By Elliott Go To PostSpace is definitely a factor given my current living situation, and I figured also a laptop would be more beginner friendly. If I were to get a desktop, however, it’d have to be prebuilt, as I can’t see myself building one.Maybe the Alienware is better about it than most laptops, but those portable devices are notoriously difficult to repair. It is the kind of thing you would want to take it to a professional to repair, so a good warranty is nigh mandatory for laptops, imo. If the screen fails, you have to buy a new laptop. If the cpu fails, you have to buy a new laptop. Same with motherboard and GPU, typically. Normally, the only things you can easily replace yourself on a laptop are ram and storage. Everything else will need a trained professional.
The Alienware would’ve been around 5k without the promo on Dell’s website (that Canadian tax). I’d like to keep it at least in the 3 thousand range.
As for a desk, I like to recommend studio desks for efficient uses of space. They are designed for audio engineers so are made to hold a bunch of stuff. This one is usually my recommendation: https://studiotrendsdesign.com/product/46-studio-desk-stld46/
They also make a smaller version of that is too big. You can usually shop around and get it for a decent price.
They also make a smaller version of that is too big. You can usually shop around and get it for a decent price.
By Zabojnik Go To Post5k? A goddamn crime against humanity.So I was messing around with the website you linked and this is what I've ended up with:
Yeah, if you're set on going prebuilt, then Corsair is probably the way to go.
Another interesting option could be NZXT's H1, which is semi-prebuilt.
https://www.nzxt.com/product-overview/h1
CASE:
NZXT H510 Elite (White)
GPU:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti - ASUS ROG STRIX
MSRP
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 16-Core 3.5GHz
CPU COOLING:
NZXT Kraken M22
MOTHERBOARD:
ASUS ROG X570 Crosshair VIII Hero
RAM:
G.SKILL TridentZ RGB 32GB 3200MHz
MSRP
SSD:MSRP
Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1.0 TB
How does that look?
By Elliott Go To PostShould I be looking to upgrade my monitor? Currently have a 60 hz 4k hdr BenQ.it would be pretty odd to drop that sort of change on a computer and still be at 60hz
By diehard Go To Postit would be pretty odd to drop that sort of change on a computer and still be at 60hztherearedozensofus.gif
Any recommendations?
Lots! Do you want to go to Ultrawide? What's your size preference? Do you really want to keep 4K or is 1440p an option?
By diehard Go To PostLots! Do you want to go to Ultrawide? What's your size preference? Do you really want to keep 4K or is 1440p an option?1440p sounds fine, and I'd prefer to keep it at or below 27". Not too familiar with ultrawide panels and their benefits, but I don't want to break the bank since I still have to get a desk for everything as well.
27'' 1440p probably has the most options anyway.
If you are in Canada, do you need to find a Canadian retailer to buy things or can you get things from US sites fairly easily? We can get into things like TN vs IPS vs VA but if it was me and I needed to use a Canadian retailer and wanted those specs I'd probably look at getting the ASUS TUF VG27AQ . Not sure on the price you are looking for but its $580 CAD.
If you are in Canada, do you need to find a Canadian retailer to buy things or can you get things from US sites fairly easily? We can get into things like TN vs IPS vs VA but if it was me and I needed to use a Canadian retailer and wanted those specs I'd probably look at getting the ASUS TUF VG27AQ . Not sure on the price you are looking for but its $580 CAD.
By diehard Go To Post27'' 1440p probably has the most options anyway.I'll take you're word for it. They're sold out on amazon but it looks like best buy canada has some.
If you are in Canada, do you need to find a Canadian retailer to buy things or can you get things from US sites fairly easily? We can get into things like TN vs IPS vs VA but if it was me and I needed to use a Canadian retailer and wanted those specs I'd probably look at getting the ASUS TUF VG27AQ . Not sure on the price you are looking for but its $580 CAD.
Thanks again everyone, this has been very helpful. I'm excited to get started.
By Elliott Go To PostSo I was messing around with the website you linked and this is what I've ended up with:I wouldn’t pair that 120mm AIO with a 3950X.
CASE:
NZXT H510 Elite (White)
GPU:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti - ASUS ROG STRIX
MSRP
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 16-Core 3.5GHz
CPU COOLING:
NZXT Kraken M22
MOTHERBOARD:
ASUS ROG X570 Crosshair VIII Hero
RAM:
G.SKILL TridentZ RGB 32GB 3200MHz
MSRP
SSD:MSRP
Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1.0 TB
How does that look?
