Sherdog PC Build/Buy Thread, v5: Stop Thinking of Your Router as a Peripheral

[CodCommando]

Zotac for sure. The MSI isn't worth $150 more, and Asus has had some quality issues. Their cooler isn't as nice either. My Zotac Amp Extreme came in last night and it is amazing.

Perfect choice! I'm getting the same, just waiting for a price drop, I feel it'll drop a little in christmas offers. Did you by any chance get a small baton like object that holds the card up against the case to prevent it drooping?

 

[Cygnus A]

Perfect choice! I'm getting the same, just waiting for a price drop, I feel it'll drop a little in christmas offers. Did you by any chance get a small baton like object that holds the card up against the case to prevent it drooping?

No. I believe they showed that at Computex? But I've not seen anyone actually receive one. The card does droop in the back if left to its own weight. I adjusted the power cabling to support it. This works well since you need 2x power plugs and the wiring is pretty stiff. I will post a picture when I get home if I remember.

 

[Cygnus A]

Read through here quite a bit tonight, the site is legit, thanks Cyg.

My current PC is about 7 or 8 years old and upgraded as far as I can take it, I'm looking to build a new one.

What level (based on their chart) do you think I should start looking at based on it being used for the following:

- PC games, just Starcraft 2 and Fallout 4 for now, I would like the option of being able to play demanding games in the future if I want to, but I don't really need max settings, I just want it to look good and run smoothly (possibly 2 monitors).
- Photoshop, my wife does graphic design work on the side.
- High usage multi tasking; photoshop, netflix, 10+ browser tabs all at the same time, etc.

I would like to be able to add to it in the future if I play something more demanding. So like have a 1 card setup now with the option of adding another later?

Thanks

Based your list of what you want it to do, I would recommend going with the Excellent to Outstanding level. Starcraft isn't very demanding, but FO4 probably will be if you want it to look great. I would shift some things around a bit, so decide if this is in your budget range and I can help you tweak it. I have always been an AMD fan, but right now I cant really recommend their CPUs unless you are on a tight budget.

I use reddit.com/r/buildapcsales to get better deals on parts if you are patient and want to piece together your system over a few weeks.

 

[Jumpy]

I'll be able to check when I get home, but for now I'm hoping one of you will know off the top of your head:

My basic rig consists of:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black cpu
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ mobo
CM hyper 212 plus
A 2gb Sapphire HD 7850
4gb ddr3 RAM from gskill
And a corsair 430 watt 80+ bronze cert PSU

I've got an 8 GB ddr3 stick of ram and I want to upgrade my GPU... Basically to run Fallout 4 on a 1080 resolution as high as I can get. What GPU can I get(preferably a 4GB card)without having to upgrade my PSU as well?

 

[Cygnus A]

I'll be able to check when I get home, but for now I'm hoping one of you will know off the top of your head:

My basic rig consists of:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black cpu
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ mobo
CM hyper 212 plus
A 2gb Sapphire HD 7850
4gb ddr3 RAM from gskill
And a corsair 430 watt 80+ bronze cert PSU

I've got an 8 GB ddr3 stick of ram and I want to upgrade my GPU... Basically to run Fallout 4 on a 1080 resolution as high as I can get. What GPU can I get(preferably a 4GB card)without having to upgrade my PSU as well?

Well. I wrote up a long explanation then Sherdog crashed on me...

The GTX 960 is the limit with that PSU, but you could get lucky and be able to run a GTX 970. That will be a risky purchase unless you are ready to upgrade the power supply when you find out your PC keeps crashing.

Cygnus' recommendation: Skip lunch this week (pretend you are cutting weight). Buy a $50 600w PSU and a GTX 970. Enjoy Fallout 4.

Quick reference for GPU power supplies: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

 

[SheetsMMAfan]

I have seen the brand Zotach thrown around in this thread quite a bit.

To anyone questioning, or doubting the brands quality/price: My last 2 cards (770 and 970) were both Zotac and they are EXCELLENT products. You almost can't beat their pricing on the cards. No heat issues, especially in my new Thor

 

[Romatheus]

Anyone have any thoughts on the MSI Radeon R9 380 4gb to be able to run Fallout 4?

I've already upgraded the rest of my rig but money is kinda tight.

 

[Brampton_Boy]

Anyone have any thoughts on the MSI Radeon R9 380 4gb to be able to run Fallout 4?

I've already upgraded the rest of my rig but money is kinda tight.

If your not averse to buying used, you can pick up a 290 on the second hand market for $200.

Probably the best bang for your buck card at 1080p.

 

[Jumpy]

Well. I wrote up a long explanation then Sherdog crashed on me...

The GTX 960 is the limit with that PSU, but you could get lucky and be able to run a GTX 970. That will be a risky purchase unless you are ready to upgrade the power supply when you find out your PC keeps crashing.

Cygnus' recommendation: Skip lunch this week (pretend you are cutting weight). Buy a $50 600w PSU and a GTX 970. Enjoy Fallout 4.

Quick reference for GPU power supplies: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

Thanks Cyg, the money isn't an issue and I get free lunch at work. Upgrading the PSU won't be a problem, I just didn't feel like doing it haha. So a 970, huh? That makes the nerd in me excited haha.

 

[Cygnus A]

Anyone have any thoughts on the MSI Radeon R9 380 4gb to be able to run Fallout 4?

I've already upgraded the rest of my rig but money is kinda tight.

The 380 should be ok at 1080p, but FO4 isn't out so it is hard to predict how well it is optimized, etc..

 

[Edgar Allan Hoe]

water cool son

Water cooling, eh? I just might be doing that for my graphics cards. As for my CPU, this cooler is actually really good. Quiet as fuck and my CPU went from 77C under load to 55C. The GPU's stay under 50C so there is room to OC in the future. That fan is still ugly as hell though.

