Since the last post, I've changed to a better, faster, factory overclocked graphics cards, the ASUS 9600 GSO. This thing is a BEAST! It's got...

Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer	NVIDIA
GPU	GeForce 9600 GSO
Core clock	600MHz
Stream Processors	96
Memory
Memory Clock	1800MHz
Memory Size	384MB
Memory Interface	192-bit
Memory Type	GDDR3
3D API
DirectX	DirectX 10
OpenGL	OpenGL 2.0
Ports
DVI	2
TV-Out	HDTV / S-Video Out
General
RAMDAC	400 MHz
Max Resolution	2560 x 1600
SLI Supported	Yes
Cooler	With Fan
Power Connector	6 Pin
Dual-Link DVI Supported	Yes
HDCP Ready	Yes

It's way better than that piddly little 8600 I was opting for originally, and only $10.00 more! I'm soo glad I found this.

Now, what do you think?

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So a day or two ago I posted the specs on my Budget Gamer custom PC around the web, including my blog. On one forum, CustomPC.co.uk, the responses were really pushing me to do better. So I did. A LOT better, and here it is: The Budget Gamer, Intel Edition:

	ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail Model #:ACFZ7-PRO Item #:N82E16835186134 Return Policy:Standard Return Policy In Stock	$26.99
	EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail Model #:512-P2-N757-TR Item #:N82E16814130290 Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy In Stock Mail-in Rebate	$99.99
	Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7200 - Retail Model #:BX80571E7200 Item #:N82E16819115052 Return Policy:Processors (CPUs) Return Policy In Stock	$131.99
	XION XON-630P12N 630W ATX12V Power Supply - Retail Model #:XON-630P12N Item #:N82E16817190017 Return Policy:Standard Return Policy In Stock Mail-in Rebate	$59.99
	Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD4000AAKS 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Model #:WD4000AAKS Item #:N82E16822136076 Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy In Stock	$69.99
	LG 20X DVD±R Super Multi DVD Burner Black ATAPI / E-IDE Model GSA-H55NK - OEM Model #:GSA-H55NK Item #:N82E16827136117 Return Policy:Standard Return Policy In Stock	$23.99
	ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Model #:P5N-E SLI Item #:N82E16813131142 Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy In Stock	$119.99
	RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case - Retail Model #:ATX-612WB Item #:N82E16811156063 Return Policy:Standard Return Policy In Stock Mail-in Rebate	$79.99
	A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1A16K - Retail Model #:ADQVE1A16K Item #:N82E16820211066 Return Policy:Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy In Stock	$42.99

TOTAL: only $655.50!!

It's faster, stronger, AND built to last longer. Plus its a good bit cheaper than the AMD build (surprisingly!) One thing you may notice is that the new processor is only 2.53Ghz compared to the 3.00Ghz AMD. Well one thing, it's an Intel, and two, I've read many places that it's overclockable up to 3.00Ghz with NO voltage change and on air. Mmm-hmm...Anyway, leave me a comment and tell me what you think of the NEW Budget Gamer.

Note the Smilodon Case. A little bit superfluous, but not to special. With this Smilodon case, I, the smilodominator, will smilodominate any smilodomitee who seeks utter SMILODOMINATION!!!

- Me, earlier today.

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Just to get you guys a little more caught up in my life, I present to you the Budget Gamer, my custom built system I've been working on buying for the last 3 years. I'm now on the brink of purchase and should have it in a year. It's been a long ride with many changes, but it looks like the final rig is as follows:

Image	Product Description	Unit Price
	SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM Model #:SH-S203B Item #:N82E16827151153 Return Policy:Standard Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) Save Cancel	$26.99
	Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Model #:ST3250410AS Item #:N82E16822148262 Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) Save Cancel	$59.99
	G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail Model #:F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ Item #:N82E16820231122 Return Policy:Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy In Stock Note (Edit) Will only show up as 3.5Gb on XP/Not 64 bit OSes. Will only show up as 3.5Gb on XP/Not 64 bit OSes. Save Cancel	$84.99
	NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail Model #:Apollo BLACK NP Item #:N82E16811146025 Return Policy:Standard Return Policy In Stock Mail-in Rebate Note (Add) Save Cancel	$79.99
	ASUS M2N-SLI AM2 NVIDIA nForce 560 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail Model #:M2N-SLI Item #:N82E16813131246 Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) Save Cancel	$89.99
	EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail Model #:512-P2-N757-TR Item #:N82E16814130290 Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy In Stock Mail-in Rebate Note (Edit) I HAVE to go SLI with this rig and pick up another one of these. I HAVE to go SLI with this rig and pick up another one of these. Save Cancel	$99.99
	Sunbeam PSU-HUSH680-US-BL 680W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply - Retail Model #:PSU-HUSH680-US-BL Item #:N82E16817709015 Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) Save Cancel	$42.99
	AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail Model #:ADX6000CZBOX Item #:N82E16819103773 Return Policy:Processors (CPUs) Return Policy In Stock Note (Add) Save Cancel	$153.00
	ZEROtherm BTF90 with manual fan controller (BTF92) 92mm 2 ball UFO bearing CPU Cooler - Retail Model #:BTF92 OC Edition Item #:N82E16835887012 Return Policy:Standard Return Policy In Stock Mail-in Rebate Note (Add) Save Cancel	$44.99
		$682.92

(Copied from my wishlist at Newegg.com)

You better believe it, all that for less than $700 bucks. How I hear you ask? Through careful research and comparison, I have found this to be the absolute best deal anywhere on the internet. If you think I can do better for less, or some of these parts don't work together, aren't good parts, etc., please leave a comment and tell me. I would really appreciate it you guys!

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Hey guys out there! This is me again and I'm back for a whole new summer of blogging. This is a totally new year with a totally new outlook: tech.
I looked back on my previous posts, I realized that the is no theme, so I have one now. I will post Photoshop, Illustrator, Blender 3D, and other tutorials. It will be all technology, all the time around here from now on, and I hope that's a good ting.
I will start back posting again every Tuesday as I used to, later in the afternoon. Now, all that aside, here's what's new and why it matters:

• cgweek. cgweek is my new blog/website/podcast. It is a weekly newscast summing up that whole week in the CG Communnity. I will post the first episode as soon as soon as I find my danged FireWire cable...
  
• Nikon D40. I have a new Nikon D40 camera, so I've really started getting into photography. I will also be posting a lot more pictures in my posts.
  
• My own art studio. I recently put together my own art studio in the old workshop, and It inspired me to start my own design business, but we'll talk all about that more later...
  
• Working on a new site for the studio I mentioned about, but like I said, more on that later...

As I said above, It will be all tech all the time, except for movie reviews and travel logs. But other than that...Well, that's about all for this week, but next week we'll give a little update, and between now and then I'll post some of those tutorials I promised, so stay tuned!

"I think my whole generation's mission is to kill the cliche."

-Beck

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