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"I need a New PC!" 2013 Part 1. Haswell, Crysis 3, and secret fairy sauce. Read da OP

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mkenyon said:
Alienware X51 offers the best $:Performance in the pre-built world.

The one with the GTX660 specifically is really great value.
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Even if I'm planning to use it as a desktop more than kind of an entertainment center piece? Just in terms of using a monitor and using it at a desk rather than a 360 controller.

I want something to take over as my 'normal' computer too because my laptop's barely alive.
 
Yes, I mean in terms of $:Value, compared to other desktops. The form factor is smaller because of the way tech has moved in the last number of years allows for something like this to be an equal in terms of capabilities compared to other desktops.

By chance, are you in the Pac NW?
 
shhiiiiiit forgot to look at dimensions for 7870 xt. Too fucking big for my old case :(


what to do... what to do... return the gpu? Get a cheapo case?

What is the most bare minimum cheapo case I can get to fit this 275(L)x115(W)x35(H) mm card?
 
mkenyon said:
Yes, I mean in terms of $:Value, compared to other desktops. The form factor is smaller because of the way tech has moved in the last number of years allows for something like this to be an equal in terms of capabilities compared to other desktops.

By chance, are you in the Pac NW?
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Nah, SE US. Should I go for the i3 and then add the 660 or pay more for the i5?
 
Ok, I think I screwed up. 22" monitors are feeling smaller by the day...

How can I tell which of the 27" IPS 1440p displays can be overclocked to 120hz?
 
None can. The best ones have their displays maxed at like 90hz, but the actual circuit board can receive a 120Hz signal. There's a lot of issues around it as well.

There's a lot of confusion and misinformation out there, so what I'd suggest you do is check out 120hz.net to learn all you can.
 
My PC is finally done! I began purchasing components in November. Unfortunately, I was unable to ask GAF for guidance through out most of the process. Sitting in front of me and to the left is a large black box containing an intel core i5-3570, a gtx 660ti, and a 1tb wd sata 6 hdd. Nothing too special, but a significant upgrade from the laptop I'm typing this on. You know, the one that overheated while I was playing Diablo III...'s demo. Got steam running and realized I already had an account, and already owned Deus Ex and Max Payne, two games I planned on buying anyway. :D

There is a slight issue with my TV and overscan though. Any tips on how to fix that, besides messing around with different resolution and screen size combinations? The Nvidia tool for resizing the screen wont let me make it small enough horizontally, and I'm still missing a small amount of pixels.
 
have mid towers gotten bigger over the years a long with gfx cards?

(ignore my wiring)

Bah this sucks.

29295.3fcdc2b8b4847ed4b1f78078a442e74b.jpg
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Think ill head off to Fry's tonight then.
 
Koroviev said:
Just about any mid-tower will do.
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Koroviev, since you answered my questions a little while back, do you think you could give me advice on motherboards? Looking at the P8Z77-V LK or the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 and not sure which to get. Looking at Amazon, I see they're mostly the same, but I'm just not sure what some of the variations are and how they'd affect my setup.
 
Smedwicks said:
Koroviev, since you answered my questions a little while back, do you think you could give me advice on motherboards? Looking at the P8Z77-V LK or the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 and not sure which to get. Looking at Amazon, I see they're mostly the same, but I'm just not sure what some of the variations are and how they'd affect my setup.
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I wasn't being flippant with my colour comment. :)
 
HDMI on monitors isn't really that important, right? And which would you guys recommend, 21 or 23 inch? I don't want to get something too big since I've got a television for that.
 
h#shdem0n said:
My PC is finally done! I began purchasing components in November. Unfortunately, I was unable to ask GAF for guidance through out most of the process. Sitting in front of me and to the left is a large black box containing an intel core i5-3570, a gtx 660ti, and a 1tb wd sata 6 hdd. Nothing too special, but a significant upgrade from the laptop I'm typing this on. You know, the one that overheated while I was playing Diablo III...'s demo. Got steam running and realized I already had an account, and already owned Deus Ex and Max Payne, two games I planned on buying anyway. :D

There is a slight issue with my TV and overscan though. Any tips on how to fix that, besides messing around with different resolution and screen size combinations? The Nvidia tool for resizing the screen wont let me make it small enough horizontally, and I'm still missing a small amount of pixels.
Click to expand...

