Any PC Gamers here? (About to buy a new Computer)

[JughedJones]

So... I'm about to pull the trigger. Hoping if one of you guys is a PC nerd.

I know I should build my own and save money... I really do. But I'm an absolute clutz, (and just got some money that came in.)

I'm about to press 'Purchase' on a pre-built rig from ibuypower.com


I've read a number of reviews and they sound mostly quite positive. However, let me tell you the specs and you tell me if I'm missing something here.


Case 1 x Apex EL 660 Gaming Case - Black


Processor 1 x Intel® Core™ i7 4820K Processor (4x 3.70GHz/10MB L3 Cache) - Intel Core i7 4820K

Processor Cooling 1 x Corsair Hydro Series H55 Liquid CPU Cooling System - Standard 120mm Fan

Memory 1 x 16 GB [4 GB X4] DDR3-1600 Memory Module - Corsair Vengeance

Video Card 1 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 - 3GB - EVGA Superclocked - Single Card

Motherboard 1 x Gigabyte GA-X79-UP4 -- 4x PCI-E 2.0 x16

Power Supply 1 x 750 Watt - Corsair RM750 - 80 PLUS Gold, Full Modular

Primary Hard Drive 1 x 120 GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD -- Read: 540MB/s, Write: 410MB/s - Single Drive

Data Hard Drive 1 x 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 32M Cache, 7200 RPM, 6.0Gb/s - S

Optical Drive 1 x 24x Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive - Black - FREE upgrade to BLU


What do you guys think? I can overclock that processor pretty good right?

It's a lot of money, but I don't mind as long as I'm not leaving something out or I'm not seeing something that's crappola.


Thanks!

 

[MNIrishman]

I'm not sure I understand the ram setup. Is it one stick or four? You ideally want your ram in pairs in order to optimize the dual channel I/O. Everything else looks fantastic. With that processor, you really shouldn't need to overclock. In my experience, it doesn't add any noticeable performance increase most of the time and mostly serves to void your warranty, increase your cooling needs, and potentially generate headaches down the road. If you do want to overclock, you've identified one heck of a cooling system. However, keep in mind that this dramatically decreases the durability of your system and increases the odds of catastrophic failure. The processor is unlocked, so there's nothing fundamental stopping you from your plan.

 

[brick4956]

Gigabyte mother boards arent the most reliable

 

[brick4956]

Try to find a pc using asus boards best quality and nvidia based graphic card and intel processor amd sucks

 

[MNIrishman]

Gigabyte mother boards arent the most reliable

Disagree. It's a reputable brand and you get what you pay for. This particular model is both expensive and well-reviewed.

 

[MNIrishman]

Try to find a pc using asus boards best quality and nvidia based graphic card and intel processor amd sucks

Asus is good too. Other things he's already locked down.

 

[JughedJones]

I really appreciate your responses.

Brick: I'm going with Nvidia, nothing is changing my mind on that. They are by far (to me) the best gaming card out there, they're just so much more customizable for individual games than AMD. (And I wouldn't even consider an intel!)

MNIrish: The RAM is 4 sticks Corsiar Vengence, 4 gigs a piece. As far as I know, they're the best you can get. (Without spending an extravagant amount of money)

The motherboard I was a little iffy on, but it gets pretty good reviews from Newegg, and I trust them. As long as it is good and upgradable.. that's what I care about... but I'm really considering throwing down an extra 100 bucks on an ASUS.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

I'm an IT professional of over 20 years. I've done uncountable builds for all kinds. I'm also quite drunk.

Can I get back to you tomorrow? I'd want to ask a few questions and have a working dialogue to properly assess your needs and give you the options to make the best choices for them. We can talk chipsets and fabrication companies if you want or keep it generalized. It's all good baby.

-Andy

(All spelling by google)

LONG LIVE THE Q6600 G0 stepping! I own all your... damn I'm wasted.

 

[JughedJones]

I'm an IT professional of over 20 years. I've done uncountable builds for all kinds. I'm also quite drunk.

