No problem. If you wanted to actually overclock ram for game performance, you would look for whatever has the best combination of highest rated speed and lowest latency.
If i want to move to X299, it's looking like the following for me:
7820x + ROG Strix X299-E, 16GB RAM = $1,130
7900x + ROG Strix X299-E, 32GB RAM = $1,745
For 3 parts...
Can chip away some of that if I sell my current mobo, CPU, and ram.
7820x + ROG Strix X299-E, 16GB RAM = $1,130
7900x + ROG Strix X299-E, 32GB RAM = $1,745
For 3 parts...
Can chip away some of that if I sell my current mobo, CPU, and ram.
By diehard Go To PostSmokey do you do much stuff other than gaming though?
i don't, but my wife does content creation.
By Kabro Go To PostLol yeah…gonna stick with LGA2011 for a while.
Yeah I'm sticking with my 3570k, looked at upgrading but to get an i7K + mobo + cooler I'd be looking at AU$800+ let alone new ram.
You would think I could just HDMI my tv to my desktop and in this era of smart tvs, hdmis and NVidia Control Panels it would instantly work with no issues
but NOPE
but NOPE
Is there a way, an app or whatever that lets you link two or more program windows together in Windows 10? Say I have three Firefox windows open and have them arranged side by side. What I want is for them all to show up whenever I alt-tab to one of them. It would make life so much easier.
I can't think of one. Display Fusion does lots of things with window management and alt-tab but does not have that feature.
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 8G for $450.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1080-windforce-oc-8gb
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1080-windforce-oc-8gb
AquaSnap is boss. I've been meaning to try it. Even if it doesn't do exactly what I want it to (which I'm not sure yet it doesn't), I can already see lots of useful features. Having Twitter's app window on top on the far right would work for me, I think. Thanks m8.
Is there anything better than the Logitech Z906 out there as far as all-in-one (no separate receiver) 5.1 surround combos go?
Is there anything better than the Logitech Z906 out there as far as all-in-one (no separate receiver) 5.1 surround combos go?
By Zabojnik Go To PostIs there anything better than the Logitech Z906 out there as far as all-in-one (no separate receiver) 5.1 surround combos go?From a brief google search, it doesn't look like it.
There are some 5.1 systems that also come with a receiver, though.
By data Go To PostYou would think I could just HDMI my tv to my desktop and in this era of smart tvs, hdmis and NVidia Control Panels it would instantly work with no issuesHDCP handshake issues, I assume? Or improper detection of native resolution? Something else?
but NOPE
By Kibner Go To PostGigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 8G for $450.This drop has ended. They sold out.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1080-windforce-oc-8gb
Man...fuck it. I'll just pull some crazy time with work.
If I don't plan on overclocking...at all, what 1080 card (no TI) should I be looking at?
If I don't plan on overclocking...at all, what 1080 card (no TI) should I be looking at?
By Kibner Go To PostFrom a brief google search, it doesn't look like it.There's plenty of those, yeah. My breh would like to avoid going that route, he doesn't want (or need) a huge ass AV receiver on his computer desk. There are a couple of compact / slim receivers to be had, but they're still pretty bulky. I was hoping I'd find an audio-only 5.1 receiver, but there seem to be none? Music mixed for surround is obviously a niche thing, but still. You'd think there'd be way more PC-oriented surround options out there.
There are some 5.1 systems that also come with a receiver, though.
By EldritchTrapStar Go To PostMan…fuck it. I'll just pull some crazy time with work.I'm quite happy with MSI 1080 Armor.
If I don't plan on overclocking…at all, what 1080 card (no TI) should I be looking at?
Mine boosts up to ~1920 Mhz with fans running at 87% and the temp ceiling set at 83°C (factory). It's not overly noisy, but I still like to keep fans at 70%, as it brings noise down considerably and doesn't affect boosting too much. As far as cheap 1080 gtx cards go, it's pretty darn good.
By Zabojnik Go To PostThere's plenty of those, yeah. My breh would like to avoid going that route, he doesn't want (or need) a huge ass AV receiver on his computer desk. There are a couple of compact / slim receivers to be had, but they're still pretty bulky. I was hoping I'd find an audio-only 5.1 receiver, but there seem to be none? Music mixed for surround is obviously a niche thing, but still. You'd think there'd be way more PC-oriented surround options out there.If you want better speakers than those Logitech ones, you need an amplifier to drive them. Amps for full surround systems like he probably wants produce a lot of heat. They are bulky because adding a fan to high-end audio equipment kind of defeats the purpose, so the size is used to help displace the heat (as well as have a fuck ton of ports).
Receivers have integrated amps and have more or less replaced standalone amps. There might be some dedicated amps for surround sound but a quick google didn't find me any; I kept getting AVR links.
