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My 5 year old Alienware computer is truly starting to show it's age. I had no delusions that my PC was no longer top of the line, but a recent attempt to run Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light felt like watching Whitney Houston in concert, NOW. The best days are far behind, and that one moment in time is but a sweet memory.
So now I can either pay some PC company to build me a new one (no Macs) or build one of my own. I'm leaning towards the latter, as I've always been interested in building one myself, and from what I can tell it is breathtakingly cheaper. Here's something I configured on Newegg for about half of what it would cost Alienware to build me something comparable.
1 COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$54.99
1 Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$89.99
1 ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
$99.99
1 EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$259.99
1 CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ...
$94.99
1 Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 996770
$99.99
1 D Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX
$229.00
1 LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA WH10LS30 LightScribe Support
$79.99
Subtotal: $1,008.93
As far as my PC hardware experience goes, I've basically done everything but build one. I've installed/replaced RAM, HDD, Video Cards, Processors, Optical, etc. That aside, I really don't know much about the intricacies of doing this. I'm guessing that it isn't as easy as it looks on paper because if it was, more people would be doing it especially given the price difference. Are there any snags/gotchas I need to be wary of, stuff that I don't really need/stuff I do really need? I'm really looking for this to last ~5 years like my current machine did. I just don't want to have to spend the same amount of money (~$2,200) as I did back then. Obviously with the independent video card this will be a gaming PC, but I mainly want it to be an entertainment hub, where I can watch movies and such right on my 50" Plasma at full HD resolution (as opposed to my current setup, where I can't get more than 1280X1024 via the VGA port.)
Any tips/preferences are greatly appreciated.
So now I can either pay some PC company to build me a new one (no Macs) or build one of my own. I'm leaning towards the latter, as I've always been interested in building one myself, and from what I can tell it is breathtakingly cheaper. Here's something I configured on Newegg for about half of what it would cost Alienware to build me something comparable.
1 COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$54.99
1 Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$89.99
1 ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
$99.99
1 EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$259.99
1 CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ...
$94.99
1 Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 996770
$99.99
1 D Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX
$229.00
1 LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA WH10LS30 LightScribe Support
$79.99
Subtotal: $1,008.93
As far as my PC hardware experience goes, I've basically done everything but build one. I've installed/replaced RAM, HDD, Video Cards, Processors, Optical, etc. That aside, I really don't know much about the intricacies of doing this. I'm guessing that it isn't as easy as it looks on paper because if it was, more people would be doing it especially given the price difference. Are there any snags/gotchas I need to be wary of, stuff that I don't really need/stuff I do really need? I'm really looking for this to last ~5 years like my current machine did. I just don't want to have to spend the same amount of money (~$2,200) as I did back then. Obviously with the independent video card this will be a gaming PC, but I mainly want it to be an entertainment hub, where I can watch movies and such right on my 50" Plasma at full HD resolution (as opposed to my current setup, where I can't get more than 1280X1024 via the VGA port.)
Any tips/preferences are greatly appreciated.
7 Replies
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1600 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8ErY6s7b8WI
Direct YouTube Link - Apple Intelligence: Siri AI Revolutionizes Your Devices! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8ErY6s7b8WI
Direct YouTube Link - Apple Intelligence: Siri AI Revolutionizes Your Devices! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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0 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL5XFOpX4_A
Direct YouTube Link - Tech News Weekly 441
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL5XFOpX4_A
Direct YouTube Link - Tech News Weekly 441
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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3 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CRhynF2RE20
Direct YouTube Link - Home Theater Audio: JBL SCL-6 Speaker Custom Build! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CRhynF2RE20
Direct YouTube Link - Home Theater Audio: JBL SCL-6 Speaker Custom Build! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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2 views
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
0 Replies
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8 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
We have a Breakfast and Dinner thread so... 
Continuing from the Breakfast thread, found Cornbread mix so ...
Yellow Cornbread Mix
2 Hatch Green Chiles -diced
1 Egg
2/3 cup of milk
add to greased pan
Bake for 400f 20-25 minutes(From instructions)
now to put together and try... this to go with pinto beans...
Continuing from the Breakfast thread, found Cornbread mix so ...
