The Daily Grind: How well do you really know your computer?

I believe in the power of MacGyver.

I would say that I'm pretty highly skilled, but I would definitely say that there are people out there that know more and are more skilled with computers than I'am, i like to think I'm learning everyday.

My computer is self built (with very few toothpicks), self tweaked and self overclocked (which I know isn't terribly hard), I know a lot about the performance abilities and tolerances of the components in my PC, but I couldn't tell you how it all works on a technical level, that's beyond me.

I would agree that most gamers aren't too bothered about what's in their PC nor how it all works, so long as it provides the level of performance they want for the games they play (with a lot of people blaming a game for poor performance rather than their PC (the console generation being pretty pampered for consistent performance).

Well, when it comes to my computer, I know it is a Dell, and buying it was the worst mistake in my life. If you are talking about in "general", then I would be able to put together a computer from parts.

But besides being able to put it together, I still assume that "magic" is what makes it work

Considering the # of years I have been building/troubleshooting computers I would say I am still only average in knowledge. With how fast computer tech tends to change (well, at least on me - I no sooner get the hang of something and it changes) I just manage to keep pace... sort of.

I know my systems pretty well usually, but I agree to the premise that most 'average' gamers don't know (and don't care to know) about the inner workings of their computers. Most folks (broad generalisation I know) want to be able to turn the power on and have everything work, the idea of drivers/hardware issues (anyone remember the "fun" of IRQ conflicts making it so your sound wouldn't work?) is beyond them - in their eyes it is the computer makers responsibility (or the game makers) to ensure everything works all of the time.

I stay on top of Tech changes personally and it's part of my job to do so. I'm not the top level of being able to troubleshoot anything and everything but I have given tech support on a high level in the past with ease.

Most of the time when something goes wrong on a software scale it's laughably easy to fix. The Hardware errors are a varied sort and pretty much my entire guild looks to me when they need Tech work done lol

I've known a few gamers in my lifetime so far that HAVE indeed put magnets on the side of the case and then suffered "strange hard drive problems" lol

As far as gathering up toothpicks and photo stills of MacGuyver to create a working motherboard, I can neither confirm nor deny I have done that :)

I am knowledgeable & trained enough to put a PC together, but I've never really retained much of the terms and numbers side of things.

So I'm the someone that a clueless neighbour could ask for help, but if I was cornered by a techie at a party my eyes would glaze over pretty fast.

Woo hoo, my computer case is bright pink steel BECAUSE I BUILT IT MYSELF!

I'm a guy, btw.

I know pretty much everything about my computer since I build my own. Anything I don't know I learn and take care of on my own like when my new PC had windows 7 load IDE mode instead of AHCI on my storage drive.

My current comp is: Intel i7 930 @ 3.8ghz, 6 gigs Gskill Ripjaw DDR3 1600, Asus P6T Mobo, Corsair TX 750 ps, OCZ vertex 60gig SSD, and a EVGA Nvidia 470 @ 802/1604/2000(4ghz effective). Should be able to play all MMO's that release for the next 2-3 years :), maybe 8 if the trend towards low end graphics *cough* SWTOR *cough* continues.

I don't presume to know all the tricks but I'd say I'm more advanced than most.

I consider myself pretty decent when it comes to knowing about computers. I built the one I have and use as my primary, I also built a few secondary systems for other uses around the house, but thats just because its cheaper and you can get a lot more mileage out of a custom-built system. I'm the de facto "tech guy" most of my friends and relatives come to for help when their systems crash (PC AND Mac, by the way... I've seen ample issues with both). I'm not crazy about computers, though, there's still a lot I don't know, and there are plenty of people out there much better than I when it comes to them. I don't overclock... never saw the need and I like my devices having a longer life than a fast short one. I still don't know much about setting multiple hard disks up in RAID format... Its really just a hobby for me.

I love attempting to give support via in game chat and some JackWagon rolls in all like it's this or that when clearly they don't have a clue. Or the Standard "Alt+F4" will fix it. A little background, I cover a High School and an Elementary in the state I live in. Roughly 400 or so users(not counting students) and approx. 2500-3500 devices(laptops, desktops, phones, printers, sound systems, DVD/VCR's). Still I'm no all pro, but chances are I can get you straight via Vent or in game chat. =]

My official job title is IT Global Infrastructure Engineer so I'd have to say that I know my Computers first and MMOs second. A close second, but still.

I know enough to laugh at anybody who says they own Alienware.

I would say moderatly/average skilled.

I build my own desktops because its cheaper.
So I have a basic idea of how to assemble the pieces.
Though when the mobo fries because you route your GFX card powercable backwards, don't ask me to fix that mobo. Hehe I was switching from ATI 9200 to Nvidia 8800, I was careless on reading the connecting manual. Live and learn.

I can do a basic troubleshoot, the bare essentials you pick up as a gamer.
Dxdiag,drivers, dll's etc.

Basicly I would say I posses those skills all non industry hobby gamers should have at minimum.

I used to work in a computer shop, building business computers and gaming rigs "back in the day". Not too much has changed, except I can't really tell you why Windows does whatever it does.

I do know a guy that keeps up with whatever is the best equipment to have, and the best equipment to have on a particular budget, so I defer to him on what to buy. Beyond that I build it and keep it running myself.

With a bachelors degree in computer engineering and a masters degree in computer science you could say I've picked up on a thing or two about computers.

Well, I know more than the 'average' person. But I'm woefully underknowledged when it comes to professionals.

I put my own computer together, and I look after most of the problems we run into, but I can't do much advanced stuff.

I would say a decent portion know enough to be dangerous, the vast majority are totally clueless and the minority could field strip and reassemble their computers blindfolded. So just about like anywhere else IRL.

The thing that always stops me are the dangerous people .... the ones who will start talking about spending big bucks on a new cutting edge graphics card. Who you will then ask if their power supply is up to the task, not to belittle their computer but because people will jump into these things just not knowing that new graphics cards are power sucking monsters.

This inevitably spurs the question "Whats a power supply?" and asking questions is never a bad thing. However through their further questioning and failure to grasp simple explanations. It quickly becomes apparent that anything said further would be reckless endangerment of an innocent computer. You are starting to seriously wonder how they were planning on installing this blazing new graphics card as they never once hinted at having someone else do it..... Osmosis is quickly working its way to the top of your list.