Your Computer and You
Do you have a favourite mug? I do. It’s nothing special. Just a bog-standard porcelain mug with a picture of a Hare on it. I don’t have any strong sentimental attachment to it. It wasn’t a gift or anything. I just chose it as a replacement for one that broke. I habitually use it, choosing to ignore all the other mugs in the cupboard. Now you may well ask where I’m going with this train of thought. Well, here’s where the foibles of human nature come into play. If my favourite cup happens to be in the dishwasher, I find I do not enjoy my beverages quite as much when drinking from another cup. As I’m not a qualified psychologist, I won’t venture too far into analysing such behaviour. But it’s fair to say that this has got something to do with territoriality and our sense of identity in some way. Another, more complex example of this behaviour would be my desk. It is neat, clean and functional. And then there is my personal computer. I spent several hours upgrading the hardware today. I subsequently spent triple that time, fine tuning, tweaking and arranging everything. Why? Because I like things to be “just so”.
Do you have a favourite mug? I do. It’s nothing special. Just a bog-standard porcelain mug with a picture of a Hare on it. I don’t have any strong sentimental attachment to it. It wasn’t a gift or anything. I just chose it as a replacement for one that broke. I habitually use it, choosing to ignore all the other mugs in the cupboard. Now you may well ask where I’m going with this train of thought. Well, here’s where the foibles of human nature come into play. If my favourite cup happens to be in the dishwasher, I find I do not enjoy my beverages quite as much when drinking from another cup. As I’m not a qualified psychologist, I won’t venture too far into analysing such behaviour. But it’s fair to say that this has got something to do with territoriality and our sense of identity in some way. Another, more complex example of this behaviour would be my desk. It is neat, clean and functional. And then there is my personal computer. I spent several hours upgrading the hardware today. I subsequently spent triple that time, fine tuning, tweaking and arranging everything. Why? Because I like things to be “just so”.
Migrating my existing SSD, HDD and graphics card into the new barebones system I bought from Novatech was very straightforward and surprisingly easy. The PC case is roomy affording plenty of space to work. The cable management was the most time-consuming element of the job. The PC booted up first time and made some software revisions to reflect the hardware change. As expected, the installation of Windows 10 Pro needed reactivation. As the copy I was previously using was a free upgrade from Windows 7, I didn’t have an existing product key easily available. So I bought a new one from an online reseller. The activation process was a nuisance as I couldn’t read the product key that was sent (it was a jpg of an OEM copy). So I spent an hour calling Microsoft, although the matter was eventually resolved, leaving me with an upgraded and fully functional PC. Yet despite ensuring that things such as the respective drive designations remained the same, some minor functionality was altered. Trivial things, such as the Windows Defender icon not appearing in the system tray and the Realtek Audio software being replaced by the default Windows Sound controls.
I first learned all the basic PC, server and network skills from a Siemens Nixdorf engineer back in the early nineties who mentored me. A few years later I passed my MCSE exams. As a result I tend to follow a very particular method when it comes to file naming conventions, how I organise my desktop and customise the Windows. When combined with my own propensity for neatness and order, things such as the missing icons or any unsolicited change to my PC in general really bother me. A lot. For example Discord recently altered the two themes that come with the software. I was perfectly content with the previous light colour scheme with its white central panel and dark sidebars. But that has now gone and I now have a “choice” of two revised themes and I like neither. I also hate it when software tries to do my thinking for me and offers what the developers feel is the “best for me”. I have no problem with such options but I dislike it when they become the default setting.