Yellow Cornbread Mix
2 Hatch Green Chiles -diced
1 Egg
2/3 cup of milk
add to greased pan
Bake for 400f 20-25 minutes(From instructions)
now to put together and try... this to go with pinto beans...
5389 Replies
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334596 views
Pork shoulder, refried beans, cheddar and chopped green chile burrito with a pint of pale ale.
Its nice being able to have a pint with lunch during the week or whenever. I've been enjoying the retired life.
Its nice being able to have a pint with lunch during the week or whenever. I've been enjoying the retired life.
Congrats! I love retirement, no wake ups, no e-mails...Pork shoulder, refried beans, cheddar and chopped green chile burrito with a pint of pale ale.
Its nice being able to have a pint with lunch during the week or whenever. I've been enjoying the retired life.
View attachment 191651
Leftovers for lunch, bacon wrapped salmon fillet from Saturday and a KFC thigh from Friday, Tea.
New low power station has been granted by the FCC and the new call leter is K33OB-D on RF ch. 33.
Will run at 15 KW ERP, this one runs from the Westside same location as KWPL-LD a HC2 owned station.
It's going to be aimed at eastern part of Albuquerque, so it's tightly focused beam pattern.
This new station is owned by Digital Network and what kind of programmings is unkown at this time.
Will run at 15 KW ERP, this one runs from the Westside same location as KWPL-LD a HC2 owned station.
It's going to be aimed at eastern part of Albuquerque, so it's tightly focused beam pattern.
This new station is owned by Digital Network and what kind of programmings is unkown at this time.
10 Replies
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152 views
Yeah, there are some diginets like Heartland, Retro, The Family Channel diginetworks that we already have here in this market and we don't need duplicates, but bring the new diginets on like the Rev'n, Karate Acton movies, different kind of music videos on the new station. 
Yeah, there are some diginets like Heartland, Retro, The Family Channel diginetworks that we already have here in this market and we don't need duplicates, but bring the new diginets like Revn, Karate Acton movies, different kind of music videos on the new station.
I watch MovieSphere Gold channel a lot. Many recent movies on that digitnet
Yes that's a good channel MovieSphere, only thing is the missing CC on it. 
Linus Tech Tips
Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FoAOhbeo5Y
Direct YouTube Link - I Found Free Money in the Tech House
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FoAOhbeo5Y
Direct YouTube Link - I Found Free Money in the Tech House
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
0 Replies
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4 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOgBoy9ScCY
Direct YouTube Link - Hollywood Faces the AI Tipping Point with Robert Tercek
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOgBoy9ScCY
Direct YouTube Link - Hollywood Faces the AI Tipping Point with Robert Tercek
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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2 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
6 Replies
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90 views
However, when I make a change (tried to add the Columbian pack for $2 so I could generate my bill) and there is a new line - it says "Access for TV" - whereas previously that line item was not there. I hope they aren't charging $5.00 for the initial TV now...
Possibly. In theory, $9 of the base pack has a rental fee built in. But now is this $5 a chance to get a little more? I don't know for sure. According to chat, it is a glitch and will be resolved in a timely manner, but we shall see. Part of my thinks there is a going to be a new charge, whether it is now or this fall. Here in Illinois, the law requires we are given 30 days notice of any fee changes, but I have not been given anything.
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
With the 1st Quarter Report just released, Dish lost another 180,000, now at 4.84 Million.
Sling now at 1.79 million subscribers, down approximately 190,000.
For comparison, YouTube TV now has about double the subscribers of Dish and Sling combined.
cordcuttersnews.com
Sling now at 1.79 million subscribers, down approximately 190,000.
For comparison, YouTube TV now has about double the subscribers of Dish and Sling combined.
DISH & Sling TV Lost Over 366,000 TV Subscribers In Just 3 Months | Cord Cutters News
EchoStar Corporation, the owner of the DISH Network satellite television service and the Sling TV streaming platform, continued to experience steep declines in its pay-television customer base during the first three months of 2026. The company reported a net loss of approximately 366,000 pay-TV...
cordcuttersnews.com
71 Replies
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3427 views
Hello Computer On Phone GIF - Hello Computer Hello On Phone - Discover & Share GIFs
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