keeblerdrow
Member
Copy/Pasted from the laptop thread so I can get some more eyes on it and hopefully get this whole shopping process behind me:
keeblerdrow said:
-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
"I need a new PC!" 2010 Edition
- Thread starter Spy
- Start date
Vigilant Walrus
Member
keeble, I think this is one of those times were you need specific reviews and user opinions. I love notebookcheck.net personally. They have in-depth reviews of most notebooks and they go into much more details than other tech sites like Gizmondo, Enggadet and all those others!
I also like the browse the respective forums on forum.notebookreview.com < just browsing through the owners threads of each model, gives a lot of leverage to weigh the pros and cons. I tend to browse them with notepad open, and then I put in pros and cons for each model as I do my research, and then I look at the notepad document in the end, and see which has more pros than cons.
I also like the browse the respective forums on forum.notebookreview.com < just browsing through the owners threads of each model, gives a lot of leverage to weigh the pros and cons. I tend to browse them with notepad open, and then I put in pros and cons for each model as I do my research, and then I look at the notepad document in the end, and see which has more pros than cons.
ChoklitReign
Member
So what do you guys think of the GTS 450? I'm disappointed its performance is closer to the 5750 than the 5770. Should I get a 5770 or a 450? I've laid out the pros and cons I see:
GTS 450 Pros:
-Good drivers
-Good support (TWIWMTBP, D3DOverride, etc.)
-Overclocking
Cons:
-Weaker than 5770
5770 Pros:
-Good bang for buck
Cons:
-A little overpriced
-Fewer drivers and support
GTS 450 Pros:
-Good drivers
-Good support (TWIWMTBP, D3DOverride, etc.)
-Overclocking
Cons:
-Weaker than 5770
5770 Pros:
-Good bang for buck
Cons:
-A little overpriced
-Fewer drivers and support
brain_stew
Member
ChoklitReign said:
Last generation cards are still the way to go at this pricepoint. It needed to be $100 to cause a splash, it can barely beat out a 5750 ffs.
Its going to be creamed once AMD release their 6770 cards in a few months.
ChoklitReign
Member
So how would you deal with compatibility with D3DOverride? How does CCC compare with other programs? And isn't the 6770 closer in price to the 460? I want to spend between $130 and $150.
D3DOverrider works with both cards.ChoklitReign said:
In conjunction with RadeonPro (http://www.radeonpro.info/) you can force AA per game like you can in nHancer. No forcing ambient occlusion though.ChoklitReign said:
No one knows shit about the 6 series yet.ChoklitReign said:
ChoklitReign
Member
I heard that you can't force triple buffering for DX games on ATI cards. Is that false?Fredescu said:
brain_stew
Member
I think I'd still take a 4870 at this point. You can get them for around $100 after rebate these days and they're faster than any of the cards you're considering.
The GTS 450 struggles to match a GTS 250 or 5750 most of the time which is, quite frankly, pathetic. It should be a $100 card.
The GTS 450 struggles to match a GTS 250 or 5750 most of the time which is, quite frankly, pathetic. It should be a $100 card.
L0st Id3ntity said:
Thermalright Silver Arrow
http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_page/cpu/silver_arrow/product_cpu_silver_arrow.html
It's essentially a re-worked/improved Cogage Arrow, which itself was a re-engineered Thermalright IFX-14 of sorts.
You can't adjust the fan height for clearance over tall ram like you can with the Noctua NH-D14, but it has a superior sonic profile across the rpm range. At idle, there is about 1c difference between them, and under load, the Silver Arrow comes out 1-3c cooler (depending on fan speed) than the Noctua, while being quieter.
Personally, I'm trying to resist changing from a Prolimatech Megahalems to either the Silver Arrow, or a Corsair H70. Tempting... but I think I'll wait until Bulldozer/Sandy Bridge get into full swing, those two coolers get revisions for the new sockets (if needed) and come down a bit in price, or something equal to/better than the H70/Silver Arrow comes along.