But I digress. I spent several hours trawling various Microsoft websites, forums and subreddits in attempt to restore my Windows Defender icon to the system tray. The most obvious fixes refused to work and I even started poking around in the Registry. I won’t bore you with all the details but I finally got the problem resolved by a workaround, rather than a legitimate solution. But that’s the nature of IT. And so as I wrap up this blog post, I now have to distil all the above rambling into some sort of cogent point. In many ways your PC is like your home. It is more than just a functional device but something that you can change to reflect your identity. Like furnishings and colour schemes, your PC is a subject to changes driven by your personal tastes. Furthermore, there is great personal comfort to be had in customising your PC and using it in a bespoke fashion that suits you. I feel the same way about unsolicited changes to my PC desktop as I do about someone coming into my lounge and moving my chairs around. It’s all about personal space, territory and possibly an element of being in control; something that is all too absent these days in real life. Some may find this odd but I suspect a lot of people will relate to these sentiments. Now where’s my favourite mug, I need to remove all those “shortcut to” arrows from my icons.
Yet Another PC Upgrade
There used to be a time when I would jump at the chance to get my hands on some new technology. I was the embodiment of an early adopter, seeking out all that was new and shiny. But things change. New stuff comes with a lot of issues. Compatibility problems, bugs, changes to the UI to name but a few. Age may not necessarily bring wisdom by default but it certainly makes you more indolent. New technology often makes work. Even if you plan everything meticulously, there’s always scope for something to catch you out. Hence, I now try to keep my technical environment functional and stable. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. However, and there’s always a “however”, my current PC has an Intel Quad Core i5-3340 3.10GHz processor. It is a third generation Ivy Bridge model circa 2013. As I’ve written in previous posts, everything else has been upgraded but the system’s Achilles Heel remains the processor. And it is showing its age now in terms of performance.
There used to be a time when I would jump at the chance to get my hands on some new technology. I was the embodiment of an early adopter, seeking out all that was new and shiny. But things change. New stuff comes with a lot of issues. Compatibility problems, bugs, changes to the UI to name but a few. Age may not necessarily bring wisdom by default but it certainly makes you more indolent. New technology often makes work. Even if you plan everything meticulously, there’s always scope for something to catch you out. Hence, I now try to keep my technical environment functional and stable. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. However, and there’s always a “however”, my current PC has an Intel Quad Core i5-3340 3.10GHz processor. It is a third generation Ivy Bridge model circa 2013. As I’ve written in previous posts, everything else has been upgraded but the system’s Achilles Heel remains the processor. And it is showing its age now in terms of performance.
Like many people, I live within a budget. Therefore, simply going to a high street store and buying a new PC, off the shelf, is not really an option. Similarly, even seeking a cheaper deal online is too expensive. A new PC with the sort of specifications I would like would costs about £600 - £700 or thereabout. I am not prepared to take on a debt to obtain such a system. Especially in light of the current and future UK economic climate. So the practical alternative is to upgrade the current processor in my PC. Due to the limitations of the motherboard, that also has to go along with the RAM. Therefore, I have decided to buy a barebones PC. A new case, with a processor, motherboard and RAM bundle. I can migrate the existing solid-state drive, hybrid hard drive and graphics card from my ageing PC, over to the new system as these three components are all relatively new. I have managed to find a good deal on AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core Mid Tower Barebone Bundle.
There has always been a great deal of debate about the respective pros and cons of both Intel and AMD processors. I have owned PCs based around both in the past and have never felt that either was below par. I think that the performance differences mainly impact upon high end users who use their computers for specific tasks. My needs are very straight forward. I write using Microsoft Word, edit podcasts, encode video using Handbrake and play a variety of video games (in HD, not 4K). I do not require a beast of a system to do these things. After some research it became clear that the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 currently offers the best performance for my budget, rather than an Intel i5 option. The increase in performance should be sufficient for the expenditure and will hopefully keep my PC viable for another three years or so. By which time I shall be in better financial situation.
So far, the research and purchasing of new hardware has been a relatively hassle-free process. I took advice from trusted colleagues and used my own common sense. I managed to find a good deal from an established UK online vendor and the barebones system will arrive shortly. However, then the real fun and games starts. I am currently faced with two options. Build the new PC and then completely reinstall Windows 10 and all other software. Or attempt to transplant the current SSD with the operating system already installed into the new base unit. The former is a tedious uphill struggle, especially downloading all the games. But the latter is potentially fraught with problems as Windows 10 OEM is tied to the existing hardware. Changing substantial components such as motherboard and processer will require Windows to be reactivated. Plus there will be numerous drivers issues due to changes to the “hardware abstraction layer”.
