Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

For a more regular desktop tower, I love my Fractal Design Define R4 :P

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

You guys like the R9 over the Nvidia 970?

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

I have the same case and it's awesome.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Nice. I'm looking forward to using the 804, their cases seem to get pretty good reviews. I just wanted something relatively small, but in mATX form factor and not mITX, while still having lots of drive bays. The 804 has 10 drive bays, so I should be good on expandability.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

I'm biased, but I think if you look at price/performance, it's better, depending on what games are currently bundled with the cards.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Is there any practical difference (other than size) between a smaller motherboard and a larger one? Why don't you like mITX? I posted a link to an MITX case several posts ago that appears to be good for gaming since it is large enough to take a full size GPU.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Since it's a server, I wanted as many SATA ports as possible, as well as extra PCIE slots for potentially adding more SATA ports or a raid controller. mITX is too limiting, I don't think there was a single motherboard that had more than 4 SATA ports unless it also had a soldered in micro PC CPU. They also usually don't have any more than one PCIE slot and only 2 DIMM slots. I also wasn't limited on space too much, as this system won't be visible or even easily accessible physically speaking, and won't have a keyboard/mouse/monitor hooked up to it.

Unless you are really restricted space wise, mATX or even ATX (at least having the flexibility to install an ATX motherboard) is a much better option.

Also, if you are planning on overclocking, check out the Asus Maximus line's of motherboards, they are pretty fantastic for overclocking. Some of the most trouble free motherboards I've ever used as well, both hardware and software wise. They can be a bit pricey though.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

How about a power supply? 750w good enough or is that overkill?

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

I'm not a computer person at all, so I understood maybe 10% of what you just posted. :lol:

I was just worried that maybe a smaller motherboard was slower and/or had worse performance than a larger motherboard. Similar to how the mobile components in a laptop are slower than their desktop counterparts.

I don't want a server or anything. I just want my HTPC to play video games, watch Netflix and Hulu, and surf the web.

I would never even attempt to overclock anything. As I said, I'm not a computer person, so I would be too afraid I would blow something up. Plus, from what I understand, overclocking raises the temperature, so you need better cooling. I just plan to go with stock cooling since I don't really want to mess with anything else.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

I'm happy with my Antec P280 :)

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Seasonic and XFX (Seasonic make them for XFX) are very good brands. Corsair is also pretty good. 750w is more than enough. You would be fine with 650w, or even less, but I'd just stick with 650w. If you ever want to run multi-gpu, you'd really need something closer to 800w+ anyway.

I'd suggest getting a semi-modular or modular power supply as well, helps keep the clutter down. Fully modular is a bit pointless, because the cables that aren't modular on the semi units are just the CPU power connectors usually, and those you'll obviously always use.

Efficiently rating of Gold or higher is nice, but not a big deal, since it may be more efficient, but it costs more, so you may never see the cost benefits.

I updated the build with a PSU that looks good (but please check out reviews first). It's also Gold rated, but at a very good price.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9Yf2GX

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Haha, no worries.

Overclocking is actually really easy, there's lots of good software that's included with some motherboards to completely automate it. Like you said, cooling needs to be a concern, but that's always a concern, just a bit more so when overclocking.

A decent option would be to get a Asus Maximus motherboard in the form factor of your choosing, and then say in 4 years, you feel like you're CPU is bottlenecking, then you can look into overclocking then. You'd at least have the option to, since you'd already have a K (basically more overclocking friendly) CPU.

mITX will limit you from ever having more than one graphics card (not a big deal to most), and only 2 slots for memory (just get 16GB from the outset, and you'll probably never need to worry about it, until you are ready to upgrade your entire system). Other than that, it won't be a big deal to you.

One thing to consider is with the case, if you plan right, it can last you 10+ years, through multiple new CPU/motherboards. I always spend high on cases, and plan to keep them for as long as possible. It pays off in the end, especially when you buy a case that's easy to work with and cools well.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

This is what I ended up with, pretty excited to get it and get my 1st build done.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/s2yLLk

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

You can see how it compares to a mid range system PC Gamer put together in March.

http://www.pcgamer.com/pc-build-guid...nge-gaming-pc/

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Mr. Overkill that I like to be, I'd love to build their high-end gaming PC. Though I'd add an HDD for my music collection.

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Get a NAS, Mr. Overkill :)


Looks nice, close to what i'd probably build if I were putting together a new system too.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Anyone playing Invisible Inc? I just heard about that game this weekend, and now I am hopelessly addicted to it. I have played it probably close to 20 hours this weekend.

It is very similar to XCom with the same turn-based style gameplay. Invisible Inc however is focused on stealth. It is also very roguelike with everything being randomly generated so that no two games are ever exactly the same.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

980 Ti released.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9306/t...-980-ti-review

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What does "NAS" mean?

