Computer Build Help

**WS6** · 03-01-17, 06:24

My computer is currently 6+ years old. It's done GREAT! for how long I've had it, but I want to get into 4K gaming, etc. and want another 6+ years out of my next PC.

I have settled on the 1070 NVIDIA graphics card as a solid price/performance bench mark.

What CPU should I get?

How much DDR4 do I need?

I think I am kindof roped into the 99X Motherboard, yes?

I do not want to step up to the NVIDIA 1080, as that's $200 more real world pricing. I don't want to waste my money on the 1060. Find me the "1070 of CPU's"?

I am so damn lost looking at intel's stuff. I know I want an i7 at least, yeah?

**Clem** · 03-01-17, 08:34

What's your budget?
I find that pcgamer usually has some pretty good build guides for each tier of budget.

Here are 3 articles for each tier, maybe you'll find one that matches what you're looking for.
http://www.pcgamer.com/best-gaming-pc/
http://www.pcgamer.com/pc-build-guid...end-gaming-pc/
http://www.pcgamer.com/build-guide-t...eme-gaming-pc/

**WS6** · 03-01-17, 08:39

Originally Posted by Clem

What's your budget?
I find that pcgamer usually has some pretty good build guides for each tier of budget.

Here are 3 articles for each tier, maybe you'll find one that matches what you're looking for.
http://www.pcgamer.com/best-gaming-pc/
http://www.pcgamer.com/pc-build-guid...end-gaming-pc/
http://www.pcgamer.com/build-guide-t...eme-gaming-pc/

$1200ish

I already have the tower/case, and a SSD that I will just move from my current to my new computer, and the CD/Blueray drive, and maybe one or two other things? that I can just move over/cannibalize to conserve cash.

I want to spend $1200ish on:

Videocard
CPU
Motherboard
Memory
Powersupply

That is not a "hard budget", but I would like justification for breaking it.

**Clem** · 03-01-17, 09:01

Well, this list puts you just above your budget at $1234

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB GDDR5 256 bit PCI-E 3.0 x 16 Windforce OC (GV-N1070WF2OC-8GD)
$370 (Amazon)

Intel Core i7-7700K Kaby Lake Quad-Core 4.2 GHz LGA 1151 91W BX80677I77700K Desktop Processor
$339 (Amazon)

ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero LGA1151 DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 ATX Motherboard
$215 (Amazon)

G.SKILL Ripjaws 4 Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Desktop Memory Model F4-2400C15Q-32GRB
$200 (newegg)

Power supply: EVGA Supernova 850 watt G2 80 Plus Gold
$110 (Amazon)

**Defaultmp3** · 03-01-17, 09:50

You're not gonna get good 4K gaming out of a GTX 1070. Even a GTX 1080 would only get you middling results (assuming you're looking for consistent >60 FPS).

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-cpus,3986.html suggests the Core i7-7700K probably the best CPU for long-term use. That being said, CPUs aren't terribly important for gaming performance, as a rule of thumb. I'm still rocking the i7-960, an 8 year old CPU, and it's still fairly rare for the CPU to be the bottleneck on 1440p gaming, when paired with an AMD Fury X.

**WS6** · 03-01-17, 10:12

Originally Posted by Defaultmp3

You're not gonna get good 4K gaming out of a GTX 1070. Even a GTX 1080 would only get you middling results (assuming you're looking for consistent >60 FPS).

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-cpus,3986.html suggests the Core i7-7700K probably the best CPU for long-term use. That being said, CPUs aren't terribly important for gaming performance, as a rule of thumb. I'm still rocking the i7-960, an 8 year old CPU, and it's still fairly rare for the CPU to be the bottleneck on 1440p gaming, when paired with an AMD Fury X.

So what GPU should I be looking at for solid 4K gaming performance?

**Defaultmp3** · 03-01-17, 10:29

Originally Posted by WS6

So what GPU should I be looking at for solid 4K gaming performance?

I'd say a GTX 1080 is the only real viable single card choice, unless you want to splurge and get a Titan X; even then, the GTX 1080 is only going to give good, and not great performance. 4K gaming is still in its infancy, really; there are many cards that claim to be capable of 4K gaming, but at what settings? Sure, my Fury X can do 4K gaming... but with low detail, minimal AA, poor shadow settings, etc.

You can go for a GTX 1070 now, and save up for another one to Crossfire, but I've not had the greatest of experiences with multi-GPU set-ups, though this was a couple years ago (dual HD 6870s); had issues with firmware (bad framerates with certain titles) and heat dissipation.

FWIW, I plan on building a new computer this year, and will be sticking with my 1440p monitor. I personally rather have high frame rates than extra high resolution, though this plays into the fact that I like to play FPSes.

Originally Posted by Tom's Hardware

[We] can suggest the GTX 1080 for playable 4K frame rates and the Titan X for maxed-out quality settings.

Source: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gpus,4380.html

**bp7178** · 03-01-17, 10:47

I think a better choice than a 4K setup would be to spec for one of the ultra-wide curved monitors. IMO, I found it to be way more immersive if you are playing at a desktop than a 4K monitor. A 3440x1440 curved monitor really fills up your field of view. When not gaming, its nice to have the extra real estate to surf and have Netfilx/YouTube going.

If you are across the room, then 4K on a 60"+ TV makes sense. It just kind of depends on what you're doing. Games also scale much better than they historically have for different setups. Refresh rate also matters. One of the ultra high refresh monitors will give smooth motion, but that's more frames that need to be drawn.

Also, surround sound wireless gaming headphones. What a difference. I thought surround headphones were a gimmick. Spend some money here.

If you're looking for places where you can cut cost, an i5 CPU is a solid choice.

My current is an i7-6700K on a EVGA Z170 Classified, with two EVGA 1080 FE cards all under water. Its about a year old, so the i7-7700K is the new step up. I also think the 1080Ti edition should be out now, if not then soon.

Don't go nuts on a motherboard either. Some of the Asus ROG ones have a shit ton of features most of which were never at all applicable to what I was doing. Overclocking is a easy way to get a slight performance bump, but no where near as lucrative as it was in years past. The real world gains just aren't there.

The 1080s are VERY good on heat and run very cool. The Ti versions may be a little hotter, but I have no experience with them. The 980Ti cards were like hotplates. The fan noise is what lead me do ditch them for water cooled 1080s. When my kitchen fridge kicks on I can hear it from my living room over my PC.