The PC Build Thread

[Niner]

Your best bet is probably Rebel Tech. Get the biggest monitor you can afford.

Nvidia charges manufacturers a lot for G-Sync functionality, so those monitors are expensive.

Thanks, I'm looking at them and Wootware at the moment. Got great service from both when ordering components for my system.

 

[AthenianOwl]

I've decided to order a new H97 mobo (Asus H97M-E) to replace my ****ty one.

 

[ponder]

I've decided to order a new H97 mobo (Asus H97M-E) to replace my ****ty one.

Why?

 

[furpile]

Hi guys. I am thinking of upgrading my gfx card later this year. Just wanted some advice.

Current setup:
Core i5 2500
GTX460
Vantec ION2 550W PSU (Matrix special, only one I could get quickly when my previous PSU died, about 75% efficient)
8 GB ram

This setup still works well for the games I am playing currently (POE, Civ 5, Shadows of Mordor (struggled a bit here)). I don't think it will be able to handle stuff like GTA V or The Witcher 3, so I am looking at GPU replacements (the rest should be ok).

First I looked at the Powercolor ATI cards that have been recommended here a lot. Between R3k and R4k I can get a R9 280 to R9 290 and it should last a few years. However, then I will have to replace my PSU as well.

All my GPU's have been Nvidia cards, however it doesn't have to be. I looked at the Galax cards as well, and the GTX960 is R3k and the GTX 970 is R5k. That is quite a big jump. I have read that a lot of games are optimised for Nvidia, don't know if this really matters? Will the GTX960 be a decent choice seeing as I don't have to upgrade my PSU? The Nvidia cards just seem more expensive.

From Wootware:
R9 280 = R2800
R9 280X = R3300
R9 290 = R4000

GTX 960 = R3000
GTX 970 = R5000

 

[ponder]

Hi guys. I am thinking of upgrading my gfx card later this year. Just wanted some advice.

If you are only upgrading later in the year then rather ask this question a couple of weeks before you are ready to dump some cash.

The new AMD GPUs will probably be out next month so in your situation I would wait.

 

[furpile]

If you are only upgrading later in the year then rather ask this question a couple of weeks before you are ready to dump some cash.

The new AMD GPUs will probably be out next month so in your situation I would wait.

The problem is I am not sure when I am going to upgrade. So if I upgrade in the next week to take advantage of the Witcher copy included with the GTX 960 for R3k will that be the best deal now? If I wait longer I will do more research at the time.

 

[ponder]

The problem is I am not sure when I am going to upgrade. So if I upgrade in the next week to take advantage of the Witcher copy included with the GTX 960 for R3k will that be the best deal now? If I wait longer I will do more research at the time.

The R9 290 is a better card. Wootware is no longer running the witcher 3 promo. Rebeltech only has stock of the GTX 960 4GB with witcher 3 promo @R3.7k, they're out of stock on the 2GB 960 as well as the gtx 970 and they won't be running the witcher 3 promo when new stock arrives in 10-14days. So I'm afraid you missed the boat wrt the witcher 3 promo deals (unless you know of another supplier) so you might as well wait. I personally won't go for the R3.7k 960 as the R9 290 is much faster.

If Rebeltech had stock I would have suggest going with the gtx 970 promo which had witcher + batman @R5k as a R9 290 + witcher would have set you back R4.5k so you would have paid R500 more for a better card with 2 games included.

In the meantime see if you can find a R100 takealot voucher which means the game will only cost you R400.

 

[furpile]

Thanks Ponder. It's a pity that the gap between the GTX960 and GTX970 is so big. I'll see what happens with the new AMD GPU's later this year then. Probably the current 200 cards will drop in price, then that R9 290 will be really attractive.

 

[ponder]

Thanks Ponder. It's a pity that the gap between the GTX960 and GTX970 is so big. I'll see what happens with the new AMD GPU's later this year then. Probably the current 200 cards will drop in price, then that R9 290 will be really attractive.

Yeah, it's not a bad card but after buying one I reckon nvidia could have given us a bit more like 3GB vram, 192-bit bus, & a few more shader cores to bring it a bit closer to the 970. the 970 for example is closer to the 980 than the 960 is to the 970 if you know what I mean. It still performs remarkably well though so at R3k it's not a bad buy. Maybe they will bring out a 960ti in future to bridge that gap a bit which would be good. dx12 should also see them getting a bit of a boost & if that means 10fps more then I'll be all smiles

 

[FoXtroT]

Guys I'm thinking of upgrading my Graphics card. I currently have an MSI GTX 660Ti and was wondering whether I should either find another and go SLI or go for something like a GTX 970 like someone has suggested before (with an added bonus of a game typically being included).

