Arranging My Workstatioin

On a previous blog post, I upgraded my power supply and my case (link here). I have also upgraded my video to a MSI GTX 960 2G OC  (link here). Now, it's time to make sure my desk is arranged properly to make the environment conducive for productivity and gaming.

Here's how the desk looks like after I was done:

Here's how the bottom of the desk looks like. I still have to tidy those cables up and tie then all together so I'll only see a single cable going down.

The back of the table is where the mess of the wires are hidden. I  used a wire holder sort of thing that you can stick to the roof of the table to the the wires together and route them where they need to go.

Installing a new video card - MSI GTX 960 2G OC

In a previous post (you can click here), I upgraded upgraded a few parts of my aging desktop computer. To be specific, I replaced the Enforcer ATX-600W power supply with a more reliable Corsair VS450. I also replaced the case with a CoolerMaster N200.

I was, however, still debating whether to get a GTX 950 or a GTX 960. I really am not a heavy gamer. I do not even own any title for the year 2005 onward. Nevertheless, I'd like to have the capability to do decent 1080p gaming when/if I want to. Based on reviews, both cards should do well at their price level. The GTX 950 is a good card but, the price difference of the GTX 960 compared to the GTX 950 is not that high, I ended up getting the GTX 960 from MSI.

Here's how the package looks like:

You'll get the actual video card, a user guide, an 8-pin power adapter, and the software CD.

Removed my old GT 220. Now the PCIE port is free!!!

Next step is to make sure the card aligns properly with the port and slowly push it into place. Here's how the card looks like without the 8-pin power cable connected.

This card consumes 2 slots on the case. Remove both slots and secure the card with 2 screws:

The logo on the card itself has a WHITE LED. There's no option to change the color but you have the option to change the patter from a steady white, breathing, flashing, or double flashing. This can easily be set by the MSI software that's in the disc that came with the card.

Are you using the same video card model? Are you satisfied with your purchase?

Upgrading my PC case and power supply

It has been quite a while before I made any change to my relatively old PC. In this post, I will walk you through how I upgraded my power supply unit (PSU) and the case.

I am not really into gaming. I use my computer mostly for work, browsing the internet, occasional photo editing, video encoding, and I sometimes watch movies on my computer's 23" screen instead of copying it to a laptop that drives the TV in the living room.

There are times, however, that I want to play a little gaming. Upon checking the current game releases, it shows that my nVidia GT 220 is not really up to it. It is not even a gaming video card. Most of the games require at least a 750. I have a 1080p screen and do not really require ULTRA graphics. Based on reviews, the GTX 950 will suit my need. I am also thinking of the GTX 960 as the price difference isn't that match.

Before I upgrade my video card, I am sure that the Enforcer ATX-600W power supply that came with the case will not be able to provide consistent power; I don't even think it is able to deliver the 600W it is claiming. So I decided to upgrade the PSU first. While I'm at it, why not change the case as well? And so, I did.

My current specs are:

• Intel Core i5 - 3.1 Ghz
• 8 Gb Kingston DDR3 1333

These are the items that I bought:

• CoolerMaster N200 PC case - Php 2,100.00 at Nutech
• Corsair VS450 - Php 1,650.00 at Nutech

PSU sitting comfortably at the bottom of the case. The case, by the way, has a removable screen at the bottom where the PSU fan is for easy cleaning.

Installed the motherboard panel:

Installed the motherboard:

Installed the hard drive and the optical drive:

Here is the case with all the parts installed. I know, I need to work on the cable management a LOT. Since this picture was taken, I have moved the CPU power cable so it routed from the back of the MOBO directly to the socket. I've also moved the MOBO 12V cable. The extra PCI that you can see going to the front of the bottom hard drive bay was also moved to the back.

Coming up soon:

1. nVidia GTX 950 / 960
2. Samsung SSD

Trip - Dumaguete - The Boulevard

We didn't want to waste most of our time inside our room. After all, it's not like we get to go to Dumaguete any day. We rested for a while and took a hot shower at Harold's Mansion. We then headed out to Dumaguete City's boulevard. Apart from other things, you will see there the bay walk, street vendors selling tempura, squid ball, and balot, and also the "I Love Dumaguete" sign.

Harold's Mansion room good for 2 is priced at Php800.00. The non-air conditioned rooms were priced at Php600.00.

From our hotel, we took the tricycle going to the boulevard. It was a short 5-minute trip.

View from inside the tricycle

Tempura, squid ball, and balot in the middle of the street

I love Dumaguete

Cooking squid balls

Delicious sauce

Trip - Dumaguete - Harold's Ecolodge

When we got to Dumaguete, part of our itinerary was Casaroro falls. We understood there was going to be a short trek involved and, so, we decided to make it our first stop. One of a few lodges close to Casaroro falls was Harold’s Ecolodge. Hence, we initially decided to leave our things, cars, and stay there after Casaroro Falls.

I’d say you could compare the drive to the Ecolodge is the same as driving to Busay here in Cebu. It was an incline with some parts more steep than others.

The lodge looks like a cozy place. Plus, the caretaker seemed to be very accommodating. However, when we got back from our hike to Casaroro falls,we decided to go stay at a hotel instead; a place with air conditioning and a hot/cold shower. The Ecolodge, although looks cold at night, does not sport even an electric fan inside their rooms.

They have:
3 rooms good for 2 @ Php500.00.
1 room good for 4 @ Php250.00 / head

All rooms are non-air conditioned.

I'll post details of our trek to Casaroro Falls in the next blog post. So stay tuned.

 

The rooms

Where you eat

Inside one of the rooms

Another view of the rooms

Our Trip To Dumaguete

Summer is fast coming to an end. We decided to top it all off by going on a trip to Dumaguete. Aside from going on an island hopping trip, we also decided to go to Casaroro falls, and roam around Dumaguete City during the night. Hence, we decided to bring our own cars.

How much did we spend? Fuel we spent from Cebu going to Liloan, Santander port plus our trips in Dumaguete cost us Php1,500 worth of fuel. Two-way fare for the barge was a little over Php1,200. This included the car plus 4 people.

There were a few mishaps but, overall, I’d say our trip to Dumaguete was a success. I’ll be posting more details of our trip in future posts. So check back.

Logos Hope In Cebu

Logos Hope is now in Cebu. It is currently docked near Malacañang Sa Cebu. MV Logos Hope is the largest floating library hosting over 5,000 books. As what I know, it is manned by volunteers from different countries. They are open daily from 10:00AM to 9:30PM. Except on Sundays where they open 1:00PM. They will be in Cebu until May 29.

To get in to the ship, you need to pay an entrance fee of Php20 for adults. Kids below 13 years old and folks over 60 (not sure) can come in for free. There books are reasonably priced using Logos Hope units. The good thing about their units in Cebu is that it is 1 is to 1. Meaning if a book is priced at 100 units, then you need to pay Php100. Easy!.

We got there on a Sunday afternoon. The ship was very crowded and it was really hard to navigate inside. When you come in, you are required to join the short orientation before you can get it.

Here are a couple of pictures that I took:

A look from outside.

The required short orientation.

Going into the book section. As you can see, it is packed.

They also have a little play. The kids would love this.

The KIDS area.

The International Café. They have a lot of food you can choose (e.g. popcorn, ice cream).

Some volunteers (I think) singing.

This is where you get on (right) and off(left) the ship.