Computers Frazod's Great Technology Leap of 2023

Frazod · 08-29-2023, 07:42 AM

So here's the plan:

Step 1: Purchase or build new computer capable of running Starfield, which I realized a couple of weeks ago that my existing one isn't. Old computer goes to the wife. Wife's old computer, which was my previous computer and is at least 15 years old, failing and still running Windows 7, goes to the dungeon to join the massive collection of shit I should throw out but never do.

Step 2: Upgrade internet service from slow-as-**** overpriced AT&T to T-Mobile 5G (already existing phone service). It would be nice if Starfield didn't take a day and a half to download.

Step 3: Shitcan overpriced/now useless DTV, get Amazon firesticks for all the televisions.

Here's reality:

Step 1: Completed; mostly a success. Found a computer to buy that was pretty much as good and reasonably priced as anything my IT buddy and I could have built, with infinitely less grief. Got this:

https://www.microcenter.com/product/...g443-gaming-pc

Works great; No issues (so far-knocking on wood). Pain in the ass reloading software and navigating the endless password/verification gauntlet, but eventually I got through it. The only real problem was with my old computer. The AIO CPU liquid cooler was starting to go, and whether it was just ironic timing or being jostled a bit during the relocation, it died almost immediately when I moved it to the new location. When I first fired it up the goddamn thing sounded like a dosimeter at Chernobyl. Eventually it quieted down, but apparently that just signaled its death, because soon after the computer shut down and wouldn't reboot because of overheating. God that pissed me off. So the replacement is out for delivery, and hopefully that will be successfully installed today. I don't trust myself and my limited skills to directly **** with the CPU, so IT buddy is coming over to deal with that one - I'll probably do the work, but under supervision.

Step 2: The new T-Mobile system is also supposed to be delivered today. They say it's easy to install. I'm assuming it will be a pain in the ass, because that's just how my luck rolls. I guess I'll find out later today.

Step 3: Commencing after the end of the month/baseball season, so the wife's nightly Braves viewing is not interrupted and she doesn't kill me in my sleep. Beyond watching a couple of YouTube videos, I know exactly dick about firesticks and this will be completely new territory for me. Seems easy enough in the videos. But I've learned that this shit is rarely as easy as they make it look. At least for me. I wonder if I have to remove/shitcan the dish myself, or if they'll come and get it. I guess I'll find that out in October.

Anyway, I'm old and cranky and mostly hate change of any sort, so I expect to be in Ari Gold mode over all this crap for the next month or so. But when I'm done everything should be much better, and by dumping AT&T/DTV, much cheaper, and I'll be happily enjoying Starfield. Wish me luck!

BleedingRed · 08-29-2023, 07:51 AM

(Microcenter didn't post right specs)

BleedingRed · 08-29-2023, 07:52 AM

Edit:
Why the **** does MicroCenter list it at 2.5Ghz?! Its Core clock is 3.4Ghz with boosted 5.2Ghz... CPU is fine

Frazod · 08-29-2023, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

Do not buy that computer

Too late. Why do you say that?

It has good reviews and I know I guy who owns one and hasn't had any problems.

KCUnited · 08-29-2023, 07:53 AM

MLB.tv is free through TMobile, or at least it was this season

Just sign up and download the app on your smart TV and wah lah, all the Braves games not being televised on MLB Network

Frazod · 08-29-2023, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

MLB.tv is free through TMobile, or at least it was this season

Just sign up and download the app on your smart TV and wah lah, all the Braves games not being televised on MLB Network

Thanks, I'll look into that.

I just hope I won't have any issues with the firestick on the downstairs TV, which is the one the wife generally watches. The computers are upstairs, so the T-Mobile box will also be upstairs.

Once I get the new internet up and running I'm going to buy a firestick to test it on the TV in the den (next to my computer) to get the hang of it, then get ones for the other two TVs.

BleedingRed · 08-29-2023, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frazod

Too late. Why do you say that?

It has good reviews and I know I guy who owns one and hasn't had any problems.

