Author Topic: Getting a new desktop (Read 8138 times)

ruler501 · « **on:** September 23, 2013, 10:37:51 am »

I'm looking to get a new desktop system for gaming and I would like to get multi-monitor. Currently my budget is ~1600 but I would love lower since currently I might not be able to quite get to that point.
The current parts list I was looking at using is

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($303.08 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($156.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($393.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill PATRIOT ATX Mid Tower Case ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.30 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($95.99 @ Adorama)
Monitor: Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Rosewill RK-9000BR Wired Standard Keyboard ($94.18 @ Amazon)
Total: $1753.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-08 10:40 EDT-0400)
I've been told that it would be better to go with Windows 8, but I haven't had good experiences with it on my laptop. Is the multi monitor support really that much greater?
Otherwise my only real requirement would be running pretty much any game at medium with a minimum of 40fps across all 3 monitors.
What do you guys think could I get better for the same price range?

EDIT: I changed the build a little(removed sound card because cost, upgraded PSU, and moved it to a haswell processor) Also is windows 8 worth it if it is ~$10 more

EDIT2: The 7970 is pretty comparable and is a cheaper card so I switched it out and the motherboard to get the build ~$1500 with an added 64gb SSD

EDIT3: Actually built it now and it is running wonderfully. Tomb Raider at 40fps Ultra across all 3 monitors bezel compensated. I also have a hard drive from a laptop that died that I'll put in there just for extra storage space(and the fact it boots windows 7 off of it) it is only 320gb and 5400rpm though.

sailerboy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2013, 10:50:25 am »

If you are getting a MicroATX motherboard, there's no point in getting a larger ATX case, get a microatx case like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163223

You can find the GTX 770 for about $20 cheaper if you hunt around for deals. It only has two DVI outputs, so make sure your monitor supports HDMI or DisplayPort.

That's not a good PSU. It's not worth skimping on the PSU to save a few $s. With a few extra dollars, you can get a 750 watt PSU from Corsair, Coolermaster, Seasonic, PC Power and Cooling, Antec, or Silverstone (to name a few quality manufacturers).

Microcenter often has good combo deals for CPU and Motherboard if you go in store (not OC/Tustin Microcenter though).

Make sure you want the cherry MX Browns. DeskAuthority has a list of all the different Cherry switches and a graphic on how they feel: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX I prefer the Blues personally, but that's not to say that some people like Browns more.

I'm deaf, I don't think I can comment on the sound card, sorry.

I would honestly say to try to go for Haswell, it's only a few bucks more, and with the money you've saved with my suggestions, you probably have a few extra bucks of buffer.

shmibs · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2013, 11:30:36 am »

Quote from: sailerboy on September 23, 2013, 10:50:25 am

If you are getting a MicroATX motherboard, there's no point in getting a larger ATX case, get a microatx case like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163223

that graphics card is very big, though. i just got the 760 version, and it was long enough to necessitate removing my extra three HDD bays (and that was with a particularly large microATX case), so, if you need lots of space for disk drives, a larger case is a good idea. it can also help out a bit with airflow.

and yeah, as of right now the 770 is $20 off over at newegg.

as for the keyboard, if you're looking to play games, you might want to try something with reds. they don't have all the "clickiness" of other switches which is nice for the sustained key presses games often require.

sailerboy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 23, 2013, 11:35:18 am »

If you've got a larger case, you may as well go with an ATX motherboard. They are generally higher quality and cheaper than MicroATX, as well as being more extensible.

ruler501 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2013, 01:31:11 pm »

I had originally chosen the motherboard when it had a $35 off deal on newegg. I'll look again to see if there are any better deals now. Do you have any suggestions for a motherboard?

EDIT: Looking at the motherboards for haswell and they seem a good amount more expensive so while the processor might only be an added $10 the motherboard is an added $20 or more

TIfanx1999 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2013, 01:41:51 pm »

AMD processors are quite a bit cheaper. I know you don't get quite the same preformance as Intel, but it's something to consider. There are also definetley cheaper power supplies. I was looking at <a href=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148046> this one</a> for a pc build I'm working on. Not sure what you need power wise, but even if you need a bit more power than that there are cheaper options. You could also probably go for a cheaper graphics card with similar specs if you don't mind dropping the clock speed a bit.

ruler501 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2013, 01:49:41 pm »

The one thing I'm worried about though if I drop graphics card much is that it won't be able to play across all 3 monitors. I know this one will only run skyrim at 50fps on high across all three monitors. Most newer games are more intensive than that and I want this system to last me at least a few years without having to be upgraded.

EDIT:sailerboy is right though. The PSU is the last place I want to skimp. I changed the build a little(removed sound card because cost, upgraded PSU, and moved it to a haswell processor)

Vijfhoek · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2013, 01:51:47 pm »

If you go under 150 dollars, AMD CPUs are your best bet. When going higher, surely go Intel. The 3570K blows its competitor from AMD out of the water, even though it has a lower clock rate and a lower amount of cores. Also, avoid PSUs from B brands, they tend to be inefficient, noisy and they generally don't last long. 700W should be enough though.

--EDIT--: I heard the ASUS Xonar is meh. I'd recommend a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Z, it's a bit more expensive but way better.

shmibs · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2013, 01:56:41 pm »

the 770 only gives something like a 15% performance increase over the 760 for a full $120 dollars more (68% price increase). i'd go with the lower one and just wait for "the next big thing" to roll around. if you're using three monitors, though, that extra bit of performance may be worth it.

ruler501 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2013, 01:57:00 pm »

I removed the sound card for now. If I have the money later on to upgrade I'll add it in, but for now the build is looking closer to $1700 with it and that is just a little much for me

EDIT: Does the 760 come with large RAM versions? I've been told that RAM makes a giant difference when you are running with multiple monitors. I'd think 3gb would be plenty, but I don't know if 2gb would work.

Vijfhoek · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2013, 02:00:14 pm »

Did you mean the 760, ruler501? Because if you're going towards the 600 series, I'd recommend going for an AMD Radeon card instead, they're a bit more bang for your buck.

ruler501 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 23, 2013, 02:01:15 pm »

Yeah I meant the 760 and will edit the post to show that. The 700 series seems to be much better for what I'm looking for.

TIfanx1999 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2013, 02:01:53 pm »

I'm not really sure about what kind of graphics card is recommended when using 3 monitors. You should see if you can find any similar builds and see what they are running/how they preform.

ruler501 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 23, 2013, 02:04:18 pm »

I got the idea for the 770 from reading a review for it, but most other cards I see running multiple monitors are in SLI or crossfire which would cost more.

Vijfhoek · « **Reply #14 on:** September 23, 2013, 02:04:51 pm »

Actually, the AMD Radeon HD 7950 seems to be better at multiscreen than the 760, and they're both priced the same:

Look at the green bar (and don't be confused by the SLIs and CrossFires)

Author Topic: Getting a new desktop (Read 8138 times)

ruler501

Getting a new desktop

sailerboy

Re: Getting a new desktop

shmibs

Re: Getting a new desktop

sailerboy

Re: Getting a new desktop

ruler501

Re: Getting a new desktop

TIfanx1999

Re: Getting a new desktop

ruler501

Re: Getting a new desktop

Vijfhoek

Re: Getting a new desktop

shmibs

Re: Getting a new desktop

ruler501

Re: Getting a new desktop

Vijfhoek

Re: Getting a new desktop

ruler501

Re: Getting a new desktop

TIfanx1999

Re: Getting a new desktop

ruler501

Re: Getting a new desktop

Vijfhoek

Re: Getting a new desktop