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Faerdal
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 954
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 Posted: 04/03/04 - 12:13 Post subject: Planning on building a new gaming system, any suggestions?
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I'm not trying for an ultra high end $2k+ system, I can stay one step behind the tech curve and be happy. I already have a video card (radeon 9700) from my old system, so I don't need that. Any suggestions on this setup?
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+
MB: ASUS VIA K8T800 for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8V SE Deluxe"
RAM: Mushkin 512MB (x2) DDR PC3200
HD: Western Digital 160GB 7200RPM SATA, 8MB, 8.9ms
Mon: ViewSonic 19" PerfectFlat CRT Monitor
Case: Thermaltake Black Gaming Tower XaserV Series WinGo Full-Tower w/ 420W PS
Snd: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2
Misc: Logitech Cordless MX Duo USB/PS2 keyboard&mouse
Comes to $1280 with shipping right now. Looking for some decent (but not expensive) speakers as well, perhaps.
Also, do I need to get special cables for the SATA HD, or will regular IDE cables work? I'm ordering an OEM verison.
edit: forgot to include case and sound card. also decided to go with 19" flatscreen. gonna place my order tomorrow probably, mmmmm =)
Last edited by Faerdal on 04/04/04 - 13:23; edited 2 times in total
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Xarpolis
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 15 Oct 2002
Posts: 2884
Location: Philly, PA
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Posted: 04/03/04 - 12:39 Post subject:
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yes. Wait. What are you building this system for? Just to have it or for a perticular game?
I think that's what you need to take into account when you're building the system.
If it's a game that isn't out yet, wait for it to be closer to the time of release. That way you can get the "newer" hardware for less than you can get them right now. Plan accordingly.
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Faerdal
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 954
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Posted: 04/03/04 - 13:38 Post subject:
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i'm building it because all i have now is my laptop, and while it is decent (P4 2.8, 512DDR, radeon 9000), i freaking hate laptops for gaming, and i want to play UT2k4 (to name one title)
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hitachi
RealPoor Sensei
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 1507
Location: Maryland
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Posted: 04/03/04 - 15:56 Post subject:
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double your ram and you are pretty much good to go for anything. and yes you need special cables for the SATA drive.
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Tiluvas
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 19 Oct 2002
Posts: 2355
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Posted: 04/03/04 - 16:37 Post subject:
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Two gigs of RAM hitachi? He said he's buying two 512mb DIMMS, which should be plenty. Check with your motherboard manufacturer for SATA cables. My motherboard(MSI) came with two SATA cables and power cable converters too, since SATA drives require a different power connection.
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Nuldaan
Sir Postalot
Joined: 07 Nov 2002
Posts: 1179
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Posted: 04/03/04 - 17:58 Post subject:
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Looks good, Faerdal.
Although the AMD 64 might be a bit overkill at the moment if you're planning on running XP. Last I heard, Microsoft isn't due to release a 64 bit version of XP until the latter part of this year.
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Faerdal
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 954
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Posted: 04/03/04 - 18:38 Post subject:
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this is going to be my system for awhile, i dont want to have to upgrade anything except the video card =)
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Jinu
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 2396
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Posted: 04/03/04 - 19:38 Post subject:
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It's cool, but remember there are a LOT of new incompatible technologies coming out this year.
You'll be replacing that mobo the next time you upgrade.
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Nuldaan
Sir Postalot
Joined: 07 Nov 2002
Posts: 1179
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Posted: 04/03/04 - 19:52 Post subject:
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| Faerdal wrote: | | this is going to be my system for awhile, i dont want to have to upgrade anything except the video card =) |
Fair enough. I just wanted to make sure you had all the information before putting down the cash for it.
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Faerdal
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 954
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Posted: 04/04/04 - 17:05 Post subject:
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order placed this morning, should have it in a few days =D
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Iegan
Luke Warm
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 342
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 00:09 Post subject:
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I propose that since you'll be spending more time inside gaming, you kindly deliver your 350z to me so it can get used as much as it deserves.
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Overon
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 3602
Location: PLANE OF PIXIES
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 02:10 Post subject:
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ughhh i hate amd
ive had bad experiences with AMD multiple times
same thing with asus ... i dont know about their AMD boards so much but their intel ones are terrible and they have manufacturer defects a lot .. i found a message board that basically everyone had a problem with asus .. even distributors said how horrible their boards were ..
but whatever floats your boat
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Goraz
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 3736
Location: Philadelphia
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 02:13 Post subject:
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| Overon wrote: | ughhh i hate amd
ive had bad experiences with AMD multiple times
same thing with asus ... i dont know about their AMD boards so much but their intel ones are terrible and they have manufacturer defects a lot .. i found a message board that basically everyone had a problem with asus .. even distributors said how horrible their boards were ..
but whatever floats your boat |
I have an asus P4P800 and i have no complaints here.