Can I get back to you tomorrow? I'd want to ask a few questions and have a working dialogue to properly assess your needs and give you the options to make the best choices for them. We can talk chipsets and fabrication companies if you want or keep it generalized. It's all good baby.

-Andy

(All spelling by google)

LONG LIVE THE Q6600 G0 stepping! I own all your... damn I'm wasted.

Thanks so much Andy. I probably should have waited for your help (especially sober!) but I just threw down the loot.

As far as I can tell, they're sending me a monster. My hands are still shaking from spending that much money... but DAMN!!!! WOOHOO!!!!

(I switched to a Corsair case and 1866 ram.) Good grief I'm fucking pumped!

 

[MNIrishman]

Wow that looks pretty awesome. I haven't upgraded my PC in a long time (just ordered a new laptop actually), so I've been rocking the retro. Privateer 2 and Age of Empires.... Those are the ticket haha.

 

[JughedJones]

Wow that looks pretty awesome. I haven't upgraded my PC in a long time (just ordered a new laptop actually), so I've been rocking the retro. Privateer 2 and Age of Empires.... Those are the ticket haha.

I'm still playing Age of Empires from time to time.

I'm really into sims now though. Flight and Space sims are my joint.

I just bought this to go along with my new rig:

I'm pretty damn pumped.

 

[GUknights75]

I need a new PC just so I can play Total War!

 

[magogian]

I've built my last 3 gaming PCs, so I have moderate familiarity.

I'd say you have a pretty solid rig there. Obviously, the most important thing for the gaming rig is the GPU. The 780 is a very good card. You may want to upgrade it in 2 years or so. But it should serve you very well until then.

Your PSU won't allow you to go SLI, but that isn't necessarily a big down side.

You chose a good CPU, and I like the 16 gigs of RAM (no more though).

Will they overclock your CPU?

You might want larger than 1 TB for your main HD. Many games nowadays take up 20+ gigs. But you can get away with 1 TB.

Overall, that is a good rig, and you should be happy with it.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

Just out of curiosity, what did that build run you?

I like where your head is at, but would have used a couple different components and am finding myself wondering if they are the result of the budgetary considerations.

But all in all, a very solid system, if perhaps a bit crapped on hard disc capacity (both). Going to have to stay on a diet!

 

[Andy in Sactown]

Also, if your intent is to overclock your Ivy Bridge CPU you should start your research here.

Ivy's don't overclock as much as their Sandy Bridge predecessors, but they do more work per CPU cycle so for example, a Sandy Bridge clocked at 5GHz would have roughly the same computational power as an Ivy clocked in the 4.7-4.8 GHz range. This is because they used a thermal pad between the CPU cores and the IHS (integrated heat spreader) for the first time, where as Sandy Bridges (and all chips before Ivy's) are soldiered.

If you're absolutely insane and #reckless like I am you can "de-lid" it and replace that pad with other thermal solutions and/or remove the IHS permanently and do a direct mount to your water block, but just ask yourself, "am I comfortable putting my brand new CPU under warranty in a bench vice and knocking the IHS off with a hammer?"

 

[Guyjin37]

Being another PC enthusiast (I myself am a Catleap overclocker, meow!) I'd say if you're not building yourself then it'll be a fairly rocking PC. Just have to overclock it a bit--now, your cooler there is not going to be able to cover you for too much, so if possible see how much it is to upgrade that to a higher model like the h80i or 100i. That and the SSD being 120gb could be a pain if you play a lot of different games. I had 120gb up until recently and I always had to decide which games I wanted on the SSD and which I could stomach on my regular HD; bad choice, and I wanted them all on SSD. Go bigger if they let you.

Of course it'll all come down to the price--I imagine it being a pre-built machine it will cost a pretty penny.

 

[JughedJones]

Hey guys... yeah The SSD is a little small but I'll be OK with only running 2 or three games at once. It will make me appreciate what I have a little more and stop being such a fly-by nighter!

