Posts by Keith Wright2

Adam Moore3 said:Put whatever you want in there, an EVGA 450 w can handle it. 🙂 By your logic, I should have just dumped my $2,500 or $2,700 on some basic Intel Core i5, a 500W power supply, and played on integrated graphics until I could afford a "real" GPU? $667 🤔

I went with a beefier power supply just so there's some breathing room and it isn't running at max capacity constantly. I don't know what your specific setup looks like, but for $900, I certainly wouldn't be wasting money on an Intel Core i5—that's way too much cash to drop on such a stunt.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:Someone should ban you from this forum. 🙂

So, according to you, if it isn't an Intel Core i5, it's not a gaming PC? 😂

Fine, go build your little i5 rigs with a Radeon R9 280X and a 550W power supply or whatever... and just upgrade them piece by piece later.

The rest of us are going to build something that won't need a total overhaul in six months just to stay relevant. That's it. 🙂

If we are looking at the long term, my current setup is actually perfect. He can just swap the GPU later for a GTX 770, bump the RAM up by 4GB, and boom—he has a beast. Prices are going to tank over the next year, so upgrading will only cost about $667. Once that's done, he'll be set for the next five years because everything else is solid. If he goes with what you guys are suggesting, how long will that actually last? What happens when the next-gen titles start dropping in 2015? With my approach, he'd be totally fine and could just run everything on Ultra once the GPU is swapped out.

Adam Moore3 said:Realistically speaking, your build is totally unbalanced. You can't just slap in an overkill power supply, a $433 processor, blow past your budget, and grab a GPU that's already in MY build from $833, especially since this guy is spending his money on a computer meant to serve him best for gaming. An AMD FX 6300 is perfect here—it's the sweet spot. It's plenty powerful enough to run pretty much anything you throw at it, it's cheaper, it can handle almost any card you plug into it, and you can even overclock it decently. Within this budget, you might even be able to fit a Radeon R9 280X, which is obviously a significant step up from a 260X. ☕

It feels like some people need to hear the same things repeated a hundred times before they finally get it. The power supply was chosen specifically to handle future upgrades so he doesn't have to go out and buy a new one when he eventually grabs a better graphics card. He went slightly lighter on the GPU for now because everything else in this build is top-tier; once he swaps that card out later, he’ll have a true powerhouse. For what he's playing right now, this setup is plenty good, and once he drops in a GTX 770, he'll be set for a long time!

fadedorca66 said:You’re hyping up that i5 like people actually think it's some kind of holy grail. Even a casual gamer knows the GPU matters way more for actual comfort, but you still picked a weaker card than everyone else. Honestly, he'll probably need 8GB of RAM before he even worries about swapping out a quad-core Phenom or an AMD FX 6300.

If you had actually looked at the other builds, you'd see none of those cases are junk (junk cases are the ones meant for $33), and none of the power supplies are trash either (if you think Corsair or Logitech are junk, then I guess Microsoft and Linkworld are just garbage for $33?).

So basically, you went over budget for $83, built a worse PC Build than those two other options, and now you're arguing and trying to read the OP's mind because you know he's planning an upgrade

I simply don't have the energy to argue with narrow-minded people like you. In your opinion, the best move is to dump everything into a GPU and just cobble together whatever leftovers you find in a bargain bin? 🙂 Those cases are pure nonsense; I would never buy them myself when for $67 I can get a decent, high-quality case with great airflow. As for the power supplies, they are perfectly average. The only thing in my build that is weaker than the rest is the graphics card, but even with it, you can play anything—not to mention, as I mentioned above, it's the easiest part to swap out, along with RAM which you just plug into a slot and it costs $93. However, you aren't going to be swapping the CPU, motherboard, or case anytime soon; you'll always be limited by them if they aren't strong enough from the start. This PC Build is excellently structured for a future upgrade to a more powerful GPU, and every single component is high quality. But please, feel free to sink all your money into a single GPU, kill any possibility of a future upgrade, and play for a year before you're forced to replace the entire system because it can't run games the way it's supposed to 🙂.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:You blew through your budget for $83 without actually building a better PC. That power supply is overkill for these parts, the CPU is unnecessary, and the most important part for gaming is totally mismatched with the rest of the build, especially since the kid wants to play games.
And just because you haven't used an optical drive in two years doesn't mean someone else won't.

And yeah, not everyone buys a computer intending to upgrade it... believe it or not, some people just run their machines until they die.🙂

Don't talk nonsense... are you even reading what I'm saying?? I clearly explained why I chose a stronger power supply. The processor is absolutely necessary and vital, especially for upcoming titles; I’d say it's indisputable, particularly if he plans to save up money in six months or a year to buy a decent graphics card that can run everything on Ultra settings at max details. The current graphics card is sufficient for normal gaming, providing a massive advantage and a solid foundation for when he eventually installs a serious high-end card later. Whether he actually intends to buy and upgrade or not, we don't know! Neither you nor I do—I am simply suggesting what would be wise to do! Besides, if this PC build had a GeForce GTX 770 or a Radeon R9 280X instead of the current card, it would be a top-tier setup. Even if he added a stronger card, in your opinion, the processor would still be insufficient, which I think should be replaced for next-gen titles since standards are rising and an Intel Core i5 is becoming a "must-have," along with a compatible motherboard. As for the power supply and the case, they are just cheap junk you've picked! In my view, it is better to start with a slightly weaker GPU than the ones you suggested, provided it's enough for everything, while ensuring all other components are high-quality. That way, he can just swap out the GPU later and end up with an excellent machine just by changing one part!

