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re: Build the Best Gaming PC Your Money Can Buy: A Detailed Guide (Updated Sep 2014)
Posted on 11/4/13 at 1:00 pm to Dam Guide
Posted on 11/4/13 at 1:00 pm to Dam Guide
Thanks, I'll give the CPU section a read for those typos.
In general, it's best to go with the best single GPU solution you can afford -- mostly for the sake of being able to make a more significant upgrade for less money later (i.e. buying a 780 and adding another one later when they are cheaper), and partly because multi-GPU solutions are imperfect -- but drivers have improved this to a near-solved state, and new games are much better optimized for SLI/Crossfire than ever before.
Two 760s, performance-wise, are most certainly going to beat every single GPU solution. An SLI setup will consume more power (so follow the guide on PSU selection) and will introduce more heat (can be mitigated with proper case airflow configuration).
Also consider what kind of performance you hope to get. If you're gaming at 1080p 60Hz, you will be able to run at max settings, 60+ fps in pretty much any game, regardless of whether you choose a $500 single GPU or two 760s. In some games like Crysis 3, which puts a ridiculous strain on even the most powerful cards, it's the hardware-based antialiasing that significantly reduces framerate, so much so that the extra power from the two 760s won't make a difference.
In general, it's best to go with the best single GPU solution you can afford -- mostly for the sake of being able to make a more significant upgrade for less money later (i.e. buying a 780 and adding another one later when they are cheaper), and partly because multi-GPU solutions are imperfect -- but drivers have improved this to a near-solved state, and new games are much better optimized for SLI/Crossfire than ever before.
Two 760s, performance-wise, are most certainly going to beat every single GPU solution. An SLI setup will consume more power (so follow the guide on PSU selection) and will introduce more heat (can be mitigated with proper case airflow configuration).
Also consider what kind of performance you hope to get. If you're gaming at 1080p 60Hz, you will be able to run at max settings, 60+ fps in pretty much any game, regardless of whether you choose a $500 single GPU or two 760s. In some games like Crysis 3, which puts a ridiculous strain on even the most powerful cards, it's the hardware-based antialiasing that significantly reduces framerate, so much so that the extra power from the two 760s won't make a difference.
This post was edited on 11/4/13 at 1:04 pm
1
Posted on 11/4/13 at 1:43 pm to ILikeLSUToo
Thanks, yeah I keep going back in forth if I think if it would be worth it to have an easier option to upgrade or just go for performance now.
I've done both in the past and regretted both.
I've done both in the past and regretted both.
Posted on 11/4/13 at 4:43 pm to ILikeLSUToo
Damn, just saw this. Bookmarked. Thanks.
Posted on 11/5/13 at 11:23 am to Taffeta
quote:
AMD FX-6300 6 core 3.5ghz
XFX Radeon HD 7870 ghz edition 2gb
MSI 970A-G46 Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaws 2x4GB
Caviar Blue 1TB
Rosewill wifi adapter
Rosewill Redbone U3 Case
Cosair CX 600W
So I finished building and installing the OS through the Daz loader last night. Played a couple games of League of Legends (only game I have installed right now). Seemed to do good. Quality is very nice from what I am accustomed to. 65-80 fps on ultra settings.
Is there anything that I should do to make sure everything is running ok? I'm new to pc building and do not know if there are any other steps that should be taken after completing a build.
Posted on 11/5/13 at 12:43 pm to Taffeta
Stress testing is generally a good idea, but everyday gaming is a pretty good test for gpu stability, temperatures, etc.
You could download a free trial of AIDA64 to test CPU and mem for a few hours, but not totally necessary. Use a monitoring program to watch CPU and gpu temps (hwmonitor, realtemp, gpu-z, etc)
If you used the CDs tha came with your hardware to install drivers, go online and download the latest drivers-- especially the video card drivers. Try the latest beta.
You could download a free trial of AIDA64 to test CPU and mem for a few hours, but not totally necessary. Use a monitoring program to watch CPU and gpu temps (hwmonitor, realtemp, gpu-z, etc)
If you used the CDs tha came with your hardware to install drivers, go online and download the latest drivers-- especially the video card drivers. Try the latest beta.
Posted on 11/5/13 at 12:45 pm to ILikeLSUToo
quote:
Stress testing is generally a good idea, but everyday gaming is a pretty good test for gpu stability, temperatures, etc.
Yea because that is all which matters for most. Sythentic benchmarks do a shtty job testing stability since they love high overclocks.
Games generally hate high overclocks. Most titles like to stay below 1150 on the core.
Posted on 12/9/13 at 6:26 pm to ILikeLSUToo
Did a quick update to the GPU table. It's getting a little confusing with the huge price differences. I might work on a more explanatory chart.
Of course, it should be noted that all of the AMD cards recommended in this guide are not relevant at the moment. The LTC mining frenzy has made it difficult for retailers to keep AMD cards in stock, and people are just selling them at ridiculous markups on eBay, so you'll be overpaying significantly unless you can find one in stock at a legitimate retailer.
Of course, it should be noted that all of the AMD cards recommended in this guide are not relevant at the moment. The LTC mining frenzy has made it difficult for retailers to keep AMD cards in stock, and people are just selling them at ridiculous markups on eBay, so you'll be overpaying significantly unless you can find one in stock at a legitimate retailer.
