PC rig upgrades and tips

[MARS]

I've noticed a lot of "new gaming PC" and "can I run it?" threads so I thought I'd make one in which everyone can post.

That said, I do have a question myself. I'm hardly a hardware expert so I need some advice.

My current specs:
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 @2.67 GHz
Motherboard: Gigabyte EX58-UD3R
RAM: 3 GB DDR3
GPU: nVidia GeForce GTS 250 (1 GB)
OS: Win XP

So, I'm thinking about upgrading for the new generation of games. Should I keep XP or go with 7? 7 supports more RAM, but I love XP. I was also wondering if my GPU is still good enough or if I should upgrade. Definitely need a new processor though, which I suppose also means a new motherboard.

[ArgonianAssassin]

I am no where near an expert on hardware either, partly why I created a thread here similar to the rest asking advice on all the new games and what would be required to play them. From what I have learned so far, is that unless you have been constantly upgrading your PC to keep up with the times your generally better off building something brand new and can usually do it cheaper. Yours seems a bit newer then the one I use but upgrading just 1 part in your PC is never as easy as it sounds. You have PSU output and compatability of the new part with all the older components to take into consideration. As far as XP vs Win7, id go with Win7 hands down. I skipped Vista and still run XP on my computer but will be purchasing a copy of Win7 when I finally get enough input on building my new PC.

[The Edgy Redguard]

Not only that, but XP does not offer DX11 support. Vista has trouble getting it's fat ass through the door of most rigs, but 7 seems to be a great mix of the Vista style with the XP functionality. I would definitely recommend the upgrade to 7, especially if you look to future proof your system.

[MARS]

Yes, I'll have to get 7. Now about that GPU...I was thinking about getting an ATI but I've heard that games especially designed for nVidia have problems running on ATI GPUs.

[Shadow]

Yes, I'll have to get 7. Now about that GPU...I was thinking about getting an ATI but I've heard that games especially designed for nVidia have problems running on ATI GPUs.

An AMD Radeon HD 6870 or 6850 is a good card, quite cheap too, should be able to do Skyrim pretty well. As for the statement, I doubt game companies would target a specific product if they want a wide range of people playing.

[The Edgy Redguard]

Yes, I'll have to get 7. Now about that GPU...I was thinking about getting an ATI but I've heard that games especially designed for nVidia have problems running on ATI GPUs.

I have an ATI card in my laptop at the moment and haven't had an issue with the games that state "Nvidia - The way its meant to be played."

[Mucro]

I'm getting this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GAMER-EX-250- ... 4228475130

What chy'all think?

[The Edgy Redguard]

I'm getting this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GAMER-EX-250- ... 4228475130

What chy'all think?

Thats a sweeet rig.

[Andere]

Windows XP support will continue through 2014, but it will be only security updates - no updates for the program itself will be available. About Windows 7, there are differences between the editions: Enterprise and Professional are guaranteed support until 2020, Ultimate until 2015.

All Windows 7 support DirectX11, most probably DirectX 12, even DirectX13, since you can get DirectX 10 and 11 for XP - which officially only goes to DirectX 9.

Anyway, playing a lower end DirectX game with a higher DirectX absolutely gives more. Playing Morrowind with DirectX 11 and an appropriate card gives you more. "It's always worth to upgrade".

[dtmwerks]

I don't know much about computers, but maybe moar ram and windows 7! Everything else looks pretty nice. Weird to see something as up to date as i7 working with XP, but like I said, I don't know much about this lol

Also, I don't think you need another video card. I assume it's dedicated? 1GB dedicated graphics card is pretty decent I think? I would like to know, as I think mine is a similar one as well lol.

[The Edgy Redguard]

I don't know much about computers, but maybe moar ram and windows 7! Everything else looks pretty nice. Weird to see something as up to date as i7 working with XP, but like I said, I don't know much about this lol

Also, I don't think you need another video card. I assume it's dedicated? 1GB dedicated graphics card is pretty decent I think? I would like to know, as I think mine is a similar one as well lol.

I think a dozen gigs is more than enough RAM lol.

[MARS]

I just got myself a new 21.5 inch screen. My previous one was square. Went up to 1920x 1080 pixels and no games have shown a decrease in framerate. Perhaps I don't need an upgrade yet after all

[dtmwerks]

Oh, I only read 3 gb of ram. >.<

[MARS]

I think Redguard thought you were referring to Mucro's rig (which is pretty sweet)

Well, Windows 7 means a new motherboard. Since I'll be getting Windows 7 for DX11 I'll need a new GPU as well...

[The Edgy Redguard]

I think Redguard thought you were referring to Mucro's rig (which is pretty sweet)

Well, Windows 7 means a new motherboard. Since I'll be getting Windows 7 for DX11 I'll need a new GPU as well...

I'd say go all out and get a new rig. This upgrade is getting a little pricey.

[MARS]

I got a pretty decent cooler along with the new screen, so I can overclock my processor instead of buying a new one. Hmm...maybe I can do without DX11 for a while. Gah! I dunno.

[Mucro]

I'm so stoked to fire up Skyrim on that biatch!

Hopefully I can run it on pretty awesome graphics.


