PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Fairy-Killer]

Unfortunately, it seems like mobos are kinda hit or miss nowadays. Is that the AsRock?

Also, to the guy that was looking for a mobo + processor, there's a $40 off a 3570k and Asus P8Z77-V for $380. I don't think it's necessarily a great deal but hey, there it is.

Ok, so I have this Samsung 24" which is a beautiful monitor, but I never looked up on IPSs before I bought it. Now I'm looking at the Dell 24" (U2412M or something like that) and was curious if anyone had a strong opinion vs an IPS for gaming and graphical coding. I currently use the 23" IPS at work and really like the viewing angle. The only thing that really bothers me about it is the anti-glare coating which I feel is a bit aggressive. I know I can remove it, but it's not something I'd gamble $300 on. I'm thinking about just ordering the IPS, comparing the two, and if I don't like it, send it back. So thoughts everyone? Input lag, response times, etc, etc.

[Nitsuki]

it's an ASUS P8Z77K, already filed the RMA w/ newegg, they won't accept the return on the processor, so i'm just getting both the processor and mobo replaced. One of the pins on the 3570k seems a little off (like still gold but not shiny)

[Adajer]

nvm

[Intrinsic]

So I'm building a PC again for the first time in a few years, and I have a GPU question. A co-worker wants to sell me his XFX ATI Radeon 5850 HD for probably around 80 bucks, is it worth it? I'm looking to run FFXIV 2.0 at pretty decent settings, typically just dual-box FFXI at the moment. I've done some looking around and it seems like the 7850 is around $200, how much of a difference is there for what I'm looking to run?

If you were to buy a 5850 new, it'd probably retail about $160 now, it's all guesswork really since it's pretty much impossible to find that card NIB. I saw the 2GB Twin Frozr 7850 for $220 the other day, I'd jump all over that bad boy if you're looking for a 7850.

[BaneTheBrawler]

I have a problem. Sort of. My current PC runs relatively fine, but for my next PC (in a year or two) I want to build. I don't have any specific hardware in mind, but I do have a concept I want to flesh out.

The idea is to have a normal, solid gaming desktop, using standard parts that can be swapped in/out as they get old/die. However, I want it to be more mobile than the standard tower. I do NOT want a laptop, and do NOT want to remote control my desktop with a laptop. The idea is to have ONE computer, which I can just carry around, plop it on the floor next to a chair, plug in the power, good to go. Now, I have a few ideas for how to make that work, and I've been looking around online for something that fits, but have been unsuccessful. I'm thinking I may need to build the case etc myself, but I'd like to see if maybe you guys know of some obscure place to get what I need.

For what I have in mind, I'd like to have the case itself function similarly to a backpack, but having ALL of the cables and ports and the DVD drive on a single face. The original idea was to slip a normal case into a backpack, but then you're not cooling properly. So the pack needs to be integrated with the case. The cabling and dvd drive need to be on top so that it looks neater, is easier to access, and most importantly, doesn't get squished/ruined. Now, if I can find a case that has a single face like that, I can attach a pack to it fairly easily. If I can't find a case with a single face, I'd need to build one. I'm not sure what all is involved with that, so I'd need to learn how. I have access to a shop with a wide variety of tools, so I think I can pull it off, but I want to do it right. This part I think is relatively straightforward. I either modify or build a standard case with a single operating face.

The next part I think will be a little more complicated. I'd like to have a small, laptop-like accessory to go with this. It would be a folding sandwich of keyboard/trackpad/monitor (possibly even USB hub and the DVD drive- depending on how this works out) that plugs in to the main tower for ALL of its computing. It would be a strictly dumb device, one you should be able to take and hook up to any other PC and use just fine. I'd like to fit a decent resolution screen here, but size is a concern since this is supposed to function similarly to a laptop.

Basically, what I want to do is hook this desktop up to a set of monitors etc at home, like a dock, and if I need to travel just unhook it from the dock, sling the dumb-laptop in a pouch on the bag/case, and then be all set. Arrive, set the bag on the floor, pull out the dumb-laptop, and use it as a laptop... one that is significantly more powerful, always has all my settings, and isn't a second computer that I have to spend a buttload of money to maintain at a current-gen level.

I'm absolutely positive this is possible, because I'm essentially looking for a case mod and a user-interface-hub, I'm just not sure anyone sells anything that can do this. If they do, great, but otherwise I'll need to learn how to build something like this and I want to get started on that now, while my current PC is working fairly well.

Edit: Actually, come to think of it, it wouldn't need a DVD drive at all. I could get an external one, attach it whenever I need, and then tuck it away again. So I could probably take a normal case and just mod it with straps/pouches. I would like to include an internal battery, though. If there's nothing strong enough to support a desktop, I could attach a battery backup unit to the case and use that, but that's getting pretty bulky. The real problem remains the monitor/keyboard/trackpad combo. Specifically, a mount that allows the monitor to sit stably on a lap. From there, I can use a wireless mouse/trackpad combo.

[Adajer]

http://www.tomshardware.com/pictures...the-triad.html
picture 25

[BaneTheBrawler]

LOL that's awesome but not quite what I want.

Edit: Basically, I've worked the concept down to just needing one thing to make it work: A portable (Ideally clamshell) monitor stand with room for a keyboard/trackpad combo that sit stably on a human lap.

