Official Building/Upgrading thread

[ButterFingers]

Trying to find a z series LGA 1155 mini itx motherboard, anyone got one laying around? XD

[Jmac]

Just installed a GTX 1070, time to rock some Skyrim Special Edition

[jonwon]

Friend moved back to HK and gave me his BenQ XL2430T dat 144hz is legit. I can definitely feel a difference when playing games. Might be placebo, but I feel more shots registering and higher accuracy

[SaviorSelf_666]

20mins left!

Own an EVGA GeForce GTX 1080, 1070, or 1060 graphics card? If so, you qualify for a FREE EVGA PowerLink!

[Jmac]

Originally Posted by SaviorSelf_666

20mins left!

Own an EVGA GeForce GTX 1080, 1070, or 1060 graphics card? If so, you qualify for a FREE EVGA PowerLink!

$20 for a "free" powerlink ... I passed

[Verdasco]

Originally Posted by jonwon

Friend moved back to HK and gave me his BenQ XL2430T dat 144hz is legit. I can definitely feel a difference when playing games. Might be placebo, but I feel more shots registering and higher accuracy

its not a placebo lmao

it makes it super smooth when playing games and doing anything basically lol

[Razor Ramon HG]

Originally Posted by Jmac

Just installed a GTX 1070, time to rock some Skyrim Special Edition

Welcome to the club

[!Aznboi128]

^ that looks sexy wish i had that kinda coin to throw in to my computer

[SaviorSelf_666]

Originally Posted by Razor Ramon HG

Welcome to the club

Yes welcome!


[emoji102]

[Razor Ramon HG]

Originally Posted by SaviorSelf_666

Yes welcome!

Spoiler!

[emoji102]

Any issues with your GTX 1080? Lots of issues popping up online.

[SaviorSelf_666]

Black screen issues with both of mine. My screen would go black and then the GPU's would spin to 100% and I'd have to shut my system completely down before they would function again. I have EK blocks just sitting here since EVGA denied any issues before.

First card was purchased: 06/20/2016
Second card was purchased: 08/09/2016

Both are being advanced RMA'd through EVGA.

So there are a couple issues:
1) VRM Temps (Thermal pads + VBIOS should fix) 2) VRM Voltage issues (Hardware issue, must replace card)

Here's a qoute from EVGA:

EVGA_JacobF
EVGA GeForce GTX 1080/1070 PWM Operating Temperature Update
11/1/2016 - Recently, it was reported from several sources, that the EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW PWM and memory temperature is running warmer than expected during Furmark (an extreme stress utility).

EVGA has investigated these reports and after extensive testing, below are our findings:
On ACX 3.0, EVGA focused on GPU temperature and the lowest acoustic levels possible. Running Furmark, the GPU is around 70C +/- and the fan speed is running approximately 30% duty cycle or lower.
However, during recent testing, the thermal temperature of the PWM and memory, in extreme circumstances, was marginally within spec and needed to be addressed.

Conclusion: EVGA offers full warranty support on its products, with cross-ship RMA*, and stands behind its products and commitment to our customers.

To resolve this, EVGA will be offering a VBIOS update, which adjusts the fan-speed curve to ensure sufficient cooling of all components across all operating temperatures. This VBIOS will be released in the next few days and users can download it and update their cards directly. This update resolves the potential thermal issues that have been reported, and ensures the card maintains safe operating temperatures.

For those users who want additional cooling beyond the VBIOS update, EVGA has optional thermal pads available. This update is not required, however; EVGA will make it available free of charge to any customer who is interested. To request the thermal pad kit, please visit EVGA - EVGA Thermal Pad Mod Request

Any customer who is not comfortable performing the recommended VBIOS update, may request a warranty cross-shipment* to exchange the product to EVGA for an updated replacement.
All graphics cards shipped from EVGA after 11/1/2016 will have the VBIOS update applied.
*The EVGA EAR(Advanced RMA Program) and Cross Shipping options are available in the Continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, EU, UK, Norway, and Switzerland. EVGA offers Standard RMA replacement options in the Middle East, Africa, India or outside of the before mentioned supported areas.

[Razor Ramon HG]

Originally Posted by SaviorSelf_666

Black screen issues with both of mine. My screen would go black and then the GPU's would spin to 100% and I'd have to shut my system completely down before they would function again. I have EK blocks just sitting here since EVGA denied any issues before.

First card was purchased: 06/20/2016
Second card was purchased: 08/09/2016

Both are being advanced RMA'd through EVGA.

So there are a couple issues:
1) VRM Temps (Thermal pads + VBIOS should fix) 2) VRM Voltage issues (Hardware issue, must replace card)

Here's a qoute from EVGA:

Yeah, a little bit worried about mine, but I have the regular ACX 3.0. The problem seems to be more widespread amongst the 1070/1080 FTWs.

