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When using this resource, please read the opening post. The Tech Support forum regulars have helped create countless of desktop systems without any compensation. The least you can do is provide all of the information required for them to help you properly. |
Do you like the Antec 900 in particular? If not, take a look at the Fractal Design Arc Midi R2:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352031
I think the specs on the newegg page are broken. Here's a link to its description on the Fractal Design website:
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=113
It's prepared for 140mm fans and comes with three of them. The Antec feels somewhat old to me.
The Arc Midi R2 is the "airy" version of the Define R4 which comes with dampening and front door. That one is liked by a lot of people and is reportedly built well, and all about that should also apply to the Arc Midi R2.
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Hi Cyro!
Thanks for the quick response. I’m looking to buy anytime from now to anytime in the next couple of months. I don’t have a set schedule. I’ve read on several sites that I might want to wait for the next generation of consoles to come out before buying; but I’ve also read on an equal number of sites that if you wait until the perfect time to buy you’re never going to buy a computer. In fact, that sums up my entire computer research experience pretty well: multiple sites, each with seemingly good documentation, coming to very different conclusions.
I had the same result when looking at monitors. Many sites said it was just how you described, with field-of-view issues being problematic in a lot of games, and it being harder to run at the same performance level. But other sites and videos made it seem like the set-up would function well, with the side monitors working like peripheral vision in FPS-style games.
Would it be possible to set up a three monitor system that can switch easily between 1 and 3 monitors depending on the game? Is a three monitor high-quality system even possible on a $2-3,000 budget? It sounds like you prefer the single monitor setup for gaming. If I went with a single monitor, would its quality be significantly/noticeably higher than what I could afford with a three monitor system? I should note that I haven’t actually seen a 3 monitor system in person, so I have no real world experience with them, only the (probably cherry-picked) gameplay videos of them online.
Thanks again!
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With a single monitor, you will only need a single graphics card. There will be something that's powerful enough for the resolution and refresh rate of the monitor you want to play on.
Three monitors will have so many pixels that need to be filled that you'll have to look at SLI or Crossfire to run two NVIDIA or AMD cards. SLI/Crossfire seems to be a headache. The driver has to be prepared to work for each and every single game to get the two cards to work together on that game. You might have to look into this for every single new game that comes out. There's also some sort of latency getting added when two cards are working together to combine their work into a single picture.
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United States7481 Posts
The way I'd put it is - with 3 monitors, you can make some games look absolutely amazing. If you're an iracing fanatic, or focus on other games that use it really well, that's the way you want to go. If you don't know, I'd say go for one or two awesome monitors, designed to game on one of them and the other for utility, because you know anything on that one monitor will look great. It won't be as immersive for the games that can use the 3 monitors, but for overall performance it'll be awesome.
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United Kingdom20323 Posts
If you're driving 3 monitors, you're mostly stuck to like 3* 1920x1080, 60hz. If you're driving 1, you can go 1920x1080 144hz or 2560x1440, etc. So that's either like 2-2.4x the refresh rate, or 1.78x as many pixels on your "main" screen. I'd definately go down one of those routes over the 3x screen, but i have no experience with them so i can't say if that's a good decision or not
I’ve read on several sites that I might want to wait for the next generation of consoles to come out before buying; but I’ve also read on an equal number of sites that if you wait until the perfect time to buy you’re never going to buy a computer
This is true, we just have AMD GPU's releasing, AFAIK, at the end of this month, and that makes it more tricky to decide GPU if you wanted single monitor. For triple though, you'd probably want a pair of 770's or 780's regardless - it's just that the new GPU's on AMD side could cause a pretty substantial price drop. Rumor is AMD trying to beat gk110 (780) with their high end card, but pricing significantly lower, so a bit of back and forth and then like a 25% price drop at high end wouldn't surprise me. AMD drivers don't run properly with multiple GPU's >and< multiple screens though (yet) so that's a bad option until further notice
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It seems like there is a pretty strong consensus from the people here that I should just go with one monitor for gaming, so I think I would like to go that route. I’m pretty sure I’ll still be amazed at what one monitor can produce these days coming from my current laptop 
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599 Posts
Hi, I'm putting a somewhat high end build. Any recommendations on power supplies?
Here is my build so far. Feel free to suggest changing any part with reasons.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Z4DqSKS.png)
note: ud4h and GTX 680 are deals, which is why i'm going with them.
What is your budget?
$1500 USD
What is your monitor's native resolution?
1920x1080
What games do you intend to play on this computer? What settings?
sc2, best new release games. not necessarily Crysis. mostly strategy games.
What do you intend to use the computer for besides gaming?
General use. Browsing the web. Music and movies.
Do you intend to overclock?
yes
Do you intend to do SLI / Crossfire?
Maybe, if it's better than getting one strong card in terms of my usage, and in terms of performance/cost. enlighten me.
Do you need an operating system?
No.
Do you need a monitor or any other peripherals and is this part of your budget?
No.
If you have any requirements or brand preferences, please specify.
No.
What country will you be buying your parts in?