By HonestVapes Go To PostI wouldn’t pair that 120mm AIO with a 3950X.Would the 280mm be better?
By Elliott Go To PostWould the 280mm be better?240mm would do, 280mm if it fits the case, or air cooling is fine too. Depends on what you want.
Regarding the CPU though, what will your use be for it?
By HonestVapes Go To Post240mm would do, 280mm if it fits the case, or air cooling is fine too. Depends on what you want.Regarding what kind of games I'll be playing or general use?
Regarding the CPU though, what will your use be for it?
By Elliott Go To PostRegarding what kind of games I'll be playing or general use?
Both.
Yeah, if you are dropping that kind of cash and plan to only do gaming, then Intel CPU's are a better choice. AMD chips still lag a bit behind in that area, especially at higher (greater than 120) frame rates.
By HonestVapes Go To PostBoth.Well, I see this as a replacement for my xbox and (potentially) playstation, so I expect the majority of my time on it will be used for games big and small. Its doubtful I'll use it for anything stressful outside gaming.
3950X seems a bit overkill, if you'll be using it mostly for gaming and general desktop activities. 3900x would suffice. Or you could go cheaper with something like a 10700k, which will in most cases outperform anything AMD has to offer, when it comes to gaming. 10900k ftw.
As for the monitor, can't go wrong with the above-mentioned VG27AQ, if you're okay with 16:9. As an ultrawide owner I can't recommend it enough for gaming, but you'll likely have to shell out a couple hundred $ more, if you want a quality one with all the bells and whistles. Are you planning to keep your 4k monitor? A multi-monitor setup is not something I'd usually bother a newcomer with, but since you already have a screen ... Here's what a 25" 16:9 monitor looks like on top a 3440x1440 34" ultrawide. Shameless plug.
Honestly, with a budget as high and flexible as yours seems to be, you should be covering all bases, go holistic. In my experience a PC isn't just the PC itself. It's the room it's in, the desk it sits on / under, the chair where you'll be parking your ass for hours at a time, even the lighting plays a role. In the end you make do with what you have, but these are things that will contribute to the experience as much as any high-end hardware.
As for the monitor, can't go wrong with the above-mentioned VG27AQ, if you're okay with 16:9. As an ultrawide owner I can't recommend it enough for gaming, but you'll likely have to shell out a couple hundred $ more, if you want a quality one with all the bells and whistles. Are you planning to keep your 4k monitor? A multi-monitor setup is not something I'd usually bother a newcomer with, but since you already have a screen ... Here's what a 25" 16:9 monitor looks like on top a 3440x1440 34" ultrawide. Shameless plug.
Honestly, with a budget as high and flexible as yours seems to be, you should be covering all bases, go holistic. In my experience a PC isn't just the PC itself. It's the room it's in, the desk it sits on / under, the chair where you'll be parking your ass for hours at a time, even the lighting plays a role. In the end you make do with what you have, but these are things that will contribute to the experience as much as any high-end hardware.
By Elliott Go To PostWell, I see this as a replacement for my xbox and (potentially) playstation, so I expect the majority of my time on it will be used for games big and small. Its doubtful I'll use it for anything stressful outside gaming.Yeah this is what I was getting at,
By Kibner Go To PostYeah, if you are dropping that kind of cash and plan to only do gaming, then Intel CPU's are a better choice. AMD chips still lag a bit behind in that area, especially at higher (greater than 120) frame rates.
AMD are still great like, but in games then even the i5 10600K outperforms a 3950X in the majority of titles.
I'd guess that the i7 10700K would be the best buy if you're trying to be forward thinking but there's not a huge difference in games between the new i5/i7/i9.
