OT: PC Gaming Hardware Thread

[Rodster]

Can't help you with your SSD issue, maybe DB can. Windows 10? Ugh, I took that sh*t OS off my gaming rig within 24 hours. Just wait till one of the forced updates borks your PC or it starts to download and installs your new video driver or reboots your PC after installing updates while you're using your PC or playing a game. Even if you're running the Pro Edition and disable automatic updates, there are complaints already that MS will still force certain updates.

And don't get me started on all the privacy/spyware/keylogging MS has purposely enabled by default.

[Danimal]

Don't see much of a choice here, seems like I need to upgrade frm 7 if I want to keep playing AAA games in the future.

[dbdynsty25]

Yeah...Windows 10 is fine if you know what to disable as far as all of the privacy stuff, but I'm one of the IT guys that doesn't worry too much about security because if I'm going to get hacked, I'm going to get hacked. There isn't sh*t anyone can do about.

As for your SSD issue Danimal, if I had to guess...bad port on the motherboard. I presume you only have one 6gb SATA port on the board if your other options were 3gb ones? You can always add a PCI card w/ 6gb ports instead of getting a new board...that's the easiest solution if you want the true 6gb throughput. I really don't think it's necessary though as there are much more limiting factors in a computer system than the SSD drive on a 3gb port...(memory for example)...so if you've got it working, I'd just stick with it.

That said, I've never seen a SATA cable go bad, but I had one go bad on me a week ago. All of the sudden my BluRay drive wouldn't rip movies anymore and then eventually it just disappeared from my system (bios and in windows)...even though it was getting power. So swapped out the cable and boom...works again. So I know you've said you tried multiple cables, but it COULD be the cable. That's all I'm saying.

[Danimal]

The problem was my mobo is older and the 6Gb port was a marvel port and according to Falcon Northwest it's unreliable and the SATA 2 ports actually perform better so I went with it. My main problem with Windows 10 besides getting used to everything is having to sync it with my microsoft account. I hate that, i hate having to log in with a pin. I only have one MS account so all my laptops are using the same account and I feel like this is somehow going to f*** things up at some point.

I still have a drive that has my old Windows 7 installation, I haven't formatted it yet because I'm waiting to make sure everything is working fine. I was really surprised that Windows 10 didn't have any tutorials built in.

[Danimal]

Ordered a new video card today, think that will be it for the upgrades. I'm actually liking Windows 10 but I'd sure love DB to tell me what I should turn off

[dbdynsty25]

Ordered a new video card today, think that will be it for the upgrades. I'm actually liking Windows 10 but I'd sure love DB to tell me what I should turn off

http://arstechnica.com/information-tech ... to-fix-it/

Tons of articles on the subject. That's just one.

[Danimal]

Video card installed, SSD installed new system is flying. I'm just trying to determine if I need a new cooling option because of the upgrades.

[Danimal]

Wasn't exactly sure where to post this but my Steam controller and Steam Link are shipping today. I'll post a write up when they arrive if anyone is interested.

[Rodster]

Yeah I'm definitely interested in your thoughts on the controller. What's a Steam Link? Good thing you're not DB or he'd have me Google it?

[TCrouch]

Yeah I'm definitely interested in your thoughts on the controller. What's a Steam Link? Good thing you're not DB or he'd have me Google it?

In honor of Scott:

Steam Link

[dbdynsty25]

[Danimal]

Probably not the correct thread but anyone use a HDMI switcher? In order to plug my Steam Link into my theatre room I'll need to either unplug and HDMI device or get a switch. Considering the hassle involved in unplugging a device each time I'm considering a switch. Is there a lose of quality in the signal if I use one?

[TCrouch]

I used one for a long time:

http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-501BN-Prem ... B0049SCB2Y

Had no issues with it. It would auto-switch to the input I turned on, had a remote control to switch to another if I wanted, etc. Later I got a TV with a lot more ports and didn't need it anymore, but I had zero complaints with it when I was using it for probably a year.

[dbdynsty25]

I've had a few HDMI switchers over the years and they've been fine. I ultimately went the route of putting surround systems in all of my rooms, one, for the better sound and two, because it handles all of the switching for me. You'll never beat a dedicated amp IMO for the convenience and SQ.

[Danimal]

I used one for a long time:

http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-501BN-Prem ... B0049SCB2Y

Had no issues with it. It would auto-switch to the input I turned on, had a remote control to switch to another if I wanted, etc. Later I got a TV with a lot more ports and didn't need it anymore, but I had zero complaints with it when I was using it for probably a year.

It's funny but before you guys posted I went and bought this one on Amazon

Terry did you buy Sword Coast Legends? The HS5 today will unlock the campaign and was looking for someone to play it with.

[Danimal]

I've had a few HDMI switchers over the years and they've been fine. I ultimately went the route of putting surround systems in all of my rooms, one, for the better sound and two, because it handles all of the switching for me. You'll never beat a dedicated amp IMO for the convenience and SQ.

Yeah makes sense. I have a very expensive Amp in my theatre room but being 5 or 6 years old only has 2 HDMI ports. I really don't want to spend a ton of money on a new one to try out a $50 Steam Link

[TCrouch]

I used one for a long time:

http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-501BN-Prem ... B0049SCB2Y

Had no issues with it. It would auto-switch to the input I turned on, had a remote control to switch to another if I wanted, etc. Later I got a TV with a lot more ports and didn't need it anymore, but I had zero complaints with it when I was using it for probably a year.

