Support NeoGAF

[ParityBit]

Is there anyone here that I can PM some questions about overclock/getting my RAM to speed? I am seeing some weird things and I do not want to pollute this thread with this, and am more looking for a volunteer so I also don't bug anyone!

Thanks

 

[Caramuru]

Sabretooth is massive overkill, unsure on GB boards. HX650 more than enough for any single card. 2x8GB leaves you room for expansion... but if 4x4GB is like $30 cheaper go for that imo.

Thanks, man!

 

[r4z4]

GTX 670 get!

 

[JonCha]

Right, it's time. Parts are being ordered today, but before I do can someone just go through the hyperlinked products and check they're all compatible? I'm ultra OCD about this stuff, but I like to be sure. Thanks!

Build:

CPU: Intel i5 2400 3.1GHz
Motherboard: BIOSTAR TZ77B
RAM: G.Skill Ares 1600 2x4GB
Graphics: HD6850 1GB
Storage: Samsung F3 500GB
Power supply: Antec VP450 450W.
Case: BitFenix Shinobi
Optical drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST


Mouse: Logitech G500
Keyboard: Filco Majestouch-2, Tenkeyless

The optical drive isn't in stock. Alternatives? Don't have a USB so need to use my physical copy of Windows 7, unless there's some way to burn that onto a USB via my Mac.

Edit: I'll need HDMI cables to connect to my SyncMaster P2370HD monitor, right? I assume any from Amazon will do?

 

[vitaflo]

I have a Radeon 7970 with 3 gig RAM. I had 12.3 drivers and tried to put on 12.4 drivers but it still reported as 12.3 drivers. The auto-update told me to update again to 12.4 so I tried it via the update and again, 12.3 drivers are reported in the Catalyst software section.

Don't know about your other issues, but the 12.3 catalyst control center thing is a common problem that isn't really a problem. Sometimes the version numbers of CCC when you update it don't update. This doesn't actually matter. What does is that the display driver version does update. If it's 8.961 then you're running 12.4 even if Catalyst doesn't say you are.

 

[MBison]

Don't know about your other issues, but the 12.3 catalyst control center thing is a common problem that isn't really a problem. Sometimes the version numbers of CCC when you update it don't update. This doesn't actually matter. What does is that the display driver version does update. If it's 8.961 then you're running 12.4 even if Catalyst doesn't say you are.

Ok I'll check.

Any idea on the other issue? It's weird and annoying. Should I try to roll back?

 

[Yusaku]

Here's the results of my build. I wanted a nice little mini-ITX setup that I could easily throw in a bag and bring to a friends.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($157.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Silverstone SG07-B Mini ITX Desktop Case w/600W Power Supply ($189.00 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SN-208BB DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 21.5" Monitor ($128.96 @ CompUSA)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($82.21 @ eCost)
(these are just the current prices PC Part picker is showing. I got raped with shipping with the case from Newegg, but got the monitor cheaper at Microcenter, etc, etc.)

I'm also using a Kingston SSD that I previously used in my MacBook, as well as a MS Laser Mouse 5000.

 

[Sethos]

You know your build is off to a great start when you can't find the screws you need The LGA 2011 screws on the instructions picture are nowhere to be found - Sweet.

 

[kennah]

Here's the results of my build. I wanted a nice little mini-ITX setup that I could easily throw in a bag and bring to a friends.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($157.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Silverstone SG07-B Mini ITX Desktop Case w/600W Power Supply ($189.00 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SN-208BB DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 21.5" Monitor ($128.96 @ CompUSA)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($82.21 @ eCost)
(these are just the current prices PC Part picker is showing. I got raped with shipping with the case from Newegg, but got the monitor cheaper at Microcenter, etc, etc.)

I'm also using a Kingston SSD that I previously used in my MacBook, as well as a MS Laser Mouse 5000.

What are you going to be using for cooling?

 

[Takuya]

You know your build is off to a great start when you can't find the screws you need The LGA 2011 screws on the instructions picture are nowhere to be found - Sweet.

For the CPU heatsink? AFAIK The LGA2011 has 4 pegs to mount the CPU heatsink.

