As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/
We're funding a new Acquisitions Incorporated series on Kickstarter right now! Check it out at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pennyarcade/acquisitions-incorporated-the-series-2

[Computer Build Thread] - Bitcoiners can't keep us down! 1440p or bust!

17677798182100

Posts

  • Jebus314Jebus314 Registered User regular
    Synthesis wrote: »
    For cleaning I just use alcohol and a paper towel.

    Weirdly, I've been told (obviously unused) coffee filters are also good for this. They'er cheap as hell.

    (Please check that out yourself before you turn your heatsink into a Mr. Coffee)

    I put off my new build planned for July off a few months, but performance in modded-to-hell Skyrim is still rather disappointing, combined with more frequently hard restarts from my GeForce cards. Guess I better check the prices again..

    Yeah you probably don't want to use a paper towel. Basically you want something that wont leave behind any fibers, hence things like coffee filters or lint free towels. Although realistically if you blow some compressed air over it after you're done it probably doesn't matter.

    "The world is a mess, and I just need to rule it" - Dr Horrible
    toloveistorebel Synthesis
  • curly haired boycurly haired boy Your Friendly Neighborhood Torgue Dealer Registered User regular
    Hey there, computer build thread. I just had a rather distressing incident with my CPU cooler, and I'm hoping to get any advice I can.

    I run an i7 3930K on an Asus Sabertooth x79. The cooler I use is a Corsair H100i. Very recently, it's begun giving strong indications that the pump is outright failing, and I'm afraid of the CPU frying if the pump kicks out while I'm away from the machine. For the moment, the pump seems to be okay, but the advice I've been given is to RMA the H100i immediately. I have a few questions about that, though.

    1.) Should I RMA the H100i and get another of the same, or is that just a fool's errand? Some Googling around reveals that, sadly, these coolers are prone to random failure. I'm not sure if this is the exception, or the rule, though. Sometimes the various tech forums amplify the complaints more than the praise, and until the pump started dying I've been very happy with the H100i so far. If it's a fluke, I'd replace it in a heartbeat. If it's a design flaw and this will happen again, I wouldn't touch the thing again at all.

    2.) If something other than the H100i is a better idea, what cooler would be preferred for an Intel 3930K running stock? This CPU runs hot, even at stock settings. It's an LGA 2011 socket, by the way.

    3.) Seeing as it looks like the CPU cooler has to be replaced one way or the other, what's the best process for doing that? What I mean is that obviously I'm going to have to remove the old cooler, but how should I approach cleaning the CPU of previous thermal paste, and take precautions appropriate to ensure installing the new cooler is a smooth process?

    Thanks in advance for any advice.

    if you want a bit of security, check this out

    http://www.overclock.net/t/1489679/pump-fail-safe/10#post_22294767

    it's a method of automatically shutting down your PC if a temperature threshold is reached.

    RxI0N.png
    Registered just for the Mass Effect threads | Steam: click ^^^ | Origin: curlyhairedboy
  • TetraNitroCubaneTetraNitroCubane The Djinnerator At the bottom of a bottleRegistered User regular
    Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll double down on the H100i, use isopropanol to clean the CPU, and I am certainly going to look into that failsafe shutoff while I wait for delivery to be made.

    I was thinking it might be better to go with an air cooler, but I realize that no matter what I do I'm going to have to take the radiator out of my machine, and if I replace the H100i, at least I don't have to put on a new blackplate, so I shouldn't have to futz with the mobo.

    Here's to hoping I don't damage more.

    VuIBhrs.png
  • GnomeTankGnomeTank What the what? Portland, OregonRegistered User regular
    edited September 2014
    Hey there, computer build thread. I just had a rather distressing incident with my CPU cooler, and I'm hoping to get any advice I can.

    I run an i7 3930K on an Asus Sabertooth x79. The cooler I use is a Corsair H100i. Very recently, it's begun giving strong indications that the pump is outright failing, and I'm afraid of the CPU frying if the pump kicks out while I'm away from the machine. For the moment, the pump seems to be okay, but the advice I've been given is to RMA the H100i immediately. I have a few questions about that, though.

    1.) Should I RMA the H100i and get another of the same, or is that just a fool's errand? Some Googling around reveals that, sadly, these coolers are prone to random failure. I'm not sure if this is the exception, or the rule, though. Sometimes the various tech forums amplify the complaints more than the praise, and until the pump started dying I've been very happy with the H100i so far. If it's a fluke, I'd replace it in a heartbeat. If it's a design flaw and this will happen again, I wouldn't touch the thing again at all.

