Brand New System For AH3 - Need Expert Advice Before Buying

[cav58d]

I'm using Windows 10 and have no problems.  That being said the only purpose of this new PC is to turn on, play aces high and then turn off.

[Skuzzy]

<snip>
And finally, no opinions regarding whether Windows 10 gets along with AHIII? I hate having to get used to a new OS? Maybe I will just stick with 8.1 and go from there.

Again, thanks to all who have shared their opinions. I do appreciate it.

If you have the option to stick with Windows 7, I would do so.  Windows 10 is getting ready to have a major update, and those have never gone well, so far.  If you can wait, then you would be better off.

[Drane]

Good Morning Drane, do you prefer to use your GPU/HDMI connection for Audio from the Video card, verses using the onboard sound from that MSI MB's Realtek Audio? just curious?.....

I use the HDMI most of the time for sound through TV speakers, then switch to onboard for headphones when I need to be quiet. The onboard is used for microphone but that doesn't work real well in AH3 with L3 dropping loads of packets.

[MaineX]

Just tested a GTX 750 Ti with an old dual core E6850, 4 GB RAM, PSU 300W and I' m getting 50-55 fps. It might
get better with 8 GB, plus a better CPU.

-MX-

[VanceVP]

WOW!

I really appreciate all the comments and suggestions regarding this build, but now I have a few questions for ya'll.

First, it looks like the 750W PSU is overkill so I think I am going to look at a 600W - 650W. Smart move to save a couple of bucks? I am now thinking maybe something like https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028, https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152065 or even https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014.

Next, seems that the CPU cooler I selected may not be the best move. Will the stock cooling fan keep this CPU cool or do I need to look at a better cooling fan? With the one I selected I do not want to lose a DIMM slot so I may need to rethink this one. What do ya'll think/recommend?

I am now looking at like https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835856006.

I am also wondering if going the 1050/1060 route with the GPU is really necessary. I realize that everyone raves about the 1060, but I think that it may be overkill in my case. Not sure since my old laptop will not allow me to explore AHIII. Is the RX480 worth looking at? Is there a good alternative?

Just a quick note, I am not seeing much worth considering when it comes to AMD video cards at newegg. Am I missing something here?

And finally, what is the difference between the WD Blue and Black? Both are advertised as 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch so I'm not sure what the difference is other than price.  What I am seeing is not so hot reviews for the black and I have always had good luck with WD in the past.

Again, thanks so much for all the input and I look forward to this build . . . if and when I get all the components nailed down.

Vance

[DaddyAce]

Hi Vance,

The GPU may come with a PSU recommendation.    For example my GTX 1060 called for a 400 w supply, so I recycled the 400 W PSU out of my old puter for my new build and it's worked fine.  You can also use something like this estimator to estimate your overall PSU needs:  https://images10.newegg.com/BizIntell/tool/psucalc/

I think you can go with the stock cpu fan if you don't plan to overclock.  More knowledgeable folks will likely weigh in on this and other issues.  My puter engineer son has a web site that is totally oriented towards home bullds, and you may find it useful, I did but of course I'm biased:  http://www.logicalincrements.com/

There is some discussion and performance comparison of GPUS here:  http://www.logicalincrements.com/articles/bestgraphicscard

One basic thing to consider for how much GPU you need is how much monitor you're going to drive....eg, on a 1080 p monitor @ 60 Hz you'll likely run AH3 at 60 fps with all graphics maxed out with a GTX 1060, but the 1060 would likely be minimal at best for VR.

I hope this helps!

[Skuzzy]

On that power supply, I would spend the extra bucks to go with a Seasonic supply.

[MaineX]

And finally, what is the difference between the WD Blue and Black? Both are advertised as 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch so I'm not sure what the difference is  :bolt:other than price.  What I am seeing is not so hot reviews for the black and I have always had good luck with WD
 in the past.

It seems the differences are: 5 yrs warranty in the Black vs 2 yrs on the Blue. Technically speaking have the same design.

-MX-

[Bizman]

Black is a little bit faster, but it also consumes more energy.

[oboe]

...I am also wondering if going the 1050/1060 route with the GPU is really necessary. I realize that everyone raves about the 1060, but I think that it may be overkill in my case. Not sure since my old laptop will not allow me to explore AHIII. Is the RX480 worth looking at? Is there a good alternative?

