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"I need a New PC!" 2013 Part 1. Haswell, Crysis 3, and secret fairy sauce. Read da OP

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x3sphere

Member
I didn't find it hard at all to install the Hyper 212, although I agree the instructions are unclear. To me it was easier than installing those stock Intel coolers... the push pins on them tend to take a bit of force to get in and it almost feels as if you are going to snap the board.
 

Mr. Hyde

Member
I didn't find it hard at all to install the Hyper 212, although I agree the instructions are unclear. To me it was easier than installing those stock Intel coolers... the push pins on them tend to take a bit of force to get in and it almost feels as if you are going to snap the board.

Well. It was sliding around while I tried to get the screws in and it doesn't look fully centered on the processor. It has been a headache tonight.
 

Fredescu

Member
I was so glad I spent the extra and got a Noctua CPU cooler this time around. It was the easiest heatsink I've ever installed. The worst one I had was an OCZ push pin heatsink. How the motherboard didn't snap I'll never know.
 

Wallach

Member
Yeah, in general the computer build process is super easy these days but this thing was a fucking pain in the ass. Least intuitive (and least helpfully documented in the package) PC part I've ever bought.

Yup, I have the 212+ and I thought it was annoying as shit to install. Only thing I'm not looking forward to tomorrow is moving that thing to my 3570k.
 
Well. It was sliding around while I tried to get the screws in and it doesn't look fully centered on the processor. It has been a headache tonight.

The block is considerably bigger than the heat spreader. You needn't worry if it's not absolutely perfect. So long as the pin is in the middle and the screws can screw in it's in good enough.
 

Blizzard

Banned
The 212+ instructions weren't that bad I thought...though I did have to take my motherboard up TWICE, once because I forgot the side panel, and once because I didn't realize the back plate of the 212+ had to be screwed onto the bottom of the motherboard.

Since my 212+ rotates slightly in place, that was one of the reasons I was wondering if I had properly seated it, used too much grease, if that was the cause of the high BIOS temperature, etc.
 
How high are we talking about? I have a 2700 running at 4.2GHz with a 212 that I installed this morning that's only 35C above ambient under load.
 

Anony

Member
so bought a 7870 with reference cooler, the thing sounds a fucking plane and the temps are like 50-70c
so i bought an arctic mono plus, this cooler is amazing. it idles at 33c at 50% fan speed
even at 60-70% you can barely hear the fans, at 100% you can hear it, but it's so quiet
(100% is more quiet then the reference cooler at 25%)
ran furmark, the gpu doesnt even hit 50c

really happy with the cooler
 

scogoth

Member
The 212+ instructions weren't that bad I thought...though I did have to take my motherboard up TWICE, once because I forgot the side panel, and once because I didn't realize the back plate of the 212+ had to be screwed onto the bottom of the motherboard.

Since my 212+ rotates slightly in place, that was one of the reasons I was wondering if I had properly seated it, used too much grease, if that was the cause of the high BIOS temperature, etc.

212 will have some wiggle to it, that is normal for that heatsink. BIOS temps aren't terribly accurate.
 

Ocho

Member
Hey guys, I got my new SSD and I installed a new copy of Windows 8. However, I'm experiencing this weird issue whenever I reboot the computer.

Basically, if I reboot normally without any of my input, Windows 8 logo appears then both of my monitors shut down (no input) and the computer does nothing, but doesn't shutdown or anything like that.

If I press F8 and select my SSD drive (the other option is my Blu Ray drive), same thing.

If I reboot, go to UEFI, select SSD boot option, computer loads windows fine and I can use it fine (like right now).

SSD is setup as my primary boot option. What a weird issue, anyone have any info about this by any chance?

Thanks.

Edit: Maybe windows starts installing updates and for some reason my monitors lose input? I usually reboot after 10 secs of nothing.
 
I was contemplating keeping both orders and then cancel whichever shipped first, but was worried they would somehow both ship before I could cancel one. Then again you can always return one with the return penalty. I cancelled my Amazon order in the end. My NewEgg purchase was already charged to my card so it "appears" that it will be shipping sometime soon. I do not think they would charge my credit card and then let me wait.

Alright. I bit the bullet and ordered from Newegg. If they confirm that they're really shipping tomorrow I'll cancel Amazon. Fingers crossed!
 
SSD is setup as my primary boot option. What a weird issue, anyone have any info about this by any chance?

Thanks.

Edit: Maybe windows starts installing updates and for some reason my monitors lose input? I usually reboot after 10 secs of nothing.

Go to the boot order. Make sure EFI is above the non-EFI SSD selection in the list.
 

M3z_

Member
They are here!!!!! And installed =)

YV5CntCl.jpg


T0eX72Al.jpg


fJpcMhkl.jpg
 

Skel1ingt0n

I can't *believe* these lazy developers keep making file sizes so damn large. Btw, how does technology work?
They are here!!!!! And installed =)

YV5CntCl.jpg


T0eX72Al.jpg


fJpcMhkl.jpg

Nice, man!! Congrats!