Yeah, and we can offer some suggestions for things like what Zabo mentioned as well. These aren't all necessary day 1 purchases or anything but good things to keep in mind:
In order of importance, I would say
- desk: StudioTrends like I mentioned before, or a standing desk like the Remi or Jarvis
- chair: this is very subjective but the major affordable brand to look at is SteelCase. The Regeneration by Knoll is also great for the money
- chair mat: Gorilla Grip is a great brand for traditional chair mat; there are also some glass mats to be had if you want to be fancier
- mouse: major brands to look at: Logitech, Zowie, Glorious and a niche brand that is my personal favorite: Kinesis
- mouse pad: {i actually do not know any good budget brands here}
- keyboard: major brands to look at: Logitech, Razer (much more reliable than their mice), and a million tiny brands to choose from (Kinesis being another); this is also highly subjective due to keyboard layout, switches, and other ergonomic and convenience features
- speakers: Swan/HiVi, Edifier, Audioengine, probably some others all have great budget speakers that sound great
- headphones: i generally recommend normal stereo headphones and a separate mic so i do not actually have any headsets (headphone with integrated mic) to recommend; with that said, cheap but great sounding and comfortable, neutral sound headphones: Philips SHP9500 or SHP9500s, Sony MDR-V6 or MDR-7506, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- DAC: tbh, most people will be happy with the onboard DAC of most modern motherboards. But if you did want to upgrade, there are plenty of excellent options around the 100 USD price point; my personal choice is the JDS Labs OL DAC, but their are other choices, mostly Chinese designed/manufactured
- headphone amp: the JDS Labs Atom. It really does not have any competition unless you need to drive headphones that require more power than the Atom can give (not likely)
- mic: a bunch of options here; cheapest is the Zalman clip-on mic. ModMics can attach to your headphone so it functionally works just like a headset. You can also get a cheap dynamic mic like the Pyle-Pro PDMIC58 and attach it to your desk with a Neweer (or similar brand) mic arm
In order of importance, I would say
- chair
- keyboard
- mouse
- desk
- chair mat
- headphones
- mic
- speakers
- mouse pad
- headphone amp
- DAC
lol yeah, I'm fine. I just know that the money spent on that is often better spent elsewhere. If audio is a higher priority for someone (which is very rare), it would of course go higher. A comfortable chair, keyboard, mouse, and desk are the most important things, though, because they are the main forms of interaction that you can't really get away from so you need to make sure you invest in them wisely, imo.
e:
I'm trying to come from a place where someone probably already has a pair of headphones or some speakers because that is more likely than them having a chair mat. So, even if the current headphones or speakers are trash, they at least exist. And a typical person probably cares more about protecting their floor (and brand new chair wheels) than upgrading their audio.
e:
By Zabojnik Go To PostChair mat before any audio gear kills me, ahahaha. Send help to Kib's place. <3XD
I'm trying to come from a place where someone probably already has a pair of headphones or some speakers because that is more likely than them having a chair mat. So, even if the current headphones or speakers are trash, they at least exist. And a typical person probably cares more about protecting their floor (and brand new chair wheels) than upgrading their audio.
Also, almost all that stuff is needed even if the OP was going to go with a laptop. Maybe not the keyboard, speakers, and possibly mic, but everything else.
Not a fan of chair mats, if I'm being perfectly onesto. I've had a couple and ... eh. A nice low pile carpet does the same job better, is aesthetically pleasing and (depending on the size) also brings acoustic benefits. You can probably get a 2 x 1.5m one from Ikea for cheaper than a chair mat.
By Zabojnik Go To PostNot a fan of chair mats, if I'm being perfectly onesto. I've had a couple and … eh. A nice low pile carpet does the same job better, is aesthetically pleasing and (depending on the size) also brings acoustic benefits. You can probably get a 2 x 1.5m one from Ikea for cheaper than a chair mat.You may very well be right! It is probably very room dependent. My gf had a bit of a final say in what went under my chair since it is her place. The carpet in the room is decidedly not low-pile so the chair doesn't roll easily and she was worried about permanent damage to the carpet. A clear mat was preferable to her.
I wish i knew more about computer audio. I'm still using DTS Encoding from a Soundblaster Z because i'm too lazy to figure out a better way to get 5.1 from games to my receiver. Like i know you can use HDMI but do games even have 5.1 mixing for that now?
By diehard Go To PostI wish i knew more about computer audio. I'm still using DTS Encoding from a Soundblaster Z because i'm too lazy to figure out a better way to get 5.1 from games to my receiver. Like i know you can use HDMI but do games even have 5.1 mixing for that now?Yeah, games have various surround sound options. You can also limit your sound device to only outputting up to 5.1 in the control panel. IIRC, games are smart enough to use a mix compatible with whatever you have enabled if they don't have specific options for it in their menus.
I may very well be wrong, though, because I only listen in stereo.
I guess it would be easy enough to just plug an HDMI cable from your NVidia GPU to your receiver, configure in Windows to output what you want your receiver to handle, load up some games and enable Surround settings in their options, and see what signal your receiver is getting.
By Zabojnik Go To Post3950X seems a bit overkill, if you'll be using it mostly for gaming and general desktop activities. 3900x would suffice. Or you could go cheaper with something like a 10700k, which will in most cases outperform anything AMD has to offer, when it comes to gaming. 10900k ftw.Damn, that's a really slick setup.
