Buying a new computer
- Thread starter Cyclonepride
- Start date
The one thing you have to remember when streaming games over your network, is that network performance is incredibly important. That means if you're going to use wifi and you want hi-def graphics, the actual gaming PC must be connected via ethernet, at a minimum. Then whatever device you're using as the monitor should have a strong wifi connection to the network using wireless N.
In terms of the computer, there are a variety of reasons you could run into a blue screen. Some important things to consider when you're building a performance computer, outside of tech specs of the parts themselves:
1. Cooling (VERY IMPORTANT)
2. Power
When it comes to cooling, this means getting large enough fans to handle your components, and making sure the parts are installed and wires routed in such a way as to allow as much uninhibited airflow as possible. You may consider also replacing the OEM fan on the CPU with a larger one with a good copper core to help as well. The CPU and GPU are gonna be your main sources of big amounts of heat.
As for power, the biggest thing is making sure you have enough. Get a power supply of reputable brand, with not just enough to cover the power of the components you're putting in, but some overhead as well. Shaky power supplies, or ones with not enough juice, can result in an unstable computer, especially during gaming when power consumption is at its peak.
From there, the parts picker will help you figure out what else you need. If you're curious about the general effect of different parts on the gaming performance, here's a rundown:
GPU -- your main workhorse. Unleashes the ability to unlock all those amazing graphics. Easily the most expensive component. Read reviews to see what works for you and your budget.
CPU -- a close secondary workhorse. If you want to be able to max out everything, you'll need a high end CPU as well, because for as much as GPU's do, most of the information when running a game still needs to pass in and out of the CPU. So if it can't keep up, you'll get stuttering graphics and won't get that nice, smooth 60 fps everybody wants. For people trying to make a budget gaming PC (like myself), you can save a little bit of money on a CPU, but go too far and you'll just cripple your nice shiny GPU. Also, from everything I've read, if you're really serious about gaming performance, you have to go with Intel. AMD just doesn't keep up on a per-core basis.
RAM -- You just have to have enough. More than enough doesn't make a difference, but with too little it'll hurt performance. 8GB at least, 16GB if you can afford it.
Hard Drive -- A faster hard drive will mean faster load times between levels, or when opening the game. For some games that don't typically have a lot of loading screens, this may not make much of a difference. And certainly during normal gameplay it doesn't matter all that much. In this space, a 7200 RPM hard drive will easily give you the best bang for your buck in terms of a decently fast hard drive with plenty of space, since games take up a lot. Purchasing a Solid-state hard drive would be considered a luxury, only if money is no object, since getting a large SSD is still very expensive (although cheaper than they used to be). The SSD would speed up loading times to the point of nearly wiping them out, but again, it doesn't change your graphics or gameplay at all, so definitely a luxury.
In terms of the computer, there are a variety of reasons you could run into a blue screen. Some important things to consider when you're building a performance computer, outside of tech specs of the parts themselves:
1. Cooling (VERY IMPORTANT)
2. Power
When it comes to cooling, this means getting large enough fans to handle your components, and making sure the parts are installed and wires routed in such a way as to allow as much uninhibited airflow as possible. You may consider also replacing the OEM fan on the CPU with a larger one with a good copper core to help as well. The CPU and GPU are gonna be your main sources of big amounts of heat.
As for power, the biggest thing is making sure you have enough. Get a power supply of reputable brand, with not just enough to cover the power of the components you're putting in, but some overhead as well. Shaky power supplies, or ones with not enough juice, can result in an unstable computer, especially during gaming when power consumption is at its peak.
From there, the parts picker will help you figure out what else you need. If you're curious about the general effect of different parts on the gaming performance, here's a rundown:
GPU -- your main workhorse. Unleashes the ability to unlock all those amazing graphics. Easily the most expensive component. Read reviews to see what works for you and your budget.
CPU -- a close secondary workhorse. If you want to be able to max out everything, you'll need a high end CPU as well, because for as much as GPU's do, most of the information when running a game still needs to pass in and out of the CPU. So if it can't keep up, you'll get stuttering graphics and won't get that nice, smooth 60 fps everybody wants. For people trying to make a budget gaming PC (like myself), you can save a little bit of money on a CPU, but go too far and you'll just cripple your nice shiny GPU. Also, from everything I've read, if you're really serious about gaming performance, you have to go with Intel. AMD just doesn't keep up on a per-core basis.
RAM -- You just have to have enough. More than enough doesn't make a difference, but with too little it'll hurt performance. 8GB at least, 16GB if you can afford it.
Hard Drive -- A faster hard drive will mean faster load times between levels, or when opening the game. For some games that don't typically have a lot of loading screens, this may not make much of a difference. And certainly during normal gameplay it doesn't matter all that much. In this space, a 7200 RPM hard drive will easily give you the best bang for your buck in terms of a decently fast hard drive with plenty of space, since games take up a lot. Purchasing a Solid-state hard drive would be considered a luxury, only if money is no object, since getting a large SSD is still very expensive (although cheaper than they used to be). The SSD would speed up loading times to the point of nearly wiping them out, but again, it doesn't change your graphics or gameplay at all, so definitely a luxury.
I personally wouldn't mess with Crossfire or SLI, it's just asking for headaches that you won't want to deal with, get one really good video card. I'd get one of the new Skylake i7's personally, very good performance and very efficient on power consumption. No reason not to get DDR4 memory. I'd do something like this if I were trying to stay around $1500. This thing would fly.
This is also a neat site with some helpful guides and a cool chart that lays out a kind of progression in performance for different components.
http://www.logicalincrements.com/
http://www.logicalincrements.com/
I built one a while back and it runs like butta. All ready for VR. Skip the monitor and you're looking at about $1,500. Two most important pieces are the video card and the SSD drive. You're probably not going to notice the difference between an i5 and an i7, DDR4, etc.
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He shouldn't need a CPU cooler if he is not going to overclock his CPU. Also, you do not get much of a benefit from going with the i7 over the i5 for gaming. If he is going to be doing any video rendering or stuff like that, then an i7 is better. Very few games take advantage of the hyper threading on the i7.
I assume you mean he can use the CPU cooler that comes with the CPU?
As far as the i5/i7
Yeah the regular cooler should work just fine, didn't see that about the i5/i7, just kind of skimmed over the build.
You're probably right on the cooler but I figure if you're going to spend $1,500 you may as well do it right. I used a stock cooler on my last CPU and it was fine but after about a year it got really noisy. Plus if you get a setup like mine it's so easy to overclock using the Asus mobo software.
I also didn't need a 1000 watt PS but it was on sale and I figured if I ever go SLI, it won't hurt having it. I'm also not sure if Z97 is the way to go now, a lot of things change in 6 months.
Also probably don't need a $150 keyboard
My 2 year old gaming laptop plays every game in my Steam library without issue, most on max settings. It's no powerhouse, but it gets the job done. You could probably get one today with better specs for less than $1500, especially if you're only looking to play RTS and the occasional GTA.
$1500? Wow. If I spent that much money on the parts to build a computer, it would have the specs to solve the Ultimate Question: the Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything.
