Do you know a place where I could find a reasonably priced prebuilt?
The PC Builders Thread ("I Need a New PC") v2
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Do you know a place where I could find a reasonably priced prebuilt?
If you have a microcenter near you, I know they will build it for you.
OP
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I don't think that's wildly overpriced for a pre-built, but definitely overpriced versus building yourself. I built a similar system from PCPartPicker prices, but upgraded the SSD to have 2x the storage, made sure the PSU was at least modest (no idea the quality of the pre-built PSU), grabbed a 240mm CPU cooler instead of the 120mm that comes with that pre-built, and ensured the motherboard had built-in WiFi. I threw this together quickly, but I'm sure it could be fine-tuned quite a bit.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - MasterLiquid ML240L RGB 66.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B360 AORUS Gaming 3 WIFI ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($114.40 @ Amazon)
Memory: GeIL - EVO SPEAR 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Patriot - Scorch 256 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda Compute 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB DUKE OCV1 Video Card ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT - H500 ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Thermaltake - Toughpower GOLD 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($64.44 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($99.39 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1332.05
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-26 00:26 EDT-0400
The point is to give a sense of what you're getting for your money, not to say you can't buy a pre-built. I love building PCs, but I think it's perfectly fine for people to be OK with paying a bit more to get something ready out of the box.
Personally, I like IBuyPower or CyberPowerPC as far as pre-builts go. Micro Center beats all, though, so go there and grab something from their PowerSpec line-up if you're near an MC.
This was really helpful. Sorry I made you go through all that. I'll look into CyberPowerPC.
Following on from this, I saw a YouTube video last night for optimized settings for the 9900k, mostly for OCing (which I'm not interesting in) but I decided to try out some of the settings.
The PC ended up bluescreening after a bit, so I restarted went into the BIOS and selected the option to use the "optimized defaults". Before, I only enabled XMP and didn't really touch anything else. The only difference I noted was that it suddenly put the Vcore down. Before it was sitting on like 1.4 something and it put it down to 1.24. So I re-enabled XMP, set the LLC to Turbo and then enabled multi-core optimization.
Loaded Windows back up and it showed the clocks hitting 5ghz. Ran Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and it ran perfectly. There was one stutter in the benchmark and then in gameplay it ran smooth. However, major caveat, the processor was running at like 90 degrees.
So this morning, I disabled multicore optimization, thinking the clock speeds were possibly the cause of the high temps, and then set the voltage down to 1.22. Loaded the game and it stuttered like crazy again.
I'm struggling to think of what settings I need to use here to find a middle ground between no stuttering but no crazy temperatures either.
I have no idea what my Vcore is supposed to be set to (apparently Gigabyte overvolt these processors) because every Google result I get is about overclocking, which I don't want to do.
Could anyone provide some insight into what the heck is going on?
Multicore optimization is overclocking
Just reset optimized defaults and enable XMP if you don't want to overclock. Make sure CPU ratio is set to auto. You don't need to touch the voltage or LLC
Well, scratch what I said earlier. The optimized defaults set the Vcore to AUTO, not 1.24.
So I've now repeated it. The only way I can get AC, Watch Dogs, GTA, etc. to run stable without stuttering is:
- Vcore set to auto (Hwinfo is showing it going as high as 1.5/1.6v while testing)
- Multicore optimization enabled
And this results in the crazy high temps.
As soon as I manually turn the voltage down, the computer crashes if multicore optimization is enabled. If I turn that off, then the stuttering comes back.
Have I got a busted CPU? Surely this can't be normal.
With all auto settings and only XMP, I get the stutters. Without the multicore it stutters and with it, the temps/voltage go really high.
So I've now repeated it. The only way I can get AC, Watch Dogs, GTA, etc. to run stable without stuttering is:
- Vcore set to auto (Hwinfo is showing it going as high as 1.5/1.6v while testing)
- Multicore optimization enabled
And this results in the crazy high temps.
As soon as I manually turn the voltage down, the computer crashes if multicore optimization is enabled. If I turn that off, then the stuttering comes back.
Have I got a busted CPU? Surely this can't be normal.
With all auto settings and only XMP, I get the stutters. Without the multicore it stutters and with it, the temps/voltage go really high.
I was thinking about it and downloaded the files earlier, but I'm a little scared given all the warnings on the Gigabyte page about doing it. How risky is it?
There are risks, but that is usually only if you flash the BIOS for the wrong board (hard to do these days) or have something like the power cut while the BIOS is being flashed. Even then, many motherboards have recovery options. Some vendors these days have their own software to download and flash the BIOS, too.
these VCORE seem very high indeed, not too familiar though but just from reference of 1.24 being "normal". 1.6 is a way high jump.
