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Recommend me a computer configuration

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by Taluntain, Jan 31, 2013.

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  1. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    [​IMG] I'm finally coming around to buying a new PC for real, but I'm not really keeping up with what's the latest and the hottest so I need some help from the resident techies.

    I'm mostly looking for CPU and graphics card (nVidia only - thanks!) recommendations and anything else you think would be good to have/know.

    Depending on the price, I might go for an SSD for the primary drive, but I want at least 240GB there.

    RAM - going for less than 16GB today probably doesn't make sense?

    As far as my requirements go, I want the most bang for the buck. I don't play any of the latest and greatest games that have very high requirements, but I do need to be able to run games like Skyrim and anything else RPG-wise at decent settings on a 24" monitor.

    This is going to be both my work station and gaming PC.

    Basically, I want something that's good enough now and will be for a while longer. And once it's not any more, it should be upgradeable CPU-wise.

    The only non-standard thing is probably that I need to be able to connect 3 monitors - preferably without needing 2 separate graphics cards for it. I work with 2 monitors, but I'm planning on connecting a third at a standing station, so the third one will only be turned on when I'm actively using it.
     
    Taluntain, Jan 31, 2013
    #1
  2. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    16GB RAM is probably way more than you need, though if it's cheap, why not. I have 8GB now and never go over 50% (Windows 7).

    Resolution of your monitor is the important thing, not the physical size. Pretty sure any modern graphics card will support three monitors, though you'll probably have to mix connection types. There's usually only enough room for two DVI connectors and the third will be a more compact connector like HDMI or DisplayPort.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Jan 31, 2013
    #2
  3. joacqin

    joacqin Confused Jerk Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Come on lads! Answer your master! I am in the exact same position and have pretty much the same requirements so chop chop! I would be willing to pay up to 1000€.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2013
    joacqin, Jan 31, 2013
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  4. Darion

    Darion Resident Dissident Veteran BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    I too would like to see what's hot these days...pc-hardware wise.

    My old desktop is truly old..and I haven't bothered to keep tabs on the ever speeding HW-market in a decade.
     
    Darion, Jan 31, 2013
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  5. Topken

    Topken Elven-dragon wizard

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    Price point is pretty much needed here before we can even sort through components. I picked up a PC for about $1300 that would suit your needs fine but some people don't want to pay that much for instance. I have an I5 3570k and a GTX 660 that works fine with triple monitors hooked up 2 via DVI and one via HDMI. but my main monitor is only 1680x1050 so I did not need a 670/680 for this setup since I only game on a single monitor but use at least 1 other when I am doing other things.
     
    Topken, Jan 31, 2013
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  6. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    I was keeping Windows 8 in mind which I expect sucks up more RAM than 7? But yea, as long as it's not too expensive might as well get 16GB now vs. later.

    I know resolution's the main bit, but the majority of 24" monitors have a native resolution of 1920x1080 so I think I covered that...

    My other two monitors are 1280x1024 and 1680x1050, so nothing special.

    Definitely well under $1000.

    CPU-wise I was looking at these (Intel) options: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-3.html
     
    Taluntain, Jan 31, 2013
    #6
  7. henkie

    henkie Hammertime Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    What kind of work do you do on your PC? Certain work has certain requirements on a PC.
    Like for programming you'd probably like a fast CPU for compiling more quickly, a good typing keyboard and lots of space on your desktop (high resolution monitor), or for photo/video editing you'd like lots of RAM, a fast CPU and a good monitor.

    But for gaming you'd like a good videocard and the rest doesn't really matter that much, excepting maybe those few games that are CPU limited, and even then it's not that much of an issue.

    As far as I'm keeping up with PC hardware at the moment, Intel has the best options for now, and if you're looking for mid- to high end performance, you'll probably want to look for an i5. But for upgradability, you'd probably want to look at AMD first. Intel has had a tendency over the past couple of years to use lots of different sockets, which might lead to your socket not being supported anymore in a year or two.

    Graphics cards is more or less even between nVidia and AMD right now, so take your pick.

    RAM is and was pretty cheap. I'd get more than 4GB at least, I noticed that with Win7 and Stalker or The Witcher, I'd get to 3.5 GB quite easily. I got 16GB for just over 80 euro last year, just because it was so cheap.

    I understand that you'll only need to get one extra monitor? They can put quite a dent in your budget. Also remember that the vertical viewing angle of a typical monitor is much less than the horizontal viewing angle. So you'll probably want to make sure that you're looking straight onto the monitor you're going to put in portrait mode.

    Harddisks are good for storage, so even if you get an SSD, get an HDD for storage as well. SSDs are great, but they fill up so quickly with some music and movies. Or even games.

