New Desktop Parts

Acid_Wire

Yup, another "help with a new PC" thread. Basically, I'm saving about 1/2 of my pay for a few months until I have about £1,200 to throw around. I've been using my laptop for everything, and it's getting a bit behind the times - 4GB RAM and a nVidia 9300M GS card (512mb).

I've been looking at a few parts on various sites, and please correct anything I'm wrong about or could improve for more or less the same price.

NZXT Phantom 410 in white (cheapest colour, it looks awesome and has plenty of fans).

Intel i7 anything. Not too knowledgeable about this, but I remember someone on here saying that and i7 processor is the way to go.

16GB RAM. Nothing special here.

GeForce GTX 560 Ti or GTX 670?

Any suggestions appreciated.

ericdigital

I built basically the same system (different case) in december with the 560 ti, same amount of ram and a i7 and its been absolutely awesome to me. I'm sure the 670 is a killer improvement if its in your budget though.

JonMurphy

I keep an eye on the bit-tech hardware guide to give me an idea of what bits are working well together. I'm sure using these as a base with a few modifications will get you a system that will do you proud

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/buyers-guide/2012/05/18/pc-hardware-buyer-s-guide-may-2012/1

Is it sad that I'm only just getting round to replacing the 9300GS that came with my desktop?

MainManiac

I have a gtx 560 ti, it really depends on what res you want to run games on if you're on the fence between GTX 670. My ti suits me fine and runs everything without many issues. I usually have to tone some stuff down because I cant stand anything under 60 fps, but all still looks good at 1900x1080 and 1600x900, but one of those 2560x1440 monitors will destroy a 560 ti.


Heres a longer list of 3d mark rankings: http://www.guru3d.com/imageview.php?image=39394


Thats one sexy case also

EarthQuake

Go for the 560, probably not worth the price increase for the higher end model, and in two years there will be a card even cheaper and faster that you can upgrade to if you really need it. An I7 + 560ti will do just about anything you could want it to do really.

biofrost

My girl has the same case! She loves it so far. As for parts I just built a new pc a few weeks ago at almost the exact specs.

I7 3.40 ghz, 16 gigs and a gtx 670. Runs great, I had two things of Maya open Photoshp, UDK, and Sonic 4 epsoide 2 and all ran fine. I would suggest you also get a small SSD for windows and important programs.

Acid_Wire

Much thanks all.
I'll probably end up going for the 560 then, at least to start with. Has to be a hell of a lot better than my current setup anyway - which struggles whenever the dust kicks up in New Vegas. I'll make sure to get an SSD for primary apps. As long as I can make stuff without Max or UDK threatening to erase my progress and I can make it all shiny, it's all good. Now I just need to save for the next couple of months (and not spend it all on posters and artbooks....)

Also, any particular advice (or horror stories) about monitors? That and processors are the things that I'm not too knowledgeable about.

SsSandu_C

For that money you will make a kick ass pc. An I7 is really good but it depends with which one you go. Thew new Ivy Bridge ones are really good. An I7 3770k(3.4 ghz) is really great. You will find the version without the k at the end. The k tells you that you can overclock the processor. The only thing I have to say about this one is that it heats up really fast. It jumps really quick to higher temps due to the turbo boost which will overclock it automatically to 3.9 ghz. That's why even from the start I recommend an aftermarket cooler. Depending on your constant room temp you can get an air cooling solution. A scythe ninja 3 or a noctua, a thermalight silverarrow. You will need to look into this as they are some big coolers and make sure you have enough room. If you decide to get one of the aftermarket coolers then you might want to go for some low profile memories without some big radiator for them as they will hit the cooler. So be careful and take a look at some of the already made builds and see what they used. As for monitors.... what kind of setup will you got for.... 2 monitor? Personally I have one 23 inch LED monitor. I wouldn't go for the really expensive ones. The best thing in my opinion is to go a local IT store and just look at some LED monitor while they are running. Most LED monitors are quite good and are rather cheap. I would go mid range I mean not too cheap and not to expensive as you are going to use it daily and you have to be really happy with your purchase. And definitely go with LED monitor(DVI connector mandatory) They consume less than the LCD's and they look better. Hope it helps.

EarthQuake

Acid_Wire wrote: »

Also, any particular advice (or horror stories) about monitors?

The biggest biggest thing is you want one with a quality panel. Most cheap monitors have TN panels which have really poor viewing angles and color reproduction, which is bad for art. e-IPS, E-IPS, H-IPS, S-IPS, M-VA, P-VA are some types of panels that are higher quality than the common TN panels, really anything *-IPS or *-VA is going to be a large step up from TN.

Generally Dell's ultrasharp line(good value), Apple Cinema displays(expensive) NEC's(Very expensive) are the typical brands to consider for high-end monitors, but more manufacturers like BenQ are starting to put in better panels as well these days. There are a lot of lower end LED e-IPS screens that are very affordable, but still much better than TN's out there, many of the smaller(23" and less) Dell's for instance.

Check this thread out, it goes over the issue in depth as well as some nice recommendations, feel free to post there if you have any questions too so we can keep it all in one spot.

http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92682

Personal recommendations:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=soho&cs=ussoho1&sku=320-2676&~ck=dellSearch&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=3 Good value.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=soho&cs=ussoho1&sku=320-8277&~ck=dellSearch&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=6 More expensive, but a bit higher end, better color gamut etc, would be important if you're doing a lot of print work.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=soho&cs=ussoho1&sku=320-2807&~ck=dellSearch&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=1 If you're looking for two screens, watch out for sales on this model. You can sometimes pick up two for around $500 or less total.

Also very very good price on this, pick up two for this price!! This is actually higher spec'd than the 23 and 24 inch dells above, and on par with the more expensive 24 dell above. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/BenQ-GW2450HM-24-Inch-LED-lit-Monitor/dp/B007ZWI5VW"]Amazon.com: BenQ VA GW2450HM 24-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

One note: The Dell 24" above are 1920x1200 while the BenQ 24" is 1920x1080. I prefer the aspect ratio on 1920x1200 myself.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/BenQ-GW2450HM-24-Inch-LED-lit-Monitor/dp/B007ZWI5VW"] [/ame]