***

I've been ridiculously busy the last seven days or so, and have unfortunately been swung into another crazy week. From NY, to WI, to a rehearsal dinner Friday and a Wedding Saturday. My computer has just been on hold, sadface.

But, I did order some goodies, and I'm hoping to test them out this weekend!

9071507177_d96075ddac_c.jpg
 
Alright. I bit the bullet and ordered from Newegg. If they confirm that they're really shipping tomorrow I'll cancel Amazon. Fingers crossed!
I will post if mine ships tomorrow. Currently mine says:

NewEgg said:
Status: Packaging - Your payment has been successfully processed and has passed Order Verification. Products are being collected in the warehouse and boxed for shipment or pick up. Please note that you may no longer make changes to your order.
 

Wallach

Member
So I spent around two hours looking for that damn little accessory box for my CM 690 IIA, to find my SSD bracket. After much hardship, success. Except nothing in here looks like a 2.5" bracket at all. There is however the VGA bracket which I forgot about and might use with this big ass 660 Ti since I figure it'll droop if I don't; neat as that is I still don't know where the prize of my search is. Referring back to reviews for this case looking for answers, and... the SSD bracket comes pre-installed in bay 1 for my utmost convenience. Sure enough. Now I'm definitely going to use this VGA bracket.
 

flotsam

Neo Member
Well. It was sliding around while I tried to get the screws in and it doesn't look fully centered on the processor. It has been a headache tonight.

If you look at the heat sink next to the hole, you will see a tiny notch which lines up where the two struts touch each other on the X. If you put it on in the wrong way, the notch ends up under the strut rather than in the notch and forces one of the struts upwards which is why when you screw down one side, the opposite side is forced into the air (imagine a plank with a bucket underneath it).

What you need to do is rotate the X by 90 degrees while keeping the heatsink in the same position because even though the screws look like they are in a square, it's actually slightly off and the proper orientation allows the tiny notch to sit in one the grooves (imagine we've cut a bucket sized hole in the side of one of our planks).

I had exactly the same problem until I tried this and then it was a breeze to screw the heatsink down. The 212 will still allow a small bit of rotation and wiggle, but it will feel much more secure.


In this picture, the tiny notch (not the bigger one that sits in the centre) has to sit where the red circle is.
 
All right guys, I'm going to buy a gaming pc after years of console gaming and macbook pro gaming. I had a game pc before that though and I'm kinda feeling good about going back. :)

The "Excellent" pc in the OP looks great but I still have some questions:

Is this one future proof? Will I still be able to run games in two years with minor upgrades?

I also need a monitor without cranking up the price too much... It has to be a decent one though.
 

kharma45

Member
All right guys, I'm going to buy a gaming pc after years of console gaming and macbook pro gaming. I had a game pc before that though and I'm kinda feeling good about going back. :)

The "Excellent" pc in the OP looks great but I still have some questions:

Is this one future proof? Will I still be able to run games in two years with minor upgrades?

I also need a monitor without cranking up the price too much... It has to be a decent one though.

Nothing is future proof to be blunt, we can only guesstimate what might be. The excellent build should have good legs though.
 

kharma45

Member
All right, well it'll be good for one year at least, I hope.

Any tips on a monitor?

CPU should be good (when overclocked) for 3-4 years I would imagine, and I would hope those GPUs could manage 2.

Monitor wise I've found LG's IPS stuff to be extremely good for the price. I snagged a 22" IPS for £99 here in the UK.
 

Flaxh

Member
CPU should be good (when overclocked) for 3-4 years I would imagine, and I would hope those GPUs could manage 2.

Monitor wise I've found LG's IPS stuff to be extremely good for the price. I snagged a 22" IPS for £99 here in the UK.

How important is IPS? I really like the Asus VX238H but it isnt IPS.
 
Ok, I was going to attempt to build from scratch but I've realised I don't have to time nor patience so I'm going to go half/half and buy a 'bare bones' build then add a few things. I'm close to taking the plunge on this but want Gaf's opinion on whether I'm ripping myself off with this build at the price it totals.

Intel Core I5 4430 Processor
2 x 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz Memory
Novatech Micro ATX Tower Case
FSP 300W ATX Power Supply
Intel B85 Express Chipset Motherboard --------------------- £330

XFX AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB GDDR5 (Tomb Raider, Bioshock Infinite and Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon free) ----------- £145

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB ------------- £47

Samsung 224BB 24x DVD Re-Writer ----------- £14

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit DVD --------- £76

Acer G236HLBbid 23 Inch HD LED Monitor ----------------------- £105

Mouse and KB ------- £16

Total: £733

Am I massively overpaying or does that sound about right? Any notable weak points when considering the price? I'll be using it for internet browsing, streaming, watching movies, listening to music and gaming.
 