    2.) If something other than the H100i is a better idea, what cooler would be preferred for an Intel 3930K running stock? This CPU runs hot, even at stock settings. It's an LGA 2011 socket, by the way.

    3.) Seeing as it looks like the CPU cooler has to be replaced one way or the other, what's the best process for doing that? What I mean is that obviously I'm going to have to remove the old cooler, but how should I approach cleaning the CPU of previous thermal paste, and take precautions appropriate to ensure installing the new cooler is a smooth process?

    Thanks in advance for any advice.

    Modern CPU's undervolt themselves when overheating, so even if the pump failed, you'd probably be fine. Your computer would just get REAL slow and you'd notice really high CPU temps.

    I would just get another H100 if your's is failing. Mine's been going strong for well over a year with no signs of faltering yet.

    GnomeTank on
    Sagroth wrote: »
    Oh c'mon FyreWulff, no one's gonna pay to visit Uranus.
    Steam: Brainling, XBL / PSN: GnomeTank, NintendoID: Brainling, FF14: Zillius Rosh SFV: Brainling
  • ZxerolZxerol for the smaller pieces, my shovel wouldn't do so i took off my boot and used my shoeRegistered User regular
    I'm reminded of this old video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y39D4529FM4

  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    Actually, I did use coffee filters last time. They are indeed lint free.

  • HamurabiHamurabi MiamiRegistered User regular
    So sitting right next to my router, I'm getting speeds of 1.7 mB/sec.

    Plug in the ethernet cable, and I get up to 5 mB/sec.

    Best router between $50 and $100: GO.

  • curly haired boycurly haired boy Your Friendly Neighborhood Torgue Dealer Registered User regular
    Hamurabi wrote: »
    So sitting right next to my router, I'm getting speeds of 1.7 mB/sec.

    Plug in the ethernet cable, and I get up to 5 mB/sec.

    Best router between $50 and $100: GO.

    might not do you any good if everyone around you is using the same channel. sometimes it's a crappy signal, and sometimes there's a lot of interference.

    RxI0N.png
    Registered just for the Mass Effect threads | Steam: click ^^^ | Origin: curlyhairedboy
  • DelmainDelmain Registered User regular
    You can check what channel everyone around you is using with any of a bunch of free phone or pc apps. If a bunch of them are, swap to an unused one. Try to stay on 1/6/11, but if you can't, go for like 3/4/8/9

  • LD50LD50 Registered User regular
    Delmain wrote: »
    You can check what channel everyone around you is using with any of a bunch of free phone or pc apps. If a bunch of them are, swap to an unused one. Try to stay on 1/6/11, but if you can't, go for like 3/4/8/9

    Don't do the latter part. You'll just get crosstalk from both real channels that way.

    curly haired boy
  • DelmainDelmain Registered User regular
    edited September 2014
    Meh, it's kinda up in the air.

    Delmain on
  • LD50LD50 Registered User regular
    Was that a pun? I think that was a pun.

    toloveistorebel
  • BubbyBubby Registered User regular
    Anyone know if I'll see a fair increase in performance by upgrading to a GTX 970 from a GTX 680 2gb?

  • ZxerolZxerol for the smaller pieces, my shovel wouldn't do so i took off my boot and used my shoeRegistered User regular
    edited September 2014
    You'll be getting a GPU that sits between the 780 and 780ti in raw grunt, which is probably a comfortable upgrade.

    Zxerol on
  • cardboard delusionscardboard delusions USAgent PSN: USAgent31Registered User regular
    I upgraded from 2x670s to 970 will probably get the second 970 around Christmas. My thoughts were I wasn't comfortable spending for a 980 but 2x970s will be awesome.

  • BubbyBubby Registered User regular
    Thinking I'll try to hold out till they release a 6gb card.

  • cardboard delusionscardboard delusions USAgent PSN: USAgent31Registered User regular
    Bubby wrote: »
    Thinking I'll try to hold out till they release a 6gb card.

    I didn't think about that, maybe I'll wait and sell the 970 and get the next new one when it comes out.

  • Ed GrubermanEd Gruberman Registered User regular
    If something requires 4GB of VRAM, does that mean you can use 2 2GB cards in SLI/Crossfire?

    steam_sig.png

    SteamID: edgruberman GOG Galaxy: EdGruberman
  • cardboard delusionscardboard delusions USAgent PSN: USAgent31Registered User regular
    nope - vram doesn't stack like that.

    DelmainDonovan PuppyfuckerJebus314emp123curly haired boy
  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    Jebus314 wrote: »
    Synthesis wrote: »
    For cleaning I just use alcohol and a paper towel.

