PC Hardware | 2017 | TFW Smokey Benches Less than Nintendo

The lad I mentioned being interested in buying most of my 2600k-era components has decided to pull the trigger. Should net me 300-350€, depending on whether he'll be needing the CPU cooler or not. Which I'm quite happy to keep, since it seems to support LGA 1151. I might 'mod' it with a Silent Wings 3 fan (I don't think it accomodates standard size fans by default, it uses a fan-contraption of sorts), if I feel like it, but that's about all. Should be enough to keep the 7700k cool and cozy. Speaking of, can someone recommend a good and widely available thermal paste?

I'm debating if I should keep my Define XL for the time being and hang it under my new desk, as per usual. I love the case, but it's needlessly gigantic and lacks some of the latest additions as far as building comfort and cable management is concerned. Mostly it's just heavy as all fuck. That would be my main reason for downsizing, but even with that I'm having a hard time justifying spending 70-100€ on a new case. I feel like I'd have to get one with with a side window, which would mean having it on display on the desk, get a nice looking AiO, etc ... which in turn means spending money that would be better used on storage and graphics card. Struggling with this decision, but I'm leaning toward keeping the XL.

So, anyway, that's the 7700k money sorted. For the mobo I'm thinking of going with Laboured's pick. I've been set on getting a sub-200€ Asus board for a while and the Z270F checks all the boxes. That leaves the RAM. Talk to me, kind sers. 16 gigs ought to do it.

Artic mx-4 for the thermal paste

I'm partial to Mushkin ram because I have never had a problem with them and they have good performance. You basically want as fast of ram as your mobo will support while also paying attention to the latency (lower is better).

By Smokey Go To PostArtic mx-4 for the thermal paste

Bought, danke. Based Arctic, glad to see they're still around. Pretty sure I used Arctic Silver X with my 2600k all those years back.

By Kibner Go To PostI'm partial to Mushkin ram because I have never had a problem with them and they have good performance. You basically want as fast of ram as your mobo will support while also paying attention to the latency (lower is better).

Mushkin doesn't have much of a presence around here, so I think I'll play it safe with Corsair. 2 x 8gb 3200Mhz.

Someone link me some bookshelf speakers. Mine have had this issue where if they somehow lose power the connection's so finnicky that I have to spend like 20 minutes clicking it until I get power

By data Go To PostSomeone link me some bookshelf speakers. Mine have had this issue where if they somehow lose power the connection's so finnicky that I have to spend like 20 minutes clicking it until I get power

Budget?

I can vouch for these two Swan speakers:
D1080-IV ($190)
M200MKIII ($430)

For a more budget Swan bookshelf speaker that I still hear great things about, there is the D1010MKII ($100)

I also hear good things about the Audioengine A2+ ($250) and the various Edifier speakers like this R1280T ($100).

Audioengine's D1 DAC is 5-stars good stuff, so I imagine their speakers are worthwhile.

By reilo Go To PostAudioengine's D1 DAC is 5-stars good stuff, so I imagine their speakers are worthwhile.

Yup. I was looking at PC bookshelf speakers a couple years ago and those A2+ kept popping up, along with the Swans. Edifier is new to me, but I saw nothing but good things about them when I was researching for my current speakers.

anticipating getting back in the game with a new PC build this summer, after I finish saving for a new car. Frothing at the gash over the possibilities.

By Haramism Go To Postanticipating getting back in the game with a new PC build this summer, after I finish saving for a new car. Frothing at the gash over the possibilities.

What u thinkin tho? Going all out on 4K?

Data, were you able to find a speaker you wanted from my recommendations or did they not quite meet your requirements?

My dad is looking to buy a desktop pc, mostly for photoshop, audio editing and some light video editing. I'm not really sure what to tell him to get tbh, how far up do I have to go in CPU and so on? Graphic card doesn't really matter, as long as it can support two monitors, but he will probably want 2tb normal harddisk and a SSD.

RAM is your biggest hurdle when it comes to Photoshop, so load up. If he's video editing, I'd recommend something in the i7 range for sure. Make sure it has enough slots left for a dedicated audio card, which is pretty key in audio editing since onboard cards aren't that great.

Well was going for 16, that should be enough.

I7... Hmmm. He is not going to do all that much video editing, but maybe, feel like he might be ok with spending a good amount of cash on it. Dedicated audio card is certainly a must, I actually completely forgot to be sure to have an extra spot open for it.

I'd argue you'd be well served with 32gb these days if he's a heavy Photoshop user.

This would actually be a good time to jump on the Ryzen train. Gives you similar performance for less cost. Get that 8 core.

I don't remember which programs take advantage of the GPU, but if he is using one, consider getting a 1060.

You might also want to consider getting him something to calibrate his monitor. Especially if he is touching up photos. I have the ColorMunki Display and have been satisfied with its results.

Photoshop definitely takes advantage of the GPU if you enable it to do so.

get a relatively cheap card Nvidia card for photoshop, get a Quadro if you are interested in 10bit color and have the monitor for it.

By diehard Go To Postget a relatively cheap card Nvidia card for photoshop, get a Quadro if you are interested in 10bit color and have the monitor for it.

Take this advice over mine, btw.

Welp bit the bullet on the i7 6700 @ 3.4
Also picked up an hdd.

Gonna dig into my pc again tonight

By YungMagus Go To PostWelp bit the bullet on the i7 6700 @ 3.4
Also picked up an hdd.

