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Will future "cost-oriented" SSDs (think TLC) have plastic cases too?

I assume spinning disks are made out of metal because they need to be very strong. Seeing as they are mechanical devices, any large force creating a bend over the whole disk would be pretty bad?
- tommylommykins
- Post #11
- Aug 25, 2012
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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UK, looking for cheapest 15" 1080p laptop

mmm, thanks for the advice. I think one of the things driving up the laptops with nice screens is that they come with overspecced hardware in every other department. My sister really doesn't need 8gb ram, or an i5 processor (all modern processors are lightningspeed) or big discrete graphics...
- tommylommykins
- Post #8
- Jul 20, 2012
- Forum: Laptops
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UK, looking for cheapest 15" 1080p laptop

My sister's off to uni next month, and I'm looking for a laptop for her. I'm refusing to let her go off with a machine with a 1366x768 screen, but I'm having trouble finding a suitable high-resolution laptop which doesn't cost megabucks. Does anyone know of any 15" laptops on sale which have a...
- tommylommykins
- Thread
- Jul 16, 2012
- Replies: 11
- Forum: Laptops
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How to use RAM as cache?

As other people have said, you don't actually need to do anything here. Your computer automatically uses up as much as possible memory as cache. 8Gb of RAM is lots, so most of the time, 5-6GB of that memory is probably being used purely for cache, all without you even having to bat an eyelid :D
- tommylommykins
- Post #5
- Jul 7, 2012
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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"HDDs don't consume anywhere near all SATA bandwidth" = SATA 3.0 HDDs are pointless?

Do you know what the driver was for the introduction in SATA 3?
- tommylommykins
- Post #4
- Apr 14, 2012
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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"HDDs don't consume anywhere near all SATA bandwidth" = SATA 3.0 HDDs are pointless?

I assume SATA 6gb/s was created because of the existence of SSDs. It lends them a bit of credibility when when mobos have a special port specifically for SSDs. I guess it's a bit of an issue that SSDs and HDDs use the same connections for communicating, when the devices typically operate on...
- tommylommykins
- Post #2
- Apr 14, 2012
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Help me explain cores and threads to my neighbor

If your neighbour is not technically oriented, then is he asking you to make a decision for him? If so, you shouldn't be spending time explaining the technicalities of threading and cores to him, because he really doesn't actually need to care about them. Instead, just find work out what will...
- tommylommykins
- Post #27
- Apr 14, 2012
- Forum: CPUs and Overclocking
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WD Refurbs any good?

Hard drives are pretty much the least reliable component in a computer. They are also the part you want to fail the least, because you will lose data when they fail. Refurbished drives have very low warranties, and have a reputation for failing. They are untrustworthy. So, don't buy a...
- tommylommykins
- Post #6
- Mar 24, 2012
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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How to properly clear a computer of history?

I think it depends on what bad things will happen if anything confidential gets found. I would reccomend applying a quick format and reinstalling the operating system in every case though. This will guarantee that there is no crapware running on the system. It will also confidently guarantee...
- tommylommykins
- Post #4
- Jan 9, 2012
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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USB stick

Thanks for the help :)
- tommylommykins
- Post #5
- Dec 29, 2011
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Why doesn't MSAHCI.SYS spin-down SATA drives, when it says "Safe to Remove"?

On that note, do hard drives typically state a maximum safe rotational velocity? I've seen maximum G-load requirements, but I don't think I've ever seen a limitation on rotation? Presumably this means you're entitled to ask for your money back when you put your desktop through a spin cycle in...
- tommylommykins
- Post #10
- Dec 29, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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USB stick

I recently bought a USB stick which had poor performance. I am searching for a replacement with reasonable performance, but I am having trouble finding one because I cannot find many up-to-date reviews. Can anyone reccomend a suitable USB2.0 4GB-8GB USB stick that is not slow and is not really...
- tommylommykins
- Thread
- Dec 28, 2011
- Replies: 4
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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How loud is too loud for mechanical HDDs?

IMO disk noise is heavily influenced by the case the disk goes in. I made my disks almost inaudible by putting them in a case which had rubber feet in the disk trays.
- tommylommykins
- Post #12
- Nov 20, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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How to ensure HDD is dead and erased?

HDDs are much easier to destroy with a screwdriver than with a hammer. A few twists with a torx screwdriver will have the platters out quite quickly. Once that's done, just chuck the platters in the bin. The act of dissassembling a hard drive is enough to render it practically unrecoverable
- tommylommykins
- Post #10
- Oct 30, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Negative progress in monitor technology?

