"I Need a New PC!" 2014 Part 2. Read OP, your 2500K will run Witcher 3. MX100s! 970!
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Any card with a non-reference HSF is good, really. The Sapphire Tri-X has the same HSF as the Vapor-X I believe, but uses a reference board, and it goes on sale semi-frequently for ~$380 (I think I paid $350 for mine). Really, just keep your eyes open for a 290 into the high $300's and you'll be fine.
Edit: This one is $380 on Amazon right now: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IZH6DRE/?tag=neogaf0e-20
I'd kill for a 1080p TV of this size and quality that does 120Hz. I'd prefer that over a 1440p monitor, TBH.
Reformat, don't dread it. With a USB stick it'll take 10 mins to get it reformatted, another 30 to get all your drivers installed. Just make sure you grab all of the newest ones directly from ASRock's website. Put all those plus NVIDIA drivers on a USB stick ahead of time, and you'll be up and running in no time.
No, not a cause for concern.
Sorry
It happens, and it sucks when it does.
Yeah, Sk3tch here on GAF did a bunch of tests awhile back, and it's a total waste these days.
Don't use dual 670s. Sell your 670 if you want to upgrade.
FWIW, even comparing the audio on my Gigabyte Sniper M5, which has great onboard audio, to the SoundBlaster ZxR is a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge step up in quality and power. It even makes my IEMs (Grado SRi and Steelseries Flux In Ear Pros) come alive. I'm no audiophile either.
Hi Gaf!
Just wanted to thank the creators of this thread and everyone else whose shared builds and info; built my PC mostly from this and a other info online; but mostly this thread was really helpful in just giving me the confidence to do it.
Case: Bitfenix Prodigy mITX
MB: GIGABYTE Z97N-WIFI Intel LGA1150 Z97 Mini-ITX Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i5 4670K + Noctua NH-U12S
GPU: MSI R9 270X Hawk Graphics Card
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 Mhz
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB
PSU: Seasonic X-460FL 460W ATX Fanless Case
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2414H 23.8 inch Widescreen IPS LCD Monitor
Sound: Edifier Exclaim E10 2.0 Speaker System
Keyboard: Cooler Master QuickFire TK
Mouse: Razer Deathadder Ergonomic Gaming Mouse
Case Fan: BitFenix 230mm Spectre PRO Fan - Black
For any other first time builders I found it very easy once I got going; you just get that hesitant "Where am I putting the wires?" stage but once you start doing it (also my PSU had great straps for binding wires) its all and you can work it out later.
Originally planned to install Windows 8 via USB but in the end just buying an external optical drive was cheaper and easier.
Just wanted to thank the creators of this thread and everyone else whose shared builds and info; built my PC mostly from this and a other info online; but mostly this thread was really helpful in just giving me the confidence to do it.
Case: Bitfenix Prodigy mITX
MB: GIGABYTE Z97N-WIFI Intel LGA1150 Z97 Mini-ITX Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i5 4670K + Noctua NH-U12S
GPU: MSI R9 270X Hawk Graphics Card
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 Mhz
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB
PSU: Seasonic X-460FL 460W ATX Fanless Case
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2414H 23.8 inch Widescreen IPS LCD Monitor
Sound: Edifier Exclaim E10 2.0 Speaker System
Keyboard: Cooler Master QuickFire TK
Mouse: Razer Deathadder Ergonomic Gaming Mouse
Case Fan: BitFenix 230mm Spectre PRO Fan - Black
For any other first time builders I found it very easy once I got going; you just get that hesitant "Where am I putting the wires?" stage but once you start doing it (also my PSU had great straps for binding wires) its all and you can work it out later.
Originally planned to install Windows 8 via USB but in the end just buying an external optical drive was cheaper and easier.
Grats! But....
This is not true. It also only takes 8ish mins to install it from flash memory (USB stick) to flash memory (SSD).
Ah, cheers.
I'm already using two 670s. I was considering keeping the generic one as PhysX card, not buying one for this purpose, haha -- since I already have two cards and the generic one being out of warranty dampens its resale value, I was thinking of keeping it around, but from what's been said I may as well make what money I can from it.
Confidence Man
Member
How long do PSUs usually last? My PC has been rebooting itself, seems like it's just losing power and coming back on. Had a 750w Corsair since 09.
