A Guide to Gaming PC Specs

PC gaming has been around for decades, but so has console gaming. Being a simpler platform, many players were drawn to consoles first and many even became veteran players without ever really considering PC gaming. Eventually though, some of the most competitive and hardcore gamers take a peek into the world of PC gaming because of all it has to offer. Some games are available for PC gamers that aren’t out for any console, and many never will be. The PC offers a much wider range of controls (with keyboard and mouse) and therefore lends itself to a deeper gameplay experience that consoles can’t replicate.

Another thing PC’s offer is a breakout from the multi-year console cycle. When a console system first comes out there is generally wide-ranging acclaim for the technological capabilities of the system, but two or three years into its life cycle the technology is noticeably dated and yet the next generation console is still years away from release. This leaves many hardcore console gamers sour on their system of choice, and looking to PC gaming for potential answers.

For the PC gaming novice a common question is, “What’s a good gaming PC spec?” Unlike consoles, PC’s come with an infinite variety of processor types, CPU speeds, different types and amounts of RAM, and a whole litany of graphics cards to choose from. There is no easy answer to this question, because any answer I give today will be wrong a month from now. Ultimately any new PC gamer needs to learn the lay of the land a bit before purchasing their first system. Surprisingly though, this is much easier than you might think.

Product reviews are your friend. They will both save you money and save you from making purchases that might have disappointed you. Try to check reviews on both tech websites as well as on stores. Surprisingly, price alone is not a good indicator of quality and even something with what seems to be perfect specs on paper may not live up to expectations if there are other issues with it. Ultimately the most important piece of any gaming PC is the video cards. The graphics are the most processor and memory intensive thing about gaming today, so even if you are purchasing a complete system it’s a good idea to make sure the graphics card included with the system can deliver solid performance for today’s games.

By combining a little bit of research into graphics cards, checking out the specs on a variety of systems offered as gaming PC’s, and looking at both professional and user reviews you will be able to make a very educated purchasing decision. A good gaming PC spec will change from month to month but the procedure for figuring out what the latest and greatest is and how to get the most for you money always remains the same.A�…

How to Choose Between a Laptop Or Desktop Computer

If you go back several years, when people still bought music on disks of some sort, the main computing option was a Desktop PC. Laptop computers were for people who needed to take their computing out of the home or office.

These days, with Laptops being extremely affordable, more and more people are reclaiming their desk space by investing in Laptop computers and ditching the Desktop versions. From a purely design point of view, this has quite good aesthetic results in many a home. Your computer can now be practically invisible in the home.

With home networking becoming more popular, even printers can be accessed wirelessly, meaning no clumsy wires and no need for anything to be on show for accessibility. This new neater existence for our computing equipment is a reflection of the manufacturers being able to cram some quite remarkable technology into smaller and smaller spaces.

As with anything which gives us benefits, there’s also pitfalls which the salesman selling you a shiny new Laptop or Notebook will avoid mentioning.

Firstly, and probably most importantly (to most of us) Laptops are generally a lot more fragile than their Desktop counterparts. One of the considerations when buying a Laptop is the way it will be used. If you buy a Laptop which you’ll travel with, it pays to buy one which has good shock resistance and is made to be travelled with. This can add a lot to the overall cost but save money in costly repairs and data retrieval.

There’s also the level of performance. Laptops tend to be less powerful for the price and are not really great if gaming is your main motivation. That’s not to say that there aren’t some great gaming and productivity Laptops out there, but with the changing demands of software, a good gaming Laptop today could be tomorrow’s word processor.

The lack of flexibility where upgrades are concerned is another reason Laptops can be a less than ideal option. Upgrades to graphics cards aren’t possible in many Laptops as most are integrated into the motherboard. Also, hard disk space can only be increased internally by replacing the existing disk. Screen size is fixed and the keyboards are integral. Some of these things can be addressed with add-on components but this adds to the fragility and the outward bulk and awkwardness of the computer. Desktops offer a much more natural upgrade path and can be tailored to suit requirements of the individual.

