Oh, man, I hate including the number 13 in any of my headlines, but at least that date isn’t a Friday, it’s a Saturday. Small consolation.
Here’s a list of some best selling items I’ve found at Tigerdirect.com. I’m uncluding coupon codes you can use at checkout to save even more on their already low prices. You can check out their special pricing for Skylarking readers here, or read on while I spotlight some of the hot items.
($59 after using coupon code FEC1228 at checkout.) Do your computer games or video images appear to “stutter” or seem to move in an unusal manner? Then you should consider getting this video card replacement. It uses its own 1 gigabyte of DDR2 RAM (memory) instead of sharing the regular memory used by your computer’s programs. All you need is an available PCIe, or PCI express 2.0, slot on your motherboard. (Contact me or your manufacturer to find out if your computer has such capability.)
If you need real high end video support for 3D gaming, then consider getting two of these cards since they support SLI Dual Link technology. With SLI you can have two video cards linked together for double the video processing power. One card alone provides all the high def power you’ll need for gaming or video playback. Imagine the potential of two cards.
Each card comes with two DVI connectors and adapters for connecting your PC to any monitor or an HDTV. Two connectors allows you to have two monitors connected to your PC, if you need that. For example, I’m using two monitors on my Windows 7 computer, so I can run a different program on each monitor.
Dual Monitor setup on one PC
Right now I have the Tigerdirect site on one screen while I’m writing this post in another screen. Or I could be playing a video on one while working on the other. A client of mine uses two of these video cards for running 4 monitors on his home computer. He’s a day trader, and it allows him to monitor the stock market on multiple web sites while communicating with his colleagues.
Additional specs: Supports Microsoft® DirectX® 10 games, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc® movies with brilliant clarity — as long as you have a HD or Blu-ray capable DVD player in your computer — powered by the PureVideo® HD engine. Include GeForce GPU support for NVIDIA PhysX technology for all you high tech gamers for a more dynamic and realistic experience. Full Vista Aero 3D support.
(Regularly $106.99, now only $79.99 after $20 mail-in rebate (expires 03/31/10) and $7 instant savings.) Most new PCs today can handle 4 gigabytes of RAM (memory), but when you bought it it probably came with only 2 GB. Now not just any RAM will do, but I’ve never had a problem yet with memory chips from OCZ. More RAM makes your computer start faster, your programs start and run faster, and your hard drive doesn’t work so hard either. Let your hard drive take it easy with these memory chips. I’d recommend checking with tech supprt at TigerDirect to make sure this memory is appropriate for your PC.
Are you running a 64-bit operating system? Then you might consider getting two pairs since your computer may be able to handle up to 8 gigabytes of RAM. Just go into your Windows Control panel and double click on System to see if you’re running a 64-bit OS. It will be clearly indicated.
Tech specs for those in the know: This PC3-10666 RAM designed specifically for the upcoming Intel® P55 Chipset and subsequent Intel® Core™ i7, i5, and i3 (Socket 1156) processors. Configured for dual channel mode, these ultra-compatible 4GB kits ensure optimal performance with an ideal combination of low power requirements at 1333MHz.
I’ll talk more about some of the specials I’ve found, but here are a few quickies for now:
SAVE $40 – FREE Shipping – BFG GeForce 9800 GT Video Card. This 1 gigabyte GDDR3 equipped card fits into any PCIe 2.0 slot on your motherboard. Like the card above it supports dual monitors with its two DVI connectors for use on your monitor or HDTV. Regularly $139.99, now only $99.99* after $10 rebate (expires 03/31/10) and $30 instant savings.
SAVE $50 – FREE Shipping – Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300. Get a high speed processor for your demanding programs. This has a 2.50GHz clock speed for a 1333MHz FSB (front system bus). This is a Quad Core processor for ”original equipment manufacturers” (OEM). That means it costs a lot less because it doesn’t come in a colorful box like you’d see on the shelf. Uses a Socket 775 connector. $149.99* after $40 MIR, rebate expires 03/15/10.
We’re all aware of the use of computers and blue-screens to add backgrounds in the movies and television shows we watch, and — thanks to low-cost digital computers and cameras — now anyone can add fantastic backgrounds to their own photos, and the key is Green Screen Wizard. This software is great for the hobbyist or the professional.
Upgrade. Maybe you’re a professional or semi-professional events photographer. If you decide you like the trial package and you want to do more, you can apply $50 from your trial package purchase towards an upgrade. The full package is available as a digital download for $99, or you can have the physical package shipped to you for about $170.
I was reading an exclusive survey article “Get the Most Out of Your Home” in the April 2010 issue of Money magazine. When discussing the home office they reported:
