PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Sukian]

Looking to buy a new computer. I know that prices on gpu's should be dropping here with the new ATI release. First one is a higher budget one while the second cuts corners a little bit. I'm not opposed to mix matching or adding something else in. Also if there are any current deals else where. I also know that intel is suppose to release their new line of chips soon (when?). I definitely have my heart set on the 2500k, I probably wont immediately start OC'ing but eventually I might.

Also I have a spare HDD that I will use for now and upgrade down the road since prices are still pretty high. OS is covered (Windows 7) as are the peripherals.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72.../compbuild.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72...500kBudget.jpg

Edit: Also I should note that I'll be using it as primarily a gaming PC. Mostly just as XI but also will play some of the newer games. Dual box accounts and I like using 2 monitors. *maybe* go with a 3 monitor set up with eyefinity. (Does FFXI even work with eyefinity?)

[Nullibicity]

I would like to buy a new PC since the one I have is kinda old. I can spend around $1000-$1400. I don't really know much about computers, could someone please point me towards some good gaming PC's that are around that price?

[bluefan]

I would like to buy a new PC since the one I have is kinda old. I can spend around $1000-$1400. I don't really know much about computers, could someone please point me towards some good gaming PC's that are around that price?

Are you wanting a pre-built PC? Since it's mainly for gaming, it'd be much better if you built your own. Most pre-built gaming PCs are ridiculously overpriced.

[Headspace]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834215198

What's everyone's opinion on this laptop? I wanna game when necessary and game decently when I do, I just don't want to break the bank

[bluefan]

The American version of the 5830TG. Solid notebook for its price.

[Goldencarnage]

recently bought SWTOR and trying to run it on my laptop has been living hell lol. Incredibly laggy and graphics are terrible. So I want to build a desktop that can run this game at moderate settings. My max price range is around 600. Also how much money would have to spend a on rig to run this game at ultra settings? Thank you.

[Senji]

recently bought SWTOR and trying to run it on my laptop has been living hell lol. Incredibly laggy and graphics are terrible.

Fyi this doesn't really change on a high end machine.

[Goldencarnage]

Fyi this doesn't really change on a high end machine.

Well my laptop is average at best. Intel core TM I3 CPU M370 @2.4ghz , 4GB Ram , integrated graphics.

So you're telling me it's not worth it to upgrade to a high end gaming desktop? I understand the game is new and all but i figure a new pc would greatly reduce my lag and increase graphics. Right now I'm running the game at all low settings and I lag like crazy in big areas. Very irritating.

[bluefan]

Well, why would you even attempt to play any half decent PC game on integrated ?

Is 600 including peripherals like keyboard, mouse and monitor? If so...you'll really be stretching it.

[Goldencarnage]

Well, why would you even attempt to play any half decent PC game on integrated ?

Is 600 including peripherals like keyboard, mouse and monitor? If so...you'll really be stretching it.

Idk I just wanted to see if it was playable lol. Last game I played before this on my pc was FFXI. I already have a keyboard,mouse, and I don't need a monitor since I'll be using my 42" Vizio tv. Honestly I'd like to spend 500 but I'm willing to stretch to 700 at max. Thanks

[bluefan]

Well, if you don't particularly want to brain storm some parts...

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboBu...t=Combo.770954

Since you'll be using a TV, 1080p gaming with that rig is more than sufficient. Normally list up a buncha parts, but I be lazy tonight.

[Goldencarnage]

Well, if you don't particularly want to brain storm some parts...

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboBu...t=Combo.770954

Since you'll be using a TV, 1080p gaming with that rig is more than sufficient. Normally list up a buncha parts, but I be lazy tonight.

Does it come prebuilt and how high of a setting do you think I'd be able to run SWTOR?


Edit: Nvm I found a computer. Specs are :

Ram- 8GB (2GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory
Cpu - AMD FX-8120 3.10 GHz Eight-Core AM3+ CPU 8MB L2 Cache & Turbo Core Technology
Hard drive- 1 TB
Motherboard- [CrossFireX] GigaByte GA-970A-D3 AMD 970 Socket AM3+ ATX Mainboard w/ On/Off Charge, 7.1 Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe X16, 3 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI
Video card - NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card

Hopefully I can run SWTOR at max settings with this. Thanks for all the help.

