The no-build, new build...

[Rolex]

OK, so I need a new PC, monitor and controllers. I've built every PC I've owned since 1995, but I've been out of the hardware loop for a while and don't have the time or energy to catch up on what's hot and what's not, and build again. I'd like something out of the box...

I haven't found anyone local to build something where I'm moving, that leaves me with ordering on the Internet.

1. I will only play AH.
2. I like the specs on this Asus 27" monitor that Skyyr posted in another thread, so I'll go with that: http://www.amazon.com/PG278Q-27-Inch-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00MSOND8C. I could go down a notch to a 24" 1910x 1080 monitor (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MUT6SLE/ref=psdc_1292115011_t2_B00MSOND8C) if it takes too much too run the 27" 2560 x 1440 monitor.
3. At or under $1,700 (without monitor) is a good target.
4. Is 8.1 better than Win 7?

Any suggestions on Internet builders/suppliers or specs to look for or stay away from?

I've had good luck with ATI cards in the past, but the past is no indicator of the current state of performance. Do the memory/performance slowdown issues with GTX 970 come into play running AH?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[The Fugitive]

I haven't heard anything bad about these guys.

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/gaming-desktops.asp

I know a few people who have bought from them and everything works as advertized. MARK4 flies on the cheapest one ($700) and he has everything pretty much wide open.

[oboe]

Welcome back, Rolex.   Another AH vet getting ready to plunge back in on AH3's release?

What's your controller preference?   Split throttle needed?     Saitek has a fairly new HOTAS out, the X-55, priced at the same price point as the X-52 Pro, yet it has Hall effect sensors in the joystick AND a split throttle too.   

Saitek rudder pedals seem to be the only game in town unless you can hook up with one of the boutique suppliers.   

[mbailey]

I believe Pawz also just got one of the Digital Storm computers, could try to hit him up as well. It's the one I'm getting in a few weeks (the level 3) Vanquish

[TequilaChaser]

How big of a difference is it really in the real world ( not on some benchmark ) between that first ASUS 27" you are thinking about going with Rolex, verses the other 2 ASUS monitors I have posted links 3o below


first posted ASUS 27" monitor amazon URL link   cost: $752.99

http://www.amazon.com/PG278Q-27-Inch-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00MSOND8C


2nd comparison link for another ASUS brand 27" monitor amazon URL link   cost: $419.99
ASUS PB278Q 27-Inch WQHD LED-lit Professional Graphics Monitor capable of 2560x1440 WQHD resolution

http://www.amazon.com/PB278Q-27-Inch-LED-lit-Professional-Graphics/dp/B009C3M7H0/ref=pd_cp_pc_1


3rd comparison link for another ASUS brand 28" monitor amazon URL link   cost: $562.99
ASUS PB287Q 28-Inch Screen LED-Lit 4K Monitor capable of 28" 4K Ultra High Resolution (3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz) display

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KJGY3TO/ref=psdc_1292115011_t2_B009C3M7H0



just curious what makes the top listed ASUS monitor so great, that I would ( or anyone would ) want to spend an extra $210.00+ to $330.00+ extra dollars on it????

will our eyes really be able to tell that huge and cost worthy difference, that it is worth the extra money to fork over for it?


TC

[Rolex]

Thanks for the Digital Storm links, I'll check them out.

Had X-52 Pro and it worked well. I think WWhiskey just got an X-55 setup. Looks nice. If it's same price and durable, looks like a winner...

Don't know the answer to your question, TC. Maybe the higher frequency?

[FLS]

Rolex I know you said you didn't want to built it but here is a list of parts from Tomshardware.com for comparison to prebuilt systems.

Processor    Intel Core i7 3930K (Sandy Bridge-E) Hexa-Core CPU @ 3.2 GHz    $450
Cooling system    Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO    $30
Motherboard    Asus P9X79    $245
RAM    Patriot Viper 3 16GB DDR3-1600 Kit (2 x 8 GB)    $155
Graphics Card    2 x Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB GDDR3    $300
Hard Drive and SSD    Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD    $90
Hard Drive and SSD    Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 7200 RPM HDD    $90
Power Supply    EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80 PLUS Gold    $160
Case    Cooler Master Elite RC-361-KKN1 Mid-Tower    $50
Cooling system    Cooler Master SickleFlow 120mm Case Fan    $7
DVD Burner    Asus DRW-24F1ST 24x DVD Burner    $30
TOTAL : $1,607

Figure another $100 for a system builder OS copy.