As for the monitor, can't go wrong with the above-mentioned VG27AQ, if you're okay with 16:9. As an ultrawide owner I can't recommend it enough for gaming, but you'll likely have to shell out a couple hundred $ more, if you want a quality one with all the bells and whistles. Are you planning to keep your 4k monitor? A multi-monitor setup is not something I'd usually bother a newcomer with, but since you already have a screen … Here's what a 25" 16:9 monitor looks like on top a 3440x1440 34" ultrawide. Shameless plug.
Honestly, with a budget as high and flexible as yours seems to be, you should be covering all bases, go holistic. In my experience a PC isn't just the PC itself. It's the room it's in, the desk it sits on / under, the chair where you'll be parking your ass for hours at a time, even the lighting plays a role. In the end you make do with what you have, but these are things that will contribute to the experience as much as any high-end hardware.
I was actually thinking of selling my current monitor initially, but decided against it. Figured it can't hurt to have one on hand, and it might be fun to play around with when I want to test different games.
By Kibner Go To PostYeah, and we can offer some suggestions for things like what Zabo mentioned as well. These aren't all necessary day 1 purchases or anything but good things to keep in mind:
- desk: StudioTrends like I mentioned before, or a standing desk like the Remi or Jarvis
- chair: this is very subjective but the major affordable brand to look at is SteelCase. The Regeneration by Knoll is also great for the money
- chair mat: Gorilla Grip is a great brand for traditional chair mat; there are also some glass mats to be had if you want to be fancier
- mouse: major brands to look at: Logitech, Zowie, Glorious and a niche brand that is my personal favorite: Kinesis
- mouse pad: {i actually do not know any good budget brands here}
- keyboard: major brands to look at: Logitech, Razer (much more reliable than their mice), and a million tiny brands to choose from (Kinesis being another); this is also highly subjective due to keyboard layout, switches, and other ergonomic and convenience features
- speakers: Swan/HiVi, Edifier, Audioengine, probably some others all have great budget speakers that sound great
- headphones: i generally recommend normal stereo headphones and a separate mic so i do not actually have any headsets (headphone with integrated mic) to recommend; with that said, cheap but great sounding and comfortable, neutral sound headphones: Philips SHP9500 or SHP9500s, Sony MDR-V6 or MDR-7506, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- DAC: tbh, most people will be happy with the onboard DAC of most modern motherboards. But if you did want to upgrade, there are plenty of excellent options around the 100 USD price point; my personal choice is the JDS Labs OL DAC, but their are other choices, mostly Chinese designed/manufactured
- headphone amp: the JDS Labs Atom. It really does not have any competition unless you need to drive headphones that require more power than the Atom can give (not likely)
- mic: a bunch of options here; cheapest is the Zalman clip-on mic. ModMics can attach to your headphone so it functionally works just like a headset. You can also get a cheap dynamic mic like the Pyle-Pro PDMIC58 and attach it to your desk with a Neweer (or similar brand) mic arm
In order of importance, I would say
- chair
- keyboard
- mouse
- desk
- chair mat
- headphones
- mic
- speakers
- mouse pad
- headphone amp
- DAC
The Kinesis is interesting. Didn't know they made mouses with that form factor.
This is all insanely helpful. Thank you.
Glad to hear it! One of the other reasons I have the furniture so high on the list is because quality furniture will last two console generations while also being much better for your body when you spend long hours on the computer (whether laptop or tower PC).
By Elliott Go To PostThe Kinesis is interesting. Didn't know they had mouses with that form factor.You are probably looking at their main site, which is more focused around office work. They also have a gaming site which may carry things that are more appropriate for you.
With that said, I work from home and am trying to minimize joint pain and issues so I use their Advantage 2 keyboard for work, paired with the Evoluent Vertical Mouse 4 (that I have been considering upgrading with a more recent model lately). The keyboard took a couple weeks to get used to but it's like riding a bike once you do.
For gaming, I have the Kinesis Freestyle Edge and Kinesis Vektor mouse. There are mice with better sensors out there (and I can feel the difference when playing with them) but I am not good enough for it to make a difference so I don't bother. It is just one of the more comfortable traditional mice I have tried and is cheap.
The Kinesis keyboards are really expensive, so I do not recommend them for everybody. They are quality but niche products that excel at their purpose. I switch between them depending on when I am working and when I am gaming. I am very unusual with this so do not think this is normal or necessarily something to even strive for.