 

[terrdactycalsrock]

I know it was just released, but whats the word on the 670? Does the press get thier hands on these graphic cards so they can review them early? I know anandtech has it benchmarked, and it looks impressive

 

[Sethos]

For the CPU heatsink? AFAIK The LGA2011 has 4 pegs to mount the CPU heatsink.

Oh I know what I need and what to do, the Phantek screws I need have mysteriously vanished.

Though I just discovered they had limboed down to the bottom into a pocket in the foam.

 

[1-D_FTW]

Right, it's time. Parts are being ordered today, but before I do can someone just go through the hyperlinked products and check they're all compatible? I'm ultra OCD about this stuff, but I like to be sure. Thanks!

Build:

CPU: Intel i5 2400 3.1GHz
Motherboard: BIOSTAR TZ77B
RAM: G.Skill Ares 1600 2x4GB
Graphics: HD6850 1GB
Storage: Samsung F3 500GB
Power supply: Antec VP450 450W.
Case: BitFenix Shinobi
Optical drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST


Mouse: Logitech G500
Keyboard: Filco Majestouch-2, Tenkeyless

The optical drive isn't in stock. Alternatives? Don't have a USB so need to use my physical copy of Windows 7, unless there's some way to burn that onto a USB via my Mac.

Edit: I'll need HDMI cables to connect to my SyncMaster P2370HD monitor, right? I assume any from Amazon will do?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0068INSUM/?tag=neogaf0e-20

From what I've been able to gather, not only does the exact same factory make both models, but there's no difference between the Filco and CoolerMaster. They're identical minus the logos. So unless you're looking for a cherry color not available with the Cooler Master, it's money wasted IMO.

EDIT: Guess it maybe hasn't been released in the UK. That sucks if so.

2nd EDIT: Can definitely get them much cheaper on ebay.co.uk though. Just letting you know the option.

 

[Yusaku]

What are you going to be using for cooling?

Right now I'm using stock cooling with Arctic Silver 5. I didn't originally intend to do any overclocking, but the 2500K was the best deal, and the first mini-ITX mobo I got was DOA so I just went with decent Z77 this time.

I might dabble with OCing and aftermarket cooling down the line.

 

[JonCha]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0068INSUM/?tag=neogaf0e-20

From what I've been able to gather, not only does the exact same factory make both models, but there's no difference between the Filco and CoolerMaster. They're identical minus the logos. So unless you're looking for a cherry color not available with the Cooler Master, it's money wasted IMO.

EDIT: Guess it maybe hasn't been released in the UK. That sucks if so.

2nd EDIT: Can definitely get them much cheaper on ebay.co.uk though. Just letting you know the option.

Thanks - it has been released in the UK according to Google Shopping. £65 new too! That's awesome. Definitely bought, even if the branding is a little grotesque. Thank you!

 

[1-D_FTW]

Thanks - it has been released in the UK according to Google Shopping. £65 new too! That's awesome. Definitely bought, even if the branding is a little grotesque. Thank you!

I guess the return button is a little different. So it's slightly different. But the rest still stands. It's manufactured by the same factory and aside from that, are basically identical minus the branding.

EDIT: Oh. I get it. Amazon.co.uk sells two different versions. The US model has the smaller return key and the UK version has the larger button. I never knew this was the reason for different styles.

 

[Sethos]

What the fuck. The fan clips of the Phanteks is actually touching the GPU ever so slightly, what is this shit?!

 

[HitCtrlAltDel]

Is there any real use for a 4GB video card? I'm about to buy a 2GB GTX 670 but I know eVGA is coming out with a 4GB version soon and didn't know if I should wait for that. The 2GB is in stock right now.

 

[MisterNoisy]

Ordered the three-fan Gigabyte GTX670, apparently right before they sold out at Newegg. Hooray, new parts!

 

[Yusaku]

Is there any real use for a 4GB video card? I'm about to buy a 2GB GTX 670 but I know eVGA is coming out with a 4GB version soon and didn't know if I should wait for that. The 2GB is in stock right now.

That depends, is there a 4K monitor that you can buy that can justify that RAM?