If it's a standard HDTV, make sure that you both, are using HDMI out, and running at your TVs native resolution. With that set, check your TVs display settings and look for a " size" setting or " overscan" setting and change it to something like 1:1 or just fit or just scan or none or "1".

Good luck
 
Hi

I know I've asked this before but can someone just confirm that the Standard Build in the OP will be capable of running the new SimCity on high settings?

Sorry for being a nuisance but I just want to make sure before I start buying it.

Thanks again.
 
kennah said:
I wasn't being flippant with my colour comment. :)
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Ok, sorry, sometimes it's a little tricky to tell, what with there just being written text and all, sorry about that :) Just reading the Amazon descriptions I just felt like there was some big difference between the two of them. I might just go with the ASRock Extreme4 just because even though it's a bit more expensive, I imagine (at least, my probably foolish mind imagines) that more expensive = better.
 
comu said:
Hi

I know I've asked this before but can someone just confirm that the Standard Build in the OP will be capable of running the new SimCity on high settings?

Sorry for being a nuisance but I just want to make sure before I start buying it.

Thanks again.
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What are high settings for you? I would recommend an i5-3570K and a better graphics cards for high gaming, but I really don't know, how demanding Sim City is.

You should fill out the survey in the OP and then we can look, what we can do for you.

Edit:
mkenyon said:
Sorry, Dxtory here :(
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Not a problem at all. It's understandable, that sometimes, there isn't an answer for specific problems. I'm always glad to see, that people are helping out each other. This thread does an amazing job. Learned a lot here,
 
chickdigger802 said:
have plugging stuff into a case gotten easier over the past 5 years?

Can my old mobo even 'work' with modern cases, or has mobo 'shape' not changed much?
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What are your full specs (including motherboard brand + model) and what is the GPU that you're attempting to install?
 
And finally bit on the PSU and the motherboard! That just leaves the CPU and the video card, and then I'll probably work on the optical drive later!

I'm getting so close... yet so far away.
 
Thinking of upgrading to a FX-8350 from a Phenom 2 4x 980. I waiting for a good deal to come around. Newegg has them at 200 but I know the second I order one theres gonna be some deal somewhere. lol
 
chickdigger802 said:
I'm pretty sure it's an old asus p5k and i'm trying to slap in a 7870 xt.
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Dude, you need an overhaul in all of your hardware here, not just in the GPU department. You wont get the maximum level of performance out of that GPU as it will likely be bottlenecked by your CPU. The 7870XT is a very good card but you wont be allowing it to reach its full potential.

Just looking at that picture you posted, it all looks a bit messy to be honest and I cringe at the thought of putting a new shiny GPU in there. Its all very cramped and you will only end up with heat and airflow issues. Whats your PSU as well and how old is it?
 
GHG said:
Dude, you need an overhaul in all of your hardware here, not just in the GPU department. You wont get the maximum level of performance out of that GPU as it will likely be bottlenecked by your CPU. The 7870XT is a very good card but you wont be allowing it to reach its full potential.

Just looking at that picture you posted, it all looks a bit messy to be honest and I cringe at the thought of putting a new shiny GPU in there. Its all very cramped and you will only end up with heat and airflow issues. Whats your PSU as well and how old is it?
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oh I know, planning on building something new hopefully this year. psu is antec earthwatts EA650 650w
 
Smokey said:
For your situation the 3770k would be better. The extra threads, which the 3750k doesn't have, will be put to good use with your multimedia activities.

You'd want to go 3570k if your machine was just for gaming.
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Was kinda worried that the 3770k would be the one I'd have to go for lol

Hazaro said:
Check back in summer and see where Intel's next CPU stands.

Budget is obviously important. If you are spending $700 or $1200 you want to make compromises. If you've got the cash drop it on the 3770K.
Although your motherboard supports the FX-8350 which could be very serviceable for just $200 (Should OC better on your mobo), and get another 4GB of RAM in there.
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I'm kinda hoping the prices on ivy will drop a little once haswell's out to be honest and assuming haswell isn't a massive leap ahead I'll just go for the 3770k.

But anyways, thanks for the help, guys.
 
