Posts by Bryan Taylor6

Why wouldn't you just grab a 2K setup

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X6M9L6V

An Android TV Box, or just buy a Smart TV that already has it built-in

If you're picking up a new GPU, try slotting it into your current rig first. See if it actually satisfies you... then it’ll be much easier to justify buying a whole new build later.

What you've put together is fine, but since it's an older platform, you're definitely going to need a dedicated GPU... Ryan Hayes82's build is newer and better overall because it’s easier to upgrade, plus you won't need an extra graphics card... the only thing you're missing is at least a 120GB SSD

So now I'm stuck between two choices: go with the older platform and add an SSD for $350, or just grab the newer setup without the SSD

Another classic move is using external hard drives, especially if you don't leave them plugged in all the time. They rarely fail on you when you actually need them...

Sam Cruz11 said:From what I can tell, there are plenty of benefits—even tangible ones... And while that Vega performance boost doesn't look massive based on what I'm seeing, it's still a slight edge... Either way, I wouldn't downgrade... I’d probably just jump to the 16GB model... feels like that would land me right around $833 in the end....

You aren't seeing the full picture here

A GTX 650 is going to crush a Vega 8 in basically every category, except maybe games that specifically require Vulkan 1, which yours doesn't even need

The real benefit of having much faster DDR4 shows up in frame rates: at 30fps you might see a 1 fps gain, at 60fps it’s maybe 4 or 5, and at 100fps it’s maybe 10 to 15... On paper, those numbers look significant, but in real life, your eyes won't even notice the difference

wiredotter14 said:Are you saying there's 8GB of brand new DDR3 sitting there for about $83?

Well, they don't have any new ones, just used...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ram-memory...listing-26753027

Timothy Kim60 said:The point wasn't that the 2200G uses Vega 8, it's just that paired with the R3 1200, it’s the cheapest quad-core option out there...

Yeah, that makes sense...

DDR4 RAM costs twice as much as DDR3

And this is what you get in terms of gaming perks





Lots of RAM vs. very little RAM



Not sure if the G2200 is worth it. Your GPU is probably stronger than the Vega 8 anyway, which actually performs better because of the newer architecture and better drivers... Vega 8 holds its own for 720p gaming...

send over the results

Timothy Kim60 said:By the way, that ad you linked is dead. Even if it weren't, this is a much better deal (stronger card, newer architecture, superior cooler).

Sometimes you can snag a GTX 760 or a GTX 960 at a steal, but you have to hunt for them. Personally, I’d tell him to aim for something even beefier once he reaches his budget limit.

It was live yesterday, clearly sold already...

I agree, an R9 270 is solid, along with everything else mentioned...

But let's get back to basics... he'll hit 30fps at 720p either by using an SSD with a fast page file—basically leveraging the RAM—or just upgrading to 8GB of DDR3. It's a quick fix for about 200 bucks... or even just a Windows 7 reinstall if there's already an SSD installed.$100

Everything else is just spending whatever your wallet allows... Smartic's build $583 + an overclocked R9 270 $150 = $733 and you're good to go.

That works too... 8+2 DDR3

You might want to grab at least a 120GB Apple drive—actually, 240GB would be better so you can fit the whole OS on there. Keep your current RAM and just set the page file to 10GB since an Apple drive is so fast. That might actually be your best move...

It should look something like this, roughly...





Pay close attention to the RAM and page file values here...

Your other options are to buy another 4GB stick to get 2+4, or just sell your 2+2 setup and pick up 4+4 instead.

But honestly, the Apple drive thing could be the real game changer. You basically gain virtual RAM and everything—boot times, browsing, whatever else you're doing—will feel way faster...

I'd try the Apple drive first. Then you can swap out the CPU or the GPU later if you aren't happy with the performance...

This guy says his Apple drive made things insanely fast...

The NVIDIA GTX 660 actually edges out the HD 7850 slightly

http://hwbench.com/vgas/geforce-gtx-...radeon-hd-7850

Here is the link for $150

https://www.ebay.com/itm/graphic-card-listing-example

You just need another 4 gigs of RAM and you're good to go, which is about $50

this proves your CPU isn't actually that bad



this is roughly your CPU (slightly weaker) and your GPU (slightly weaker)



your GPU



if you're looking for a better CPU, try an Intel Core i7, but watch out for the 95W limit... make sure it doesn't exceed that. You can check the manufacturer's site for a list of compatible CPUs for that board...

want a stronger GPU? maybe a used NVIDIA GTX 660

crimsonstag84 said:Dell Monitor, 21.5" IPS, 1920x1080, 16:9, 250cd/m², 5ms, 75Hz, VGA, HDMI, FreeSync
Intel Core 5 2400G, 3.60GHz, 4MB Cache, AM4 socket, YD2400C5FBBOX
MS Stone midi tower case
Samsung SSD 120GB A400, 2.5", SATA3, TLC, 500 MB/s read, 320 MB/s write, 7mm, SA400S37/120G
1TB WD Blue HDD, 3.5", 7200RPM, 64MB Cache, SATA3, WD10EZEX
400W FSP Fortron Hexa plus power supply, ATX 2.4, PPA4004900
MSI Motherboard, AM4 socket, 90-MXB520-A0UAYZ
2x DDR4 4GB (1x4GB) G.Skill, 2400MHz, F4-2400C15S-4GNT
Coolermaster Devastator II HR + gaming mouse, blue LED
Genius speakers SP-HF160, 2x2W, USB, black

Total: about $1.50 on parts - AMD

$33 You could save money by doing this:

Swap the 2400G for a 2200G and you save $167 right there. Ditch the SSD to save another $67. Pick up a used case for $17 at a thrift store. Genius makes decent optical mice for $12. Grab the cheapest Genius keyboard and you'll have enough left over for a used GTX 1050... maybe even one with a warranty...

I'd definitely check the integrated graphics performance before buying a dedicated card...

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/...Vega_8/20.html

Some guy on Craigslist is selling a GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB of VRAM for $333. Might be worth trying to lowball him a bit and grab some 4GB DDR3 1600 RAM for $33 too... I saw a similar deal somewhere else once

The cool thing about these 1050 cards is they only pull about 75W, whereas those older ones can hog 150W or more

That idea regarding the GTX 960 is solid

I just spotted a GTX 1050 2 GB with a warranty until $240

Of course it will be able to

4GB of RAM would be great, but even adding 2GB is the bare minimum upgrade you need here...

maybe look for a used GTX 1050 Ti