    Also, don't cheap out on the power supply. You don't want your fancy hardware to fry because your PSU can't give a steady voltage line.
     
    henkie, Jan 31, 2013
    #7
  8. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Server management, website editing, light graphics work, lots of web browsing / page viewing with a lot of open tabs, typical office computer work... nothing requiring any kind of monster configuration, really.

    I've got everything else already except for a new 24" monitor as far as periphery goes. Well, I'll need another mouse and keyboard for the standing station but I'm not planning on anything fancy there.

    Maybe it'll help to list what I've been working with for the last few years:

    • Windows XP
    • Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 6000+ (3.1GHz)
    • 4 GB RAM (XP doesn't even utilize all of it)
    • GeForce 9800GT
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2013
    Taluntain, Jan 31, 2013
    #8
  9. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Looks like you need, absolutely need, a GeForce Titan for a mere $899. :D
     
    Blackthorne TA, Feb 1, 2013
    #9
  10. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Oh, naturally...
     
    Taluntain, Feb 1, 2013
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  11. Darion

    Darion Resident Dissident Veteran BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    As I started to get more informed for my future rig...i came across the 670 gtx.

    It looks like a really good purchase.
    I haven't seen anything , recently, that lives up to this kind of price-performance ratio.
    But still lots of money. :(

    I assume, that you want to assemble your own rig...and that'll last for the next 5 years or more?
     
    Darion, Feb 1, 2013
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  12. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Nah, more (potential) trouble than it's worth. I'm just going to have my local shop build it for me according to my specs. 5 years is really too long to plan for without upgrades... I'd likely go for a CPU or graphics upgrade in 2 or 3 years but aside from that I don't really expect I'd need to change anything else.
     
    Taluntain, Feb 1, 2013
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  13. iLLusioN' Gems: 16/31
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    Are you re-using any parts? Mostly wondering about the power supply. Do you need a new case for this PC?
     
    iLLusioN', Feb 2, 2013
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  14. Vorona

    Vorona Shadow-Whisperer

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    I noticed you have a link to Tom's Hardware. If you haven't already done so, you could post for help in their New Build forums. I was looking at configuring a computer about a year ago (didn't have the money then, thought I would now, but don't), and just reading through the various posts on builds was very helpful. The members are pretty active, and you get lots of ideas in a rather short amount of time, judging by what I saw back then.

    I haven't been staying up to date, though, so I don't have any other suggestions, other than to second (third?) the importance of a good power supply.
     
    Vorona, Feb 2, 2013
    #14
  15. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    The only things I might be keeping are the current hard drives... so the case, power supply, etc. are going to be all new but these are included with the basic shop configurations I'm going to build off of.

    Vorona - yea, could do that too, though I've got a pretty good idea of what I want by now. It all really boils down to how much you're willing to spend in the end.
     
    Taluntain, Feb 2, 2013
    #15
  16. Merlanni

    Merlanni Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    Ivy bridge third generation I-5 3xxx K means unlocked multiplier for overclocking
    Install a better CPU cooler, not the basic Intel cooler.

    Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H motherboard

    8 gig or 16 does not matter that much. Next consoles are either 4 or 8 gig.

    24" inch does not matter, the resolution is. I have a 27" inch with the same resolution as 24. 1920x1080.

    Power Unit: any A brand with 80+ certification. for heavy users, silver, gold or platinum.The sweet spot of a power unit lies between 50 an 75%. never go over 75% under full load. Calculate the wattage of your parts, add a little bit to compensate lying by manufactures. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913.html

    SSD 128GB or higher. Only install essential software on C drive like Windows, virus, drivers. No normal programs. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-recommendation-benchmark,3269.html

    GPU, just pick one: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html
     
    Merlanni, Feb 3, 2013
    #16
  17. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Thanks for the advice, all.

    I think I've decided on the Nvidia GTX 650-Ti for graphics and the Intel Core i3-3220 for the CPU... now I just need to work out a few details and I'll post the whole configuration I've come up with for your perusal. :D
     
    Taluntain, Feb 3, 2013
    #17
  18. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    One issue I see is that the i3-3220 is PCIe 2.0 while the GTX 650-Ti is PCIe 3.0. I don't know how much of a difference to performance that will make, but PCIe 3.0 is higher speed and more efficient.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Feb 3, 2013
    #18

  19. Erod Gems: 14/31
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    Erod, Feb 3, 2013
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  20. Darion

    Darion Resident Dissident Veteran BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Do that. I'm looking for inspiration for my new rig.
     
    Darion, Feb 3, 2013
    #20
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