NPR

Apparently sales of the Xbox One X has rocketed since the Series X went on pre-sale.

I wonder how many parents have ordered the wrong thing from Santa.

I’ve pre-ordered the Mafia remake. Saw the trailer and it brought back a lot of memories of when I originally played it. And also the repressed memories of that god damn car race where you had to be pixel perfect for 5 or so laps.

Nols wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:31 am Apparently sales of the Xbox One X has rocketed since the Series X went on pre-sale.

I wonder how many parents have ordered the wrong thing from Santa.

Lots. Lots and lots I reckon.

My boy will remain happy with the current gen. I'm not telling him about the new one, and when he finds out, he'll have to deal with it :D.

I'll have my quest 2 by then, maybe he could just about manage a bit on that.

Raggs wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:54 am

Nols wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:31 am Apparently sales of the Xbox One X has rocketed since the Series X went on pre-sale.

I wonder how many parents have ordered the wrong thing from Santa.

Lots. Lots and lots I reckon.

My boy will remain happy with the current gen. I'm not telling him about the new one, and when he finds out, he'll have to deal with it :D.

I'll have my quest 2 by then, maybe he could just about manage a bit on that.

Bit of an oversight by the marketing team there. Don't name different things similarly!

Nols wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:27 pm

Raggs wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:54 am

Nols wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:31 am Apparently sales of the Xbox One X has rocketed since the Series X went on pre-sale.

I wonder how many parents have ordered the wrong thing from Santa.

Lots. Lots and lots I reckon.

My boy will remain happy with the current gen. I'm not telling him about the new one, and when he finds out, he'll have to deal with it :D.

I'll have my quest 2 by then, maybe he could just about manage a bit on that.

Bit of an oversight by the marketing team there. Don't name different things similarly!

Oversight? They've just sold a ton of old stock that would have been far harder to shift than the new stock, and a lot of those customers will likely end up buying the new stuff too! Marketing genius.

It took me a while to grasp what I was looking for. I'm not so sure it is clever as the brand will suffer people will be that pissed off. Imagine Christmas morning and being handed a yoyo which is sort of what some of those older young lads will feel. My young lad told me this morning that he heard he needed to start on the s and when he get good he can get an x Thank you whoever you are older boy trying to make him feel small

Raggs wrote: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:30 am Nice job of it, looks good. Shame about the temps though! Suggests the original fan shape was a pretty good one for purpose.

So.... a little more technical. Decided to run the fans from the mobo PWM fan headers instead of the GFX card fan header,

problem was creating a fan curve that read the GPU temp but managed the PWM fan. Speedfan doesn't work on my newer B550 mobo, but managed to find Argus Monitor, paid sotfware, but with a 30 trial, which worked. £18 for 3 years. So pretty happy with that.

end result is that I've not had to cram the wiring under the shroud which has improved the airflow and now that I've tweaked the fan curve I'm getting 68-69 temps again and noise max at 47 dB

Insane_Homer wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:04 am

Raggs wrote: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:30 am Nice job of it, looks good. Shame about the temps though! Suggests the original fan shape was a pretty good one for purpose.

So.... a little more technical. Decided to run the fans from the mobo PWM fan headers instead of the GFX card fan header,

problem was creating a fan curve that read the GPU temp but managed the PWM fan. Speedfan doesn't work on my newer B550 mobo, but managed to find Argus Monitor, paid sotfware, but with a 30 trial, which worked. £18 for 3 years. So pretty happy with that.

end result is that I've not had to cram the wiring under the shroud which has improved the airflow and now that I've tweaked the fan curve I'm getting 68-69 temps again and noise max at 47 dB

Nice. My 1070ti never seems to go over 70c, and my 2 intake fans are noisier, but I just turn my speakers up a little, and it's not a bad sound, so I don't notice it unless there's no noise coming out the speakers.

Just finished the main storyline of Witcher 3, going to push on with the DLCs now. Which one should I do first? Only going to bother with the side quests if they're close by I think.

Out of interest, as there's only so many skill slots available for activation at any one time, how did people choose what to put points into?

Raggs wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:19 pm Just finished the main storyline of Witcher 3, going to push on with the DLCs now. Which one should I do first? Only going to bother with the side quests if they're close by I think.

Out of interest, as there's only so many skill slots available for activation at any one time, how did people choose what to put points into?

HOS first, then B+W which is like a whole game in itself.

I love the look of the witcher, have read most of the books and thoroughly enjoy them. Given the new console is out soon is it worth getting?

Uncle fester wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:43 pm

Raggs wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:19 pm Just finished the main storyline of Witcher 3, going to push on with the DLCs now. Which one should I do first? Only going to bother with the side quests if they're close by I think.

Out of interest, as there's only so many skill slots available for activation at any one time, how did people choose what to put points into?

HOS first, then B+W which is like a whole game in itself.

+1

HOS fits into the original Witcher 3 world. It'd be jarring to do Blood and Wine and then go back to HOS. That said, B&W feels like a holiday and sure we all need one of them!