Could possibly be that. I had the same kind of symptom on a dying old psu.
My PC power and cooling 750W is from Jan 09. Still going strong *knock on wood*.
ambient heat, power drawn, quality of components all have an effect on lifetime.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
I'm currently using a couple of different cans.
I have:-
V-moda 100
Fanny Wang 1000
Sony pulse Elites
Sony NWZ-WH505 3N1 headphones
JVC HA-RX700
And JVC HA MR77X
Might also buy a Pair of Beyerdynamic DT770 PROs in the future.
I've got a MSI z87-G45 Gaming motherboard. Just waiting on a PSU replacement as my original was a pain in the ass to keep neat. First build so haven't tested the onboard sound yet.
Ray Wonder
Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
Beyerdynamics are the best thing ever.
Black Soma
Member
Is this a good budget monitor for gaming?
http://www.aocmonitorap.com/root/hk_en/product_display.php?id=438
Actually, should I really buy an IPS monitor for gaming?
http://www.aocmonitorap.com/root/hk_en/product_display.php?id=438
Actually, should I really buy an IPS monitor for gaming?
Stevey
Member
OK Gaf, whats a decent sound card for £150ish, it's just going straight into my Denon AVR-1906 via optical or co-ax for Stereo headphone use or 5.1 DD/DTS.
Glip_Glop
Member
I don't know if this is the right thread to ask this question. I recently had a gaming PC built;
i7-4790, 8GB 1600MHz ram, 780 Ti SLI, Win 8.1, 250Gig SSD.
I'm getting garbage framerates in games like Skyrim (goes from 100 down to 50 FPS in most areas), Borderlands 2 (goes from 150 to 40), Fry Cry 3 (90 down to 50) and Watch_Dogs (80 down to 25). Is this because these games are poorly optimized for SLI? I don't think I have any bottlenecks. I was hoping I could run any game with on Ultra with ease. Mind you, this is at 1080p. I did a run with Firestrike and received 16100 score, which seems to be pretty good. Anyone see poor performance issues while running these games? Unfortunately these are the only games I have played since I got my rig, and I'm pretty disappointed after all the money I spent on it.
i7-4790, 8GB 1600MHz ram, 780 Ti SLI, Win 8.1, 250Gig SSD.
I'm getting garbage framerates in games like Skyrim (goes from 100 down to 50 FPS in most areas), Borderlands 2 (goes from 150 to 40), Fry Cry 3 (90 down to 50) and Watch_Dogs (80 down to 25). Is this because these games are poorly optimized for SLI? I don't think I have any bottlenecks. I was hoping I could run any game with on Ultra with ease. Mind you, this is at 1080p. I did a run with Firestrike and received 16100 score, which seems to be pretty good. Anyone see poor performance issues while running these games? Unfortunately these are the only games I have played since I got my rig, and I'm pretty disappointed after all the money I spent on it.
adamantypants
Member
Depends on the person, I think. If you don't have another computer to build a USB stick AND you bought the physical Windows copy on DVD AND you somehow don't own a USB stick then an external could be cheaper and easier
I bought an internal drive because I didn't feel like downloading the iso and building an installer drive
Depends. IPS displays have great color reproduction in comparison to most other types of panels. They generally only hit 60hz though, if higher refresh rates mean anything to you.
Do you have the latest GPU drivers and SLI enabled properly?
Bucket-o-roadkill
Member
If you're looking for a BenQ XL2411Z in the UK, might be worth contacting the retailer before ordering. This v2 firmware thing is an absolute nightmare.
So far, these can't confirm they have v2 - the ones to avoid:
CCL Online
SCAN
Amazon UK
I spoke to Novatech and they say that the stock they have IS v2 though...
So far, these can't confirm they have v2 - the ones to avoid:
CCL Online
SCAN
Amazon UK
I spoke to Novatech and they say that the stock they have IS v2 though...
Disable SLI and report back. Make sure you have the latest drivers and that the temps are fine.
Glip_Glop
Member
Yes I do.
I did disable SLI and saw a small drop in frame rate, but nothing too drastic (in Skyrim). I'll check again today, and look at the temps too, thanks.
Is that a non-K 4790? The low clock speed would account for a big frame dip in a lot of those games.
A lot of motherboards have optical out, are you sure yours does not?
