Where to start computer hardware discussion threads.

[Jet Cash]

I've just ordered a 3Tb HDD to replace the drive in my notebook. I would have liked to open a discussion thread about it before ordering, as Tosh seems to have a variety of HDDs, and I'm not sure of the differences. It isn't really a Bitcoin topic, as I will move my blockchain onto an external SSD. Is there somewhere where one can start these discussions, and not find them racing off the index page as a result of more general threads?

[mk4]

Probably your choices are only with either the Off-topic[1] section or the Serious discussion[2]. Not sure if you would really get decent replies though. With problems like this, Reddit has always been my go-to. I suggest checking out this subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/ (Yes you're working on a laptop not a desktop, but hopefully they could answer your question)

[1] https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=9.0
[2] https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=250.0

[TheBeardedBaby]

I think we can have a section in the Off-Topic like in the serious discussion/ivory Tower section, restricted to low rank members. Can be aslo a earned merit restriction rule so basically have a place to talk about things without others spamming the thread.

[jackg]

Tech support, dev & tech, beginners or off topic...

I'd personally try putting it in dev & tech as it probably fits in there and if discussion can come from it then it might be good...

[philipma1957]

I have a house full of pc parts.

I would love to post in your thread when you start it.

I have been in pc and mac mod upgrade business on ebay since 2003.

I used to soup up mac minis , mac book pros etc.

[Jet Cash]

I won't go into my history in computing again

This thread was be about upgrading an HP core i5 notebook. I'm really going to switch from win 10 to Linux, and it is preparatory to that. Maybe I'll post in serious discussion, as I've bought a 3Tb drive because Google said the max I could use is 2 Tb.

[UserU]

I agree, a Tech subforum would be a nice addition. Will definitely spur more activity besides just posting about Bitcoins.

On a side note, 3TB is some massive storage for a notebook. Might want to partition it into several drives before defragging becomes a nightmare

[NotATether]

I agree, a Tech subforum would be a nice addition. Will definitely spur more activity besides just posting about Bitcoins.

I disagree, because the off-topic board usually has a lot of one-line and sometimes spammy replies from newbies or sig ad wearers trying to make more posts. It drains legitimate discussion out of the topic. Just look at cryptotalk if you're not sure, they have a Steam games section but 99% of the posts are nonsensical because the users are trying to increase their number of posts to get more money.

Look at some of these recent topics in the off-topic board for example. You don't have to go very far to notice the deterioration in conversation, sometimes it's lost in the first page. Once in a blue moon someone comes to make a meaningful reply but that's rare:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3093526.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5227780.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5114936.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5196207.0

I could throw a dart at the first page of the off-topic board and hit 10 posts with a degenerate tree of replies.

[Jet Cash]

It would have been useful to have opened a chat thread to help me with the planning. I messed up, and I've ended up going down a few side tracks. It started just after I opened this thread, and I realised that I had ordered a 3.5" desktop drive. I decided I would keep it anyway, and I would buy a docking station, and use it for my easy Bitcoin mining project. The docking station looks good, but it only supports modern drives, and not the older ones that I planned to check. The station has 12 volt power, so I can use it with a Raspberry Pi when I get round to installing one in the van.

I need to collect all my drives and memory cards on a table, and work out a sensible structure for the future. Right now I'm sync'ing an old node that is 2 years out of date, and I'll use that on the Linux machine. It's on a 2Tb Toshiba portable drive.

[UserU]

I disagree, because the off-topic board usually has a lot of one-line and sometimes spammy replies from newbies or sig ad wearers trying to make more posts. It drains legitimate discussion out of the topic. Just look at cryptotalk if you're not sure, they have a Steam games section but 99% of the posts are nonsensical because the users are trying to increase their number of posts to get more money.

Look at some of these recent topics in the off-topic board for example. You don't have to go very far to notice the deterioration in conversation, sometimes it's lost in the first page. Once in a blue moon someone comes to make a meaningful reply but that's rare:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3093526.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5227780.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5114936.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5196207.0

I could throw a dart at the first page of the off-topic board and hit 10 posts with a degenerate tree of replies.

Yup, the OT section has loads of them. I feel that it's less moderated than the rest, which is why I do report nonsensical/ spammy topics if I ever stumble across one.

Even if there are some nincompoops doing their best to fulfil the quota, I feel Tech is a little different because there are more things to cover (if we exclude miners). The graphic cards, CPU, RAM, OSes just to name a few.

Perhaps it could follow something similar to the Ivory Tower rank requirements; Full Members and above.

[Jet Cash]

Perhaps it could follow something similar to the Ivory Tower rank requirements; Full Members and above.

That could cause it to end up as a bit of an elitist discussion board. I think it would be best if any member could post there, including brand new.  Some newbies who want to run a node aren't sure about disk sizes for example, although that could be asked in a Bitcoin forum. I would see it as useful for Raspberry Pi discussions, computing in a van, WiFi usage, hardware upgrades  and stuff like that.

[UserU]

That could cause it to end up as a bit of an elitist discussion board. I think it would be best if any member could post there, including brand new.  Some newbies who want to run a node aren't sure about disk sizes for example, although that could be asked in a Bitcoin forum. I would see it as useful for Raspberry Pi discussions, computing in a van, WiFi usage, hardware upgrades  and stuff like that.

One reason why I avoid the Ivory thread But that way we'll see way more mature discussions compared to Off-Topic highlighed earlier.

I reckon most probably if theymos concedes, it'd be open to all.

[jackg]

Yeah I think posting in off topic is like posting in altcoins. No one really goes there very often afaik but i guess a secondary board for this sort of stuff might be nice, especially since moderation policies in mining are a bit strict and some hardware questions could move over from there too).

[Goingmerry8393]

Take a look at tech support, dev & tech, or off-topic