Another Computer Build Thread
#41
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In a more practical sense, however, finding a reasonably-priced monitor with a resolution higher than 1920x1080 is actually getting harder as time goes on- 1920 x 1200 used to be common (I own one myself) but they're getting quite scarce these days.
I doubt that the ability to support 2560x1440 is of great significance to the average user planning on using an integrated GPU, however, given that the cheapest such monitor on NewEgg is $700 (ASUS 27"). The cheapest 2560 x 1600 monitor is $1,180 (HP, 30"). And yes, both models have a displayport jack.
By comparison, NewEgg has 16 27" 1920x1080 monitors prices below $280. I'm going to guess that for most users, that will probably suffice.
#42
In the beginning, the media server was also the playout device. I had a little ATi-brand wireless remote for it and everything. This was ~2004.
I switched to a server-client model when I discovered that the Xbox 360 could stream video over the network, and since it supported component video (which I never got working right with the Radeon card I had) I immediately switched.
Nowadays, with the WD set-top box I have, I could get rid of the PC altogether if I really wanted to get off my *** and relocate my drives into external USB enclosures- just plug 'em directly into the WD box. But the PC itself still has some value, as I occasionally fire it up in NES emulation mode.
I switched to a server-client model when I discovered that the Xbox 360 could stream video over the network, and since it supported component video (which I never got working right with the Radeon card I had) I immediately switched.
Nowadays, with the WD set-top box I have, I could get rid of the PC altogether if I really wanted to get off my *** and relocate my drives into external USB enclosures- just plug 'em directly into the WD box. But the PC itself still has some value, as I occasionally fire it up in NES emulation mode.
I didn't like the expense of a NAS myself, so I used an old case I had that had plenty of SATA power connectors and bought a Sandy Bridge Pentium processor and corresponding motherboard to run the thing. So your server-client model. But instead of an Xbox 360, I have a full-fledged HTPC, as it has a Ceton 4-channel PCIe tuner card.
Oh, the days when the emulation scene was popular. I especially liked the NeoGeo emulators.
#43
It would require DisplayPort, but yes, it has the bandwidth.
In a more practical sense, however, finding a reasonably-priced monitor with a resolution higher than 1920x1080 is actually getting harder as time goes on- 1920 x 1200 used to be common (I own one myself) but they're getting quite scarce these days.
I doubt that the ability to support 2560x1440 is of great significance to the average user planning on using an integrated GPU, however, given that the cheapest such monitor on NewEgg is $700 (ASUS 27"). The cheapest 2560 x 1600 monitor is $1,180 (HP, 30"). And yes, both models have a displayport jack.
By comparison, NewEgg has 16 27" 1920x1080 monitors prices below $280. I'm going to guess that for most users, that will probably suffice.
In a more practical sense, however, finding a reasonably-priced monitor with a resolution higher than 1920x1080 is actually getting harder as time goes on- 1920 x 1200 used to be common (I own one myself) but they're getting quite scarce these days.
I doubt that the ability to support 2560x1440 is of great significance to the average user planning on using an integrated GPU, however, given that the cheapest such monitor on NewEgg is $700 (ASUS 27"). The cheapest 2560 x 1600 monitor is $1,180 (HP, 30"). And yes, both models have a displayport jack.
By comparison, NewEgg has 16 27" 1920x1080 monitors prices below $280. I'm going to guess that for most users, that will probably suffice.
Wow, prices have gone up 50%
Yamakasi Catleap Q270 SE 27" LED DVI D Dual Computer Monitor Only USA Sale | eBay
So get the Shimian, that's what I have
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-ACHIEVA-...item2c694251fb
#44
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If I wanted to play some TF2 and some really old games like AOE 2, Diablo 2, and StarCraft would the intel 4000 graphics be alright? I assume it will be fine for the old games, but what about TF2? Am I looking at a dedicated GPU for that?
#45
Probably wouldn't hurt
I use EVGA GeForce GT430s because they were cheap and I don't play games
This looks like the successor: Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1526-KR GeForce GT 520 (Fermi) 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card $40 after rebate
edit: On second thought, I'd get a dedicated card if I was going to play those games. But since they are decently old, you don't need anything near top of the line.
