Official Building/Upgrading thread

[AzNightmare]

I'm trying to understand the issue with GPU bottleneck.

Since I'm trying to make a "productivity" build, I'm thinking of getting a cpu with more cores. If I have the budget for a CPU that would be overkill. My GPU will be bottlenecked when I game, and there will be a lot left on the table on my CPU. But is this actually bad for my PC and/or performance? Or just bad cause I'm wasting money.

Cause when I do video editing, I would like having those extra cores.

But from my understanding, if my GPU is maxed out when I game, does it really matter if my CPU is bottlenecked by a little bit or by a lot? GPU will be maxed out regardless.?

Or does the CPU and GPU setup have to be balance and fairly "equal" working together in order to perform the best?

[Razor Ramon HG]

No, you build your system so it performs best for what you want to do. If your goal is more productivity focused, then you'll likely always have a nicer CPU than GPU, and probably faster RAM (especially on a Ryzen, they like 3600MHz and up).

When people talk about bottlenecks on the internet, I feel like it's generally gaming oriented - say something like a low end CPU paired with a higher end video card. The CPU can't push all the FPS that the video card is capable of outputting. No damage is going to happen to the computer, but it's a waste of money since the guy would probably get more FPS with a mid-range GPU and a mid-range CPU.

I'm not too familiar with how much GPU acceleration affects video rendering in Premier, but unless you have a bottom of the barrel trash GPU, I probably wouldn't worry too much.

[Hondaracer]

Does anyone know anything about docks?

My work computer is a crazy brand new Lenovo thinkpad and I have a Lenovo thunderbolt
4 workstation dock at work. Ideally id want the exact same setup at home in my office but that dock I have is like $250..

Can I just buy one of these like generic Belkin etc. thunderbolt 3 Docks and use it for multiple
Monitors and Ethernet connection?

[underscore]

It's been a while since I had to research docks but you want to make sure it has the throughput to handle what you want to hook up. If you have multiple monitors/high res/etc they might not be able to support it or it'll be capped in some way. Like it might support 4k but only for one monitor and only at 30fps.

Will your IT department not give you one for your home office?

[Hondaracer]

I haven’t asked but given they are like $250 used on eBay I have a feeling probably not I already have a couple different brick chargers for it and have my own monitors at home it’s just the dock

Fuck annoying though because even at $300 if they won’t give me one I feel like I gotta buy the same one to be sure :/

[Razor Ramon HG]

What are you planning to connect to it?

If you're planning on connecting your power adapter, one or multiple video adapters, multiple USB ports, etc. then you'll want a Thunderbolt dock.

Common mistake people make is buying a USB-C dock because they see it's so much cheaper, but the bandwidth just isn't there.

You can cheap out and get a normal Thunderbolt 3 dock as well. Don't necessarily need a Thunderbolt 4 one if the cheaper one has all the connectivity you need.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...61229673343872

This one for $50 will probably work. Just need to check the wattage on the included power brick vs. what your laptop needs. If you have a standard Thinkpad, it'll probably be fine.

[SkinnyPupp]

Me reading the news of a prominent PC hardware influencer finally coming out

[Traum]

For a second there I thought you are talking about LTT -- and then I realized how much shxt they are in right now.

Ugh...

[roastpuff]

So is he not talking about LTT?

[Hondaracer]

Originally Posted by Razor Ramon HG

What are you planning to connect to it?

If you're planning on connecting your power adapter, one or multiple video adapters, multiple USB ports, etc. then you'll want a Thunderbolt dock.

Common mistake people make is buying a USB-C dock because they see it's so much cheaper, but the bandwidth just isn't there.

You can cheap out and get a normal Thunderbolt 3 dock as well. Don't necessarily need a Thunderbolt 4 one if the cheaper one has all the connectivity you need.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...61229673343872

This one for $50 will probably work. Just need to check the wattage on the included power brick vs. what your laptop needs. If you have a standard Thinkpad, it'll probably be fine.

Ok cool that’s another question I had whether thunderbolt 3 would be good enough because there are a lot for sale on marketplace

[Razor Ramon HG]

For the most part, the only difference normal people should care about between TB3 and TB4 is that TB3 supports only one vs. two 4K monitors.

[underscore]

My buddy is having a weird problem with his new desktop. Weirdly his old one did the same thing. Any USB drive plugged into any USB port will write to the computer just fine, but when writing to the USB it maxes out at 14MB/s. The performance tab in Task Manager shows the drive is at 99% use as well.

[bcrdukes]

Folks,

After years and years of frustration, I think it's time to ask Revscene for help.