Oh, one last thing, do get a keyboard that has mechanical switches instead of rubber membrane domes. It makes a huge difference in feel. If you are confused with choice (which is understandable, there are tons of different switch options out there), let me know and I will try to break it down for you as best I can.
By Kibner Go To PostOh, one last thing, do get a keyboard that has mechanical switches instead of rubber membrane domes. It makes a huge difference in feel. If you are confused with choice (which is understandable, there are tons of different switch options out there), let me know and I will try to break it down for you as best I can.letsbld has a keyboard I could add to go along with the rig:
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.ca/Wooting-Mechanical-Keyboard-Sensitive-backlighting/dp/B07771GCBS&ved=2ahUKEwjAqZDNndfpAhUQCs0KHf03Bo8QFjABegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw2bhuVyn72scSNeMYwke2v7
Is that good or should I look elsewhere?
By Elliott Go To Postletsbld has a keyboard I could add to go along with the rig:Briefly looking at it and some reviews, the analog nature of that keyboard seems to be hit or miss. It is also fairly expensive with a bunch of features that you may not ever take advantage of.
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.ca/Wooting-Mechanical-Keyboard-Sensitive-backlighting/dp/B07771GCBS&ved=2ahUKEwjAqZDNndfpAhUQCs0KHf03Bo8QFjABegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw2bhuVyn72scSNeMYwke2v7
Is that good or should I look elsewhere?
I don't think it's a bad board, but you may be better served by the Logitech G613. It has tactile, not clicky keys (like cherry mx browns) which are wonderful for mixed usage (I.e. gaming and normal typing). It also has low latency wireless with like a year+ battery life. It is a fantastic keyboard to start with until you learn what you like or don't like, in.
Yeah, I'd stay away from the Wooting. If tenkeyless keyboards is what you fancy, Logitech Gaming Pro is good one. Considerably cheaper too.
https://www.logitechg.com/en-roeu/products/gaming-keyboards/pro-gaming-keyboard.html
https://www.logitechg.com/en-roeu/products/gaming-keyboards/pro-gaming-keyboard.html
Both look good but I'm leaning more towards the Pro because of the backlit keys.
Been looking at some ultrawide options, the ASUS ProArt PA34VC and ASUS 34" ROG Swift Ultrawide WQHD. They're only 100hz, however.
Been looking at some ultrawide options, the ASUS ProArt PA34VC and ASUS 34" ROG Swift Ultrawide WQHD. They're only 100hz, however.
Both of those use the now one generation old LG Display IPS Panel. The newest version can do 144hz (or 120hz if it has a gsync module) and are a little brighter.
By diehard Go To PostBoth of those use the now one generation old LG Display IPS Panel. The newest version can do 144hz (or 120hz if it has a gsync module) and are a little brighter.Should I prioritize gsync or the highest refresh rate possible?
G-sync, unless you're pairing a 1080p res with something like a 2080ti. This is assuming that the monitors you're looking at a generally above 60hz.
By Elliott Go To PostShould I prioritize gsync or the highest refresh rate possible?There is some mixed info on the actual value of G-SYNC over FreeSync and it really comes down to the individual monitor. I personally had to make that decision and i went with G-SYNC not because i valued it over the extra 24hz but because the monitor I wanted only came in the G-SYNC version. You will also lose the ability to use HDR on the G-SYNC versions but that is of very debatable value.
LG has the same panel on two different models with the only difference being G-SYNC/FreeSync and price. I got an LG with FreeSync but it came broken and after reading how it maybe wasn't super uncommon for that to happen i got an Alienware that fixes that by packing it in a huge box.
LG UltraGear 34GK950G-B has a good deal on newegg as well. Find it a bit more pleasing than the Alienware, aesthetically speaking.
Note for anyone else who may need to be aware: Asus AI Suite + AMD SVM (their hardware virtualization) === BSOD.
I'm going to try again, but I think Argus Monitor won't be able to find all the proper sensors without Asus AI Suite installed. *sigh* Back to managing my fans via the limited BIOS options.
I'm going to try again, but I think Argus Monitor won't be able to find all the proper sensors without Asus AI Suite installed. *sigh* Back to managing my fans via the limited BIOS options.
Ohh, I think I found a better cause of the issue. The file that is actually causing the BSOD is asio2.sys. This is an Asus driver file. It apparently does not like AMD's hardware virtualization. I tried installing Argus Monitor on its own and it caused a BSOD with the same error message. I think this driver is used for the internal sensors on the motherboard which is why Argus and Asus's own AI Suite both use it.
I guess I will just have to live without.
I guess I will just have to live without.