Computer General Discussion Thread

[Salandriagado]

It's functionally impossible to actually get bottlenecked by your motherboard, unless you're trying to run quad-SLI Titan XPs or something ridiculous. Either it's the CPU, or you're running out of RAM (or both).

That's why I was pretty unsure of him suggesting it was the mobo. More than likely the CPU as I doubt I'm having RAM issues when I have 16GB and never keep any google chrome tabs open when playing vidya

Yeah, you aren't going to be maxing out 16GB of RAM easily.

[Krazakistan]

That's why I was pretty unsure of him suggesting it was the mobo. More than likely the CPU as I doubt I'm having RAM issues when I have 16GB and never keep any google chrome tabs open when playing vidya

Yeah, you aren't going to be maxing out 16GB of RAM easily.

Not unless I keep like 15 google chrome tabs open lmao

Regardless, I guess it's time for a CPU and mobo swap, then. Probably going to get a water cooling set up this time around (Corsair h100 is what I'm set on) as well. Definitely going to be switching to Intel unless Zen ends up not being a bottleneck for me in some games.

[Salandriagado]

Yeah, you aren't going to be maxing out 16GB of RAM easily.

Not unless I keep like 15 google chrome tabs open lmao

Regardless, I guess it's time for a CPU and mobo swap, then. Probably going to get a water cooling set up this time around (Corsair h100 is what I'm set on) as well. Definitely going to be switching to Intel unless Zen ends up not being a bottleneck for me in some games.

If you've got room in the case, something like a Noctua NH-D14 (or D15) or a Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 will give just as good performance as all-in-one liquid cooling, for half the price, and without the annoying pump noise.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

Recently a friend of mine gave me his EVGA GTX-980ti for free as he replaced it wit a 1080, and I got it installed with a new PSU (Corsair CX750M). My GPU is getting some very obvious bottlenecking as I'm not getting the performance I should be. A friend of mine is telling me my bottleneck is my mobo (MSI 970) but I feel it's my CPU (AMD FX-8370), but not sure which. Either way, I'm gonna end up going over to intel when I get the money for the upgrade

Yea, like Sal said, your mobo isn't going to crap out on you.

It is engineered to take a certain equipment load, sure, but your motherboard, as long as all parts are compliant with the mobo's generation and chipset, is not the problem.

[Corvus Metallum]

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/hJrc4C

Since I'm planning on building a rig around Christmas (Or Black Friday/Cyber Monday, if the parts are on a good enough sale), I figured I'd throw it on PC Part Picker and see what y'all would suggest in place of some of the parts listed. I already have the GPU and the PSU from my external graphics rig, but I am willing to upgrade one or the other if suitable replacements don't break the ~$550 mark.

[Saiwania]

I have some questions regarding the state of the IT industry today and don't know where else to ask on here. IT is such a broad descriptor of roles that I view it as being a mixed bag, some segments of the field such as the developer side, are doing fantastic in terms of money, all solidly upper or middle class jobs provided you know the right programming languages which are in demand. Whilst other portions of IT are allegedly doing quite terrible in terms of money.

I've decided that I don't want to do programming (don't have the aptitude for it, computer code looks like gibberish to me), I don't want to do PC repair (dead in terms of money, cheaper to replace a hardware component than to hire someone to fix a machine), I don't want to do help desk support (again money is drying up for that).

But I have noticed that people always want internet access and there are plenty of times when internet connectivity is disrupted. I want to work for an ISP and be in charge of deploying, maintaining, or troubleshooting internet connectivity problems. I'd like to work primarily with hardware (routers, switches, copper/fiber cabling, wireless radios/antennas, etc.) but am also comfortable with using command line or software so long as I don't have to write computer code or try to decipher programming languages. Primarily a pure technician job, which are supposedly going away.

Does such a job exist? What would I have to do to truly break into the world of telecommunications?

I know that IT certifications (at least where I live) are just wasted money and effort. Some people on the Cisco track are claiming that the money is drying up for them as well. The expense and sheer difficulty of becoming Cisco certified, completely turns me off.

I know plenty about internet connection technologies, listened to and read many hours worth of materials and really studied up on how WANs, LANs, and how the various networking equipment works, and have worked with routers, but I have great difficulty actually proving my knowledge proficiency to where I could actually land a job relating to it. I suppose it also doesn't help that I'm just not a people person. I can try to sell myself, but people can just detect that I'm not confident and I get rejected with regards to almost everything.