Many modern AVRs also have room correction calibration settings you can run through, which I am a recent fan of. You basically place a microphone that comes with the receiver in various parts of the listening area while the receiver plays some tones (20hz - 20khz for my Denon) and records the results. It uses this information to figure out, on an individual speaker basis, phase (how long it takes the sound to get to the listening area), peaks/valleys at different frequencies, how much louder/softer each speaker needs to be so that they all arrive at the listening area at the same volume, and optimal rollover from the satellites to the subwoofer. Probably some more stuff, too, but that's what I know off hand.
Basically tries to make sure there are little volume variations in the frequency response curve of all the speakers and that the sounds all reach you at the same time at the same volume. Room layouts change how sounds bounce and return to the user, so this calibration software helps. Comes more and more helpful the more speakers you add.
FYI, I only started looking into receivers and such last summer when I bought a new TV and sound system, so I'm still relatively new to this and probably have some wrong outlooks on things.
e: added some information about room correction software in modern receivers
I ... already knew all that, having gone through multiple receivers and speakers and (auto) calibrations, but that's a nice writeup. :) Heat is an issue, for sure. Still, he doesn't need a 500W system, it's for a relatively small computer room, he just wants something better than your average Logi. So I was hoping there'd be at least a couple of products, considering the ocean of DACs and headphone amps out there. Not so, apparently.
I suppose he could go with some quality(-ish) active speakers, hook them directly to his Sound Blaster ZxR. He's very particular about speakers and ease of use though, he'd want them to have an auto turn off / standby mode at the very minimum. He'd probably be okay with using his Focal monitors as fronts, so that's two speakers less to worry about. I don't think he wants to deal with another month of looking for the right combination of sub, rear & center speaker (I suspect there's not much to be found in the active / powered category when it comes to the latter) tho. So, yeah.
I suppose he could go with some quality(-ish) active speakers, hook them directly to his Sound Blaster ZxR. He's very particular about speakers and ease of use though, he'd want them to have an auto turn off / standby mode at the very minimum. He'd probably be okay with using his Focal monitors as fronts, so that's two speakers less to worry about. I don't think he wants to deal with another month of looking for the right combination of sub, rear & center speaker (I suspect there's not much to be found in the active / powered category when it comes to the latter) tho. So, yeah.
Hah, my bad for assuming!
I looked a bit more and found a couple 5.1 amps that aren't thousands of dollars:
https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/500
https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/5000.html
They are still 500 and 600 bucks, but that was all I could find. :(
I looked a bit more and found a couple 5.1 amps that aren't thousands of dollars:
https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/500
https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/5000.html
They are still 500 and 600 bucks, but that was all I could find. :(
Emotiva also offers an AV pre/pro that offers room correction and has USB audio support: https://emotiva.com/products/pres-and-pros/mc-700
Doing some more searching on AVSForum and general googling and it looks like Emotiva and Outlaw are the only two companies that provide audio only surround amps.
By Zabojnik Go To PostThanks Kibner, I'll pass the info along.It was good for me to look at, regardless. Glad to know I have some options if I ever become dissatisfied with my Denon. I think once the 4K and HDR standards get all sorted out, I'm gonna get a separated amp and pre-amp receiver.
I kind of want to get a dedicated amp now, but my current receiver doesn't have any pre-outs to send to it and I don't feel like researching a good pre-out or spending the cash it would take to get one and then have it outdated in two years due to changing 4k/hdr/hdmi specs.
Yeah, not getting anything new until HDMI 2.1 hits and HDR comes out of the fake it til you make it phase.
I'm in the process of replacing my studio monitors. I passed my Focal CMS50's down to my brother, I'll be getting the new Shape 65's, if they live up to the hype, and see how I like them for guitar, possibly add a sub. Using my trusty old Tannoy Reveal 502's atm.
I'm in the process of replacing my studio monitors. I passed my Focal CMS50's down to my brother, I'll be getting the new Shape 65's, if they live up to the hype, and see how I like them for guitar, possibly add a sub. Using my trusty old Tannoy Reveal 502's atm.
By Zabojnik Go To PostYeah, not getting anything new until HDMI 2.1 hits and HDR comes out of the fake it til you make it phase.Oooh, those look very nice!
I'm in the process of replacing my studio monitors. I passed my Focal CMS50's down to my brother, I'll be getting the new Shape 65's, if they live up to the hype, and see how I like them for guitar, possibly add a sub. Using my trusty old Tannoy Reveal 502's atm.
I, uhhh, went bigger than I probably should have, but very happy with speakers I shouldn't ever really need to replace. I have a pair of Technics SB-C700 with a Rythmik E15HP for the sub. Took a bunch of fiddling and replacing my sub audio cable, but I reached a point where I couldn't be happier. Well, I guess I would like to be able to play them a little louder but I get worried I may be on the verge of blowing them out so I back away from pushing them to THX reference levels.
