FREE Microsoft Security Essentials

Basic anti-virus, spyware, malware, free download here from Microsoft.

New cheapest Quad Core Processor: AMD Athlon II X4 620

its review here.

Unclock your AMD Sempron 140 from single to dual cores

AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 45W Single-Core Processor
Pros: Cheap, quiet, and dual core capable! Unlocked to Regor Athlon II X2 440 with a GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H board in a minute!

New AMD Althon II X2 replaced Althon

AMD Athlon™ II X2(240, 245, 250 etc.) are total in market and the Athlon X2 (5200+, 5400+, 6000+ etc.) are quit the market.

BTW, sometimes the information are confused, for example,
the 240 (ADX240OCGQBOX) has 1MB L2 cache or 2MB L2 cache?
AMD official site said only 1MB
http://products.amd.com/en-us/DesktopCPUDetail.aspx?id=587
but cpu-world and many retail stores said it is 2MB
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Athlon%20II%20X2%20240%20-%20ADX240OCK23GQ%20(ADX240OCGQBOX).html

Troubleshooting

Hard Drive Troubleshooting

How to Troubleshoot a Wireless Internet Connection

Troubleshooting RAM & Computer Memory

Troubleshooting External Hard Drives

How to build desktop computer?

Basic Components Needed to Build a PC Computer

Preparing the Case for a Custom PC Computer

Installing the Motherboard

Identifying CPU, RAM, Graphic Card, and PCI Locations

How to Match RAM & Video Cards to a Motherboard

How to Install a CPU or Installing the CPU and How to Remove a CPU and Motherboard

How to Attach RAM & Hard Drives to a Motherboard

Types Of Video Cards

PCI Express Video Cards

Sound Card Install

How to Check a Computer System Before Powering Up

How to Install Power Supply to a Motherboard

How to Disconnect Motherboard Power Supply

Virus and Protection?

People always need my help when their computers got the VIRUS, usually I try to arrange time to have look at these computer, however, if you know something about basic Anti-Virus, may be much helpful for everyday computer operation, please read it:
Anti-Virus 101

Windows Vista Tips

Many people don't like VISTA, that's true; however, if you have to use it, you may need to learn something to make your VISTA more productive. Here is a good website, try it:
Windows Vista Tips :: Helpful Hints For Microsoft's Windows Vista Software

Or just read this article by well-known PC magazine:
Vista Made Easy: 50 Tips And Tricks

Nice system management softwares

First one is Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC 2009 with One year free license key, System settings, internet usage, disk clutter, RAM and CPU are all automatically scanned, cleaned and optimized for peak performance.


Second one is Paragon Drive Backup 9.0 Special Edition, Powerful entire disk backup and File backup software!



Third one is PC Tools Internet Security Free for 1 YR, All-in-one protection that keeps your PC and your identity secure against continuously evolving online threats.

Lack of nice deals for Canada Day

Video card:
if you want to build entry level gaming computer, try Geforce9600GSO, after MIR $44.99

Hard drive:
750GB for $69.99, 1TB for $84.99~89.99

CPU:
some stores promote AMD X2 7750 oem processor at 2.5GHz, 3MB L2&3 Cache, $49.99, or bundle deal at $134.99.
AMD x2 5200@2.7ghZ quit market, its best price was $59.99CAD

How to Power a Computer from a Car

link here, try to read it and you may find something really interesting.

The best AM3 motherboard chipset RD890?

The news said this RD890 will show up in the Q3 of 2009. It is best or not? Right now in the market, users are still stick to 780&790 chipsets. Budget building ~780, and if RD890 comes the budget building should be 790.

Here is a kind of tool to help you choose right product from AMD to build your right PC.
Also, Intel processor choose tool available here and here.

Some decent deals [June 22-28]

Tigerdirect.ca has a good special processor, core2duo E8200, BX80570E8200, $149.97, it supports VT.

Microsoft Windows 7 will accept pre-order from June 26, upgrade version from $49USD.

Note: Microsoft Confirms Windows XP to Windows 7 Upgrade License

With promotion code CEMCLTNR39 to get Geforce GTX275 at $208.99 plus free shipping

A friend asked me how to build HTPC?

HTPC - home theater PC which has multi-media function for multi-use at home.

1. it should has multi-media ports, such as HDMI, DVI, S/PDIF Out etc.
-- right now, many people choose ADM 780G chipset motherboard with very good on-board video card, ATI HD 3200
2. don't need to install additional video card, if really want it, please choose low-profile video card from ATI or nVidia (such as 9600GT)
3. small case is not very necessary, because small cases have very limited power supply and cooling spaces.
4. newest CPUs have lower power consume (below 65w), so use these CPUs are okay, just choose lower-prices one with Virtualization Technology (one common question is Which Intel CPUs Support XP Mode Virtualization?, AMD processor?)

Basic things about CPU, buying guide.

New ATI graphics coming...

First one is ATI HD 4730, ncix.com sells it at one day special $79.99 before tax:

• 128-bit GDDR5 memory interface
• 640 stream processing units
• HDMI output support
• Two independent display controllers

NCIX'S first Computer Building Workshop

I am not in Vancouver, but I hope computer fans get this good chance to learn something:



As an experienced DIYer, I can do this kind of demonstration for local Ottawa computer fans (one people or one group), I will do it as volunteer work, not for money just for fan and make friends. If you are interested in this kind of workshop, please feel free to contact with me at home.pc.diy@gmail.com.

Ncix.com is good but its twitter not

Its twitter is here, but not updated often. Stranger things!
Its facebook is here, looks not bad.

BTW, we may use FLUTTER in the later.

Newegg.ca is not as good as .com

Newegg.ca launched in Oct. 2008, but it is not as good as newegg.com; however, you can always find some good deals if you often check .ca, or you can try faster Twitter services. For example, check today's twitter and you will find this week, June 22-26, newegg present dual-shell-shocker-deals-daily.

My older BLOG for my last year projects

uwonshopping.googlepages.com, which focus on my projects in 2008.

This week hot items

This week [June 14-20], all computer parts prices are a little bit higher because of a little bit dropping of CAD. However, we can always find better deals at any time, here are some nice deals:

CPU/Processor
AMD fans
AMD X3 720 $139.99 with free shipping from newegg.ca
AMD X4 810 $159.00 with free shipping from newegg.ca
NCIX.com has a good bundle deal of 720+Gigybyte 770 motherboard, $209.99 before $10 MIR.
Intel fans
E5200 was hot in past 6 month, but this month its story was over; what's the newer? please see E6300. What's the new?
2M Cache, 2.80 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB vs. 2M Cache, 2.50 GHz, 800 MHz FSB
higher speed is not big deal but the most important thing is E5200 doesn't support Virtualization technology while E6300 do.
Virtualization Technology(VT)--if you are want to use the newest OS "Windows 7", please choose the CPUs which support VT.
Please read:
Helping Small Businesses With Windows 7 Professional and Windows XP Mode

Motherboard?
no bigger deals; if you want to build budget PC, you can choose P43, G41 and even G31 motherboard for Intel processors, choose AMD 780G, 770G, even 740G for AMD processors.

Video card
Please note that ATI annouced prices dropping for HD4870, 4850, and also you can find cheaper HD4890

Power supply
one good deals is from Ottawa local store, OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Power Supply, $99.77 before $30 MIR
the above PSU is for building gaming machine, but for non-gamers, I always recommand:
Sparkle Power SPI ATX-400PN 400W, over 170 users gave it over 4.5 stars

Stop here now, I will continue to share what I found in the computer markets.