For most households, a Laptop is fine for doing the day-to-day computer chores such as surfing the net, writing letters and doing homework. If you’re using a computer for more intensive work which doesn’t need the portability, a Desktop PC is the best bet.…

Social Media Table Manners

I was at Starbucks today. For the past several months to a year I have been patronizing Starbucks and it seems to be the social network marketing place for business and friends. People are doing business over the Internet at these coffee houses. I meet friends and interact with people over the Internet at Starbucks.

I have never been harassed and people seem to respect others and keep a good social atmosphere. As in any social situation there should be “table manners”. People should respect one another.

Think of social media like walking into someone’s house. You must abide by their rules. Every house has rules. In our house you take your shoes off, no smoking, and no use of profanity. If you enter a church building, you follow the church rules. Entering a secure government building you may have to go through a security check and be restricted on what you can carry in.

Here are some social media table manners:

A� Join in the conversation – If you are entering a Facebook page for those interested in network marketing, keep your conversation about what others are interested in. Read the group information about the group. Remember, you don’t know anything about these people and they don’t know you. Take an interest in what they have to say. Listen, listen, and then listen. If you are interested in Christianity, chat about the things of God. You like marketing, talk about marketing. Keep to the subject.

A� Be a good listener and ask questions – Take an interest in the other person. Ask them about their interests. If they want to talk about their business, then let them talk. Ask them questions about their company. How long have you been doing the business? How long has the company been in business? Remember, unless you use video and audio, they cannot see or hear you.

A� Don’t make a sales pitch when you initially meet someone – Don’t say, “Hi, I am Eldon and I am a network marketer. Do you want to sign up under me?” People will flee from you like the plague. You are there to build a relationship with people. I am a member of our local chamber and I have to build relationships first.

A� Give some helpful information – People want helpful information. Some of my friends text me health information. I like that type of information. If you are a network marketer, give some success tips. Social media is a long-term relationship. It takes take time, patience, and work. It is a give and take relationship.

A� Don’t send out a lot of junk tweets a day – I had this one person send me a dozen or more tweets a day. It was annoying.

A� Use clean language – No profanity or nudity.

A� Be who you are – Be yourself. If you are branding yourself, use your picture rather than an avatar. I am more likely to continue …

Everyone now knows their actions have an effect on the environment, and while it may seem overwhelming or impossible to make a positive difference, there are small changes you can make in your everyday life to do your part. Excessive waste and consumption are practically expected in today’s society, but you can shrink your environmental footprint by trying out these tips.

Reuse and Recycle

One simple change you can make to reduce your waste is to use reusable items that replace plastics you would typically throw away, such as water bottles, grocery and sandwich bags and tableware. Many single-use items can be replaced or just aren’t necessary to purchase. Additionally, before you throw anything away, think about refurbishing or recycling it. For example, a broken television could be sent in for television refurbishing Dover DE to get more use out of it, and glass jars could be repurposed as storage containers or decorative items.

Shop Wisely

Much of everyone’s waste consists of paper and plastic packaging, and there are ways to cut down on this as well. When shopping for groceries, try to buy whole, uncut fruits and vegetables instead of precut produce in plastic containers. Moreover, buying your food in bulk or buying from a farmer’s market involves less use of packaging as well. When shopping for clothes, décor, furniture, and many other items, buying secondhand is another great way to reuse and reduce waste.

Take a Minimalistic Approach

Reducing your consumption and waste means that you need to think more minimally about your wants and needs and perhaps change your attitude and lifestyle. For example, processed junk food comes with a lot of packaging compared to healthier alternatives. Another example concerns fast fashion and continuously buying new clothes to keep up with trends. Many people simply buy a lot of things they don’t need, and the eventual resulting waste can have a compounded effect on the environment.

