Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Some birthday
Okay first things first, today is my birthday, and also an interesting day worth documenting.The day started moodily because I received a call from camp regarding trouble with pointless stupid things in camp and I was involved in it for NOT being in camp. So for the better part of the morning I was in a tussle on the phone over with people back in camp.
At 7.50am, I went to a polyclinic to see a doc, I wasn't feeling well, and I needed the MC just for formalities. This is really stupid. Up to now I am really irritated, I am on MC, still with over 10 days of Offs not cleared, and officially on Leave as well, and yet they said everything is cancelled and you still have to go back to camp for a stupid issue? I ORD next week for heaven's sake! Never mind about that, moreover today is my birthday as well! I've had 3 of my birthdays being spoilt by the stupid SAF. After getting my mc and some medication for my chest pains and feigned headache, I went back home and soon headed to camp. At least the 11B still pays for a polyclinic fee. I got some famotidine for my gastric chest pains, antibiotics and some paracetemol.
Yet you still want me to sign on and serve? Yeah yeah, one of my superiors once mentioned that I am very suited to sign on in uniform, however being in uniform stifles your brain and creativity! Every day is some form of cover-up or fire-fighting, every day the unit gives me this kind of stupid shit. Not to mention that, for this stressful job where you are responsible for anything that goes awry, the pay is pittance! It's crap! I don't want to work so hard with daily anxiety for a paltry monthly salary!
My mood was spoilt early in the morning, there was an issue in camp about a duty handover that I got someone to cover for me two days ago because I had a medical appointment. So because of the tight schedule, 3 other fellow lieutenants help me cover for several hours. But because of this, the DAG (Divisional Air Defence Group) commanding S3 wants to see us all 4! Now I have to return to camp to see DAG group S3, a Lt-Colonel.
I've had my fair share of managing superior commanders, speaking and shaking hands with several BGs before, chatting with full Colonels and myriads of Majors, but never a case where there was trouble brewing and we had to explain ourselves. It's just a bloody duty that I swapped with someone else and they make such a fucking big fuss. It only shows the upper brass really have nothing to do but to meddle in junior officers affairs.
I was pissed off, I am in my final week of clearance, a mere week away from ORD, I shouldn't even be in camp! I am ord-ing next week and here they give me trouble, I am on leave, MC and at least ten outstanding offs that have not been consumed and I have to be called back today just because some Lt-Col wants an explanation?!
I think I have to go back to camp to fight a fire again, apparently the person I asked to help me cover that duty screwed it up, and now I gotta go back, apparently I am going to get implicated because I didn't officially do a "handover" and inform the upper chain of command. Even not doing anything also gets me into trouble! Just the thing needed to spoil your day man. Now 4 of us, all lieutenants have to go back to camp to see the DAG S3 commander regarding the stupid duty. It's just a DAMN simple duty and they make such a big fuss that it's a serious implication or whatsoever.
The people up there really have nothing better to do. So never mind, I already knew what I had to say when I got there and will definitely retaliate in objection or refutes if a punishment were to be meted out. For nothing in the first place, there was no wrong committed in the first place.
So today on my birthday, with me on leave, on mc, and probably on off too, all has been ignored and a return demanded by someone outranking me three times that I have to go back to camp. So I went.
JUST as I was about to reach camp, a mere 10 minutes away, half way, I was told that I don't need to go back because the meeting cancelled. Just like that, group S3 happily cancelled the meeting as and when he wants without regard or consideration for the tight schedules of other officers. Do you know it takes me almost one-and-a-half-hours to go to camp from home via public transport?!
5 days to ORD. Today is my birthday after all, and yet I have to go back to camp! In my 2 years plus of NS, I've had 3 birthdays disturbed because of the SAF.
When I received the call. I didn't know how to react. I just sat on the train for the remainder of the journey back home. I went around the whole of Singapore today for nothing. At least a good 2-3 hours wasted for nothing. I was very irritated.
I was irritated at the way things were handled, at the way things were blatantly cast aside and ignored, at the way rank was abused, at the way people cover their asses in their own selfish way, at the way people who genuinely help get into trouble for nothing, at the way NOTHING became a BIG THING. Nothing was done wrong, yet trouble ensued out of nothing. And of course, at the way instructions were passed down last minute. I was told to go back this morning, and told it was cancelled as I was on the way to camp.