If anything, its the most reliable board I've had. You sure you didn't have an SiS chipset on your asus? SiS stands for Shit Integrated Shit.
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GruntingCod
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 6399
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 02:16 Post subject:
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| Jinu wrote: | It's cool, but remember there are a LOT of new incompatible technologies coming out this year.
You'll be replacing that mobo the next time you upgrade. |
They are going to cost an arm and a leg though 8o\
All of the computer companies (Alienwear, Dell, etc) seem to be pricing down their prebuilt systems to sell out alot of their older hardware to make room for the newer stuff it seems.
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Overon
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 3602
Location: PLANE OF PIXIES
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 02:19 Post subject:
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it was the p4c800-e deluxe (their prime motherboard)
the message board i went to everyone was having all kinds of problems with their asus boards, and these were people who knew what they were talking about
one of the threads was "POST HERE IF YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A WORKING ASUS MOBO COMPUTER"
one of the guys worked for a distributor and said that they have to replace all the batteries on the asus motherboards they get because they usually ship dead
mine had a manufacturer defect, i sent it in for RMA and sold it on ebay
after all the shit ive seen about asus i wouldnt buy from them again .. i have a nice abit motherboard now and im working great
i think you can judge how s****y a board is by putting "tech support BRAND NAME BOARD NAME" in google and finding how many links there are .. in fact thats how i found the message board
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r00typooh
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 5178
Location: Miami, FL
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 02:30 Post subject:
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we're using the p4c800-e deluxe at Alienware to replace the Intel D875PBZ motherboards
from what i've seen, they're very nice and to my knowledge, we're not having any problems with them.
i work in RMA so if there were any issues worth noteing, i'd hear about it.
*shrug*
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Overon
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 3602
Location: PLANE OF PIXIES
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 02:33 Post subject:
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i heard they made a revision to the board .. maybe they fixed some of the hardcore problems with it
personally i still wouldnt trust asus for anything though
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Venkmen
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 12 Oct 2002
Posts: 2260
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 02:47 Post subject:
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Setup looks pretty good to me.
Chip set is good, but I personally like the nVidia MB chipsets. Been using them ever since they came out nad have had nothing but a positive experience.
And well i been using AMD ever since the days of the K6 procs.
Am just about to build a new machine myself. will prolly be fairly similiar to what you got going there.
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Xion
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 2117
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 04:40 Post subject:
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I overclocked a P4 2.6C to 3.2 ghz over the summer.
works great.
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Tamrissa
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 29 Nov 2002
Posts: 7100
Location: at my computer
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 10:17 Post subject:
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hmm i love asus, have had no problems with either comp.
a7v333 in the one and a7n8x deluxe in other, not a problem with either or the old one that used to be in my comp thats now in the kids *cant recall and cant be bothered to look*.
sounds like an alright set up, wouldnt be my first choice for vid card nor would i go cordless keyboard/mouse but thats all personal preferance kinda stuff i guess 
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Catranizi
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 910
Location: Montreal, Canada
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 13:52 Post subject: Re: Planning on building a new gaming system, any suggestion
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| Faerdal wrote: |
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+
MB: ASUS VIA K8T800 for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8V SE Deluxe"
RAM: Mushkin 512MB (x2) DDR PC3200
HD: Western Digital 160GB 7200RPM SATA, 8MB, 8.9ms
Mon: ViewSonic 19" PerfectFlat CRT Monitor
Case: Thermaltake Black Gaming Tower XaserV Series WinGo Full-Tower w/ 420W PS
Snd: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2
Misc: Logitech Cordless MX Duo USB/PS2 keyboard&mouse |
First of all, if you can wait some time for PCIe and DDR2, I'd do it.
CPU/MB: Fine as they are, if you're not into overclocking and couldn't care less about 64bits applications (still some time away), you could also pick up a Northwood 3.2GHz with a MSI Neo 2 865 based MB, you could save 100-150$ there. Just stay away from Prescotts.
RAM: I would use Corsair XMS PRO with the money you saved by getting a P4  No need to get LL memory as AMD can't get the extra speed advantage.
HD: I would drop the 160MB for something smaller @ faster rpm, SATA
Mon: it's what I have, won't complain
Case: Drop the V model for a II or III model; get a Butterfly power supply instead of the regular one. Also get a Spark / Volcano TT fan. If you are into overclocking, the SubZero4G from TT has solid reviews.
Snd: What's the point? The ASUS MB doesn't have any? If you are using one of those 5.1 Altec Lansing or Logitech sound system, the onboard audio is plenty enough. The difference would be unnoticeable (both in quality and speed) and you are just throwing your money away.
Misc: Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse instead of standard wireless. You will love bluetooth in the future. Just don't get the Microsoft combo, it just plain sucks.
