It's been an honor being apart of the PC Master Race for the last 9 years. Unfortunately my Ram decided to die when the market is too expensive. Troubleshooted all 4 RAM sticks, they are dead. I've been meaning to update my 2666 DDR4 but never got to it. Paying for my lazy consequences. It's been a fun ride. Don't know what I'll do with my spare time. I'll still be a lurker. Learn from my mistakes, upgrade/update when you can. Milk signing out. ✌️

This only makes sense if you have an iGPU, but hear me out.

My system:

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 9070
Motherboard: MSI PRO B860-P WiFi
RAM: G.Skill 64GB (32GBx2) DDR5-6000
PSU: Corsair RM850X
OS: Arch Linux KDE

I see people always telling others to connect their monitor directly to the dGPU instead of the motherboard/iGPU. I decided to test this with a wattmeter, and the results were interesting.

Power consumption (whole system):

Connected to dGPU:

Idle at 60/165Hz: 33-35.5W (constantly fluctuating)
YouTube 1080p fullscreen: 73-83W (constantly fluctuating)

Connected to iGPU (motherboard):

Idle at 60Hz: 31.8W
Idle at 165Hz: 32.5W
YouTube 1080p fullscreen: 40-44W (occasionally hitting 50-52W)

Not only while playing youtube , doing any light tasks like opening new tabs, moving windows, browsing, chatgpt, claude etc all these things consume about 25-40W more when connected to dgpu directly. Also the system gets to idle power quickly when connected to igpu. Whereas with dgpu, it takes noticeably longer to drop to lower power levels.

When doing GPU intensive tasks like gaming or running LLMs, the OS (at least on Linux, should be the same on Windows) automatically runs them on the dGPU. I get the same performance, or at worst within margin of error.

So, it makes no sense to connect directly to the dGPU unless you’re only gaming. If you have mixed workloads - work, browsing, movies, youtube AND gaming , then connecting to the iGPU saves significant power without sacrificing performance where it matters.

Two years ago I made a post on Reddit's pcmasterrace (under same username) that somehow made it to /all and trended for a while.

Fast-forward to today, and I’ve found myself slowly distancing from Reddit with all the drama, weird decisions, and the feeling that any post you make can get nuked on a whim by a power-tripping mod (see: r/art).

So I wanted to anchor this moment with big chungus here on the fediverse as I start a new chapter on Lemmy. Looking forward to hanging out with everyone here and having fun again.

By the way big chungus is alive and well, the same can't be said for the 4090 though, i'm getting coil whine from it and had to live with that until 60 series...

So I decided to use the Ryzen 5 3600 and RX580 I upgraded from a year ago in a homelab build.

I bought this motherboard for the build: MSI PRO B550M-VC WiFi

When I built my main PC I just got advice on what to buy and didn't do a deep dive into motherboard design, hence why I thought the above motherboard would suit my needs. Since getting the motherboard I've learned about VRMs and how they dictate the amount of power that can be supplied to the processor and decided this motherboard isn't sufficient for the Ryzen 5 3600 and what I want to use this homelab for. I want it to run cool and not have anything fail for years to come and may swap in my Ryzen 7 5800X3D, if and when I upgrade that in my main PC.

My plan now is to use this motherboard in an old case as a media PC and buy a processor with integrated graphics for the job.

In the page linked above it has the following:

The MSI PRO B550M-VC WiFi has a basic VRM configuration, delivering 50 A across 5 phases. Best for low-power CPUs (≤65 W TDP). Using high-wattage chips or overclocking could cause severe thermal issues and instability. Recommended for budget builds, office workstations, and media PCs.

I'm having trouble determining a good AM4 processor for this budget motherboard given it's VRM limitations. I'd like it to be able to output 4k video, run a handful of browser tabs, a VPN client, and maybe a torrent client.

Is there an AM4 processor with integrated graphics that fits the bill?

Should I consider getting a processor without integrated graphics and a cheap GPU instead?

Am I overthinking things?

Any advice welcome, cheers.

I currently use my laptop next to a monitor with 21" but I am thinking about an upgrade. I casually play some light games, nothing competitive. The rest is a lot of reading, office or coding work and some multimedia.

What is a nice setup in your opinion? One big screen with 27" or two smaller ones with 22" or 24" each?

I did some research and found for a 24" screen 1080p and for a 27" screen 1440p as a minimum. So I figured a 24" 1440p screen would look awesome. Do I miss something about this finding? Is 2K too much for 24" to even notice it?

