Confused about 4k video/gaming hardware requirements

[Duncan113]

I'm posting this in the graphics card section because I'm not sure where else to start. I'm investigating new PC options (Dell XPS line, mainly) because my existing Alienware is dying and the warranty has long since expired. Anyway, my concern in configuring a new system, I am as always trying to future proof it as much as possible, without spending several thousand dollars. As such, I want it to be able to play back 4k video content and handle 4k gaming graphics (I'm not into MMOs at the moment, I'm mainly a Starcraft guy, so nothing too intense), when 4k arrives in earnest. I really don't know which parts of the computer, in addition to the graphics cards, I need to focus on for this, meaning would a mid-range XPS, hopefully within $1k, be enough? Also, I'm hoping that cloud gaming really comes into its own soon, including games like Starcraft, so that the demands on my desktop will be less and thus I don't need to spend nearly as much. Any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[timeconsumer]

4k gaming takes a lot of hardware. I don't know about what Starcraft will require. But most titles you're looking in the area of a Titan X, SLI 980s, or a 295x2. Unlikely to find on a $1000 budget. Depending on the game's requirements you may be able to get away with less, but do you really want to blow a bunch of money now when 4k gaming hardware will be much cheaper and more accessible in 2 years?

 

[Jak_Sparra]

I'm posting this in the graphics card section because I'm not sure where else to start. I'm investigating new PC options (Dell XPS line, mainly) because my existing Alienware is dying and the warranty has long since expired. Anyway, my concern in configuring a new system, I am as always trying to future proof it as much as possible, without spending several thousand dollars. As such, I want it to be able to play back 4k video content and handle 4k gaming graphics (I'm not into MMOs at the moment, I'm mainly a Starcraft guy, so nothing too intense), when 4k arrives in earnest. I really don't know which parts of the computer, in addition to the graphics cards, I need to focus on for this, meaning would a mid-range XPS, hopefully within $1k, be enough? Also, I'm hoping that cloud gaming really comes into its own soon, including games like Starcraft, so that the demands on my desktop will be less and thus I don't need to spend nearly as much. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Do not buy anything yet, we are to close to DirectX12. I would wait and see what happens with that and then choose a card after that. for 4k I think you want about 8GB of VRAM and something like what 'timeconsumer' suggested like a Sapphire AMD Radeon R9 295 X2 8192MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card. I noticed that on https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-350-SP&groupid=701&catid=56 it was down to about £500 the other day for a short term sale. I think it may come down again. But if it was me I would wait until DirectX is out and see what Nvidia and AMD do. Could spark a price war as they try to shift older stock.

Plus you want to look at either a GSYNC or FREESYNC monitor and match your graphics card to the monitor.