I think.
keeblerdrow said:
The issue stems with the GPU more than anything. While using the 5730 you get the weird screen shimmering on greys. I have the Y560 with the i3 and 5730. Performance wise it's good enough to get the job done. I run SC2 on medium, with a faster CPU you'll be able to increase more settings than me. When using the Intel IGP you don't see the shimmering problem at all. You usually just notice it while on webpages with slightly grey backgrounds so you never see it while using the AMD GPU because you don't see it in games. You can also tweak the contrast settings in CCC to reduce the shimmer. The screen is still fairly weak overall like what you would expect from lower end laptops. I'm happy with mine but I got it for 680+taxes so it's well worth the issues.
Opinions on the evga gtx 460 768mb version? It's on sale here for 179Cad and Im upgrading from an x1950 pro (so i can play amnesia and other forgotten games)
Thoughts?? my native res is 1680x1050 thanks!
I'm not an fps hound, I just want something affordable that will play my once in a while pc gaming smoothly
Thoughts?? my native res is 1680x1050 thanks!
I'm not an fps hound, I just want something affordable that will play my once in a while pc gaming smoothly
brain_stew
Member
eternal prize said:
If you can afford the extra for the 1GB version, I'd recommend it.
cartoon_soldier
Member
cartoon_soldier said:
Bumping for new page.
·feist· said:
Thermalright Silver Arrow
http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_page/cpu/silver_arrow/product_cpu_silver_arrow.html
It's essentially a re-worked/improved Cogage Arrow, which itself was a re-engineered Thermalright IFX-14 of sorts.
You can't adjust the fan height for clearance over tall ram like you can with the Noctua NH-D14, but it has a superior sonic profile across the rpm range. At idle, there is about 1c difference between them, and under load, the Silver Arrow comes out 1-3c cooler (depending on fan speed) than the Noctua, while being quieter.
Personally, I'm trying to resist changing from a Prolimatech Megahalems to either the Silver Arrow, or a Corsair H70. Tempting... but I think I'll wait until Bulldozer/Sandy Bridge get into full swing, those two coolers get revisions for the new sockets (if needed) and come down a bit in price, or something equal to/better than the H70/Silver Arrow comes along.
I think.
I'm sure the Noctua NH-D14 is better then that.
Haeleos
Member
For the motherboard, should I go with the ASUS P7P55 LX or the P7P55D?
I don't need SATA 6gb/s and I'm only going to be using 1 GFX card, so Crossfire doesn't matter to me, and USB 3.0 isn't important either. I'll be seating an i5 750 into it... can I save the $20 going with the P7P55 LX or will I be missing something other than what's listed?
I don't need SATA 6gb/s and I'm only going to be using 1 GFX card, so Crossfire doesn't matter to me, and USB 3.0 isn't important either. I'll be seating an i5 750 into it... can I save the $20 going with the P7P55 LX or will I be missing something other than what's listed?
Hi GAF,
I'm trying to decide what I should do to my current rig for the 2011 selection of games. I figured I should ask here if I can avoid buying a whole new computer. Right now I have a 3.0 GHz dual core and 4GB of RAM. I'm jumping between the 4870 and the 9800GT. I would rather buy a 9800GT, I only have a 420w PSU and the 4870 suggests a 450+. Problem is, I'm not sure how Alice 2 and Sword of the Stars 2 will run on a 9800GT. I can run SC2 with my current shitty 9500GT so I'm not too worried about that game, Grim Dawn is an old engine, TL2 will probably run on a netbook and Dawn of War 2: Chaos Rising will run fine on that video card too. I've heard Portal 2 is an upgraded source engine but Valve is usually pretty nice about optimizing their games for shitty computers. Would a 9800GT and a 3.0 GHz dual core run all of those games at 1280x800 on medium, 60fps? I know you guys get these types of questions all the time and I apologize, but I don't know how else to gauge it. A few people here seem to have an eye for how demanding games will be.
