News:

And we're back!

Main Menu

Advice for a new PC

Started by Solmyr, May 04, 2014, 10:57:00 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Norgy

Quote from: Solmyr on May 05, 2014, 12:12:55 PM
I'm just trying to triangulate on a CPU that's going to perform well enough to run intensive games. From what I read, Intel tends to have better performance. Insane number of cores is probably not necessary as most games don't benefit from it atm, 4 cores should be more than enough?

My monitor's resolution is 1920x1200, so that's what I'm aiming for. Mainly I want enough power and VRAM to run games on high settings and/or with graphics mods (e.g. Skyrim with plenty of texture mods).

My price range is around €800-900 (though I can go a tad higher if it's gets me a performance increase at reasonable ratio). This includes case, CPU, GPU, motherboard, hard disks and a PSU; already have a monitor.

I run Skyrim with lots of graphics mods, and have a gtx 780 (not the Ti kind), and it barely breaks sweat. A 770 with a nice factory overclock and a custom cooler is more than enough.
As for the i7 4770k, it creates a lot of heat. I would seriously consider closed-loop water-cooling for it. I use the Corsair h100i.

These comparisions are helpful:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

CPUs:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html

As you can see, AMD offers decent value vs performance, but I would stick with Intel.

Norgy

Quote from: Solmyr on May 05, 2014, 01:08:34 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 05, 2014, 06:23:01 AM
Why a 3550P over a 4770K?

How useful would a i7-4770K would be compared to, say, i5-4670K?

In games? Not even noticeable.
The I5s like 2500k and 3570k have performed better than their big brother previously.

SSD recommendations:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-recommendation-benchmark,3269.html

Motherboards, well, I would go for this one if you go down the Intel route:
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87A/

ASRock offers some very good motherboards for across platforms too.

Norgy

Quote from: Solmyr on May 07, 2014, 02:04:12 PM
I came up with these specs. Any comments?

GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 770 Twin Frozr IV Gaming OC 2048 MB
CPU: Intel Core i5 4670K 3.4 GHz LGA1150
Mobo: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming OR Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H (not sure yet which)
RAM: 2x Kingston Valueram 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2 TB 64 MB 7200 RPM 3.5" SATA III (6 Gb/s)
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO SSD 120 GB 2.5" SATA3
PSU: Fractal Design Tesla R2 650W, 80 PLUS Gold
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha ATX

Good GPU, great CPU, unsure about the mobos, and get more RAM. Two sticks of 8 GB at higher clockrates. SSD is great, but 120 GB fills up fast even just with OS. Of course, this will probably break your budget.  ;)

Solmyr

Quote from: Norgy on May 08, 2014, 02:41:55 AM
SSD is great, but 120 GB fills up fast even just with OS.

:huh: My current Windows 7 folder is 34,5 GB.

Thanks for the other advice. :)

Grey Fox

Why so cheap of a case?

It's a nice case, I own one but you are putting pretty awesome hardware into a 1988 Chevelle.
Colonel Caliga is Awesome.

Solmyr

It had good reviews, and does the price of a case really matter if it has all the important bits?

Btw, as an alternative GPU I'm considering Palit GeForce GTX 770, apparently it has factory overclocking and three fans.

Grey Fox

I find it flimsy & I was very disappointed by what passes has Fan mounts on the case.
Colonel Caliga is Awesome.

viper37

Quote from: Solmyr on May 07, 2014, 02:04:12 PM
Mobo: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming OR Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H (not sure yet which)
Pick the one wich has a return facility in your country, ideally, if you need to send it back under warranty.
I don't do meditation.  I drink alcohol to relax, like normal people.

If Microsoft Excel decided to stop working overnight, the world would practically end.

viper37

Quote from: Solmyr on May 08, 2014, 05:00:58 AM
Quote from: Norgy on May 08, 2014, 02:41:55 AM
SSD is great, but 120 GB fills up fast even just with OS.

:huh: My current Windows 7 folder is 34,5 GB.

Thanks for the other advice. :)

If you go the Windows 8 way, it is bigger, and all Windows 8 apps are installed on the C drive, no way to move them elsewhere without breaking something.
I don't do meditation.  I drink alcohol to relax, like normal people.

If Microsoft Excel decided to stop working overnight, the world would practically end.

viper37

For your SSD, I'd recommend either the OCZ Vertex 460 240gb or the Samsung Evo 250gb, depending on the price, pick the cheaper one.
I don't do meditation.  I drink alcohol to relax, like normal people.

If Microsoft Excel decided to stop working overnight, the world would practically end.

viper37

Quote from: Solmyr on May 08, 2014, 09:34:20 AM
It had good reviews, and does the price of a case really matter if it has all the important bits?
My own case is similar to this one:
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002073

I love having the USB slots on top of the case, and it has great ventilation.
I don't do meditation.  I drink alcohol to relax, like normal people.

If Microsoft Excel decided to stop working overnight, the world would practically end.

Solmyr

Quote from: viper37 on May 08, 2014, 04:54:46 PM
My own case is similar to this one:
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002073

I love having the USB slots on top of the case, and it has great ventilation.

Does this one include a PSU?

Also, anyone have experience with the Palit GeForce? This one gives a good review: http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/55865-palit-geforce-gtx-770-jetstream/

sbr

I bought a 120GB SSD a year ago and now wish I had bought a bigger one.

Norgy

Quote from: Solmyr on May 08, 2014, 05:02:28 PM
Quote from: viper37 on May 08, 2014, 04:54:46 PM
My own case is similar to this one:
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002073

I love having the USB slots on top of the case, and it has great ventilation.

Does this one include a PSU?

Also, anyone have experience with the Palit GeForce? This one gives a good review: http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/55865-palit-geforce-gtx-770-jetstream/

Palit generally makes great cards according to reviewers, but I have no experience. Check out their warranties. I have used MSI, Sapphire, eVGA and Asus myself, and I like the warranty on eVGA's cards, but the coolers have been better on the others.

As for cases, I'd say Fractal Design make some great ones.

viper37

Quote from: Solmyr on May 08, 2014, 05:02:28 PM
Quote from: viper37 on May 08, 2014, 04:54:46 PM
My own case is similar to this one:
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002073

I love having the USB slots on top of the case, and it has great ventilation.

Does this one include a PSU?

Also, anyone have experience with the Palit GeForce? This one gives a good review: http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/55865-palit-geforce-gtx-770-jetstream/

One of their model includes a PSU, but most other don't.  If you're looking for a seperate PSU, I'd recommend Antec True Power Gold, 650w.
I don't do meditation.  I drink alcohol to relax, like normal people.

If Microsoft Excel decided to stop working overnight, the world would practically end.