I opened up my computer today, something I don't do terribly often. Foolishly I forgot to check how many RAM slots I have left. I have a horrible feeling I only have the two slots in total
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No worries, Jay. I never got this reply in E-Mail, hence this reply coming a few days later than you may have expected...
I've gotta say, I'm surprised at your lack of knowledge of the basics of a PC's hardware. Do they seriously not teach that in IT Uni courses??? They really, really should. But moving right along!
In reply to a few of your comments/questions below:
I'm a little concerned about whether I can fit a bigger PSU in my case (having no idea if 400W is bigger in physical size), it seems a bit tight at the moment though I have very little in there.
The physical size won't be any bigger, so rest assured it will fit. ATX power supplies, like anything following a form factor, must conform to certain criteria. A big part of that criteria is physical dimensions, so it's more of a "one size fits all" kinds of set up. If things weren't set up this way, there would be mayhem in the IT industry. And technicians like myself wouldn't have any hair :P
Something else I've been considering is a UPS.
It certainly wouldn't hurt anything, but as you've also noted, they're not cheap. You should be able to pick up a good 650VA UPS for around $250 to $300, complete with serial interface so it will shut down Windows in the event of a lengthy power failure (you install software in Windows to talk to the UPS). Spikes and brownouts can be worse than blackouts, as they affect the power in bursts instead of just cutting it dead. Computers being the sensitive electronic devices they are, the less interruptions to the power, the better. Every PC here is on a UPS, and we've never had one blow up or develop bad RAM or HDD etc. You really need to ask yourself, do you want to take the chance of having your brand new upgrade parts zapped by the very thing making them whir? ;o)
Theirs is an Asus and includes Vivo(?) and DVI etc etc.
VIVO stands for Video In Video Out. DVI, as you may already be aware, stands for Digital Video Interface (or words to that effect). The DVI is for a DVI-compatible LCD monitor, which should be any of the higher-end models from most brands. VIVO is pretty much only any use to you if you plan to do video editing and the like. Even then, the card may only come with the capability to do VIVO, and you may be required to purchase extras such as cables and decent software to actually take advantage of it. Check out the card's specs to be sure.
I think that's all I had to offer in the way of info. Let's hope this gets through on the E-Mail replies :o)
I suspected as much regaring Vivo. Doesn't really interest me. That means you can hook a VCR to the computer or is my imagination going rampant?
No, they really don't have any more than one hardware course in the BIT degree. It's appalling! Also only one networking course and one systems admin course. Those three I enjoyed the most. Bastards.
This is why I was thinking of TAFE if I ever lose my job so I can learn these interesting and useful things. Waste of time Uni degree (except I get paid better now).
The UPS is about $150 from a local store, only one I've seen. Sounds like it might be really low-end, then. I don't know the specs.
I've gotta say, I'm surprised at your lack of knowledge of the basics of a PC's hardware. Do they seriously not teach that in IT Uni courses??? They really, really should. But moving right along!
In reply to a few of your comments/questions below:
I'm a little concerned about whether I can fit a bigger PSU in my case (having no idea if 400W is bigger in physical size), it seems a bit tight at the moment though I have very little in there.
The physical size won't be any bigger, so rest assured it will fit. ATX power supplies, like anything following a form factor, must conform to certain criteria. A big part of that criteria is physical dimensions, so it's more of a "one size fits all" kinds of set up. If things weren't set up this way, there would be mayhem in the IT industry. And technicians like myself wouldn't have any hair :P
Something else I've been considering is a UPS.
It certainly wouldn't hurt anything, but as you've also noted, they're not cheap. You should be able to pick up a good 650VA UPS for around $250 to $300, complete with serial interface so it will shut down Windows in the event of a lengthy power failure (you install software in Windows to talk to the UPS). Spikes and brownouts can be worse than blackouts, as they affect the power in bursts instead of just cutting it dead. Computers being the sensitive electronic devices they are, the less interruptions to the power, the better. Every PC here is on a UPS, and we've never had one blow up or develop bad RAM or HDD etc. You really need to ask yourself, do you want to take the chance of having your brand new upgrade parts zapped by the very thing making them whir? ;o)
Theirs is an Asus and includes Vivo(?) and DVI etc etc.
VIVO stands for Video In Video Out. DVI, as you may already be aware, stands for Digital Video Interface (or words to that effect). The DVI is for a DVI-compatible LCD monitor, which should be any of the higher-end models from most brands. VIVO is pretty much only any use to you if you plan to do video editing and the like. Even then, the card may only come with the capability to do VIVO, and you may be required to purchase extras such as cables and decent software to actually take advantage of it. Check out the card's specs to be sure.
I think that's all I had to offer in the way of info. Let's hope this gets through on the E-Mail replies :o)
Reply
I suspected as much regaring Vivo. Doesn't really interest me. That means you can hook a VCR to the computer or is my imagination going rampant?
No, they really don't have any more than one hardware course in the BIT degree. It's appalling! Also only one networking course and one systems admin course. Those three I enjoyed the most. Bastards.
This is why I was thinking of TAFE if I ever lose my job so I can learn these interesting and useful things. Waste of time Uni degree (except I get paid better now).
The UPS is about $150 from a local store, only one I've seen. Sounds like it might be really low-end, then. I don't know the specs.
Reply
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