The Power PC Thread [f*ck off consoles]

[Munson]

What's currently hot? My system is quite moderate now, but still performs amazingly.

i7 2600K and GTX580 SLI. OCZ Vertex 3 and a 120hz 27" display.

It's lighting fast at everything. Using it makes my Retina MacBook Pro seem sluggish. So fast at everything. Super responsive, and the 120hz display only makes it seem quicker. With a stupidly quick 120Mb internet connection, it's mental. In normal use, literally everything happens seemingly the instant you 'press the button'. Always. No exceptions.

It's a game rig for the most part, and even now it manages 60fps on ultra settings in any game I currently play. Level loading times are crazy fast, too. The point being that modern PC hardware is so capable it's almost funny. I can't see me upgrading for a long time.

FYI.

 

[Addicted]

Not so powerful now,

i7 950 @ 4.4ghz
16gb ram
2x 22" 120hz monitors (samsung 700d's) + 22" monitor (need a third bro)
Samsung 830 256gb
7970 Lighting @ various stupid clocks (had 7970 crossfire but micro stutter on x58 chipset was a b**ch)
Asus Xonar Xense (soundcard)

Will be upgrading when the new Intel CPU's come out, gonna go fking mental this time - it's currently all watercooled but tempted to go for an SR-X or something stupid like that.


p.s. what games do you play Roy?

 

[Munson]

My next proper upgrade will probably be water cooled graphics. Currently my rig has a water cooled CPU, so it's very quiet, but the twin GFX cards tend to get quite noisy when gaming. Not really an issue when wearing headphones, but definitely an area to improve upon.

p.s. what games do you play Roy?

At the moment I have installed: Metro 2033, Tomb Raider, FarCry 3, Skyrim. I only run 128GB Vertex 3, so I tend to keep my installed games to a minimum.

 

[Addicted]

My next proper upgrade will probably be water cooled graphics. Currently my rig has a water cooled CPU, so it's very quiet, but the twin GFX cards tend to get quite noisy when gaming. Not really an issue when wearing headphones, but definitely an area to improve upon.

Ahh yeah know what you mean, just made a fan upgrade on my radiators, and what was a pretty quiet PC anyway is now near silent - you can't beat it!

The 580's are quite power hungry as well aren't they?

 

[Munson]

The 580's are quite power hungry as well aren't they?

Dunno. I have a 1250w power supply. No concern lol

 

[Wilkeh]

Tower -

i7 2700K @ stock speeds
Coolermaster Hyper Evo 212 CPU Cooler
Asus P8Z68-V PRO
16GB Corsair Vengeance
XFX 850W XXX Edition PSU
EVGA Signature 2 GTX 680 2GB
Sound Blaster Z sound card
2 x 60GB Vertex 2's
2 x 2TB HDD's
BitFenix Ghost Silent Tower Case

Monitors -

24" Acer GD245HQ 120hz
24" Samsung Syncmaster P2450h

Peripherals -

2.1 Edifier S530 145w RMS speakers
Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard
Steelseries Sensei Mouse
Steelseries 9HD mat
Steelseries Siberia V2 headphones (for gaming)
Sennheiser 598 headphones (for films & music)
2 x Sennheiser HH10 headphone holders

and last but not least...

...a Jack Daniels beer mat.

 

[Munson]

Nice setup. I like that I can sometimes hear the odd bubble being pumped through my modest CPU cooling loop (even though that's probably bad). Not sure why I've never gone for proper bespoke system. My Lian Li case is MASSIVE, and has so much space inside that I could easily install a pretty complex WC system.

 

[Gareth]

I'm just about to rebuild mine (into a 900D), but at the moment I'm not planning on upgrading the spec as such, I might if I can get hold of one throw in a third Watercooled 580.

 

[Scutch]

How much was your system in total Dan?

 

[Wilkeh]

Level loading times are crazy fast, too. The point being that modern PC hardware is so capable it's almost funny.

Especially Skyrim. I watched my mate play it on his Xbox one day, looked absolutely awful and it honestly took over a minute to load into different areas. Was fustrating to watch him walk into a house and have to wait over a minute, think mine honestly takes around 2-3 seconds.

