Yeah, all the RAM came together in one package. One thing I found on TomsHardware was that you have switch the RAM frequency setting from (auto) to XMP, but I couldn't find that setting anywhere. I did manually set it to 2666Mhz for now, but I'll look closer again tonight. I don't want to start overclocking anything until I drop the GPU in there.

edit: just watched a quick video. The setting should be right on the main page. No idea how I missed it.

My 128GB SSD is feeling pretty small, though. Should I just get a 1TB or 2TB Hybrid SHDD for storage/games, or buy a bigger SSD?

edit2: and holy shit, I just realized I'll have this thing ready to go by the time Quantum Break comes out. My first game on Ultra settings, to be sure.

Yeah, 128GB is pretty small for a single SSD. I'd get at least a 512GB SSD and add it to your system. Keep the OS and whatever else on the 128GB drive. I wouldn't get a HDD unless it's for archiving/media.

XMP was the issue. It's fixed now. I get my GTX 980 ti Hybrid tomorrow (delayed because of shipping ) so I'll be up and running by tomorrow night.

Now I'm itching to buy a new monitor... I know the specs I want (1440p, 144Hz, IPS, Gsync...) but I'll need to wait until prices are more reasonable.

I think you'll be waiting awhile unfortunately. Maybe once 4k 120+Hz G-SYNC panels start making the rounds, those 1440p displays will drop in price.

Then again, you dropped nearly $700 on a GPU, what's another $800 for a display?

yeah, well... I have to buy some stuff for my wife first.

Anyone have experience buying refurbished monitors?

I see one I want on eBay (directly from Acer, no less), but I'm hesitant. I bought a refurbed Samsung 4K TV two months ago and had to return it because it had a dead pixel in the center (that wasn't noted in the Amazon Warehouse listing, so they accepted my return).

I got a refurbed dell (24 inch 1900x1200) from their outlet recently. looks like new.

So, like... what games should I be playing? I got a free code for The Division, which I don't really have any interest in (hence why I'm trying to get rid of it on the trade forum...)

I've played a handful of indie games, but I need something new-ish to really push this thing to its limits.

fumanstan made me feel like a bad person.

Nvidia live stream right now - waiting for a GeForce 1080/1070 announcement, even though I probably won't be upgrading my 970 this year.

http://www.geforce.com/whats-new/art...day-at-6pm-pst

GTX 1080, $599, May 27th

GTX 1070, $379, June 10th


Apparently, performance is a BIG step up from the "900" series. I'm happy with my 980ti but damn...

$599 isn't a bad launch price, at all.

I think i'll still get a 960 or 970 for my wife's computer (hackintosh) when they drop further in price. I'll pick up a 1070 for my computer (when i get around to building one, which will probably be in a year, if im lucky)

I'm really curious to see benchmarks for the 1070, i'm glad it's coming in at the same price as the 970 and wondering how jealous i'll be.

Final Fantasy X and X-2 are coming to Steam. That's basically every FF game except XII now. Kind of neat.

http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/10/116...m-release-date

Universal Windows Apps support G-Sync/Freesync and unlocked frame rates now. Yay!

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/dir...abled-for-uwp/

Sid Meier's Civilization VI was announced today. Coming out October 21st.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/289070/

Graphic style is a bit cartoony. Interesting to see the wonders taking an entire tile. Guess that means no more cities with 20 wonders.

Edit: Rock Paper Shotgun has a write-up on some of the new features - https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/201...on-vi-details/

Damn it, I want a 1070.

Also, Steam Controller for $35 if anyone is interested. I'm pretty set using an XBox controller on PC though.

http://www.gamestop.com/pc/accessori...C8YK7JhbU8.oGQ

GOG now has a way to sync your Steam account with your GOG account. It only works for about 20 games now, but many more coming supposedly, but if you own the game on Steam you get a DRM-free copy at GOG for free.

^ A few new games added. Deadline for activating first batch is approaching.

GOG.com is doing a summer sale now, and giving away System Shock 2 for free via their GOG Galaxy app.

https://www.gog.com/summer_xp

It's a neat sale format. Some fun little things to get you checking back daily.

They have a bundle sale on all the old D&D Goldbox era games: 22 games for $22. Buying that and doing a couple check-ins, and I earned the three bonus games for the sale already, including the Dreamfall season pass.

I see the Steam summer sale is live right now. Any great PC exclusives this year that I should consider jumping on?

Nah, the Steam sale is disappointing this year IMO. They changed the way they did it. They no longer do the limited time sales. Every game stays at its sale price until the sale ends. Advantage is that you don't miss out on any of the sales. Disadvantage is you don't get the crazy time-limited low price sales.

I've bought a couple of things - Valve Half-Life pack for $8, Wolfenstein New Order for $9.99. I'll probably pick up Far Cry 4 for $19.99 and maybe Doom at $35.99.

So far I've picked up Sniper Elite 3, Rebel Galaxy, and the new Dying Light expansion. I had some leftover funds with steam so I've only spent around 20 or so.

The sale prices are decent, but I do miss the fun of voting on sales and waiting for that one fame you've been eying to drop in price.

I know it is the hated and vile Windows 10 Store, but:

Summer’s ultimate sale is back and running from July 5 through July 11.

The Ultimate Game Sale will feature over 250 deals on Xbox titles and, for the first time ever, will include Windows 10 games and special pricing for Xbox One consoles.

Xbox game deals include a savings of up to 40 to 60 percent, with some at more than 60 percent off! In addition, Xbox Live Gold members save up to 10 percent more on top of the discounts. A few of these deals are fan favorites and new games such as The Division’s first DLC, ARK: Survival Evolved, DOOM, Dark Souls lll, and Quantum Break. In addition, there will be deals on several Xbox One Backward Compatibility games such as The Witcher 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Counter-Strike: GO, and South Park: The Stick of Truth, all now playable on Xbox One.


There are also over 30 great offers for all of the PC gamers out there. The deals include Quantum Break, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition

Get Xbox One at our new low price: $279 for a limited time. Plus, get a $50 gift code when you shop at the Microsoft Store. With epic game discounts on the way there’s never been a better time to pick up an Xbox One.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Look out for 250 offers to be announced on July 3 by Major Nelson!


Read more at http://news.xbox.com/2016/07/01/xbox...84oAUfMZS4Q.99

Hoping someone could give a suggestion on a new GPU. Thinking about upgrading my 950 now that the 1080/1070 are starting to roll out. Issue for me is that I use a compact case which limits the size I can fit. Does anyone know of a shorter than normal card I could consider? Something like a 980Ti. I could wait and see what the 1040(?) ends up looking like but my guess even they will be too long at launch. My case can only fit a card up to 230mm.