As stated earlier, I play my games at 1280x800. I know, horrible, but it doesn't really bother me. Those 6 or 7 games will last me for a couple years, so I'm not worried about anything else. I'm hoping to wait at least a year before I replace this rig, that way the 7000 series might be out to drive the 6000 series down a bit, same with the new six cores.
Thanks for any advice
I'm trying to decide what I should do to my current rig for the 2011 selection of games. I figured I should ask here if I can avoid buying a whole new computer. Right now I have a 3.0 GHz dual core and 4GB of RAM. I'm jumping between the 4870 and the 9800GT. I would rather buy a 9800GT, I only have a 420w PSU and the 4870 suggests a 450+. Problem is, I'm not sure how Alice 2 and Sword of the Stars 2 will run on a 9800GT. I can run SC2 with my current shitty 9500GT so I'm not too worried about that game, Grim Dawn is an old engine, TL2 will probably run on a netbook and Dawn of War 2: Chaos Rising will run fine on that video card too. I've heard Portal 2 is an upgraded source engine but Valve is usually pretty nice about optimizing their games for shitty computers. Would a 9800GT and a 3.0 GHz dual core run all of those games at 1280x800 on medium, 60fps? I know you guys get these types of questions all the time and I apologize, but I don't know how else to gauge it. A few people here seem to have an eye for how demanding games will be.
As stated earlier, I play my games at 1280x800. I know, horrible, but it doesn't really bother me. Those 6 or 7 games will last me for a couple years, so I'm not worried about anything else. I'm hoping to wait at least a year before I replace this rig, that way the 7000 series might be out to drive the 6000 series down a bit, same with the new six cores.
Thanks for any advice
Deus Ex Machina
Member
·feist· said:
Thermalright Silver Arrow
http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_page/cpu/silver_arrow/product_cpu_silver_arrow.html
It's essentially a re-worked/improved Cogage Arrow, which itself was a re-engineered Thermalright IFX-14 of sorts.
You can't adjust the fan height for clearance over tall ram like you can with the Noctua NH-D14, but it has a superior sonic profile across the rpm range. At idle, there is about 1c difference between them, and under load, the Silver Arrow comes out 1-3c cooler (depending on fan speed) than the Noctua, while being quieter.
Personally, I'm trying to resist changing from a Prolimatech Megahalems to either the Silver Arrow, or a Corsair H70. Tempting... but I think I'll wait until Bulldozer/Sandy Bridge get into full swing, those two coolers get revisions for the new sockets (if needed) and come down a bit in price, or something equal to/better than the H70/Silver Arrow comes along.
I think.
I put my money behind Corsair H70. I'm using H50 right now and its amazing.
Deus Ex Machina
Member
This is more convenient than air cooling.. given its small size and no maintenance.WEGGLES said:
MisterAnderson
Member
A friend of mine wants a computer at around $500. I told him I'd help him build one since I built mine last summer, but I'm a bit out of the loop as far as what costs what nowadays and what's the best bang for the buck. If anyone has any suggestions as to what might be good to get for him, I'm all ears.
WEGGLES said:
While I haven't personally used them, Clunk's Core 2 and Core i overclocking guides seem to always be among the more popular options.WEGGLES said:
Core i7 Overclocking Guide For Beginners.
http://www.clunk.org.uk/forums/overclocking/22106-core-i7-overclocking-guide-beginners.html
Obviously, searching online for your specific motherboard and CPU revisions is always helpful as well.
It'd be nice if there was a wider range of direct comparisons available, but I haven't seen the Noctua coming out on top yet.Sanjay said:
WEGGLES said:
The H70 is a waste of money and has worse noise than the cheaper but still as effective H50. Even the H50 at 80$ I wouldn't bother with but that is to each his own. I'd just as soon get a 30$ aftermarket cooler, strap another fan onto it and get the same performance as the 100$ coolers.
