ArtisticallyChill

Since my old LCD TV/Monitor had built in speakers, I never needed to buy a separate speaker system for my PC audio. On top of that, my Xbox 360 was plugged directly into the component inputs. My new monitor has no audio inputs or a component input for my 360. Luckily I still had the HD VGA cables by Microsoft I bought (used) a while back. The only problem was still no audio. I didn’t want 5.1 surround system for my PC just to those auxillary inputs for my Xbox 360. Why you would need so many speaker for your PC is beyond me. I mean for your home tv, it’s understandable but for you PC? I guess if you’re a hardcore PC gamer and got an uber rig, you’ll want an uber speaker system. But I’m not much of PC gamer so a 2.1 speaker system is just good enough. I found the Logitech X-240. With some decent peak power and a wired remote that doubles as a dock for my Zune, the X-240 gives me some decent bang for my buck since it found in on sale at TigerDirect.

Logitech X-240 Overview:

Convenience

Simplify life.

* Integrated Stowaway Cradle: Slide out to charge, sync or play your digital music player.
* Control Pod: Keep volume, power and your headphone jack at your fingertips.
* Stereo Headphone Jack: Enjoy your music privately whenever you want.

Audio Quality

Immerse yourself.

* High-excursion Drivers: Get rich, full sound from sleek speakers.
* Real-time Bass Equalization: Maximize bass response and minimize distortion.
* Ported Down-firing Subwoofer with 4″ Drivers: Enjoy deeper bass thanks to greater air displacement.

I didn’t need a soundcard since my DFI board already has 5.1 audio integrated into it. To solve my Xbox 360 audio problem, I simply got an pc stereo extension cable. The Microsoft VGA cable already has the RCA to PC stereo adapter so I just plug that into the extension and the other end plugs right into my LINE IN on my integrated soundcard on the pack of my PC. Now all the Xbox 360′s audio is pumped through my PC and outputted to the speakers, no buttons to push or cables to switch out.

~ LoneWolf

Announced for PC, I’m hoping this game will make it’s way to the 360. The developers would have work extra hard to make the controls work well with this involved shooter.

~ LoneWolf

It’s been a little over a week since my PC Upgrade 2006 event, and so far my PC is running great! Windows XP Pro actually loaded on my first try! Yeah, no odd blue screens with weird, undecypherable messages, no system beeps, no files failed to copy. After XP Pro, came updates and Service Pack 2. Drivers installed without a hitch. Since I have no SATA drives yet, I re-installed my PCI Raid card and after the drivers installed, my original RAID array was found and Windows accepted the volume. WOOT! Photoshop CS2 installed fine. Guild Wars installed and looks freakin’ sweet with my new video card. Finally installed F.E.A.R. and the game looks and plays awesome! A few more ‘appz’ to install and that will finish off this round of upgrades.

2006 PC Upgrade:

DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Expert Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz FSB 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
BFG Tech BFGR6600GTOCX Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply
THERMALRIGHT XP-90 Multiple Heatpipes Cpu Heatsink
ZALMAN FB123 92mm Sleeve Cooling Fan (0nly used the fan, though)

What’s up for the next round? Another video card and a new LCD monitor, WHAT?!

~ LoneWolf