The problem I have is my desk is only 65cm wide and I frequently have a book or a piece of paper between me and the keyboard+monitor. The monitor uses 22cm and the keyboard another 14cm so there is just enough space for a piece of paper. Many of the modern monitors have huge standing feets and there are not always good measurements given.

I also thought about a monitor arm but I don't know if that would help with my small desk or just create more hassle after all.

It has been forever since I built/bought a PC/Laptop and now I was asked to suggest a laptop with an iGPU for casual light gaming (if possible refurbished).

Can someone help me get up to date with the current specs? How much VRAM is bare minimum? And which CPU generation should I aim for?

Thanks everyone!

Edit: Gaming is not the priority. Office work is the focus with the possibility of photo and video workflows in the future. Also I am very confused with the naming scheme of Intel for their CPU and iGPU. Not very intuitive.

Hey all,

I used to build my own gaming PCs way back in the 90s/early 2000s but I fell out of the habit when I realised I'd rather kick back on the sofa with something that "just works" than constantly chasing framerates etc, and I switched to exclusively console based gaming. Now that I own a Steam Deck, and with Xbox going down the shitter, and my kids becoming of the age where having a static family PC makes a lot of sense, I've decided to move back into PC gaming.

I started looking at self builds again but everything's moved on so much since I last dipped my toes into that space that I struggle to know where to start. Then I saw an Alienware A51 in the refurb store with a decent early Black Friday discount code and very-nearly top-end specs so I pulled the trigger yesterday:

£2525

• Core Ultra 9 285K
• Geforce RTX 5080
• 64GB RAM
• 2TB Gen5 SSD
• 1500W platinum PSU

Retail, this spec is currently going for £3600 so it's a sizeable saving, but now I'm getting cold feet on the basis of the Intel chip not being the best choice for gaming (and will possibly never see the BIOS fix that Intel rolled out to address this), the odd PSU that'll likely need swapping out at some point in the future, and the sheer size and weight of the thing.

On the plus side, the reviews I've seen say that it's very cool and quiet, which is pretty important to me, and I do like the case design itself - it's very understated compared to most of the off-the-shelf options out there. On the downside what looks like a huge discount on the surface is mostly just wiping out the Dell premium, and similarly specced AMD options are available elsewhere for similar prices - albeit with the aforementioned off-the-shelf cases and a big question mark over noise levels.

All of which is to say: Help this former DIY builder feel a bit better about dropping this much money on a Dell of all things! Odd CPU choice aside, this is still a decent system at a decent price, right?

Hiya, folks! Over this year, I got a huge interest in VR, and I'm planning on purchasing a VR headset and a FBT setup. I'd say I've done a fair bit of research and I've landed on the following two combinations:

Meta Quest 3 128GB

Valve Lighthouse base stations(x2)

HTC Vive 3.0 trackers(x4)

Total: 1.597€;

or alternative

Meta Quest 3 128GB

Slime VR Deluxe Body set (12+4)

Total: 1.270,6€

My planned budget in total is 1.600€.

My planned use for the VR setup is hanging out with my friends in VRChat and possibly making some short form content for social media (IG Reels, YT Shorts). I am also planning on using the headset in PCVR mode only (cable price is included in the totals).

I've seen a few copmarison videos between SlimeVR trackers and Vive 3.0 trackers, and I'm wondering if the price difference is worth it. I am also aware that Slime trackers are drift-prone, but I'm willing to take it as a downside. I am also wondering if there is an alternative setup that might provide me with better performance (better tracking precision), while still being within the budget listed above.

Thanks in advance!

My 1440p monitor died on me so I'm looking to upgrade to a 4K monitor, to be used with my home+work laptops, some older game consoles and an aging Linux PC.

The aging PC is the problem: it's an i5-6600 on an Asus B150M-A. It lacks DP and its HDMI port can't do 4k60.

I vaguely recall there being super cheap graphics cards meant for exactly this sort of thing, just a low end GPU with a bunch of ports, but I can't seem to find much, especially not AMD (Linux + Nvidia remains meh)

Suggestions? Perhaps a minimally invasive upgrade to the PC? Or just stick it out at 1440p (non-integer scaling, ugh) until I can upgrade properly?

Was geuninly just out browsing for a new CPU cooler and then this shit appeared out of nowhere xD

Link as proof i have not edited this: https://www.newegg.com/p/0VE-01P6-00006

Hello,

I've been looking into new laptops, trying to get back into Tech work after about ten years out due to a couple spinal injuries, and hoping for some advice.

TLDR: Laptop for coworking space, flexible AMD hardware preference, NPU for LLM work, Linux SysAdmin practice, metal case/chassis for heat dissipation, as budget friendly as possible.

