PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Kellanved]

The bezel looks rather thick though. It seems impossible to find good monitors with thin bezel, even if one is willing to pay more. Or maybe I just don't know where to look.

[Jojimbo]

That's comparing a stock 7970 with older drivers. You can put a good ~40% OC on those cards and the performances gains from driver updates for AMD cards have been more than what nVidia have improved things by. 7970 GHz (higher binned pre-OCed card) is pretty much even, overclock them both and they'll be about on par but 7970 tends to win at higher resolutions. Even in that review look at how the 7970 gains ground on the 680 as you increase the resolution (and that's at a single 1600p). EDIT:: Here's a review that was done recently, uses GHz card and the latest drivers + one of the few sites that has tested 7680x1600.

As for bezels, not sure if other variations of these have different ones (happy with my 3x U2311H so haven't looked into them too much), but your options are limited to the korean panels unless you want to spend ridiculous amounts of money on monitors (or just make do with 5760x1080). There are quite a few variations, some more expensive than others.

[hey]

The bezel looks rather thick though. It seems impossible to find good monitors with thin bezel, even if one is willing to pay more. Or maybe I just don't know where to look.

I hadn't really noticed before, but yes, it is. Just measured mine to ~2.25 cm. There may be similar models with smaller bezels, though they'd be a fair bit more expensive.

[hey]

Well i tried to look for something with a smaller bezel for you, but can't find any information at all about actual sizes, other than pictures from weird angles making it difficult to even calculate...

[Kellanved]

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-S23A70...mputer+monitor

This actually looks like it might do the trick. The bezels don't look too distracting. Its not IPS though.

[Jojimbo]

There aren't any (official) 120Hz IPS monitors out there, so yeah you're stuck with TN if you go that route instead of 7680x1440. As an estimate they'll require a bit more processing power and less vRAM than 7680x1440 though (1440p has 77.7% more pixels than 1080p, but you're aiming to reach twice the FPS with a 120Hz monitor, in the end they pretty much require the same level of GPU power though; 3 top end GPUs)

~24" 120Hz vs 27" 1440p have different uses though imo, 1440p is much better for slower paced games where screen real estate is important (RTS, MMO and so on) whereas 120Hz are much nicer for fast spaced games like FPS/racing sims (a lot of 27" have quite large input delays as well, although there are 24" that can suck just as much). 1440p is better for general use as well.

Haven't looked up any reviews on that panel yet though, but I see BenQ's recommended a lot (more expensive though)

EDIT:: Looking few reviews, seems it's S23A700D vs VG236H vs XL2420T a lot of the time. Here's a review that makes it out to be a good 120Hz with low (but not as low as the asus/benq) input delay (excluding 2D-3D conversion mode which they said was unusable with a mouse/keyboard)

[Kobus]

Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @2.4GHz
6GB Corsair Ram PC6400
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
ATI Radeon HD 4650
WD Black 300GB @7200rpm
XFX nForce 680i LT SLI Motherboard
ACER H233H Monitor
Corsair GS600 Power Supply

What would you upgrade first/main priority for gaming purposes mostly?

Can't think of anything for Christmas and it's been a while since I upgraded my PC.

[Jojimbo]

Definitely GPU, CPU is still semi-decent and you have enough RAM for gaming. Budget/location?

[Buffy]

I need a website to tell a friend to use to buy a pre-built desktop. He is not a computer guy and is 500 miles away from me so I can't build it for him.

[Kobus]

Definitely GPU, CPU is still semi-decent and you have enough RAM for gaming. Budget/location?

Location: Alabama
Budget: Not unlimited, but pretty high

[Jojimbo]

I need a website to tell a friend to use to buy a pre-built desktop. He is not a computer guy and is 500 miles away from me so I can't build it for him.

You'll want a site that lets you customise the PC, that way you can get a more balanced build. I can't recommend buying a set pre-built as the GPU will be crap compared to the rest of the build (which will be using shit quality components as well).

In the US I assume? CyberPower is ok I think but you might want a second opinion from people who have more experience using these kinds of sites. You'll want a build from the Z77 configurator (X79 isn't needed for gaming with less than 3 GPUs and H61 would be for ultra budget builds). What budget?

Location: Alabama
Budget: Not unlimited, but pretty high

That doesn't help much =(
You could spring for a HD 7950, it's the among the best price/perf but high performance GPU atm (assuming you OC it a bit), comes with three free games atm as well. Might bottleneck a stock Q6600 on some games, not entirely sure though (should be ok for most games that aren't ridiculously CPU heavy)

[Kellanved]

http://www.overclock.net/t/1323864/t...tor-display/10

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread...the-Rampage-IV

Some compatibility issue with X79 chipset and 7970s in crossfire eyefinity. Jo, is this an issue you're aware of? I presume not, otherwise you wouldn't be recommending these items together?

[Jojimbo]

Afaik no one else has actually had any issues with them, I've heard of that before (from one other person, using those links), but noone else that has similar set up.

[Fairy-Killer]

When you're trying to run 3+ GPUs, you're going to run into issues. 7000 series cards are better than 600 series cards for higher resolution, and it's unfortunate that there are x79 issues, but I feel that it's going to cause a lot more headache than simply running two cards (two 680s or 7970s are going to destroy any game out there right now...).

[Kellanved]

The issue still manifests with 2 cards according to those complaints. It appears to be any crossfire + X79/X58 + eyefinity. But yeah, I'd rather keep the amd cards. If x79 won't work, I'll just go with whatever top end Ivy Bridge is available.

[Oreth]

Howdy folks. I would really appreciate some upgrade advice here. Have an idea where i need to upgrade but would like to hear what people think and would like some suggestions!