I use EVGA GeForce GT430s because they were cheap and I don't play games
This looks like the successor: Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1526-KR GeForce GT 520 (Fermi) 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card $40 after rebate
edit: On second thought, I'd get a dedicated card if I was going to play those games. But since they are decently old, you don't need anything near top of the line.
#46
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Yes, I think I remember you (or perhaps someone else) bringing them up in another thread recently.
I'm just not willing to roll the dice on buying a $400-450 monitor from an eBay vendor with absolutely no US presence whatsoever, particularly when they go to the trouble of making it very clear that "Hey, if your monitor has a bunch of bright-dead pixels on it, we don't care."
I'll stick with my 28" Hanns-G (1920 x 1200).
They'll all run, it's mostly a matter of how well.
When I built my current PC 3 years ago, I bought the absolute cheapest video card I could find (GeForce 210) with no intention of ever doing any gaming whatsoever.
Then I discovered TF2.
It actually ran ok, and I didn't see any need to upgrade until the Pyromania update really made it clear how lackluster my video performance was.
After I installed a used GTX280, I was really floored by what I'd been missing. Not merely did everything look better, but the massively increased smoothness (much higher FPS) actually made the game a hell of a lot easier to play well. Specifically, when you're a Heavy and you have an enemy Pyro dancing all around you dousing you in fire, you need to be able to SEE him clearly in order to shoot him. With a GPU capable of supporting 60 FPS, that actually becomes possible.
I'm just not willing to roll the dice on buying a $400-450 monitor from an eBay vendor with absolutely no US presence whatsoever, particularly when they go to the trouble of making it very clear that "Hey, if your monitor has a bunch of bright-dead pixels on it, we don't care."
I'll stick with my 28" Hanns-G (1920 x 1200).
When I built my current PC 3 years ago, I bought the absolute cheapest video card I could find (GeForce 210) with no intention of ever doing any gaming whatsoever.
Then I discovered TF2.
It actually ran ok, and I didn't see any need to upgrade until the Pyromania update really made it clear how lackluster my video performance was.
After I installed a used GTX280, I was really floored by what I'd been missing. Not merely did everything look better, but the massively increased smoothness (much higher FPS) actually made the game a hell of a lot easier to play well. Specifically, when you're a Heavy and you have an enemy Pyro dancing all around you dousing you in fire, you need to be able to SEE him clearly in order to shoot him. With a GPU capable of supporting 60 FPS, that actually becomes possible.
#47
Yes, I think I remember you (or perhaps someone else) bringing them up in another thread recently.
I'm just not willing to roll the dice on buying a $400-450 monitor from an eBay vendor with absolutely no US presence whatsoever, particularly when they go to the trouble of making it very clear that "Hey, if your monitor has a bunch of bright-dead pixels on it, we don't care."
I'll stick with my 28" Hanns-G (1920 x 1200).
I'm just not willing to roll the dice on buying a $400-450 monitor from an eBay vendor with absolutely no US presence whatsoever, particularly when they go to the trouble of making it very clear that "Hey, if your monitor has a bunch of bright-dead pixels on it, we don't care."
I'll stick with my 28" Hanns-G (1920 x 1200).
They're just as legit as Hanns-G. Hanns-G isn't exactly... a good brand, and the catleaps (and co.) have proven themselves through sales. I own 2 myself.
HD4000 will be sufficient for your needs currently. Personally I'd save my money and see how happy you are with the performance as is. You can always upgrade later, incredibly easily. GPUs are one of the easiest upgrades you can do, especially if you don't even have one in the first place.