I'd need a laptop due to limited space and to stay mobile depending on any particular job; mostly remote and may need to go to a local coworking space.

I'm hesitant about LLM usage, but know it's here at least now and I should be familiar with the technology.

I'm considering experimenting with mostly smaller scale LLMs, and maybe whatever else I can get working, 'feasibly', locally;

• Building as much of my own models if I am able to
• Creating/curating training data sets
• Training models on those as best as capable
• Experimenting with suitably sized models from my training or pre-trained
• Testing 'agents’/methods/whatever else these types of quality improvements are being called

So, I'm looking at machines with NPUs for that, though I hadn't heard of these until I started looking into machines just recently. Any advice, guidance, rants, lectures, preaches related to that are all welcome and appreciated. Truly.

I trend towards AMD hardware. Just a preference of which corporation to send my money/support to. It may be that higher performing, lower priced, or more "ethical/moral/customer considerate" hardware exists. I'm unfamiliar, though, and these preferences were admittedly made from younger years and minimal information. Please correct as you see fit.

Additionally, I've had better results with Linux and AMD, when I've needed to use it; for continuing to use older machines, Linux SysAdmin practice, or Windows avoidance. Though, LLM work might be in early stages in Linux at the moment.

I am on the fence/generally consider against HP with how they've been with their products. Similarly, any statements or experiences with HP's computers; advising avoidance, stating they're not as problematic as their printers, or anything you feel relevant or helpful; will be highly regarded.

Yet, the lowest priced laptop I've found, which also has some local LLM options, seems to be this HP Omnibook 3 14' (AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, 16G).

HP Omnibook, HP Website

I also found this Lenovo Ideapad 5 with about the same hardware. Yet, higher price even before tax.

Lenovo Ideapad, Costco Website

I've mostly found these CPUs with 16G of RAM. Preferably, I'd like 32G, for some additional memory with LLM training/usage practice. Outside of that alone, I'd likely do fine with 16.

I'd considered metal bodies/chassis for heat dissipation if I'm working the processors with the LLM practice; likely adding a laptop stand and/or cooling pad (if not included directly in the stand).

Sorry for the novel, but hopefully that helps with describing what I'm hoping towards.

I very much appreciate you taking the time to read my post. Thank you very much for any guidance or statements you may feel able to make.

Have a great weekend.

What's the 5 pin plug on the right for?

The fans connected to this controller have stopped lighting up all at once. They still blow and can adjust their speed. Just no light.

Can I control their light/colour from JRGB on my motherboard?

I don't have a cable for the 5 pin socket on the right.

My kid is reaching an age where we want to start introducing a real computer and it needs to be a laptop since we don't want it to stand around all the time.

I am looking for something cheaper, second hand or refurbished laptop, want something to install Linux on it.

Since I live in Europe I looked for shops that sell refurbished laptops of all kinds and stumbled upon this one: https://www.ecopc.com/en/

Anyone have any experience ordering there? It looks pretty good and offers 2 years warranty still. Sounds too good really.

Alternatively if anyone has suggestions for other shops like this, preferably within Europe for easier shipping, I'd appreciate it.

Hey guys,

I'm sad. I absolutely love this mouse (best replacement for the Rival 310 I could find) but a firmware update seems to have rendered it nearly unusable. I was using it without the Basecamp software, but I wanted to change a couple things so I installed it. It said the mouse needed a firmware update, I said yes, it updated fine, then it won't detect the mouse anymore, the scroll wheel quit, and sensor is acting weird, and the LED turned off. I am hoping it's not ruined.

Does anyone know a hardware factory reset I can do on it?

Hi, in my current PC i have an RX 580 8gb, Ryzen 5 2600 and 32gb of RAM 3000mhz CL 16 (its 3200mhz but i had stability issues and had to put them at 3000).

I recently bought a 165hz monitor but i struggle to reach that fps in CS2, which is the main game i play. I read that its a CPU game, so i guess its time to update the 2600. My goal is basically reaching around the 165-200 fps line in CS2 to benefit from the monitor with the least money possible, but if i get a CPU that will future-proof my build for some years i won't complain. (mind that i basically never play very demanding games, and when i do i don't have problems favouring fps over graphics, after all the monitor is a TN haha)

Reading around i stumbled across the 5 5600x (read also a lot about the 5700x3d but its 150 euro more so no thanks) or the 5700x. (if you have other things in mind suggest freely im open to anything)

So my question is which one should i buy and at which price? After a very quick search the 5600x is around 105€ and the 5700x 115€. Also, will the GPU bottleneck be a big problem? Btw i'll run memtest86 to check if the RAM is faulty cause i was on 3000mhz for years but i feel like if i upgrade the CPU i should at least max the ram frequency.