----
Anyway, your questions earlier today made me do a lot of looking around and I found an interesting product. There is a company called miniDSP that makes a bunch of programmable preamps that can be used with PCs or any other audio system. Their most popular is a stereo one.
It supports free and open source room correction software to run on it. You can even use Dirac Live (a commercial room correction software that is easy to use like Audyssey) with it. You can order one of these without Dirac for $205 or with for $450. If you go without and decide you want to purchase a Dirac license later, you can buy it off their site for a discounted $245 (it normally goes for like $450 on Dirac's site).
It has stereo inputs and only outputs in stereo, though it has 4 outs in case you are running two subs.
https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-2x4-hd
https://www.minidsp.com/products/dirac-series/ddrc-24
Note: the mic you need to run with the calibration software is $75 both through miniDSP and through the actual mic vendor's website. Unless you can find it or another compatible mic cheaper elsewhere.
They also offer 8 channel versions but those creep into the $1,000 range.
I'm tempted, but not $525 tempted to get one of these for my PC that runs a HiVi Swan M200MKIII and my time that would be spent getting the cheaper version one calibrated well is not worth $245 of my time.
Oh, they also offer DIY kits if you want to build your own enclosure.
e: damn you for starting my journey down the rabbit hole!
e: damn you for starting my journey down the rabbit hole!
Oh shit, I found a small receiver thingie for your brother: https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/u-dac8
It takes in USB but can output up to 8 channels. And it's only $275!
It takes in USB but can output up to 8 channels. And it's only $275!
This one offers some sound processing you can do, if you like, and takes in HDMI: https://www.minidsp.com/products/ht-series/nanoavr-hda
No amp, though.
No amp, though.
There is also this one that takes in a SPDIF and outputs up to 8 channels: https://www.minidsp.com/products/opendrc-series/opendrc-da8
You would need to make sure your sound card can encode to DTS or DD on the fly if you want to use it with sources that don't already output in that encoding, though, since those are the only formats that work over SPDIF, iirc.
e: sorry for the flood of audio gear posts, guys, but i had to keep looking until i was satisfied and needed to record my findings somewhere. lol
You would need to make sure your sound card can encode to DTS or DD on the fly if you want to use it with sources that don't already output in that encoding, though, since those are the only formats that work over SPDIF, iirc.
e: sorry for the flood of audio gear posts, guys, but i had to keep looking until i was satisfied and needed to record my findings somewhere. lol
Kib, any 'cheap but good' DAC recommendations? Budget is ~200€/$. Or as high as 300€/$, if really worth it. DAC only, no headphone amp needed, has to have optical in. XLR outputs are a welcome, if improbable bonus at this price point.
I like both my Audioengine D1 that I use with my laptop and the SMSL Q5 Pro I bought which I use in conjunction with my Polk bookshelf speakers as a cheap home theater setup.
On a whim I decided to remove the mic and audio cables from the USB Dolby dongle that comes with the Sennheiser 363D. This allows you to enable "Dolby Surround" and chose from 2CH all the way up to "7.1". I have had a Xonar DGX PCIe sound card since 2013. Use it for my standard PC speakers, but decided to plug the 363D directly into it. Fire up PUBG.
Uh...the difference is massive? The Xonar does use the DGX Audio Center and allows you to fine tune the sound, but I was blown away. I don't consider myself an audiophile, but I do enjoy sound/music. I got this card for like $30 4 years ago. Wondering if it's worth it to upgrade to a better one consider this was fairly budget.
Uh...the difference is massive? The Xonar does use the DGX Audio Center and allows you to fine tune the sound, but I was blown away. I don't consider myself an audiophile, but I do enjoy sound/music. I got this card for like $30 4 years ago. Wondering if it's worth it to upgrade to a better one consider this was fairly budget.
By Zabojnik Go To PostKib, any 'cheap but good' DAC recommendations? Budget is ~200€/$. Or as high as 300€/$, if really worth it. DAC only, no headphone amp needed, has to have optical in. XLR outputs are a welcome, if improbable bonus at this price point.Stereo, I assume, and not surround?
By Kibner Go To PostStereo, I assume, and not surround?Yeah, stereo. It's how my brother is planning to use his Focal monitors (for music and general use).
We're having major issues with ground loops and hum, so we're going with PC -> optical out -> DAC -> RCA / XLR -> Focals to mitigate the problem. I tested said configuration with a friend's DAC, it did the trick.
Other than that he'll be using his headphones with the Sound Blaster ZxR for (faux, but pretty good) positional audio in games. And he finally settled on getting a traditional AV receiver + passive speakers for 5.1 surround (movies / tv shows / gaming).
There's so many budget(-ish) DACs out there that it's almost impossible to make a choice, lol. At the end of the day you have no idea how it's going to sound with your particular set of speakers, so it mostly comes down to 'people seem to think it's a good one' and features that have nothing to do with audio quality.
