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Gaming Desktop
Reece:
Any tips on building a cheap gaming desktop?
This is my current thoughts on a build which I will get once my funds are a bit more stable again.
JC:
Hey Reece,
Looks like a fairly good setup really, certainly will cope with most current games at a sensible resolution (ie. anything under 2560*1440).
There's only one thing I'd strongly suggest you'd change and that's the SSD, Sandisk is one of the many that use "Sandforce" controllers which have a very bad reputation for unreliability. I'd suggest either of these:
Samsung 830 128GB - AUD 119
Intel 330 Series 120GB - AUD 118
Crucial M4 128GB - AUD 145
In general, SSD wise Samsung, Intel and Crucial are considered the most reliable. The Intel 330 series actually has a Sandforce controller, but they also wrote their own firmware for it which means they don't have the same issues.
I note your case is also out of stock.... I'd recommend looking at the Fractal Design cases as an alternative as they have a similar, fairly minimalist look and I've been very happy with my Fractal Design R3. The R3 should be dropping in price at the moment/near future as the next revision has been released recently (Detailed review here).
Other things I'd suggest:
* You definitely don't need a soundcard, any decent Motherboard will have 'okay' audio (as good or better than a cheap soundcard anyway)
* Do you want to buy Windows 7 right now? windows 8 will be out in October
* The nVidia GTX 660 Ti is due fairly soon, should be 100 USD cheaper than the GTX 670 and looks to have very good performance (Tweaktown Review), it's due out in the next week or so I think and I'd expect to get it for 300-350 AUD. Depends whether the $100-150 saving is worth the difference?
* There's no stock of that PSU, and I'd definitely recommend spending the extra and getting a modular PSU like thisI assume you've already got a decent screen, keyboard and mouse so don't need to worry about them?
Reece:
Good call, I'm a newbie to this kind of stuff so anything helps me at all really :D thanks for that Sir jay see.
Will the GTX 660 Ti outperform the GTX 670? Specifically, will it out perform that specific gigabyte gtx 670?
Yeah also good point on Windows 7, made up this "wish list" so i could get the foundation more or less figured out, probably won't be ordering for another month or so alot of stuff is up for change ##.
What's the difference with the modular PSU?
The monitor i plan on running with this is the BenQ XL2420T btw.
JC:
--- Quote from: Reece on August 07, 2012, 09:24:06 am ---Good call, I'm a newbie to this kind of stuff so anything helps me at all really :D thanks for that Sir jay see.
Will the GTX 660 Ti outperform the GTX 670? Specifically, will it out perform that specific gigabyte gtx 670?
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Nope, it will be slightly lower performance probably but the performance per dollar is much higher. It's also important to keep in mind that any FPS over 60 is really irrelevant (unless you're running 3D) as it's widely accepted as that's the highest frame rate an eye detects.
I see the monitor you've picked is a 3D one, if you intend to try 3D gaming I would stick to the GTX 670.... but be prepared that for perfect gameplay you may need more power (eg. SLi'd/two GTX 670's), see comments below about the monitor....
--- Quote from: Reece on August 07, 2012, 09:24:06 am ---Yeah also good point on Windows 7, made up this "wish list" so i could get the foundation more or less figured out, probably won't be ordering for another month or so alot of stuff is up for change ##.
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You could always grab the Windows 8 Release Candidate/Release Preview to see whether you like it, then decide which of the two OS' you would like to buy.
--- Quote from: Reece on August 07, 2012, 09:24:06 am ---What's the difference with the modular PSU?
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Modular power supplies are really useful, they allow you to only attach the power supply cables you need (inside the case). It keeps everything much tidier which normally improves airflow, along with making it much easier to assemble your PC. These days, a non-modular PSU probably indicates it's either a cheap or old design.
--- Quote from: Reece on August 07, 2012, 09:24:06 am ---The monitor i plan on running with this is the BenQ XL2420T btw.
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Personally I would not bother with a 3D Ready monitor at this point, the technology isn't really at the point where it has become widespread yet so there's a mix of a few well setup 3D games along with a shitload of halfassed attempts which really suck.
That screen isn't too bad in general, but personally I would go for an 'IPS' screen as they (among other benefits) have better, more accurate colours and don't suffer from the same bad viewing angles as 'TN' panels. Probably the most popular screen of that size/type at the moment is the Dell U2412 which has a better panel tech and a marginally higher resolution $399.
Reece:
Converting me to switching to dell since I'm not planning on doing much FPS much anyway, atleast not at this stage.
You know much about the catleap IPS monitors and have an opinion whether it's worth the trouble? or just stick to Dell.
Tbh i just want a monitor that's going to make my graphics look beautiful in gaming :3