Yet I am going to pursue this option so I don’t have to do a clean install of absolutely everything. I am hoping that I can use the windows repair utility to fix the existing installation and I have even taken the precaution of buying a new Windows 10 Pro OEM key, so if need be, I can activate it as a new product. If that fails, then plan B is to just do it all the hard way and reinstall everything. Hopefully, I shall receive the new hardware in the next 24 hours and tackle the nuts and bolts of the upgrade on Friday. Naturally, I shall document this process as I have with previous PC upgrades. Feel free to comment on both my choice of hardware and my overall strategy. As ever I would love to hear from those who have no concept of the term “budget” and how if I spend an extra £100, I can upgrade to the Gruntmaster 6000. Such advice is the gift that keeps on giving.
PC Upgrade Time Again
It was this time last year that I increased the RAM from 8GB to 16GB in my PC, and replaced the ageing GeForce GTX 650Ti 2GB, with a relatively better GTX 1050Ti 4GB. The PC is based around an Intel Quad Core i5-3340 3.10GHz processor, which is a third generation Ivy Bridge model circa 2013. Yet despite being five years old, it is still adequate for my gaming, writing and editing podcasts needs. At present, the 2TB Seagate hybrid SSHD that I installed in November 2016 is performing very poorly. Boot up times have grown longer in recent months and despite using the manufacturers diagnostic tools, I cannot find a specific technical problem with the drive or the Windows 10 start-up sequence. So, I have decided to replace the drive with a new SSD and install the operating system on it, then reformat the older SSHD and re-use it for data storage (mainly music and videos).
It was this time last year that I increased the RAM from 8GB to 16GB in my PC, and replaced the ageing GeForce GTX 650Ti 2GB, with a relatively better GTX 1050Ti 4GB. The PC is based around an Intel Quad Core i5-3340 3.10GHz processor, which is a third generation Ivy Bridge model circa 2013. Yet despite being five years old, it is still adequate for my gaming, writing and editing podcasts needs. At present, the 2TB Seagate hybrid SSHD that I installed in November 2016 is performing very poorly. Boot up times have grown longer in recent months and despite using the manufacturers diagnostic tools, I cannot find a specific technical problem with the drive or the Windows 10 start-up sequence. So, I have decided to replace the drive with a new SSD and install the operating system on it, then reformat the older SSHD and re-use it for data storage (mainly music and videos).
I briefly considered replacing the entire PC or at least buying a new motherboard and processor but both options were far from economical. Unlike so many computer related websites and forums, I do understand the underlying concept of working within a budget. After perusing Amazon, I manged to get a SanDisk SSD PLUS 240GB Sata III 2.5-inch Internal SSD and a 2.5-inch HDD/SSD to 3.5-inch HDD mounting frame for £47, including free next day delivery. The plan is to remove the existing drive, fit the SSD and do a fresh installation of Windows 10 and Office 365. As the SSD is only 240GB I shall be reserving the majority of the space for future Windows and Office updates. Therefore Steam, photos, videos and music will all go on another drive. However, I may install the two MMOs that I regularly play (LOTRO and STO) on the new SSD due to the performance boost it will afford them.
While researching this upgrade, I did consider cloning my existing SSHD to avoid having to re-install and migrate everything on it, but that meant having to purchase a 2TB SSD (at a cost of £300 minimum) or having to tinker with the cloning process to only copy specific files to fit a smaller sized drive. Such a strategy would be time consuming and increase the chance of errors occurring. Hence manually re-installing programs and migrating data is the path I have chosen. It at least affords me the opportunity to do some housekeeping on my current data. There are files that can be purged and games and programs that don’t require being re-installed. However, it will still prove to be a long process and I will not be content until I have essential items such as Outlook, fully replaced. The only other factor to consider is when is the optimum time to start this project. Sadly, it is not something that can be automated but requires user intervention in real time. If things go wrong expect another blog post.