I applied for the EVGA thermal pads earlier today, but I haven't noticed any issues at all with mine (shipped mid-September). Either my card is fine or I haven't pushed it hard enough (most intensive game is Hitman, lol). No overclocking.

There's supposed to be a new VBIOS tomorrow or something. EVGA said it only affects the higher end models, but apparently some of the 1060s have the problem too (albeit Furmark).



What a clusterfuck after the 970 cooler issue last generation, lol.

[twitchyzero]

eVGA's quality gone downhill imo...good thing they still have the customer service to back it up
i'll look for a MSI when i'm upgrading (i think someone says their service depot is in richmond)
it's too bad reference design now costs more haha

[Verdasco]

bought a logitech g pro for $125 from bestbuy.ca and wowooww, great sensor, great mouse but it feels too small for my comfort (used a windows 1.1 intel mouse for over 15 years in my life)

might even plan to sell this mouse if i am not comfortable within the next week , just opened today lol, revscene can have dibs if i dont like it

[jonwon]

I'm still using the GOAT from 2006. Try finding a Logitech G400, it's newer and has the same mold as the MX518 that I'm using; it's for people with bigger hands. It's too big for me which is why I'm prob gonna switch over to the Zowie EC2-A.

[Jmac]

I miss that mouse (had the MX510 and MX500 as well). My last MX518 died in 2011 IIRC. Wasn't working at the time, so just stuck with my wireless mouse (MX Revolution), which sucks by comparison.

[Verdasco]

just picked up a samsung 850 evo and gtx 970 from razor hamon

that feel when you try make your girlfriend have an inferior computer built... but it will be better than my current PC lol (maybe put in an i7 compared to my i5)



anyone here recommend a mATX case? Planning to get a small case so I can bring her computer to LAN with me in my room and portable enough so she can bring it home from time to time. Has to fit a GTX 970

[Razor Ramon HG]

Thanks bro.

I think if you need a LAN and portable computer, it's better to go mITX with a Silverstone RVZ02 or ML08 (has a handle). Most mATX cases are still pretty big.

[knight604]

Originally Posted by Verdasco

bought a logitech g pro for $125 from bestbuy.ca and wowooww, great sensor, great mouse but it feels too small for my comfort (used a windows 1.1 intel mouse for over 15 years in my life)

might even plan to sell this mouse if i am not comfortable within the next week , just opened today lol, revscene can have dibs if i dont like it

Look into zowie.

[smoothie.]

what i learned this page:

if you think your pc is badass, someone else will top it

also wait to buy a new graphics card

[Verdasco]

Originally Posted by Razor Ramon HG

Thanks bro.

I think if you need a LAN and portable computer, it's better to go mITX with a Silverstone RVZ02 or ML08 (has a handle). Most mATX cases are still pretty big.

mITX eh, can a GTX 970 fit in those? might be interested haha

edit:dang they are expensive.. might go for the coolermaster n200 cause its cheap

Originally Posted by smoothie.

what i learned this page:

if you think your pc is badass, someone else will top it

also wait to buy a new graphics card

waiting to buy new graphics card is dumb, just buy previous used generation that cost a lot less for the same if not close performance. Not everyone plays the newest directx 12 games.


There will always be the one person who has the quad sli GTX 1080

[Verdasco]

ok so i am in some sort of dilemma here.... i planned to build a cheap budget computer for my girl and instead.... i went over budget ($800 or $750) and got this so far

i7-4770k , GTX 970, 250gb m2 SSD, 750w gold PSU (got it cheap)

and my current PC is i5 6500k, 500gb SSD, GTX 970

debating if I should just keep the new build .... how much of a performance difference would I notice on these i7's for streaming and gaming?

[lilaznviper]

usually the i7 is an over kill for most needs. m2 ssd is more expensive. go with the regular 2.5 drive. 500gb can be had under $180

For intel builds, you should budget a bit more. for less go with AMD build.

My recent intel build was a i5 6500, asus z170-a montherboard, hyper-x 16gb ram, patriot 500gb ssd, corsair 200 case,corsiar 500psu, 2x 2tb seagate hd
total was 1.2k with taxes. tried to get everything on sale.

[Razor Ramon HG]

M.2 prices are dropping. Crucial's MX300 525GB can be had for around the same price as a 2.5" SSD. I bought mine last week for $159.99 off of Amazon w/ free next day shipping.

I exclusively use M.2 drives now. They save me from having to wire in any additional SATA/power cables for a single drive. Helps your computer look nice and clean.

[knight604]

Going to upgrade my videocard when the 1080ti comes out in Q1 2017