in this price bracket for that socket anymore, you’ll likely either get a refund for the difference or they'll offer something from their current lineup to make up for it.

From what I can gather, you don't even have a processor yet, so why bother with some ultra-expensive motherboard model? All you really need is CrossFire support, and that’s it. Besides, your situation clearly shows that paying $567 doesn't guarantee the board will actually function properly.

How on earth did you manage to burn out a memory slot? As far as I know, if they realize you were overclocking, your warranty is void anyway.

I am not an overclocking enthusiast, and frankly, I kept my RAM at 1333 MHz because when I tried running it at 1600 MHz, my motherboard would freeze the screen.

The RAM was specifically purchased to run at 1600 MHz, but unfortunately, I have dealt with issues regarding this motherboard since day one.

I had to reseat every single component twice just to get the motherboard to recognize them—not to mention the fans I bought; a colleague working at MSI connected those exact same cooling fans on the first try and they worked perfectly.

What do you all on the forum suggest? Which LGA 1155 motherboard should I pick up?

mellowtiger83 said:It won't be a total waste of money; they'll likely hook you up with a Z77 chipset instead. From what I can see, Micro Center currently has the widest selection, though they're pushing the s1150 platform because it's actually newer than 1155. It’s easy to get confused since the number is lower, but don't let that trip you up—the 1150 socket is the more recent architecture.

Fine, that was precisely my confusion. Historically, a higher number has always indicated a newer socket or processor generation, yet suddenly everything has been flipped on its head.

Micro Center claims that the ASUS P8Z68-V / GEN3 is the premium model for the 1155 socket, but since Best Buy doesn't carry it, there isn't much else left in the high-end 1155 category beyond $400 (high-end motherboard)🤦

It seems I am about to be stuck with some subpar junk from ASRock. After waiting a month already, am I really expected to spend another full month hunting down a decent motherboard? 🤔

crimsonstag84 said:It seems we have reached a point where LGA 1155 motherboards have completely vanished from the market. Is it even possible to find decent stock anymore? 😬

What exactly does this "compensation" entail? Are we talking about receiving a 240GB or 250GB SSD as a substitute if they refuse to pay out the remaining balance? I find myself wondering how such an arrangement would even function in practice.

Is it not glaringly obvious to you that they have completely abandoned the LGA 1155 motherboards? It appears they are aggressively pushing the LGA 1150 platform instead, despite the fact that it is technically an older socket architecture. Why would they insist on such a move? 🤔

What is the point of an SSD if what I actually need is a motherboard? Are they phasing out the LGA 1155 socket entirely? Even if retailers like Best Buy and others are still stocking processors for that platform, does that even matter if the boards are nowhere to be found?

Where exactly can one find the most extensive selection of LGA 1155 sockets currently available on the market?

All I really need is for someone to offload a decent piece of hardware on me. If it’s available, I’m specifically looking for an MBO with CF support, especially since I'm currently sitting on two 7770 Vapor X cards that I need to put to good use.

Roughly a month ago, one of the RAM slots on my motherboard completely burned out.

I took the board into Best Buy for service; it’s an ASUS P8Z68-V / GEN3, and they informed me that the specific RAM slot is beyond repair since they have to outsource the actual work to an external repair center.

Currently, my status on their online service portal shows "Inquiry sent regarding a replacement model" and "Status 3 - Awaiting customer response."

What exactly do they intend to offer me as a replacement? Given that the original unit was fully paid for$567, and considering this particular motherboard model isn't even available on the retail market anymore, what should I realistically be demanding from them as a suitable substitute?

For context, the processor is an Intel Core i5-2320.

silverbadger said:Data entry errors in the form:

To whom it may concern, please be advised that submitting JOPPD forms is temporarily unavailable.

The JOPPD submission system is completely down right now!!! I was fully aware that things would be offline starting at 4:00 PM due to the scheduled system upgrade, but this error message has been popping up consistently since 2:00 PM.

Is anyone actually able to file their JOPPD forms at this moment? 🤔

Has the technical team finally managed to get everything back under control?

Robert Sanchez6 said:But doesn't this happen every single time during the year-end transition? Haven't they finished migrating data and opening up the 2015 files for everyone yet? For those specific accounts, shouldn't the closing balances from December 31, 2014, already be available?

Thanks, 🍿

You make an excellent point; whenever I pull up the records for December 31, 2014, everything displays perfectly clearly. 😒

Carol Price4 said:But hey, FARC is working just fine 🤣🤣

It isn't working properly at all, 🍿

For certain clients, the system displays the balance on the FARC, yet for others, the field directly beneath their basic information remains entirely blank—there is no current FARC balance to be found.

Cheers to the IRS digital portal, I suppose. 🙏

Carol Price4 said:I can't get into the FARC files either—looks like a glitch on their end... everything else seems fine, though. 😉

That tax portal is an absolute disaster, 🤦

It is always some sort of headache with that site. If it isn't a Java issue, then it's the FARC system itself, but this marks the very first time in over a year that I've been met with an error while trying to access the FARC records...

Even today, the situation remains unchanged; once again, the FARC is unresponsive, and frankly, I have no idea when they will actually get it back online. 🤔