#48
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That's what I was thinking. I was also doing some reading about the Haswell chips and apparently the graphics on them is supposed to be significantly better then anything intel has out now. So it might make some sense to wait. Obviously its all hearsay at this point though
#50
I guess you haven't heard of the Catleap monitor
Wow, prices have gone up 50%
Yamakasi Catleap Q270 SE 27" LED DVI D Dual Computer Monitor Only USA Sale | eBay
So get the Shimian, that's what I have
New Achieva Shimian QH270 Ipsb LED 27" Temper Glass Moniter 2560x1440 16 9 6MS | eBay
Wow, prices have gone up 50%
Yamakasi Catleap Q270 SE 27" LED DVI D Dual Computer Monitor Only USA Sale | eBay
So get the Shimian, that's what I have
New Achieva Shimian QH270 Ipsb LED 27" Temper Glass Moniter 2560x1440 16 9 6MS | eBay
Any ideas where the panels are coming from? Any deads pixels on your unit?
S-IPS for that kinda money is hard to imagine.
#51
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So I'll say this again: It's not the monitor, it's the vendor.
I've had two Hanns-G 19" (4:3) monitors for about five years. Bought 'em for the office originally, and was a bit nervous about trying out a totally unknown brand. But they work great- still use 'em today. So when I decided to buy a 28" for home, I had no problem buying another Hanns-G from Tiger Direct.
The monitor showed up and worked fine. A few days later, it developed a defect- a dark vertical bar all the way down the left side of the screen (basically one column of dead pixels.)
I called up Tiger Direct, and they immediately shipped me a replacement monitor for free, along with a call-tag for me to ship the old one back with for free.
Total downtime: 0 days.
Total out-of-pocket cost for the swap: 0 dollars.
Dealing with a US-based distributor: priceless.
That's what I'm talking about.
What did I just get done saying?
#52
Achieva Shimian QH270 I believe. The one with VESA
Korea I believe. Packaged beautifully. No dead pixels and I purchased in July.
Here ya go. $325 with free shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/QH270-Lite-A...item4ab5f0365a
Here ya go. $325 with free shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/QH270-Lite-A...item4ab5f0365a
#53
They're LG panels, exact same panel as used in the Apple Cinema Display. They all have custom controller boards made by the company that repackages them and sells them, meaning Achievas have a different board from PCBANK etc.
I have 2 PCBANK PB2700 displays, which supposedly have the best contrast ratio and response time of the lot.
I have 2 PCBANK PB2700 displays, which supposedly have the best contrast ratio and response time of the lot.
#54
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So I updated the memory in my laptop and it is much faster. Definitely usable again.
But then the hard drive decided to take a dump on me. I'm in the process of putting in the SSD and a new HDD and re-installing windows and everything. Still not sure about building one now or not, but this deal is certainly tempting me:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!
But then the hard drive decided to take a dump on me. I'm in the process of putting in the SSD and a new HDD and re-installing windows and everything. Still not sure about building one now or not, but this deal is certainly tempting me:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!
#55
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That's an excellent price for a very nicely-spec'd system. You'd probably need to add a second HD at some point, and of course it doesn't include an OS or an optical drive, but still a nice looking package.
#56
That is the i5 I bought, and nearly the same motherboard I eventually bought (instead of updating the BIOS on the Intel one I bought an MSI Z77-G43). I didn't plan on overclocking, but since I can, I bumped the multiplier up so that I am now running at 4GHz, since I could do it without a voltage increase.
#57
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Definitely is a good deal, however using pcpartpicker.com I can build a similar one for a similar price, so not super fantastic. I think I am going to wait and see if any of newegg's black November deals can get me a cheaper total package. I'll be looking to build a very similar system though. I may buy that case though. Seems like a good deal and the case is nice and basic, which I like. Too bad the SSD sold out already
#58
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Gonna buy this RAM: Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX16GX3M2A1333C9
$53 with this code: EMCJJNH45 for today only
$53 with this code: EMCJJNH45 for today only
#60
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Probably a little gaming, but that's 16GB not 8GB. Can 16GB be had somewhere for $30?
I think I'm gonna get this PSU too: Newegg.com - CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$30 till Monday
I think I'm gonna get this PSU too: Newegg.com - CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$30 till Monday
Last edited by vpc8728; 11-02-2012 at 11:42 AM.