Yeah, it's crazy. The temperature just shoots up to almost 100 on an H100i Pro.
The problem is I don't know if this is the motherboard, CPU or both causing the problem.
Yeah, I see they've got a Q-flash utility for it. I'll give it a go and report back on what happens.
Okay, what I would suggest is put aside the idea that it is hardware and BIOS related.
Disable programs starting up via Task Manager and close all others running, even in the system tray and see if that does anything.
Run Latencymon and see if anything stands out.
Disable programs starting up via Task Manager and close all others running, even in the system tray and see if that does anything.
Run Latencymon and see if anything stands out.
We're beyond my level of expertise here but I'm really curious as to how this problem will finally be solved.
Okay, I disabled all my start up programs and shut down everything that I could in Task Manager. Opened up Latencymon and ran the benchmark in ACO.
Still got the stuttering and Latencymon showed this:
EDIT: Forgot to mention, all the bars had barely anything in them and it told me there were no problems, until I opened the game. As soon as the game started, that second bar just shot to red and the message at the top appeared.
In no way should you run Vcore that high. I would turn off MCE and try to tame that first. The board is simply juicing the CPU to keep things stable. I'm sure it doesn't need anywhere that much. You also need to watch VCCIO and VCCSA because those will also tend to go nuts at default Z390 values.
The motherboard makers want to win benchmarks. They aren't worried about your CPU.
I had to tame my Asus board too but nowhere that crazy.
Oh yeah, I agree completely. It only went that high because it was on the auto setting. As soon as I manually set it lower, the system would just blue screen with MCE on. With it off, the stuttering comes back. So it's either going with crazy high voltage/temps with MCE on and no stuttering, or lower voltage/temps with MCE off and stuttering.
Either way, it's just totally unplayable. Yet, I've been playing Sekiro all morning without a problem at all. CPU stayed cool with low usage and no stuttering at all. It just seems to be CPU intensive games like the ACs, Watch Dogs 2 and GTAV that have the stuttering.
You can check the stats and other tabs for more info, but I suspect that this is just reporting the same issue without much more info. One thing you can check is to see is if there is paging. It doesn't look like any other programs/driver were the cause if it was fine before you started the game, but its still possible.
Try changing your power management mode for AC:O in the nvidia control panel to high performance or maximum performance, I can't remember what it is called. I suspect this won't do anything, but it is at least something to rule out.
After that, I'd try check RAM, but only because it hasn't been done, and I can't think of much else that could go wrong that hasn't been checked, other than some hidden Windows shenanigans that I don't really know.
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You could also try turning XMP off to see if that affects the spikes. Doubt it helps but it's a quick and easy thing.
Interestingly, when I ran Latencymon and the game now, the charts didn't go crazy, although it is still giving the same warning message, just not in death red anymore.
The game was still stuttering like crazy, though.
I tried changing the power mode both within Windows itself and in the NVCP and it didn't help at all.
In terms of RAM, I initally had them installed in the wrong channels, but after swapping them to A1/B1 it didn't make a difference at all. Are there any tests I can do to check the RAM?
XMP on/off
Try RAM in other matched slot pair
Try running with 1 stick, then the other
Oh yeah, running memory tests with each of these. I doubt it's memory but we're at a point where nothing is a slam dunk. You could also read overclock.net to see if anyone with this MB has run into your issues.
Windows has a built in RAM test, and then there are more advanced ones like memtest86, and you can also run Prime95 to stress RAM. I'd run the Windows one first. Just Type 'Windows Memory' into the search on the taskbar and it should come up.
Okay, so I ran both the Windows test and Memtest86 multiple times. Both came back completely clear, no errors or problems at all.
I swapped the sticks around into different slots, A1/B1 to A2/B2, and also tried single sticks in different positions. With both sticks the stuttering was as it always is. When I used single sticks in different positions, it did this:
I also tested with XMP on and off and it didn't make a difference at all. I've just turned it back on and left it on for now.
So, yeah, I get the feeling the memory isn't the issue or at least not in an obvious way.
I think you tried full screen right? I tried borderless and had a couple huge CPU spikes I haven't seen before but I didn't run it multiple times.
Oh god... I'm staring at a list on Newegg of a 9700k build and I'm in the agonizing limbo between wanting to pull the trigger now and thinking if I should wait until whatever AMD announcement coming up + waiting longer for Black Friday deals. Uuuuuuugggghhhh!
I mean the announcement is right now. In a few minutes you should have a decent price comparison available. Appears an AMD build might have a slight edge, but 9700k and definitely 9900k will still be in the top 4 gaming CPUs for a while.
At this very moment? Is there like a stream of it or something?
you missed the Navi part but it was a load of nothing.