It's funny but before you guys posted I went and bought this one on Amazon

Terry did you buy Sword Coast Legends? The HS5 today will unlock the campaign and was looking for someone to play it with.

I didn't, but I was looking at it pretty heavily. I can pick it up for sure.

[Danimal]

I didn't, but I was looking at it pretty heavily. I can pick it up for sure.

I don't know if you buy it now you still get in on the Headstart 5. Honestly the head starts have mainly been the DM tools and online play up until now. I find it just to be OK, it's not the NWN successor I was hoping for but I'm already invested. It's more action oriented like Diablo but you can have a DM live playing and telling you a story etc.

I guess that is my way of saying don't buy it just to play with me but if you get it let me know and we can co-op the campaign at least or jump in some modules.

[TCrouch]

Well, I bought my wife a new PC and she's getting into co-op gaming now. We've started playing Divinity OS this past week, so if it's decent, she might be hooked. Plus, I just got a 4K display to test stuff out on, mostly for PS4 and XBox gaming but I've hooked my PC to check it out, so I'll be tinkering with a lot of stuff in the next couple weeks.

[Danimal]

As promised

Steam Link
The premise of the Steam Link is to stream you’re library from your PC (doesn’t work on Mac yet) to any TV the device is hooked up too via HDMI. While the device does support wireless, I chose to hook it up as a wired device. I don’t ever game on a wireless connection. Result may (and possibly) will vary with a wireless connection.

As with the controller the device is package nicely with everything you need. A power cord, Cat 5 cable and 3 different AC plug adapters. The quick start guide is very simple, if you’re looking for a lot of instructions then you’ll be wanting. Hook up was easy via HDMI and CAT 5. Once connected the device downloaded an update, Valve is going to be consistently providing updates until the official launch on November 10th. After choosing my language and also which computer on my network I wanted to stream (it recognizes any PC on with Steam) I was drop into big picture mode.

The device has several USB ports, for right now I plugged in the Steam controller wireless dongle and used that as I have it in my theatre room. You could easily hook up a keyboard and mouse to the system as well. I played about a dozen different games from Civlization, X-com, NBA 2K and several shooters. I experienced no lag, no drop outs or any problems at all. I’ve seen these reported elsewhere but in most cases they were using a wireless connection.

The only oddity of the device is there is no on / off switch. When I’m done playing I exit out of Steam and I can usually choose my machine again next time I come on but to really power it off you need to unplug it.

Steam Controller
The controller comes with a wireless dongle that plugs into your machine via USB. Steam recognizes the controller right away and suggest going into big picture mode. It downloaded and installed a firmware update the first time I turned it on. Aesthetically the controller is really nice. It is think, feels extremely light in the hand but it is durable. I dropped it from 5 feet onto a hardwood floor by mistake and it stayed intact and worked. In my hand it felt so comfortable I was immediately impressed, it has two ergo dynamic triggers under the controller which has been copied by the XB1 Elite controller.

However actually use of the device took some adjustment. The thumb stick is lower than XB1 or PS4 controllers so that felt odd. The face buttons are also lower and smaller. I continually hit B when trying to hit A. The mouse pad is a nice surprise it is very useable, games like Civ, X-Com and other mouse driven games I was able to use relatively well right away. However I couldn’t see using it for an RTS game, or a CRPG like Pillars of Eternity and forget about a shooter like Battlefront.

As with the link the documentation Is minimal to say the least. You can configure your controller for each game that doesn’t support a game pad but some of the options are a guess. I hope they release more documentation or video tutorials. I believe there will be community configurations you can just download and assign but don’t quote me on that. The controller has a lot of potential and for my main set up of the link in my theatre room it will do just fine, but I wouldn’t use it in place of a standard game pad right now.

Over All I’m impressed with both products and I expect them to grow as Valve gets community feedback.

[DChaps]

Thanks for the details on the Steam Link and Controller. Probably dumb questions, but since the Link has USB ports, could you also plug in a PC/USB Wheel and Pedals, or will the streaming games only use the controller? With a USB Keyboard and Mouse, are you able to play FPS that way? If streaming to the Link, would someone still be able to use the Steam PC for let's say Internet Browsing, Email, Word, etc.? I am very interested after hearing your results, although I probably need to upgrade my aging PC first.

[Danimal]

Probably dumb questions, but since the Link has USB ports, could you also plug in a PC/USB Wheel and Pedals, or will the streaming games only use the controller? With a USB Keyboard and Mouse, are you able to play FPS that way? If streaming to the Link, would someone still be able to use the Steam PC for let's say Internet Browsing, Email, Word, etc.? I am very interested after hearing your results, although I probably need to upgrade my aging PC first.

I have no idea about the Wheel but I don't see why not but I can't test that.

I suppose someone could use the PC but that would likely cause issues. The better your PC the better the link is going to work. It is essentially you playing on your PC just being stream to somewhere else.

[MizzouRah]

I have a code for a free game for my purchase of the GTX 970 video card.

PM me if you want the code, first PM gets it.

Your new NVIDIA GTX purchase just earned you a redemption code for a free game download. Choose between Rainbow Six Siege or Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.

I have ACS on xb1 and it's a fantastic game. I'm not really into Rainbow Six.

*CLAIMED*

[Rodster]

Thank you, Mizz

[MizzouRah]

Thank you, Mizz

My pleasure!