 

[JaredHasNoBrain]

Intel is the rich mans CPU

I got:
Zalman Z9 case
AMD phenom x6 1090T @3.9ghz (stable)
H100 Liquid cooling my cpu at about 22 degrees
Not 100% on MB but its just an ASUS (about my 5th one as ive somehow broke the others
Hd Radeon 6950 reflashed to a 6970 2GB
550W PSU
x2 27" monitors
Tritton Headset 7.1
Coolermaster inferno Mouse! (AWESOME)
And only having 8GB Ram as when I swapped my MB out I burnt the other 8GB....


Can't think of anything Else.

 

[MarkCup]

How much was your system in total Dan?

I'm genuinely interested in this.

Also, you say no upgrading will be necessary for a long time...how long is long? 2 years? 5? 10?

 

[Uncle_Gravy]

Cooler Master Haf X
i7 3770k @4.40GHz
MSI Z77 Mpower Big Bang
8gb Corsair Vengeance Blue @1600MHz
60gb Intel 330 SSD (Just for o/s and other apps)
500gb SataII HDD
XFX 850W XXX Edition
Asus 6850 1gb Gddr5

Need a new G card (If anyone wants to offer me a cheap 670/7950)

 

[Munson]

I can't remember the full cost of my current system. Probably in the region of £3k not including monitor and peripherals. Probably owes me at least £4k. But tbh I went for a rather expensive case, over the top PSU, 27" 120hz 3D monitor etc. It wasn't a budget build. I could've spent less for the same performance. I could also have spent more for a little bit extra performance that I probably wouldn't have seen in games.

I don't really worry too much about the money. It's a bit of a hobby really. I spend money on it when I have it and feel the need.

 

[JaredHasNoBrain]

I can't remember the full cost of my current system. Probably in the region of £3k not including monitor and peripherals. Probably owes me at least £4k. But tbh I went for a rather expensive case, over the top PSU, 27" 120hz 3D monitor etc. It wasn't a budget build. I could've spent less for the same performance. I could also have spent more for a little bit extra performance that I probably wouldn't have seen in games.

I don't really worry too much about the money. It's a bit of a hobby really. I spend money on it when I have it and feel the need.

I felt the same (ish) I started building my computer before I had a car so even though I tried to do my comp all on a budget, still went through 5 Motherboards and build owes me about 1.5K, I could of bought my Clio again for that money lol.

 

[Cookie]

i5 3570k - not currently overclocked
8gb Samsung green RAM
Gigabyte Z77-DS3
Gigabyte GTX670 (the one with the three fans)
128gb Samsung SSD for boot
~6TB of storage over various drives
24" Dell monitor
Corsair Carbide 400R case
Corsair TX650 PSU

It's not bad. I'll pick up another 670 at some point. Cost ~1200, not including the monitor.

Had most of the kit since last July, though the 670 was recently RMA'd so that's about a month old now.

I have the same keyboard as you Wilkeh, I <3 it. Mouse is a G400, as I've never found a better mouse (I had the older versions before it).

 

[BigDaveRotary]

My rig is about 2 years old now as was a relatively budget AMD gaming rig when purchased then. Now I have bought my own place I am going to spend a nice wedge and build myself something nice and shiny.

AMD Phenom x4 @ 3.4ghz
EVGA Superclocked 460
8 gb RAM (make and speed I cannot remember as it has beeeeeeeen ages since I looked inside)
750 GB HD

I reckon my peripherals are worth more than my rig easy.

2x 21.5" BENQ's
Steelseries Kana
Steelseries Siberia (Orange)
Steelpad
QPAD MX-85 with Cherry Reds

Waiting for Haswell to see if any prices shift, then going to build an Intel rig and try my hand at overclocking.

 

[Munson]

I'm still rocking a G9 mouse. Had it for years.

 

[Addicted]

I'm just about to rebuild mine (into a 900D), but at the moment I'm not planning on upgrading the spec as such, I might if I can get hold of one throw in a third Watercooled 580.