Do they even know I am a week away from ord? I shouldn't even be thinking about the damn camp.
That's the way the SAF works, they overwork you to death whilst others slack and reap the fruits of your labor, whilst other men chao-keng, take mc, take off and leave, and feign all sorts of problems to give officers a big headache. Then once you have outlived your usefulness, you are cast aside like mere trash.
Thank You very much! You are no longer needed, you may make yourself scarce...
Okay, so that sums up the morning and afternoon.
Because of the sudden abrupt change in plans, all other plans that I had or had friends plan for me all had to be scrapped. The dinner was scrapped, the meet up was scrapped, some kind of shitty birthday it is.
My 20th, 21st was spoilt, and now the 22nd is spoilt too.
To make matters worse, I have fallen sick from this stupid shit and I feel lousy now.
I am just going to rest.
Posted by MK at 10:38 PM
Monday, April 28, 2008
NS Daze
NS DazeBefore I sit down to write a cumulative summary of my NS experiences, (which I'll be doing over the course of the next few days.)
Here's an interesting video clip I chanced upon to re-live your own NS experiences (if you had one), the scenes are familiar, even humorous, but they all speak of the same thing.
Posted by MK at 9:13 AM
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Everything has become so expensive
Everything has become so expensive. Weekend movie tickets have risen to prices of developed-countries at $10. From a mere $6.50 when I was in secondary school to the sky-high $10 of now.A $0.20 rise in bread, $2 rise in rice and 7% rise in 98 unleaded petrol to $2.1 per litre!
I am not really stingy but the food necessities and petrol is really burning a large painful hole. Looks like staying at home is a more viable option.
Posted by MK at 7:23 AM
Friday, April 25, 2008
Old Books/Novels for Sale
Old Books/Novels for SaleI've got several old novels books for sale. Some are still in pretty good condition. Some bought brand-new and read, some bought from 2nd-hand shops and read. All still in good readable condition.
Selling @ $4 each, price negotiable.
Contact me if you are interested!
Posted by MK at 9:38 PM
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The time has come
The time has come. ;) where very soon we'll don back our civilian clothing, and the 2 years in the passing will become all but just a memory...
The badges are not completed to ideal, but what can I say? There are forces beyond my control. Else I'll have the perfect 3-badge arrangements. But all these will soon lose it's importance after all..
It was a long, somewhat arduous journey, sometimes unrelenting, sometimes filled with pride and joy. It was never an easy path to begin with, but i did my best and the achievements can be seen sewn onto my uniform.
There were times when we were tested to breaking point, there were times we were filled with joy. There were painful times. There were times of relief.
It will all soon come to passing.
The time has come.
2 more weeks. 12 more days. 288 hours.
Posted by MK at 9:11 PM
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Geek Shopping
Check out my hoot today! I am working on several electronics projects right now, but it's too early to say what or post pics, but here are the tools to help me for now.
Got myself a nice DELTA 0.8A 120mm Fan!!! This will be replacing my current computer's intake. Now too lazy to remove the hdd cage thats in the way.. For now.
Check it out..! 0.8Amps of air-movin-goodness.
Just for shopping's sake, I got myself a $10 GOOT (Japan), 40W soldering iron. Mine still works fine, but it's a measly 25W and cannot seem to keep the solder molten for larger veroboards.
This is the biggest splurge for the day! My jigsaw and drill is not cutting it anymore for more precision modding jobs that I am doing, and Dremels from HomeFix are just too darn expensive.
This is the Black & Decker RTX-1. Does the job of the dremel, more powerful, and more affordable too.
Posted by MK at 5:31 PM
Monday, April 21, 2008
Mas Selamat's escape Report by DPM WKS
NEARLY two months after his escape shocked Singapore and prompted a massive manhunt for Mas Selamat, Parliament is likely to be told on Monday how the terror chief managed to get away.
This is the open ventilation window inside the toilet, which Mas Selamat escaped from Whitley Road Detention Centre on Feb 27. -- PHOTO: MHA
FUGITIVE terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari probably planned his escape over a period of time and seized the opportunity when a 'confluence' of factors gave him the break to flee from the Whitley Road detention centre on Feb 27. He gave Parliament a full account of the escape, based on the findings of the Committee of Inquiry (COI), which submitted its report to him on April 10.
The five-page executive summary of the report was also presented in Parliament.