Unknown Soldier
Member
Cross-posted from this thread.
Is this an appropriate bang for buck upgrade? My paramount goal is a 4 ghz overclock or higher. Apparently to get the best performance out of FFXIV you need 4 ghz (no joke). :lol
Is this an appropriate bang for buck upgrade? My paramount goal is a 4 ghz overclock or higher. Apparently to get the best performance out of FFXIV you need 4 ghz (no joke). :lol
Deus Ex Machina
Member
Noise... :lolShambles said:
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utHTR98Vl9o
This guy has no idea what he's talking about.
Dash Kappei
Not actually that important
So, I'm still trying to figure out my new rig
(here's my first post with the pics of the HTPC's room).
You guys have obviously forgot so a little reminder:
Main use:1080@24p movies/blu rays & Music player on a 110" screen (ratio 1.85:1).
Requisites: as silent as possible (like a PS3 would be awesome), hopefully not pushing out too much hot air (not much more than an old X360)
Gaming: solid 60fps@1080p (or at the very least 720p with lots of AA effects) with HIGH details on graphically "heavy" racing games (like F1 2010 or others there are going to come out in 2011/2012 (if possible). 95% of games I'll play on it will be racing games, my main gaming platforms will still be X360 and PS3, but I want to really push racing games with my G27 Logitech wheel and soon to be racing cockpit.
Budget: initially it was $750(and when I say $ I mean Euros, eheh) for everything bar the case and sound card, now I kinda know I need a bit more money ($/900?), damn.
This is my case:
http://i55.tinypic.com/xatqav.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/35jvvj4.jpg
This is the build I've figured out with my buddy:
Components:
So, yeah I'd go waaaaay overbudget with this.
Is there a way to maintain similar performance (and how would you rate this custom build compared to the one you'll be -hopefully!- suggesting) but keeping it at 900 total?
Note that I have a side budget for the case and audio card (which, I'll stress it again so to not have replies focusing about that, I do actually need).
(here's my first post with the pics of the HTPC's room).
You guys have obviously forgot so a little reminder:
Main use:1080@24p movies/blu rays & Music player on a 110" screen (ratio 1.85:1).
Requisites: as silent as possible (like a PS3 would be awesome), hopefully not pushing out too much hot air (not much more than an old X360)
Gaming: solid 60fps@1080p (or at the very least 720p with lots of AA effects) with HIGH details on graphically "heavy" racing games (like F1 2010 or others there are going to come out in 2011/2012 (if possible). 95% of games I'll play on it will be racing games, my main gaming platforms will still be X360 and PS3, but I want to really push racing games with my G27 Logitech wheel and soon to be racing cockpit.
Budget: initially it was $750(and when I say $ I mean Euros, eheh) for everything bar the case and sound card, now I kinda know I need a bit more money ($/900?), damn.
This is my case:
- Thermaltaake DH 101
http://i55.tinypic.com/xatqav.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/35jvvj4.jpg
This is the build I've figured out with my buddy:
Components:
- INTEL CPU Core i7 930 (Bloomfield) Quad Core 2,8 Ghz socket LGA1366 Boxed
291,99 - GIGABYTE Motherboard GA-X58A-UD5 socket LGA1366 chipset Intel X58 ATX
304,99 - ANTEC PSU CP-1000 Modular 1000 Watt steady ATX 12V version 2.3 and EPS version 2.91
126,49 - SEAGATE Surveillance SV35.5 1 Tb Sata 300 Buffer 32 Mb 7200 Rpm
79,69 - CORSAIR Dimm Dominator 6Gb (3x2Gb) DDR3 Triple Channel 1600 Mhz Unbuffered CL 8-8-8-24
165,99 - SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5850 1Gb ddr5 Pci-E Dual DVI HDMI Display Port Sapphire Design
259,99
So, yeah I'd go waaaaay overbudget with this.
