"Why do we overclock our PCs/mod our cars?"

"claramag, Mustaco Master" (claramag)
08/02/2014 at 01:20 • Filed to: None

Rig builders and oppos have a lot of things in common, when you get down to it

Still, I'd like to see someone take a junkyard Dell offroad. At best they could run Monster Truck Maddness

DISCUSSION (19)

Jedidiah > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/02/2014 at 01:23

I don't gain any sense of physical accomplishment with computers though. After all, they are just video games and they don't have any real world consequences.

With cars, I'm working with my hands and there is tangible progess. When I finish working on it, I can go for a drive and that is way more satisfying.

EL_ULY > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/02/2014 at 01:26

because racecar, literally :]

YSI-what can brown do for you > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/02/2014 at 01:28

Because racecar. Also we can make some crazy things companies will never give us!

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/02/2014 at 01:34

We spend so much money modding computers and having the ability to replace parts for cheap.

Cars, though. They're less forgiving.

claramag, Mustaco Master > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/02/2014 at 01:43

Can't watch now, but too much smoke not to recommend

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Jedidiah
08/02/2014 at 02:29

And yet, they're less forgivable to even a simple mistake.

GhostZ > Jedidiah
08/02/2014 at 02:33

Have you ever tried building a computer or customizing/tweaking it?

Getting the operating system to run is like starting up an engine for the first time that you build yourself. There is a huge amount of accomplishment, and obvious clear tangible progress.

And like a car, a properly customized or built computer is way faster and more efficient than any store bought model and actually improves how quickly you can do work or enjoy yourself.

claramag, Mustaco Master > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/02/2014 at 02:36

I'm getting better at recognizing a 1uz through various exhaust set ups

ReallyColorful > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/02/2014 at 02:50

Been wanting to build me a mITX systemfor a while. Picked up a Q series Lian-Li case a while ago and now it's just a dust collector. *LeSigh*

claramag, Mustaco Master > ReallyColorful
08/02/2014 at 02:58

"Been wanting to build me a 280z for a while. picked up a rolling chassis a while ago and now it's just a dust collector. *LeSigh*"

See!? So many similarities!

ReallyColorful > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/02/2014 at 03:06

Hahahaha exactly! So many trues.

Axial > Jedidiah
08/02/2014 at 06:47

Overclocking? Not satisfying.

Building a new PC or performing a major hardware upgrade and then running that game which murdered your old build? Always satisfying.

Axial > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/02/2014 at 06:49

There is a 280X graphics card (close enough!). Some PC chassis are literally on rollers. All PC chassis collect dust regardless of how much they are used.

Kanaric > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/02/2014 at 11:09

Well I have a i7 920 and have had it since the 920 was new. IDK how old it is now.... 5 years? Overclocked I still go through turns and run through time faster on Civ 5 or CK2 than most of my friends.

Nengun finally shipped my boost controller so i'll be overclocking my Skyline next.

Jedidiah > GhostZ
08/02/2014 at 13:03

Yes. I can't leave anything stock.

Computers have such a short life expectancy and things get dated really fast. There is no sense of longetivity with one and that is why I don't think they are satisfying. Especially when all that work goes towards just running a game. No matter how much I play that game, it doesn't have any tangible progress in the real world.

I've restored a car and it could potentially last me the for many years; hell, the rest of my life if things work out that way.

GhostZ > Jedidiah
08/02/2014 at 14:41

5 years is plenty of longevity for a device. And if you build your own desktop, you can keep it cutting edge indefinitely.

Like I said, just like cars, some people drop their cars for the new model every 2 years because that's what they've been told to do. Likewise, some people buy a new computer every 2 years because their old one is 'outdated'. In truth, your computer will only get outdated if you buy the lowest-end model each year, just like how a Mitsubishi Mirage is not going to stay as relevant and cutting edge as a higher end car: It's already dated from the factory.

But the more expensive laptops out there that are built well can last for 5-7 years without modifying them before they might get outdated. I bought my previous laptop for $900 6 years ago (MSRP was $1500), and right now its specs are as high as any $700 laptop you can buy now, and it was actually faster than anything below that price range. The only tech that would make it outdated was Solid State Drives, and that's a small consideration.

They aren't everyone's thing, but I've found that they so similar that it's hard not to respect and understand both cultures. Yes, the timeline is advanced, but owning a car for 10 years VS a desktop computer for 5-7 doesn't take away from the enjoyment in customizing and tweaking the hardware.

Jedidiah > GhostZ
08/02/2014 at 16:29

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. 10 years still seems like a short time to me.

5-7 Years doesn't really seem like a long time to me. A car is something that can be passed down for generations and it doesn't really matter whether the technology is outdated or not. It is still serviceable and still usable and you still get enjoyment out of it.

On the other hand, as soon as a computer is outdated, it pretty much becomes useless. There is only so many upgrades a computer chasis is good for before it is left behind by technology. There won't ever be "classic computing" like how we have classic motoring. It loses its usability — trying to do simple office work or web browsing becomes frustrating. Additionally, it is no longer fun, your favorite games are forgotten and often no longer play on newer machines.

You could still use your classic car to go get groceries or commute, and it will be more fun than driving a newer, more technologically advanced car in some aspects.

Eric in the PNW > ReallyColorful
08/03/2014 at 01:30

I built a system in a Q case. Super sexy. I ended up going for an mATX board and a Silverstone SG10 case after selling that one right as I was about to build it for myself (Doctors know exactly how to get the best thing: Ask a pro what they would build themselves... Ended up buying my project out from under me and paying me to assemble it.). I don't bother to OC anymore, there's just no point. Most decent modern cars are hard to really improve upon, too.

ReallyColorful > Eric in the PNW
08/03/2014 at 01:48

Awesome. I never even overclocked my old AMD Phenom system from like 5 years ago, that thing was awesome.