Overconsumption and excessive waste have unfortunately become the norm, but you can learn to adjust your habits. Even small changes add up to a large influence.…

ITX Gaming PC – Don’t Let The Size Fool You

They say big things come in small packages. So get ready for some big things from an ITX gaming PC. So much power packed into a tiny box it will blow you away. These boxes are sometimes referred to as Mini-ITX PCs as well but they are usually one in the same. The ITX PC will give you amazing performance at your next LAN party, all from a small footprint. Let them laugh when they see it but when you start playing and blowing them away they will start whining and crying.

These little rigs are all about 4 inches wide by 10 inches tall by 12 inches deep. When they are properly designed with the right pieces and parts, they will easily outperform other LAN rigs. But caution is needed to make sure you buy it from a very good supplier. It is very easy to botch the design and end up with an ITX rig that will cook you dinner. These rigs are tight inside and need a good engineer to design and build them. No room for error in these boxes. Leave it to a professional.

But can these ITX PCs play the more complex games? Can they run the more intense graphic cards? Oh yea, you can bet on it! But again caution. Like I said above, these things are tight, they produce a lot of heat and you just can’t throw just any desktop part in them. Do something wrong to hinder air flow and watch it melt. Stick to a supplier who knows what they are doing. But for the size of these little rigs they will run any software a desktop can. The ITX can utilize the latest processors also. The pricing is usually very competitive depending what options you go with. Most ITX models allow for some very cool custom graphics on the outside of the box. But this will vary with the supplier. In terms of cool graphics on any PC, if the sides are metal versus plastic, you will be able to get much cooler, high def graphics on metal than plastic, just a word to the wise.

Mini-ITXs or ITX gaming PCs are starting to pop in the gaming PC market. The power and pricing is very enticing to the mid to high end gamer, so much power in such a small mobile box. Put it under your arm and bring it to your next LAN party and let the envy begin. People will snicker at first but when they see these babies blowing away their super cool, super deluxe brand X out of the water, they will need a life jacket. Throw them one if you want but not necessary. Check out these ITX rigs from a good supplier, you will be surprised.…

Dealing with electrical issues is something that most people want to avoid. Unfortunately, this is a problem that virtually everyone will face at some point. However, do you know the tell-tale signs it is time to make this call?

Usually, electrical issues will show up and let you know there is an issue. Keep in mind that you can prevent these problems by investing in regular electrical maintenance Tallahassee. Keep reading to learn some of the top signs you need to call an electrician.

Flickering Lights

Flickering lights usually mean there is a serious wiring problem somewhere. This issue could be located at a specific fixture, which would be the ideal situation. The worst situation would be frayed wiring or that the wattage used has exceeded the outlet’s capabilities, which are both possible fire hazards.

Corrosion or Rust

If you see any indications of corrosion or rust near your breaker box, it is another sign you should call an electrician. These are clues that indicate that moisture is getting too close to the panel. This is a huge concern for your electrical system and for your home’s safety.

Problems with Frequent Tripped Breakers

From time to time, the fuses may blow. However, if you have an outlet or certain lights that trip frequently, it is time to contact an electrician for an assessment. If you are dealing with fuses that blow regularly, there could be an issue with faulty wiring that should be fixed.

Don’t Wait to Call an Electrician

If you notice an electrical issue, you should not wait to call for service. The longer you wait, the worse the issue will get. Being informed will help ensure your electrical issues are handled and that no other problems occur. Keep this in mind to make sure your electrical system continues working properly.…

Real Guitar Players Or Just Gamers

Rock Band 3 Guitar players have something to celebrate, with the forthcoming release of a brand new controller designed especially for the game in association with the company that is responsible for defining what half of the rock and roll guitars have looked like since the 50’s, Fender (the other half probably being designed by Gibson!).