Unfortunately, I haven't been looking at DACs in general as much as DACs that also offer room correction capabilities so if you don't need/want that, then I would defer to Reilo and others.
There has only been one affordable manufacturer that I've found and this is the only one that fits your budget and optical in requirement: https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-2x4-hd You can also purchase a Dirac Live license for it later on, if you want, but it supports free and open source EQ programs by default.
They also offer a similar one with balanced inputs/outputs but it does not have optical in. Of course, you could always look at their DIY stuff and try to build your own.
As far as a quick google goes, I found these (descending in price):
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/v90-dac
https://www.optomausa.com/audioproduct/udac5
https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-SD793-II-PCM1793-DIR9001-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QLPJM
Again, I haven't spent much time on these. Mostly just googled "best DACs" and found recent lists from somewhat reputable looking sites and filtered down to ones that were in your budget and had optical in.
There has only been one affordable manufacturer that I've found and this is the only one that fits your budget and optical in requirement: https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-2x4-hd You can also purchase a Dirac Live license for it later on, if you want, but it supports free and open source EQ programs by default.
They also offer a similar one with balanced inputs/outputs but it does not have optical in. Of course, you could always look at their DIY stuff and try to build your own.
As far as a quick google goes, I found these (descending in price):
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/v90-dac
https://www.optomausa.com/audioproduct/udac5
https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-SD793-II-PCM1793-DIR9001-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QLPJM
Again, I haven't spent much time on these. Mostly just googled "best DACs" and found recent lists from somewhat reputable looking sites and filtered down to ones that were in your budget and had optical in.
By Zabojnik Go To PostOther than that he'll be using his headphones with the Sound Blaster ZxR for (faux, but pretty good) positional audio in games. And he finally settled on getting a traditional AV receiver + passive speakers for 5.1 surround (movies / tv shows / gaming).If your brother is going the receiver route, be sure to check out how it compares to these two things I linked in a previous post:
https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/u-dac8
https://www.minidsp.com/products/ht-series/nanoavr-hda
e: those are like the only ones I could find that do the job of AV receivers for audio and still cost less than them
Doh! Forgot to include this pre-amp DAC as something else to look at: https://emotiva.com/products/pres-and-pros/pt-100
By Kibner Go To PostGigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 WINDFORCE OC 8G for $450.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-1080-windforce-oc-8gb
The link took me to some sort of ad gateway or something. Seems too good to be true.
By Phoenix RISING Go To PostThe link took me to some sort of ad gateway or something. Seems too good to be true.No, Massdrop is a reputable site. They basically buy up things at wholesale prices and sell them to users at a less-than-retail markup. I've ordered from them before. Everything is time sensitive, though, so things go quickly.
By Smokey Go To PostOn a whim I decided to remove the mic and audio cables from the USB Dolby dongle that comes with the Sennheiser 363D. This allows you to enable "Dolby Surround" and chose from 2CH all the way up to "7.1". I have had a Xonar DGX PCIe sound card since 2013. Use it for my standard PC speakers, but decided to plug the 363D directly into it. Fire up PUBG.What are you listening with (i.e. speaker and headphone models)? That will determine if you really need an upgrade, though an amp is always nice.
Uh…the difference is massive? The Xonar does use the DGX Audio Center and allows you to fine tune the sound, but I was blown away. I don't consider myself an audiophile, but I do enjoy sound/music. I got this card for like $30 4 years ago. Wondering if it's worth it to upgrade to a better one consider this was fairly budget.
e: the reason your Senn didn't sound as good through the dongle is probably because the DAC built into that USB dongle was garbage
I'll forward the info, Kibner, thanks. Some of the stuff you listed we already looked at. As for the receiver, I think he'd rather go with an AV / HT one at this point, as he'll be occasionally using it with the PS4 Pro and possibly with a UHD player down the line. It might even get moved to the living room at some time in the future, so ... yeah. It's what makes the most sense.
Some of the DACs we looked at include your typical Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Multibit, Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 & DacMagic Plus, JDS OL DAC & EL DAC, and the Emotiva DC-1 Stealth (used).
Some of the DACs we looked at include your typical Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Multibit, Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 & DacMagic Plus, JDS OL DAC & EL DAC, and the Emotiva DC-1 Stealth (used).
Don't sleep on Emotiva while you are looking at Denon, Marantz, and company. Outlaw makes a good one, as well, but they are still working on making a new model that is up to current 4k and hdr standards.
By Kibner Go To PostWhat are you listening with (i.e. speaker and headphone models)? That will determine if you really need an upgrade, though an amp is always nice.
e: the reason your Senn didn't sound as good through the dongle is probably because the DAC built into that USB dongle was garbage
I have the Senn 363D and then some regular Logitech speakers. I've actually wanted to upgrade those for a while too.