Upgrading Your PC
My current PC is nearly four years old (I know it’s shocking isn’t it?). I bought a bare bones system from Zoostorm back in January 2014 and have made several upgrades to it since then. At present the PC is built around an Intel Quad Core i5-3340 3.10GHz and has 8GB of DDR3 RAM. Storage is handled by a 2TB Hybrid Hard Drive and the graphics card is a GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB. I also replaced the standard PSU with a Cooler Master 500W 12V Elite Power 500 Power Supply Unit. So far, this PC has served me well and until recently has handled pretty much all the tasks I’ve thrown at it. However, it labours when taxed and struggles to run some of the more recent games at what I consider to be an acceptable level. So, I’ve been considering my options as to whether to replace the entire PC or to upgrade it further. Although money is not a major issue, it would be more fiscally prudent to replace a few components rather than buy a new system. Older Ivy Bridge processors such as mine are still viable, so I’ve decided to increase the RAM and replace the graphics card.
My current PC is nearly four years old (I know it’s shocking isn’t it?). I bought a bare bones system from Zoostorm back in January 2014 and have made several upgrades to it since then. At present the PC is built around an Intel Quad Core i5-3340 3.10GHz and has 8GB of DDR3 RAM. Storage is handled by a 2TB Hybrid Hard Drive and the graphics card is a GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB. I also replaced the standard PSU with a Cooler Master 500W 12V Elite Power 500 Power Supply Unit. So far, this PC has served me well and until recently has handled pretty much all the tasks I’ve thrown at it. However, it labours when taxed and struggles to run some of the more recent games at what I consider to be an acceptable level. So, I’ve been considering my options as to whether to replace the entire PC or to upgrade it further. Although money is not a major issue, it would be more fiscally prudent to replace a few components rather than buy a new system. Older Ivy Bridge processors such as mine are still viable, so I’ve decided to increase the RAM and replace the graphics card.
The only real headache I’ve had during this process was trying to determine a suitable graphics card. The budget of £150 has imposed a degree of restrictions. As I have said in the past, relying upon reviews is often a double-edged sword. Although I’ve found some that are informative, journalists seem reluctant to commit to a specific opinion. Hence, all too often I’ve wasted my time reading 500 hundred words that end by telling me to to increase my budget and buy something better. Patently, many tech writers fundamentally fail to grasp the concept of a “budget”. However, despite all this, I finally decided upon the Zotac GTX 1050Ti 4GB. I managed to obtain this model for £130. It’s a compact graphic card with a small form factor, that has a TDP of just 75watts, which means it can be powered with the PCie Bus alone. Not only does this mean no messing about with power adaptors and cable management, it also sounds devilishly saucy.
I’m also going to increase the RAM in my PC. This is not so much for the gaming, as the benefits in that respect are questionable. This is specifically for audio editing which can be very RAM intensive when editing and rendering. Doubling the quantity from 8GB to 16GB should make a significant improvement. However, as I have an older Gigabyte motherboard, I am still tied to DDR3 RAM. Rather than trying to find an exact matching module for the existing 8GB, I have opted to replace it and have bought two new Corsair 8GB DIMMs at £100. Mismatching memory modules or purchasing unsupported upgrades are common mistakes that often end in tears. So, I ensured that I checked my motherboard specifications thoroughly and conferred with the Corsair website before I committed to this upgrade. I also used the PSU calculator over at the Cooler Master website to ensure my current power supply is up to the job but it seems I over specified that when I originally replaced it.
All things considered, I am quite pleased with the choice of hardware for my new PC. It may not be the computing beast that some tech-heads may favour but frankly I'm no longer infatuated with technology in the way that I was a decade ago. I also find the subreddits on these matters to be technically spurious and populated by preening fans who often can’t see the woods for the trees. Getting practical and realistic advice is often like pulling teeth. However, I am confident the specifications of this PC will allow me write, record and edit podcasts as well as play games to an acceptable standard. So far, the overall spend has been £230, care of Amazon Prime. Plus, this exercise gives me an opportunity to dust off my tools and tinker with my PC. Although I am, for all intents and purposes, officially retired from working in IT, I do miss it from time to time.
