how to enter bios

And how to enter UEFI.

As part of setting up or computer, we must know the basic knowledge of entering BIOS and the newer UEFI. This is the first of two ways to boot to our windows/operation installer.

The first step to enter the bios is to go Mr. Bean Piano

on the following keys, do it in this order one at a time so you'll know next what works for that particular computer.

Delete
F1
F2
F10

When you are done with your changes select Exit Saving Changes, Exit and Save Changes or something similar to save your changes(but dont do it yet, leave everyting at default) then select and press enter on YES/OK.

Or select Exit  Discarding changes, Exit and do not save changes or something similar if you do not want to save changes in the computer bios/uefi.


*credits to the image owner.

The A4 Tech X7 F3

I have always been happy with the regular mouse that the local internet cafes were using to play cs 1.3 and starcraft broad war, until I got older(and wiser) to try out those expensive mouse that look ridiculous with a numpad where your large thumb will go. oooopps, beep beep!


Man they are hard to use, for once how much key do you need more than what the keyboard offers? good thing Im poor enough not to afford them. UNFORTUNATELY there was a much cheaper options, and man its more than I need for casual gaming.


My first expensive mouse, atleast for me, was the A4 Tech X710BH(along with x7 G800mu keyboard, more on that later). It was a stupid buy since I didnt test it, the shop wont allow me to open and feel the mouse, So I did purchase it and it was too darn long for my hand! But I did not bother returning it, knowing the shop wont accept, And its got buttons that I havent tested yet so what the hell.

here is what I love about this mouse
1. The package containts lots of extra rubber feets, like 2-3 sets of them, but I did not changed the one that came in with the mouse.
2. It changes DPI on the fly! the green button  behind the scroll wheel changes it from slow to very fast.
3. It has 2 buttons where the thumb goes which functions as forward and back button, but sadly I cant reach the forward button comfortably, I have move my hand forward or pull the mouse close to my sweaty palms to reach it, which is uncomfortable.
4. No-movement-on-mouse-lift yep, i usually use low speed/dpi that requires multiple mouse lifts to turn me around and get killed before making the turn, but it made me a good sniper.

5. unreachable 2x click just like the forward button, it still looks like new

6. rubbery feel

anyway it was 3 years ago and the mouse is still alive and being used in my dayjob, I have learned to live with it during those years and all I can say is if its only a little bit short...


but lo and behold! the same shop posted the X7 F3 so I looked online to find another shop to test it before buying it and then bought it eventually. Why? its like my hard to use x7 10bh but a little bit short. It has the same things that I like about with my old mouse!

it also has

-braided cable, like a shoe lace, unlike the old one which is starting to peel itself.
-can finally reach the forward and back button, 2x click is also just beside my finger which is nice, but im not using it till now.

I will now put my faith in this mouse, may it serve me longer that my previous one, and can finally claw grip comfortably.

by the way the x710bh costs $22 in 2011 while the x7 F3 cost me $17 last december.

basic computer setup part 1

We will be building a pc! we will discuss building your very first pc here, or maybe you are trying to upgrade your pc? read along and maybe you will find a path to enlightenment.

So what do we need? firstly a purpose, budget then a reminder that you should be realistic, you can't play triple A games in a budget PC and get decent experience(decent meaning high framerates).

I am thinking of making a heirarchy between the following purposes

1. Gaming PC (this can do everything below and games)
2. Office PC( can do basic stuff simultaneously)
3. Basic PC(can do stuff, like browsing, watching movies and downloading things)


Of course we will do my favorite, the Gaming PC!!!

My first consideration for a gaming PC is the Video Card, no I mean the monitor that you will be using, yep, you are reading my blog so its my rules. you wont be here if you are planning on building triple monitor stuff and multiple video card configuration on a water cooled system right? but you are welcome to read along.

The best size for a gaming monitor to me is a ~24 inch(thats 23.6inches exactly) with 1920x1080 resolution.

and the video card options for these are..... 

