Improve my PC thread!

[quote=OTGBionicArm]I currently have a 21 inch AOC screen, but I alternate to a 40 inch Samsung TV with HDMI plug ins when I play games that use a controller (Skyrim, Dragon Age). My case is one from Cyberpower (where I built the computer), but I'd like a new one cause it came in the wrong color. As for any extras, I'm already replacing my headset, speakers, mouse and keyboard.[/quote]

[quote=Vynertje][quote=OTGBionicArm][quote=Latest Legend]What's the budget?[/quote] Well, not exactly sure. I'd like to get the parts in a few months and I can only save about 100$ a week. So probably in the 1000-1500$ range.[/quote] [quote=OTGBionicArm]Ahh yes, I'm going mostly for heavy gaming as I'm big into making Skyrim look pretty, and playing games like Dragon Age Inquisition. I can currently run both games rather well, but not on ultra.[/quote] That's already quite a lot and should get you really far. Making a list right now. I'm assuming you're not planning on overclocking and that you are reusing your old storage and optical drive. I'm also going by the assumption you don't need wireless networking or have any space constraints. Finally, note that the case of choice depends on your personal preference. I just went with it because it's the best case of 2014, but if you don't like side panels you may as well want to go with something else. I also included windows for the sake of it. Oh and before I forget, AMD launches their next line of graphics cards this June, so this recommendation is bound to change when it launches. [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9ztwnQ]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9ztwnQ/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] [b]CPU:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54590]Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor[/url] ($179.95 @ SuperBiiz) [b]CPU Cooler:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2]Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler[/url] ($26.99 @ Newegg) [b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-fatal1tyh97killer]ASRock Fatal1ty H97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard[/url] ($85.50 @ SuperBiiz) [b]Memory:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cml8gx3m2a1600c9]Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory[/url] ($59.99 @ Newegg) [b]Storage:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct250bx100ssd1]Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive[/url] ($87.30 @ SuperBiiz) [b]Video Card:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-gtx970gaming4g]MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card[/url] ($329.99 @ SuperBiiz) [b]Case:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes614pbk]Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case[/url] ($99.99 @ Amazon) [b]Power Supply:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220gs0550v1]EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply[/url] ($69.99 @ NCIX US) [b]Operating System:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615]Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)[/url] ($84.45 @ OutletPC) [b]Total:[/b] $1024.15 [i]Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available[/i] [i]Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-20 12:27 EDT-0400[/i] @Searz: Z97 chipset and K model is overkill for a non tech-savy person (as I deem OTG to be). Overlocking is a luxury and not really worth it for beginning builders. That high-end corsair PSU and extra fan are also completely unnecessary and overkill for such purposes. Same could be said for 16GB of RAM, but I can see arguments for that.[/quote]

[quote=OTGBionicArm]I used to be tech savvy. I was in school for this when I was 18. T.T I just haven't kept up since then. Sad waste of money that was. But thank you both for the suggestions. I'll keep saving up the money and keeping both lists as references.[/quote]

[quote=Searz][quote=OTGBionicArm]I currently have a 21 inch AOC screen, but I alternate to a 40 inch Samsung TV with HDMI plug ins when I play games that use a controller (Skyrim, Dragon Age).[/quote]Okay, an upgrade might be worth it, but you'll have to judge it yourself. Your current screen very likely has a TN panel, which usually means bad viewing angles, bad/mediocre contrast and bad/mediocre color accuracy. [quote]mouse and keyboard.[/quote]I wouldn't recommend mice and keyboards since they're highly subjective as long as the sensor/matrix is solid. All the other parts of the PC, including screens and headsets are easy to measure objectively however. You should probably go with Vyn's recommended CPU and motherboard if you won't be overclocking btw. Just steer clear of that case ;)[/quote]

