The Computer Megathread

[Flush535]

I read a little bit about bottlenecking. I don't really get it :x
Would a dual core i3 at 3.3 Ghz bottleneck the Sapphire 7770?

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[Tokthree]

I read a little bit about bottlenecking. I don't really get it :x
Would a dual core i3 at 3.3 Ghz bottleneck the Sapphire 7770?

It's possible, but you'd have to search around.
All I know about the i series is that they're very powerful for their core number and clock speed, but the i3 doesn't have a suitable architecture for gaming in the first place, it was made more as a workstation chip as far as what I've read has said.
I don't use intel processors though, so I wouldn't know personally.

Edit; I looked up the i3 you are most likely using and it's passmark index is very slightly higher than my Phenom II, but I don't know how it's architecture would perform in higher-end games.
Chances are that you have nothing to worry about, though

It wouldn't bottleneck, but apparently the bulldozers have worse or only slightly better performance when compared to their Phenom II counterparts, again I have no personal experience so you'd have to look it up yourself.
If you want something better than a Phenom II then I'd suggest looking into buying a new motherboard and getting an i5, an i5 should outperform a Phenom II without much difficulty, but I'm not sure so you'd have to look at benchmarks.

That being said, my Phenom II x4 965 BE is a beast of a processor for the price and it is very easy to overclock thanks to the unlocked multiplier, and it'll fit any AM3 slot, the only problem is that it has a TDP of 125w, so you'd need a decent cooler for it, I could give you at least one recommendation in that field though

I'm sorry if none of my advice is particularly concrete, but I only have experience with things I've used so the most I can do is assume and point you guys in the right directions

[nerraD]

It wouldn't bottleneck, but apparently the bulldozers have worse or only slightly better performance when compared to their Phenom II counterparts, again I have no personal experience so you'd have to look it up yourself.

If it doesn't bottleneck, I'll be fine with the Bulldozer 8-core Black Edition processor, considering that is the top dog of the AMD range.

That being said, my Phenom II x4 965 BE is a beast of a processor for the price and it is very easily to overclock thanks to the unlocked multiplier, and it'll fit any AM3 slot, the only problem is that it has a TDP of 125w, so you'd need a decent cooler for it, I could give you at least one recommendation in that field though

Well I might need a better PSU anyhow even if I did buy a Phenom processor, considering 500watt is very poor for what I'll be upgrading to in the years to come.

I'm sorry if none of my advice is particularly concrete, but I only have experience with things I've used so the most I can do is assume and point you guys in the right directions

Atleast you've given me some ideas. Thanks for that.

[Tokthree]

Well I might need a better PSU anyhow even if I did buy a Phenom processor, considering 500watt is very poor for what I'll be upgrading to in the years to come.

Just remember that you can never have too much power from a PSU, especially if you're planning on upgrading the PC until the day it dies just to keep up with technology, as long as it'll fit in your budget comfortably then there's no reason not to get it.
That being said, I was referring to the TDP of the processor, which is, basically, a rating of how much heat it puts out, it requires a cooler of equal or higher TDP to be able to run cool

[Flush535]

Edit; I looked up the i3 you are most likely using and it's passmark index is very slightly higher than my Phenom II, but I don't know how it's architecture would perform in higher-end games.
Chances are that you have nothing to worry about, though

Okay, thanks. First time building so I want to make sure nothing goes wrong. :D

[Tokthree]

Okay, thanks. First time building so I want to make sure nothing goes wrong. :D

If you can save up a bit more I'd suggest going for an i5, though, the i5-2400 has a passmark index roughly 2000 points higher than my processor and it's not even one of the high-end i5's

[Flush535]

I don't think I'm going to be able to get one right away, but I should be able to get one eventually.

[Tokthree]

I don't think I'm going to be able to get one right away, but I should be able to get one eventually.

I just think it'd be better to save up for the i5, mow a couple lawns and stuff like that which Americans can do and I cannot because we don't have lawns over here.
It's just my opinion, but I still think that way

[ShadowsfeaR]

So Im throwing all the high end games I possibly can at my new build and it's taking everything like a champ. I've stress tested with The Secret World, Tera, Metro 2033, TF2, War Inc., Tribes Ascend, and with WoW I'm getting like 153 average FPS. When I first logged in I had jumping frame rates from 120 to 215. Then it leveled, so then I chose the spammiest spell possible and use and abuse the hell out of it. Usually I would drop down to a crawling 2-5 FPS, but I was at 19-21 FPS rate, which wasn't visually noticeable.

[Treynolds416]

So Im throwing all the high end games I possibly can at my new build and it's taking everything like a champ. I've stress tested with The Secret World, Tera, Metro 2033, TF2, War Inc., Tribes Ascend, and with WoW I'm getting like 153 average FPS. When I first logged in I had jumping frame rates from 120 to 215. Then it leveled, so then I chose the spammiest spell possible and use and abuse the hell out of it. Usually I would drop down to a crawling 2-5 FPS, but I was at 19-21 FPS rate, which wasn't visually noticeable.

Try blockland at 256k bricks
I have the same card chip as you, got 150 fps+ with as many bricks as I could get in the view

[Flush535]

I just think it'd be better to save up for the i5, mow a couple lawns and stuff like that which Americans can do and I cannot because we don't have lawns over here.
It's just my opinion, but I still think that way

Ahhh, yeah you're probably right. Better safe than sorry I guess

[blockguy123]

Mega Bump?

oh god lol

[Nymethus]

When is a good time to buy a new computer? that is in parts or complete

[pecon98]

When is a good time to buy a new computer? that is in parts or complete

Newegg has sales all of the time, I wouldn't say any time in particular is better for buying parts. Also you'll get a much better deal on just parts rather than a prebuilt.

[Treynolds416]

When is a good time to buy a new computer? that is in parts or complete

Buy older things when newer things come out. Ex, buy an ivy bridge processor when intel releases the new series, buy a radeon 7000 series card when they introduce the 8000 series, etc.

That would be the best time. Really though, almost any time is a good time. Look for sales and promo codes, bide your time if you don't mind waiting, and do all your research ASAP so you know when the stuff you want is on sale. Don't buy when there's a worldwide silicone shortage though...