[Rolex]

Thanks FLS. That looks pretty tasty for a few hours of work...

[FLS]

I don't know that it's your best setup for AH but I do think building your own is still the way to go.

[Bruv119]

if your only going to run AH you might aswell have the one GFX card and save yourself the cash.

[Bizman]

FLS, hopefully there's a typo in your post: GDDR3???

@ Rolex, the parts list FLS posted is a good one for many years, but SSD as a hard drive is overkill for playing AH. Just so you know, they do make things load faster but they won't improve your frame rate at all. So if you think that it's crucial to get Windows up and running half a minute faster, and also getting to the AH arena choosing screen some seconds faster, get an SSD. If you'd rather use the half a minute for taking care of your liquids balance, get a standard hard drive.

Also, if you're not into multiple monitors, double video cards don't give that much of a boost. Instead of two R9 280's use the same money for a single R9 290X.

Also, even with two high end video cards a 1000W PSU is too much and may even cause trouble. A good quality one of 650 W true power should be enough for a 290X. Amperage is what matters, not watts. AMD's current flagship, the R9 295x2 needs

• 28 A of current to each of the 8-pin auxiliary
  power connectors on your graphics card
• 50 A of combined current to the pair of 8-pin
  auxiliary power connectors

[MrRiplEy[H]]

if your only going to run AH you might aswell have the one GFX card and save yourself the cash.

A lot of room for improvement on that list. For example an i7 is just waste of money for gaming use. An i5 will do the job much cheaper. Tomshardware recommends an i5-4460 for non overclockers and the i5 k-models for overclockers. It also warns that laws of diminishing returns comes after that. Tomshardware also recommends a single R9 290 for a sub 300 dollar graphics solution. I would avoid any SLI or Crossfire solution like plague as long as there is a single card solution for the price available.

[FLS]

FLS, hopefully there's a typo in your post: GDDR3???

Good catch. The typo was copy pasted from the site. It actually has GDDR5 memory. I was going to update and also suggest, as Bruv pointed out, that one video card could be a better choice.

A lot of room for improvement on that list. For example an i7 is just waste of money for gaming use. An i5 will do the job much cheaper. Tomshardware recommends an i5-4460 for non overclockers and the i5 k-models for overclockers. It also warns that laws of diminishing returns comes after that. Tomshardware also recommends a single R9 290 for a sub 300 dollar graphics solution. I would avoid any SLI or Crossfire solution like plague as long as there is a single card solution for the price available.

I have the R9 290 and with stock coolers it can run hot and declock itself. I use water cooling so I don't have that issue.
The R9 295 X2 with a water block for $600 would make a nice single card solution that should run AH3 with high quality settings but there are cheaper choices that will work well enough.

[38ruk]

Are the R290's still having that issue? I remember AMD changed the fan profile for the r290 quite awhile ago and were calling it fixed ...... but I dont have one so I'm just curious .. With AMD's prices dropping on the 290 and 290X... they look like a great bang for the buck cards.

The only other thing that crossed my mind was the monitor being equipped with G-sync...... if thats the monitor he wants..... id prolly  lean towards Nvidia so i could use that feature .

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Are the R290's still having that issue? I remember AMD changed the fan profile for the r290 quite awhile ago and were calling it fixed ...... but I dont have one so I'm just curious .. With AMD's prices dropping on the 290 and 290X... they look like a great bang for the buck cards.

The only other thing that crossed my mind was the monitor being equipped with G-sync...... if thats the monitor he wants..... id prolly  lean towards Nvidia so i could use that feature .

There's a gazillion different cooling solutions for the AMD cards. Nobody has to follow the stock configuration. For a couple of extra bucks you can get a model that has a redesigned cooling solution, for example the models aimed for overclocking. Since AH doesn't have properly working SLI or Xfire profiles available it would be downright dumb to get one if you're building an AH box. There are so many potential pitfalls in SLI and Xfire that they really should be your last resort when a single card won't cut it anymore.