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May 19, 2008, 03:20 PM
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#1 |
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Anti-Piracy Poster Boy
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The Home of DH's own ATI HD3870 x2
I've been working on the new computer that will go with the hd3870 x2 I won in the DH contest. It's taken me a while to get back in touch with the current technologies! This machine has two main uses. The first is as a development PC for my job, which includes running many heavy programs and switching among them as well as data loss prevention. The second is to bring me back into the gaming world.
Here's one of my final build candidates. Do you have any suggestions or comments? I'm pretty much at the limit of my $800 USD build budget. That's my budget for the computer only; I have a separate $400 USD budget for my new monitor. Mobo: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Dynamic Energy Saver Ultra Durable II Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors HSF: Noctua NH-U12P Quiet CPU Cooler with 120mm Vortex Control Fan RAM: Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory HDD (x2, RAID-1): Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives DVD: Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners Case: Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases PSU: Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Power Supplies Monitor (lol zardon): Newegg.com - BenQ G2400WD Black 24" 5ms, 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 DC 4000:1(1000:1) - LCD Monitors OS: Vista Business x64 (or Ultimate, if I can find a way to turn my 32bit copy into x64, I got the copy at a tradeshow) * Most links are to newegg, but I tend not to make final purchases from them because they charge sales tax in my state. I price newegg+tax vs zipzoomfly and other trusted retailers.
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"It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism  In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com
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May 19, 2008, 03:57 PM
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#2 |
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HardwareHeaven Extreme Member
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If the budget stretches at all, I'd really consider bigger hard drives.
$30 ($15 per drive) more gets you double the space: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
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May 19, 2008, 04:00 PM
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#3 |
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HardwareHeaven Extreme Member
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Nice, all balanced together an outstanding system!
Did you mean though to spec an IDE (not SATA) DVD Burner? You may know about an issue I don't with respect to booting and OS installation on those with your selected mainboard, and/or you may have plans for the eight SATA ports, but the board I have sensed and installed everything from the first power on. If you really want the IDE though, consider the Retail version for 3 dollars more, the included Nero software works fine in Vista 64 - and I think it's defintely worth it. It's got the same free shipping as the one you picked too.
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It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it. |
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May 19, 2008, 05:08 PM
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#4 |
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Xtreme
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can
Posts: 4,254
Rep Power: 101   |
Pretty pretty good to me, but since you are using Vista, you might want to go to 4GB if your budget allows for it?
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May 19, 2008, 05:25 PM
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#5 |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,989
Rep Power: 71 |
yeah, go for 2x2GB 4GB kit.
if i were to buy DDR2 today, i would definitely stay away from 2x1GB kit Micron D9 ICs based memory modules. today's non-D9 ICs DDR2 2x2GB kits are pretty good, they uses low volts and overclocks good enough (if needed) and low price as well. |
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May 19, 2008, 05:59 PM
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#6 |
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Xtreme
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can
Posts: 4,254
Rep Power: 101 |
Ya most 2GB kits no longer use D9GMH double sided memory. They have more to more dense single sided D9DCL as well as others. They overclock like mud.
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May 19, 2008, 06:34 PM
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Thread Starter
#7
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Anti-Piracy Poster Boy
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Good catch on the DVD drive, I did intend for it to be SATA. I'll also look out for the retail version.
If I end up under budget, RAM is going to be the first thing I push up to 4 gigs. I considered bigger hard drives but then I realized I've been using the same 160gb for 4 years and I've never come close to filling it. I don't download movies or games or shows or music or anything. Going to 250gb for me was like "well maybe I'll stop uninstalling programs I don't use". Thanks so far for all the feedback.