The COI, said Mr Wong, had found 'no evidence of connivance or collusion' or any help given to the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) leader by anyone within the detention centre.
It took the JI leader under 11 minutes between 3.54pm and 4.05pm to make his escape - from the time he was brought to the toilet in the family visitation block and the time when the alert to his breakout was raised.
The three-member COI said a confluence of three critical factors led to security lapses, enabling the JI detainee to escape.
Mr Wong said he agreed with the COI's findings and accepted all its recommendations.
He added that he was satisfied that the COI had done a thorough job.
The COI had recommended improvements to strengthen security at the detention centre and this would be followed up to prevent another escape, said the minister, adding that all the physical lapses in the facility had also been dealt with.
In all, the COI recorded statements from 41 people and heard testimony from 36. It was given full access to all information and the detention centre.
Because of the many sensitive details, including the identity of the Internal Security Department and other security personnel and the precise work they do, he said the Cabinet has agreed that it is not possible to release the entire report 'without harming national interest and endangering the men and women who serve the nation'.
'We had also considered releasing the COI's report with the sensitive parts blacked out, but that was not feasible as the details are extensive. It would not only make understanding the report difficult, but also fuel the distraction of baseless speculation,' said the minister.
'However, we are very conscious that Members of this House and the public have a keen and valid interest in the findings of the COI. Hence, the Government has decided to release the executive summary of the COI report to show that the COI had carefully considered all the issues.'
Mr Wong said he was 'shocked and disappointed' when first informed of Mas Selamat's escape. He was in Parliament that day answering questions when he got an SMS alert on his mobile phone that the JI detainee had bolted.
He acknowledged that the escape was a major setback for the Internal Security Department and the Home Affairs Ministry.
'It is a dark stain on the record of success which ISD has achieved in the fight against terrorism,' said Mr Wong
'All the more when the mistakes have turned out to be so simple as to appear silly and incredible,' he said. But he called for a 'fair and balanced' judgement on the ISD and Home Team personnel and urged Singaporeans who were angry and disappointed over the incident not to 'throw the baby out with the bath water'.
Mr Wong pointed out that it was the ISD which uncovered the clandestine JI terrorist network and its links to the Al-Qaeda in 2001. Before that, nobody had heard of the militant organisation.
He also credited ISA with thwarting 'an otherwise catastrophic attack' planned for early 2002 on Singapore when it disrupted the JI operational cells collaborating with Al-Qaeda operative Mansour Jabarah and JI bomb maker Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi, both of whom were later arrested by foreign governments.
'Even now, no doubt with morale sorely affected, the ISD and its officers continue to also pursue every lead and intelligence to further their counter-terrorism operations which have kept us all safe,' said Mr Wong.
But he hastened to add: 'Do not misunderstand me. I mention these facts not to absolve or excuse the ISD from responsibility for its officers' mistakes or lapses. I mention these facts because we need to be fair and balanced in our judgment.
'Yes, this episode of Mas Selamat's escape is a bad mistake and officers who did not carry out their duties as required will be held accountable.
'But ISD, the organization and the many dedicated and committed officers who continue to serve in it, are resolved to pick themselves, recover their spirits and move forward relentlessly in their national mission. We must support them in this.'
Read also: Confluence of 3 factors helped Mas Selamat to escape
Gone in 49 seconds
No evidence of collusion and help given to Mas Selamat
No one will face criminal charges for Mas Selamat's escape: CID chief
10 ways to beef up security at Whitley Road detention centre
DPM was answering questions in Parliament when escape alert came
References:
-The PDF version of the Executive Summary-The Ministerial statement pdf
Source:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_229567.html#
Posted by MK at 9:48 PM
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The paradox of our times
After constantly reading about natural disasters, parents doing stupid things to their kids, kids killing kids, others killing others, food prices raise, oil prices increase, countries doing stupid things, leaders of countries doing desperate things, riots, rampages, robberies, looting, flooding, drought, cancer, I just can't help but wonder, this world is going crazy.Plus Singapore's population currently stands at 4.5 million and the government wants to increase it to 6.5 million?! It's an INVASION!
The Paradox of Our Times
We have taller buildings but shorter tempers;
wider freeways but narrower viewpoints;
we spend more but have less;
we buy more but enjoy it less;
we have bigger houses and smaller families;
more conveniences, yet less time;
we have more degrees but less sense;
more knowledge but less judgment;
more experts, yet more problems;
we have more gadgets but less satisfaction;
more medicine, yet less wellness;
we take more vitamins but see fewer results.