My local ISP would be Cox Communications based in Atlanta, Georgia. I'd like to work with them or for a DSL, wireless, cellular, whatever carrier which may be a competitor, but I'm at a loss for how I can get there. What do people suggest?

[The Blaatschapen]

I have some questions regarding the state of the IT industry today and don't know where else to ask on here. IT is such a broad descriptor of roles that I view it as being a mixed bag, some segments of the field such as the developer side, are doing fantastic in terms of money, all solidly upper or middle class jobs provided you know the right programming languages which are in demand. Whilst other portions of IT are allegedly doing quite terrible in terms of money.

I've decided that I don't want to do programming (don't have the aptitude for it, computer code looks like gibberish to me), I don't want to do PC repair (dead in terms of money, cheaper to replace a hardware component than to hire someone to fix a machine), I don't want to do help desk support (again money is drying up for that).

But I have noticed that people always want internet access and there are plenty of times when internet connectivity is disrupted. I want to work for an ISP and be in charge of deploying, maintaining, or troubleshooting internet connectivity problems. I'd like to work primarily with hardware (routers, switches, copper/fiber cabling, wireless radios/antennas, etc.) but am also comfortable with using command line or software so long as I don't have to write computer code or try to decipher programming languages. Primarily a pure technician job, which are supposedly going away.

Does such a job exist? What would I have to do to truly break into the world of telecommunications?

I know that IT certifications (at least where I live) are just wasted money and effort. Some people on the Cisco track are claiming that the money is drying up for them as well. The expense and sheer difficulty of becoming Cisco certified, completely turns me off.

I know plenty about internet connection technologies, listened to and read many hours worth of materials and really studied up on how WANs, LANs, and how the various networking equipment works, and have worked with routers, but I have great difficulty actually proving my knowledge proficiency to where I could actually land a job relating to it. I suppose it also doesn't help that I'm just not a people person. I can try to sell myself, but people can just detect that I'm not confident and I get rejected with regards to almost everything.

My local ISP would be Cox Communications based in Atlanta, Georgia. I'd like to work with them or for a DSL, wireless, cellular, whatever carrier which may be a competitor, but I'm at a loss for how I can get there. What do people suggest?

Why are IT certifications a wasted money and effort?

They're another "filter" for a recruiter. If you don't have any qualifications, nor references, and you're bad at selling yourself, then that's all that is left. Since you're looking to break into the world, I assume that you also lack references. But maybe you can work on that. Start providing help to people in your network(family, friends, etc.) . And likewise, ask them for help/connections, you might be surprised what kind of connections they have to get you past the "filters".

[Industrial Republics]

I have some questions regarding the state of the IT industry today and don't know where else to ask on here. IT is such a broad descriptor of roles that I view it as being a mixed bag, some segments of the field such as the developer side, are doing fantastic in terms of money, all solidly upper or middle class jobs provided you know the right programming languages which are in demand. Whilst other portions of IT are allegedly doing quite terrible in terms of money.

I've decided that I don't want to do programming (don't have the aptitude for it, computer code looks like gibberish to me), I don't want to do PC repair (dead in terms of money, cheaper to replace a hardware component than to hire someone to fix a machine), I don't want to do help desk support (again money is drying up for that).

But I have noticed that people always want internet access and there are plenty of times when internet connectivity is disrupted. I want to work for an ISP and be in charge of deploying, maintaining, or troubleshooting internet connectivity problems. I'd like to work primarily with hardware (routers, switches, copper/fiber cabling, wireless radios/antennas, etc.) but am also comfortable with using command line or software so long as I don't have to write computer code or try to decipher programming languages. Primarily a pure technician job, which are supposedly going away.

Does such a job exist? What would I have to do to truly break into the world of telecommunications?

I know that IT certifications (at least where I live) are just wasted money and effort. Some people on the Cisco track are claiming that the money is drying up for them as well. The expense and sheer difficulty of becoming Cisco certified, completely turns me off.