 

[K' Dash]

Guys I need help, I used Hazaro's google doc and I'm trying to find the parts here in costa rica, but this is the closest I could find for the $711 build:

Core i5 3.30GHz (i5-2500)
MoBo Intel DH67CL LGA1155
x2 4GB Kingston 1333MHz
HDD Seagate 500GB SATA
Lite On DVD burners 52x
ATI HD6870 1GB PCI-E
Case minii tower ATX 4 docs

Is this a good build?, do I need something else, a specific heatsinkm or IDK really, I know shit about computer hardware.

I just sold my 360 and all my games to build this rig, I want it to run games smoothly and I'm all ears to any recomendation.

 

[fuzzyreactor]

thinking about upgrading my pc, starting to have trouble ruining some newer games.

my build

5770 gpu
Phenom II X4 955 @ 3.7
4gb(2x2) DDR3 @1333
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO motherboard


i can get another set of teh same ram for $30 to make it 8gb but i want a new videocard too. Looking for something in the $250 range that wont bottleneck me. any suggestions? i was thinking maybe 7850? im kinda sick of ATI cards though

 

[TheExodu5]

What would be better to have,

a gaming mouse + generic keyboard

OR

a gaming keyboard+generic mouse?

I can't afford both, the games I play are Tribes, Dota 2 and soon Diablo 3.

Gaming mouse + generic keyboard, easily.

You can get a decent enough mouse on the cheap. Logitech G400 is quite good for about $35. Put the money saved towards a nice mousepad.

 

[Credo]

Gaming mouse + generic keyboard, easily.

You can get a decent enough mouse on the cheap. Logitech G400 is quite good for about $35. Put the money saved towards a nice mousepad.

Out of curiosity, what pad would you recommend? I just picked up a Logitech G400.

 

[HitCtrlAltDel]

That depends, is there a 4K monitor that you can buy that can justify that RAM?

I'm only running a 1920x1200 monitor and don't plan on getting a 2560x1600 monitor for a while. So I went with the 2GB card. Unless a game uses an insane amount of textures I'll never end up using the 4GB I figure. And by the time it becomes useful I'll be looking for a new video card anyways.

 

[MisterNoisy]

Guys I need help, I used Hazaro's google doc and I'm trying to find the parts here in costa rica, but this is the closest I could find for the $711 build:

Core i5 3.30GHz (i5-2500)
MoBo Intel DH67CL LGA1155
x2 4GB Kingston 1333MHz
HDD Seagate 500GB SATA
Lite On DVD burners 52x
ATI HD6870 1GB PCI-E
Case minii tower ATX 4 docs

Is this a good build?, do I need something else, a specific heatsinkm or IDK really, I know shit about computer hardware.

I just sold my 360 and all my games to build this rig, I want it to run games smoothly and I'm all ears to any recomendation.

My personal preference would be to replace the 2500 and H67 with a 2500K and a P67/Z68/Z77 motherboard respectively (over here, that'd add about 25-40 USD to total) so that you can overclock. I don't know what your parts availability situation is like, though.

 

[Pirabear]

Would an i5 3550 be a good option for the enhanced build if you don't plan on overclocking? Currently $10 cheaper than a 2500k.

 

[gate777]

I'll be buying a video card next week and have narrowed down to 2 choices.

AMD HD7850 or Nvidia GTX650.

I want a PCI-E 3.0 card and all the older nvidias are 2.0. I'm not paying over $300 (including tax) so the top of the line cards are out of the question. Anyone know when the Nvidia 650 will hit the market?
According to http://www.gpureview.com/GeForce-GTX-650-card-673.html, it released at the beginning of may.

 

[K' Dash]

My personal preference would be to replace the 2500 and H67 with a 2500K and a P67/Z68/Z77 motherboard respectively (over here, that'd add about 25-40 USD to total) so that you can overclock. I don't know what your parts availability situation is like, though.

OK I'll ask the provider for those, thank you, anything else I should change?

Edit: google is my friend, looking trough Intel site i can see a bunch of Z77 motherboards I'm looking at the DZ77GA-70K, is that one ok?

 

[JonCha]

What on Earth is the difference between the Sapphire HD6850 and the Asus HD6850?

 

[kennah]

The Asus one seems to be clocked 15MHz higher.

 

[Sethos]

Few pictures of the build so far, I must say everything's been enjoyable except that god damn Phanteks. Mounting it was fairly easy, the fan clips were hell to mount and then the bottom fan clips would hit the GPU ... Massive engineering oversight in my opinion. First I cut some off but it was still too close for comfort, so I eventually had to remove the bottom fan clips and let the fans 'hang'.