Not only does the new Rock Band 3 Guitar controller do all the usual stuff that the regular controllers do, but now with the addition of real strings and a pickup (a sort of “microphone” for a guitar for want of a better description), means that gamers can take their skills from the virtual stage onto the real world stage by actually learning to play.

The fact that playing the previous versions of the Rock Band games has always had the stigma of being a child’s toy rather than a real instrument attached to it by serious musicians has always kept the game well and truly on the store toy shelf. The gap has been considerably closed with this new controller, the choice is now a clear one, you can keep on playing the game like you always did with the standard controller, or take things to the next level and become a real musician, how cool is that?

While all this sounds fantastic, what is the reality of the situation and how well is this all really going to work?

There are some issues with this new technology, for a start the new Rock Band 3 Guitar controller currently only works in pro mode which means that you can only play roughly 4% of the available games, this is something that most prospective buyers are hoping will be addressed before the launch, because otherwise it means that you will need 2 controllers to actually play all of the songs in the game.

While the available videos and previews make this guitar look like it does everything it promises and more, this is something we have seen recently with another rival product that promised so much in the demos but is getting terrible reviews right now, I am of course referring to the Power Gig guitar.

While I have seen this guitar I have not checked it out thoroughly, the complaints range from things like the game itself and the software in general are not good and look very dated, to complaints that the guitar strings have to be pushed down very hard to make the sensors pick them up. This last point may be something that will affect a lot of beginner guitar players on the new Fender guitar as well, any guitar player knows that you have to build up strength in your fingers to fret correctly and eradicate the buzz, and you will get pain and callouses on your fingertips.

This begs the question, will kids be turned off by this and just go back to the much easier option of using their familiar controller?…

Thanks to advancements in digital technology, it is easier than ever to shoot and edit your own movie, then show it to the world. Not only is moviemaking easier, it is also much less expensive than it was in the days of film and videotape, even when the figures are adjusted for inflation. Here are some tips for making a quality movie on a shoestring budget.

Rent Camera Equipment

This includes not only the recorder but the camera support Jacksonville FL. If you intend to keep the camera forever, and the price is under $600, it may be worthwhile buying it. On the other hand, if you intend to sell the camera after you are done, the relentless pace of technology can cause it to depreciate quickly, and you may lose money on it.

Edit Your Own Film

Not hiring an editor is a good way to keep post-production costs down. It is also an opportunity for you to learn more about filmmaking. Editing software has become so cheap and easy to use that even an amateur can produce a professional-looking final project.

Pay Cast and Crew

Motivate people to do their best work for you by compensating them for their time. Keep both cast and crew small so you can put them on the payroll without breaking the budget.

You may want to hire professional actors but think that it is beyond your means. The Screen Actors Guild offers an Ultra Low Budget Agreement that allows you to hire professional actors for less than $100 a day, well below scale.

Arrange a Short Shooting Schedule

Holding your cast and crew to a reasonable time commitment not only helps you to save money, but it also helps to generate goodwill toward you and your production. Another good technique to maintain a rapport is to show them appreciation by feeding them well. As long as you stick to a short schedule, the budget should allow this.

Insuring your production is a small investment that can pay off significantly, opening up filming locations and allowing you to hire SAG actors.…

Gaming Netbook Review – Asus G51VX-A1 15.6-inch

There is no doubt that the market segment for gaming notebooks is on the rise and Asus is cashing in on this trend by seemingly being one step ahead of the rest. A few years ago, it was unthinkable for a laptop to make a fitting replacement for the desktop as a gaming device. Today, gamers have access to awesome portables due to technology advances.

At the very least, a notebook for gaming should have topnotch processing capabilities, a dedicated graphics chip, and a hefty RAM. The processor should be extremely powerful to handle steep requirements. Arguably, a dedicated graphics chip is what every gamer out there would need for a truly great gaming experience. The RAM has to be big enough for the games to run without apparent glitches.