How much of the graphics on Windows is still based on Raster graphics? If there're still many things that are not vector graphics, then this is a hinderance to having more pixels per inch...
- tommylommykins
- Post #63
- Oct 27, 2011
- Forum: Displays
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Is a 32gb SSD enough to hold W7 HP 64bit?

The question is what have you castrated to only be using 30gb of your 120gb drive? Given that you've paid so much for a 120gb drive (me too, btw :D), you ought to be using as much of it as possible... There's no reason to be wasteful, but at the same time, the space gives you the opportunity to...
- tommylommykins
- Post #7
- Oct 17, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Is a 32gb SSD enough to hold W7 HP 64bit?

As you said, you will need to be very aggressive to save space. It's awkward, and may not be worth the hassle, especially on a laptop, where hibernation is an essential feature, You will also not be able to install many applications, which negates much of the point of having an SSD. Give it a...
- tommylommykins
- Post #5
- Oct 17, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Noobie RAM question

I've mixed RAM around for ages without issues running a computer recycling shop. Try and get the same if you have it, if not, use whatever, and you should be fine :)
- tommylommykins
- Post #3
- Oct 15, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Need advice on picking RAM (Beginner)

If you're not overclocking your system, then it is very unlikely that the cheapram is causing system lockups -- chapram is in almost every computer that isn't an enthusiast machine, and it's normally very, very reliable. If the system is overclocked, then before buying new gear, you should do...
- tommylommykins
- Post #3
- Oct 2, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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What Nvidia Card to get?

How does more memory help with more monitors? I can understand needing bigger buffers when things are done per-pixel to the screens, bucause more pixels means more memory.. But if you're playing a game, memory requirements will otherwise be the same, whether you're playing on two massive...
- tommylommykins
- Post #4
- Sep 29, 2011
- Forum: Graphics Cards
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Advice for a linux user and a new card

I'm looking to replace my wheezy 5670. I have not been very impressed with the AMD drivers on linux. Are the nvidia ones any better? I want a midrange card (more powerful than a 5670) that is quiet. What are your reccomendations? Thanks :)
- tommylommykins
- Thread
- Sep 26, 2011
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Graphics Cards
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Very low CPU temps, resulting in fan stuck at low rpm

if this happens again, you may be able to get away with plugging the CPU fan into the back-fan socket of your mobo.
- tommylommykins
- Post #5
- Sep 24, 2011
- Forum: Motherboards
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Dell Poweredge 1300/350 Mother Board Blues!!!

I agree. Ancient hardware is ancient. Almost-as-ancient hardware is much faster and still cheap. It's a nobrainer :D
- tommylommykins
- Post #4
- Sep 15, 2011
- Forum: Motherboards
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Ever encounter a system that can't be forced off with the power / reset buttons?

Not powering off after 4 seconds is probably a violation of ACPI. ---- 4.7.2.2.1.3 Power Button Override The ACPI specification also allows that if the user presses the power button for more than four seconds while the system is in the working state, a hardware event is generated and the...
- tommylommykins
- Post #9
- Sep 12, 2011
- Forum: Motherboards
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New Samsung F3 1tb makes a lot of noise

I have an HD103. The noise it makes depends on the case I mount it in. In my old (old-but-cheap) case, the disk hum was the loudest part in the system. In my new (old-but-nonetheless-posh) case, which has rubber disk mounts, it makes absolutely no noticeable noise at all If you're a...
- tommylommykins
- Post #11
- Sep 8, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Cleaning the dust out of your computer

As a sidenote, it's not really necessary to remove every speck of dust from the fans. The primary aim is to remove big buildups, since those are easiest and most fun to remove. If anything, you'd want to make the heatsinks squeaky clean, since builtup dust will have the most effect on them.
- tommylommykins
- Post #27
- Aug 6, 2011
- Forum: Computer Building
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International student building a computer from scratch

I'd definitely reccomend getting a 1080p monitor. You'll get several benefits: You can watch 1080p videos on it. 1080p video is everywhere now. Even entirely free on youtube... More desktop space for work. More screen space for gaming. You can keep your 1680*1050 screen and go dual...
- tommylommykins
- Post #2
- Jul 21, 2011
- Forum: Computer Building
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Need help building a $5000 rig

I agree with this. Computers age quickly. If he really wants to spend that much on hardware, I'd divide it into 2 or 3, and buy a new computer once every 3 years, or once every other new intel Architecture. One megafast computer will get out of date in ~3-4 years, but 2 or 3 rounds of fast...
- tommylommykins
- Post #9
- Jul 21, 2011
- Forum: Computer Building
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Do all SSDs Throttle Writes after a Period of Continuous Writes?