I don't tend to play the most graphic intensive games out there (DCS, Arma 3, Rome II) but I may want to move towards playing those types of games in the future, say GTA 5 which I currently have on PS3 which looks **** compared to PC. I want to be able to play on pretty high settings and have a decent level of 'future proofing'.

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[ponder]

Guys I'm thinking of upgrading my Graphics card. I currently have an MSI GTX 660Ti and was wondering whether I should either find another and go SLI or go for something like a GTX 970 like someone has suggested before (with an added bonus of a game typically being included).

I don't tend to play the most graphic intensive games out there (DCS, Arma 3, Rome II) but I may want to move towards playing those types of games in the future, say GTA 5 which I currently have on PS3 which looks **** compared to PC. I want to be able to play on pretty high settings and have a decent level of 'future proofing'.

Let me know what you guys think.

I would not SLI, more power, heat & single gpu's usually have less issues.

Wait a few days. Think the NDA for the new AMD stuff is being lifted tomorrow. nVidia also has a new 960/5ti which is based on the same chip as the 970 & 980. All should be revealed during Computex.

 

[ZombieToDD]

Good day

I am planning on buying a Nvidia GTX 980 But i dont know if my computer will be compatible, could you please have a look and tell me if it would.

My Specs :

P8 Z 77-v LX Mother Board
Intel Core i7 3.4 Ghz
16 GB ram
Nvidia Gefource GTX650

Please could you have a look and let me know thanks

 

[ponder]

Good day

I am planning on buying a Nvidia GTX 980 But i dont know if my computer will be compatible, could you please have a look and tell me if it would.

My Specs :

P8 Z 77-v LX Mother Board
Intel Core i7 3.4 Ghz
16 GB ram
Nvidia Gefource GTX650

Please could you have a look and let me know thanks

See your other thread.

Don't double post, normal forum etiquette

 

[EmileS]

Good day

I am planning on buying a Nvidia GTX 980 But i dont know if my computer will be compatible, could you please have a look and tell me if it would.

My Specs :

P8 Z 77-v LX Mother Board
Intel Core i7 3.4 Ghz
16 GB ram
Nvidia Gefource GTX650

Please could you have a look and let me know thanks

Depends on your PSU mate. But, it seems all good.

 

[Agent_Smith]

So am looking at a SSD drive but see quite a few models out there. I'm looking at a 250gb drive. It doesn't need to store too much. Just an OS and a few games.

I see there's Kingston, Intel, Samsung & Corsair to name a few. Any suggestions on what brand to go for?

 

[Pitbull]

So am looking at a SSD drive but see quite a few models out there. I'm looking at a 250gb drive. It doesn't need to store too much. Just an OS and a few games.

I see there's Kingston, Intel, Samsung & Corsair to name a few. Any suggestions on what brand to go for?

I bought a Transcend and very happy with it. Given I've only had it for 2 months now. I didn't hesitate since Transcend flash drives have given me good service over the years.

 

[Neoprod]

So am looking at a SSD drive but see quite a few models out there. I'm looking at a 250gb drive. It doesn't need to store too much. Just an OS and a few games.

I see there's Kingston, Intel, Samsung & Corsair to name a few. Any suggestions on what brand to go for?

I'd get a Samsung 850 EVO if I was buying for myself...local pricing is not great compared to other brands. The Crucial BX100 is also a great drive and probably cheaper?

 

[Agent_Smith]

I'd get a Samsung 850 EVO if I was buying for myself...local pricing is not great compared to other brands. The Crucial BX100 is also a great drive and probably cheaper?

R1600 ex vat from Frontosa, same for the Corsair 240gb drive. ponder ponder....

 

[Neoprod]

R1600 ex vat from Frontosa, same for the Corsair 240gb drive. ponder ponder....

Check Wootware...think they had some savings on the Crucial last week.

 

[Neoprod]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9144/crucial-bx100-120gb-250gb-500gb-1tb-ssd-review/12

Was double-checking myself...there's a Crucial MX series also and I wanted to make sure I gave you the right advice.