Spoiler

 

[Hank The Tank]

Based your list of what you want it to do, I would recommend going with the Excellent to Outstanding level. Starcraft isn't very demanding, but FO4 probably will be if you want it to look great. I would shift some things around a bit, so decide if this is in your budget range and I can help you tweak it. I have always been an AMD fan, but right now I cant really recommend their CPUs unless you are on a tight budget.

I use reddit.com/r/buildapcsales to get better deals on parts if you are patient and want to piece together your system over a few weeks.

Sweet thanks Cyg, that's actually lower than I expected. I was expecting to spend between $1500-$2200ish, and don't mind doing so. Maybe I can scale up a bit on the PC and buy a few matching monitors, the ones I have now aren't great (HP 22inch and an Acer 27 inch I bought a few years ago for $200).

Certainly I don't mind waiting, I planned on doing so. I was hoping to buy a lot around black friday / cyber monday to snag some deals. Thank's for the link to that deal page that will be a big help.

Thanks for any help in building/getting me a list of what to buy, I haven't bought PC parts in years and went to look at processors and immediately felt overwhelmed with all of the i5 and i7 variations.

 

[Edgar Allan Hoe]

Sweet thanks Cyg, that's actually lower than I expected. I was expecting to spend between $1500-$2200ish, and don't mind doing so. Maybe I can scale up a bit on the PC and buy a few matching monitors, the ones I have now aren't great (HP 22inch and an Acer 27 inch I bought a few years ago for $200).

Certainly I don't mind waiting, I planned on doing so. I was hoping to buy a lot around black friday / cyber monday to snag some deals. Thank's for the link to that deal page that will be a big help.

Thanks for any help in building/getting me a list of what to buy, I haven't bought PC parts in years and went to look at processors and immediately felt overwhelmed with all of the i5 and i7 variations.

i7 4790K is the CPU to get. I was rocking a 1st gen i7 930 for 4 years before I upgraded to it early this year and it was well worth it.

As for i5 vs i7, I would recommend an i7 since the extra cache and hyperthreading is actually being taken advantage of from software devs these days, and for gaming it will be even more prevalent in the next 3 years. You can always overclock an i5 to perform well in games so if you have a midrange card this can be optimal but if you have good GPU power and an i7 you are "In Like Flint".

 

[Hank The Tank]

I couldn't help but do a bit more research tonight. How does this look? I plan on buying parts over the next month and a half, and can swap out some things if I find a great deal, so I imagine that price will come down a few hundred bucks? I feel like it may be overkill but give me a bit more futureproof over say a 4790k/980

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/z8K47P

Questions (in addition to what anyone wants to tell me)

Do these gaming towers have external memory card slots on them, like SD?
Do I need this much RAM/does it help (I see a lot of other builds with 16GB)?
Can I go with a smaller SSD (is 500GB overkill)?
Should I make the PSU larger in case I decide to SLI later (partspicker lists me at 744W if I add a 2nd card)?

 

[GhostZ06]

Water cooling, eh? I just might be doing that for my graphics cards. As for my CPU, this cooler is actually really good. Quiet as fuck and my CPU went from 77C under load to 55C. The GPU's stay under 50C so there is room to OC in the future. That fan is still ugly as hell though.

Spoiler

i cant even look at your computer with out getting sexually excited

 

[Blayt7hh]

I couldn't help but do a bit more research tonight. How does this look? I plan on buying parts over the next month and a half, and can swap out some things if I find a great deal, so I imagine that price will come down a few hundred bucks? I feel like it may be overkill but give me a bit more futureproof over say a 4790k/980

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/z8K47P

Questions (in addition to what anyone wants to tell me)

Do these gaming towers have external memory card slots on them, like SD?
Do I need this much RAM/does it help (I see a lot of other builds with 16GB)?
Can I go with a smaller SSD (is 500GB overkill)?
Should I make the PSU larger in case I decide to SLI later (partspicker lists me at 744W if I add a 2nd card)?

I'm on my phone but I'll try to answer. Some towers do have card slots, mine doesn't. It should say it some where. 16gb is plenty for gaming don't think about it anymore. The SSD is a personal preference. More would be convenient buy you could get by on a 256. And I would say yes to the psu, taking a gamble so you don't have to but a whole new one later

 

[Hank The Tank]

I'm on my phone but I'll try to answer. Some towers do have card slots, mine doesn't. It should say it some where. 16gb is plenty for gaming don't think about it anymore. The SSD is a personal preference. More would be convenient buy you could get by on a 256. And I would say yes to the psu, taking a gamble so you don't have to but a whole new one later

Ok thanks. I've updated a few things.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NDzNMp

I have a friend suggesting the R9 Fury X over the card I currently have on there, thoughts?

 

[Cygnus A]

Perfect choice! I'm getting the same, just waiting for a price drop, I feel it'll drop a little in christmas offers. Did you by any chance get a small baton like object that holds the card up against the case to prevent it drooping?

Here is the cables supporting the card:

 

[Blayt7hh]

Looks good. As far as 980 ti vs Fury X, right now the 980 ti is better but rumor has direct x 12 working better with Fury. My guess is that will change though. Amd isn't the best with driver support so for a high end card I would go with 980 ti myself. Both are great though

 

[Cygnus A]

Ok thanks. I've updated a few things.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NDzNMp

I have a friend suggesting the R9 Fury X over the card I currently have on there, thoughts?

Cool. It looks like you are willing to spend more money . Nice choices on your parts list.

The Fury X is a good card. The Zotac Amp Extreme is going to be faster in almost every circumstance thought.

Why 2x 1TB hard drives?

I would go with larger SSD for sure. You will fill it up easily.