Thanks for all the suggestions and for trying to save me some cash, but I’ve been planning to go absolutely wild from the jump, so that’s exactly what's going to happen. I’m still going to finish my homework, dig through some benchmarks and reviews, and then finally pull the trigger on either a TR4 setup or some insane Intel build, paired with a high-end NVIDIA card and a beast of a motherboard. I know you guys are probably going to hate me for this, but that's just how it is...
Right now, this specific setup is calling my name, and I’m going to lay out my reasoning so you guys can try and tear it apart—let’s see if I’ve actually made a mistake here: ASRock X399 Taichi motherboard, TR4—it's the only one I've seen with dual LAN ports for the TR4 platform. AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X processor ($1000it’s worth the extra cash since it gives me a TR4 socket to upgrade later). PNY RTX 2080 XLR8 (this is the cheapest 2080 available; does that actually matter in the real world?) 16GB (1x16GB) DDR4 PC4-24000U 3000MHz CL16 Corsair Vengeance LPX (at least, that's what you guys suggested). Three Noctua NF-A14 PWM 140mm fans (they seem like the gold standard). Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3, AMD TR4 (same thing, right?). At Micro Center, it’s about $1,500, though they don't have the 1920X in stock. If I go with the 1950X, the price jumps to nearly $1,900. 🤔🤔🤔
Look, I know I might be getting on everyone's nerves by asking this again, but... where is actually the best place to buy gear? Is there any way to order stuff online from overseas without it being a total disaster or getting hit with some massive customs fee? And what's the deal with this AMD EPYC? Is that what you guys have in mind when you say you'll "upgrade soon"? Actually, now that I think about it, maybe I should just grab an Intel Core i9 9900K. It feels like a safer bet to just get it and be set for five years rather than going with AMD and having to upgrade again in two or three. Besides, I’m definitely going to need a new GPU in three or four years anyway, so... maybe an NVIDIA RTX 2080? But which one specifically? I’ve always liked the ASUS models best—are they actually worth the premium? 😁 Which motherboard would pair best with a 9900K if I absolutely need dual LAN ports? As for cooling, I'm definitely going with that top-tier Noctua NH-D15; it's easily the best in my book. I'll just have to build the whole rig myself to make sure nothing melts.
Basically, everything you guys have said so far checks out based on my own Google searches, so thanks for the advice. It looks like I’ll be following the path you've laid out for me. I haven't really messed with AMD processors before. My history is mostly Intel—I've run an Intel Celeron 2.4, an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, and some random Intel Core i5. The last chip I picked up was actually an AMD FX-8320, and honestly? It was pretty terrible for what I actually need to get done. My graphics card is just as pathetic; it's an R9 280, which might have been a decent buy three or four years ago, but now? Not so much. What I was trying to get at is that back in the day, maybe ten years ago, I paid $833 for a Q6600, and that processor stayed solid for five or six years without a single hiccup. When it comes to upgrading, I’d much rather invest in components that actually last for years instead of constantly swapping stuff out or building around future upgrades (which is why I'm leaning toward liquid cooling—I want to set it and forget it, though I won't go 😁). Also, nobody has actually answered my question about the power supply yet...🤔
Let me make this simple for you: I’m looking for an 8-core processor (preferably Intel), a motherboard with at least 6 USB ports, dual LAN, and 4 RAM slots, 16GB of RAM, a high-end NVIDIA graphics card, two high-quality 120/140mm fans, liquid cooling, and a brand-new power supply; My budget is $2,700.
And yeah, I mentioned multitasking because I’m not just looking for some budget build to play games. I don't want a cheap setup; I'm more than willing to shell out extra cash if there's something even better out there. I put down 15, but honestly, if I can get something twice or three times as powerful for 20, I'll gladly pay the 20...😉 I just want to know that once I've powered everything up, I can do whatever the hell I want—whether that's running two heavy games at once, streaming in top-tier quality, or whatever else—without anything stuttering or overheating on me.
Look, when I buy gear like this, I try to invest in stuff that actually lasts, even if it means paying a massive premium upfront. I've wasted money on several "premium" CPU coolers in the past that turned out to be total junk, and my processor was still overheating regardless. What I really need is a setup capable of running two video monitors simultaneously while pushing some newer title on a third screen with everything cranked to the max. I'm operating under the assumption that liquid cooling actually performs better, so that's what I'd go for. If that's not actually the case—which, let's be honest, I have my doubts about—then there's absolutely no point in me getting one. Will my current power supply (XFX TS 550) even be able to handle all that?
144Hz at 1440p is my main priority, and I’m planning on picking up another one just like it along with a 1920x1200 setup. Right now I'm stuck with an R9 280, so I have no clue if I can even make use of this gear—honestly, it’s been a total disappointment.