We drink too much; smoke too much; spend too recklessly; laugh too little; drive too fast; get too angry quickly; stay up too late; get up too tired; read too seldom; watch TV too much and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values;
we fly in faster planes to arrive there quicker, to do less and return sooner;
we sign more contracts only to realize fewer profits;
we talk too much; love too seldom and lie too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life;
we've added years to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things;
we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;
we've split the atom, but not our prejudice;
we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less;
we make faster planes, but longer lines;
we learned to rush, but not to wait;
we have more weapons, but less peace;
higher incomes, but lower morals;
more parties, but less fun;
more food, but less appeasement;
more acquaintances, but fewer friends;
more effort, but less success.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication;
We drive smaller cars that have bigger problems; build larger factories that produce less.
We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;
tall men, but short character;
steep in profits, but shallow relationships.
These are times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; higher postage, but slower mail; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorces; these are times of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, cartridge living, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer, to prevent, quiet or kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stock room. Indeed, these are the times!
Posted by MK at 8:39 AM
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Back to TKD
It's been almost 2 years since I last trained effectively, and I think it's time to get back to training now that I am nearing the end of my NS liability. I've become old, slow, stiff, n00b... A mere shadow of what I once was when younger..
Even just after a light session I didn't have the mood to continue, but it helped with the other black belts around =) after all it was a free and easy session. Haha, time to get back the "feel", and go ahead for greater goals. Since I'll be studying here, I guess training shouldn't be a problem.
Posted by MK at 10:29 PM
Friday, April 18, 2008
Dinner @ Sofra
Today after camp, I met up with some really long-time friends for dinner @ SOFRA. A Turkish restaurant at Shaw towers.
Link to sofra
The starter was a promising sign of things to come as we were greeted with this attractively enticing sesame bread which was served with a Hommus dip, plus service was warm and unlike the regular business-line air of other restaurants in crowded malls, the ambiance at Sofra was calm and rather tranquil.
Of all the meats in the Chef's plate, the Donar Kebab was the most outstanding. They have a mix of beef and lamb in the Donar kebab and you can really taste the lamby flavour in the sliced meat.
The meat had that great "Middle Eastern" spice quality about it that made it really addictive. The rest of the platter was decent but my only grouse was that the whole plate was too dry, maybe it's a Turkish style but more sauces would have been welcome, I was expecting tough lamb-meat to chew, but the meat was pleasant and wasn't as tough as expected. The food wasn't too bad, and the cost rather reasonable. My Chef's Kebab Plate cost $17.90
Conclusion
Even though it isn't as good as the Middle Eastern food I have had before, the service and quality is sufficient. Not everything is great, and the menu is quite limited, but some items do stand out. When I go back, I would just order the Donar Kebab set, Sesame bread and Hommus dip.
You should try it if you have no other place to go.
3.5/5
Sofra Turkish Cafe and Restaurant
100 Beach Road
#02-42/44
Shaw Tower (Prince and Jade)
Posted by MK at 8:24 PM
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Computer frustration.
I found this terribly funny, amusing and idiotic at the same time. Do people still do this? It would have helped if they PLUGGED it in... A really funny performance.Posted by MK at 10:49 AM
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Just being Ordinary
I was quite surprised to see an article about DIY-PCs in the Digital Life yesterday, didn't the DIY-PC fad die out a long time ago? It's true that many people nowadays prefer one-stop service, laptops and other devices that they don't have to maintain or assemble themselves. I see a vast majority of my friends using laptops instead, and chances are that you're reading this on a laptop too.There was a time when mass-produced desktops did not suffice and people built their own rigs, then technology and the market caught up and laptops are personal preference now. But however, no matter how powerful your laptop is, it will never match the power of a desktop. There is an unspoken satisfaction amongst enthusiasts when we finish building our rigs, and it's up and running serving our every need, whim and fancy.
What really got me disturbed was that the article spoke about water-cooling as if it was just another nonchalant thing to do. All this guy did was to build another water-cooled rig and he gets featured in the papers? I thought water-cooling still remained in the exclusive niche of the enthusiast community, but apparently the article has displayed all the juicy secrets and even a full component description for all to see. The writer is definitely someone within the community; but to bring themselves so low as to feature such an article and hope that the public follow suit is beyond my comprehension.