 

[JughedJones]

Also, if your intent is to overclock your Ivy Bridge CPU you should start your research here.

Ivy's don't overclock as much as their Sandy Bridge predecessors, but they do more work per CPU cycle so for example, a Sandy Bridge clocked at 5GHz would have roughly the same computational power as an Ivy clocked in the 4.7-4.8 GHz range. This is because they used a thermal pad between the CPU cores and the IHS (integrated heat spreader) for the first time, where as Sandy Bridges (and all chips before Ivy's) are soldiered.

If you're absolutely insane and #reckless like I am you can "de-lid" it and replace that pad with other thermal solutions and/or remove the IHS permanently and do a direct mount to your water block, but just ask yourself, "am I comfortable putting my brand new CPU under warranty in a bench vice and knocking the IHS off with a hammer?"

I'd love to talk to you a little more in-depth about overclocking when the rig gets here. what do you think I can safely get the power up to with my cooling unit?

 

[JughedJones]

Welp...

I cancelled my initial order and placed a new one because of all of your advice.

I was able to get my Processor overclocked 30% for free, Doubled the size of my Hard Drives, and got a bigger cooling system. Not to mention more USB inputs and bigger/more case fans.

All for 125.00 less!

This thing is going to be a frigging monster.

Thanks guys!

 

[Andy in Sactown]

Welp...

I cancelled my initial order and placed a new one because of all of your advice.

I was able to get my Processor overclocked 30% for free, Doubled the size of my Hard Drives, and got a bigger cooling system. Not to mention more USB inputs and bigger/more case fans.

All for 125.00 less!

This thing is going to be a frigging monster.

Thanks guys!

Excellent decision. The hard drive space will come in extremely handy (especially the SSD) and that H50/H55 unit is undersized for anything, but the smallest overclocking. Excellent!

May I ask what cooling solution you went with? If still going with an AIO (all-in-one) closed-loop cooling solution, hopefully it's H100i or better if you really want to clock her out.

I have a NZXT X60 Kraken in my current desktop. It's like a wider H100/H100i with a better controller.

 

[JughedJones]

Excellent decision. The hard drive space will come in extremely handy (especially the SSD) and that H50/H55 unit is undersized for anything, but the smallest overclocking. Excellent!

May I ask what cooling solution you went with? If still going with an AIO (all-in-one) closed-loop cooling solution, hopefully it's H100i or better if you really want to clock her out.

I have a NZXT X60 Kraken in my current desktop. It's like a wider H100/H100i with a better controller.

It's actually the H60 with dual push/pull Enermax fans. I also got 2 extra case fans thrown in there.

(Corsair Hydro Series H60 High Performance Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan [+16] (Dual Enermax Enlobal Silent High Performance 120MM Fans (Push-Pull) [+20])

I might be able to change it, but geez. You think I really need to? I intend to have it overclocked at the builder's at 20% which should put me at 4.5 GHZ. I'm happy with that, do you not think that's enough cooling?

 

[Andy in Sactown]

I might be able to change it, but geez. You think I really need to? I intend to have it overclocked at the builder's at 20% which should put me at 4.5 GHZ. I'm happy with that, do you not think that's enough cooling?

EDIT: NVRMND this part. You're an Ivy'E. That's what I get for posting from work. I can do more research at home later.

Sorry for multi-posts.. had to get around INTERNAL SERVER ERROR.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

I'm trying to get a little more info on the dimensions/mounting for the "up to 2 top fans" in the case you have selected to be more specific in regards to the cooler, but as to your question, I would think that an H60 would probably be okay for 4.5GHz, only question is at what temperature and thus, at what fan speed (noise level). I CAN tell you that you're not going to get much farther than that (if at all) with that cooler.