Wasn't meant to have started today but I just wanted to get the worst part of any build out of the way, CPU mounting and getting it in the case. Rest should be the fun part. Cable management comes last and my god, with 80 Million fans there's plenty of little cables to tuck away.

( 2 x 3 Slot GPUs almost looks small inside that case )

 

[Fallout-NL]

Few pictures of the build so far, I must say everything's been enjoyable except that god damn Phanteks. Mounting it was fairly easy, the fan clips were hell to mount and then the bottom fan clips would hit the GPU ... Massive engineering oversight in my opinion. First I cut some off but it was still too close to comfort, so I eventually had to remove the bottom fan clips and let the fans 'hang'.

Yeah, that fucking sucks. So lame no one gives enough of a shit to check whether their crap actually fits.

 

[Sethos]

I will say, as long as they don't rattle or bounce around in that hanging position it doesn't bother me too much. If they as much as think about moving and making noise, I will shit in a box and ship it straight to Phanteks with my compliments.

 

[MrBig]

I will say, as long as they don't rattle or bounce around in that hanging position it doesn't bother me too much. If they as much as think about moving and making noise, I will shit in a box and ship it straight to Phanteks with my compliments.

You can secure the fans with zip ties. Might be a little difficult with the 3 fan set up but if you need to do it then try it out.

 

[Sethos]

Yeah, looked into the zip ties thing but I'd rather try without the bottom clips. Well, just decided I wanted to give it a test and see if everything booted fine. Only plug in the power cable, hit the power switch and ... power for one second and then shut off. Dammit! Try a few times, same result. Look through manual - LN2 Mode and "Slow mode" is enabled on this board per default, I was sure that was it ... Switched them off and nothing Oh

Then here comes amateur hour. Building PCs for years and in a moment of tiredness after a long day, I didn't question why the 24 Pin power cable only had like an 8 pin going into the PSU. There wasn't any actual 24 pin plug I could see despite that also hanging there dangling next to that 8 pin going into the PSU. Then I noticed the "Hybrid switch" marker actually had a little sign "Remove before use" lo and behold, underneath was hidden connectors and my magical 24 pin I needed. God damn I suck.

Booted up beautifully but sounds like the GPUs are just buzzing away right now, so they aren't being fan controlled during that boot apparently. Well, should all get settled in once I get the HDDs hooked up and get a monitor on there.

Also gave me a chance to do a movement test with the fans when they didn't have that clip, no chance of them bouncing around so it's all good.

 

[HungOverOnATues]

I don't know if this is the right thread for this question, but I'm wondering if anyone knows a good solution for using their keyboard & mouse at their couch. I hurt my back a month ago and haven't been able to sit at my desk and not all games support controllers (or should be played with one).

 

[mkenyon]

Sethos, are you certain you have a motherboard under there? I'm not sure I can see it.

AND ITS AN XL-ATX. Good lawd.

@HungOver
Wife actually just broke her back/had surgery about a month ago, so I've been dealing with it too. She got a Rappo (Rapoo?) wireless keyboard and some logitech Mwhatever wireless mouse. We setup an end table to the right side of the couch where her arm rests, uses that for the mousepad, then sticks the keyboard on a big coffee table book in her lap. She was able to play through a good portion of Alice: Madness Returns with that setup.

 

[Takuya]

Got all my parts except for the RAM and GPU... That 680 GTX's going to stall my build ~_~

I ordered a 670GTX today though, just to hold me up till the 680 arrives... (or more!)

 

[eviltasan]

Interesting problem with the Phanteks there Sethos - oddly enough I just ordered a very similar setup today so will be interested in your next move.

I went for the Formula mobo instead but exactly the same red phanteks and cosmos 2

Although fortunately (or unfortunately) I don't have two 3 slot gpu's (yet!)

 

[Takuya]

Almost ready to builllllld!

 

[Oxn]

Almost ready to builllllld!

Whyd you buy a z68 board?

you got an ivybridge there, should you be going for a z77 board?

 

[AlexBasch]

Random question, sorry to break your streak of posting expensive awesome PC gear.