In this regard, the Asus G51VX-A1 is perfect since it has a GeForce GTX 260M dedicated graphics chip with 1GB of VRAM. With a 14.6″ x 10.3″ x 1.3″-1.6″ measurement and a weight of 7.26 lbs., the Asus G51VX-A1 is far from what would be considered to be very portable.

Even without knowing its specs, a glance at the Asus G51VX-A1 would indicate that it is what is – a gamer’s laptop. Its graphics and the logo in the center that says “Republic of Gamers” should do the trick, if nothing else.

This laptop has a full-sized keyboard with number pads that are independent of each other. Its palmrests are lined with rubber and the trackpad has metal buttons.

The Asus G51VX-A1 is packed with serious features such as a 640GB of hard disk space, a DVD Super Multi drive, and exterior ports that include USB (4), HDMI, FireWire, VGA, Ethernet, eSATA and an ExpressCard. It is also equipped with wireless bgn capability, Bluetooth and a multiple card reader.

Also filling gaming needs to a T is its 15.6-inch display that has a 16:9 aspect-ratio and a 1920×1080 resolution. Preloaded software include Asus’ proprietary software like Data Security manager, Winflash, Splendid Utility and Smart Logon Manager.

Definitely, the Asus G51VX-A1 is capable of supporting office applications. For gaming, some gamers argue that the GeForce GTX 260M doesn’t perform as well as dual 280M graphic chips found in the most expensive models but we think that it does the job well. Battery life lasts for 2.5 hours but with heavy gaming, the power would go out after 1.5 hours.

SPECS – AVAILABLE OPTIONS (From Asus’ website)CPU – Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 (2GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB Cache)RAM – 4GB DDR2-800 SDRAM (2GB x 2)Screen Size – 15.6 inch WUXGA FHD LCD display 1920x1080Operating System – Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit)Battery Life – Around 2 and a half hoursGraphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB GDDR3 memory

Pros

We like the Asus G51VX-A1 for its gaming capabilities and its sturdy build. Notable also is the laptop’s 1GB of VRAM. The price paid for the laptop is certainly worth it.

Cons

For a gaming laptop …

Gaming Laptop – Sager NP720 Laptop Review

NP720 is another high performance gaming laptop from Sager. It is a very powerful machine like a desktop computer. However, since it is a notebook computer it gives an added advantage of mobility. The NP720 notebook is powered with Intel Core i7 processor. Even though such kind of processor from Intel is considered to be less powerful but it is able to handle function like a desktop PC. That is the reason this notebook is capable of providing you with unmatched gaming performance.

The Intel powered processors gives you a speed of up to 3.2 GHz on the NP720 laptop. It lets you do multitasking without facing any performance issue. Like on a desktop PC, you can listen, record and play all your favorite games at the same time. Graphics card is what is capable of taking your gaming excitement to the next level. The NP720 comes with two graphics cards which means you will able to experience blazing fast gameplay.

In order to get the best gaming experience on a laptop, you need to have a large display screen. The NP720 does not disappoint you on this aspect and provides you with a magnificent 1080p full high definition 17.3 inch LED display screen. The display is energy efficient and consumes less battery power.

With HDMI connectivity port available on NP720, you can connect this notebook to a HDMI compatible compliant television set. You can then turn your home television into a gaming home theatre by connecting your sound system to the HDMI system. This you can get the best gaming experience on your television screen.

The wireless internet connectivity on NP720 is extremely good because it comes with the Intel WiFi adapter with N technology that has got a data transfer speed of up to 1GB per second. Such a powerful wireless system will let you stay connected to the wireless network by even scaling multiple floors. These days all the games are available on Blu-Ray discs. The NP720 comes with a Blu-Ray drive that will let you enjoy all the latest games and movies with the best possible clarity.

It has got a very comfortable keyboard and comes with full-sized keyboard that facilitates easy typing. Lastly, the 8-cell Smart Li-Ion battery of 78.44 WH will let you play your favorite games on battery for hours without connecting it to the power outlet.…