Gaming PC building regrets!! =^{

I regret not getting an nvidia card a lot earlier.
I've been fooling with Linux since steam for Linux was released and after installing an nvidia card I realised what utter shit ati drivers are.
 
I don't really have any big regrets either. I was bummed out about Fractal Design's Arc Midi not being available yet when I went for a new build, so I had to swap it out for a CM 690 II. It wasn't really a bad case, just loud compared to my old Antec P182. Recently I replaced it with a Define R4 and couldn't be happier.

As someone mentioned earlier, blue LEDs are the worst thing ever and they need to die.

yes, let's take away choice because you don't like something.

The first pc I ever built around 12-13 years ago I bought a PC case with the LED lights blazing though the side panel like this. NEVER AGAIN. I have never built another with lights, what a pain to try and sleep at night with the room lit up while downloading stuff.

CasebuyAI%20(7).jpg

you could, you know, shut down the PC. guess that's too much trouble.

as for me, I regret not doing my research and assuming that buying an extra card strictly for PhysX would grant me extra frames in an SLI system (A GTX 580 at the time) so that was a waste of my 129 dollars. other thatn that, i've made the right choice every time.
 
Attempting to build it myself blind and frying the mobo & CPU.
Buying two sticks of 4GB RAM instead of 1 stick of 8GB RAM
Buying ASUS prodcuts.
Buying a shit monitor I didn't need. (ASUS)
Buying the cheap version of this tower.

Pretty much everything that could go wrong in my first build did and it ended costing me a hundreds more than I had planned. They were all self-inflicted issues though, so I can't really be mad at anything, or anyone but myself.
 
Asus p8z77-v lx
i7 3770k
sapphire 7970 3gb oc edition
16gb ram
120 ssd
1 tb hdd
20140123_184452_zpsmsjhfrzs.jpg

no monitor ran out of money so I'm using a 60hz tv to run my games, lol :(
also i have a good power supply and great ventilation in my case but I freak out and chicken out when it comes to overclocking my cpu and gpu but I really want to
 
A Noctua NH-D14 is INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT to fit into a mATX case, specifically the Definine Design mini. Not my build, but mine is just as cramped (even moreso with a GTX 780 and a Creative ZXR). Fitting power cable connectors and shit behind/next to the cooler onto the motherboard was a nightmare. I don't ever want to have to repaste my system, because I'm going to have to remove the motherboard to do it.
Next time, I'm going with a closed loop cooler.

The upside is that it is a very quiet cooler, even with a 4770k @ 4.1GHz.

oh god, I just installed the NH-U12P SE2 so I know bloody damn well the pain. It was a NIGHTMARE. Removing everything from the motherboard and then remove it just to install a goddamn part of the heatsink has been horrendous. It's a great product tho, idle and under stress temps are phenomenal with almost zero noise. But I'm never going through all of this again, I'll just lend a tenner to someone to do it for me
 
My first gaming PC from Cyberpower (this was in 2010) had two ATi Radeon 5770s

The motherboard couldn't support Crossfire at 8x/8x, and instead ran them at 8x/4x

I wasn't too tech savvy at the time so I didn't know.
 
But that's the thing, I can get stable 60 if I turn turn off enough graphics options.
Okay, so here you have one section of gameplay. Each frame is listed in milliseconds how long it took to render.

Over on the left, we have the low settings, and on the right, we have high settings.


In both instances, you have the game totally chugging around the same few frames, let's say an explosion happens that causes this. Despite both getting around the same poor performance for that situation, we have a drastically different average.

For the Low Settings, if you average out the length it took to render each frame, it is 20.8ms, which is about 48 frames per second.

For the High Settings, the average is 25.2ms, which is about 39 frames per second.

So in the case of turning down graphic settings, you will see an increase of "frames per second", but that's because frames per second is a really really inaccurate way to measure performance when you are talking about something that is insanely precise as our ability to perceive the illusion of motion.

Despite one being "clearly better", that 300-400ms of gameplay is going to feel like shit in either case, because of those absolutely nasty frames where the time to render goes well above 50ms. Now imagine if it were data from a full 1000ms. Now imagine data from 60 seconds, a total of 60,000ms.

The processor is making the game chug, but how much it's chugging is being hidden because those frames are being averaged out with a bunch of other frames that came out fine over the course of a full second.

So when you say, "I'm getting a stable 60fps", that's not quite accurate. The game could very well be spitting out frames lower than 16.7ms (60fps), but then you're still having frames that are going well above that. They average out to be above or right around 60fps at even a minimum, but that isn't the whole story, as you can see above.
 
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Not that big of a regret, but installing the 230mm Bitfenix Scepter Pro on my computer was a mistake, it's the loudest component of my computer.

I was fine with the noise a year ago when I first built my computer as my only point of reference was an xbox360 but now that it's been a year I wish it was quieter.
 
How can people regret such glorious air coolers!, that is great.

