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Is this a decent PC build?
BrainPaint
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hey folks! So my current computer finally getting tossed out the window. It's 8 years old with specs that are just plain laughable with hardware that isn't really salvageable. So I've made a list of parts on PC Part Picker to finally break out of the stone age with my next build. I always love an outside eye on this stuff, because while I'm pretty nerdy and know what everything does, I'm not on that next level that lets me know what I necessarily need. Check it out:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/scarpoon/saved/pYczK8
So I don't play a ton of PC gaming, mainly because I stare at a computer screen all day and like to play mostly games on the couch. That being said, I want to hold onto this build for a while and if a game comes out in the future that is PC only I'd rather be prepared. Because of that I picked a nice hefty GPU. Now, most of the time (like 95%) I will be using this just for digital painting, but I also picked that graphics card because I want to hopefully start exploring more software for indie game development and need to be able to work with a bunch of software that might cause my computer to chug otherwise. I guess I'm just curious if folks think I need the 970 or not. When I first started making this build I was planning on using the 750 Ti which I'm pretty sure would do what I need it to, but I'm not so sure how much that would affect gaming performance. And the 970 is like $200 more so I just dont know if it's worth the extra coin. I don't have speakers on there because I really don't listen to anything without headphones. So what's the scoop people, do I got a winner here or a mess? Thanks!
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/scarpoon/saved/pYczK8
So I don't play a ton of PC gaming, mainly because I stare at a computer screen all day and like to play mostly games on the couch. That being said, I want to hold onto this build for a while and if a game comes out in the future that is PC only I'd rather be prepared. Because of that I picked a nice hefty GPU. Now, most of the time (like 95%) I will be using this just for digital painting, but I also picked that graphics card because I want to hopefully start exploring more software for indie game development and need to be able to work with a bunch of software that might cause my computer to chug otherwise. I guess I'm just curious if folks think I need the 970 or not. When I first started making this build I was planning on using the 750 Ti which I'm pretty sure would do what I need it to, but I'm not so sure how much that would affect gaming performance. And the 970 is like $200 more so I just dont know if it's worth the extra coin. I don't have speakers on there because I really don't listen to anything without headphones. So what's the scoop people, do I got a winner here or a mess? Thanks!
+1
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Anandtech recently did a good article on what CPU one should look at depending on ones needs. Check it out here: anandtech.com/show/9793/best-cpus
From what you describe I think you should really look at systems where the CPU and GPU is one chip which is then called an APU. Those systems doesn't bring monster power, and it used to be they were worthless for gaming but that has changed and you could make a good system for like half of your budget or even less. The APU systems uses less power, so less need for big cooling and a adequate power supply is also cheaper.
Finally you mention your old system and nothing being salvageable and it may be you're being too hasty in thinking so. It of course depends on your old system, but if your old rig was a nice one back then chances are you can still use the case and the power supply along with the optical drive and maybe also the hard drive. If you want write a little about the old system and I can make more detailed suggestions.
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/203464/pc-build-thread-come-for-advice-stay-for-the-coil-whine/p1
My old build is like upper-mid range. I built this heap way back in 2008 on a very limited budget when I was waiting tables and living with my folks so I wasn't starting out with a master PC to begin with.
The optical drive could most likely be saved, but honestly it's like $10 and I have had some occasional tray jamming with my current one so an upgrade couldn't hurt. The case is okay, but I'm looking for something that has more USB ports available in the front and my current case only has 2 and 1 of them is kind of finicky. I think the cover for the optical drive might also be contributing to the jamming issue.
I will however check the power supply to see if it has enough output to see if I can save it. That would be a solid $100 off if I don't really need to upgrade. I was told by another friend that i might not really need the extra cooling system since most current cpu sets have a adequate built in cooling set up. Is that true? I mean it's $25 so it wouldn't shave too much off but every bit helps I suppose.
In terms of my hardrive I'm sure it's fine but I want to upgrade out of shear paranoia. I like having backups of my backups so grabbing a new one isn't necessarily about replacing it as much as it's about building another layer of back up security. I still haven't jumped on cloud storage because....well I have no real reason other than it weirds me out haha.
I currently already have a 2 monitor setup. One monitor is my cintiq while the other is a pretty standard screen that I would like to update. So that's definitely something I'm going to be looking at especially if I downgrade my GPU. All in all, if I downgrade my gpu, keep my power supply, and get a used case from a friend of mine (just found out while typing this) I could cut about $350 from my bottom line. I dont think Im ready to test out the APU yet, mainly because Im so unfamiliar with it.
Something you may do is find your own video card as a refurbished one with warranty. I know newegg sells some. Or if you know any hardware enthusiast friends, ask them if they have anything sitting around.
No one just throws a video card away. I think I have a GTX 780 sitting in a box somewhere for example.
And the 960 is getting super cheap.
Except K-branded CPU's, which come with no heat sink at all, because they are designed for overclocking and Intel assumes you're going to be using an aftermarket cooling solution anyhow.
Higher-end AMD chips still get hot and consume a lot of power relative to Intel offerings.
You're welcome.
Okay a 2008 limited budget one - then the old machine will be mostly a write off and it may even be that the PSU doesn't have the right connectors for a new computer.
The thing on old computers is really that while some areas move real fast other areas in the PC-world has slowed down a lot over the last decade. It used to be that a 3+ year old PC was hardly worth keeping for anything now it depends.
For example my current rig has a CPU and motherboard that is aprox. 6½ years old, but since I have upgraded it with SSD drives, extra memory, a USB 3 controller and one of the latest and greatest GPU it is still quick even for gaming where the GPU is the bottleneck due to playing in 4K resolution. It may be a bit of an extreme example since I started out with top end CPU, but for many just upgrading the main drive to an SSD and maybe adding some extra memory will make and old rig feel damn close to a new for not very much money.
Sounds reasonable. Was Just worth considering.
Even if can't reuse the old power supply you at least can get by with something for like $50 as I don't see you needing the many watts as the one you picked.
If the CPU comes with a cooler it will be sufficient. In general you only need a non-stock one if you want to overclock or desire something less noisy. I would wait to hear what the stock cooler is like.
I also prefer to do my own backup, just because it gives me more control. One important thing though is to keep at least one backup off site just to be safe. Like have a external drive stored at a friend or similar - it can of course be encrypted if needed.
With regard to the old drive it may be that it isn't a SATA connection type and in that case you don't want it anymore. If it is SATA it will support which means it supports a standard called SMART which in many case will be you'll get a warning if it is about to die.
I get the apprehension with regards to APU's and it is a rather new thing they can deliver something worthwhile, but I do think you might be missing out.