How many games actually take advantage of more than 4GB? I'm switching to a DDR3 motherboard in a couple of months but I'm looking that the ones I can use have a 4GB max limit and other than LA Noire (8 GB RAM according to Steam) I haven't read about a game with similar RAM needs. I don't plan on doing video editing or anything other just playing games in a moderate resolution (1366x768). My current 2GB DDR2 holds up with a couple of my games except Battlefield 3, but yes, I'm wondering if I really should look for a 8GB motherboard or if I'd be okay with just 4GB.

Almost feel embarrassed of talking about those specs with the stuff you post here, geez.

 

[zoku88]

Random question, sorry to break your streak of posting expensive awesome PC gear.

How many games actually take advantage of more than 4GB? I'm switching to a DDR3 motherboard in a couple of months but I'm looking that the ones I can use have a 4GB max limit and other than LA Noire (8 GB RAM according to Steam) I haven't read about a game with similar RAM needs. I don't plan on doing video editing or anything other just playing games in a moderate resolution (1366x768) my current 2GB DDR2 seems to hold up with a couple of my games except Battlefield 3, but yes, I'm wondering if I really should look for a 8GB motherboard or if I'd be okay with just 4GB.

Almost feel embarrassed of talking about those specs with the stuff you post here, geez.

Well, if you are upgrading anyway, you should definitely go with a board that supports at least 8GB (I didn't know there were modern boards that didn't.)

I'm surprised you don't feel like killing yourself with only 2GB.

Whether or not there are some games that benefit from 8GB over 4GB... I wouldn't know. AFAIK, personally, I don't think I've gone over 4GB of RAM used over regular usage (I've only taken all the RAM when compiling...)

 

[MrBig]

Well, if you are upgrading anyway, you should definitely go with a board that supports at least 8GB (I didn't know there were modern boards that didn't.)

I'm surprised you don't feel like killing yourself with only 2GB.

Whether or not there are some games that benefit from 8GB over 4GB... I wouldn't know. AFAIK, personally, I don't think I've gone over 4GB of RAM used over regular usage (I've only taken all the RAM when compiling...)

4gb of ram is severely limiting - remember that the W7 uses a bit of ram too. I'm running 4gb DDR2 at the moment and I'm always running out, in games and especially when working in photoshop.

 

[Takuya]

Whyd you buy a z68 board?

you got an ivybridge there, should you be going for a z77 board?

There are only slight differences between Z77 and Z68 boards aren't there? Mostly to do with the onboard graphics on the chip correct?

 

[MrBig]

There are only slight differences between Z77 and Z68 boards aren't there? Mostly to do with the onboard graphics on the chip correct?

There is no more onboard graphics (e: I guess you meant the iGPU, both Z77 and Z68 should support the HD4000 and thus allow you to have 3 extra displays in addition to what you have hooked up to the GPU). the Z7* line is native for Ivy, Z6* is native for Sandy. The Z68 will work with the Ivy after a bios update (idk if its out yet), but you're still losing the optimizations made for Ivy.

 

[AlexBasch]

I see. I can only use socket 775 motherboards at the moment since my budget right now can't cover getting another, not 775 with 8GB max and even more, motherboard and a new processor, but I'm still looking around for 8GB Max mobos. Games run fine (not gaf fine at 1080p and steady 60fps fine) but I'd like to get something decent before getting a whole new PC later down the road, but the whole 4GB/8GB thing is the only thing stopping me from getting a motherboard right now, since the heaviest thing I do on the PC is play some games and normal use.

EDIT: Disregard my previous posts, a friend just pointed me to a store where they sell 8GB motherboards. Thanks for the input though!

 

[Shambles]

Anyone familiar with MSI? What's the difference between the Z77A-G45 and Z77A-G65?

 

[Takuya]

There is no more onboard graphics (e: I guess you meant the iGPU, both Z77 and Z68 should support the HD4000 and thus allow you to have 3 extra displays in addition to what you have hooked up to the GPU). the Z7* line is native for Ivy, Z6* is native for Sandy. The Z68 will work with the Ivy after a bios update (idk if its out yet), but you're still losing the optimizations made for Ivy.

Hmmmmm.... Guess I'll grab the z77 Pro.. lol