Jock42 wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:38 pm I love the look of the witcher, have read most of the books and thoroughly enjoy them. Given the new console is out soon is it worth getting?

Yes. And yes again. Even talking about it here makes me want to start a third playthrough.

Definitely play in the order released. HoS fits in right after the main story, and BaW is basically a sequel. The ending feeling of BaW is brilliant, too. Just ties off an epic story.

Absolutely play the game. It's fantastic.

Not that many sidequests in HoS and you might already have touched on them if you wandered into top section of map.

B+W though is probably about the size of Velen and Novigrad with reams of really good sidequests. I'm checking every ? On the map. There's not too many Skellige style smugglers caches there.
Completely lost track of the main quest there by now.

I've still got loads of skellige quests and question marks even ignoring the sunken ships ones. I'll start trying to clear a few more whilst they're still level appropriate.

Can you just jump straight in to witcher 3 then? Some decent prices online.

Jock42 wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 2:19 pm Can you just jump straight in to witcher 3 then? Some decent prices online.

I did. There's a bit in game where it asks you what happened to you before and you can effect the storyline with them. I just read up on the characters and answered what i thought would be fun.

Raggs wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 2:20 pm

Jock42 wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 2:19 pm Can you just jump straight in to witcher 3 then? Some decent prices online.

I did. There's a bit in game where it asks you what happened to you before and you can effect the storyline with them. I just read up on the characters and answered what i thought would be fun.

tabascoboy wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 2:01 pm

Good luck to him - that's the joy of capitalism (and people who MUST HAVE THE SHINY on Day 1)

Jock42 wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 2:19 pm Can you just jump straight in to witcher 3 then? Some decent prices online.

Yes, you'll pick up stuff as you go along.

So whilst I've finished the main story of witcher 3, it would appear I've just got myself addicted to crusader kings 3...

Spent a lot of money to take advantage of the game pass ultimate conversion (buy 3 years of Gold for not much relatively speaking, convert it all to game pass ultimate for a quid). Installed CK3, having watched some online, and am now getting stuck it.

Will wait a year or two for CK3

I'm deep into probably my third bout of Hearts of Iron 4 addiction having abandoned Witcher 3 in the end before finishing the story.

Margin__Walker wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 5:40 pm Will wait a year or two for CK3

I'm deep into probably my third bout of Hearts of Iron 4 addiction having abandoned Witcher 3 in the end before finishing the story.

I tried CK2, but it was too much, CK3 seems more approachable, perhaps it was just watching the videos on it for a while.

Just became King of Sweden... Need to work out what's the best way to keep bits and lose bits, and which holdings I want for myself etc. Think I need to do some reading now.

EDIT - Problem is, my entire kingdom is going to get broken up once I die, since I've got a bajillion kids.

Raggs wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:11 pm

Margin__Walker wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 5:40 pm Will wait a year or two for CK3

I'm deep into probably my third bout of Hearts of Iron 4 addiction having abandoned Witcher 3 in the end before finishing the story.

I tried CK2, but it was too much, CK3 seems more approachable, perhaps it was just watching the videos on it for a while.

Just became King of Sweden... Need to work out what's the best way to keep bits and lose bits, and which holdings I want for myself etc. Think I need to do some reading now.

EDIT - Problem is, my entire kingdom is going to get broken up once I die, since I've got a bajillion kids.

Send a few of them to priesthood and perhaps the rest might suffer unfortunate accidents.

Star Wars Squadrons - decent enough - infurating stupid bugs tho, why cant anyone release a game that's at least not somewhere between alpha and beta testing

MS FS2020 patch 3 have introduced more really stupid bugs than it was supposed to solve. Latest one now is that if your try and open VFR Map in flight your get a Crash to desktop!?

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2020 4:33 am

Raggs wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:11 pm

Margin__Walker wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 5:40 pm Will wait a year or two for CK3

I'm deep into probably my third bout of Hearts of Iron 4 addiction having abandoned Witcher 3 in the end before finishing the story.

I tried CK2, but it was too much, CK3 seems more approachable, perhaps it was just watching the videos on it for a while.

Just became King of Sweden... Need to work out what's the best way to keep bits and lose bits, and which holdings I want for myself etc. Think I need to do some reading now.

EDIT - Problem is, my entire kingdom is going to get broken up once I die, since I've got a bajillion kids.

Send a few of them to priesthood and perhaps the rest might suffer unfortunate accidents.

Still popping out the sprogs with my new wives and concubines. Viking, so not easy to send off to the priesthood! Have taken over the kingdoms of Norway and Sweden though! Have chosen elective successor, so it'll go to one son. Only problem is keeping it going down the line, since that one son may not end up spending too long on the throne due to his age. Still, doing fairly well now I guess. Need to take Denmark and I think I can do something special after that.

Okay, so my laptop died last week. Motherboard failure apparently. Was 5 years or so old, so due an upgrade anyway.

