Hi, I am fairly new to PC gaming and in need of suggestions and tips for future upgrades/etc.

[MisterNguyen]

Greetings fellow brethren of the Glorious PC Master Race. I, a former console peasant, have recently made my ascendance toward your Divine ranks. However, I'm not adept when it comes to computer hardware; I'm well versed in the basic functionality and usage of a computer, but in the realms of hardware upgrade and technicality, I'm as well educated as a third grader in a Quantum Physics class. So I was wondering if you, the wonderful technicians of Tom's Hardware, could help me with my inquiries.

Here are the specs of my rig, which a good friend of mine helped me put together:

Processor: i7 5820k 3.3GHz
Motherboard: ASUS X-99A/ USB 3.1 Intel X99 Chipset
GPU: ASUS GTX 1080 8GB ROG STRIX A8G (Boost Clock 1835 MHZ) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K5F8MJK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
RAM: 16GB (2x8) DDR4 2400MHz
PNY 240GB SSD
1TB HDD 7200RPM 64MB SATA 6Gb/s
Cooler: SilenX EFZ-120H https://www.amazon.com/Silenx-Effizio-120mm-Intel-Heatsink/dp/B007VQO7GE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474997830&sr=8-1&keywords=SilenX+EFZ-120ha5
Case: Zalman Z9 Neo White https://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Performance-Gaming-Tower-White/dp/B01A3N75GU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474997919&sr=8-1&keywords=Zalman+Z9+neo+white

My current setup consists of three Viewsonic VX2250 1080p monitors: https://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VX2250WM-LED-21-5-Inch-Widescreen-Integrated/dp/B003HFCDLY

My first question is overclocking both the CPU and GPU. Is it safe? What are the risks and benefits? Are the benefits noticeable?

My second question is 4k gaming. Since I have a GTX 1080, should I invest in a 4k monitor with Freesync like this one? https://www.amazon.com/LG-27UD68-P-27-Inch-Monitor-FreeSync/dp/B01CH9ZTI4

Or should I wait on 4k and invest in another GTX 1080 for SLI? If so, can I pair my current STRIX with this one? https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Support-Graphics-08G-P4-6284-KR/dp/B01IA9HKGE/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1474998654&sr=1-2&keywords=FTW%2Bgtx%2B1080&th=1

 

[Dynomite54]

My first question is overclocking both the CPU and GPU. Is it safe? What are the risks and benefits? Are the benefits noticeable?

I woulnt try it if you are new to hardware. But if you do I would water cool your cpu. And your gpu, I have over clocked a 1080evga and I didnt see a big difference using stock cooler.

My second question is 4k gaming. Since I have a GTX 1080, should I invest in a 4k monitor with Freesync like this one? https://www.amazon.com/LG-27UD68-P-27-Inch-Monitor-Free...

Freesync is worth it for me. It may be diffrent for you

Or should I wait on 4k and invest in another GTX 1080 for SLI? If so, can I pair my current STRIX with this one? https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Support-Graphics-08...

The 1080 with a i7 can handle 4k. and say above 60fps

 

[Tom Tancredi]

Greetings...
My first question is overclocking both the CPU and GPU. Is it safe? What are the risks and benefits? Are the benefits noticeable?

My second question is 4k gaming. Since I have a GTX 1080, should I invest in a 4k monitor with Freesync like this one? https://www.amazon.com/LG-27UD68-P-27-Inch-Monitor-FreeSync/dp/B01CH9ZTI4

Or should I wait on 4k and invest in another GTX 1080 for SLI? If so, can I pair my current STRIX with this one? https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Support-Graphics-08G-P4-6284-KR/dp/B01IA9HKGE/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1474998654&sr=1-2&keywords=FTW%2Bgtx%2B1080&th=1

A) Overclocking is alot of techincal 'magic' and very COSTLY as your going to be buying alot of the 'same' parts over and over to get 'just the right ones' to match up perfectly, as no two exact RAM, CPU, Mobo, etc. even on the same assembly line right next to one another will be 'exact copies' and just 'plug and play'. Thus with many variables to affect it, you normally need to go through 'batches' of RAM, or CPU and MOBO, and so on to get all the variables 'just right' (sort of like cooking a good soup) or else there will be something 'off' or worse.
Secondly, the makers sell the hardware 'as is' as that meets the advertised specifications every time you use the hardware. Overclocking is going PAST those standards, and similar to burning both ends of a candle to get 'more light'. But what happens you burn it out faster, and if you 'mess up' in anyway FFFT! now you need to buy a whole new __________ (fill in the blank). Just like performance tuning with cars, motorcyles, whatever, it is a art and 'magic' but costly activity for the 'average' Joe / Jane.


B/C 4K isn't relative to Freesync, but just a more detailed higher resolution to push out (and demand) from your computer system. Your 1080 can push out 4K (just as much as my 1060 can) the issues is to how many 'screens' (this case your doing three), at what details ( your setting games to ULTRA graphics or such) and the demands of the specific game (i.e. the difference between COD Black Ops 1 verses COD Adv Warfare). These in turn affect the FPS (frames per second) the GPU pushes out, and the more DEMAND the LESS FPS is the basic formula. So yeah for your rig setup you probably want (if across all three panels) SLI just because you want to go BIG.

I would also like to direct you to the MOD. He had put out this nice response to explain Freesync. Just a quick to easy remember note: Nvidia card = GSynch Monitor, AMD card = Freesync Monitor; Nvidia will display on Freesynch but then you just made the Freesync into a generic monitor, the 'Freesync' tech is 'unable to be used' .

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3000889/nvidia-card-freesync-monitor.html