    Weirdly, I've been told (obviously unused) coffee filters are also good for this. They'er cheap as hell.

    (Please check that out yourself before you turn your heatsink into a Mr. Coffee)

    I put off my new build planned for July off a few months, but performance in modded-to-hell Skyrim is still rather disappointing, combined with more frequently hard restarts from my GeForce cards. Guess I better check the prices again..

    Yeah you probably don't want to use a paper towel. Basically you want something that wont leave behind any fibers, hence things like coffee filters or lint free towels. Although realistically if you blow some compressed air over it after you're done it probably doesn't matter.

    I don't know where I read about coffee filters, but they are insanely cheap (plus, a good 30% of the package is unusable because they fold in on themselves anyway, at least the crappy brand I buy...).

    Time to reexamine that build!

  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    Synthesis wrote: »
    Jebus314 wrote: »
    Synthesis wrote: »
    For cleaning I just use alcohol and a paper towel.

    Weirdly, I've been told (obviously unused) coffee filters are also good for this. They'er cheap as hell.

    (Please check that out yourself before you turn your heatsink into a Mr. Coffee)

    I put off my new build planned for July off a few months, but performance in modded-to-hell Skyrim is still rather disappointing, combined with more frequently hard restarts from my GeForce cards. Guess I better check the prices again..

    Yeah you probably don't want to use a paper towel. Basically you want something that wont leave behind any fibers, hence things like coffee filters or lint free towels. Although realistically if you blow some compressed air over it after you're done it probably doesn't matter.

    I don't know where I read about coffee filters, but they are insanely cheap (plus, a good 30% of the package is unusable because they fold in on themselves anyway, at least the crappy brand I buy...).

    Time to reexamine that build!

    Coffee filters have to be lint free because who wants lint in their coffee, which is why they're good for cleaning a cpu.

    LD50
  • RiusRius Globex CEO Nobody ever says ItalyRegistered User regular
    So, I have a 4770k and a GTX770 running off a seasonic 660watt 80+plat power supply. There is one optical drive, one SSD and one HDD in the box as well. Currently, nothing is overclocked because whence initially I tried to dial my 4770k up I couldn't get very far (feels like I have a chumpy chip).

    I concluded that I could not SLI 770s on a 660w power supply, but I'm wondering if I could SLI 970s on the same.

  • XeddicusXeddicus Registered User regular
    edited September 2014
    If something requires 4GB of VRAM, does that mean you can use 2 2GB cards in SLI/Crossfire?

    What the hell is requiring 4GB of VRAM?

    Edit: "Something" sounds optional. Hopefully that's it.

    Xeddicus on
    "For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men. Not women. Not beasts...this you can trust."
  • IncindiumIncindium Registered User regular
    There any reviews out there for which are the best of the 970's to buy?

    steam_sig.png
    Nintendo ID: Incindium
    PSN: IncindiumX
  • Ed GrubermanEd Gruberman Registered User regular
    edited September 2014
    Xeddicus wrote: »
    If something requires 4GB of VRAM, does that mean you can use 2 2GB cards in SLI/Crossfire?

    What the hell is requiring 4GB of VRAM?

    Edit: "Something" sounds optional. Hopefully that's it.

    The Evil Within System Requirements

    OS: Windows 7 (64 bit) / 8 (64 bit)
    CPU: Intel i7 Quad Core or similar (Intel Core i7-4770K / AMD FX-9370)
    RAM: 4GB of System Memory
    VRAM: 4GB Graphics Memory
    GPU:GeForce GTX 670 / Radeon R9 285Â
    HD: 50GB

    It is said that these are the system requirements in order to experience the game as the developers intended so they aren't really disclosing/promising the minimum requirements.
    Kind of a weird move, if you ask me. Anyone with less than a serious gaming rig is going to be scared off.

    Ed Gruberman on
    steam_sig.png

    SteamID: edgruberman GOG Galaxy: EdGruberman
  • DelmainDelmain Registered User regular
    Xeddicus wrote: »
    If something requires 4GB of VRAM, does that mean you can use 2 2GB cards in SLI/Crossfire?

    What the hell is requiring 4GB of VRAM?

    Edit: "Something" sounds optional. Hopefully that's it.

