PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Adajer]

this is also funny to me, because amd gpus got shit on ever since.

[notorious bum]

This is all very useful intel(rimshot) to hear, knowing that I will be probably upgrading my budget i3 2120 + 6850 combo in order to enjoy sexytime with the new Tomb Raider, Stars Warz, and No Mans Sky. Gracias mi techno amigos!

[Gryffes]

I've been very happy with my crossfire 290x's, but the new stuff released has been an abysmal price to value to compete with Nvidia. I checked on Amazon and both of my 290x's are selling for $400+ (who knows if people actually buy them at that price) so I put both up. Will likely get a 980ti if both sell and pocket the change.

That isn't true, the 390 is better value than the 970 and the 390x vs 980 is actually kinda interesting because nobody ( imo ) should be buying one of those to play games in 1080p, the 980 wins across the board at 1080p, but the 390x wins across the board at 4k. At 1440p its about even. Even then the 390x is a lot cheaper.

[Adajer]

That isn't true, the 390 is better value than the 970 and the 390x vs 980 is actually kinda interesting because nobody ( imo ) should be buying one of those to play games in 1080p, the 980 wins across the board at 1080p, but the 390x wins across the board at 4k. At 1440p its about even. Even then the 390x is a lot cheaper.

IMO, anyone at 1080p hasnt needed anything more than 670 or AMD equivalent. If you are a 144hz 1080p, maybe a x80

[Kalmado]

That isn't true, the 390 is better value than the 970 and the 390x vs 980 is actually kinda interesting because nobody ( imo ) should be buying one of those to play games in 1080p, the 980 wins across the board at 1080p, but the 390x wins across the board at 4k. At 1440p its about even. Even then the 390x is a lot cheaper.

On that I do agree with you. It would have been better for me to say I was let down overall by the price to performance on the new lineup. Maybe once the new factor wears off the price will be better like the 290x.

My turn to ask for some advice. Current setup is a 4690k, 2x290x 4gb models, and a Lepa 1200w 80+ Gold psu. Currently gaming at 1440p. Considering going to 4k in the future. I recently saw a sale on the XFX R9 290x 8gb model for $300 and wondered how good of a value that is. The goal is to spend the least amount as possible. What would be the minimum gpu requirements to get say 45+fps on high-ultra (AA off or 2xAA) on most titles at 4k?

[Gryffes]

Checkout the 4k benchmarks here:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/di...r9-390x-review

[Kalmado]

Checkout the 4k benchmarks here:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/di...r9-390x-review

Thanks for linking the article. Good read! Looks like the 390x 8gb is hovering around $400 after rebate. Could potentially get it for around $380 depending on what promotions are running. For myself it doesn't look like it makes sense to move on from my xfire 290x setup just yet. While the 980ti is clearly better than the 390x I personally can't justify $200 more (for each card). I'm going to keep an eye out for sales and when the time is right I'll jump.

[Byrthnoth]

I use: http://gaming.coolermaster.com/en/pr...kfireultimate/

I like it. The backlighting is kind of obnoxious but I rarely turn it on. I have the model with Brown switches/white backlight. Browns are the middle of the road, a good intro to mechanical key switches. Depending on your use, you might prefer a different type of switch (red/blue/brown/etc). If you don't care/know, I'd say go with browns. Quiet enough and still incredibly responsive over rubber dome keyboards.

Thanks! This keyboard looks good, and I will probably get it.

[tyven]

you guys pls help i want to install my new hdd. How will this affect my free windows 10 upgrade? I've registered for it but haven't actually done it and now I'm going to swap HDDs and put windows 7 on the new one. pls help. This was the worst day ever for BG to be down. Thx a lot BG

[tyven]

Okay you guys I'm just going to go for it i have no idea what i am doing if you dont hear from me until tomorrow it means things didn't go super well.

[DrClout]

Unplug power
Open case
Locate first HDD to see if there is room for a second
If yes, put next one there
If no, put it somewhere else that's stable and won't move
Plug in data cable to the HDD and connect to empty slot in mobo
Plug in spare power line from the PSU. It'll be the only one that fits here
Close case
Plug in
Turn on
Get back to being in the master race
. . .

Spoiler: show

if all else fails, watch this noob. it's kinda old but it's still kinda accurate

[tyven]

Unplug power
Open case
Locate first HDD to see if there is room for a second
If yes, put next one there
If no, put it somewhere else that's stable and won't move
Plug in data cable to the HDD and connect to empty slot in mobo
Plug in spare power line from the PSU. It'll be the only one that fits here
Close case
Plug in
Turn on
Get back to being in the master race
. . .

Spoiler: show

if all else fails, watch this noob. it's kinda old but it's still kinda accurate

i did it! except i got rid of my old drive because it was like a 64 gig ssd or w/e and always low on space even tho i only ran Windows on it so i just put a 500 banger in and reinstalled windows altho now its not giving me the lil windows 10 upgrade option which makes me sad uh oh

[Arkanna]

i did it! except i got rid of my old drive because it was like a 64 gig ssd or w/e and always low on space even tho i only ran Windows on it so i just put a 500 banger in and reinstalled windows altho now its not giving me the lil windows 10 upgrade option which makes me sad uh oh

Make sure you have IE11 installed, and all the latest Windows 7 updates. One of those triggers the little icon in your tray.

[tyven]

Make sure you have IE11 installed, and all the latest Windows 7 updates. One of those triggers the little icon in your tray.

God bless you.

You donks should have seen me today at work when BG was down, I was searching Arkanna and Krandor and Kalmodo on Twitter hoping to find people I thought were you guys to randomly ask them for help. It appears none of you use your BG names on Twitter but probably no one does so whatever!

[Kalmado]

God bless you.

You donks should have seen me today at work when BG was down, I was searching Arkanna and Krandor and Kalmodo on Twitter hoping to find people I thought were you guys to randomly ask them for help. It appears none of you use your BG names on Twitter but probably no one does so whatever!

Mine is "thekalmado" on the twatter. I rarely use it though. Glad Arkanna came through with the goods for you!

[Arkanna]

I have a Twitter acct but I never use it >_>

[Zetanio]

My need to upgrade my GPU has become imperative. My 550Ti is starting to die and I need to replace it so I don't lose productivity working from home.

My quandary:

I want a ASUS STRIX GeForce GTX 960 but I can't spend 225 bucks on a GPU right now.

I need something under $200 bucks that can carry me until December/Jan when I can splurge and upgrade my whole rig.

I want to stay with nVidia unless it's a glaring difference in price/$

[Zetanio]

After much (read: 5 minutes) discussion in chat. I went with a 750Ti for now. I'll pick up a 980 or something over Christmas to compliment my new build.

[Gryffes]

Just wait till the next gen nvidia/amd hit, they'll be more prepared for DX12/Oculus.
That said, AMDs 390/x do very well in DX12, nivida doesnt do dx12 very well at all ( lack of asynchronous parallel something or other ).

[notorious bum]

Reading reviews on Tomshardware and HardOCP a few days ago, it seems the best value in mid-range cards is in the R9 280/280x. It looks like they average about 30-40 bucks cheaper, but I read that these assholes are louder, hotter, and draw more power than the 960, so I'm conflicted.

Here was my preliminary budget build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wJDfzy

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.50 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($197.98 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC Zondda-S ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.59 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $633.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-01 21:30 EDT-0400