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"It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com
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May 19, 2008, 06:55 PM
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#8 |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,989
Rep Power: 71 |
i still have a few good Micron D9GMH/D9GKX based memory modules and they seems to be a very good bin from yesteryear.
if i have to replace them i doubt i will get another good D9 again. some of the memory kits that based on D9GKX are still out of stock like forever. i would check 2x2GB kits out, i think, DDR2's time has changed. the memory overclocking performance of 2x2GB modules may not as good as 2x1GB Micron D9's, But it's not that far behind at all, and you get 4 GB system with 2 DIMM slots free for more RAM if needed. |
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May 19, 2008, 10:56 PM
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Thread Starter
#9
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Anti-Piracy Poster Boy
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I don't see myself needing an 8gb upper limit anytime soon, I'm just warming up to 2gb so room for 4gb upper limit seems like a future-proof move to me.
And if it ever happens that I DO need 8gb, I can just buy 4 2gb sticks then. But I have a feeling I'll be upgrading my mobo and buying super cheap DDR3 memory while the industry starts its move to DDR4 or something by that point lol. That's the gamble that I'll take to save some money now. I don't want to get caught up in future-proofing my box because it's simply not a numbers game anymore. New technologies, specs, and ports are coming out all the time so you can only realistically look at your parts as high end for 1-2 years. The whole reason I need to build a new computer is because 939 is dead and my mobo has a huge heatsink that blocks where the hd3870 x2 would go. All the parts still work, it's just got nowhere to go because the technologies it's based around are all out of date. DDR memory for it is actually more expensive than DDR2 :P Like I said I'll grab 4gb if I get the room in the budget because higher numbers are better, but I'm not gonna push it as a necessity.
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"It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com
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May 19, 2008, 11:14 PM
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#10 |
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Howlin at the moon
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,663
Rep Power: 0 |
For your harddrive choice i'd definitely recommend the Samsung Spinpoint F1's, these are the coolest, quietest, fastest HDD's available.
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD502lJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives |
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May 20, 2008, 12:41 AM
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Thread Starter
#11
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Anti-Piracy Poster Boy
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Ah sweet I remember looking at spinpoints a while ago and wanting one. The 250gb version is only $5 more than the fish I had picked out, too.
__________________
"It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com
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May 20, 2008, 04:38 AM
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#13 | |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,989
Rep Power: 71 |
Quote:
however, i was thinking you were going to get a different G.Skill PC2-8500 RAM kit, so anyway, there are many people out there who can't get the G.Skill PC2-8500 "HK" or G.Skill PC2-6400 "HZ" (both RAM modules are based on Micron D9 IC's) to overclock very well in a 4x1GB configuration under Gigabyte P35 boards (and that's including myself, i have 6 sticks of the PC2-8500 "HK" RAM and been playing with many of these RAM kits in the past year). but of cause, some of the mentioned RAM kits are able to work well together, but some are not able to (even) work in a 2 kits 4x1GB configuration. so here's the deal for you, if you are lucky you get your 2 RAM kits (that's when you buy another RAM kits in future) that provides a better matching on your first try. |
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May 20, 2008, 05:24 AM
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#14 |
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DH's oldest Geek
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Kris, I think he's better off with the CM690/520HX combo for Case/PSU.
The 690 sits a bit higher off the floor for better airflow to the PSU fan, and will have a bit more room for the Vid card. Also, I think that the HDD setup in the 690 is superior to the 590's. As for the 520HX...nothing needs to be said about that rascal...best in it's class, and works with the 690 case almost like it was designed just for that case. Plus it's modular and with the 690's layout, it will make for nice clean cable management. The 590 IS a nice case, and I like the external looks, and the placement of the external connections better than the 690, but inside where it's really important, I think the 690 is just a wee bit better. Same with the PSU. From a couple of reviews I've seen on it, the Pro082+ is a damned nice PSU. It's just that I think the the 520HX is a better fit. Andrew, there two things about the CM690/3870x2 combo you should be aware of. 1. The shroud around the heatsink/fan will not allow you to use the 'toolless" latches. You will need to use screws to secure the 3870x2. That's not a problem, and with the weight of the x2 it's probably a good idea anyway. I used two screws as they were available. 2. There will be 2 itty bitty screws at the top of the PCI bracket that you will need to remove, as they won't allow the 3870x2 to fit properly. Removing them won't hurt as there are a LOT of other screws securing the shroud. If you look at my specs you will see that I'm using the CM690, 3870x2, and a Corsair HX series PSU. I'm speaking from experience here 
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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY
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May 20, 2008, 05:34 AM
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#15 |
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Going Insane.....