briskmason6 said:I know they’re phasing out those warranty stickers, but there isn't anything stuck on here right now... Another thing—aside from the fact that I'm getting no beep code—is that the HDMI plug won't seat fully into the graphics card. It only goes in halfway because some part of the housing seems to be in the way. I assume it's still making contact, so maybe it isn't an issue? My only options left are to crack open the case to check if everything is plugged in correctly, or just trim away whatever rubber bit is blocking the HDMI port so it can slide all the way in...

Did you remember to pull off those little white translucent protective caps on the top of the HDMI port? If you did, then it really should go in, but you have to make sure you're orienting the plug the right way and giving it a gentle push. If it's being stubborn, try turning the back of the PC toward you so you can get a better angle while you plug it in. Let me know what happens, or just snap some photos once you open up the case. We can take a look together to see what the actual problem is and confirm if everything is seated properly.

crimsonstag84 said:AMD FX 6300
Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P
Spire Kepler Rev.2 cooler
Seagate 1 TB 3.5
MSI Radeon R7 265
Patriot Signature, 1333Mhz, 8GB (1x8GB)
LG GH24NS
Spire Maverick 6009
Fortron Hexa Plus 400W

Total: $1346 Best Buy (free assembly and shipping $27)

Compared to the build listed above, you're getting a significantly stronger processor, though the power supply is a bit weaker. Everything else stays more or less the same, I guess.

Maybe a better alternative would be to just grab 1x4GB of RAM for now, then use the price difference to pick up a beefier graphics card:

http://www.bestbuy.com/details/example-link

EDIT: Yeah, I was referring to the build from graniteharbor85

Since when was an Intel Core i5-4440 considered weaker than an AMD FX 6300? Or were you perhaps referring to graniteharbor85's PC Build?

briskmason6 said:So I went out and bought an HDMI-to-HDMI cable for $13 and, surprise surprise, nothing changed... honestly, I’m just lost at this point. From the very start, something felt off—like when I power it up, there isn't even that initial beep, almost as if everything is connected properly when it clearly isn't. And now I'm looking at the case, trying to figure out how to open it, but it's got those weirdly flat screws....

Before you go making any moves to crack that thing open, check for any warranty stickers, maybe on the back from the Center for Tech/Media. If they're there, don't you dare touch them or open anything, because that'll void your warranty instantly. You have their phone number, right? Just give them a call and ask them what to do.

Gary Barrett said:Look, here’s the situation: I need you all to put together a decent gaming build for roughly $1333. This should exclude the peripherals and the monitor. If it isn't too much trouble, try to include direct links for the components
. To be perfectly honest, I don't have the slightest clue what I'm doing here.

If I were in your shoes, here is how I would build it. An i5 is an incredibly powerful and fast processor; it doesn't pull much power and stays relatively cool when paired with a solid motherboard. This setup will remain strong enough for most games for quite a while, giving you the freedom to drop in a better graphics card whenever you save up some extra cash. I’ve also included a slightly beefier power supply right from the start so you won't have to buy a new one during future upgrades. As for memory, 4GB is plenty to get you started, and later on, adding another 4GB stick is a breeze—it'll only cost about $97. You'll also get a large, high-quality hard drive for all your data and a great, well-ventilated case with a nice window and blue LED lighting so you can actually see your components. The graphics card is sufficient to run modern titles on medium to high settings, and upgrading to a much more powerful card or adding more RAM down the road is the easiest task imaginable. If you aren't sure how, just let me know and I can send over a few videos to show you the way. I focused on building a robust platform because the whole system relies on it, ensuring everything is ready for future upgrades (strong CPU, excellent motherboard, and a power supply capable of handling high-end GPUs).

Intel Core i5-4440

Gigabyte GA-B85-HD3

Sapphire R7 260 x

XFX TS Series 550W PSU

DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Corsair, 1600MHz, CL11, Value

Seagate 1 TB 3.5 HDD, Western Digital Blue 10 EZEX, 1000 GB

Zalman Z9 U3 mid tower case

Total:$1417 Best Buy offers free assembly, testing, and delivery!
Stretch those $83; it will definitely come in handy later.
I didn't include a Prilica because you won't even need it; nowadays, everything from Windows installations to multimedia is handled via USB. Besides, a Prilica is $50 a waste of money; I have one myself and haven't touched it in two years.

mellowtiger83 said:@Benjamin King2.

My PC is completely brand new, built by an authorized service center, so I don't gain much from mentioning it; it’s just as fresh as any other suggestion being made here.

It is available immediately and ready to ship. I am not out here promoting anyone, pushing products, or—heaven forbid—spamming.