    The Evil Within System Requirements

    OS: Windows 7 (64 bit) / 8 (64 bit)
    CPU: Intel i7 Quad Core or similar (Intel Core i7-4770K / AMD FX-9370)
    RAM: 4GB of System Memory
    VRAM: 4GB Graphics Memory
    GPU:GeForce GTX 670 / Radeon R9 285Â
    HD: 50GB

    It is said that these are the system requirements in order to experience the game as the developers intended so they aren't really disclosing/promising the minimum requirements.
    Kind of a weird move, if you ask me. Anyone with less than a serious gaming rig is going to be scared off.

    I have a serious gaming rig and I don't have 4GB VRAM

    Donovan Puppyfucker
  • FoomyFoomy Registered User regular
    Delmain wrote: »
    Xeddicus wrote: »
    If something requires 4GB of VRAM, does that mean you can use 2 2GB cards in SLI/Crossfire?

    What the hell is requiring 4GB of VRAM?

    Edit: "Something" sounds optional. Hopefully that's it.

    The Evil Within System Requirements

    OS: Windows 7 (64 bit) / 8 (64 bit)
    CPU: Intel i7 Quad Core or similar (Intel Core i7-4770K / AMD FX-9370)
    RAM: 4GB of System Memory
    VRAM: 4GB Graphics Memory
    GPU:GeForce GTX 670 / Radeon R9 285Â
    HD: 50GB

    It is said that these are the system requirements in order to experience the game as the developers intended so they aren't really disclosing/promising the minimum requirements.
    Kind of a weird move, if you ask me. Anyone with less than a serious gaming rig is going to be scared off.

    I have a serious gaming rig and I don't have 4GB VRAM

    Steam hardware survey shows only about 1.6% of all it's users have 4gb+ vram. That game just sounds horribly un-optimized for PC.

    Steam Profile: FoomyFooms
  • DelmainDelmain Registered User regular
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

    CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (Purchased For $0.00)
    Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.99 @ Amazon)
    Memory: Kingston Beast 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Crucial M500 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($227.98 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card ($449.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: NZXT H440 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($114.99 @ Micro Center)
    Power Supply: Corsair RM 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Amazon)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased For $0.00)
    Total: $1267.93
    Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
    Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-26 14:05 EDT-0400

    This is my build.

    It doesn't really get much more serious than that. Even going SLI doesn't get you more VRAM.

    toloveistorebel
  • Ed GrubermanEd Gruberman Registered User regular
    Foomy wrote: »
    Delmain wrote: »
    Xeddicus wrote: »
    If something requires 4GB of VRAM, does that mean you can use 2 2GB cards in SLI/Crossfire?

    What the hell is requiring 4GB of VRAM?

    Edit: "Something" sounds optional. Hopefully that's it.

    The Evil Within System Requirements

    OS: Windows 7 (64 bit) / 8 (64 bit)
    CPU: Intel i7 Quad Core or similar (Intel Core i7-4770K / AMD FX-9370)
    RAM: 4GB of System Memory
    VRAM: 4GB Graphics Memory
    GPU:GeForce GTX 670 / Radeon R9 285Â
    HD: 50GB

    It is said that these are the system requirements in order to experience the game as the developers intended so they aren't really disclosing/promising the minimum requirements.
    Kind of a weird move, if you ask me. Anyone with less than a serious gaming rig is going to be scared off.

    I have a serious gaming rig and I don't have 4GB VRAM

    Steam hardware survey shows only about 1.6% of all it's users have 4gb+ vram. That game just sounds horribly un-optimized for PC.

    That number will likely jump some with the new 970 & 980 cards but people are understandably skeptical about any game that is already claiming it needs 4GB of VRAM

    steam_sig.png

    SteamID: edgruberman GOG Galaxy: EdGruberman
  • BubbyBubby Registered User regular
    Shadow of Mordor Ultra settings lists 6gb of Vram required. Madness.

  • TetraNitroCubaneTetraNitroCubane The Djinnerator At the bottom of a bottleRegistered User regular
    This is largely why I never upgraded my 680 FTW 4 GB to a 780 Ti. Even with the performance increase, games were already pushing 3 GB and beyond for VRAM used. It made zero sense to essentially take a step backwards in VRAM and forward everywhere else.

    At this point I'm thinking of going for the new 980s. Although if EVGA makes the same mistake on those cards that they did with their 970 cooler design, I may have to abandon EVGA after all these years.

    VuIBhrs.png
    kaliyama
  • kaliyamakaliyama Left to find less-moderated fora Registered User regular
    Bubby wrote: »
    Shadow of Mordor Ultra settings lists 6gb of Vram required. Madness.

    How does VRAM work with SLI/Crossfire? If I have two 4GB cards, will it get used?

    fwKS7.png?1
  • GaslightGaslight Registered User regular
    kaliyama wrote: »
    Bubby wrote: »
    Shadow of Mordor Ultra settings lists 6gb of Vram required. Madness.

