Carpe Blogeim: My New Desktop

So my name machine is fully assembled, the kinks are (mostly) worked out, and I’ve begun working in earnest again. Thanks to all who donated to make this happen:

• Anders Starmark
• Christopher Hallquist
• David Fico and Sarah Hale
• David Pulver
• Elizabeth McCoy
• Emily Smirle
• Jason “PK” Levine
• Jeromy French
• [redacted at request of the doner]
• Kenny Johnson
• Larry Dixon and Mercedes Lackey (!!!)
• Mark Davis
• Matt Riggsby
• Michael Johnston
• Onno Meyer
• Scott Juaire
• Sean Patti
• Stephen Smith
• Troy Loy

Also, thanks to Douglas Cole who gave me an advance on Calypso-4. This along with others and the money I saved up allowed me to put together a solid machine. I figured folks would like to know where I finally landed:

• Intel Core ie-9600k 3.7 GHz 6-core processor
• Asus Republic of Gamers Z390-e Gaming ATX LGA1151 motherboard
• 16GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR4-3000 RAM
• Seagate Barracuda 2 TB 3.5″ Hard drive
• Seagate Barracuda 6 TB 3.5″ Hard drive (a gift from a friend, thank you, Stephanie!)
• Intel 660p Series 1 TB m.2 SSD
• EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4 GB ACX 2.0 Video Card (a gift from a friend, thank you, Christopher!)
• Corsair Air 540 ATX Full Tower Case
• EVGA BQ 750 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply
• HP DH16AAL DVD/CD Writer (a gift from a friend, thank you, Christopher!)
• Rosewill R​DCR-11004 ​- Data Hub (a gift from a friend, thank you, Christopher!)
• DEMCiflex Dust Filter Kit for Corsair 540 Air – DF0431
• Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
• Galaxy Kitty Stickers (I needed them, don’t judge me)

The copy of Windows I got was painless and easy to install (after I switched to UEFI mode on the motherboard . . . ). I was also able to install my Microsoft Office 2013 on my desktop with no issue (this was something that I was SUPER ANXIOUS about when setting everything up). Apparently, I can install it on another computer if need be. So that’s something.

I also spent donated money on purchasing cables and adapters that I’d need to run my six-monitor set up:

Computer update: I scrounged 3 new monitors from thrift stores/yard sales. Bought a couple of $6 VGA adaptors and now with new machine I’m running a 6 monitor set-up. Some pictures! pic.twitter.com/32ueumW1bZ

— Christopher R. Rice (@Ravenpenny) July 26, 2019

Finally, I purchased a UPS because I know longer have a laptop and the power does go out sometimes. I’m paranoid about losing work and this eases that paranoia. I also ordered a LapLink 3.0 USB cable and the professional software (it was on sale for 50%) of the transfer suite. It was worth it. Saved me days, maybe WEEKS of time getting everything the way I like it. If you ever have to transfer stuff from one machine to another I highly suggest you spend the money to get these two things. It’s worth the time and heartache.

Overall, this is a machine I’ll be using for years. It’s way easier to fix. Problem with a part? Swap out the part. It’s easier to maintain and easier to clean. It’s easier to upgrade too and for the same reasons. I should have switched to a desktop years ago, but I was still stubbornly hoping I’d get out more than I have been. Now I have a machine I can do some serious work on. And speaking of. It’s time to get back to writing and blazing a trail in the word mines.