PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[hey]

600w is plenty. You'd be fine with 500w, even. You will indeed need to upgrade for sli though.

[Nitsuki]

ok so my last question, my gf wants to buy me a vid card for xmas, i know i'm safe if i get another 560ti to SLI it w/ my current one, however can i just get any 500 series card? Like a 570 for example?

[Tajin]

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/sli/faq#c19
should be safe as long as both have the same memory says nvidia

[Jojimbo]

You need another 560Ti, preferably with the same amount of vRAM as when in SLI both cards will have the vRAM of the lowest in the SLI. 570, 580 or even 560Ti 448 core edition won't work as they use a different core to the 560Ti

[Tagus]

Hi guys,

So I'm trying to run the GW2 beta, and realized my computer is apparently a piece of shit. Specs are:

AMD Athlon ™ II x2 240 Processor 2.80 GHz
5 GB RAM
64-bit
Windows 7
ATI Radeon HD 4200

I saw somebody on the GW2 forums saying when in doubt, to just slap a hd7750 in it..... does that sound like decent advice?

[hey]

I saw somebody on the GW2 forums saying when in doubt, to just slap a hd7750 in it..... does that sound like decent advice?

Probably. Most games will run fine with a shitty 5+ year cpu, and a good video card.

[Nitsuki]

wow the 3570k is only $10 more currently on newegg, so getting that rather than the 2500k, thanks for the help guys!

[Tyche]

Thinking I may build a new system. It's been about 10 years since I've built a system (last one I built had a thunderbird processor lol). I don't really have a budget, but I don't want spend frivolously. Is there a significant difference between the 3770k and the 2600k? Don't ask me what I'll use it for, I don't know. I work with a lot of RAW images, photoshop, Lightroom, some gaming, movie streaming, etc. I put this together, any suggestions or alterations?

[hey]

Is there a significant difference between the 3770k and the 2600k?

If you're going to overclock as far as you can, then not really. If you're not going to overclock, or aren't going to push it too far, then ivy bridge is a fair bit better.

[Jojimbo]

Just how budgetless is the build? Obvious changes are better cooler (so you can OC higher, will help as you will be using CPU intensive programs), better RAM (That 1.35v 1600Mhz Samsung RAM I linked is pretty much the best you can get, OCs to 2133MHz @ 1.5v), better GPU (570 is last gen, you can get faster and newer cards, 500 series is better for CUDA though afaik), better case, you can get cheaper MBs that OC just as well/better (can get the Sabertooth if you think it looks nice and want the 5yr warranty, but it's not the best price/perf board out there).

Do you not need a HDD for mass storage?

EDIT:: Few changes here, cheaper MB that will OC just as well (well better afaik, but you'll probably max out either on air), better cooler (there is a blue version but it's $20 more), newer GPU (if using for CUDA then can get the 570), better RAM (should OC to around 10-10-10-28 2133MHz @ 1.5v), case is a bit better but that's up to you (just make sure the heatsink fits if you change it).

[Kailee]

Also to add the GTX 660 is coming out soon and it's going to go for about $300 should wait on reviews to see how it is.

[Adajer]

ASRock z77 extreme 4 is $115 free shipping no tax at the moment.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo

can be combo'd with ivy bridge cpus and various ram sets

[Nitsuki]

Any proper advice or good links/idiot's guide for overclocking w/ my build from last page? I go to different sites and i pretty much wanna kill myself whenever i read this.

[Tyche]

Just how budgetless is the build? Obvious changes are better cooler (so you can OC higher, will help as you will be using CPU intensive programs), better RAM (That 1.35v 1600Mhz Samsung RAM I linked is pretty much the best you can get, OCs to 2133MHz @ 1.5v), better GPU (570 is last gen, you can get faster and newer cards, 500 series is better for CUDA though afaik), better case, you can get cheaper MBs that OC just as well/better (can get the Sabertooth if you think it looks nice and want the 5yr warranty, but it's not the best price/perf board out there).

Do you not need a HDD for mass storage?

EDIT:: Few changes here, cheaper MB that will OC just as well (well better afaik, but you'll probably max out either on air), better cooler (there is a blue version but it's $20 more), newer GPU (if using for CUDA then can get the 570), better RAM (should OC to around 10-10-10-28 2133MHz @ 1.5v), case is a bit better but that's up to you (just make sure the heatsink fits if you change it).

I have a mass storage drive from my old pc. I will not overclock. And im not going to just buy new shit for the sake of having the newest and best. As I said, I don't want to spend frivolously. As far as the motherboard, whats the better option for the money? The reviews on the board I had were very good, so that's why I had chosen it. I couldn't care less bat aesthetics.