Is there a way to maintain similar performance (and how would you rate this custom build compared to the one you'll be -hopefully!- suggesting) but keeping it at 900 total?
Note that I have a side budget for the case and audio card (which, I'll stress it again so to not have replies focusing about that, I do actually need).
mescalineeyes
Banned
Get a 1gb gtx460 instead of the 5850... Same Performance, 50 less, for starters.Dash Kappei said:
an i5 would also severely lower the costs, I think the i7 is a bit much.
disclaimer: I am not brain_stew.
VibratingDonkey
Member
I need a new CPU fan!
Because I'd rather not need a new PC in 2010.
Socket 775, one that comes with thermal compound or with it pre-applied would be nice. As would silence. Also (though not a priority) the possibility of using it with my next TBD CPU, granted it's more efficient than the stock one of course. Nothing too fancy. I'm primarily looking to replace, not improve. Kind of tight on funds right now.
I'm looking at the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus. Would that be a wise choice?
Because I'd rather not need a new PC in 2010.
Socket 775, one that comes with thermal compound or with it pre-applied would be nice. As would silence. Also (though not a priority) the possibility of using it with my next TBD CPU, granted it's more efficient than the stock one of course. Nothing too fancy. I'm primarily looking to replace, not improve. Kind of tight on funds right now.
I'm looking at the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus. Would that be a wise choice?
VibratingDonkey
Member
Is the installation procedure basically the same for all third party 775 coolers? You have to remove the motherboard and attach a backplate? Because I'd rather not.Dina said:
Also I've had the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro suggested to me. Is that equivalent to, or at least not significantly worse than the Hyper 212? Because it comes with thermal paste pre-applied, which means one less thing for me to worry about.
Or is it possible to order a replacement fan for an E6850 heatsink from somewhere? I live in Sweden.
I've finally decided on a motherboard, went with the Gigabyte GA870A for the # of SATA ports, # of backpanel I/O USB ports (hate having to use a slot near my cards), and because I won't need crossfire any time soon (have an HD4770, not sold anymore 
). Now I've pretty much finished picking my build. Feels good man.
Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced / 90,00
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W / 78,20
Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 / 95,80
AMD Phenom II X4 955BE / 132,80
OCZ Gold LV 1333 / 77,60
Total 474,40
). Now I've pretty much finished picking my build. Feels good man.Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced / 90,00
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W / 78,20
Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 / 95,80
AMD Phenom II X4 955BE / 132,80
OCZ Gold LV 1333 / 77,60
Total 474,40
Shadowhaxor
Member
equap said:
No, you can not SLI those cards. You didn't mention your motherboard or your PSU, so I'll just go by video cards. You need to cards of the similar GPU to SLI, its not like Crossfire where you can mix and match.
Neither one of those cards should be used as a PhysX card, they aren't up to it.... though you may get away with it with the 9800GT.
I don't think those hexacores will come down anytime soon. I'd just get an i5 since both AM3 and the Intel sockets are being passed on.Unknown Soldier said:
Everything you need is in this image. Remember to combo if you can.
http://i.imgur.com/A55hA.jpg
Okay first off that 1000W Antec iirc is the standard Antec made and is not standard ATX. It probably won't fit. Secondly it is super overkill for power. -$50Dash Kappei said:
Next is i7, also overkill, get an i5. -$250
Get a GTX460 1GB instead. -$50
4GB RAM -$50
For a cooler see the list in the image, get some nice fans. +$40
The Samsung F3 1TB drives run pretty nicely.
http://i.imgur.com/A55hA.jpg
Hope those are combo'd if possible? Comma use makes you seem like not from US.msv said:I've finally decided on a motherboard, went with the Gigabyte GA870A for the # of SATA ports, # of backpanel I/O USB ports (hate having to use a slot near my cards), and because I won't need crossfire any time soon (have an HD4770, not sold anymore
Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced / 90,00
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W / 78,20
Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 / 95,80
AMD Phenom II X4 955BE / 132,80
OCZ Gold LV 1333 / 77,60
Total 474,40
If so if there any alternatives in the price range of the OCZ I'd get those instead if possible. If not, no biggie.