1. ~$365 / Php~16,000 -  Palit GTX 970 4gb Jetstream, not the GTX 980, but if you can afford then why not. yes there was the memory issue, but for a 24inch monitor you can play games in ultra settings for lets say 3 year before you need an upgrade or play in lower settings.

2. ~$240 / Php 11,500 - Palit GTX 960 2gb Super Jetstream, or if they will release a TI version but this will do, you could play in mid-high settings and probably not upgrade in 3 years if you are willing to play at lower settings for games that will release in the future.

3. ~$130 / Php 5600 - Palit GTX 750 Storm X 2Gb ddr5 - this would still give you decent framerates at low-mid settings, consider this if you plan to use smaller sized monitor.

4. ~$65 / Php2700 - Inno3d  GT 730 Kepler 384 Cuda 1gb 64bit DDR5, make sure you get the DDR5 version, this is the lowest decent card you can play with. recommended for 16-19inch monitor.

why no radeon? im an intel/nvidia fanboy(amd consume much power) dont even consider the APU's, id rather get no video card now and save a card later.

NOw the system unit sets, here are my suggested configurations, still no AMD, reasons stated above.

Set A $460/ php 20240(+video card = gaming pc)
Processor : Intel Core i5 4460 
Mainboard : Asrock H81M-VG4
memory : G.Skill RipJaws X 8gb ddr3 1600mhz
hard drive : 500gb seagate barracuda or western digital blue, dont get other colors
Power Supply : Seasonic SII/MII 520w (MII is modular or has removable wires, but is more expensive)
casing : fractal core 1000

Set B $388/Php17090 (office pc)
Processor : Core i3 4160 / 4900
Mainboard : Asrock H81M-VG4
memory : G.Skill RipJaws X 8gb ddr3 1600mhz
hard drive :500gb seagate barracuda or western digital blue/black, dont get other colors
Power Supply : Seasonic SII/MII 520w (MII is modular or has removable wires, but is more expensive)
casing : fractal core 1000

set C $265/Php11700(basic pc)
Processor : Pentium G3240
Mainboard : Asrock H81M-VG4
memory : 1pcs kingston 4gb 1333mhz
hard drive : 500gb seagate barracuda or western digital blue, dont get other colors
Power Supply : Seasonic SII/MII 520w (MII is modular or has removable wires, but is more expensive)
casing : fractal core 1000 

just add for keyboard, mouse and monitor of your choice and you are good to go, and the best part is that you can buy these sets then buy a video card later, you wont have any problem installang any video card you want with these setup.

And you might be thinking, why the same mainboard? because thats the most basic mainboard that you will need, it will work without a video card, just plain simple to get your parts together.

what now? my best choice is

GTX 970 + Set A! thats my current configuration now, but mine is turning 4 years old already, my processor is the 2nd generation of the core I5, this one is the 4th so its more powerfull and more power efficient, mine is a slower 1333mhz memory and an H61 mainboard(this is H81). and Im using a 20inch monitor because I cant afford a 24 inch so my GTX970 will last longer since Im playing at lower resolution than this video card is more than capable of.

my seconds set will be gtx 970 and set B, this setup is for gaming mostly since games now is more demanding for video cards

my third set will be gtx 970 and Set C, yes it is possible but this is a stupid setup, you wont utilize your video card because it will be slowed down by this system unit set, so I suggest you go lower and get GTX 960 for third set.

4th and 5th set will just be the exchange between GTX 750 and GT 730 cards and Set C. this will still be a decent setup and very good for gaming.

but you can pair Set A with lower video cards if you are just playing  LOL and get better video card later if you found a really demanding game. or the other way around.

All in all its just a matter of what your purpose is, if you really want good graphics then target a higher video card and settle for the system unit set that will fit your remaining budget.

or if you just want a computer then settle for a system unit set then get a video card later. 



next blog we install and configure this pc. and if you have some  questions, feel free to leave it in the comments.