PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Churchill]

idk, it really depends on what you play. I can't think of any title in the last 4 years (except for maybe tomb raider for a very short period of time) that AMD outperformed NVIDIA and when NVIDIA (Or EVGA rather) releases their blackops classified airforce one edition 980Ti, that will be the single best video card ever produced in the history of the galaxy.

I can think of a lot of games that to this day still run like shit on AMD CPU/GPU - most of these are very related to the games bottlenecking at CPU / poor optimization, which is more of a reflection on AMD vs. Intel than AMD vs. NVIDIA, but it's still a relevant concern.

So if you play LoL, TF2, CSGO, other esports garbage, going for a sub 1000$ AMD build with a solid AMD GPU will easily run 4K res and most MMO's should too if you turn the settings down.

It's not going to run AAA releases at max settings and 4K and it's going to perform worse at a rapid pace going forward.

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i7 related but outside of cache and internal software, I don't even think we're at a point where games are utilizing what these CPUs offer. When DX12 hits and people actually use it, maybe we'll get to that point, but most of the games I play run on one core, and most of what I play would really be great if they ran on 4 cores because they are all CPU driven games.

granted, if these games weren't shit they'd optimize their engines at the same time and I would actually see a performance increase from an AMD 6990 to an NVIDIA 980.

[Kalmado]

I'm running an I5-4690k so I'd hope that's not a bottleneck. No esports games (except the random CS:GO for s&g). I tested an AMD 8320e + R9 290x for awhile and was honestly shocked at the piss poor performance it produced at stock clocks. Even overclocking to 4.6 it was still bad, but this is comparing to using an I5 over the last two years. For budget it would be fine, but not for 1440p+. I was thinking about renting a 390 from Micro Center for a week to see how it goes with one.

[Churchill]

Should probably list the games you play / want to play then, because from what I understand downscaling on 4k monitors looks like shit.

Things I can think of that usually run like shit on AMD GPU:
Any AAA game that gets released ever (whether due to AMD sucking or NVIDIA cockblocking them)

Things I can think of that are usually CPU driven (where intel dumps on amd)
RTS/Citybuilders

Sandbox games (Arma, Minecraft, probably No Mans Sky, Rust, those types)

Anything unoptimized or running the CryEngine. (Also uses sig. GPU): MechWarrior Online, Wildstar, Watch Dogs, BF4 when it came out, any game that has a console version where they probably don't care about PC, Borderlands (not so much now), etc etc etc

[Kalmado]

I've only downscaled to 144p while using a R9 270x 2gb while playing Resident Evil 5 (finished last night) and it seemed fine.

Currently Playing

Shadow Warrior
Witcher 3
Fallout 4
Grand Theft Auto V
Nazi Zombie Army 1/2
LA Noire

Soon To Be Playing

Crysis 1/2/3
Borderlands 2, Pre-Sequal
Wolfenstein
The rest of my backlog

[DrClout]

You're catalog is long as fuck!

[Kalmado]

You're catalog is long as fuck!

And of course doesn't include Origin, Uplay, or GoG games.

[Kryssan]

lol didn't know about that website. My playtime is horrible and I feel bad.

[Krandor]

Made me look it up, only 67 of my 228 games haven't been played. That's better then I thought.

[DrClout]

I have only 2 and barely keep up. FFXIV and LoL...

[Kalmado]

I was in XI's clutches for so long I missed out on pretty much all 360/ps3 releases so I have tons to play which is why I'm not concerned at all about xfire/sli drivers being released when new games are.

[Tokitoki]

Anyone have any suggestions for a PSU other than the XFX TS 550? I've been keeping an eye on it on a few different sites, but it hasn't come up for sale yet. I have the rest of the PC assembled, just need a PSU to power it. Getting impatient.

[Kalmado]

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/power-...sort=a9&page=1

Nothing hot price wise. The EVGA 600b would probably do.

[Tokitoki]

Thanks, I purchased that one since it had a rebate and for some reason my ShopRunner membership has (apparently) not expired.

[Kalmado]

If you have American Express you'll get Shoprunner free.

[Palpatine]

Kinda related? I'm looking for a TV (which will also be a third monitor of sorts for the PC); around 50". I usually use www.dealnews.com to find those. Any other recommendations? Looking for inexpensive, of course. Found a Sony 48" for $300, but that's out of stock at the moment.

[Airenn]

Got it

[Kalmado]

Kinda related? I'm looking for a TV (which will also be a third monitor of sorts for the PC); around 50". I usually use www.dealnews.com to find those. Any other recommendations? Looking for inexpensive, of course. Found a Sony 48" for $300, but that's out of stock at the moment.

Really hard to say on a 50" tv. Everyone has their preference but for me it's a blend of quality and budget. In the last three years we've used a 50" LG plasma (still have), 50" LG LED, and 60" LG plasma (still have). Really liked them all. For xmas we gifted my wife's sister's family a 55" Toshiba LED and after calibrating it's really nice.

I'd say keep checking dealnews and also slickdeals.net and watch for the best option.

[Churchill]

Anyone have any suggestions for a PSU other than the XFX TS 550? I've been keeping an eye on it on a few different sites, but it hasn't come up for sale yet. I have the rest of the PC assembled, just need a PSU to power it. Getting impatient.

im not gonna bother reading what youre looking for because idc, but EVGA SuperNOVA's are 80+gold or better, higher rated, and modular. Plus regardless of what scrubs say you can't go wrong with EVGA.

[Boyiee]

Kinda related? I'm looking for a TV (which will also be a third monitor of sorts for the PC); around 50". I usually use www.dealnews.com to find those. Any other recommendations? Looking for inexpensive, of course. Found a Sony 48" for $300, but that's out of stock at the moment.

Check out rtings.com

[Kalmado]

im not gonna bother reading what youre looking for because idc, but EVGA SuperNOVA's are 80+gold or better, higher rated, and modular. Plus regardless of what scrubs say you can't go wrong with EVGA.

Yeah my go to psus are XFX and EVGA G2/B2/P2/GS. I'll go with a 500/600B for the right setup. I stay away from the NEX though as they've had poor reviews. Usually EVGA and XFX trade blows on best price when on sale.