My understanding was that this is a feature that's there explicitly to cripple drives... The idea being that later on, SSDs can be sold without this lock for a premium, because they have higher performance
- tommylommykins
- Post #4
- Jun 24, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Overclocking (and running F@H 24/7) is a waste of electricity.

Running a high power machine 24/7 at full power is probably not the greatest idea in terms of power consumption. Try not running F@H all the time. You should be able to make direct savings off that, at the very least.
- tommylommykins
- Post #2
- Jun 10, 2011
- Forum: CPUs and Overclocking
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Convince me to get more ram... :)

16gb is a lot... If you need convincing, maybe you could think about what else you could spend it on, maybe something that'd give you a bit more performance... Maybe an SSD if you don't have one already, or a sturdier case, or a better CPU heatsink...
- tommylommykins
- Post #4
- Jun 8, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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6GB vs 12GB

12 gigabytes of ram is massive amounts. I have 4, and unless I'm doing something stupid, I almost never hit the pagefile. Assuming you're in the same situation, you're always going to have at least 8gb free for caches. That's enormous amounts... As much as it's a good thing that that space will...
- tommylommykins
- Post #12
- Jun 6, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Why is it impossible to find a good & cheap Dvorak keyboard? Help!

<- Also a programmer (having spent years typing QWERTY, I honestly can't truly touchtype with it) DVORAK definately does have its drawbacks though.. Under linux, `ls -l` is all typed with the little finger on the right hand. It's not comfortable. C, X, and V, which are used for copy and...
- tommylommykins
- Post #13
- May 14, 2011
- Forum: Keyboards
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Aero Performance with 30" Display

I don't think your graphics card is too old for aero. It's a relatively modern card, and should be able to run aero without breaking a sweat. You have said that switching between programs has become slow. Usually when this happens, it's because something is using up all the main-memory in you...
- tommylommykins
- Post #2
- May 13, 2011
- Forum: Graphics Cards
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data recovery from bad hdd(linux usb distro?)

If your disk is making clicking noises then I don't think it's very likely that you will be able to get data back from it. However, if you want to use linux, then you will need to use an "Ubuntu Livecd" (these can be installed to USB) The process will be a bit dauting if you've never used...
- tommylommykins
- Post #2
- May 13, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Why is it impossible to find a good & cheap Dvorak keyboard? Help!

Having learnt dvorak, I'd say the benefit it gave me is being able to properly touch type rather than being a faster typer. The benefit is that I never have to look at the keyboard ever, or even keep it in the corner of my eyes
- tommylommykins
- Post #11
- May 11, 2011
- Forum: Keyboards
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Functional Programming

OOP tends to send you down one particular route of 'abstraction'. Learning to program functionally lets you learn how to do 'abstraction' in different ways, I wouldn't say that the abstractions that you do OOP are 'better' or 'worse' than what you can do with functional programming: I think...
- tommylommykins
- Post #11
- May 10, 2011
- Forum: Programming
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Why is it impossible to find a good & cheap Dvorak keyboard? Help!

It's actually highly reccomended that you don't change any keys round or put stickers on the keys when you learn dvorak. You're going to be learning dvorak to touchtype: Touchtyping means not looking at the keyboard as you type... If you put stickers on or rearrange the keys, then you'll end up...
- tommylommykins
- Post #3
- May 10, 2011
- Forum: Keyboards
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Would you go from a 28 inch to a 23 inch?

It's really the number of pixels that's the most important IMO. If you're not losing many pixels, and your eyesight isn't terrible, then I really don't think you're going to lose out on very much at all (except bragging rights). A smaller monitor will give you a sharper picture, and the higher...
- tommylommykins
- Post #2
- May 9, 2011
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Things not to do for a HD RMA

Drive manufacturers hide screws under the labels. Damage to the labels could indicate tampering, in the same way that warranty will be voided for damage to the gasket shown in the same gallery Additionally, Damage to the label could indicate attempts at RMA-Fraud, by transferring stickers from...
- tommylommykins
- Post #7
- Apr 25, 2011
- Forum: Memory and Storage

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