Best Of
Re: DAC/Headphone amp needed.
Sometimes just getting the AMP outside of the PC is enough to isolate the noise coming from the components in the PC. Most modern motherboards have a decent DAC that will decode up to 24 bit / 192khz audio, it's just a matter of getting that circuit isolated so it's not picking up a bunch of undesireable electronic noise from other components. If you are just ripping CD's and not buying high res audio files from another source any modern DAC is going to decode perfectly. If you listen and you feel like you are getting noise from the PC, a Schiit Modi desktop DAC is $100 and it is pretty nice, I have one and it's been my go to for a couple years now.
Time to say goodbye to the Phenom II and finally upgrade
It has been a long 10 years with this system, but, it is time to build a new rig. 10 years of LANs, TF2, WoW, Overwatch and multiple upgrades (thanks for the GPU @primesuspect !) The case is falling apart, I have to hotwire it every time I need to turn the system on and the headers no longer work; the GPU is really starting to struggle, even with older titles; the HDDs are starting to have bad sectors that won't allow me to update certain programs; and the MOBO no longer recognizes most external devices plugged into the USB ports. 10 years is a good run with the abuse I put this system through. Now I seek the advice of y'all on what I should go with next. Budget is ~$700 (+/- $50) and will need a new copy of Windows as well.
Things I don't need:
PSU - had to upgrade about a year ago, put in a 650w gold rated Corsair
Monitor- Still rocking my 1920x1200 Samsung SyncMaster T260HD, and while I would like a new monitor, it is definitely not a priority.
Keyboard/Mouse - what I have is fine and has chugged along since before this computer, hell, I think the keyboard is 15+ years old, the mouse is an OLD Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 and I have two more unopened in my closet.
Things I need: everything else!
I am thinking about a Ryzen5 based system. Don't need any fancy RGB crap, I already hate the light on my old Zalman HSF. Would like a decent GPU, but no need for anything close to top end. And the case, well, I was looking at NZXT, since I LOVE the one I have now, the layout is just about perfect, though it is so old that there isn't even a model number on the side/front/back.
I am going to do a couple of theory builds on different websites and post later what they are, in the meantime I am open to suggestions.
Four day Zero to Hero Online D&D campaign in June
Hey friends,
In honor of Expo 2020 being the lost year, I thought what's stopping me from running a D&D game online anyway this June for my IC folks. Then I convinced myself that while a 4 hour one shot was fun and all, it wasn't really epic. Been there done that. Go big or stay home. So I got to thinking...
For those interested having some grand fun this June, I am offering to run a Zero to Hero campaign over four nights, Thurs - Sun, 4 hours each night. The campaign is called...
IC on the High Seas, a pirates tale
So get your best pirate accent in shape, roll up some canon fodder, and get ready to cast a sail to the winds of the Rumrunner Isles in search of treasure, adventure, and lame pirate jokes as the crew of the cutter YetToBeNamed make for a pirate friendly port*.
*Resemblance of NPCs to existing IC members intentional and covered under fair use Parody laws.
What is a Zero to Hero Campaign?
Each player starts with level 0 characters on Wednesday for the Gauntlet. The character that makes it out of the Gauntlet on Wednesday advances to 1st level for Thursday. Then advances again to 5th level on Friday, 10th level on Saturday, and 15th level on Sunday.
What is a Gauntlet?
Instead of crafting the character you most want to play and playing them, the Gauntlet leaves your character up to the wicked hands of Fate. Each player rolls up 10 level 0 characters and puts them through a deadly Ninja Warrior style course. The first character of a player to survive is your character for the campaign.
I mean, 16 hours of D&D over four days is WAY too much. Can't I just drop in for one night?
Yep! The campaign can have up to 8 players each night. returning players get dibs. But if we don't have eight players from Gauntlet, there will be the remaining spots open to just drop in and play for a night.
So let me know if we have a crew among the rabble here.
sazboom
Re: Let's get it done
@mas0n suggested this and it seems to work. If you are getting stuck without WUs for a long time add the slot option client-type advanced
_k
Re: Time to say goodbye to the Phenom II and finally upgrade
First theory build from Newegg:
GIGABYTE B450M DS3H AM4 AMD B450 SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - $73
AMD RYZEN 5 2600 6-Core 3.4 GHz (3.9 GHz Max Boost) Socket AM4 65W - $148
(AMD RYZEN 5 3600 6-Core 3.6 GHz (4.2 GHz Max Boost) Socket AM4 65W - $175 and a possible option)
G.SKILL Aegis 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Memory Kit Model - $68
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 580 GAMING 8G (rev. 2.0) Graphics Card, PCIe 3.0, 8GB 256-Bit GDDR5 REV2.0 - $170
WD Blue 3D NAND 500GB Internal SSD - SATA III 6Gb/s 2.5"/7mm Solid State Drive - $70
NZXT H510 - Compact ATX Mid-Tower PC Gaming Case - Front I/O USB Type-C Port - $70
Microsoft Windows 10 Home - Full Retail Version (USB Flash Drive) - $140
Total = $739 before shipping (so add $15-$25)
A little more than I want to spend, but not by much.
Thoughts?
Minecraft Creative Challenge 5/2 8pm EST
Hey y'all,
I'm excited to bring back an old expo tradition for this weekend's Minecraft session! We'll be doing a creative challenge starting at 8pm EST sharp. This challenge will probably only last an hour, so we recommend that you log on a little early in the event of technical problems or questions. I will give you a prompt, and then you will have an hour to make something in creative mode that fits that prompt. There's pretty much no rules besides the time limit-- you can make whatever you want with the materials available in creative mode, within a certain plot size on the map. Obviously, touching the creations of other players is also against the rules.
There will be two prizes available for this challenge-- a first place prize for most creative/impressive art piece, and a participation prize available by raffle. The competition will be judged blind by me.
First place prize: Creeper plush because I'm your pal the Creeper Queen (you'll need to give me your address to get this)
Participation Prize Raffle-- $10 Amazon gift card (no address needed, can send as digital code)
Many thanks to @BobbyDigi for handling the technical aspects of this...I got no idea how these here Minecraft servers work
So excited to see your creations!! 
GnomeQueen
Re: Minecraft Creative Challenge 5/2 8pm EST
Reminder that participation in this also nets you the Pandemic Playtime badge, and also qualifies you to win DAT LAPTOP
Re: Ron's is gone. Introducing Vandy's
Vandy's became Bismillah Kabob and Curry several years ago. It's a Bengali restaurant and quite good.
Icrontic Pandemic Playtime 2020 - Gaming Laptop Giveaway
Hey Icrontic!
Starting tonight with the Minecraft event, anybody who participates in a group event that is on the Icrontic calendar is eligible for one entry for a random drawing to win this laptop.
The drawing will be held on June 1st. There will be no way to win multiple chances—each participant gets one ticket (unless you opt out to let someone else have a chance). On June 1st, Bobby will select a random winner.
This is a good time to talk about the Icrontic event calendar: Since we won't be meeting in person anytime soon, this is a good chance to get something social going. If you would like to host an event like @HumerusMeg is doing with movie viewings, or @Cola is doing with Jackbox, or @BobbyDigi is doing with Minecraft, let me, Linc, or Bobby know and we'll put it on the calendar for you. Please keep in mind that most of the coordinating and real-time discussion about events happens on our Discord.
Good luck everyone!