TouchMyBox
Member
Deus Ex Machina said:
You can totally hear the fans in that video, and in reviews the H70 was criticized for coming with fairly loud fans. Now you could swap those fans out for some noctuas or whatever, but eh.
While I love my H50, it does make noise (albeit not much), and when I was deciding what to put in my computer that i'm using to do some recording on, I went with a noctua air cooler because it really is silent.
Outdoor Miner
Member
After reading Anandtech's latest Sandy Bridge preview, I think I will hold off on a new PC 'til Q1 next year. Sandy Bridge and an AMD 6xxx will have me set for a few years. 
No combos around here in the Netherlands. Luckily I guess, having to combo stuff seems like all the more hassle to me.Hazaro said:
I assume you're talking about the PSU? It's pretty much the cheapest modular PSU I could get in the range. Even the 600W variant is 1e less which I'd then have to order at another company. Corsair's 650 is more expensive as well. Rather have a Corsair of course, but it's not that essential to me, I've checked the efficiencies and the PSUs in my price range are all about the same.
Well RAM too if possible. I'm sure you can check some Netherland site and see which companies will actually have a warranty in your country. Otherwise like I said not such a big deal.msv said:
Well if you have time to wait it's always good in PC land, but Sandy Bridge doesn't seem to bring anything much for the enthusiast user. It's fantastic for people buying prebuilt systems and whatnot, but for someone like me?Outdoor Miner said:After reading Anandtech's latest Sandy Bridge preview, I think I will hold off on a new PC 'til Q1 next year. Sandy Bridge and an AMD 6xxx will have me set for a few years.
I'm still on my E7200 and I expected to upgrades MONTHS ago. Disappointing progress. Same goes for GPU, hope that 6 series is good and aggressive.
Mjunter said:
Time to RMA your SSD. If it does not show up in either modes at all when trying to install your OS its a dud.
Also msv going Corsair ram should be handy, as their RMA offices are in Holland and they also have excellent customer service when it comes to the process of RMA and warranty.
It's funny because OCZ was originally (tmk) known for their RAM, but it seems like they get a higher # of average DoA's (at least from newegg reviews) but their company is very good about pursuing and marketing new innovative tech.msv said:
So I like them as a company, but don't buy their products. :lol
Exception being that the OCZ budget SSD's are nice. Their PSU's are budget minded as well.
Sanjay said:
I cant find the original post that you are quoting but if hes having issues getting his SSD to show up during a windows install, maybe he needs to install the AHCI drivers pre-installation.
My motherboard came with a driver on the disc and instructions on how to do it. You can also check your mobo manufacturers website. I know some put the latest drivers right on there which may be better than the one on the disc.
Its basically as simple as having a external drive or thumb drive with the driver on it. Plug that into the PC when you are at the Windows 7 install screen. Eventually, youll hit the HDD selection screen and underneath that will be a message about preinstalling drivers and I think you need to press F6 here. Navigate to wherever the driver is located, install the driver, and pray that your SSD shows up afterwards. You might need to hit "refresh" by the HDD box.
Deus Ex Machina
Member
If you put push-pull config on any heatsink, that includes air heatsinks, its going to be audible.. unless you are running fanless you will be a little audible. I run one fan on my H50, check out my temps; I didn't need two fans. And you can opt out of using two fans on the H70 as well, and as you mention there are quieter fans too.TouchMyBox said:
1090t No overclock
Deus Ex Machina
Member
Hazaro said:
I have CoreTemp install as well and get the same temps.
Temps are low because I have my PC close the AC vent in my home. Whenever the AC is on H50 intake fan push this cold air over the rad. I can get as low as 4c