Hi,

I am currently looking for a new chair I can game and work in. My old chair (70 €, 7 years ago) is now loosing its fake lether and little flakes are everywhere. I am willing to pay a premium.

I found the following chair I liked but I have never heard the brand Spawn before. Since I would like to buy this once and if possible a good product I would like to now if anybody has any experience. There is not even on Amazon a rating. And when I clicked through their vendors I couldn’t find any either. I think it is east European company. Maybe there is a language barrier I am facing, since on YouTube I couldn’t find any good reviews either.

Please internet, tell me if I’ll regret my choice if i would buy it.

For anyone who has advice here are my requirements:

• Nice bum cushion
• I am small so the height should be adjustable
• Armrests
• No fake leather please
• Back should be high enough to lean my head against
• Needs to look nice. Please no all black chairs. (Well actually I would like a chair which looks cool/cute/pleasant)
• Rolls, if possible exchangeable
• It doesn’t need to be a gaming chair
• I want to sit on it legs crossed
• Up to 500 but only if I fall in love immediately

Hello guys I currently have a 55-inch TV as my monitor I think it's worth around $500 1080p 60hz nothing crazy, I need a good monitor with 120hz at least and preferably 1440p and OLED, would like it to be bigger than 30 inches but may have to compromise on the size if I want a good one

I am going to be upgrading my graphics card soon. and the ones in my price range are the above mentioned. Which do you think I should get.

As a side note the runners up were a 7900 XTX or 4080 both used. The reason I'm thinking of going with the above two are my Mobo ihas gen 5 PCIE.

Sorry if this is a dumb question. My current gaming setup is a Intel I7-4790k, 32Gb ram and a RTX 2080 Super. I came across a AMD Threadripper 1920x, mobo, 64Gb ram for free basically.

Is that worth the time/effort to swap over? It seems to me it would be, but when I search around for info I get conflicting opinions. So any input/insight is appreciated.

Edit: Thank y'all very much! I think I was overthinking single threaded performance.

I finally started the move over to Linux, and installed a dual boot system. So far liking it, except for 1 or 2 things. The big one is the process of dual booting.

I vaguely remember a friend a bunch of years ago always having the option to pick the OS on startup. Not having to hit F11 to pick the OS. Is there a way to do this? Everything I've found so far is about windows dual booting, which isn't exactly helping.

Here's my setup, so there's an idea of what I'm working with.

Motherboard: MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC SSD 1 (Windows): Predator GM7000 2TB SSD 2(Linux Mint): Crucial P5 Plus 2TB

I just want to always have the choice of OS when starting up, without always having to hit F11 to get to the boot option. Any help is appreciated.

Edit: In case it matters, I installed windows on SSD 1 without SSD 2 installed, then did the same with Linux, removed SSD 1, and installed Linux to SSD 2 (using their respective slots) then put both in. So I didn't install Linux with the dual boot option on the install screen.

Edit2: Got it working! As suggested, I had to change the boot order so Linux was primary instead of windows. Then had to change the timeout for grub from 0 to 30 (tried 5 but it was still too fast) and once I was able to see grub, I had the option to let it go into mint, run windows, or just pick Mint without waiting.

Way easier than going about it thinking windows first, since it refused to acknowledge i had another OS installed. Now I get to play around with drivers and software, and figure out why I can't align my multiple monitors properly.

Thanks everyone!

I'm looking to get a new keyboard since my current board (Cooler Master K653) is in rough shape, spilled some coffee on it a while back and it's started to not register inputs randomly and sometimes doubletyping instead.

I want 96% or 100%, wired, hotswap, with a budget ~200€. Will mostly be used for casual gaming and some schoolwork.

I've considered Keychron Q6 Pro with K Pro Banana switches, but I've read a few scathing reviews about Keychron from 2024 and 2025, have their quality decreased during the latest years?

EDIT: Thank you all for your replies! I ended up buying a Keychron V6 Max since it was on sale, and Keychron was one of the few manufacturers which came with nordic keycaps as stock.

I dual boot Fedora and Windows with Windows being the gaming OS

I have 2 4tb WD Black SN850X for Windows and a 2tb Crucial T500 for Fedora

From what I can tell of my own research so far the WD Black's use their own proprietary controller but the Crucial uses a phison controller but I don't use it on Windows because its completely dedicated to Linux

From the information I have they should be fine since but I just wanted a second opinion