MicroCenter for WHAT every reason has the core clock listed at 2.5GHz, that was the red flag for me.

I checked its benchmark the CPU has MORE than enough power to run Starfield.

Its real Core Clock is 3.4Ghz with booster clock (Running game) of 5.2Ghz (You can over clock it but you wont need to)

Frazod · 08-29-2023, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

MicroCenter for WHAT every reason has the core clock listed at 2.5GHz, that was the red flag for me.

I checked its benchmark the CPU has MORE than enough power to run Starfield.

Its real Core Clock is 3.4Ghz with booster clock (Running game) of 5.2Ghz (You can over clock it but you wont need to)

So that's good, right?

KCUnited · 08-29-2023, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frazod

Thanks, I'll look into that.

I just hope I won't have any issues with the firestick on the downstairs TV, which is the one the wife generally watches. The computers are upstairs, so the T-Mobile box will also be upstairs.

Once I get the new internet up and running I'm going to buy a firestick to test it on the TV in the den (next to my computer) to get the hang of it, then get ones for the other two TVs.

Looks like TMobile is offering free MLB.tv through 2028

I mostly watch through a Firestick on a TV outside. Just download the MLB TV app from the Firestick menu screen and its like watching any other channel given your internet connect is solid.

Frazod · 08-29-2023, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Looks like TMobile is offering free MLB.tv through 2028

I mostly watch through a Firestick on a TV outside. Just download the MLB TV app from the Firestick menu screen and its like watching any other channel given your internet connect is solid.

Just ordered a firestick.

lawrenceRaider · 08-29-2023, 10:24 AM

Frazod, I'll be curious how your gaming experience is on the T-Mobile internet. I've heard it is great for streaming, but the ping can be a bit high for good online game play.

Fish · 08-29-2023, 10:55 AM

Hopefully you're in a good area for your T-Mobile. Because the service can vary drastically. That's the only potential issue I see.

Be sure to update your video card drivers. There's recent updates for Starfield, and will likely include more once the game drops.

**HemiEd** · 08-29-2023, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

Hopefully you're in a good area for your T-Mobile. Because the service can vary drastically. That's the only potential issue I see.

Be sure to update your video card drivers. There's recent updates for Starfield, and will likely include more once the game drops.

Several of our neighbors switched from Verizon to T-Mobile and were flaunting it like some kind of new awesome development.

Seems like every time I try to talk to one of them the call gets dropped.

Good luck with it Tim, hopefully it is much better up there in the metropolis.

Frazod · 08-29-2023, 02:02 PM

So the CPU cooler and the T-Mobile thing are here.

Any slight hope I had of being able to install the cooler were dashed when I looked at the instruction sheet, which is basically nothing more than a couple of exploded diagrams and instructions for setting the bios, so basically its instructions for people who don't need instructions. Shit might as well be in Sanskrit as far as my ignorant ass is concerned. Probably don't need thermal paste, but since there was no mention of thermal paste on the instruction sheet, I stopped by Best Buy and got some just in case. So that will be taken care of when IT guy gets here. Of course IT guy has an IT job, so he said tonight but he's basically on call all the time and obviously work comes first. So all that shit is sitting there pending his arrival. I did at least get all the prep work done.

As for the T-Mobile thing, it's still in the box. I'm going to suck down some more of my 4-shot latte and then tackle that one momentarily.

And the first Guinea pig firestick should be here tomorrow.

Woohoo.

Frazod · 08-29-2023, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

Frazod, I'll be curious how your gaming experience is on the T-Mobile internet. I've heard it is great for streaming, but the ping can be a bit high for good online game play.

I don't play anything online. Gaming is me time, not us time.