Posted on 1/2/14 at 11:01 am to ILikeLSUToo
Thanks for keeping this up to date. Spring project for me is to build one of these exact builds. Just the easiest way to go about it.
And I've never built a PC, so I'm a bit worried, but I just can't subject myself to buying prebuilts anymore. Too many problems. As many problems as I anticipate with building one on my own, they can't eclipse the myriad of problems that have occurred from the first time I ever didn't have a friend or acquaintance build a PC.
And I've never built a PC, so I'm a bit worried, but I just can't subject myself to buying prebuilts anymore. Too many problems. As many problems as I anticipate with building one on my own, they can't eclipse the myriad of problems that have occurred from the first time I ever didn't have a friend or acquaintance build a PC.
Posted on 1/2/14 at 11:47 am to Freauxzen
Glad to help. Building your own is definitely the way to go, especially anything mid-range or better (performance-wise). You'll save money, get better quality parts, and usually have a longer warranty (and be able to RMA individual parts instead of bringing/sending the whole PC somewhere for service). And it's really not that hard. Picking the parts is the most difficult step, and the actual assembly just requires the ability to follow directions and use a screwdriver.
This post was edited on 1/2/14 at 11:48 am
Posted on 1/30/14 at 11:19 pm to ILikeLSUToo
Holy frick. You are the man. Been needing a new computer, couldn't decide on building or buying. Well, looks like I have a project for the coming winter months. I'm not sure why I bother using the rest of the interwebs since all I really need is on TigerDroppings. 
Posted on 1/30/14 at 11:24 pm to ZacAttack
When/if you decide to build, feel free to drop a post in the PC thread up top for help 
Posted on 1/30/14 at 11:47 pm to ZacAttack
We're definitely glad to help -- Even through the process of actually building the thing (a lot of people are intimidated by the assembly aspect, so I've been offering to walk people through the process over skype just to show them how simple that part really is).
Also, keep in mind that while most of the guide is relevant/up to date, the sample part lists and video card picks are NOT. AMD cards are scarce and therefore overpriced at the moment because of an ongoing bubble in profitable cryptocurrency mining.
Also, keep in mind that while most of the guide is relevant/up to date, the sample part lists and video card picks are NOT. AMD cards are scarce and therefore overpriced at the moment because of an ongoing bubble in profitable cryptocurrency mining.
Posted on 3/18/14 at 4:10 pm to ILikeLSUToo
Is the $1000 price really down to $763?
That makes no sense right now. Or should we consider this outdated? I was thinking about an April start, but if that's true, I might just have to hoard parts immediately even if I don't start building.
Update: Uh nope, I guess that recommended card is not for sale.
WHat should we replace it with? Just another HD 7970? (I've always been partial to ATI)
That makes no sense right now. Or should we consider this outdated? I was thinking about an April start, but if that's true, I might just have to hoard parts immediately even if I don't start building.
Update: Uh nope, I guess that recommended card is not for sale.
WHat should we replace it with? Just another HD 7970? (I've always been partial to ATI)
This post was edited on 3/18/14 at 4:15 pm
Posted on 3/18/14 at 4:17 pm to Freauxzen
A 280x is the newer revision of the 7970. That card or a gtx 770 would fit in that budget
Posted on 3/18/14 at 4:31 pm to bluebarracuda
Posted on 3/18/14 at 4:40 pm to Freauxzen
MSI is a great brand. They're still a little overpriced right now, but $350 isn't too bad
Posted on 3/18/14 at 5:17 pm to bluebarracuda
Keeps the price at $1100, which isn't TOO bad. I'd like to see it a little closer to $1000, but I guess it should be worth it for more than a few years.
Posted on 3/18/14 at 5:27 pm to Freauxzen
If you go with the amd 8320/8350 you can drop the price a good bit
Posted on 3/18/14 at 6:01 pm to Freauxzen
As I've said, ignore the build examples. They've been out of date since October, really. I probably should have never put them in the guide, because deals, rebates, etc. make brand prices change wildly. The components with the most volatile prices are GPUs, PSUs, and RAM.
Here's a build I'd do with a $1000 budget today:
PCPartPicker part list: LINK
Price breakdown by merchant: LINK /
Benchmarks: LINK /
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($327.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G-750 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1029.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-18 19:00 EDT-0400)
Just a bit above $1000. As always, the case is just a placeholder. Choose whatever you want, and just make sure there's clearance for the Hyper 212 Evo.
(There's a nice promo and rebate on that seasonic making it a great deal for $79.99 - rare to find 80+ Gold modular high-quality PSUs for that price/watt.)
Here's a build I'd do with a $1000 budget today:
PCPartPicker part list: LINK
Price breakdown by merchant: LINK /
Benchmarks: LINK /
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($327.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G-750 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1029.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-18 19:00 EDT-0400)
Just a bit above $1000. As always, the case is just a placeholder. Choose whatever you want, and just make sure there's clearance for the Hyper 212 Evo.
(There's a nice promo and rebate on that seasonic making it a great deal for $79.99 - rare to find 80+ Gold modular high-quality PSUs for that price/watt.)
Posted on 3/18/14 at 8:42 pm to ILikeLSUToo
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