Tak3n

Banned
Ok, I was going to attempt to build from scratch but I've realised I don't have to time nor patience so I'm going to go half/half and buy a 'bare bones' build then add a few things. I'm close to taking the plunge on this but want Gaf's opinion on whether I'm ripping myself off with this build at the price it totals.

Intel Core I5 4430 Processor
2 x 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz Memory
Novatech Micro ATX Tower Case
FSP 300W ATX Power Supply
Intel B85 Express Chipset Motherboard --------------------- £330

XFX AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB GDDR5 (Tomb Raider, Bioshock Infinite and Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon free) ----------- £145

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB ------------- £47

Samsung 224BB 24x DVD Re-Writer ----------- £14

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit DVD --------- £76

Acer G236HLBbid 23 Inch HD LED Monitor ----------------------- £105

Mouse and KB ------- £16

Total: £733

Am I massively overpaying or does that sound about right? Any notable weak points when considering the price? I'll be using it for internet browsing, streaming, watching movies, listening to music and gaming.

That seems very expensive.....

and that PSU not good at 300w....

I would try (like I did) PC specialist or Dino PC.... they dont have the reputation of Novatech, but are notable cheaper, and just choose "build a custom PC" and you can play around with the spec
 

Markadias

Banned
Hi guys. I've had my lappy for a few months now. Never really been interested in PC gaming, but having seen all the Skyrim mods... I would love to have a go! Would the specs on it be sufficient for either minimum/maximum settings?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A926KNU/
Core i5... HD4000... 4GB RAM? ( I don't mind increasing RAM if need be)
I didn't go out looking for a gaming rig... Before you mock the average stats haha. I managed to pick one up for £349... Which I think is pretty good value!
 
That seems very expensive.....

and that PSU not good at 300w....

I would try (like I did) PC specialist or Dino PC.... they dont have the reputation of Novatech, but are notable cheaper, and just choose "build a custom PC" and you can play around with the spec

I'm trying PC specialist right now and the same stats (but with 450w psu) come out at £703 and that's without the monitor... I'll try Dino PC next.
 

kharma45

Member
How important is IPS? I really like the Asus VX238H but it isnt IPS.

It's not vital but I feel unless you're going 120/144Hz then I'd go IPS. The loss in response time is worth it for the viewing angles and colour reproduction. Even then that loss in pixel response time isn't noticeable imo.

I'm trying PC specialist right now and the same stats (but with 450w psu) come out at £703 and that's without the monitor... I'll try Dino PC next.

Cougar Extreme are good too, although their lower priced PSUs are a pretty mediocre selection so they might end up being no good.
 

HoosTrax

Member
Whatever happened to OCZ anyway? Did they go out of business or something? I don't know how G. Skill stays in business for that matter -- most enthusiast RAM companies are either backed by a larger parent company (Crucial) or have branched out into other products.
 
Avoid XFX, man. Terrible cards.

That too, plus their RMA service in the UK is apparently dog shit.

1) RMA?

2) I didn't even know the 'XFX' was of significance. I thought the 'AMD Radeon' part was all that mattered... I'm looking on Amazon and the same card is on there made by Sapphire, vtx and asus... What's the difference between all those?

Seriously, PC buying is anything but straightforward, for me at least it seems.
 

kharma45

Member
1) RMA?

2) I didn't even know the 'XFX' was of significance. I thought the 'AMD Radeon' part was all that mattered... I'm looking on Amazon and the same card is on there made by Sapphire, vtx and asus... What's the difference between all those?

Seriously, PC buying is anything but straightforward, for me at least it seems.

RMA = having to return the card. Hope that the retailer will sort it out for you or you're on your own.

Follow this as a guide

2graphicscardwarrantyso.png


2) The brand like Sapphire gives you different coolers, warranty services and sometimes custom PCBs and a few other things.
 
A bit OT, but is it me or is it kinda crazy that so much next gen announced games are also headed to pc?

Was it like that last gen transition? Don't remember so... but I guess now steam, origin, and xbox controller drivers, really does make slapping together a port worth the effort.
 
A bit OT, but is it me or is it kinda crazy that so much next gen announced games are also headed to pc?

Was it like that last gen transition? Don't remember so... but I guess now steam, origin, and xbox controller drivers, really does make slapping together a port worth the effort.

Low install base of next-gen consoles +x86 based consoles make the PC pill easier for pubs to swallow.
 

RSTEIN

Comics, serious business!
Well, just ordered the 770 4gb off of newegg.ca. Funny, no 770s with 4gb are on PC Part Picker.

My $1,000 PC budget is getting blown out of the water lol.

*that escalated quickly*
 

Double D

Member
I think it's time I OC my i5 2500k. I have never overclocked anything. I have an Asrock z68 Extreme3 Gen3 mobo. Any good guides out there that you guys would recommend?
 

hemtae

Member
So a few questions

Would a 7970 GHz edition still be a better value than a 770 4gb even if I don't care about the free games?

Would I be able to use a 7970 GHz with an over clocked 3570k on a 550w power supply?
 
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