Projectjustice said:
Thinking of upgrading to a FX-8350 from a Phenom 2 4x 980. I waiting for a good deal to come around. Newegg has them at 200 but I know the second I order one theres gonna be some deal somewhere. lol
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AMD's next gen of Piledriver CPUs is due in May, but if you don't want to wait until then I wouldn't worry about jumping on it now. CPUs don't get a lot of big sales in my experience, the most you'll probably save is $10-15 until the next generation hits.
 
kennah said:
First paragraph is all we're asking for right now. The survey man, the survey!
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Basic Desktop Questions: Looking to purchase a brand new PC, and have it built at Memory Express. I'm mainly looking for someone to pick out what I need from their System Configurator based on what I'm looking for below. I am no good with tech-talk.
Your Current Specs: Irrelevant. Looking to purchase brand new. (Currently using a floor model HP from several years ago.)
Budget: +/- $100 of $1000, Canada (Edit: LOL! I had an extra zero in there.)
Main Use: Rate 1-5. 5 being Highest: Light Gaming (5), Gaming (3), Emulation (PS2/Wii) (1), Video Editing (5), HD Streaming (3), 3D/Model work (2), General Usage (Word, Web, 1080p playback) (5).
Monitor Resolution: Not important to me
List SPECIFIC games or applications that you MUST be able to run well: Smooth internet browsing is a must. I say this because as I was typing this post, my browser exploded into flames and left me a black-smoke middle finger. (This computer makes porn browsing difficult.) I also need to be able to run programs such as Photoshop, RPG Maker VX Ace, and of course, iTunes, with ease. I would love it if it could run my girlfriend's PC games, such as The Sims 3 and Minecraft. I will most likely be emulating SNES era games.
Looking to reuse any parts?: No.
When will you build?: Any time
Will you be overclocking?: I don't even...

I have a useable monitor ATM, and my mouse and keyboard are fine. I do not need these things.

Thanks to anybody who's able to help my dumb ass!
 
Ok first up you should buy their daily deal RIGHT NOW before it expires in the next two hours. The 3570k with asus p8z77-v lk. Right on the mem express front page.

Rest of the items you need.

Mobo and cpu $330
Cpu fan - hyper 212 $35
Case - Fractal R4 - $100
Ram - 8 gig 1600mhz Corsair low profile vengeance $55
Powersupply Antec hcg-620m -$90
Ssd - 128 gig crucial m4 $120
Optical drive - lg burner $20
Video card - asus direct cu 7850 $210
Os - windows 7 home premium 64 bit $120
Assembly -$70

If you can afford it put a 1tb drive in or bring your old computer and get them to install that hard drive along the new ssd.

If you want it a little cheaper get a hdd instead of the ssd. But i realllly don't recommend that. Or get windows 8 instead of 7. Or get a cheaper case. I wouldn't recommend changing much else.
 
Smokey said:
For your situation the 3770k would be better. The extra threads, which the 3750k doesn't have, will be put to good use with your multimedia activities.

You'd want to go 3570k if your machine was just for gaming.
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LegendX48 said:
Was kinda worried that the 3770k would be the one I'd have to go for lol
.
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Given the recent realizations of Crysis 3's HT performance (26%-30% performance increase with it enabled), I think we're head on the cusp of the transition to a time where those extra threads are actually necessary. I didn't think we'd see it till those multi-threaded next-gen ports rolled around, but C3 shows a very solid increase in performance when HT is present, and next-gen ports are only going to need it worse.

If you're buying now with any hope of future-proofing, I actually think the 3770k is the only way to go as a baseline.
 
kennah said:
Do you really want to risk an open box item? It is probably missing the backplate, sata cables, manual, et cetera. Nevermind the increased risk of bent pins and other headaches. I'd say pass on it.
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I was literally about to edit my post because I didn't notice it said that.

Too good to be true saying applies :p

Shitty situation. Built my computer long enough ago that to upgrade one or 2 things I pretty much have to upgrade everything. SIGH.
 
kennah said:
Do you really want to risk an open box item? It is probably missing the backplate, sata cables, manual, et cetera. Nevermind the increased risk of bent pins and other headaches. I'd say pass on it.
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Yeah, I'm not a fan of open-box items. I'd rather buy from another Gaffer, personally.
 
NoRéN;48393638 said:
Was just about to say this. Buying from someone on GAF means you can ask for pics and make sure everything is alright.
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And you can trust that the average PC enthusiast has spent all of the time researching parts and hardly any of it actually using them ;)
 
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