Stephen

It's not that old of a surge protector, and it's on my old computer. I haven't tried any other appliances on it - that's worth checking out.

For what it's worth, I unplugged the UPS from the surge protector, and then plugged it directly into the wall and that took care of it.

I got an APC Back-UPS RS800 over the holidays. Based upon some advice from this and another fourm, I plugged the UPS into my APC surge protector. This is due to the surge protector providing more surget protection than the UPS. Over the last week (meaning this didn't start happening right away), I've noticed a change when I turn the computer on. Before, the PSU would power up in a higher gear, then drop down to the normal sound level. Now, it powers up, drops a bit, powers up again, and then drops to the normal level. Is this related to plugging the UPS into the surge protector? Should I plug the UPS directly into the wall socket?

Thanks, this is helpful.

What are the pros and cons of embedded LAN versus add-in card (other than the obvious use of a slot for the card)?

Oops. I meant a processor with dual cores. I'm not really interested in getting into a debate over Intel versus AMD. My opinion - for gaming, AMD is the clear winner at the moment - and has been for the past couple of years; for video editing, particularly the software I use, Intel is the better choice. Obviously there are different opinions on this. Thanks for the power supply calculator link!

I'm currently collecting parts for my first home-build. This coputer will be used for video editing, moderate gaming, office applications, web surfing, and misc. I have the Antec P180 case (and yes, I know there are mixed reviews on how easy this case is or isn't for first time builders). I plan on one more fan (to go with the three in the case) in the upper HD cage area, I plan on Intel (stable choice for video editing) for the mobo and dual processers. I do not plan on overclocking. I may go with embedded gigabyte LAN, though I am considering an add-in card. I'm looking at an external fax/modum, rather than internal. I plan on 2 gigs of memory, a Plextor 716 burner, a DVD-ROM, a floppy, 2 Seagate S-ATA hard drives (one in the 120 gig range - OS and applications, and the other 200-300 range - for video projects). I plan on a Canopus ACEDVio video capture card, the new Creative Xi card with a front bay, and a fairly high end graphics card. I will build in the capabilty for SLI just in case, though I don't plan on two graphics cards at this point. For the PSU, I am looking at the Antec NeoHE. Will the 500 watt be sufficient? Or should I go with the 550 watt?

I have the Antec P180 case, and I'm starting to pick up various components to build a computer. I'm considering another Antec Tricool fan for intake, in the upper hard drive area. On the Antec webpage, there are two different Tricool fans (well, three if you count the LED ones). One has a DB in the name, and the other doesn't. My first thought was the DB stood for double ball bearing, both the descriptions of both mention double ball bearing. Does anyone know the difference? Is there a difference in noise level? How well they perform?

Does anyone have the Asus DVD-E616A DVD-ROM? I'm interested in how it compares to the Liteon, Sony and similar models.

Based upon the research I've done so far, I'm leaning to the Antec NeoHE 500 Watt PSU. Would the NeoHE 550 be a better choice? Other than more power and a higher price, is it worth it? Are they both about the same in terms of noise level?

I am looking for a power supply to go with the Antec P180 case I just picked up (Black Friday sale). I am comparing the Antec Smart Power 2.0 500 watt versus the Antec NeoHE 500. I would like opinions on which would work better in the P180 case - is one quieter than the other? Is one better at cooling? Is one more efficient? Does anyone have expereince with either of these power supplies? And/or with the P180 case?

Has anyone used Spamihilator? Pros and cons?

I started looking at 19" LCDs. I'm now comparing the Dell UltraSharp 1005FP and the NEC LCD1970GX. Has anyone had any experience with either of these?

I am considering getting a flat panel monitor. Computer use includes surfing the net, Word and Excel, video editing, and moderate gaming (including Half Life 2). I am interested in recommendations as to the best flat panel monitor - performance-wise. Any suggestions?

I currently have the APC Performance SurgeArrest 11 Outlet with Tel2/Splitter, Coax and Ethernet Protection. I am considering replacing it with the APC Back-UPS RS 800VA. The backup power supply is considerably more expensive. I'm trying to get a handle on whether or not it is worth it. The Performance SurgeArrest has a surge energy rating of 2030 joules, while the backup UPS has a surge energy rating of 320 joules. Does this mean the Performance Surge/Arrest provides more protection against surges? If so, what is the advantage of the backup UPS? Also, the backup UPS has an output power capacity of 540 watts. Does that mean I shouldn't use it if I get a power supply for my computer in the 550 to 600 watts range?