I have a lot of envy for your, for the pure fact I don't have enough room on my desk for a 900D so can't upgrade

New desk soon though, so it will happen

 

[Addicted]

I can't remember the full cost of my current system. Probably in the region of £3k not including monitor and peripherals. Probably owes me at least £4k. But tbh I went for a rather expensive case, over the top PSU, 27" 120hz 3D monitor etc. It wasn't a budget build. I could've spent less for the same performance. I could also have spent more for a little bit extra performance that I probably wouldn't have seen in games.

I don't really worry too much about the money. It's a bit of a hobby really. I spend money on it when I have it and feel the need.

Haha know the feeling, added all my stuff together on Overclockers, basket came to 3.5k Ouch!

That was everything minus speakers though, so oh well!

 

[Silent_Scone]

Here's mine, although thinking of selling it as never at home, and don't have the room for it.

• Intel i7 3960X @4.9Ghz
• Asus P79X Pro
  
• 64GB Vengeance @ 1800mhz
  
• ASUS Geforce Titan 6GB
• LG BR rewriter
• XSPC Dual bay res & Alphacool D5 pump
• 420mm Rad
  
• Xigmatek Elysium
  
• Creative Sound Blaster Z
  
• Nesteq Digital Fan Controller
  
• Corsair AX1200i Digital
  
• Roccat Kone Pure
  
• Corsair Vengeance Mechanical KB
  
• Roccat Kave 5.1 Headset
  
• Asus PA248Q 24" IPS

 

[Wilkeh]

We need moar photos!

 

[JaredHasNoBrain]

We need moar photos!

+1
Was going to take one last night but... I just cba lol

 

[Silent_Scone]

Especially Skyrim. I watched my mate play it on his Xbox one day, looked absolutely awful and it honestly took over a minute to load into different areas. Was fustrating to watch him walk into a house and have to wait over a minute, think mine honestly takes around 2-3 seconds.

Skyrim is so customisable on PC it makes the console version look very old indeed. It wasn't exactly pretty when it came out either.

 

[Munson]

• Intel i7 3960X @4.9Ghz
• Asus P79X Pro
  
• 64GB Vengeance @ 1800mhz
  
• ASUS Geforce Titan 6GB
• LG BR rewriter
• XSPC Dual bay res & Alphacool D5 pump
• 420mm Rad
  
• Xigmatek Elysium
  
• Creative Sound Blaster Z
  
• Nesteq Digital Fan Controller
  
• Corsair AX1200i Digital
  
• Roccat Kone Pure
  
• Corsair Vengeance Mechanical KB
  
• Roccat Kave 5.1 Headset
  
• Asus PA248Q 24" IPS

Holy moly. Makes me feel inadequate

Why not Titan SLI though?

 

[The Boosh!]

Where do you learn about stuff like this!? All I see in here are numbers mixed with words. Would love to build one though.

Mike how much was yours!?

 

[Silent_Scone]

Holy moly. Makes me feel inadequate

Why not Titan SLI though?

Was planning on but wasn't easy to get hold of them at launch, they're available now but; firstly i'm rarely at home at the moment so never use it, secondly its giant just don't have the room for it where I am now. If I don't sell it, at the very least I won't bother with a second card. Not at 900 quid anyway.

Where do you learn about stuff like this!? All I see in here are numbers mixed with words. Would love to build one though.

Mike how much was yours!?

Not sure but it would probably come to over 4k if you put it in a basket now, that's over a couple years though. I've always built them since I was a nipper. Think most people just self teach, but there's plenty of people willing to help out on the internet. It's not difficult really, not even to overclock these days. But there is quite a difference between doing it, and doing it properly!

 

[JaredHasNoBrain]

Here's mine, although thinking of selling it as never at home, and don't have the room for it.

