Video Cards

Hello again. I just ordered the Video Cards that will power the new office computer‘s 4 22” flat panels. I chose XFX Radeon products for a couple of reasons. Mainly great product and warranty. The cost is not bad either. I would not recommend these cards for a hardcore gamer there you need to spend a good amount more money, but for office use and the occasional Video or game it will do great.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150543&Tpk=xfx%20hd-657

This other card cost a bit more and is a bit more gaming friendlier.

http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1076251&sku=P450-6674

Now we only have to decide on a CD player DVD/BlueRay with Lightscribe. I also will use one of the older CD/DVD drives just for the sake  of loading softwarde. The the computer case supports multiple 5.25" drives.

MotherBoard & CPU

Hello Everyone.


I finally settled on the motherboard and CPU. Both items met the criteria we originally had set for this custom build computer. Also the Motherboard is capable of handling a CPU upgrade for the latest offering AMD is coming up with.

http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-1090T-Processor-HDT90ZFBGRBOX/dp/B003FVI2KQ

http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA-990FXA-UD3-990FX-SATA-Motherboard/dp/B0055QYKQO

Amazon at this point had the best pricing and also some of the comments are worth reading too. I will blog again once the hardware is here and we are ready to build this monster.

Last minute add on. Just ordered the Hard Drive this morning. You may wonder why I did not ordered the 64 Cache! Too expensive for now. I can always replace them later when the prices have come down some.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IZN3YI

Will update in a couple of weeks with Video Cards and DVD/BlueRay player.

"The Swiss"

Cooler Master V8

The Cooler Master V8 finally arrived. Wow. It’s a monster. It could keep an car engine cool. But given its size and specs I feel very comfortable that I will not have to worry about our CPU overheating. It does take a bit to install it, and because of the weight, I would recommend not to move the computer around too much and if you do, move it gently. But once the machine is placed, you should not have the need for excessive movements.
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2869


Next, Memory. I am in the hunt for a good price on G.Skill Ripjaw X DDR3 1600 memory. I will write in the next blog about why G.Skill!

Keep your eyes open for some for future blogs regarding all the hoopla that is building up for the next Windows OS” Windows 8”.

Hope you are all ready for Fall. It is coming fast. Take care.

“The Swiss”

Computer Build continued!

Hello Everyone! I have finally made a decision on the Motherboard.(it could change again)


GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AMD 900 Series Motherboard

Needless to say the most interesting observation is that we are going to use AMD as our CPU and not Intel. I will mention the CPU a bit later. One of the factors that came in to play is that this board supports Dual Bios, over clocking and also has 4 PCI Express x16. There are many more great reasons for us to have settled on this board. Just Google the Board name above and you will find all the specs you might be interested in.

Here is a link to Amazon with more details and reviews: http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA-990FXA-UD3-990FX-SATA-Motherboard/dp/B0055QYKQO

AMD Phenom II 1090T Black Edition Six Core CPU

As for the CPU this AMD chip is giving us 6 cores and AM3 Socket at a speed of 3.2GHz. more than enough for a very powerful desktop computer that will be able to support 4 monitors with 2 Video Card. Over all the CPU is giving more Bang for the buck compared to a Intel Chip in the same class. Like with the Motherboard I suggest you Google the Internet for the specs and reviews. We are excited to build this machine and test it in a strenuous everyday condition.

Link to Amazon with details and reviews: http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-1090T-Processor-HDT90ZFBGRBOX/dp/B003FVI2KQ
Here is another Link that is very useful: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-875k-core-i5-655k-unlocked-multiplier,2641-6.html


I chose to include the Amazon links because the reviews are very interesting.

Next Blog will discuss our choice of CPU Cooler and Video Card we are leaning too.

Thanks for your interest and please don’t hesitate to comment or e-mail us with questions

"The Swiss"

Mother Board Evaluation for Computer Build

This week its all about the Motherboard.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=93425&csid=_21#
Boring to some but its mind boggling whats out there. Makes the Boards you get with your Dell, Hp etc look like the "YUGO" of Boards. One needs to really decide if this will be a Gamer or Business machine. We actually decide on the Video Cards first (will talk about those next time) and then looked at "Sockets", "Chipset" and PCIx16 slots and when from there.
The link to the Board we are leaning toward is included in this Post. Please remember we do not endorse the resellers but don't mind including them if they have a great price and warranty.
Will discuss the CPU in the next post .
Enjoy and dont' hesitate to comment or ask question.

Hans "The Swiss"

Business Trip

Hello All!


Sorry for the silence but I have been travelling on business for a week and just needed to catch up on work.

Just a quick updated on the computer we are building. Received the power supply (PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 750W High Performance 80PLUS Silver SLI CrossFire ready Power Supply). Installed into the Case (COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case) was a breeze and I had to say I was very impressed with how the P-Supply was put together. Cables are nicely bundled and the unit has a good feel to it as well.

Here is the info on the CPU Cooler that I am looking at. “COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler Intel Core i7 compatible”.

During my business trip I stopped in South Lake Tahoe for a few days and successfully bicycled up Kingsbury Grade and then up to the Tahoe summit. Short ride 8.5 miles one way, but 1600 feet different in altitude. One of those things I wanted to do before I Cycle around Lake Tahoe next year. I wanted to see how I adjust to the thinner Air.
Also celebrated 1st of August in Tahoe.(Switzerlands equivalent of 4th of July).

Till next Saturday.
Hans "The Swiss"

7x7.com: Rise and Dine: Brunch Comes to the City's Best Restaurants

I could not resist blogging this. Check it out and save for your next trip to San Francisco.
"The Swiss"

7x7.com: Rise and Dine: Brunch Comes to the City's Best Restaurants