My current setup is getting pretty outdated for my late-night gaming sessions, so I’m looking to build something fresh and much more powerful. 🤔 I’m aiming for some mid-to-high-end components that can handle heavy gaming and serious multitasking. Specifically, I need a new CPU, motherboard, RAM, GPU, and an SSD with at least 128GB capacity. I'm targeting either 16GB or 32GB of RAM, a rock-solid motherboard, and a beefy graphics card capable of driving 3 or 4 monitors simultaneously without breaking a sweat. Most importantly, I want a processor that won't feel obsolete for at least 4 or 5 years. I'm already sitting on a Fractal Design XL R2 case, so I'd like to add two new fans to it—any suggestions? Please, give me the highest quality options you can find; I want fans that actually last and don't die on me after a month! 😵I also plan to round everything out with liquid cooling. My current power supply is an XFX 550W unit, and if it's not enough (which I'm assuming it isn't), I'll grab a new one. *I'm planning to hook up 4-5 hard drives and 2 SSDs **If necessary, my budget can stretch up to $1,500☕
I’ll definitely keep that in mind, but honestly? I think it’s finally time to just give in to what I really want and go with a full-sized tower. 😁 I mean, come on, you can't fight desire, and hopefully, I can stretch my budget just enough to cover a few extra details. Once again, you guys have been a massive help. Thanks, everyone.
I'm trying to figure out if the difference between the MSI MAG B550 and the MSI MAG B550 is just about having more USB ports and better audio, or if there's actually more to it than that? Also, what's the actual deal with AMD's vs. Intel's processors these days? And why was a CPU cooler even included in the build list? Is it because AMD's processors don't come with one, or is the stock cooler just garbage?
Oh, and I totally forgot to ask—is it actually worth spending the extra cash on a high tower case just to have more breathing room inside?
Mainly gaming, but honestly, I’m constantly juggling a dozen things at once because I run a dual-monitor setup.
I’ve got an SSD and three internal drives (320GB, 500GB, and 1.5TB), plus a 2TB external drive that's basically plugged in 24/7.
I’m looking for something reliable that won't break the bank, but actually keeps up with how I work.
Forgot to mention—I don't really touch the newest AAA titles, and I've never been one to demand top-tier graphics, but if I feel like playing something heavier, I’d love to have some decent headroom.
I need some help putting together a new build: -Power supply, CPU, motherboard, GPU, RAM, and a case (I really need something spacious—a full tower is fine—with solid airflow and quiet operation) -I’m planning to scavenge my old hard drives, but I’m not sure if they’ll work with a modern motherboard since they’re SATA II, if I remember correctly) -It’s crucial that the graphics card has at least two DVI ports. -I’d prefer a higher-end motherboard.
My budget can flex between $450 and $750. My main goal is getting the best bang for my buck; I don't want to overpay for a tiny upgrade that isn't actually worth the extra cash.
I’ve got this Dell UltraSharp 24 monitor that’s about 5 or 6 years old now, and honestly, it decided to crap out on me today (excuse my language). What’s the deal? Well, I can turn it on, but once it hits the desktop, everything looks way too dark—especially the bottom half. It basically fades from light at the top to dark at the bottom. On top of that, the image just vanishes completely about two seconds after I power it up. Is there any way to fix this myself without dragging it to a repair shop, or should I just start bracing myself for the hit to my wallet right now? 😢
wiredmarlin5 said:First build - go with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295.
Second build - you're better off with a GTX 275 or a 260. Using NVIDIA SLI with two X2 cards just isn't worth it; jumping up to 4 GPUs gives you almost zero real-world gain. If you overclock the CPU in that second rig, you could even squeeze in two ATI Radeon HD 4890s, but you’ll definitely need to swap out the power supply first.
The ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 is about $700$250 if it still has a warranty, or maybe $600$217 if it doesn't.
So basically, running two ATI Radeon HD 4850 X2s is a waste of money, and dual 4890s would actually be more powerful, right? That's how I'm reading this...
Motherboard: ASUS P5Q CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 @ 2.66 GHz RAM: 2GB PSU: Either 550W or 750W (not sure yet, I'll get the exact info later)
... I want to know what the absolute best move is to squeeze out the highest FPS possible in games, staying under a budget of $1267.
Also, would throwing two ATI Radeon HD 4850 X2 cards into this build actually work? And if it does, is that really the peak solution for maxing out FPS and performance in games? Gigabyte Technology EX38-DS5 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4GHz 4GB RAM 550W Chieftec ... though maybe I could push that processor to 3.0 GHz or higher. If that isn't the ultimate way to go, tell me what is.
One last thing—what's a realistic resale price for an ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 these days?
Alright, look, I’m planning on picking up a new monitor within the next few days (maybe even tomorrow if I get my act together :P)... I'm thinking somewhere in the 22'' to 24'' range, unless there's a beast out there with better specs 😕... I was checking out Samsung's T-series, and I noticed they boast "high" contrast and a solid 2ms response time—but honestly, since I'm a complete amateur when it comes to monitor tech, I have no clue if those numbers actually matter or if it's just marketing fluff. My GPU setup is dual HD3870X's, so I shouldn't run into any bottlenecking issues during the selection process... Hit me with your best recommendations; I'm willing to go as high as $833. Also, if you can track down the absolute lowest price anywhere, please do. If not, I'll be left 😁
You’re asking way too many questions, man... Is it a power supply issue or what? What do I actually need to do if I want to throw an X1950 Pro or something similar in there?
- ASRock P4Combo - Intel Celeron 2.4 GHz - ATI Radeon 9600 Pro - MaxPower 400W 🙂 Hopefully that’s enough info to work with... cooling isn't anything special, and the case is just a basic budget one. - What's the best card I can actually cram into this thing? - Also, what kind of power supply (brand or link) should I grab if I want to run another HD3870X2? This is for my other rig—the rest of those specs are in my signature.