PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Ramor]

Another 5870 might be a cheaper option to a next gen video card for about the same performance (a little less I'd wager, but for the price it'd be hard to argue against it). They'd still run most 2012 games at full most likely assuming the rest of your computer is up to spec. First I'd check your case and make sure you have the room and airflow for another card though, biggest problem with two cards is that one sits on top of the other and usually sucks heat from the one below it running it 3~10C hotter which can sometimes be a problem. Try watching temps on the card you have now while gaming and see how it fares, most cards can go up to about 105C (some a little more, some less) but the general comfort max for GPUs is about 90~95C (which you shouldn't be hitting unless you're folding or stress testing usually). If your current card runs hot, might behoove you to get a few more fans if you're going to SLI some cards.

As for your RAM, you honestly don't need more than 4gigs if you're only gaming, no current games take above 2gigs really, 6 is plenty and 8 is just sort of pissing money away unless you watch your current RAM jump to 80%+ on a consistent basis. RAM is real cheap though, if you're going to get a couple of 4gig DDR3 sticks you could always take the ones you have now and try OCing them because if they fry then who cares? But really 6gigs should be more than enough for anything that we'll see in the immediate future.

[Fereydoon]

So gonna purchase later today, have three choices, would prefer the middle choice but if it has bad parts or such I can take the more expensive option.



with this case, as it won't fit in the image: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129066

Orrrr either of these, with the GPU from that picture:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...20111101142458 Seems preferred

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.752642 cheapest, similar to the picture but with probably cheaper parts.


I'm not opposed to upgrading somewhere down the line, but looking to spend as little as possible atm. Budget is ~700, cart pictured is 709 with shipping.

Edit: Using it for gaming, mostly XIV.

[Zerocool]

Here's something that's a little more expensive than what you have there, but a better system overall:

Spoiler: show

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2432/buildv.jpg

If you wanted to save some more money, you could drop the psu and memory and add the ones from your build up there.

Edit: you can replace that MB listed with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138320 if you want to keep the ability to SLI/Xfire if you decide to in the furute.

[Fereydoon]

Can't really go higher than 700, except for that 10ish on shipping. Mostly wondering if I can go with either linked combo with the GPU in the cart, and still get similar performance.

[Zerocool]

Here's one that's quite a bit cheaper and should be pretty similar performance-wise to the one I posted:

Spoiler: show

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/7340/build2g.jpg

Around $630 before shipping with the mail-in rebates.

[Fereydoon]

That cart is really good.. But the cart I was going to get yesterday, here for reference: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...20%20%20759542 came back in stock, it's more in my price range, less future proof, but only slightly worse, from what I can see. Would also allow me to get a new monitor, to replace the like, 19 inch CRT I've been using. So main question is! Slightly worse + new monitor or better machine? Can't see myself needing the slight extra bit of power, if turning a setting or two down for a better monitor is what I have to do I don't mind that.

[Zerocool]

Personally I'd go for the better machine now and upgrade the monitor later, if that's an option for you. If you were willing to wait a couple months you could probably pick up a decent monitor for cheap around black friday. But if you're going for instant gratification, could be getting the monitor now might be better. The only thing with that is a bigger monitor means having to up the resolution to get the most out of it, which could mean you might have to run on lower settings for decent performance.

[Fereydoon]

I really would prefer the instant. X_X I can't guarantee I'd have money for myself come Black Friday. I'd like to get everything at once, even if it means slightly less quality, and upgrade later when I get the chance/money. It wouldn't be too much of a decrease from what you linked, to that combo, would it?

[Zerocool]

Which was the combo you were looking at to be able to get the monitor as well?

[Fereydoon]

This one http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...20%20%20759542 if it's not too much of a downgrade I'll search for a monitor too.

[Zerocool]

Actually should be pretty similar performance-wise. You'll probably get the most for your money with that combo and a monitor.

[Fereydoon]

Sweet, hopefully it doesn't sell out just before I go to buy it like yesterday. Any advice on a monitor? Sub $100 if possible. Not looking for anything too big atm.

[Zerocool]

Probably your best bet. Its a little over $100, but even with that and that combo you should still be under 700 after rebates. I don't think you'll get a 1080p monitor of that size any cheaper. Not a good one anyways.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824262011

[Fereydoon]

Would it be wiser to keep the extra ~$100 I saved getting the combo, and wait til black friday, see if I can also maybe get a little more?

[Zerocool]

That would probably be up to you. You might be able to get a better monitor later on for cheaper, but it's not necessarily a guarantee that you'll find one. If money is the main issue right now, I'd say just save it if having a new monitor isn't that important to you atm.

[Fereydoon]

I'll get that combo, and save and see what I can get for black friday. Thanks a ton!

[Olo401]

Here's one that's quite a bit cheaper and should be pretty similar performance-wise to the one I posted:

Spoiler: show

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/7340/build2g.jpg

Around $630 before shipping with the mail-in rebates.

I have to say it.. I just can't recommend the new AMD FX procs. AMD took a big gamble on Bulldozer and missed. Their new design, although well-suited for heavy server computing, just didn't pay off where it comes to everyday consumer use or gaming. They don't come anywhere close to Sandy Bridge except in very heavily multithread-optimized programs - and the rest of the time they either run about even with or lag behind the older AM3 Phenom IIs in performance. It's just not worth spending your money on when you can get much more performance out of the i5-2500k. This combo is just $50 more and would be a better choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.764352

I'd also recommend waiting a little while before buying a hard drive, if you can. There's been some really bad flooding in Thailand where many companies have their factories and that's caused a MAJOR price spike. I wouldn't be surprised to find that 500gig drive you picked out has gone up $30-50 overnight.

[Ramor]

I have to say it.. I just can't recommend the new AMD FX procs. AMD took a big gamble on Bulldozer and missed. Their new design, although well-suited for heavy server computing, just didn't pay off where it comes to everyday consumer use or gaming. They don't come anywhere close to Sandy Bridge except in very heavily multithread-optimized programs - and the rest of the time they either run about even with or lag behind the older AM3 Phenom IIs in performance. It's just not worth spending your money on when you can get much more performance out of the i5-2500k. This combo is just $50 more and would be a better choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.764352

I'd also recommend waiting a little while before buying a hard drive, if you can. There's been some really bad flooding in Thailand where many companies have their factories and that's caused a MAJOR price spike. I wouldn't be surprised to find that 500gig drive you picked out has gone up $30-50 overnight.

going to entirely agree with this entire post, i5-2500k is much more worth your money than the AMD bulldozer, it just didn't pan out for them the way they wanted. there's plenty of people out there talking about how easily you can OC it but the AMD crew used liquid helium to cool it when they OC'd it to like 8.6Ghz or whatever stupid shit they did, the 2500k is just much much better architecture, sandy bridge is like night and day difference.

[elison]

New build that I'm going to be purchasing in the next 2 weeks. Going to be doing a lot of PhotoShop + hardcore gaming on this computer running 3 monitors. Also, I know I don't have a PSU in that picture but their currently out of stock on the Corsair 1200watt supply I was eyeing.


I have a WD 1TB HDD at the house that I recently purchased, so I don't need another.

http://i44.tinypic.com/oac5s6.png

Only thing I'm not to sure about is the choice of video cards. Any advice on the cards? I've never used nVidia before, so I can't comment or make any decisions on their products.

[Elesirdur]

Wrong thread