U.S. California (i.e. microcenter available)
If you have any retailer preferences, please specify.
microcenter, newegg, tigerdirect, amazon
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After doing even more digging, it appears that since I bought the license, I can move it around. There is no actual microsoft page to tell me this, but I read from people who said they called MS and could move it.
nvm, thanks!
+ Show Spoiler +I have a hopefully simple question: I currently have windows 7, but it's the OEM version (I bought it a couple years ago and didn't know what that meant at the time). Thing is, I just bought a new mobo (Gigabyte z87 ud3h, I hope a good buy  ). Since it appears that I will need a new windows license, would it worth it to upgrade to win 8? From what I can see, they don't even sell the basic windows 7 anymore, and the only option is win 7 HP at the same price as win 8... so if the price is the same, should I have any software concerns when it comes to gaming? Are there still major bugs and flaws that 8 has when running games? Thank you for your help! + Show Spoiler +
if you need to know, my (soon to be) build is:
i5-4670k
Gigabyte z87 Ud3h
Sapphire 7950 (I bought it last year, so it is not a new component.)
I think that's all you need to know for this question.
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On September 06 2013 12:23 Introvert wrote:+ Show Spoiler +I have a hopefully simple question: I currently have windows 7, but it's the OEM version (I bought it a couple years ago and didn't know what that meant at the time). Thing is, I just bought a new mobo (Gigabyte z87 ud3h, I hope a good buy ). Since it appears that I will need a new windows license, would it worth it to upgrade to win 8? From what I can see, they don't even sell the basic windows 7 anymore, and the only option is win 7 HP at the same price as win 8... so if the price is the same, should I have any software concerns when it comes to gaming? Are there still major bugs and flaws that 8 has when running games? Thank you for your help! + Show Spoiler +
if you need to know, my (soon to be) build is:
i5-4670k
Gigabyte z87 Ud3h
Sapphire 7950 (I bought it last year, so it is not a new component.)
I think that's all you need to know for this question.
You can just re-use the Windows 7 you have.
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On September 05 2013 23:10 Antoine wrote:
What kind of printer do you have?
My printer is Brother HL2240. It doesn't have the network port so it isn't the network edition of the printer
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United Kingdom20323 Posts
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On September 06 2013 12:54 XenOmega wrote:My printer is Brother HL2240. It doesn't have the network port so it isn't the network edition of the printer
I looked this up for my router in the past. Mine can't do it, can only share a USB drive through its USB port, not a printer. If you want to look it up for your router, see if there's "print server" being mentioned somewhere.
There's a popular third party router firmware called "DD-WRT". I think it has a print server. It might be able to use the USB port for a printer. I'm too scared to flash that onto my router so I can't confirm. Here's the website: http://www.dd-wrt.com/
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On September 06 2013 13:06 Ropid wrote:Show nested quote +On September 06 2013 12:54 XenOmega wrote:On September 05 2013 23:10 Antoine wrote:
What kind of printer do you have? My printer is Brother HL2240. It doesn't have the network port so it isn't the network edition of the printer I looked this up for my router in the past. Mine can't do it, can only share a USB drive through its USB port, not a printer. If you want to look it up for your router, see if there's "print server" being mentioned somewhere. There's a popular third party router firmware called "DD-WRT". I think it has a print server. It might be able to use the USB port for a printer. I'm too scared to flash that onto my router so I can't confirm. Here's the website: http://www.dd-wrt.com/
Sounds scary too O.o
I think the Asus rt56 is not supported by them though., Am I wrong?
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On September 06 2013 10:50 waffling1 wrote:+ Show Spoiler +Hi, I'm putting a somewhat high end build. Any recommendations on power supplies? Here is my build so far. Feel free to suggest changing any part with reasons.
What is your budget?
$1500 USD
What is your monitor's native resolution?
1920x1080
What games do you intend to play on this computer? What settings?
sc2, best new release games. not necessarily Crysis. mostly strategy games.
What do you intend to use the computer for besides gaming?
General use. Browsing the web. Music and movies.
Do you intend to overclock?
yes
Do you intend to do SLI / Crossfire?
Maybe, if it's better than getting one strong card in terms of my usage, and in terms of performance/cost. enlighten me.
Do you need an operating system?
No.
Do you need a monitor or any other peripherals and is this part of your budget?
No.
If you have any requirements or brand preferences, please specify.
No.
What country will you be buying your parts in?
U.S. California (i.e. microcenter available)
If you have any retailer preferences, please specify.
microcenter, newegg, tigerdirect, amazon
That case probably (certainly) doesn't have clearance for a NH-D14 since it has a side fan and isn't your typical 8" to 9" wide case. Also has molex fans, no routing holes, shit HDD cage, and so on. Getting a shitty case sort of defeats the purpose of getting a modular power supply?
Capstone is fine. If you want to do SLI/Crossfire than the Seasonic Platinum 760 is on sale right now for $140.
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You need at least 16cm clearance for the NH-D14.
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599 Posts
On September 06 2013 14:06 skyR wrote:Show nested quote +On September 06 2013 10:50 waffling1 wrote:+ Show Spoiler +Hi, I'm putting a somewhat high end build. Any recommendations on power supplies? Here is my build so far. Feel free to suggest changing any part with reasons.