I plan on getting the Plextor 716 burner in the next month or so. One version is SATA. I have two Seagate SATA HDs (not in RAID). My mobo (Intel D875PBZLK) has two SATA connections - each connected to one of the hard drives. There do not appear to be any others. Does this mean I am limited to the non-SATA Plextor burner? Is there some other way to connect the SATA burner?

I have C Cleaner and Tuneup Utilities 2006. While both of them are good, there are some files (Active X, dll, etc.) that are left over from deleted apps that are still in my system. I discovered some of them by accident in C: Windows/downloaded program files. Are there any good and safe programs out there, free or not, that can do a more thorough job of cleanihng? Something I can use to supplement my current software?

At the moment, I have an Intel PB875PBZ mobo with Dual Channel DDR, Pentium 4 3.2 GHz, 1 GB of Corsaid PC3200-XMS DDR400 memory, ATI Radeon 9800 Pro, a SoundBlaster Augigy 2ZS Platinum sound card, a Canopus ADVC 1394 video card, 80 GB and 120 GB Seagate HDs, a Lite On DVD-ROM, and a Plextor 708A burner - powered by an Antec TRUE 430 power supply. I am planning on upgrading or rebuilding my system mostly mid to late next year - taking advantage of the new mobos and other new tech - including the dual graphics cards. I am looking to upgrade my power supply over the holidays, getting a jump on my upgrading/rebuilding. I am considering the Antec Neo HE 550 power supply. I want the quietest reliable power supply that can meet my needs now and over the next couple of years. Is the Neo HE 550 overkill for my current system? Can it handle the newer performance systems? Is there a better choice?

I'm interested in feedback regarding which pc full-size towers - which ones are the quietest?

I currently have two Seagate Barracuda HDs, one an 80GB, and the second one a 120 GB (used for video editing). I'm considering replacing the 80 GB Seagate (7200.7, SATA/150, 8MB Cache)with the 74 GB WD Raptor (10,000 RPM, SATA/150, 8MB Cache). I have several questions. How much increase in speed would I notice with the WD versus the Seagate for everyday applications? For internet page loading? For gaming? How does the WD compare to the Seagate in terms of noise level? Heat? Power usage? Is it ok to have one WD HD with the other HD continuing to be a Seagate? Is there a better choice for a new HD in terms of speed, noise level, power consumption, etc.?

I've looked at the Crucial memory - both regular and the Ballistix line. My current Corsair memory is the Twinx XMS 3200C2 modules, and the latency is 2-3-3-6 (I think I'm saying that right). To help me do an apples to apples comparison or brands, would I see any performance difference (speed and/or stability) between my current Corsair and the Crucial PC3200 CL3 module - assuming I used the same amount of ram? What if I instead went with the Crucial Ballistix PC4000 module, which is 3-4-4-8, again assuming the same amount of ram as I currently have? Also, Intel shows my mobo as compatible with PC2700 and PC3200. Does that mean that PC4000 would run/perform the same as PC3200?

I have room for 4 sticks. Is there another brand that would be better than Corsair?

My Mobo is an Intel D875PBZLK with Dual CHannel DDR, Pentium 4 3.2 GHz, 800MHz FSB, with HyperThreading. My current memory is Corsair PC3200-XMS DDR400 CL2, 2 512 sticks. After booting up and opening Tuneup Utilities, I have 37% of the memory in use (AV, firewall, etc.). This is without the internet open, and without playing any games or other memory intensive applications. I'm thinking I should go to 2 gigs of memory. I'm interested in getting memory that is at least as fast as my current memory - but also at least as stable, if not more so. I don't need to overclock. Is going to 2 gigs a good idea? Should I get 2 more 512 sticks of the Corsair memory or start fresh with all new memory sticks? Is there a better option (different brand, different specs) given my needs?

Does anyone know how to get NOD32 to allow Side Step - it's a travel search engine/software that integrates with IE. NOD32 insists it's dangerous, and flashes a warning everytime I open IE. I tried excluding it via the AMON setup, to no avail.

Ok, I've been testing NOD32 on my system. One problem - I have Side Step travel software on my system and NOD32 insists it is dangerous malware. The only options I appear to have are (a) quarantine it, ( delete it or © keep getting annoying messages about it from NOD32. Is there a way to tell it I want it to accept Side Step and quit warning about it? Also, does anyone know anything about Bit Defender 9 Standard?