I caught that. I was more interested in if their CPUs would gain on Intel in per core performance. Maybe they did? (Im not good at parsing through these marketing events.) I'm sticking to AMD on graphics for freesync support. Navi seemed marginally improved over current Vega?
If they had beaten Intel on IPC/single core performance they would have had a bunch of game benchmarks up there, not cinebench
i9-9900k will continue to be the gaming leader by small margins, but a 3800X may be preferable over a 9700...
Navi seemed about on par with Radeon 7, oddly. A lower power GPU, whereas Radeon 7 is a plasma beast and a chainsaw in your PC, though.
So in light of the new AMD announcements...
I'm looking to build a new PC, probably upper mid-tier, the ability to play games at high/ultra settings on 1080p and maybe some games at 1440p (though I don't have a capable monitor at this time). I've never built a PC before but it seems like the graphics card that'd best fit my needs is the 1660 TI, but from a CPU perspective, would a 3600x or a 3700x make more sense, if my budget is around $900-$1000? Eyeing a 1TB SSD since I don't need too much space.
I imagine I'll want to upgrade my graphics card at some point but probably want to ideally keep this configuration for somewhere around 2-3 years at which point I'd probably look to adding more RAM/replacing the graphics card. I'm typically more of a console player but I'd imagine my PC is gonna fall slightly behind next gen consoles so I'm trying to determine what makes sense and how to future proof smartly so in a few years I don't have to replace everything while not breaking the bank initially.
I'm looking to build a new PC, probably upper mid-tier, the ability to play games at high/ultra settings on 1080p and maybe some games at 1440p (though I don't have a capable monitor at this time). I've never built a PC before but it seems like the graphics card that'd best fit my needs is the 1660 TI, but from a CPU perspective, would a 3600x or a 3700x make more sense, if my budget is around $900-$1000? Eyeing a 1TB SSD since I don't need too much space.
I imagine I'll want to upgrade my graphics card at some point but probably want to ideally keep this configuration for somewhere around 2-3 years at which point I'd probably look to adding more RAM/replacing the graphics card. I'm typically more of a console player but I'd imagine my PC is gonna fall slightly behind next gen consoles so I'm trying to determine what makes sense and how to future proof smartly so in a few years I don't have to replace everything while not breaking the bank initially.
If you're only shooting for 60fps you can get great deals right now on CPU/mobo combos for a Ryzen 26/2700 or an i5 9400f
Trying to 'future proof' now is a bad idea. In a couple years we'll have DDR5 and you'll need a new board
If you want to compare the 3600/3700 you'll really need to wait for benchmarks to come out. Do you use many multithreaded apps?
This PC will basically just be gaming for its main purpose, no intention to use it for streaming or things like that so multithreaded app usage should presumably be limited. 60 FPS is the general target, I guess I'm not sure how long that will manage to hold up as we approach the next generation with the current Ryzen 2600/2700x?
idk what I'm looking at, but the Ryzen 5 3600 looks the same as the Ryzen 5 2600X but is like $20 more expensive? buh?
It's on a different (smaller / better) process node and with architectural improvements. Differences aren't in the clock rates. Frequency is like climbing a sheer ice cliff. Same reason why everyone who knew anything knew they weren't going to do 5GHz all core 8c+...
So it's probably worth the extra $20 to go with that over the 2600X but the 3600X isn't worth the extra $70 given its stats are only marginally better than the 3600?
idk what any of this means :C
It has a 30W lower TDP and is 15% more performant while running the same clocks if their IPC claims are to be believed (probably has some variation per application)
If you're not streaming and only trying to hit 60fps in games, I'd get one of the cheaper current deals on a 6 core and dump all your budget into the GPU and/or a nice monitor. The higher core count chips will really help more for non-gaming apps for now
In layman's terms the 3600 is going to greatly outperform the 2600X even if they're running at the same frequency. I can't speak to 3600X vs 3600.
Slightly more than layman's terms: CPUs haven't been able to improve frequency much at all for a very long time. It's why we talk about cores and IPC (instructions per clock).
Slightly more still: You can think of a CPU as a series of tubes, a CPU with higher IPC has wider tubes that can push through more volume at the same speed. More cores means more tubes.
So I just got some crosair LL RGB 120 fans for my pc. I know they have arrows pointing, but I still feel like I dont know if I have the airflow going the right way. I have it so far from the front taking in air and the rest blowing out the back. Usually which way do fans blow in and out like direction wise?
That is exactly how fans should point. Pull fresh air in from the front, exhaust it from the rear.
Oh I get that I just can't tell if the fan I have at the top of my case is blowing in or out lol. Sorry for asking dumb questions I am new to all this. My case is the nzxt 500, I used an rgb fan for the top.
Try putting a piece of paper next to each fan when you've got them going full blast. Should be easy to tell then :p
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