What is your budget?
$1500 USD
What is your monitor's native resolution?
1920x1080
What games do you intend to play on this computer? What settings?
sc2, best new release games. not necessarily Crysis. mostly strategy games.
What do you intend to use the computer for besides gaming?
General use. Browsing the web. Music and movies.
Do you intend to overclock?
yes
Do you intend to do SLI / Crossfire?
Maybe, if it's better than getting one strong card in terms of my usage, and in terms of performance/cost. enlighten me.
Do you need an operating system?
No.
Do you need a monitor or any other peripherals and is this part of your budget?
No.
If you have any requirements or brand preferences, please specify.
No.
What country will you be buying your parts in?
U.S. California (i.e. microcenter available)
If you have any retailer preferences, please specify.
microcenter, newegg, tigerdirect, amazon
That case probably (certainly) doesn't have clearance for a NH-D14 since it has a side fan and isn't your typical 8" to 9" wide case. Also has molex fans, no routing holes, shit HDD cage, and so on. Getting a shitty case sort of defeats the purpose of getting a modular power supply? Capstone is fine. If you want to do SLI/Crossfire than the Seasonic Platinum 760 is on sale right now for $140.
Thanks a bunch for your feedback.
The case is that one because this build is a for a friend, and he likes green/brown/white, and green has limited choices.
If I don't find a wide case, the U14S would work for most cases, correct?
are there any cheaper PSUs for multiGPU?
I was thinking of switching to non-modular PSU.
Can I get two graphics cards for around $300 that would perform better than the GTX 680?
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5930 Posts
Even if your friend wants a case that is green/brown/white, don't do it. It is a bad case. If white only cases are fine, NZXT has some decent white cases. For a budget like that, the NZXT Phantom might be a good choice.
Can I get two graphics cards for around $300 that would perform better than the GTX 680?
GTX650 Ti SLI will beat out a single GTX680. Whether its worth the physical and software problems associated with SLI and a larger PSU, that's another question.
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599 Posts
On September 06 2013 19:37 Womwomwom wrote:Even if your friend wants a case that is green/brown/white, don't do it. It is a bad case. If white only cases are fine, NZXT has some decent white cases. For a budget like that, the NZXT Phantom might be a good choice. Show nested quote +Can I get two graphics cards for around $300 that would perform better than the GTX 680? GTX650 Ti SLI will beat out a single GTX680. Whether its worth the physical and software problems associated with SLI and a larger PSU, that's another question.
Thank you very much sir
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United Kingdom20323 Posts
Those damn OCUK systems..
I'd probably get most of the enjoyment from single/dual loop custom water especially a crazy build doing it myself, but damn. Guaranteed binning for 5ghz@1.3v on a haswell chip is fucking insane. Almost worth paying for the entire £6.6k build just to take the chip out, throw another one in, flip it for as much as you can and make your own build with the gem.
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On September 06 2013 19:16 waffling1 wrote:+ Show Spoiler +On September 06 2013 14:06 skyR wrote:Show nested quote +On September 06 2013 10:50 waffling1 wrote:+ Show Spoiler +Hi, I'm putting a somewhat high end build. Any recommendations on power supplies? Here is my build so far. Feel free to suggest changing any part with reasons.
What is your budget?
$1500 USD
What is your monitor's native resolution?
1920x1080
What games do you intend to play on this computer? What settings?
sc2, best new release games. not necessarily Crysis. mostly strategy games.
What do you intend to use the computer for besides gaming?
General use. Browsing the web. Music and movies.
Do you intend to overclock?
yes
Do you intend to do SLI / Crossfire?
Maybe, if it's better than getting one strong card in terms of my usage, and in terms of performance/cost. enlighten me.
Do you need an operating system?
No.
Do you need a monitor or any other peripherals and is this part of your budget?
No.
If you have any requirements or brand preferences, please specify.
No.
What country will you be buying your parts in?
U.S. California (i.e. microcenter available)
If you have any retailer preferences, please specify.
microcenter, newegg, tigerdirect, amazon
That case probably (certainly) doesn't have clearance for a NH-D14 since it has a side fan and isn't your typical 8" to 9" wide case. Also has molex fans, no routing holes, shit HDD cage, and so on. Getting a shitty case sort of defeats the purpose of getting a modular power supply? Capstone is fine. If you want to do SLI/Crossfire than the Seasonic Platinum 760 is on sale right now for $140. Thanks a bunch for your feedback. The case is that one because this build is a for a friend, and he likes green/brown/white, and green has limited choices. If I don't find a wide case, the U14S would work for most cases, correct? are there any cheaper PSUs for multiGPU? I was thinking of switching to non-modular PSU. Can I get two graphics cards for around $300 that would perform better than the GTX 680?
M12II 750 is on sale for $80 ($60 after mail in rebate). And of course there's always Rosewill Capstone or Seasonic G for around $100-$120.
NH-U14S is actually taller than the NH-D14 so if the D14 doesn't fit than the U14S won't either.
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EPT