Sorry for multi-posts.. had to get around INTERNAL SERVER ERROR.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

Remember the thing I mentioned about about Ivy's not being soldiered? Ivy's overclock like champs at first like their Sandy brothers, but due to poor thermal characteristics from aforementioned pad, they hit their ceiling hard and fast. Pushing these chips requires more voltage (again; more heat) and massive cooling to really push them (or "de-lidding" as I alluded to).

Just know that the H60 will get the job done, but you're not going any farther.
EDIT: Let me verify this after work.. you're an Ivy-E so I want to check some things before I speak authoritatively.

Sorry for multi-posts.. had to get around INTERNAL SERVER ERROR.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

Realizing that you spent a shit load of money for a Socket 2011 Ivy-E changes everything... not sure if I would have recommended that. I'll write a big ass post later tonight when I get home.

 

[JughedJones]

Remember the thing I mentioned about about Ivy's not being soldiered? Ivy's overclock like champs at first like their Sandy brothers, but due to poor thermal characteristics from aforementioned pad, they hit their ceiling hard and fast. Pushing these chips requires more voltage (again; more heat) and massive cooling to really push them (or "de-lidding" as I alluded to).

Just know that the H60 will get the job done, but you're not going any farther.
EDIT: Let me verify this after work.. you're an Ivy-E so I want to check some things before I speak authoritatively.

Sorry for multi-posts.. had to get around INTERNAL SERVER ERROR.

You're awesome, man.

However, Cyberpower is really getting this thing done! I ordered it this morning with Rush shipping and they already have the ticket out to the warehouse... it's being built as we speak!

I can't really afford too much more for a cooler, and the next one up doesn't really strike me as too much of an upgrade. Here's the link if you want to nerd out and see what I did.

Customize Power Mega Pro 3000 Gaming PC

I'll post the specs I got in the next post. It's pretty much the same as in my OP, but upgraded on a few areas. Note: Case.

 

[JughedJones]

CASE: NZXT H630 Silent Full-Tower Case w/ USB 3.0, Noise Reduction Material, Modular HDD Trays (Black Color)

CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-4820K Quad-Core 3.70 GHz 10MB Intel Smart Cache LGA2011 (All Venom OC Certified)

CS_FAN: Enermax TB Apolish UCTA14N-BL 140mm Blue LED Fan

FAN: Corsair Hydro Series H60 High Performance Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Dual Enermax Enlobal Silent High Performance 120MM Fans (Push-Pull)

HDD: 256GB ADATA SP610 SATA-III 6.0Gb/s SSD -(Single Drive)

HDD2: 2TB (2TBx1) SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive)

MEMORY: 16GB (4GBx4) DDR3/1866MHz Quad Channel Memory (Corsair Vengeance)

MOTHERBOARD: GIGABYTE X79-UP4 ATX w/ Ultra Durable 5, GblAN, 4 GEn3 PCIe x16, 2 PCIe x1, 1 PCI

VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 3GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card (EVGA Superclocked

POWERSUPPLY: 750 Watts - Corsair RM750 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Fully Modular Ultra Quiet Power Supply

TEMP: NZXT Sentry-3 Fan Touch Screen Fan Control & Temperature Display

OVERCLOCK: Extreme OC (Extreme Overclock 20% or more)

USBX: NZXT Internal USB 6-PORT Expansion Module

 

[JughedJones]

Realizing that you spent a shit load of money for a Socket 2011 Ivy-E changes everything... not sure if I would have recommended that. I'll write a big ass post later tonight when I get home.

lulz...


Don't kill me too hard on it! I'm in love with this thing already!

 

[RyCo1983]

What's the final price? I'm looking to build a gaming/music recording computer here at some point.

 

[JughedJones]

What's the final price? I'm looking to build a gaming/music recording computer here at some point.

$2210 without shipping.

I splurged on the Rush shipping and 3 Day Air, and some extras like ultra-secure packaging, and the highest quality wiring. (made it a little more.)

Hey... you only graduate from college once right? Well... I'm only going to do it once anyway!





EDIT: You can get this rig for quite a bit cheaper if you build it yourself. I don't trust myself to do that though.