Gonna dig into my pc again tonight

Welcome, 6700k brethren.

Wait, 6700 lil bro? :O

Photoshop is one of those programs that actually performs better on i7.
I'd definitely buy ryzen for multi-thread applications, but gotta wait til Adobe optimizes PS for Ryzen.

You'll die before Adobe properly optimizes anything.

But at least it will before Autodesk does it.

the SLI profile works well in Mass Effect : Andromeda


1440p was too low for 2x 1080Tis and is gonna be an issue going forward. It's too low of a resolution for the GPU power I have. I used DSR to downsample from 4k and the GPU usage went right to the upper 90s. Gameplay was smooth. No hitching or stuttering issues. No crashes. I played on Eos and took care of 2/3 of the artifacts. Can probably push it a bit higher than 4k and still stay above 60fps.

Settings - Ultra/Max, downsample from 3840x2160 to my RoG Swift, Avg FPS = 76

Rig

4930k @ 4.5
2x 1080Ti
16GB RAM
Win 10
Installed on SSD
Nvidia Game Ready Driver

The IQ ---wheeeeeeeeeew

By Laboured Go To PostWhat u thinkin tho? Going all out on 4K?

at least 1440p. Something not too big but still thick enough to make a girl cream up

When in doubt, go filthy.

By Haramism Go To Postat least 1440p. Something not too big but still thick enough to make a girl cream up

lmao

smokey to sell me both ti's in a year confirmed

These going underwater fam

so you went with the "why not both" joint huh

custom loop setup AND the SLI TI's!

...whew

You happy with your CPU?

Yeah I'm keeping it. The benefits I get from a good SLI profile is too much for me to pass. Being able to use DSR has curbed my thirst for the 4k HDR monitor at the moment. I'm able to downsample from 4k and higher and still enjoy 60fps+ while retaining the benefits of 144hz/ gsync. Don't know why I didn't think of this sooner.

CPU still gets it done I just gotta downsample to avoid leaving perf on the table when using SLI.

Looked into another Maxwell Titan X to possibly SLI and man, the prices are just the fukin same as they were a year ago as far as the used market, that 400 + range

Titans tend to hold (some) value, even older models.

I think you'd be straight with a 1080ti....Could flip that TX....

Card is fast af man. When Volta hit you may not even lose that much on the Ti if you go that route and time it right....

Tbh that CPU may need to come first tho.

i promised myself I wouldn't upgrade until Cyberpunk

-_-

I mean ...Cyberpunk isn't coming out a day earlier than 2019

By Smokey Go To PostI mean …Cyberpunk isn't coming out a day earlier than 2019

so be it

scorpio pls

How are Corsair power supplies these days? Which OEM partner makes them? Last time I checked people weren't exactly ecstatic about them. Are Seasonic still king? Always wanted to own one. All I know is I want a PS with 'zero RPM' mode. Semi-modular is fine. 650-750W should suffice. Help.

I've had Corsair PSUs before and they're great. They're modular, come nicely designed and packaged, and are quiet af. Affordable, as well. I haven't personally heard bad things about them but I'll defer to others.

Corsair has usually been fairly good, some models have been hit and miss though. I think their newer series is made by Channel Well.

Do you have a price you were looking to stay around? Maybe take a look at the EVGA Supernova G3 if its not out of your price range.

jonnyguru.com does good PSU reviews.

EVGA G2/G3 lineup.

Zabo, what hardware are you running? If you aren't doing SLI or anything crazy, 650W could well be overkill. Save a little money that way.

Nothing too Smokey-y. 7700k + single 1080 (maybe Ti, idk yet). I wouldn't call 650W overkill, though it technically is just that. Mostly I just want a whisper quiet power supply, at least when @ laughable / idle loads. My Fractal Design something 650W PSU has developed a slight, but oh so annoying coil whine over the past year, so I'm getting rid of it along with everything else.

I mean, I'd rather pay less than more, obviously. But when the difference is a mere 20-30€, like between the Corsair RMx 650W and the EVGA G3 750W, I'll gladly shell out a little more for the overall quieter / better PSU. EVGA has a longer warranty on their side, so that's a factor as well.

Any other people's favourites?

True enough. I will note that I have been running a 3770k and a 1070 on a four year old 650w Corsiar PSU without any kind of power or sound issues. Try to get a power supply with the best efficiency you can afford. It usually speaks to the longevity and reliability of the PSU. You can use the chart on the wiki page for the ranking of the power efficiency ratings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_Plus

Definitely getting a PSU that's at least 80+ Gold. Although Platinum PSUs in the 650W range aren't that much more expensive. I saw a couple of Seasonics and EVGAs for around 130€. Time to see what Johnny has to say about some of these.

I've used Seasonic, Corsair, and EVGA PSU (my current one). I had a Seasonic fail on me. The Corsair and Evga were fine, but Evga has much longer warranty and on their side that's why I said their G2/G3 line. But either company are fine. All they do is source the PSU anyways and slap their name on the cover.

I remember back in the day you werent shit if you didnt have a PC Power & Cooling PSU.

I wasn't shit though.

FSP used to be a a big dog, too, iirc.

Research continues for the loop. Still convinced I'm going to go EK throughout the entire loop. From what I gather their products are of high quality and customer service is ace. The latter is a big deal to me which is why I always lean EVGA when possible. I've seen what the opposite is like when you have issues (ASUS).

As I'm looking and reading on parts phanteks has a Ti block coming that looks cool