[jinkazama]

So I'm building a PC again for the first time in a few years, and I have a GPU question. A co-worker wants to sell me his XFX ATI Radeon 5850 HD for probably around 80 bucks, is it worth it? I'm looking to run FFXIV 2.0 at pretty decent settings, typically just dual-box FFXI at the moment. I've done some looking around and it seems like the 7850 is around $200, how much of a difference is there for what I'm looking to run?

idk if it was just shitty ffxiv 1.0 or my GPU but my 5850 didnt run it too well. it runs the shit outta everything else tho for the most part. for 50 bucks i'd snag it

[Nitsuki]

So as i await for my 3570k and ASUS P8Z77V get RMA'd from newegg, I need to know a couple things. When I first installed the processor on the mobo, i'm getting some resistance in installing it when pulling down the lever, is that actually normal? Of all the processors I installed, i never ever had that issue so i got a bit scared from it. Also if i don't have anything installed (HDDs and peripherals) just the mobo alone, i'm supposed to get some sort of video feed from the display port correct? Just to see that the stuff boots up in other words.

[Jojimbo]

Some resistance when pushing latch down is expected and so long as you have a CPU, MB and RAM (plus GPU if you don't have an iGPU) connected to a PSU you should be able to get into BIOS

[RPGTyrant]

If you were to buy a 5850 new, it'd probably retail about $160 now, it's all guesswork really since it's pretty much impossible to find that card NIB. I saw the 2GB Twin Frozr 7850 for $220 the other day, I'd jump all over that bad boy if you're looking for a 7850.

idk if it was just shitty ffxiv 1.0 or my GPU but my 5850 didnt run it too well. it runs the shit outta everything else tho for the most part. for 50 bucks i'd snag it

Thanks for the comments, guy agreed to let me give the card a test run and then talk low price if I like it since he basically has it laying around collecting dust. If it doesn't work out I've got the 2gb twin frozor bookmarked.

[Aristio]

I'm looking to upgrade my entire rig almost, with only keeping the GPU and HDD.

I have:
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130610
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231314
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157296
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072 + Fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

I have the same GPU in my computer right now, so I figure I can SLI them both for a big upgrade. Thoughts or advice on anything?

[Zimman]

GPU is dying, looking to get a new one. Is this website accurate at all? Or any suggestions, looking to spend around $250 or less (Saw the GTX 560 mentioned above)

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/vi...Radeon+HD+6850

[Intrinsic]

I'm looking to upgrade my entire rig almost, with only keeping the GPU and HDD.

I have:
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130610
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231314
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157296
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072 + Fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

I have the same GPU in my computer right now, so I figure I can SLI them both for a big upgrade. Thoughts or advice on anything?

There's no reason to buy a new 2500k over a 3570k. If you live anywhere near a Microcenter, you can pick it up for $190. Your case and fan links both lead to the 212.

[Intrinsic]

GPU is dying, looking to get a new one. Is this website accurate at all? Or any suggestions, looking to spend around $250 or less (Saw the GTX 560 mentioned above)

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/vi...Radeon+HD+6850

It doesn't take into account heat and power consumption but isn't terrible to serve as a rough baseline.

[Aristio]

There's no reason to buy a new 2500k over a 3570k. If you live anywhere near a Microcenter, you can pick it up for $190. Your case and fan links both lead to the 212.

No Microcenter where I'm at and I've never even heard of that.

Edit: Never mind, I sorta figured out what you mean.

The Case is : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

[Intrinsic]

No Microcenter where I'm at and I've never even heard of that.

Edit: Never mind, I sorta figured out what you mean.

The Case is : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

Buy the 3570k, I believe the price difference is down to about $20 at this point. Check both Amazon and pcpartpicker to find good deals, the 3570k seems to always be on sale somewhere. The case is old, but still solid. Lastly, make sure the Pro4 offers you enough. I believe it only has a single 3.0 slot, is that enough for you in the future?

[Jojimbo]

I would get a different MB if you want to SLI, ASRock Z77 Extreme4 + 3570k would be good, the Pro4's second PCIe slot only runs at 2.0 x4

Antec 900 is very outdated, unless thats from your old build you can get much better cases now for less or the same price. NZXT Source 210 or Cooler Master 912 are good budget cases, Corsair 400r/500r are also good cases for similar price as the 900. There are other alternatives if you don't like the looks though, and you can keep the 900 if you already own it, it's just not worth buying new atm (at the very least get a 900 v3)

If you don't care about looks then Samsung 1600MHz 1.35v RAM is the best you can buy, it OCs extremely well and can hit 2133MHz 1.5v at 10-10-10-28 or even just 1600MHz 9-9-9-24 making it very cost effective

Use http://pcpartpicker.com/ to see if you can get he parts cheaper anywhere else, that's a pretty expensive 560Ti. This is much cheaper and you should be able to just OC it yourself.

[Fairy-Killer]

So I'll be getting in my IPS monitor today if anyone is interested in a comparison between a TN and IPS. Going to run them side-by-side for a few days to figure out what I like better for gaming.

[Aristio]

I would get a different MB if you want to SLI, ASRock Z77 Extreme4 + 3570k would be good, the Pro4's second PCIe slot only runs at 2.0 x4

Antec 900 is very outdated, unless thats from your old build you can get much better cases now for less or the same price. NZXT Source 210 or Cooler Master 912 are good budget cases, Corsair 400r/500r are also good cases for similar price as the 900. There are other alternatives if you don't like the looks though, and you can keep the 900 if you already own it, it's just not worth buying new atm (at the very least get a 900 v3)

If you don't care about looks then Samsung 1600MHz 1.35v RAM is the best you can buy, it OCs extremely well and can hit 2133MHz 1.5v at 10-10-10-28 or even just 1600MHz 9-9-9-24 making it very cost effective

Use http://pcpartpicker.com/ to see if you can get he parts cheaper anywhere else, that's a pretty expensive 560Ti. This is much cheaper and you should be able to just OC it yourself.

I've never SLI before. Would I need the same exact card, or a card with the same chip set?