Help A Geek Out - CPU woes

[darksydeavenger]

I've had a lengthy love / hate relationship with my computer, and I believe it is finally in the throes of comitting computer suicide. It already ate my feature length movie and destroyed the only copy of some other film stuff I've done. Also, it won't let me play my computer games for too long without locking up.

So yeah, while pitying me, what are some suggestions for getting a new PC? I'm looking to build it from scratch, getting all the parts I want, instead of buying it pre-built. Any assistance would be much appreciated. Kthxbye!

[masherscf]

That sounds painfull. I guess you're the poster child for backing-up data.

It sounds to me like you might have a cooling problem. Have you cleaned out your box lately? Have you checked your fans to see if they're still alive?

I hear that MACs are good for making videos.

What's your budget for this new monstrosity?

[darksydeavenger]

how much is cooling an issue? just asking out of curiosity...or for "cleaning out" for that matter?

[masherscf]

Originally Posted by darksydeavenger

how much is cooling an issue? just asking out of curiosity...

If you're losing files, the damage might be done or it might be something else. In my experience, when you computer crashes randomily while you are playing games it might be overheating. You really need to clean out your computer occassionally and replace the cooling fans if they die. I wouldn't do it unless you know for certain that's the problem.

[diela]

Originally Posted by masherscf

If you're losing files, the damage might be done or it might be something else. In my experience, when you computer crashes randomily while you are playing games it might be overheating. You really need to clean out your computer occassionally and replace the cooling fans if they die. I wouldn't do it unless you know for certain that's the problem.

And by cleaning out, he means getting rid of the dust bunnies inside that are large enough to be named. Household dust acts like blown-in insulation for houses... keeps all the heat in parts where it shouldn't be.

Like he said, check your processor fan... although a good motherboard should shut itself down if that ever stops working... and any extra case fans.

[masherscf]

Originally Posted by diela

Like he said, check your processor fan... although a good motherboard should shut itself down if that ever stops working... and any extra case fans.

Good idea. You have a good point. The CPU is usally monitored for heat on modern motherboads. I'm really concerned about his video card cooling.

Does it have an integrated fan?
Is the video card crowded?

An overheating video card would just act wonky, the MB might not pick it up. Although, I'm not sure how that would lead to currupt data files. Unless, the random cashes do that.

[jdhore]

darksydeavenger: as you said before, you current PC is on the way out...if you tell use some of the things you're looking to do with the system, we can maybe tell you what to buy...example: if you're going a lot of high-end gaming, get a AMD ...if you're going to be doing a lot of video editing, get an Intel...that was just an example, so like i said, if you tell us what you're looking for and a vague price range, maybe we can help you...you can't just say to someone: i want to build a new computer. help me. kthxbye...sorry, but we're not that good and we're not mind-readers

[darksydeavenger]

well damn, man. I was thinkin' you guys would be THAT good.

If and when I do get a new PC, it's going to have to do pretty much everything. Video editing, gaming, the works. I'm thinking perhaps not the highest end parts available, but stuff that would allow me to upgrade in the future.

If that helps any. I'd type more, but I honestly can't read the text. My monitor is that dark. I'm hoping it doesn't go out before I get the money I need to replace the monitor.

[sugarsickness]

Please atleast attempt to use file recovery software. When something is deleted, it is still there on the computer. The space that it used up is marked as 'free' and the operating system knows that it can use that area for new data, etc. File recovery software can allow you to loook through the space marked as 'free' for complete files still intact and recover them. I believe their was a free one listed in the "Useful apps under 2 meg" thread in the windows forum but i dont remember.

I've had windows eat up and corrupt video files and have had recovery software save a lot of it.

[briangilmore]

Originally Posted by darksydeavenger

how much is cooling an issue? just asking out of curiosity...or for "cleaning out" for that matter?

for mac laptops, at least, cooling is a HUGE issue. My friend has a 12-inch powerbook, and their old hard-drive burned out and died b/c of how hot it got, etc. So yeah, cool that shit, mofo, iss a huge deal. A lot of the time, it feels like mine do that soon as well...maybe i should make it happen before the warranty runs out, cause 3 years is comin up and i don't wanna be left in the wata.