Yes water-cooling is not difficult, especially with ready-to-use kits available on the market, but it's not exactly as easy as slapping on a heat sink onto a processor either. There is still technique, knowledge and a fair bit of experience required if you want the loop to run smoothly and successfully. It's several times more expensive then air-cooling too and not to mention the risks involved.
So this guy in the article suddenly becomes famous because his computer is cooled by water. It's not even custom, complete-off-the-shelf parts, expensive components etc. Okay whatever.
Ever since I announced my intention to go to water cooling several months ago, I've not regretted my decision. Water-cooling really works wonders and I was able to push my rig to performances previously unattainable. I will never go back to air-cooling ever again!
Now that it seems water-cooling is become so mainstream and my rig has become ordinary, it's time to do something more unconventional. The next rig I am designing will feature a chilled-liquid cooling loop! Now we'll see the general populace catch up with that!
Project :: MK2008
Posted by MK at 10:02 PM
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Interesting Day
I managed to go to Suntec for the Levi's and Docker's sale, but alas. There was nothing noteworthy to be bought, plus the prices weren't that cheap either! Jeans were going from $35 to $449?! (After 50% discount), what were they before?! $1000?! I found several $65-$75 / pair of jeans, but they were completely off-season, rather ugly, and not worth the price tag.It was the same for Dockers, either it was ugly, or too expensive. Or Singaporeans had already grabbed all the good deals on the first day of the sale.
And to think I was wondering why there were so many pairs of jeans left, it's all because they were either ugly, or $140 and above.
Just wait till the GSS then. I am sure there'll be better deals then.
But guess what I found next?
A Giant "The Cocoa Trees" chocolate store @ Raffles Shopping Centre basement.
So all you girls out there thinking that Candy Empire @ Vivocity or Marina Walk is big, check this store out! Raffles City basement for all your chocolate and sweet tooth needs.
SAVE THE EARTH.
It's the only planet with chocolate
I can't help but take a picture with the Mitsubitshi Evo X whilst walking past =D
Posted by MK at 9:47 PM
Friday, April 11, 2008
Sales sales sales!
Online Shopping Galore!I've decided to put the Kenneth Cole Reaction watch up for sale. Interested buyers you can email me at:
fusionmkx@themkalternative.s5.com
You can view the watch again at my Classifieds section on the right, or go here
Plus, those interested in online shopping for clothes, here's a link for clothes from Taiwan! Click here
If you are unable to view the above link, go here.
http://tw.user.bid.yahoo.com/tw/show/auctions?userID=chenyj88&u=:chenyj88
I've got friends who are interested in ordering, a lower the shipping cost. You can contact me by 12th April for details so I can tell you how much to pay and make further arrangements.
However, if you want to order at your own leisure, you can go here.
If you are unable to view the above link:
http://www.shoekie.com/Spree%20JJS.htm
Levi's warehouse sale
There will be a Levi's warehouse sale @ Suntec this weekend from 11-13th April. Details can be found in the pdf file attached below. Suntec Level 3, Rm 325-326.
Levi's Warehouse sale @ Suntec
Click on the above link to download.
Posted by MK at 3:49 PM
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Crysis!
I finally finished playing the game Crysis!
It wasn't such a long game after all, just another FPS game but with titillating, exquisite graphics with realism unlike ever seen before, and to think Half-Life 2 and Doom3's graphics were spectacular! Crysis's graphics are far visually stunning than any game I've played before, possibly the most hardware demanding as well.
Motion-reactive and interact-able trees and surroundings, lighting, smoke, fire and water effects were all realistic, so were movements and AI reaction. The swimming effect, smoke, fogging and blood splatters on the visor are all very realistic. It's quite a nice game and sometimes you just want to savor and enjoy the computer-generated scenery! Yeah, it requires a really powerful computer and graphics card to churn that all out, but my computer handled it fine. =)
The ending is somewhat clichéd and there's no doubt there'll be a second installment to this game where the protagonist goes back to the island to fight the aliens and find his team commander. The credits are one of the longest for this game ever. Is the effort worth the returns of this game? It seems like a whole full-fledge movie cast was working on this game! I wonder what their true revenue like especially when the target audience is such a small niche community.