I know plenty about internet connection technologies, listened to and read many hours worth of materials and really studied up on how WANs, LANs, and how the various networking equipment works, and have worked with routers, but I have great difficulty actually proving my knowledge proficiency to where I could actually land a job relating to it. I suppose it also doesn't help that I'm just not a people person. I can try to sell myself, but people can just detect that I'm not confident and I get rejected with regards to almost everything.

My local ISP would be Cox Communications based in Atlanta, Georgia. I'd like to work with them or for a DSL, wireless, cellular, whatever carrier which may be a competitor, but I'm at a loss for how I can get there. What do people suggest?

Why are IT certifications a wasted money and effort?

They're another "filter" for a recruiter. If you don't have any qualifications, nor references, and you're bad at selling yourself, then that's all that is left. Since you're looking to break into the world, I assume that you also lack references. But maybe you can work on that. Start providing help to people in your network(family, friends, etc.) . And likewise, ask them for help/connections, you might be surprised what kind of connections they have to get you past the "filters".

Certifications are the best piece of paper you can have to show you know what you say you know. Degrees mean jack shit other than you were able to go to a college for 2-4 years. Everything taught in them will be out of date or not necessarily be business practice when you reach the job market.

Certs have limited life spans (most anyway, isn't A+ the only one or did they change that? Got mine years ago I can't even remember), and thus show you know something that's semi relevant.

Also they're cheaper to get.

[Souseiseki]

(don't have the aptitude for it, computer code looks like gibberish to me)

i'm not saying everyone is secretly an amazing programmer just waiting to come out but yeah it's gonna look gibberish unless you actually know it

it's not like you're gonna be juggling triple pointers and growing a 10 inch beard after your first week

[Imperializt Russia]

It transpires that an Acer 5742 has 8GB worth of RAM slots, and has 4GB installed at factory. This is, for some reason, a 2x2GB arrangement (just 3.7GB total).

I'm continually perplexed by my integrated graphics' claims that it has "up to 1.7GB" graphics capability by using system RAM, while also claiming to have "256MB VRAM", yet being unable to render games requiring 256MB VRAM.

So if I were to replace one of these 2GB sticks with a 4GB stick to give me 6GB, might this allow my CPU the free, unused system RAM to actually try and render things?

Or is the 1.7GB number just complete bullshit and where the hell did they even pull that out from?

[Salandriagado]

It transpires that an Acer 5742 has 8GB worth of RAM slots, and has 4GB installed at factory. This is, for some reason, a 2x2GB arrangement (just 3.7GB total).

I'm continually perplexed by my integrated graphics' claims that it has "up to 1.7GB" graphics capability by using system RAM, while also claiming to have "256MB VRAM", yet being unable to render games requiring 256MB VRAM.

So if I were to replace one of these 2GB sticks with a 4GB stick to give me 6GB, might this allow my CPU the free, unused system RAM to actually try and render things?

Not usefully.

Or is the 1.7GB number just complete bullshit and where the hell did they even pull that out from?

That's the amount of total VRAM and RAM available for swapping. Unfortunately, using RAM as VRAM swap space is way slow, which is probably the cause of your problems.

[Imperializt Russia]

It also claims to have about 16GB/s graphics speed. Which is weird, because it can't render Area 51 - an 11 year old FPS with mediocre graphics that claims 256MB of VRAM required, and nor can it render Bad Company 2 which is a seven year old FPS with quite nice graphics that claims 256MB of VRAM required.

And it renders the images quite nicely, it renders the space abysmally, dropped frames and slowdown on top if looking into a room instead of the floor.
But it does this without using any real resources. Barely any CPU use, not a huge amount of RAM use, very stable temperature that's approximate to Youtube or average internet browsing.

Yet XCOM it only runs at 4fps and overheats, can't run Tropico 4 or Kerbal without overheating and gets worryingly hot playing FTL???

Computers are witchcraft and I apparently need more newt eyes.

[Salandriagado]

It also claims to have about 16GB/s graphics speed. Which is weird, because it can't render Area 51 - an 11 year old FPS with mediocre graphics that claims 256MB of VRAM required, and nor can it render Bad Company 2 which is a seven year old FPS with quite nice graphics that claims 256MB of VRAM required.

And it renders the images quite nicely, it renders the space abysmally, dropped frames and slowdown on top if looking into a room instead of the floor.
But it does this without using any real resources. Barely any CPU use, not a huge amount of RAM use, very stable temperature that's approximate to Youtube or average internet browsing.