The RX 480 is worth looking at in a mid-range system.   I think it falls between the GTX 1060 and 1050 in capability and price.  Here is a link to a GPUBoss comparison that shows numbers for all 3:

http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-RX-480-vs-GeForce-GTX-1050

There is also the GTX 1050 Ti which might be worth taking a look at.  Not sure if there's a 1060 Ti?   

[Bizman]

I wouldn't rely on that comparison: It says "n.d." in the Gaming section for the 1060. If I've understood it correctly, "n.d." means "no data". How can you compare gaming performance if you don't have any data to compare with the opponent?

[TequilaChaser]

And finally, what is the difference between the WD Blue and Black? Both are advertised as 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch so I'm not sure what the difference is  :bolt:other than price.  What I am seeing is not so hot reviews for the black and I have always had good luck with WD
 in the past.

It seems the differences are: 5 yrs warranty in the Black vs 2 yrs on the Blue. Technically speaking have the same design.

From my personal experience all WD HD's are good for nothing except maybe a paper weight, having seen friends and family members lose their WD drives from bricking or bad sectors to circuit board troubles.......

I even had (2) WD Raptor 450 GB drives that fouled up on one of my gaming Rigs years back...... so I wouldn't recommend them to anyone, if I was spending their money for them

I wish WD had never bought out Hitachi, but at least they haven't messed with the Hitachi design or name, since they bought them, from what I have tried to find....

Still haven't lost a Hitachi drive yet in any PC or Laptop I have installed them for myself, family, friends or Players....... That is good enough for me

I have a box of WD, Seagate, Maxtor, Toshiba and other brand HD's if anyone needs a bunch of paperweights, Heh!

TC

[VanceVP]

Well guys, I appreciate all the comments and suggestions and I have gone through my build list and made some changes that I would like to get opinions on real quick so I can get all this stuff ordered.

The new list saves me a few bucks but allows me to add a SSD to the configuration if it will allow me to play AHIII with most, if not all, the bells and whistles turned on and is as follows:

Case:  https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353093&ignorebbr=1 (Don't need a gaming case)

HDD:  https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2W019M6559&ignorebbr=1 (As suggested for more speed)

MB:   https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132713&ignorebbr=1

GPU: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487275&ignorebbr=1 (not sure if this is the best choice for this MB and CPU)

PSU: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095&ignorebbr=1 (downgraded from 750W)

RAM: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231476&ignorebbr=1 (Still at 8GB)

CPU: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113326&ignorebbr=1 (same as original list)

SSD: (dropped for 1060 GPU)

This configuration will run me $654.59 plus shipping and will ultimately be less with all the rebates being offered on many of the components.

I plan on getting going with Windows 7 64bit for an OS and have PS2 keyboards and mice laying around from days gone by.

So what do ya'll think?

Will this configuration get the job done?

Thanks in advance,
Vance


note: modified to reflect dropping SSD and going with a EVGA 1060 GPU

[Bizman]

If you're going for an SSD for speed and use the HDD just as a storage, why bother with the Black?

You know that an SSD won't make your games run any faster, don't you? What it does, it makes your system and programs start faster. So it's a matter of preference.

The 1050Ti is a good card, but you'd have to cut some eye candy down a tad. If you want all bells and whistles, opt the SSD out and use the money saved for a 1060 or better. The 1060 is good enough for a single 1080p monitor @60 Hz, for 4k/144Hz/VR/triple monitors you'd need a better one.

[TequilaChaser]

If you're going for an SSD for speed and use the HDD just as a storage, why bother with the Black?

You know that an SSD won't make your games run any faster, don't you? What it does, it makes your system and programs start faster. So it's a matter of preference.

The 1050Ti is a good card, but you'd have to cut some eye candy down a tad. If you want all bells and whistles, opt the SSD out and use the money saved for a 1060 or better. The 1060 is good enough for a single 1080p monitor @60 Hz, for 4k/144Hz/VR/triple monitors you'd need a better one.

Agreed

Also make sure you go and register each individual component at the component's manufacturers website.... this is a critical step, for warranty purposes