Below is my current spec which i think is still decent? But maybe you all think otherwise?

I have 2 Intel 256GB SSD drives im gonna put in separately! One for OS & other for Game Only Installs.

Specification

Processor: Intel Core i7 2600k 3.40ghz 8M cache + Stock Cooler
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth p67 Revision
RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengance with heat sink and silent cooling fans.
Graphics: Radeon HIS HD6950 2GB
Storage HDD: 2 x Western Digital Caviar 6gb/s 1Tb drives RAID 1
Power supply: Antec 900w High current Gamer PSU
Case: Antec DF-10 (Mid Tower)
DVD RW / Bluray Player
Operating System, Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit

Ultimately what I think i need is a new bigger case, another HD6950 and a proper water block cooler for the CPU so i can ramp it up. Airflow in the current system is terrible and its always very dusty and collecting stuff.

Would another HIS GFX be good and set me for a while or would i be better buying a new 7XXX series RADEON?

Family are also asking for some gift ideas for xmas so im thinking maybe a proper gamers keyboard and mouse that have some nice lighting. Any recommendations here please?

[Jojimbo]

Any budget? Depending on the game CF 6950 and an overclocked 7950 might be fairly close. Unless you can get a 6950 for cheap I would look into selling your current one and buying a 7970, would be similar performance but less issues. That or sitting on your 6950 and waiting for 8900s to come out, unless you need an upgrade right now.

What CPU kit were you thinking of, any plans to expand loop to include GPUs? For gaming a CPU on water and GPU(s) on air won't really do anything as you'll still be GPU limited even on an air cooler, + imo WCing doesn't look as nice unless you do all of it.

Want macros on keyboard, mechanical or ok with rubber dome? Want lots of buttons on the mouse or just standard 5, claw or palm grip?

[Oreth]

Any budget? Depending on the game CF 6950 and an overclocked 7950 might be fairly close. Unless you can get a 6950 for cheap I would look into selling your current one and buying a 7970, would be similar performance but less issues. That or sitting on your 6950 and waiting for 8900s to come out, unless you need an upgrade right now.

What CPU kit were you thinking of, any plans to expand loop to include GPUs? For gaming a CPU on water and GPU(s) on air won't really do anything as you'll still be GPU limited even on an air cooler, + imo WCing doesn't look as nice unless you do all of it.

Want macros on keyboard, mechanical or ok with rubber dome? Want lots of buttons on the mouse or just standard 5, claw or palm grip?

Thanks for replying. No budget per say to be honest. I like the idea of sticking with a single GPU so the HD7970 would be the best bet?

Playing BF3, FFXIV, Max Payne 3, AC3, Hitman any latest decent game. Something that will handle stuff on high for time to come. Primarily for FPS though!

I was thinking maybe a H80 / H100 just for peace of mind that my CPU would be running low. No desires to hugely OC the overall system. Right now i run my CPU on stock and the GPU is run on overclock through the ATI Controller application (Automatic setting) I just like a decent system that runs well and gives me as little trouble as possible. Im technically able to do most stuff myself but i honestly prefer to just pay someone who is better at it than me and gives me that peace of mind.

I currently have the Illuminated Logitech Wired Keyboard and the Performance MX. I bought a G13 and i never really used it at all. Standard keyboard layout is preferred no problem with macro buttons and other nice features but not make or break. Once it works well, looks nice and is an all round good keyboard. Mouse i like standard mouse nothing too over the top or crazy but something that has good responsiveness. I generally dont use any more than 2 extra buttons on a mouse normally for any additional functions other than maybe reload or grenade. Are mechanical very noisy?

Any suggestions on the case front I think i want to move away from mid tower to be honest seems a bit small in there but just my opinion and also considering ill have 4 HDs in there alone.

Iv been looking at all the new Corsair gamer series stuff released over the last few months any of it any good?

Cheers for the help!

[Jojimbo]

I can't really recommend Corsair H stuff, they are more expensive and louder compared to Noctua NH-D14 and Phanteks PH-TC14PE 'big air' coolers while performing on par with them, no reason to buy unless you really like the looks (they also don't use water). If looking for a mild 4.4~4.6GHz overclock then something cheap like Hyper 212 EVO would work out.

Cases can be hard to recommend because it's often determined by personal preference, what kind of cases do you like? Flashy stuff with lights and plastic, simple sleek boxes or something in between?

Corsair K90 is good for a gaming mechanical although some of the keys are rubber dome (macros, F keys and Ins/Home/End/etc iirc), I'm liking my M90 and the M60 has had good reviews as well if you don't want all the buttons. Mechanicals can be loud(er than rubber domes) if you bottom out the keys, blues are the only ones that actively made a noise though. There are 'better' mechanicals out there if interested in a mechanical keyboard without all the gaming/media related stuff although backlighting does limit things.

[Oreth]

Havnt heard of those CPU coolers to be honest thats why i mentioned the H80/H100 as thats what iv heard is good. Always thought they were liquid coolers or something? Would big air coolers really outperform them or be quieter?

In terms of a case i prefer dark / black / grey not too bothered about mad LED lights or mad designs once it functions, looks sleek and has a bit of a cutting edge should be good. Once it has space. Would you reccomend adding in additional fans to keep things cool?

Had a a look at that keyboard looks decent. I presume all the buttons to the left are the custom programmable ones? Backlit is an absolute must. I kind of like the idea of the Alienware one but apparently its not that great. Iv a soft spot for the Logitech stuff and i can acutally get 40% off for the next month or two so that might lean their way.

Are there general problems or on going issues with crossfire GPU setups?