Yet XCOM it only runs at 4fps and overheats, can't run Tropico 4 or Kerbal without overheating and gets worryingly hot playing FTL???

Computers are witchcraft and I apparently need more newt eyes.

6GB/s sounds like a lot, but really isn't. If you're using one byte per pixel per frame at 720p30, you need 30GB/s. The slowdown is 100% the going to RAM swap problem. The overheating is because it's a laptop, and that's what laptops do.

[Industrial Republics]

The overheating is because it's a laptop, and that's what laptops do.

That's why I have my laptop always sitting in a fresh block of ice when I fire up Team Fortress 2.

[Minoa]

Although the WD disk is already on routine daily backup to an external drive so that restoring will be a breeze, CrystalDiskInfo is giving the WD disk a "Caution - Current Pending Sector Count 2". I don't call myself a 100% expert in computers, but does it mean that the disk is done-diddly done for?

[Industrial Republics]

Although the WD disk is already on routine daily backup to an external drive so that restoring will be a breeze, CrystalDiskInfo is giving the WD disk a "Caution - Current Pending Sector Count 2". I don't call myself a 100% expert in computers, but does it mean that the disk is done-diddly done for?

Based off that program it's giving an error of unrepairable sectors of the hard drive. While not necessarily a one-and-done death sentence, it's not good either.

[Industrial Republics]

Installed Fedora 25 on my T420, running with KDE. I honestly don't get the talk behind KDE, I think it's fairly ugly. Though to be fair, it's way better than Gnome 3.

[Corvus Metallum]

Installed Fedora 25 on my T420, running with KDE. I honestly don't get the talk behind KDE, I think it's fairly ugly. Though to be fair, it's way better than Gnome 3.

Vanilla KDE can be pretty bland. Themed correctly, it can look alright. I'm more a fan of Cinnamon though.

[Industrial Republics]

Installed Fedora 25 on my T420, running with KDE. I honestly don't get the talk behind KDE, I think it's fairly ugly. Though to be fair, it's way better than Gnome 3.

Vanilla KDE can be pretty bland. Themed correctly, it can look alright. I'm more a fan of Cinnamon though.

I installed Cinnamon and Gnome (Wayland) to test them out and they're just all ehhhh. What theme do you use with Cinnamon?

I know I'm probably in the minority but I like Unity most.

[Corvus Metallum]

Vanilla KDE can be pretty bland. Themed correctly, it can look alright. I'm more a fan of Cinnamon though.

I installed Cinnamon and Gnome (Wayland) to test them out and they're just all ehhhh. What theme do you use with Cinnamon?

I know I'm probably in the minority but I like Unity most.

Mint-Y-Dark for the window borders, and the "Darker" variant for the controls/contents. For icons, I'm using Numix Circles, and the desktop theme is New-Minty.

[Industrial Republics]

Tried installing Fedora through virtualbox on my work laptop and that shit don't wanna work right at all, adding the guest additions was a pain in the ass. On the other hand added Ubuntu and that shit was already working smoothly on the live iso.

On another note, also did Antergos because why not.

[Hirota]

I'm spending some time learning powershell because I'm working on a migration to 365. This one is my new favourite

Code: Select all

function Get-Excuse {
    (Invoke-WebRequest http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ballard/bofh/excuses -OutVariable excuses).content.split([Environment]::NewLine)[(get-random $excuses.content.split([Environment]::NewLine).count)]
}

Get some entertaining results.

[Minoa]

Yesterday, my new OpenVPN-capable router came into service, and today my ISP router got replaced after it reached EOL. Now the new router can connect to the Internet, while my new ISP router will be modem mode.

Sadly, it’s goodbye for now to Tunnelblick and OpenVPN after their loyal service, but they will stay on my computers as backup.

[Gondolaulus]

IT student reporting in huehuehue

Python is fun.

[Industrial Republics]

I'm spending some time learning powershell because I'm working on a migration to 365. This one is my new favourite

Code: Select all

function Get-Excuse {
    (Invoke-WebRequest http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ballard/bofh/excuses -OutVariable excuses).content.split([Environment]::NewLine)[(get-random $excuses.content.split([Environment]::NewLine).count)]
}

Get some entertaining results.
(Image)

Boss' kid fucked up the machine is the most likely.