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ii suppose...... but he really doesnt have very much to work with..... cheaper with similar quality, the better
i chose the PRO82+ series since the 385w model broke 90% efficacy in the DH review..... saw no Corsair PSUs do that ever, but theres probably going to be one that does it at some point.... sure theyre good but everyone's recommendations here were of the highest quality already.... all goes down to personal preference..... the 590 case is cheaper which allows the purchase of more fans, necessary, very necessary, and i like the way the 4 in 3 module works, its hard to use bit it runs real cool and i dont hear my drives too much.... though i do stand by my hardware completely, i dont see anything better listed by anyone else yet.
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Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator last updated (5/18/11)
Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums! |
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May 20, 2008, 06:11 PM
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#16 | |
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HardwareHeaven Extreme Member
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Quote:
Maybe it's enough to make up for the tax in Jersey...
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It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it. |
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Jun 23, 2008, 05:12 PM
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Thread Starter
#17
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Anti-Piracy Poster Boy
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Woo, okay so I got my economic stimulus check and have officially begun building this machine!
The specs from the OP are correct except: I picked up 4 gb of ram because it was on sale. DDR2 pc1000 stuff. I got two spinpoints for my HDD DVD drive is SATA I haven't bought my case or monitor yet, doing more research before I make my final decisions on those. I need to get to a hardware store and play with some monitors in person. I'm pretty much at my computer budget, so I'm probably going over for this build because I always buy nice cases. My unexpected costs were more RAM, better HDDs, and shipping (silly me). edit: I don't think I'll be able to get Vista Ultimate x64 running on this rig. I did some research and the free copy I got from the visual studio launch event will only work 32bit. I'll be running my existing copy of vista business x64.
__________________
"It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com
Last edited by YAYitsAndrew; Jun 23, 2008 at 05:19 PM. |
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Jun 24, 2008, 02:12 AM
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#18 |
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HardwareHeaven Extreme Member
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Good news to hear YAYitsAndrew!
You might want to reconsider your choice of PSU - prices have changed on those in the last two months. For example, the PC Power and Cooling 610 is just $90.00 now after a rebate, and other good brands are responding in kind.
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It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it. |
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Jun 30, 2008, 08:56 PM
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Thread Starter
#19
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Anti-Piracy Poster Boy
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Hah I've now received all the pieces, but got cold feet on the CM 690 so no case to put them in. I'm back looking at cases with no clear winner yet...
__________________
"It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com
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Jul 7, 2008, 10:23 PM
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Thread Starter
#20
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Anti-Piracy Poster Boy
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Still no case of my own, but I grabbed an old one from my job that will do for now. Building the baby tonight!
__________________
"It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com
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Jul 8, 2008, 05:35 PM
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#21 |
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HardwareHeaven Extreme Member
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Awaiting pictures at your leisure, please?
__________________
It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it. |
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Jul 8, 2008, 09:04 PM
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#22 |
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a.k.a. pepiman
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2x2gb kit and 2xraptor raid-1 would be my choice in this case...
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Jul 8, 2008, 09:57 PM
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Thread Starter
#23
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Anti-Piracy Poster Boy
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I made this post from the machine
Been a little busy at work, I'm hoping to install UT3 and do some benchmarking. I still need a nice case, this one I have it in has everything running hot since it's poorly ventilated. I think my GPU has been hitting 73C lol
__________________
"It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com
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Jul 8, 2008, 10:14 PM
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#24 |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,989
Rep Power: 71 |
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Jul 8, 2008, 10:47 PM
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Thread Starter
#25
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Anti-Piracy Poster Boy
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wow the pc-x500 is pretty neat!
__________________
"It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com
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