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Network Attached Storage, basically a standalone storage server opposed to something directly attached.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Oh, cool. Never heard of that before.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Valve is awesome!
Steam Refunds

Steam has announced that you can get a refund of any game bought on their system within 14 days and less than two hours of playtime for any reason.

If the game crashes on your system, refund. You bought the wrong game, refund. The game sucks, refund.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Cool, but me play a Steam game in the first 14 days? Ludicrous.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Steam Controller

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8fs2Yh1PFwM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://store.steampowered.com/app/353370/?cc=us

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Off topic, but if anyone is interested in buying my TS-451 NAS from me, I'll probably be selling it in a month or so (maybe less), it's been upgraded to 8GB of ram, $350.

https://www.qnap.com/i/en/product/model.php?II=143

It's a very good NAS, powerful enough to run a lot of stuff at once. I'm building my own server to incorporate surveillance cameras, and need something beefier for that.

And in general I definitely recommend QNAP NAS systems. They have software very similar to Synology, but at a much cheaper cost. It's very easy to use, well supported, and reliable. Build quality is also very good.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Got my 1st build just about finished. Just waiting for the correct dvd drive. The one I ordered isnt going to be here till tomorrow, but I wanted to get started, how to borrow one from an older pc. Took about 3 hours, and the cables could still be a little neater, but since there is no window, it really does not matter

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...pssq0tt5iy.jpg

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Is it funny that the first thing I notice is the PS/2 mouse in the background?

Grats on the build, no major issues I assume?

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Nope, very smooth, plug and play, I was a bit shocked at how easy it was actually

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Yep, building a PC has always been a breeze, but they've somehow made it even easier these days.1

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The only part I ever find daunting is mounting the CPU on the motherboard. I always have the shop do that part for me when I buy the parts together. :)

The rest is a total breeze.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

The only thing about building a PC is even the most seasoned technical guy can have a new build not POST for various reasons. I've probably built hundreds of PC's, both for personal and for work, but there's still always that sinking feeling when you press power and nothing happens :p

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Yep. The worst is when you do a full build and then realize you have a bad Mobo.

...Or in my case, causes a tiny paper sticker on the RAM to ignite. (it was another time.)

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

You probably haven't noticed what CPU's look like nowadays, but they don't use pins any more, so it's just a matter of putting a square block with a notch in the correct orientation (the notch prevents incorrect installation).

The most "difficult" (just annoying) part of putting together a PC is connecting all the LED/switches to the motherboard. I don't understand how that hasn't been standardized to a single plug yet... absolutely stupid.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Getting jealous.

But I'm actually looking to build a 4K system. It will be expensive, depending on when I build it of course, since I won't be able to recycle almost anything.

New MB, memory, CPU. New Monitor. New GPU of course. I want one card that can push 4K decently.

I know that almost everything that's going to be able to do that is going to be released later this year, or earlier 2016. So Christmas 2016 present maybe?

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Does anyone use a gaming keypad instead of a traditional keyboard? If so, what do you think?

Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo.../dp/B004AM5RB6

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Yeah, the next-gen GPUs (NVIDIA's Pascal line; whatever AMD does after their 300 series) should be able to push 4K 60fps in most games. Current-gen is not quite there, unless you want to spring for a second GPU or disable a lot of graphic settings.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

If you're happy with ~30FPS @ 3840x2160 then both the Nvidia 980 Ti and (probably) AMD's upcoming Fury X (Fiji) will do it. Otherwise you'll need to go multi-GPU.

Both Nvidia and AMD kind of got caught by surprise at how quickly 2160p has been adopted, but they are both likely to be working on addressing these ultra HD resolutions with their next parts. That said, I think you'll still likely need multi-GPU to get 60FPS (or higher) with max settings on whatever are the newest games at that time.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

I guess the Steam Controller release finally lit a fire under Microsoft's slow ass.

Xbox One Gamepad Wireless Adapter for PC coming this fall

On one hand, that's awesome. On the other hand, I actually prefer the Xbox 360 control pad to the Xbox One pad and use those as my PC game pads.

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

Not really, they announced it was coming this fall since some time last year. Likely because they will only support it on Win10 (until someone hacks the driver, probably).

Re: PC Gaming Thread
 

I think you're getting confused. They already released the wired drivers for the Xbox One Controller for PC last fall, which work in Windows 7 & 8:
http://news.xbox.com/2014/09/xbox-on...er-for-windows

All you have to do is connect the Xbox One controller to the PC via a micro-USB cable, and the drivers automatically download and install.


At the time, they hadn't announced a wireless receiver for the PC for the Xbox One controller though:
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mee.../1100-6422386/
This is the first official announcement of a wireless receiver for the controller.