[Jojimbo]

I doubt a GT 520 will be able to run much at max btw, its an entry level card

EDIT:: Reading abit more, it seems that the 520 will barely play SWTOR

EDIT2:: Although missing an OS ($99 unless you can get it with a student discount or something) and having to build it yourself this is much more powerful/balanced than that one you listed

[Goldencarnage]

I doubt a GT 520 will be able to run much at max btw, its an entry level card

EDIT:: Reading abit more, it seems that the 520 will barely play SWTOR

EDIT2:: Although missing an OS ($99 unless you can get it with a student discount or something) and having to build it yourself this is much more powerful/balanced than that one you listed

Damn I already order it. I guess I'll try to call them and upgrade my video card. How does this video card look?

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 2GB 16X PCIe Video Card

Is there anything else I need to upgrade on that pc?

[TacoTaru]

I know this has been discussed a little bit, but what is the general consensus on running SLI? I have a 570GTX now, and while I don't have the money to purchase another one right away, purchasing a second 570 was in my consideration for boosting performance on my games. XIV is my primary game at the moment, but I've heard that doesn't work the greatest when crossfiring/sli. My biggest concern is, is dropping $300 for another card in general going to be worth it? I just picked up a second monitor today so I can start running games full screen on it, so windowing won't be an issue for me (I've heard windowing for whatever reason descreases the performance you get with SLI?). I feel like I'm starting to ramble, but I guess my biggest question is what is BGs consensus on running multi-card setups?

[Jojimbo]

Damn I already order it. I guess I'll try to call them and upgrade my video card. How does this video card look?

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 2GB 16X PCIe Video Card

Is there anything else I need to upgrade on that pc?

550Ti will be enough yeah, and the rest is fine; it was your typical higher end CPU with the cheapest card they can find prebuilt.

I know this has been discussed a little bit, but what is the general consensus on running SLI? I have a 570GTX now, and while I don't have the money to purchase another one right away, purchasing a second 570 was in my consideration for boosting performance on my games. XIV is my primary game at the moment, but I've heard that doesn't work the greatest when crossfiring/sli. My biggest concern is, is dropping $300 for another card in general going to be worth it? I just picked up a second monitor today so I can start running games full screen on it, so windowing won't be an issue for me (I've heard windowing for whatever reason descreases the performance you get with SLI?). I feel like I'm starting to ramble, but I guess my biggest question is what is BGs consensus on running multi-card setups?

Running stuff in a window means you won't be using SLI, CF/SLI are only used when the game is running fullscreen (although some games, most indie games actually, don't use CF at all).

Can't say anything on SLI + XIV but I've found CF to be annoying quite often. It's produces more heat, some games don't work well/at all and you can't use windowed mode without wasting your second card.

Although saying that, shouldn't a 570 be able to play pretty much anything well?

[TacoTaru]

For the most part, yeah. When I bump up to Ultra settings on Skyrim with the HD Skyrim mod, and max out on a few other games at 1920x1080 I'll get a bit of performance drop, but to be honest my biggest reason was for XIV since that game causes me the most grief when framerate issues. It seems like I can barely maintain the settings I have, and any bushes/event Christmas/New Years trees would floor my framerate. Is this just another consequence of the game being designed poorly? I've heard talk of it being poorly optimized, but I've never been quite certain exactly what people were referring to when they said this.

[Jojimbo]

XIV is just poorly optimised/coded/whatever, I would wait for the 2.0 before deciding on whether to get more hardware.

[TacoTaru]

Fair enough. Thanks!

[Goldencarnage]

550Ti will be enough yeah, and the rest is fine; it was your typical higher end CPU with the cheapest card they can find prebuilt.

Ah gotcha. I would have been so pissed to see that other card not run SWTOR lol. I plan on upgrading this computer further more eventually when I get more money so I'm glad I have a great foundation to start with. Thanks again for the all the help.