The regret only happens when you have take apart the metaphorical house you put together. Then you're like 'holy fuck, I forgot how much this shit sucks!' I recently had this happen when I added ram to my system. Even with a low profile kit and removable fans I STILL managed to scratch the hell out of the back of my right hand. I hope I never find the need for 24-32GBs of ram.

EDIT: look at br3wnor's rig for example, and that's without a case!
 
I regret buying my GTX 670 2 years ago, because it made me buy much more games than I could play.

Oh God.

I just finished my first proper rig ever and I'm practically emptying my wallets trying to find games to slow this thing down.

The regret only happens when you have take apart the metaphorical house you put together. Then you're like 'holy fuck, I forgot how much this shit sucks!' I recently had this happen when I added ram to my system. Even with a low profile kit and removable fans I STILL managed to scratch the hell out of the back of my right hand. I hope I never find the need for 24-32GBs of ram.

EDIT: look at br3wnor's rig for example, and that's without a case!

I enjoy pulling apart everything and putting it back together :O
I'm redoing all the wiring in my rig this weekend despite the fact that it's a closed case that you'd never see; I just know it's not as neat as I'd like.
 
Bought an EVGA 780 Classified, 3 months later that thing drops to $529 and the ti comes out for the price I paid for the Classified 780. Total regret. Also, bought the 4770k for 250 when I could have driven to Microcenter when it was 199. (But cost of gas didnt seem to worth it, 3 hours drive.)
 
I forgot the backplate for the hyper 212 when I built this computer and I'm too lazy to fix it. The nuts are just...kinda...tightened to the underside of the board. Temps are fine (tested with prime95) so... whatever.

The front USB connectors on this case (Fractal Design R4) cause BSOD's when you go to plug USB stuff in sometimes, which I think means it's grounded somewhere (you don't have to plug the USB cable in; Just touching it to the metal does it). I never use them so...again...not that big of a deal.

I completely forgot the IO shield and I'm too lazy to pull everything back out and install it. I've got enough...I forget which, but positive or negative pressure, to keep dust out, so it's never been an issue (I'm told it's purely cosmetic these days).

Other than that....nope. Love building my own PC.
 
AMD 7950 3 GB - on sale $180
AMD FX 6300 - $120 + basically a free MB through microcenter bundle
8 GB 2133 RAM - $45 Newegg sale a while back
1 TB 7200 RPM HDD - $60
Windows 8.1 - $79 back when Windows 8 was cheap
Silverstone Sugo SFF - $50
Pioneer BD Burner - $50 Microcenter sale
Asus 1200p monitor
Bose 2.0 Companion Speakers

Regret - No USB 3.0 support on my MB, forget the exact MB model, something MSI, not a lot of mATX AM3+ options out there with USB 3.0. So I guess I kind of regret skimping a bit on the MB, although the lack of USB 3.0 is really the only issue I have with it, CPU OCs with stock cooling to 4.0 Ghz 24/7 without any heat problems, and RAM is running above 2.0 Ghz (Board only supports 1600 without OC).

Also a minor regret in not installing OS on an SSD and having the TB HDD for everything else, planning on doing that at some point. Or maybe just Getting a big SSD when I see a good deal. I put a 240 gb SSD in my laptop, and I love it on that, but I don't really see the need for an SSD on the desktop, as boot times don't really matter, and I usually just use sleep mode instead of shutting down the desktop. The 7200 RPM drive seems just as snappy as the SSD, besides boot times.

Also wish I would have gotten Klipsch speakers instead of the Bose ones.
 
I haven't bought too much the last couple years, but I regret buying the Corsair Graphite Series 600T case. It is just HUGE!! I knew it was big, but once I got it setup where I have my computer I felt kind of stupid.
 
No room, video card blocks the other PCI slots. Not a lot of room to work with on a mATX board.

Aah, nuts.

It really is a convenience that I wouldn't want to live without now.

I haven't bought too much the last couple years, but I regret buying the Corsair Graphite Series 600T case. It is just HUGE!! I knew it was big, but once I got it setup where I have my computer I felt kind of stupid.

I felt that when I plugged in my old Antec 1200 and like 10 fans whirred, 20 blue LED's lit up like a Christmas tree, and I suddenly had this big ridiculous thing in my office.
 
Aah, nuts.

It really is a convenience that I wouldn't want to live without now.



I felt that when I plugged in my old Antec 1200 and like 10 fans whirred, 20 blue LED's lit up like a Christmas tree, and I suddenly had this big ridiculous thing in my office.

Yeah I dunno, I feel like it's pretty rare that I'm actually transferring anything via USB these days, usually just to unload everything onto externals every now and then, and with a 1 TB drive on the desktop that isn't very often. So all in all, lack of usb 3.0 hasn't been a huge deal, but it just kind of bugs me to know that I don't have it haha.
 
Upgrading from triple channel 1 GB DDR3 sticks to 2 GB DDR3 sticks, then finally to 4 GB DDR3 sticks instead of just jumping to 12 GB from the get go >_>
 
After selling my GTX690 and buying a single GTX780TI I realised I'm never buying Multi-GPU again. No more compatibility and stuttering issues ever again. A single high-end GPU should be enough.
 
