PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Adajer]

if you arent going to use a graphics card, get an i5 3570k for the intel HD 4000

[Jojimbo]

Or even an APU, although an intel CPU would be better if you had plans to add a GPU later (whereas APUs would be better if you didn't, especially if you waited for trinity)

[Weeks]

if you arent going to use a graphics card, get an i5 3570k for the intel HD 4000

I'd love to, but I thought that case's power supply only supports 65W processors.

[Jojimbo]

What case/PSU is it? Never heard of one with a specific limit on the CPU wattage.

EDIT:: Might be MB limit, there are some AMD boards that have wattage limits on CPUs

[Caiyuo]

There's one other computer on the network (along with my PS3 wirelessly), the one that's hooked to the modem and router itself. I'd need a splitter or switch or something like that to run both machines wired, right? I'm not sure how this sort of stuff works.

Each physical port on the router aside from the one it connects to the modem with can connect either another machine, a switch or in some cases another router that can act as a switch. If you wanted to run everything wired all you'd need to do is connect each machine to the router's ports. Adding a switch would be a case of either needing more ports or moving the area you connect your devices to. For example instead of running 3 crazy long wires, if you had a room or area with a few of your devices, you could run a wire from the router to that room and connect it with a switch and then connect the devices in that room to the switch instead of directly to the router.

Sorry if that's overly long or hard to understand, lol. The bonus is I just noticed a powerline kit on sale if that's something you're considering. They're fairly straight forward in that it's as if you're running a wire through an outlet and out another. http://dealnews.com/Western-Digital-...ng/609989.html

[Kais]

Under $1500 will only get you the new 13" Macbook Pro, assuming that is acceptable to you.

yeah i know
honestly, is a macbook pro worth it or should i just get another laptop at 3/4th the price?
never owned either so i have no idea but i'm looking at apple's "build yo laptop" and $500 for a fucking 256gb ssd is setting off my red flags

[Weeks]

What case/PSU is it? Never heard of one with a specific limit on the CPU wattage.

EDIT:: Might be MB limit, there are some AMD boards that have wattage limits on CPUs

Antec ISK 110 VESA. Only has a 90W power supply. Even if I stuck nothing but an SSD in it, I don't see 77W working. I suppose if I wait a little while longer there's a chance that Antec will upgrade it to USB3.0 and a slightly larger power brick, but you can't really play that game with computer hardware.

Of course I don't have to go with a computer that tiny, but I'm done with towers and the smaller the better, as long as it's functional for what little I do with a computer (FFXI, web-browsing, Flash games is pretty much it).

[Jojimbo]

APU might work then, you can get A6-3500 which has a TDP of 65W. I think it's iGPU is better than a HD 4000 as well, unfortunately I have no idea when trinity will be released (next gen of current APUs)

However, an iTX case/MB will give massive increases in terms of what you can do so I would look into those a bit. You can get iTX case/mobo that can support high end builds like 3570k + HD 7970/GTX 680 or even dual cards like GTX 690

[Boyiee]

Anyone do any current gen builds? I'm fed up with my mobo and just going to upgrade from my i7950 with it. Looking for good review/feedback on a newer mobo.

edit: looking for high end, doing ram/cpu with it and will be overclocking and possibly putting on water soon since I'll probably change my case with it.

[Jojimbo]

Budget/Monitor Setup?

[Weeks]

APU might work then, you can get A6-3500 which has a TDP of 65W. I think it's iGPU is better than a HD 4000 as well, unfortunately I have no idea when trinity will be released (next gen of current APUs)

However, an iTX case/MB will give massive increases in terms of what you can do so I would look into those a bit. You can get iTX case/mobo that can support high end builds like 3570k + HD 7970/GTX 680 or even dual cards like GTX 690

Doing a little research, it looks like that chip does have a little better GPU capabilities than HD3000, but much worse CPU performance. The word on FFXI has always been that it's "CPU limited," but that might not hold up when we're talking about the complete lack of a video card.

I may end up moving up in size, but I want something very silent and as small as I can make it while still being capable of what little I do at home.

[Jojimbo]

FFXI is so old that anything should be able to play it now, I doubt you'll have any issues.

[hey]

honestly, is a macbook pro worth it

Only if you really, really want that apple logo on the back, and are willing to pay a thousand bucks for it.

[Caiyuo]

Could always look into PC models that are compatible with hacking the mac OS on if you're curious but don't want to commit to the price; google "hackintosh". I think it's been awhile since the Apple PC lines have been given any real kind of revision so I'd be a little sour about paying so much still.

[Treble]

Each physical port on the router aside from the one it connects to the modem with can connect either another machine, a switch or in some cases another router that can act as a switch. If you wanted to run everything wired all you'd need to do is connect each machine to the router's ports. Adding a switch would be a case of either needing more ports or moving the area you connect your devices to. For example instead of running 3 crazy long wires, if you had a room or area with a few of your devices, you could run a wire from the router to that room and connect it with a switch and then connect the devices in that room to the switch instead of directly to the router.

Sorry if that's overly long or hard to understand, lol. The bonus is I just noticed a powerline kit on sale if that's something you're considering. They're fairly straight forward in that it's as if you're running a wire through an outlet and out another. http://dealnews.com/Western-Digital-...ng/609989.html

Okay, good. That's what I figured would be the case with those modem ports, but I wasn't totally sure.
Apparently powerline doesn't use an excess power either, and requires no wiring. Sounds like sorcery to me, but if it works, it'd certainly beat the wireless I've been using now (thanks, HowStuffWorks). I'm still going to see about getting a straight wired connection, but if that doesn't work or is unfeasible with my current living arrangement at least I have an alternative. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Boyiee]

Budget/Monitor Setup?

looking for high end, doing ram/cpu with it and will be overclocking and possibly putting on water soon since I'll probably change my case with it.

What do you need monitor setup for?

[Jojimbo]

Because that determines what GPU setup you need as a minimum and what would be overkill, 1920x1080 60Hz, 1920x1080 120Hz, 2560x1440, 5760x1080 and so on all require varying GPU setups to power them (depends on game as well of course). Depending on budget it may not matter though.

[Boyiee]

lol... I never asked for a gpu. I am upgrading only my mobo/cpu/ram as stated in my post.

I am looking for feedback on anyone that has recently used a higher end mobo in a recent build.

[Adajer]

He just quoted himself saying he is only looking to upgrade cpu and mobo. Probably a 3770k. So basically he wants to know which current gen mobos are good and which to avoid.

Anyhow. I have noticed quite a few new mobos being released in the past week or two. ASRock has just launched its Z77 OC Formula, MSI is launching its flagship Z77 Big Bang motherboard soon. Asus has 2 models of the maximus V out if you are looking to spend some money. I obviously dont own any of those so I cant tell you much about them. I am going to be going with the ASRock z77 extreme 6 for me build next month. Everyone always has problems with every board though. That will never change.

edit: beat me to the post, oh well

[Jojimbo]

Oh right, sorry thought you were going to upgrade the entire thing, still a bit tired and didn't read. CPU/RAM isn't much of an issue for a gaming PC, i5 3570k / 8GB RAM, i7 3770k only if you use the PC for video editing/rendering. MB is a bit more up in the air though, Asus P8Z77-V PRO is a good board that isn't too expensive, Asus Z77 Sabertooth if you like the looks of it enough (not worth it outside looks imo), iirc Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H holds the record for highest OC. There's X79/2011 platform but the only logical reason to get it is if you need a hex-core cpu (not needed for gaming) or 3+ GPUs (triple 2560x1440 or triple120Hz setups).