I'm also looking forward to having access to mods. I may buy Oblivion for PC.

[The Edgy Redguard]

I'm so stoked to fire up Skyrim on that biatch!
Hopefully I can run it on pretty awesome graphics.
I'm also looking forward to having access to mods. I may buy Oblivion for PC.

You should have no trouble with Skyrim, You can get copies of Oblivion for rather cheap these days, and mods such as OOO, MMM, the total conversion Nehrim and others tack many more hours worth of content on to the vanilla game, so I would definitely recommend the purchase. When does your PC arrive?

[M.C.Marcellus]

@mars: if I were you, I'd just get a new graphics card and Win7. The CPU is fine, but maybe I'd get 6GB RAM, that's up to you. This way you'll have a middle-high computer for some 400 (OS included)

Some suggestions about GPUs:
ATI is fine, you'll save some money fot the same performance.
Be sure the dedicated memory is at least 1GB to have good performance at 1920x1080.
That said, I'd choose a HD5800 or HD6800 series (they have similar spec. so it depends on the price), possibly overclocked and with some additional memory.

Changing the MB is the hardest part, and I see no reasons for doing that unles you want a SATA 6 connection (at that piont, you'd better buy a new computer).

@Mucro: that PC is just AWESOME! Of course you'll run TES V at maximum

[Knight]

Jumping from my thread to this one because this one fits my new questions better.

So, I'm building my very own rig. Any ideas for a good motherboard? Also, is the HDMI mini somehow less powerful than the normal HDMI cable? The graphics card I had in mind (NVIDIA GTX 560) seems to have one of these HDMI mini gates, which I've never encountered before.

[Moeboid]

Knight: A HDMI mini cable is just a smaller version of HDMI. Other than being smaller, they're exactly the same. You'll also get a little adapter with your graphics card so that you can plug a standard HDMI cable into it. As for graphics cards, if you can get a HD 6870 cheaper than a GTX 560, get that instead. The performance is basically the same. You might also want to consider getting a GTX 560 Ti or a HD 6950. Again, choose whichever one is cheaper.

As for motherboard, read my post in the Skyrim forum (I gave a link to it in the topic you created). Motherboards are all about features and what you eventually choose will basically depend on what the place you're going to buy your PC from have in stock. For a basic system (one HDD, one graphics card, no SSD, 8GB memory, no overclocking, limited expansion cards), you only need the most basic of motherboards. The only feature listed there that seems to add a significant cost is support for a second graphics card. Anyway, read the post that I mentioned and feel free to PM me if you're having trouble.

[M.C.Marcellus]

Besides prices, which will determine the motherboard model, here are some features that I consider nearly essential:

• • USB 3.0: they'll be the next connection standard for external devices, much faster (over ten times) than USB 2.0;
  • SATA 6gbps: again, this is faster than previous hard disk connections and the future standard, and if you ever plan to have a SSD you must have one (HDD are too slow to benefit of this);
  • 2 PCI express 16x: it's the only way to have 2 graphics cards (and if one slot shall break, you always have the 2nd one).

[Moeboid]

Besides prices, which will determine the motherboard model, here are some features that I consider nearly essential:

• • USB 3.0: they'll be the next connection standard for external devices, much faster (over ten times) than USB 2.0;
  • SATA 6gbps: again, this is faster than previous hard disk connections and the future standard, and if you ever plan to have a SSD you must have one (HDD are too slow to benefit of this);
  • 2 PCI express 16x: it's the only way to have 2 graphics cards (and if one slot shall break, you always have the 2nd one).

I have USB 3.0 and SATA 6gbps, and I'm yet to use either of them... I suppose USB 3.0 would be useful if you have one of those flash drives with a decent capacity, and as you mentioned, SATA 6Gbps is only essential if you have a SSD. However, the question remains as to whether you should get one for a gaming PC. The problem with them is that gamers are likely to value high frame rates above anything else and SSD's don't give you that. They reduce your loading times, which is great, but a gamer with spare cash is probably just going to get a better graphics card or a faster processor. Hoaving said all this, both of those features are pretty much standard these days so avoiding them probably isn't going to save anyone any money.

A second PCIe x16 slot definitely isn't something that I would call necessary. Physical PCIe x16 slots often only run at 4 or 8x. If you want a daul graphics card setup, 4x just isn't good enough; you sacrifice too much performance. 8x is fine, but it costs more. And unlike USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gbps, it's a significant cost. Personally, I like using dual graphics cards, but it's not for everyone so I certainly wouldn't recommend that everyone spend significantly more on their motherboard so that they can get it. Depends on the person, I guess, but it's not essential for everyone.

[MARS]

Do you think one of those new AMD Bulldozers is going to be worth it? 8 cores seem a bit excsessive but...they're 8 damn cores!

[Fiar]

So, I'm noticing that ATi cards aren't always as optimal as nVidia cards. So I'm looking to dedicate 600-700 on upgrading.

I'm thinking about GTX560 or 580, I don't know what motherboard I should get, and I don't know my power supply wattage, so let's say it's below par. Can I achieve my goal with this? And what brand of nVidia card should I be looking at for the 560 or 580?