Posted by MK at 9:12 PM
Monday, April 7, 2008
My hoot
Yesterday I had the opportunity to check out the Royal Sporting House great sale. It was complete chaos where Singaporeans were digging and scrambling for the best deals and it's each for himself! The prices were okay, not exactly rock-bottom, but rather cheap compared to retail prices. However, most of the designs were ugly and out of season. So I didn't really pick anything.But I managed to find and got myself an irresistible pair of VANS Buccaneer shoes, at a real steal of $19.90! Don't even bother guessing what the retail value is!
Check out what else I got! Should I put this splendid Kenneth Cole watch up for sale?
Shopping is just so rare for guys nowadays...
Posted by MK at 7:29 AM
Sunday, April 6, 2008
REJECTION
I guess this is more important than everything else so far. I lost all mood when I got those letters, already knowing the contents before even opening the damn letter.Got rejected from every damn university in the states. Looks like I won't be going there after all. All the effort put into the applications all gone to waste, it's not about the cost. Hell, I spent over $600 in applications, air-mailing my transcripts and spent a lot of time studying for SATS, answering people's questions about my motives, "why this", "why that", "what now" and juggling my active NS commitments just to receive this. I ain't that rich to go and apply for some 10 or 20 universities as most other A-level students have done so. I estimate it costs about $100++ per university application, most likely more if you factor in intangible costs, not mentioning time involved.
I got rejected from all 4 that I applied to! Even CMU doesn't want me, coz I am damn useless.
Maybe it's because of my shitty SAT scores. Or maybe because I didn't get to do my SATIIs, or maybe because I am just damn well not good enough... I am definately in a disadvantaged position being a polytechnic graduate. The stigma is there for us that we're not as good academically as an A-level student, and HOW many poly students actually DO SATS?!
Age disadvantage, time-constraints, military responsibilies and commitments, field inexperience...
Damn it. I am griping. Next will be like "It's so unfair..."
....
A damn immature thing to say don't you agree...
Looks like I am staying on this island for my undergraduate studies.. I know people who are happy at this news, and I know people who are affected by my thoughts, objectives, goals and targets. But what the hell? It's the best damn-you-you-suck-go-to-hell rejection letters ever received, written in the most profound and exuberant manner that actually makes you feel good because the university is not good enough for you and your exemplary caliber.
The application process was a nightmare in itself. Running about getting transcripts, recommendation and testimonial letters, SATs, postage, payment and applications.
Now all amounted to nothing. Now the scholarships I've applied for don't mean anything anymore either.
CMU, Yale, Cornell, Duke : Rejected
I have no mood to say anything else.
It's now plan B now that plan A has gone poofff.
Posted by MK at 11:36 AM
Friday, April 4, 2008
4Ghz on Air-cooling joker
Recently, I chatted with someone I knew previously online, he wasn't the most popular guy then, (neither was I actually). But he was somewhat interested in computers like the 3 of us back in school, but never really got into the same scale as us.We were talking fine, until he bragged about his system, saying it's the best and all, so being curious, I said "sure, show me", then he showed me this really vanilla system.
I said "nice, is that a Lian Li casing?" (Lian Li's are expensive casings).
So I showed him mine as well. He said:
"Wah, watercooling nia"
Then what he said next really ticked me off. He tried to compare with his system and mine and guess what? He said that my system sucked?
"Rich, can afford watercooling"
Never mind about that, sure I don't mind my rig being criticized.. It's not the best out there afterall... But that wasn't all...
He said he could over clock his rig to 4GHZ. Get the load of this.. 4GHZ...
YOU! A mere gigabyte motherboard with an Intel E8400 and a 8800GT. All on stock settings.. Plus stock gpu cooler! Sure, ThermalRight Ultra 120 Extreme for the CPU, but you are on AIR! Then you come and tell me that my watercooling setup is nothing... And you can overclock to 4GHZ?!
What do you have on your system!? A Ultra 120 and a stock 8800GT? it's not even SLi for God's sake.
You come and tell me that you are able to over clock your system to 4ghz on air-cooling?! Wtf?! Completely talking bullshit. Another all-talk no-action. Simple slap-it-together-off-the-shelf motherboard + cpu, 8800GT graphics card on stock cooler (this is shitty enough). A completely air-cooled rig and you tell me you can overclock 4ghz and my watercooled rig is nothing?! You don't even have a fan on your Ultra120!
This is HIS.
This is MINE.