But you’ve already posted a million times claiming you work over at Micro Center, and all you ever do is suggest pre-built rigs using parts that are clearly chosen just to move inventory rather than provide actual performance. You’ve even offered up used builds several times! You buy secondhand components, ask everyone if they’re any good, and then turn around and sell a complete build while trying to claim the parts are new.🙂

Robert Rodriguez2 said:What on earth are you talking about?
Just look at the posts above; there are two builds listed without any bottlenecking using an EVGA r9 290...

Who even brought up a bottleneck???
My point was simply that his peripheral setup is going to blow through his budget.

Let me lay out the facts for you:

-An EVGA r9 290 simply isn't going to fit within your budget, even if you were to strip back every other component just to afford the peripherals you listed.
-Your choice of case is essentially dictated by the graphics card because of its length; you're either looking at a Cooler Master Z3, or if you insist on sticking strictly to your requirements, you'll have to hunt for something pricey around $267 which is the kind of selection you'd find at a local big-box retailer.
-So, what's the move? Either bump your budget up to $3167, switch to an r9 280 graphics card to stay within your limits, or scrape together some extra cash to pay for the build upfront. That way, you could actually grab everything you want without breaking the bank, since right now $250 is ending up being a cheaper configuration overall.

Keith Wright2 said:♥ Oh, sorry if I'm interrupting! Would you mind taking just three minutes to check out my blog here on Stardoll if you're interested? 😁 It would honestly mean the world to me. Thank you! 😉 ♥

Wait, I didn't write this... did someone hack my account or something???

♥ Hey, sorry to bother you! But would you mind sparing just three minutes to check out my blog over on Stardoll if you have a moment? 😁 It would truly mean the world to me. Thank you! 😉 ♥

Timothy Kim60 said:Honestly, his only real complaint is that there isn't a dedicated cutout for water cooling tubes.

If he really wants some RGB glow, he should look at this instead. It’s a completely different, minimalist vibe—no built-in LEDs, but at least it has a window.

If lighting is his main priority, why not just grab one or two illuminated radiators and have them installed? He could put one at the bottom and one at the back, or if he only wants one, just stick it in the rear!

- http://www.newegg.com/p/details/product...0017-bled.aspx

As for those radiators they took off, they could just mount them at the top or wherever there's actually enough clearance!

briskmason6 said:Haha, just give me a break! But seriously, let’s address this issue regarding the cramped case... It would be ideal if it featured more ventilation and some RGB lighting, or at least decent build quality. As for the monitor, I’d probably go with a Dell XPS 13 IPS...

This one will definitely fit your GPU. You could even squeeze in a liquid cooling setup with a large radiator here; it features sound dampening, excellent airflow, and the build quality is top-notch.

- http://www.newegg.com/p/product-details/example-case-link

Jack James65 said:Actually, I don't even need a better GPU. I personally play Grand Theft Auto IV on low settings, so I guess I won't be needing anything more powerful than that...

PLEASE, JUST STOP POSTING HERE!

I just can't wrap my head around it. First, you list an Intel Core i7 3770K, 16GB of RAM, a motherboard, and a 1TB Western Digital Blue drive, but then you end up choosing a CPU and a motherboard meant for $233 🙂

Drew Sanchez82 said:This might be a bit off-topic, but let's dive in anyway... The Naga is a pure gaming mouse through and through. It feels incredible for various types of gameplay, though I will say you'll need some time to adjust if you're coming from a slim, lightweight mouse to something this chunky.
Personally, I ran into some issues with double-clicking early on because the switches are much more sensitive than your standard budget mouse.😁

As far as headsets go, you have the SteelSeries Siberia V2 in several different editions. If you're looking for aesthetics, the Diablo II Edition is probably your best bet.
I'm not entirely sure which other headsets offer lighting effects. I personally use the Logitech G930, and honestly, there’s nothing but praise for that model.😁

I really like those G930s. Are they comfortable? I'm worried they might feel heavy on the head after a while, or maybe they might slip. How is the sound quality, and are they actually worth the investment? Could you suggest a few better models under $433 if you happen to know your way around that market?

Drew Sanchez82 said:The photo isn't great, but here are some videos of the models so you can get a better idea of how they look.

Thermaltake Razer

Razer Naga Molten

Razer Marauder Starcraft II

Plus some random no-name LED mousepad with blue glowing edges.

https://scontent-a-fra.xx.fbcdn.net/...66145633_n.jpg

I’m actually looking to pick up some new peripherals myself very soon. I was thinking about grabbing the Naga Molten just like yours (how are you liking it so far?), an Alienware Tact X keyboard (though I’d probably have to order that from overseas since we don't carry it locally), and some headset with LED accents—maybe something from Logitech if I want to go high-end, or perhaps a specific Razer model, though I haven't decided on the exact one yet. Right now, my main focus is upgrading my cooler and getting an SSD, but I'm not sure when the Noctua will be back in stock at my local shops, so I'm just waiting it out. No rush!

Drew Sanchez82 said:It’s honestly worse than mine. Mine is just a total circus act.

Come on, post a few pictures! Just make sure they're actually high quality—not something shot on a calculator.😁