08-29-2023, 07:42 AM
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3215085	Frazod's Great Technology Leap of 2023 So here's the plan: Step 1: Purchase or build new computer capable of running Starfield, which I realized a couple of weeks ago that my existing one isn't. Old computer goes to the wife. Wife's old computer, which was my previous computer and is at least 15 years old, failing and still running Windows 7, goes to the dungeon to join the massive collection of shit I should throw out but never do. Step 2: Upgrade internet service from slow-as-** overpriced AT&T to T-Mobile 5G (already existing phone service). It would be nice if Starfield didn't take a day and a half to download. Step 3: Shitcan overpriced/now useless DTV, get Amazon firesticks for all the televisions. Here's reality: Step 1: Completed; mostly a success. Found a computer to buy that was pretty much as good and reasonably priced as anything my IT buddy and I could have built, with infinitely less grief. Got this: https://www.microcenter.com/product/...g443-gaming-pc Works great; No issues (so far-knocking on wood). Pain in the ass reloading software and navigating the endless password/verification gauntlet, but eventually I got through it. The only real problem was with my old computer. The AIO CPU liquid cooler was starting to go, and whether it was just ironic timing or being jostled a bit during the relocation, it died almost immediately when I moved it to the new location. When I first fired it up the goddamn thing sounded like a dosimeter at Chernobyl. Eventually it quieted down, but apparently that just signaled its death, because soon after the computer shut down and wouldn't reboot because of overheating. God that pissed me off. So the replacement is out for delivery, and hopefully that will be successfully installed today. I don't trust myself and my limited skills to directly ** with the CPU, so IT buddy is coming over to deal with that one - I'll probably do the work, but under supervision. Step 2: The new T-Mobile system is also supposed to be delivered today. They say it's easy to install. I'm assuming it will be a pain in the ass, because that's just how my luck rolls. I guess I'll find out later today. Step 3: Commencing after the end of the month/baseball season, so the wife's nightly Braves viewing is not interrupted and she doesn't kill me in my sleep. Beyond watching a couple of YouTube videos, I know exactly dick about firesticks and this will be completely new territory for me. Seems easy enough in the videos. But I've learned that this shit is rarely as easy as they make it look. At least for me. I wonder if I have to remove/shitcan the dish myself, or if they'll come and get it. I guess I'll find that out in October. Anyway, I'm old and cranky and mostly hate change of any sort, so I expect to be in Ari Gold mode over all this crap for the next month or so. But when I'm done everything should be much better, and by dumping AT&T/DTV, much cheaper, and I'll be happily enjoying Starfield. Wish me luck!
Posts: 119,482

08-29-2023, 07:53 AM	#5
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2378244	MLB.tv is free through TMobile, or at least it was this season Just sign up and download the app on your smart TV and wah lah, all the Braves games not being televised on MLB Network
Posts: 33,870	1 0

08-29-2023, 10:24 AM	#11
lawrenceRaider Here We Go Again Join Date: May 2002 Casino cash: $2303544	Frazod, I'll be curious how your gaming experience is on the T-Mobile internet. I've heard it is great for streaming, but the ping can be a bit high for good online game play. __________________
Posts: 14,435	1 0

08-29-2023, 10:55 AM	#12
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2368919	Hopefully you're in a good area for your T-Mobile. Because the service can vary drastically. That's the only potential issue I see. Be sure to update your video card drivers. There's recent updates for Starfield, and will likely include more once the game drops. __________________
Posts: 47,455	2 0

08-29-2023, 02:02 PM	#14
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3215085	So the CPU cooler and the T-Mobile thing are here. Any slight hope I had of being able to install the cooler were dashed when I looked at the instruction sheet, which is basically nothing more than a couple of exploded diagrams and instructions for setting the bios, so basically its instructions for people who don't need instructions. Shit might as well be in Sanskrit as far as my ignorant ass is concerned. Probably don't need thermal paste, but since there was no mention of thermal paste on the instruction sheet, I stopped by Best Buy and got some just in case. So that will be taken care of when IT guy gets here. Of course IT guy has an IT job, so he said tonight but he's basically on call all the time and obviously work comes first. So all that shit is sitting there pending his arrival. I did at least get all the prep work done. As for the T-Mobile thing, it's still in the box. I'm going to suck down some more of my 4-shot latte and then tackle that one momentarily. And the first Guinea pig firestick should be here tomorrow. Woohoo.
Posts: 119,482	1 0