    How does VRAM work with SLI/Crossfire? If I have two 4GB cards, will it get used?

    It won't use 4+4 for 8GB if that is what you mean. It will get counted as 4GB of VRAM total.

    Delmain
  • ZxerolZxerol for the smaller pieces, my shovel wouldn't do so i took off my boot and used my shoeRegistered User regular
    Two 4GB cards in SLI will still be effectively 4GB total.

    That 6GB requirement for Mordor is a for ultra textures, which is explicitly an optional download mind. It's really meant to be this crazy, computer crushing option that they don't expect most people to use except those with crazier rigs, like max detail Crysis back in the day or ubersampling in Witcher 2. I probably won't fret much about being able to run it.

    (Heck, maybe it'll run well enough with less than 6GB, who knows right now.)

  • DehumanizedDehumanized Registered User regular
    The way that SLI or CrossFireX work is that the whole vmem cache is completely duplicated in both cards, as they both require the same information to process and the little bridge piece can't transmit fast enough to allow the bits to be striped or otherwise non-duplicated.

  • BubbyBubby Registered User regular
    PNY 680gtx 2gb goes for about $200 used on eBay, right? if I can get that much for it I'm buying a 970.

  • BlackDragon480BlackDragon480 Bluster Kerfuffle Master of Windy ImportRegistered User regular
    Bubby wrote: »
    Shadow of Mordor Ultra settings lists 6gb of Vram required. Madness.

    Really, finally an acceptable test for my original Titan.

    No matter where you go...there you are.
    ~ Buckaroo Banzai
  • cardboard delusionscardboard delusions USAgent PSN: USAgent31Registered User regular
    This is largely why I never upgraded my 680 FTW 4 GB to a 780 Ti. Even with the performance increase, games were already pushing 3 GB and beyond for VRAM used. It made zero sense to essentially take a step backwards in VRAM and forward everywhere else.

    At this point I'm thinking of going for the new 980s. Although if EVGA makes the same mistake on those cards that they did with their 970 cooler design, I may have to abandon EVGA after all these years.

    What's the issue with 970 EVGA? I just got one, wondering if I should return for something else?

  • GaslightGaslight Registered User regular
    edited September 2014
    This is largely why I never upgraded my 680 FTW 4 GB to a 780 Ti. Even with the performance increase, games were already pushing 3 GB and beyond for VRAM used. It made zero sense to essentially take a step backwards in VRAM and forward everywhere else.

    At this point I'm thinking of going for the new 980s. Although if EVGA makes the same mistake on those cards that they did with their 970 cooler design, I may have to abandon EVGA after all these years.

    What's the issue with 970 EVGA? I just got one, wondering if I should return for something else?

    Maybe something like this review on Newegg:
    Pros: none.

    Cons: poorly designed cooler. runs at least 10% hotter than competition and is also much louder. the GPU only touches 2 of the 3 heat pipes on the cooler, making about 1/3 of the cooler's heatsink useless.

    poorly designed PCB as well. it is actually worse than the reference design because it uses cheap MOSFETs. it uses a 4+2 power phases while other brands use 5+2 or 6+2 AND use better quality parts.

    this is a total waste of perfectly good GTX 970 chips. should have just made a bunch of reference cards. but that would cost more so EVGA went the cheap route.

    Other Thoughts: i wish i would have bought something else.

    i've been a long time EVGA user. Owned 2x GTX 470, 2x GTX 570, 2x GTX 680. i was always very happy with my purchases. but seeing EVGA pull this garbage i was pretty upset. and to add insult to injury EVGA issued an official response on reddit about this saying that this is by design... and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. never buying EVGA's products again. these cards are going back.

    At first I was inclined to dismiss it like I do with any one-off angry negative review but hearing rumblings about this stuff on other places now too (including this forum) is making me more inclined to take it seriously.

    Several other reviews on Newegg now for the various EVGA 970 models (of course there are like six different ones because LOLEVGA) complaining about very loud fans and coil whine now, too.

    Was planning on picking up an EVGA 970 or two by the end of the year, now probably not. I have an MSI 670 in my system now and I have not been impressed with it so MSI is out. So I am looking at Asus or Gigabyte. Don't want to take the risk (at least I see it as a risk) of trying a lower-tier brand like PNY or Zotac.

    Gaslight on
  • LD50LD50 Registered User regular
    That's such a 360 from the 780s I have. Disappointing.

Sign In or Register to comment.