Thread: System upgrade for 3.0    

So question for my fellow BG'ers. I used to have a GTX670, which ran FFXIV great. I'm looking to get a GTX970 or GTX980. For the extra $~200, is it really worth it for me to go all out for the 980? Keep in mind FFXIV will probably be the most demanding thing I run on this PC.

I've currently got a i5 2500k overclocked @4.4ghz,
8GB ram,
SSDs 120GBx2 (one for windows/programs other for games),
2TB WD green drive (movies and stuff)
I also run a 2 monitor + TV set up
650W PSU

Originally Posted by Gulkeeva

When I got my PC about 2 years ago, I had the case come with the motherboard and cpu already attached, that stuff can be a pain in the ass to put in properly at times, and its easy to fuckup a pin too >.> (that and the creaking noises when screwing in a motherboard is kinda like ehhhh)

D; this makes me cringe as my current job has me building custom machines all day and shipping them out, if you're uncertain how tight you should be screwing in the motherboard to the standoff screws, its about until its snug, you don't ever really want to over tighten them as it can lead to the board flexing and when put under load for a long time can lead to defects in some of the circuit paths. I've also had heard boards snap on me because they were tightened just a bit too tightly.

Once you've put together roughly 500 PCs you're not really afraid of anything that can go wrong, provided you have an anti-static strap somewhere on your body(mine usually on ankle) handling all the components is not stressful at all, I also suggest if anyone is into doing their own builds if you're going a standard airflow build with no form of water cooling, build it outside of the case. I prefer to build mine on the motherboard box itself as it makes for a great anti-static surface, I'll even power it up on the box itself to make sure everything will work before getting getting everything tucked away and cable management done. You could do your build on top of the anti-static bag the motherboard comes with but I would never power it up while it is on that bag as the bag could carry a charge on its surface and short everything out, I.. unfortunately have first had experience with this.

my internet speed cannot support more than 1600 kbps....

thats why i cannot stream that high quality to begin with

Speaking of SSD's...

There is one for about $70.00 for a 240GB SSD using promo code EMCARNN22 and using the $20 rebate

Isn't too bad of a SSD either, according to benchmarks
http://techreport.com/review/26905/o...ive-reviewed/3

Originally Posted by Prothescar

that's an issue with the motherboard, not the GPU. 970 is completely compatible with that chipset. I would know, one of my PCs is running an SLI 970 config with a z77 chip. what kind of board is it?

It's an MSI board ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130643 ), EVGA card, but if you do some research a lot of people have been having with that card in particular. (I think its the 970 FTW) While it is compatible and people have gotten it to work, for some reason a fair bit of the 970 cards have been having issues with multiple boards (even read some z97's have issues with it). It seems like the compatibility wasn't fully tested prior to release. Unless it's a really vocal minority a lot of the places I have done research with have had that issue with the card. It's the most issues I've read about with a card in a long while. The most common fix was a re-installation of windows and/or a CMOS reset. Also before you asked (Yes, I've tried reseating the card on multiple slots, CMOS, BIOS update, reinstallation of windows, RMA'd the card, etc etc. The only way I actually got the card to be recognized temporarily was to install the driver while having my GTX 560 TI in turned it off swapped to it during the initial stages of monkeying with it. Put the 970 in, it was finally detected. Did a fresh reinstallation of drivers to be safe and then during this time period it stopped being detected. That was the closest I got. If you can get the card to work its a pretty good bang for your buck otherwise I'd beware.)


edit: I should probably state I'm not trying to argue. I'm just trying to do due diligence for someone that might be less computer savy, run into the issue, nd end up with a headache and potentially breaking something because they don't know how to properly run through the steps >_>

You guys making me want to get a 970 now... but $300 is a bit more than I feel ok with spending since I have essentially the same pc as spieler up there but with a 660ti that is doing an admirable job given its age.

Originally Posted by Gulkeeva

Speaking of SSD's...

There is one for about $70.00 for a 240GB SSD using promo code EMCARNN22 and using the $20 rebate

Isn't too bad of a SSD either, according to benchmarks
http://techreport.com/review/26905/o...ive-reviewed/3

Where is this SSD at?

Looks like a newegg code to me.

e: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...m-_-20-228-116

Originally Posted by Kaslo

Where is this SSD at?

opps forgot to include that but yeah Purrrrfect (why a dog avatar!) posted a link to it

http://valid.x86.fr/th8img Fairly old build but I did it for $570ish ignoring monitor/speakers and such as I have em. What would be best for upgrading? Aside GPU since I gave my gf the better GPU (was a 4gb version :l )

So um... dumb question. How do you install Windows without an optical drive?

I'm guessing I will need to do that on my work laptop considering I only have OSX at home?

From what I hear from someone else playing at 5K on a 970, they said theirs really no lag/plays at 60fps except in mor dhona with a lot of people (if HDR is on, says around 40-45fps, 60 without)

Originally Posted by aldo

Anyone play FFXIV in 4k (3840 x 2160)? Currently play with a 970 at 2560x1600 and the game is smooth on high with no issues. Wondering how much it would drop if I got a 40" monitor at 4k res.

Are you looking at that Phillips 40" monitor (BDM4065UC/00)?

(Just curious because those are the specs it has, and I'm thinking about one myself)

Originally Posted by Gulkeeva

From what I hear from someone else playing at 5K on a 970, they said theirs really no lag/plays at 60fps except in mor dhona with a lot of people (if HDR is on, says around 40-45fps, 60 without)

Thanks. I know some other games will chug at 4k so good to know FFXIV won't as much.

Originally Posted by Hellfury

Are you looking at that Phillips 40" monitor (BDM4065UC/00)?

(Just curious because those are the specs it has, and I'm thinking about one myself)

I am looking at the Phillips 40", the Samsung 40" (JU6500), and also this Korean Mango Wasabi 42" http://www.wasabimango.co.kr/bbs/boa...uct_1&wr_id=30.

The Philips and Samsungs are VA panels and both have their quirks (there are huge threads on the hardocp forums for both). (Also look at the Crossover 44k as it uses the same panel as the Phillips.) The Mango is IPS (which I prefer by quite a bit) and uses the new LG panels which are getting good reviews. I would pretty much buy the MW one right now but you'd have to import from Korea and any sort of warranty or return would be a huge hassle so I'm hesitant.