I'm toying with the idea of breaking the habit of a lifetime and getting a desktop as the performance and longevity advantage is pretty attractive. Would be getting something off the shelf or from a site like PC Specialist and have a max budget of £1k. Happy to upgrade over time and already have keyboards, monitors etc. What should I be looking for for that and any cards/brands to avoid?

Putting it together yourself isn't hard and pieces are far more resistant than you first think. I mean don't drop them if you can help it but you probably won't wreck anything. Makes things cheaper.

Could probably put together quite a decent system. How do you feel about second hand?

Tend to go for new wherever tech is concerned, but that's more habit.

Will check out a few building 'how to' videos and see how much hassle it looks.

Which components do you tend to go a bit cheaper on or do you generally stick to the same sort of range?

Margin__Walker wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:01 pm Tend to go for new wherever tech is concerned, but that's more habit.

Will check out a few building 'how to' videos and see how much hassle it looks.

Which components do you tend to go a bit cheaper on or do you generally stick to the same sort of range?

Keyboard and mouse.

You can often find decent deals if you look around. Right now ram is cheap, power supplies expensive.

It's nearly always the way, but i think of i could I'd wait just a little while before buying new. Amd are releasing new cpus and gpus. If not, I'd look at not bothering buying top of the line for a fair bit of stuff, simply don't need the power.

Only on phone atm but if i think about it i might have a go at building something. Guess the thousand has to pay for everything? What size monitor are you after?

Ha, no need to go to any effort, especially as I'll likely chicken out of it.

Already have monitor, keyboard, mouse etc and can upgrade in future as and when. Just looking at the actual PC.

If I do build myself, I'd look to bring in a bit cheaper (probably sub 900). Will make the Mrs roll her eyes a tiny bit less.

Margin__Walker wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:36 pm Ha, no need to go to any effort, especially as I'll likely chicken out of it.

Already have monitor, keyboard, mouse etc and can upgrade in future as and when. Just looking at the actual PC.

If I do build myself, I'd look to bring in a bit cheaper (probably sub 900). Will make the Mrs roll her eyes a tiny bit less.

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/j4PK8J

I went brand new when I first go my computer, but now am happier to try 2nd hand to upgrade. I think that system above should last a fairly long time, except perhaps the graphics card. The motherboard also supports some long term upgrades, which could last absolute years.

Given prices right now, the new card releases etc, it's a crazy high price to pay for that graphics card right now. I certainly wouldn't be willing to pay that. I would suggest trying out your local facebook marketplace, or similar local scene. Find something cheap and second hand. Then save the cash you have for buying something with a bit more oomph after christmas. Ask to see it running, and watch it play a hard game, or a tough benchmark.

Cheers Raggs. It was the 2060s that I was looking at but they aren't cheap, like you say.

Anyway, I lost my nerve today and just bought a laptop. I'm just too much of a sucker for the convenience.

I will definitely build a PC one day though as it does look like a lot of fun.

Margin__Walker wrote: Mon Oct 12, 2020 11:55 am Cheers Raggs. It was the 2060s that I was looking at but they aren't cheap, like you say.

Anyway, I lost my nerve today and just bought a laptop. I'm just too much of a sucker for the convenience.

I will definitely build a PC one day though as it does look like a lot of fun.

Fair enough :D. Do it 2nd hand. Pick the pieces up and you can probably put something together quite cheaply.

Cheers. One thing I forgot to ask. I'm looking to add an additional 1tb SSD as the laptop just ships with 250gb. Believe it has space for either a 2.5 inch or M.2. Are there any sites that are likely to show compatibility between components and laptop models, or will most things fit most places?

Margin__Walker wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:09 am Cheers. One thing I forgot to ask. I'm looking to add an additional 1tb SSD as the laptop just ships with 250gb. Believe it has space for either a 2.5 inch or M.2. Are there any sites that are likely to show compatibility between components and laptop models, or will most things fit most places?

Any 2.5 SATA or M.2 HDD still work in a compatible slot.

If M.2 is available, and you can afford it, do that. Much faster.

Insane_Homer wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:59 am

Margin__Walker wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:09 am Cheers. One thing I forgot to ask. I'm looking to add an additional 1tb SSD as the laptop just ships with 250gb. Believe it has space for either a 2.5 inch or M.2. Are there any sites that are likely to show compatibility between components and laptop models, or will most things fit most places?

Any 2.5 SATA or M.2 HDD still work in a compatible slot.

If M.2 is available, and you can afford it, do that. Much faster.

Cheers. I'll likely spend the money and go with the M.2.

Think it's Amazon prime day today so may see what they have on offer.

Holy crap boys. My quest 2 arrived today. Absolutely loving it. Setup is nice, First Steps is gorgeous, just played 30 minutes of SuperHot and my quads are aching (not done much exercise recently). Simply stunning, would highly recommend it!

Watching it on a flatscreen, vs actually being inside, is just not comparable. Don't know if anyone has watched any footage, but the scenes where you're in the room with the computers, on a monitor, it doesn't look impressive at all, but when you're in it? Fantastic.