Stable is about the least accurate descriptor for that graph you posted.

On mobile right now, I'll get back to you on this in like an hour in detail.

Those graphs was with everything maxed which is the problem.

Keep in mind that 290s will lower their performance the hotter the card runs, if your case isn't disappating heat well enough, it could cause a hit to your 290s performance.

Hum... Gonna have to monitor the temps then.


Either way I'm already thinking of buying a new MB+CPU. It's gonna have to be cheap after the 290 though -.-

PC GAMING!
 
I bought an i5 2500k from Newegg but had to cancel and replace my order. I was changing some configurations and rebuilt my cart. This time, I bought the i5 2500, non-k. I didn't know this until a few months ago. I decided to overclock and found out that option was locked. The best part is I sprung for a giant fan to cool down my future overclocking.
 
3 years ago when i built my actual rig i bought a 64gb ssd that costed me about 150€ just to see how "marvelous" SSD where.
they are fantasic indeed, but not at that price.
I paid the early adopter premium price and last year I bought 2 256gb SSD for 200€ heh...
 
Not buying an SSD with my PC. Boot up times are painfully slow now and I am unable to reinstall Windows into a new drive since I didn't use a genuine copy.
 
I love my PC but my major regret has to be getting a HAF 932 case. It is too big and too loud for my taste. My next build is going to have to be a quiet mATX or ITX build. Also, I hate how this case has a CPU backplate opening and yet, it is too small, making that feature completely useless.
 
A Corsair GS700. A friend sold me a 6970 for a really good price and i needed a good psu so i went to amazon and take the first good PSU without read any reviews.

If you don' t know, the GS700 in its first revision have a defect that, when use less than 20% power, make a very annoying noise.
 
I regret buying a i7 920 5 years ago, since it's so good that I still can't talk myself into upgrading.

But seriously, the last purchase of PC hardware I regret is my TV card. I never use it. And I mean seriously never. Exactly once since I put it into the system 2 years ago.

I actually regret buying my i7 960 when the 2700K was out. OCing the thing to 4.2 GHz fixed everything though.
 
My GTX 660 gets me by at 45-60fps on average but I will admit, I wish I went with a 760 at least.

It seems that when you build a PC you always have regrets about something unless you are paying a lot of money up front.
 
I got an SSD and went through the trouble of re-installing the system, only to find out that the speed difference both in games and booting Windows is unnoticeable for me. Might be my motherboard not supporting 6GB/s SATA.
 
I guess I never use the €12 DVD burner I put in my most recent PC, and I sort of knew that ahead of time, but still felt I'd be better off getting one since you never know and it's cheap. That's about it though, I got lots of good advice on other components from GAF and people I know, and I'm pretty damn happy with everything so far.
 
I guess I never use the €12 DVD burner I put in my most recent PC, and I sort of knew that ahead of time, but still felt I'd be better off getting one since you never know and it's cheap. That's about it though, I got lots of good advice on other components from GAF and people I know, and I'm pretty damn happy with everything so far.

It's always nice for OS installs and LiveCDs. Beats having to set up an USB drive every time you need it. Cause you just know your gonna format it once your done with it.
 
My only regret currently is cheaping out with the motherboard. I thought I wouldn't want another gpu and got a mobo with 1 pci-e slot, but now when I see many cheap used 670's around, I feel like an ass.
And my 670 feels alone. :(
 
Happened to me with my 570 and amd 1100t. Well, now i won't repeat my mistakes and plan to ugrade pc one a year or two. It's much better than wait forever for new hardware to come out.
 
I just bought a 660 this Christmas for 180, now im wishing I wouldve just saved and sprung for a 770 or something.


It's not bad or anything, but its hardly ideal for 1080p.
 
Lots of regrets.

-Not building an ITX rig sooner
-Not using an SSD sooner
-Not going liquid cooling sooner
-Buying a cheap PSU
-Not researching on acoustics. My first build 12 years ago was a jet engine.
-Buying a voltage locked motherboard
 
My friend helped me build my gaming PC since my knowledge at the time about the stuff was almost nothing and the whole endeavor seemed really daunting. We ended up picking the parts and putting it together in March 2012. In hindsight, wish I would have waited a few months for Ivy Bridge and Nvidia's 600 series. Still using the 2550k, but I upgraded the 560 Ti to a 770 4GB just this past November.
 
Getting a second 780, I regret it the noise level whilst playing sounds like a jet engine and the heat is insane even with twin frozrs.... the backplates I put on them for bling get so hot I dare not touch them again.

Should of got a single 780TI
 
I regret cancelling the yamakasi catleap 1440p monitor i ordered before and went for asus 144hz instead.

I was playing a lot of twitch fps games at the time. I got a 1920x1200 ultrasharp monitor now though and its sooooo good compared to the TN(?) panel
 
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