• Intel i7 3960X @4.9Ghz
• Asus P79X Pro
  
• 64GB Vengeance @ 1800mhz
  
• ASUS Geforce Titan 6GB
• LG BR rewriter
• XSPC Dual bay res & Alphacool D5 pump
• 420mm Rad
  
• Xigmatek Elysium
  
• Creative Sound Blaster Z
  
• Nesteq Digital Fan Controller
  
• Corsair AX1200i Digital
  
• Roccat Kone
  
• Corsair Vengeance Mechanical KB
  
• Roccat Kave 5.1 Headset
  
• Asus PA248Q 24" IPS

om om om om, You got Kone driver haha!
Amazing computer! must be an animal

 

[Munson]

Where do you learn about stuff like this!?

By having the interest and motivation to build a power PC. You can't really do it without learning something about it.

 

[sbridgey]

Where do you learn about stuff like this!? All I see in here are numbers mixed with words. Would love to build one though.

Mike how much was yours!?

Take a look here Luke.

http://www.bit-tech.net/

 

[McGherkin]

My laptop. Don't have the exact specs to hand but here's the general gist.

Ivy Bridge i7 @ 3.2ghz
Nvidia GT650M
8GB RAM (can be upgraded to 16)
Bang & Olufsen audio (with external subwoofer)
1TB SATA HDD

 

[Gareth]

I have a lot of envy for your, for the pure fact I don't have enough room on my desk for a 900D so can't upgrade

New desk soon though, so it will happen

It's annoying that it's not released for a while still yet, but I'm building up a parts list, I've got a new reservoir and some more fans arriving this afternoon.

 

[SharkyUK]

Here's mine, although thinking of selling it as never at home, and don't have the room for it.

• Intel i7 3960X @4.9Ghz
• Asus P79X Pro
  
• 64GB Vengeance @ 1800mhz
  
• ASUS Geforce Titan 6GB
• LG BR rewriter
• XSPC Dual bay res & Alphacool D5 pump
• 420mm Rad
  
• Xigmatek Elysium
  
• Creative Sound Blaster Z
  
• Nesteq Digital Fan Controller
  
• Corsair AX1200i Digital
  
• Roccat Kone Pure
  
• Corsair Vengeance Mechanical KB
  
• Roccat Kave 5.1 Headset
  
• Asus PA248Q 24" IPS

How much?

 

[John Gordon]

MB: p8z68-mpro
CPU: I5 2400
MEM: 16 gb crucial dom ram
GPU: HD7950 3gb


Honestly, sounds pretty s**t, cpu is pony....smashes anything out there at the moment.

It was an alienware Aurora R3, only thing left is the CPU, PSU and case. The Dell motherboard was shockingly pants.

 

[Silent_Scone]

How much?

PM matey

 

[Cookie]

I <3 the Titan's

Not sure I'd have one for gaming though, think the 690's have the slight edge for that.

 

[Munson]

Ah come on. Spill the beans. Six big ones?

 

[Silent_Scone]

I <3 the Titan's

Not sure I'd have one for gaming though, think the 690's have the slight edge for that.

Blergh to dual GPU cards. The plan was to buy two Titan's and go super widescreen but I didn't anticipate using it so little now.


Not as many as 6 Roy lol. I did a basket earlier and gave Andy a price so if anyone is interested they can PM me.

 

[Uncle_Gravy]

Here's mine, although thinking of selling it as never at home, and don't have the room for it.

• Intel i7 3960X @4.9Ghz
• Asus P79X Pro
  
• 64GB Vengeance @ 1800mhz
  
• ASUS Geforce Titan 6GB
• LG BR rewriter
• XSPC Dual bay res & Alphacool D5 pump
• 420mm Rad
  
• Xigmatek Elysium
  
• Creative Sound Blaster Z
  
• Nesteq Digital Fan Controller
  
• Corsair AX1200i Digital
  
• Roccat Kone Pure
  
• Corsair Vengeance Mechanical KB
  
• Roccat Kave 5.1 Headset
  
• Asus PA248Q 24" IPS

Well due to the economy and depreciation, i'll give you £100

 

[Cookie]

I take it with that much RAM you were using it for rendering, rather than gaming. Would make a ridiculous home VMware box. Though it'd be cheaper to buy a half way decent server.