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Faerdal
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 954
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 13:52 Post subject:
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well i wouldnt buy that card today either, but i bought it when it was first coming out about a year or so ago, and i cant justify paying the exorbitant price of a new one today
the 9700 isnt that bad anyway
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Catranizi
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 910
Location: Montreal, Canada
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 14:49 Post subject:
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| Quote: | | Also, do I need to get special cables for the SATA HD, or will regular IDE cables work? I'm ordering an OEM verison. |
Special cables. If you meant OEM motherboard too, you will need cables (like 10-15$ depending on quality, I don't know if they make the SATA cables flat, but if they do, don't buy them flat) else they should be included in your motherboard box.
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Catranizi
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 910
Location: Montreal, Canada
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 14:58 Post subject:
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Asus is fine for motherboard. I've had a lot of Asus motherboards and videocards. The only complaint I ever had is the fan on Asus video cards. I had to replace 3 of them with Thermaltake chipset fans because the Asus fans just died after a few months. Else they're good products.
However, I switched to MSI as you get much more bang for your bucks. DOT and Corecenter are awesome.
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eqchanter
RealPoor Sensei
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Posts: 1543
Location: tennessee
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 15:03 Post subject:
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| Catranizi wrote: | | Quote: | | Also, do I need to get special cables for the SATA HD, or will regular IDE cables work? I'm ordering an OEM verison. |
Special cables. If you meant OEM motherboard too, you will need cables (like 10-15$ depending on quality, I don't know if they make the SATA cables flat, but if they do, don't buy them flat) else they should be included in your motherboard box. |
My SATA drives came with flat cables. They aren't really much bigger than round cables. They are only about a 3/8 of an inch wide and maybe 1/8 inch thick. I could probably save a little space by looking into round cables like I have for my DVD and CDRW but the amound I would save would not be worth the extra money.
I have 2 120 gig segate SATA150 drives. They aren't as nice as my SCSI but are much quieter and run much cooler. I took my ultra320 out and don't even bother with it anymore. SATA seems to be working out nice for me.
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Catranizi
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 910
Location: Montreal, Canada
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 15:44 Post subject:
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Round cables = better airflow. If he's looking into dishing out the money for a Xaser V (a case built for good airflow), might as well get the proper cables too.
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Inala
Luke Warm
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 109
Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 18:06 Post subject:
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i've been looking around lately thinking about building a 64 bit system as well, and from the reviews and tests that i've read so far the MSI NEO board is the best of the available MBs for the 64 bit chips atm. It works much better along with the properties of the chip (slowing speed under low workloads to conserve energy, and speeding up under a large workload. Up to 10% automatic overclocking).
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eth
Luke Warm
Joined: 20 Oct 2002
Posts: 137
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Posted: 04/06/04 - 02:34 Post subject: Re: Planning on building a new gaming system, any suggestion
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| Catranizi wrote: |
Snd: What's the point? The ASUS MB doesn't have any? If you are using one of those 5.1 Altec Lansing or Logitech sound system, the onboard audio is plenty enough. The difference would be unnoticeable (both in quality and speed) and you are just throwing your money away.
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I disagree. I have an asus a7n8x-e deluxe and the onboard sound sounded f*****g horrible. Games might be ok, but I listen to a lot of music with my pc. As soon as I heard the sound quality, I powered off and popped in my audigy.
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eqchanter
RealPoor Sensei
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Posts: 1543
Location: tennessee
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Posted: 04/06/04 - 08:46 Post subject:
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| Catranizi wrote: | | Round cables = better airflow. If he's looking into dishing out the money for a Xaser V (a case built for good airflow), might as well get the proper cables too. |
I know. What I am saying is they are not much smaller than the flat SATA cable. I don't see much improvment in a round SATA cable because they are so small to begin with.
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Catranizi
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 910
Location: Montreal, Canada
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Posted: 04/06/04 - 09:14 Post subject: Re: Planning on building a new gaming system, any suggestion
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| eth wrote: | | I disagree. I have an asus a7n8x-e deluxe and the onboard sound sounded f*****g horrible. Games might be ok, but I listen to a lot of music with my pc. As soon as I heard the sound quality, I powered off and popped in my audigy. |
Realtek chips are fairly good with the latest drivers. And there are better chips too than the Realtek.
As I said, if you are a music lover and listen to CD's (not mp3 quality shit) and have the system to power it (not crap multimedia 5.1 Logitech / Altec Lansing / Cambridge speakers), go for an Audigy.
In any case, if you absolutely must have a sound card / output in your computer, get the USB Audigy thingy instead of a PCI card.
*edit*: My opinion comes from having an Audigy, an Audigy USB thingy I forgot the part number, a SB Live Platinum and 2 different onboard audio. The USB thingy is used for digital recording; I can easily move it out of the room when recording music and I don't want to have the constant humming of the computer fans as a background noise to my microphone. The Audigy and Platinum are boxed. The onboard audio is powering the second computer's audio.
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