Hardware Updates Website?

Big_Graeme

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

So why are there 2 plugs on each SATA cable :huh:

There isn't. Those large connectors are power connectors, SATA data is only point to point.

[Deleted User]

Sorry, I thought those ~ 1.5" wide black plugs were the SATA plugs.

So, since there's two spare SATA sockets on the MB, I assume I can fit two more drives?

BTW. I'll say one thing for these Medion Akoya PCs, they're quiet.

I didn't even know there was a fan, until I opened the case and saw it.

John_Gray

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

BTW. I'll say one thing for these Medion Akoya PCs, they're quiet.
I didn't even know there was a fan, until I opened the case and saw it.

After you put the side of the case back on, are you sure the fan rotates?
(Compare the light in your fridge when you shut the door...)

[Deleted User]

Yes it is.

If you listen really carefully, with your ear against the air vent, you can just about hear the fan running.

Also, I've left it running overnight (installing 84 updates :eek: ) and there's no sign of overheating.

Indeed, the case never feels even remotely warm to the touch, nor is there any warm air coming from the vents.

I'm thinking this a rather low stressed PC. :cool:

spongebobbrownpants

Note you will also need a 64 bit OS to take advantage of more than 4GB of Ram, even if your hardware supports it, if you are only running windows OS 32bit you'll only see circa 3.5 -> 4 Gb ram used.

[Deleted User]

I'm running 8.1, in 64 Bit.

I'm already running 6GB of RAM, with 5.2GB usable.

spongebobbrownpants

Good, just checking

What are you trying to achieve, 6Gb should be more than sufficient unless you are doing specialised work ? Note that if you have an OEM windows licence this is usually linked to the current configuration, if you swap the motherboard for instance you may need a call to Microsoft to revalidate the licence.

You can easily upgrade memory and disk capacity, possibly use SSD disks if speed is an issue, but if you need to upgrade anything else it can often cost more than just buying the latest model.

esuhl

spongebobbrownpants wrote: »

Note you will also need a 64 bit OS to take advantage of more than 4GB of Ram, even if your hardware supports it, if you are only running windows OS 32bit you'll only see circa 3.5 -> 4 Gb ram used.

Not if you switch to Linux! (*ducks to avoid flying tomatoes*)

Physical Address Extension (PAE) came out twenty years ago(!) and allows 32-bit processors to address 36-bits (i.e. 64GB) of memory space. All modern 32-bit PC processors utilise it.

Not many Windows OSes support PAE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension#Microsoft_Windows

But, for the last 3 or 4 years, almost every 32-bit Linux distro seems to support PAE.

(Of course... I'm not saying that's a reason to switch to Linux if you like Windows... But if you want to wring every last drop of performance out of antique hardware... )

[Deleted User]

spongebobbrownpants wrote: »

What are you trying to achieve, 6Gb should be more than sufficient unless you are doing specialised work?

HD Video editing.

Note that if you have an OEM windows licence this is usually linked to the current configuration, if you swap the motherboard for instance you may need a call to Microsoft to re-validate the licence.

I don't think some extra RAM, and a second HDD will do it.

Certainly, swapping the RAM in my Laptop, hasn't caused it to scream re-validate.

Strider590

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Sorry, I thought those ~ 1.5" wide black plugs were the SATA plugs.

So, since there's two spare SATA sockets on the MB, I assume I can fit two more drives?

BTW. I'll say one thing for these Medion Akoya PCs, they're quiet.

I didn't even know there was a fan, until I opened the case and saw it.

Half the fan noise comes from it vibrating the case.
My parents had a Medion, it too was very quiet, but then it was running a low power PSU and the case was steel, rather than alloy so very little vibration.