[quote=Searz][quote=Vynertje]I just went with it because it's the best case of 2014[/quote]According to who? The case seems to contain a lot of questionable design decisions. I'll call bogus on this one, I would certainly not get that case. [quote]Oh and before I forget, AMD launches their next line of graphics cards this June, so this recommendation is bound to change when it launches.[/quote]It's a simple rehash of their GCN architecture. It's nothing to be excited about (aside from the Fiji card). [quote][b]Power Supply:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220gs0550v1]EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply[/url] ($69.99 @ NCIX US)[/quote]Won't he just be able to use his old PSU? It's bound to be enough considering that his current system will draw about as much as his new one. [quote]Searz: Z97 chipset and K model is overkill for a non tech-savy person (as I deem OTG to be). Overlocking is a luxury and not really worth it for beginning builders.[/quote]I disagree. You can increase your CPU performance by 20-30% easily with just a simple after-market cooler. Overclocking might not be something OTG wants to do, but it is worthwhile to do in my opinion. Just for the record: I overclocked my first build. It was an E8400 which I clocked from 3.0GHz to 3.8 (~27% higher clock, ~20-25% more performance). But he should definitely go for the CPU and motherboard you listed if he doesn't want to overclock. They seem like good suggestions. [quote]That high-end corsair PSU and extra fan are also completely unnecessary and overkill for such purposes.[/quote]Yeah, the PSU might be, but the fan? Really? Getting a little bit extra airflow can lower the temperature of the air in the case by a few degrees. Seems like a pretty good investment to me. (assuming that he chooses a Define R5 case, it would be pretty pointless if he doesn't have any free fan slots) If you don't think the extra fan is a good idea then why would you recommend an after-market CPU cooler? Wouldn't that be just as unnecessary?..[/quote]

[quote=OTGBionicArm]Ok let's assume I am a noobie (as being out of the loop is the same thing as being new to this), what would overclocking actually do for me? Do I need it for what I wish to do with my computer?[/quote]

[quote=mastrer1000]You don't need it, but you might as well do it because it is essentially free performance(assuming that you have an after-market cpu cooler).[/quote]

[quote=Vynertje][quote=mastrer1000]You don't need it, but you might as well do it because it is essentially free performance(assuming that you have an after-market cpu cooler).[/quote] It's not free because it requires an unlocked processor, some extra wattage and a Z-chipset, some other (non-measurable) things are extra heat and -consequently- noise output. Those things can easily add up another 75$ to the price, while the performance increase isn't on par with that kind of money. In most scenario's I'd recommend against it unless you're an advanced user (or really like to learn it) and don't mind paying that price premium.[/quote]

[quote=Searz][quote=OTGBionicArm]Ok let's assume I am a noobie (as being out of the loop is the same thing as being new to this), what would overclocking actually do for me? Do I need it for what I wish to do with my computer?[/quote] No, you don't. It essentially just increases your CPU performance. Which in turn means that you could keep your CPU/RAM/MB combo going for a couple of extra years. Maybe even enough for two upgrades, every 3 years or so. (otherwise I'd suggest one GPU upgrade after ~4 years) As for what it is: your CPU has a pipeline it uses to complete compute tasks. It uses this pipeline a set number of times per second, measured in hertz. 3.5GHz means 3,500,000,000 cycles per second. To overclock is to raise the number of cycles performed each second. This is disadvantageous in terms of power-usage, but in terms of cost you get about as much as you invest. Vyn is overstating the cost. And getting a slightly better motherboard also has other benefits.[/quote]

[quote=Vynertje][quote=Searz][quote=OTGBionicArm]Ok let's assume I am a noobie (as being out of the loop is the same thing as being new to this), what would overclocking actually do for me? Do I need it for what I wish to do with my computer?[/quote] Vyn is overstating the cost. [/quote] I looked at pcpartpicker for the costs. Just a quick breakdown: i5 4590 - 180$ (difference in speed between the 4690 is about nullified) i5 4690k - 220$ Let's say you go for the 4590, you save 40$. Yes I know it's not apples to apples and the 4690 (non-K) is 210$, but I think it's still quite fair as the 200MHz won't make or break your system. High quality H97 motherboards have all the same features as Z97 boards. In fact, some even boost better audio chips, networking etc than the low to mid-end Z97 boards. Stepping down the chipset while remaining the other features can save you another 30$. Now let's say you get a cheap cooler for 30$ as well, which will allow you to overclock to 4.2 without cranking the voltage. Now that will again increase noise output slighty, but not to the level of the stock cooler on a 4590 so I'd still go aftermarket cooling - therefore I didn't count that in. That 4.2GHz will probably mean very little in games, AT MAXIMUM ~5 fps unless your CPU really bottlenecked your system (which an i5 won't). Therefore for someone that isn't necessarily wanting to overclock their CPU I'd always recommend to just save those dollars and spend it somewhere else in their system. Don't go Z97/unlocked CPU just for slight the possibility that you may want to overclock it, it's usually completely unnecessary.[/quote]