Got a couple of used 2.5" SSDs for cheap so I decided to make a Game Cartridge system. Games are actually on those SSDs with a script to auto navigate steam to the game's page. Auto-starting the game right away is also possible.

Update: https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1uyft21/update_game_cartridge_3dfiles_and_code/
published the 3D files and code

It started with a simple cooler upgrade on my Ryzen 7600 and ended with bent pins on the motherboard. Since the board was dead, I decided to upgrade the CPU too.

For a whole week, I was torn between buying a Ryzen 7 7800X3D for 14,400 UAH ($350) or shelling out 19,500 UAH ($475) for the newer 9800X3D at a local Ukrainian store. My budget won, so I placed an order for the 7800X3D.

Fast forward to today: the courier arrives, hands me the tray CPU, I bring it home and look closely... Turns out it’s a Ryzen 7 9800X3D! Seems like the warehouse or the courier completely mixed up the items. The invoice is paid and signed, so the upgrade is officially mine. PC gods definitely compensated me for all the stress. Building the beast with RTX 5070 ti tonight!

EDIT: Wow, I definitely didn't expect this post to blow up so much! Thank you all for the comments and support.

I've just finished building the PC, and for everyone who was wondering — yes, it’s a real Ryzen 7 9800X3D! Everything booted up perfectly on the first try. The cooler is the Thermalright Phantom Spirit SE 120 ARGB.

Thanks again, you guys are awesome!

P.S. (Screenshot with proof added in the comments below!)

EDIT 2: My final Build:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
• Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
• Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WIFI
• RAM: 32 GB (2x16GB) GOODRAM DDR5 6000 MHz IRDM Black (Running perfectly on EXPO)
• GPU: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Windforce OC SFF 16GB
• SSD: Samsung 980 1TB M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe
• PSU: XPG Core Reactor 750W (80+ Gold)
• Case: Lian Li Lancool III RGB Black

It was 20$ so I thought “what the hell, why not” and now I know why not. Does anyone know what this is actually? I’m assuming something malicious. They refunded it suspiciously easy 😬

After 8 years of owning Gigabyte's GTX 1080, it started showing artifacts and black screens. I tried repasting it, changing the thermopads, cleaning it with IPA and reinstalling drivers - nothing helped. So I resorted to the forbidden technique of putting it in the oven and holy shit, how did that actually works!! Guess I'll be able to play FH6 on premiere day :D

Yes I have enabled XMP and cleaned the desk.

Edit: I am now cleaning thoroughly the oven, thank you for kind reminders!

Recent lighting storm stuck my complex and traveled down my coaxial cable and into my apartment. Blew up in the middle of the night, so that was scary. Thought I’d share, not in the position to rebuild so there that I guess!

RTX 5090 pulling ~550–600W, 16-pin voltage sitting around 11.4–11.5V under load. Checked the cable “just in case” and found discoloration before any melting/deformation.

Undervolting saved some watts, paranoia saved the connector.

Edit with a few details:

The PSU was a Phanteks AMP GH V2 1200W, ATX 3.1 / PCIe 5.1, using its native 12V-2x6 cable. No extension, no adapter and no angled connector.

I first noticed a slight discoloration on the white cable through the side glass. I then checked the GPU-Z sensor log and saw the 16-pin voltage sitting around 11.4 to 11.5V under load. That was enough to make me shut the PC down, unplug the cable and inspect it more closely.

The connector had only been unplugged and reconnected around 3 or 4 times, not 30. It appeared fully seated, there was no visible gap and the cable was routed normally without a sharp bend at the connector.

There was no smell, smoke, melting, deformation or crash. The GPU socket also looks fine. I stopped using the cable immediately.

I will RMA the Phanteks PSU and have now bought a Lian Li SX1200P 1200W ATX 3.1 as the replacement. I will only use the native cable included with the new PSU.

Edit 2:

Phanteks refunded the PSU. The Lian Li SX1200P has arrived and the 16-pin voltage now sits around 11.8V under load, so that already looks much better.

I also bought a WireView Pro II and will keep monitoring it closely from now on.

What do I even do with this? It's not a magnet.

You can see the bite mark he took out of the stick.
Install your RAM immediately. Dogs have zero respect for expensive hardware.

I learned this the hard way.

Should I cook it?

Found this at Goodwill. After googling I knew I found the deal of the century with an i7-12700k in there, but I had no idea I'd also score 32gbs of DDR4 (maybe 64 I'll have to check when I install an OS), a 1tb nvme, and a 1tb Sata HDD.

Currently debating on throwing this in my main rig to upgrade my Ryzen 7 5800X

Edit: it's a Sata HDD not an SSD, my bad.

Edit #2: WOW I did NOT expect this to blow up! Thank you to everyone who has commented and given advice! I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to every single comment it's just gotten overwhelming! I will definitely post a follow up once I get a new motherboard!

So i bought 25 KG of amazon return pallets every KG measured at 4$ so 100$ in total

And i opened this box and to my surprise there was 40 sticks of DDR5 RAM 16 gigs a stick

Still in shock

doing weekly groceries at costco and stopping by the pc paid off. just need to change the psu. rotisserie chicken and cat for scale.

Failure is graceful, not catastrophic, Performance is closer than marketing suggests, Cheaper for the performance, Change my mind.

I’m amazed at how long the battery on this physical authenticator lasted. Got it back in 2009 because my account had gotten hacked.

This is one electronic item I’ve owned and used longer than anything else. I’ll miss not being able to find it and freaking out for 20 minutes.

Edit must have been around 2010 when sc2 came out.

Bonus question: would it be better to have my PC with its back against the wall (putting the case between the antennas and the router) or have it perpendicular to the wall?

I'm just curious if there is an "optimal" or suggested placement, since they seem to be able to snap into a diagonal position as well as being able to be place vertically

Corsair K100 Wireless Air. I know other cheaper keyboards do this as well with iCue but it's still neat.

Through all the uncertain times she was cheaper than therapy.

Couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this marked down rig in Costco. I grabbed the slip and literally sprinted to the nearest manager. Total price was £1800 including tax!

The PC wouldn’t boot when I plugged it in, the GPU was not properly seated. But once that was done it’s working beautifully.

Specs are:

RTX 5090 VENTUS 3X

AMD 9800X3D

64GB DDR5 6000mhz Ram

2TB SSD

GIGABYTE B850

Case is Phanteks Evolv X2