Otherwise, anything is fine that passes undecoded audio, right? The expensive cards specifically have their own DACs and amps, which you wouldn't be using.
Stevey
Member
Bought everything in this PC from Novatech, never had a problem with them.
I'd say that if they say it's v2, it will be.
Yeah my MOBO has optical out, but I want a better sound card than what I've currently got- Soundblaster X-Fi.
No, it would not reduce load, unless you're talking about some ancient system (LGA 775/AM2+ maybe) that doesn't have a dedicated sound portion.
Undecoded audio takes no power to pass through. If the X-Fi sounds like shit, that's an issue with your Denon, not the card.
Are you using headphones directly off of the X-Fi?
Undecoded audio takes no power to pass through. If the X-Fi sounds like shit, that's an issue with your Denon, not the card.
Are you using headphones directly off of the X-Fi?
It'd be fine.
Bucket-o-roadkill
Member
My dad was singing their praises too, I think I'll possibly order with these guys tomorrow. Unfortunetly it won't be here until Monday as they don't do free speedy delivery but hey.. A v2 is a v2..
Yep, it will. IMO, spend less on the board, and more on the case
ALSO JUST SAW THIS DEAL - REFURBISHED H90 FOR $45. Promo code: BTEPBWW28
ALSO JUST SAW THIS DEAL - REFURBISHED H90 FOR $45. Promo code: BTEPBWW28
680 2GB. If the rumors are true, the 880 will come in cheaper than the 780 Ti, which would mean I could still upgrade but I'd lose that difference in cost, which is the risk.
Yeah, that's the other part of the risk. If I buy, it'll put me at around early-mid November as far as the latest I'd be able to upgrade. So if there are any delays I'd probably be fucked.
Don't really need it, but I'm kind of impatient
Plus it'd be nice to max everything at 2560x1440I hate this general concept, and would almost never ever recommend it, but have you thought about picking up a used 680 for SLI? They go for pretty damn cheap these days. $200 to tide you over until the 880 releases?
There's possible issues with games on day one, but will work pretty well most of the time.
There's possible issues with games on day one, but will work pretty well most of the time.
Thought about it, but I'm not sure if I would want to deal with the hassles that SLI brings.
How about a used 780? Between selling your 680 and getting a used card, you might only be out $200 or less. Then if the 880 is worth it, sell the 780.
If you're not out too much by dropping on a 780 Ti, then go for it. But that's a damn expensive card to possibly get outclassed by a $500 part in a few months. If that sort of performance and or price loss is hard on your budget, I'd hold out. If it's not much of a budget drain, then go for it.
If you're not out too much by dropping on a 780 Ti, then go for it. But that's a damn expensive card to possibly get outclassed by a $500 part in a few months. If that sort of performance and or price loss is hard on your budget, I'd hold out. If it's not much of a budget drain, then go for it.
Yeah, once I had it sitting in my cart I realized I should just wait for the 880. I just picked up a new keyboard instead to satiate my buying needs.
puffyshirt
Banned
I need help! So I was messinmg around with my graphics card settings on my PC, nothing too drastic, but I made one small tweak and it fucked everything up! I am running an R9 290 Sapphire Tri-X.
What happened was, I was in some option that allowed me to change the clock speed of the card, so I changed it from 1.3 ghz to 1.5 ghz. I hit apply, and the screen immediately went black. When I try to restart, the screen comes back on, then goes black almost immediately. I can start in safe mode, but I can't go into the AMD settings from there to change it back.
Does anyone know what the problem might be or what I can do?
What happened was, I was in some option that allowed me to change the clock speed of the card, so I changed it from 1.3 ghz to 1.5 ghz. I hit apply, and the screen immediately went black. When I try to restart, the screen comes back on, then goes black almost immediately. I can start in safe mode, but I can't go into the AMD settings from there to change it back.
Does anyone know what the problem might be or what I can do?
RazorbackDB
Member
puffyshirt
Banned
Can I download and install things in safe mode? At this point I don;t know how I'll even get that on the comp.
Grabbed a Das Keyboard 4 Professional. I actually ended up canceling the order because they offer a 20% student discount on their site, and Amazon wouldn't pricematch.
puffyshirt
Banned
Do you have any idea why that would have happened? I'm running a pretty big machine, there's no reason a change that small should have fucked everything up.
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