4GHZ... ON AIR Cooling.....
Complete idiot...
Posted by MK at 11:44 PM
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Some updates on my computer
Today I was back in camp, initially to attend the waste-of-time meeting, but ended up helping a colleague work on his version of my program, to customize the program to his respective needs, it was nice work done and was completed today. So a day ended like that, I headed home, and finally installed my lapped Maze4 GPU waterblock.Actually after installing my watercooling system, I realized that temperatures for my GPU was terrible, hitting 70-degs on idle and crashing in Crysis. It was unstable and I was sick and tired of I, so I got down to solve the problem, bleeding the entire system and dismantling the GPU.
I soaked it in coke for several hours, changing fresh coke once there was no more bubbles (means the acid reacting with the copper has completely reacted and not working anymore). Once done, I begun my lapping process all over again and finally tonight I fixed back my maze4, applying a generous coat of Artic Silver 5, and making sure the contact between the waterblock and GPU die was perfect, and was rewarded with 40-degs on idle @ stock settings for my 8800GT. Whoo hoo!
The lapping and cleaning of the maze4 really does wonders. It's back to 750mhz clock for the gpu core, 1020mhz for the rams and 1800mhz for my shaders, my cpu is running at 3.6ghz for 7x multiplier, 522mhz FSB @ 1.38-1.41 Vcore. 3Dmark06 still tells me it's a 15k++ score. In terms of real-world applications, I can load a hundred 2048x1536 resolution (3 megapixels) photos into Photoshop CS3 in 30 seconds. Currently one of the world's most demanding 3D-graphics first-person shooter is Crysis, and for my rig, Crysis quick-loads in less than a second and initial loading loads in 10 seconds.
All graphic settings on high, Anti-Aliasing 2x. Temperatures exceed my expectations. On stock settings (i.e cpu 2.33Ghz, GPU 600mhz), temps for cpu is at 23degs, gpu 38-40degs. With blue-ice, cpu drops to 15-18 degs, gpu to 35degs.
On my current overclocked settings, cpu @ 3.6ghz runs at 52degs idle, 58 load (without blue-ice), 45degs idle, 52degs load (with blue-ice), gpu core @ 750mhz, rams at 1020mhz, shaders @ 1800mhz running at 48-50degs idle, 58-65degs load (without blue-ice), 45-46 idle, 55degs load (with blue-ice).
The irony of this situation is that now my hard drives are hotter than my graphics card at idle! All of my hard-drives are running between 38-43 degs depending on ambient, but it's always hovering around 40-42degs. =( It's too hot for my comfort but the design of my casing is not ideal for hard drives anyway. Maybe when I have the time I'll change my front intake fan to a delta or a noctua. Hopefully that'll keep temps down to 35degs. 40 is too hot for comfort.
Now my system is extremely stable, with unbeatable 40degs gpu temperatures at idle. Totally awesome!
Posted by MK at 11:29 PM
Money
Money Isn't everything..... it -Can buy a house, but not a home.
Can buy a bed, but not sleep.
Can buy a clock, but not time.
Can buy a book, but not knowledge.
Can buy food, but not an appetite.
Can buy position, but not respect.
Can buy blood, but not life.
Can buy medicine, but not health.
Can buy sex, but not love.
Can buy insurance, but not safety.
You see, money is not everything.
Therefore, if you have too much,
please send it to me immediately.
Posted by MK at 10:22 PM
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Watercooling stuff for sale
IT and Watercooling stuff for sale!- 1/2" T-connectors
- 4mm internal diameter NALGENE T-connectors
I've got a few industrial black 1/2" T-connectors for sale! These connectors were gotten from an overseas hardwareshop specializing in tubing and cheap too! Brand-new.
Going for sale at $4 each. PM if you are interested! I've got 8 pieces for sale. Initially bought them for my w/c rig. But changed tubing, so not using 1/2" anymore. Fits 1/2" tubing very nicely.
I've got 2 new NALGENE quality T-connectors for sale as well, they are clear and about 4mm internal diameter. Never used before, Lab-grade NALGENE quality.
ThermalTake Coolant sold
Posted by MK at 3:30 PM
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
another one.
Airborne: RejectedDuke : Rejected
Cornell: Rejected
XXXX : Pending
XXXX : Pending
XXXXXXXX XXXXXX : Pending
I... well..
Whatever, I don't know what to type here.
...
