All posts by jacob.ilkka
Leak
Subie Fam
Budget Digital DarkRoom Pt 2
In my last post I stated that the budget was under $500. However, as this machine will be used by my girlfriend once I have built my main rig (in the fall/winter), I decided that it could use a little extra budget. I am happy that I was able to stay within the $500-$550 range that I mentally anticipated.
I was able to pick up a used Cooler Master ML240L RGB liquid cooler for $65, as well as a used EVGA G5 650W fully-modular power supply for $100 incl. taxes on eBay. As it stands, the build is currently as follows:
PCPartPicker Part List| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-10400 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor | Purchased For $182.00 |
| CPU Cooler | Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB 66.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler | Purchased For $60.00 |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte B460M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard | Purchased For $76.64 |
| Memory | GeIL EVO X II 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory | Purchased For $74.75 |
| Storage | Kingston A2000 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | Purchased For $0.00 |
| Case | Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case | Purchased For $53.38 |
| Power Supply | EVGA G5 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | Purchased For $100.74 |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $547.51 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-07-29 15:36 EDT-0400 |
Budget Digital DarkRoom
I recently purchased an NEC EA244UHD-BK from a friend who was switching careers. This is a high-end 4K business monitor from NEC’s EA series, that is able to be hardware calibrated and covers 99.3% of the Adobe RGB color space.
I tried using my current computer, a refurbished Dell Latitude E7440 (i7-4600U dual core) to drive the display and Lightroom, however there is so much lag on the monitor you can’t do squat. Thus, I decided it was time for an upgrade.
Initially I was going to purchase an 8th gen Intel NUC, powered by an i5-8259U. However, after purchasing this from B&H I consulted with a coworker who spends lots of time on Tom’s Hardware and he said I could easily buy a cheap PC that is more powerful.
I used PCPartPicker to spec out a new custom build, going as small as possible but also to fit under a $500 budget. Unfortunately, that ruled out Mini ITX. I came up with the following build and currently I don’t need a GPU, but in case I do I can always add on a 1050Ti for around $150 new.
PCPartPicker Part List| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-10400 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor | $182.00 @ B&H |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte B460M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard | $73.98 @ Newegg |
| Memory | GeIL EVO SPEAR Phantom Gaming 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory | $58.99 @ Newegg |
| Storage | Kingston A2000 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | Purchased For $0.00 |
| Case | Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case | $53.98 @ Newegg |
| Power Supply | Rosewill 600 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $79.99 @ Newegg |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $448.94 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-07-22 19:43 EDT-0400 |
Seeing how inexpensive the i5-10400 CPU is, I did some hefty research into its performance and it turns out that it is more powerful than my previous Intel build, which ran an i7-4790k. Naturally it is also more powerful than my most recent build which was on an FX-9370 (comparison here).
For funding this new hardware I will be relinquishing one of my Synology NAS devices, a DS214play, along with 2x 3TB WD Red NAS drives. I will also be selling my E7440 once the build is complete. I expect that I should be able to break about even, given $250 for the laptop and around $200 for the NAS and drives.
Python: GPS Data Writer
# Runs perfectly using Python 2.7.3 on Raspian. # GPSD Official Documentation: # http://www.catb.org/gpsd/gpsd_json.html # Original GpsPoller script by Dan Mandle: # http://www.danmandle.com/blog/getting-gpsd-to-work-with-python/
Fallout Keyboard
Last night I decided to customize my Logitech G19s keyboard screen to look like either a PipBoy or RobCo terminal interface.
Downloaded LCDHost in order to customize the look.
See the PipBoy Layout here.
What follows is the progression of getting the screen to look and “feel” right.
RobCo Terminal
Telescope case assembly
I broke Supreme Commander 2
I moved my ACU 3 times using the escape pod feature, and was on the run from the AI for over 10 minutes after it merced my cousin’s base with Noah Unit Cannon units.
the grey things in the air in the 12th pic are the Noah Unit Cannon launch capsules… we are pretty sure they stopped in mid air when the unit cap was reached. that is also why we think that the blue planes were haulted in a grid over the bay.
the planes didnt start moving till my acu shot one down. then as they came in, my air factory started shooting more down. so domino effect ino the last pic taken right as my ACU exploded in hunker mode. 
Noah Unit Cannon capsules frozen in midair
Massive unit cap freeze
Just after my ACU exploded
West Texas batch 1
West Texas Sunset
Another sunset…
My brother, John, cutting metal
My brother, John, cutting metal
Black Gold. Shooting on location!
Pipeline Trencher
Rebecca Man Camp, V. 1
Patchwork Fields
Far off, burn-off
