Time for a PC upgrade. Ideas? - by SubJeff
SubJeff on 12/12/2016 at 22:23
I'm a bit lost atm re: PC bits. I was planning on getting an iMac if the new one had a beastly graphics card (as is rumoured) but a. it's taking forever to arrive and b. after the latest Macbooks, which are dull as f, I'm just going to upgrade the PC.
I've got Windows 10 and plenty of hard-drive space on dual SSDs plus dual non-SSD drives, a decent monitor (I think - a 27 inch Samsung I run at 1080p), Logitech gaming mouse and (of course) a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard. I have a case and speakers too.
So all I need now is:
* Mobo
* CPU
* GFX Card
* RAM for the Mobo
I could get a new monitor I suppose, but it'd have to be something a bit special.
Anyone any ideas? I favour Nvidia cards because they seem to be more compatible with more stuff.
Edit: budget is under £1000, £900 if I can get a decent setup with that much.
Matthew on 13/12/2016 at 10:43
Double-post because I'm a rebel:
On the 28th of December Overclockers will apparently be bringing back (
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18758178) this deal: i7-6700K at 4.50Ghz, Asus Z170 Maximum VIII Hero mobo, 16 Gb of RAM from someone called Team Group and an own-brand hydro cooler for £500. Just add graphics card.
Renault on 13/12/2016 at 22:31
I've let Bikerdude build my last 3 PCs (as far as picking parts and configurations), I would PM and get his opinion. I think he build PCs for a living, or at least does something hardware related.
Renzatic on 14/12/2016 at 04:41
Yeah, Biker gave me a few good recommendations when I built mine about a year and a half ago. He knows his stuff.
Though if I were to field a suggestion, I'd say nix the giant CPU heatsink, and go with a closed loop liquid cooler from Corsair. They're dead simple to install, requiring almost the same amount of time and upkeep as a regular cooling kit, and they work so, so much better. It's all advantages, no trade-offs.
...plus, you get to hear your computer slosh every once in awhile.
SubJeff on 14/12/2016 at 06:08
I don't know if he'd help me.
Years ago I was looking for a laptop and asked for help here. I got a Macbook Air in the end (typing on it still - one of the best bits of kit I ever got) and he was plenty annoyed with me.
I was going to get an iMac because I've been so pleased with this laptop. I don't use it for gaming really (except FTL on train commutes, and I recently got Invisible Inc). I don't play games that much these days - no time - but if and when I do (I want to get Dishonored 2) I want a machine that will handle it like it's nothing. If I'd got the iMac I would have just accepted that only certain games will run. The new iMac was supposed to have vastly upgraded graphics but a. it hasn't materialised b. Apple's latest efforts have been really weak so I have less faith and c. the prices in the UK have gone up stupidly.
I used to keep up with hardware evolution but since the last PC I've not bothered.
Renzatic on 14/12/2016 at 07:18
He probably still would, considering what you want. He won't just tell you to get the most awesome thing ever, but what'll also give you the most bang for your buck.
He convinced me to do some slight upgrades on a couple of the components I had. An i5 4590 instead whatever it was I was gonna get, and a Geforce 970 instead of the 960. I ended up spending a couple hundred dollars more, but it ended up being beneficial in the long run, because if I went with what I originally wanted, I'd probably be looking at upgrading now.
Gryzemuis on 14/12/2016 at 18:50
Quote Posted by SubJeff
I don't mind getting MSI, I just chose from PC Parts picker's list. (Interesting site btw). I'm wondering if an MSI mobo will play nicer with an MSI gfx card.
I don't think there will be any interoperability problems between the major vendors of mobos and/or videocards. I'd go for an ASRock motherboard, as they are just as good, and often a little cheaper. As long as it has a Z170 chipset, it won't make much difference. Certainly not in performance.
Quote:
Someone on Reddit suggested that an i7 is not necessary and it's better to go with a i5 6600k and spend the money on a better GFX card. If I do that I end up with this:
I fully agree. If you don't want to do something fancy and cpu-intensive, the i5 is just as fast as the i7. The small difference in framerates in games is not worth it. Buy the i5-6600K and invest the money you save in a faster videocard, like he suggests.
Seems like a very nice list of hardware. Gonna be blazing fast in games.
SubJeff on 14/12/2016 at 22:26
It's that GFX card that's bothering me now. Is it fast enough?