Pointing and Laughing
Jim Sterling’s latest comic creation, the Duke Amiel du Harcore, currently presents a weekly video in which he narrates comments written by self-professed “hardcore gamers”. These monologues ironically highlight the pomposity and lack of self-awareness that is so common to individuals possessing such a mindset. Sterling delivers them with his usual theatrical flair, ensuring that source material is presented literally, complete with all their punctuation and spelling mistakes. “Commentocracy” may not be big or particularly clever but it makes its satirical point and is an amusing diversion, providing a welcome break from the po-faced, default stance of the gaming community these days. It also seems to be hitting home and ruffling a few feathers because there has already been some push back from those Sterling seeks to mock.
Jim Sterling’s latest comic creation, the Duke Amiel du Harcore, currently presents a weekly video in which he narrates comments written by self-professed “hardcore gamers”. These monologues ironically highlight the pomposity and lack of self-awareness that is so common to individuals possessing such a mindset. Sterling delivers them with his usual theatrical flair, ensuring that source material is presented literally, complete with all their punctuation and spelling mistakes. “Commentocracy” may not be big or particularly clever but it makes its satirical point and is an amusing diversion, providing a welcome break from the po-faced, default stance of the gaming community these days. It also seems to be hitting home and ruffling a few feathers because there has already been some push back from those Sterling seeks to mock.
Contemporary gaming culture is in many ways a microcosm of everything that is currently wrong in western culture. It can be myopic, self-aggrandising, lacking in humility and rife with hyperbolic rhetoric. Critical thinking, introspection and comradery is hard to find. Too many gamers consider themselves the arbiter of its associated culture and there is still a percentage that mistakenly consider their personal efficiency at playing games to be some laudable achievement, commensurate with success at sports or in the arts. There is one particular blog that I read, whose author is so vain and delusional that they’ve constructed an internal narrative that paints them as a virtual Nietzschean Übermensch. Yet their prose show that they’re a somewhat emotionally damaged individual with an erroneous perspective of the world. Yet such is the nature of gaming these days. “Git Gud” culture and a bellicose, binary world view go hand in hand.
"As I said to Chancellor Metternich at the Congress of Strasbourg: Pooh to you with knobs on!"
It can be argued that debating such a position is the best way to challenge it. I myself enjoy the cut and thrust of a good discussion based around contrasting views. However, we are not currently living in an age where people will concede an argument if given evidence to the contrary. A point of view has become more of an act of faith, a symbol to embrace and a flag to rally round. It’s not about what is demonstrably or ethically right or wrong. It’s about how you feel. A contrary opinion is perceived by default as an attack upon your own. Someone questioning your position is ultimately questioning you. Hence, we see all the zealotry that was once exclusive to religion, manifesting itself around aspects of popular culture. If politics has become tribal, why shouldn’t all the other facets of our life? We’ve spent the last ten years racing to the bottom and we’ve finally arrived, spittle flecked and ready for battle.
However, when confronted with such a bullish and implacable mindset, there is an alternative to debating. There is always humour. Why waste valuable time and energy responding intellectually to professed gaming elitism, when you can simply point and laugh at the utter fatuousness of such a position. Historically, any dogma founded upon self-professed superiority is usually devoid of any capacity for self-deprecation. Philosophies of this kind seek validation and despise ridicule. Humour robs them of the gravitas that they seek and undermines the bogus credibility they espouse. If there was ever a time to justifiably mock and deride these rogue elements of the gaming community, the time is now. Hopefully, the Duke Amiel du Harcore will continue to rib those delusional gamers that haunt subreddits and forums, extoling the virtues of the “PC master race”. He may even encourage more of us to finally climb of the fence and tackle this blight on our community, by doing the same.