Edit: if I swap out your cooler and case with the cheaper ones I had listed and take your cheaper mobo, I think we can go with your ram and GPU and be pretty close to the same price. I don't think the cooler will matter if I'm not OCing and, as I said, I don't care about the case.

[Kajii]

Can anyone recommend a good gaming build for around $800 that is Intel based?

[LakbayDiva2205]

I am currently looking into building my first PC. I would like to be able to play games like Skyrim, Battlefield 3, crysis at the highest settings possible with a budget of around 1,000$. I am a complete Noob when it comes to this stuff, but have learned a lot from a few weeks ago when I started researching and decided to try to move on from consoles. I have a friend who has built his own and is willing to help me put it together and has helped me along the way. I have a list of parts together I am looking for someone experienced to tell me what PC they would build with 1000$ ,and to see if the parts on my list are compatible.



ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1 Black SECC / ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX PS2 / EPS 12V (optional ) Power Supply

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

EVGA 025-P3-1579-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) HD 2560MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard


total on new egg $1,010.91 with 60$ mail in rebates

[Nitsuki]

just how good is ASRock? never heard of them. I've been an ASUS/Gigabyte/MSI guy my entire time i've built PCs.

[Jojimbo]

ASRock are pretty good for budget boards, afaik they were/are part of Asus. ASRock make good budget boards, Asus make good high end boards and I'll say Gigabyte fits in between them.

[Jojimbo]

I have a mass storage drive from my old pc. I will not overclock. And im not going to just buy new shit for the sake of having the newest and best. As I said, I don't want to spend frivolously. As far as the motherboard, whats the better option for the money? The reviews on the board I had were very good, so that's why I had chosen it. I couldn't care less bat aesthetics.

Edit: if I swap out your cooler and case with the cheaper ones I had listed and take your cheaper mobo, I think we can go with your ram and GPU and be pretty close to the same price. I don't think the cooler will matter if I'm not OCing and, as I said, I don't care about the case.

In that case you really don't need the sabertooth and could probably get an even cheaper MB than what I suggested, you won't need the cooler if not OCing either as stock will do fine (unless you find it too loud). http://pcpartpicker.com/p/d23S here is a slightly revised build with a cheaper psu/case, no cooler. I kept the Z77 MB and k CPU incase you want to add a cooler and OC later.

I am currently looking into building my first PC. I would like to be able to play games like Skyrim, Battlefield 3, crysis at the highest settings possible with a budget of around 1,000$. I am a complete Noob when it comes to this stuff, but have learned a lot from a few weeks ago when I started researching and decided to try to move on from consoles. I have a friend who has built his own and is willing to help me put it together and has helped me along the way. I have a list of parts together I am looking for someone experienced to tell me what PC they would build with 1000$ ,and to see if the parts on my list are compatible.

Looks ok, the PSU you selected is overrated though (and for a single GPU 700W is overkill as well) so you should get the 600W version and save some money (they are still decent units). I would recommend a HD 7850 over a 570, they recently came down in price a bit and OC very very well, will outperform a 570 while using less power. For RAM get this set it can OC to 2133 MHz @ 1.5v and is pretty cheap. Case is 'ok', afaik there are better options but if you like the looks then it's fine. CPU/MB look ok.

Where are you buying though? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/d26r comes to $838

[Fairy-Killer]

In that case you really don't need the sabertooth and could probably get an even cheaper MB than what I suggested, you won't need the cooler if not OCing either as stock will do fine (unless you find it too loud). http://pcpartpicker.com/p/d23S here is a slightly revised build with a cheaper psu/case, no cooler. I kept the Z77 MB and k CPU incase you want to add a cooler and OC later.




Looks ok, the PSU you selected is overrated though (and for a single GPU 700W is overkill as well) so you should get the 600W version and save some money (they are still decent units). I would recommend a HD 7850 over a 570, they recently came down in price a bit and OC very very well, will outperform a 570 while using less power. For RAM get this set it can OC to 2133 MHz @ 1.5v and is pretty cheap. Case is 'ok', afaik there are better options but if you like the looks then it's fine. CPU/MB look ok.

Where are you buying though? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/d26r comes to $838

On the top build, I'd just drop another $20 and get the Hyper 212 CPU cooler just to keep temperatures down. Heat is a salty bitch.

Also, at the guy looking for the $800 build, check out the build below. Not going to get you all the accessories, but it's a start.

For $838, I'd drop another $80-$100 for a quick 120 GB SSD. Also, word of warning on AsRock Extreme4, check both PCI-E slots to make sure they work. I had to flash a BIOS to get my top port to cooperate with a 7970.