PC GPU died, need help with what to go for next

[Jynx]

All the arguments about 4 or 8 gigs are pointless.

Upgrading from 4 to 8 gigs is a drop in the bucket cost wise.

[Lux_Rayna]

All the arguments about 4 or 8 gigs are pointless.

Upgrading from 4 to 8 gigs is a drop in the bucket cost wise.

But by the time you need 8GB it will be even cheaper. Jus sayin, if we're min-maxing dollars here...

[cloverkitty]

I was one of those on the 4GB bandwagon. I acquired 4 more GB from a friend that went with an I7 (these are 800 MHZ modules as I use a Core 2 Duo atm).

Since going to 8GB, the load time has dropped, the lag issue greatly reduced, and anything else I do in the background does not lag or drag. It is like I got a new computer, the difference was night and day.

Not only did it affect FFXIV in a positive way, all other games I play are smoother and load faster.

For as little as memory costs the difference between 4 and 8 will be far more valuable for negligible cost. 16GB however would be overkill, save those slots for later.

[Randelmire]

But by the time you need 8GB it will be even cheaper. Jus sayin, if we're min-maxing dollars here...

No. It might even go up.

DDR4 might be released to the public next year. In 2 year it would be the new standard. DD3 production will go down, prices will go up. That's what happened with DDR2 right now. DDR2 cost almost twice the price as DDR3.

Also, the new "number" for people who like to have big numbers is 16 gb of ram.

Also, yes, I agree with all of you, you don't need more than 4gig of ram for gaming.

But you are building a COMPUTER. Not a gaming console. A computer can do much more than a gaming console and other stuff you do may require more than 4gig of ram.

[urtv]

wait till ddr3 is more expensive than ddr4 then get a new motherboard that supports ddr4.problem solved

along with my game,i also like to run fraps,aim,browser and sometimes music/movie in the bg.sometimes i also like to live stream my stuff.sometimes i also like to run 2 copies of the game so i can get into instances and keep all drops to myself.so the more the merrier

[Randelmire]

Cooling- I'm old school, get as many fans as your case can fit. I have like 8 fans in mine. They're cheap to replace, easy to replace, and are effective. Don't get stingy on the fans. Its worth it! You don't need liquid cooling imo, so forget paying extra for that noise. It does look cool though.

8 fans? Really?

3 or 4 fans, properly sized and properly placed give enough air to cool a 2 way SLI system.

Yeah, forget paying extra for that noise

[Randelmire]

wait till ddr3 is more expensive than ddr4 then get a new motherboard that supports ddr4.problem solved

along with my game,i also like to run fraps,aim,browser and sometimes music/movie in the bg.sometimes i also like to live stream my stuff.sometimes i also like to run 2 copies of the game so i can get into instances and keep all drops to myself.so the more the merrier

Replacing your motherboard+cpu might not be cost effective if you get a good cpu today + a good video card like the GTX670.

[urtv]

if you just got a new motherboard+cpu+video card, no reason to switch to ddr4 right away.it can probably last you 3-5 years

and if you do switch then you can just reuse the video card and cpu

[Dhalmel]

We all know when it comes to PC's gamers like to have big numbers despite the fact that they probably aren't using them. In terms of being practical:

Processor- You don't need more than 4 cores. And you sure as hell don't need an i7. Getting an i7 is really just to brag in terms of a gaming rig. And you really don't need to overclock your processor either. I know its the "cool" thing to do, but you can count the number of games that actually require that kind of performance on one hand. Seriously. Why pay extra to fry your processor?

RAM- You seriously don't *need* more than 4GB. No joke. 8GB is only the standard amongst gamers that like to brag about how awesome their rigs are. If you're using more than 4GB you aren't paying attention to your game anyway; that, or you are a phenomenal multi-tasker. In which case I take my hat off to you.

Graphics Card- Just get the best you can afford. You almost never need to overclock them, so that doesn't matter. Again, very few games require that kind of performance out of a good card. Why fry your GPU? Now if you're running hardcore graphics design programs none of this post even applies to you. I'm assuming we're talking about gaming though.

Cooling- I'm old school, get as many fans as your case can fit. I have like 8 fans in mine. They're cheap to replace, easy to replace, and are effective. Don't get stingy on the fans. Its worth it! You don't need liquid cooling imo, so forget paying extra for that noise. It does look cool though.


All in all gaming doesn't really require a maxed out pc, so don't get carried away.

I highly disagree with your comments to overclocking, it's free performance. Hell it's simplistic compared to 5 years ago and a simple 400~500Mhz on the cpu or 50~100Mhz on the gpu overclock isn't going to hurt anything. The most you will get is a that system isn't stable with the chance or data corruption or the bios won't boot which can be fixed with a simple clear cmos

Do you know how hard it is these days to damage the cpu/gpu dies in normal overclocking scenarios? Most only die from high voltage/extreme cooling runs. The only componet I've ever had die on me was from having a 980X OC'd at 1.8v with liquid nitrogen.

Also your comment with fans is very flawed. 4/5 quality fans in proper positions and type are better than 10 cheap loud short life fans. CFM isn't everything also, there's also how much static pressure the fan can provide too and is very important in regards to heatsinks.

Having that many fans can also mess up your airflow and cause too much turbulence in the case.


I will somewhat agree to your 8GB comment, but as I and others said, the cost difference is so small, why not? Newer games properly made for the PC will take advantage of the extra space. See Skyrim, Metro 2033 and Battlefield 3.


Time to get out of 2006.

[Nightdreamer]

Noob question since I'm also following this thread as a blue print to build my pc with: I5 3450 cpu, asus Z71 board, and the gtx670. For the power supply, how much is enough?