For context, I use a Microsoft Surface Pro 6 which is dual duty for home and work use. It has the factory keyboard but it does not allow for too much adjustment in terms of placement so I ended up getting external keyboards.

Long story short: Just about every keyboard I buy, the keys get stuck or it breaks, and I am at my wits end. The current keyboard is a Microsoft Compact Designer keyboard and the "ENTER" key is stuck/broken. Microsoft can't warranty it because they don't have anymore units available as they've sold off the business so they gave me acredit.

So I'm looking to see if anyone can recommend a good, durable wireless keyboard. I'm thinking of a mechanical keyboard but this might be overkill, but I understand they are designed to last.

Any recommendations without breaking the bank? I see some of them are in the $400+ range, but I'm comfortable with the $250'ish range. I saw this randomly in my Google feed. Anyone have any experience with this?

https://store.monokei.co/products/monokei-systems

Thanks in advance.

[68style]

I've been using a Logitech K780 bluetooth keyboard for at least 3 years now, keys resemble a typewriter and feel very satisfying, zero issues, INSTANT bluetooth connection, can pair to 3 devices... I got another one for my work computer when work offered to buy one and my GF also got one after trying mine.

Mine sees daily HEAVY use for work.

[radeonboy]

I've been using a Logitech MX Keys for work and it's still going strong coming up to its 4yo mark. I like how the keys feel (resembles Mac keyboards) and still only needs charging once every 2-3(?) months. Can also connect up to 3 devices via Bluetooth or Logitech's receiver.

[bcrdukes]

I must be just buying junk

[TOS'd]

$75, 3% CB

https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/p/acces...oards/78072759

[roastpuff]

Logitech G613 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard is what I use for work. Satisfying to type on, great battery life, but no RGB or any backlight.

Do you need a numpad or not really?

[bcrdukes]

Numpad - not really.

What I like about the Microsoft Designer Compact keyboard is the size in which it's the exact same width of the Surface Pro and as a result, takes up less real estate on my desk.

[roastpuff]

Ah, if you are ok with TKL then the Keychron keyboards are good value too.

https://www.keychron.com/products/ke...nical-keyboard

I don't think anything will be quite the same size as the Surface Pro except the Microsoft keyboards. InCase is taking over the MS peripheral business, so perhaps they will release something that suits your needs.

[68style]

I can't see myself ever buying anything but Logitech for KB or Mouse... they just work SO well... I cannot believe how fast it connects too, like I turn the power to the KB on and at literally the same time I hit ctrl-alt-del after to unlock the computer that's in sleep state, bam it already responds and password prompt is there.

I have my personal computer on 1, work on 2 and phone on 3... so hot swapping back and forth all the time between the 3.

[radeonboy]

Originally Posted by roastpuff

Ah, if you are ok with TKL then the Keychron keyboards are good value too.

https://www.keychron.com/products/ke...nical-keyboard

I recently picked up a Keychron K10 for home use just to try something besides Logitech for once, and for now I still like my Logitech more. It's too bad there's no easy way to test most keyboards without ordering/returning.

Originally Posted by 68style

I have my personal computer on 1, work on 2 and phone on 3... so hot swapping back and forth all the time between the 3.

Same - this setup with a similar Logitech mouse is a hard combo to beat.

[SkinnyPupp]

Typing this on a Keychron K2 now and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Had it for over 3 years now, and I have never had a problem. I recently replaced all the keycaps with nice thick PBT caps, and while I was at it I took apart all the switches and lubed them. In case you wonder why I randomly go on rants all the time here, it's because typing feels so good

It's not even the best switches either - it's just default Gateron red. I might swap these out for Cherry reds some time, or find if there's something better (I really like the Cherry though). A great part about the design is that it's hot-swappable, so the caps can pop out easily without desoldering them

Not that dukes should care about that crap.. The point is, it's a reliable keyboard, and if something ever does go wrong, you can easily replace the switch.

[bcrdukes]

Yeah I don't want to swap stuff. I just want it to work and be reliable.

[Razor Ramon HG]

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

It's not even the best switches either - it's just default Gateron red. I might swap these out for Cherry reds some time, or find if there's something better (I really like the Cherry though). A great part about the design is that it's hot-swappable, so the caps can pop out easily without desoldering them

I went from:

1. Gateron Milky Yellow - linear
2. Boba U4T - tactile
3. Akko Jelly Black - linear

I previously only liked clicky switches from my Ducky and Logitech days, but then when I decided to go custom I wanted to try other switches. I think I'm fully linear gang now.

Very happy with the Akko Jelly Black. They feel and sound great, and were cheap as hell off Taobao. I couldn't find a place to pick up Akko stuff when I was in HK, but I know you can get them in SZ.