Build Advice New gaming PC build.

[Why_Me]

My next question is

In regards to GPU's, do more games support Nvidia features than AMD features?
I read something about the 'upscaling' software that both suppliers have, it seems that more games have exclusive support to one and not the other.

Nvidia if you plan on using DLSS (frame regeneration) which is better atm than AMD FSR.

 

[TeamRed2024]

Agreed... and if you want a white GPU the Gigabyte Aero is what you are looking for.

 

[Lafong]

Thank you! Its exactly what im doing but I guess the issue im having is it might show you the differences, but I don't understand half of it!

Find and post the apparent differences. We can then comment on their significance.....could easily be of little importance.

 

[p0t3nt1al]

My next question relates to memory storage.

A lot of places seem to be pushing you towards getting 2 storage options.
1 for storing the operating system and general files on and the 2nd for storing games on etc.

Is there a noticable, measurable difference in performance by doing this, or is this just purely for OCD purposes?

 

[Lafong]

There are reasons unrelated to performance and also unrelated to obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I use 2 drives and don't game at all. Nothing wrong with using 1.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

Modern day drives are good at sustained read/writes. For general use and gaming, 1 drive is sufficient.

If you want a backup drive, that's upto you.

 

[p0t3nt1al]

My next question is

When it comes to the CPU + GPU combination, I have read in various places one of the biggest mistakes people make is not prioritising the GPU.

I am looking at the following
CPU 78003XD
GPU 7900 GRE

Everything I have read suggests the 78003XD is probably the best CPU for gaming however I am wondering if I would be better looking at something lower and using the savings towards a different graphics card, maybe a 4070 ti super?

 

[Lucky_SLS]

Depends , if you need ray tracing in your games get the 4070ti S. The 7900 GRE is absolutely fine for 2k gaming.

 

[p0t3nt1al]

Okay. Thank you very much.

I am looking at the following two motherboards for my rig.

Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX Ice
Gigabyte X670E Aorus Pro X

Its quite unclear looking at the spec what are the real differences apart from maybe a few ports. Would I be correct in saying the B650M one is a smaller board? Does this has any impact on performance?

 

[Lafong]

Yes. M signifies the smaller micro ATX. Will fit in any standard case.

Most boards are "full ATX" and won't fit in some cases.

I'm not sure what the E means in "X670E". It may or may not fit in a standard case.

Micro ATX boards have fewer slots, which wouldn't matter to most users. I have used Micro for a decade.

I count at least 5 "Ice" AMD motherboards at Gigabyte site.

X670E is not Ice, so I guess you have given up on white?

Here are 4 Ice boards in a comparison table. None are micro ATX. Not sure what the "E" means. The 870 boards are the most expensive and may have features you don't need?

https://www.gigabyte.com/Comparison/Consumer/Result/2?pids=9730,9721,9678,9456

Here is the fifth one. B650M Aorus Elite AX Ice. The only micro ATX

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B650M-AORUS-ELITE-AX-ICE#kf

 

[p0t3nt1al]

X670E is not Ice, so I guess you have given up on white?

There is an Ice variance apparently. Or at least there are photo's on the site I was looking at.

I think this Amazon listing is the same one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-X...659740203-B0CN5L12XW-&hvexpln=74&gad_source=1

 

[Lafong]

OK; my error. I didn't catch them all in my search

So there are at least 6 AMD boards in the ICE series at Gigabyte.

Performance is driven mostly your CPU choice and by the chipset and its features: X670, B650, X870 etc.

Reliability is another matter.

I have no idea which might give you headaches, but there is luck involved. Pick the features you need and hope. Maybe look around for reviews of specific boards. Comments from buyers on Amazon could easily lead you far astray.

 

[p0t3nt1al]

When looking at motherboards, I am seeing information on its PCie slots.

Can someone please help me understand why there are more than one? Isn't this just used for your GPU where you would only really need one good one and the extra slots would be irrelevant?

 

[Lucky_SLS]

You have other devices that can be used apart from GPUs like storage expansion cards, network cards, sound cards, video capture cards etc.

 

[p0t3nt1al]

Okay so I think I have decided on the GIGABYTE B650M AORUS ELITE AX ICE motherboard as it seems a good place to make a saving compared to cutting money off GPU and I can get it for a good price.

When I look at the spec I can see its expansion slots are

1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (supports x16 mode), 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (running at x4)

Would I be correct the first one that supports 16x mode is what the graphics card plugs into?
What would the second slot (running at 4x) be needed for?

Would I be correct in saying both the 7900 GRE or the 4070 ti Super both are designed to be used with this PCie 4.0 slot, and don't need PCie 5.0?

Are there any specific drawbacks to using this card? The fact its a mATX does make me nervous, but primarily because I am probably very ignorant to PC building and parts.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

I have the same board but in black.

The second X4 slot is for sound cards, video capture cards, network cards etc. the GPU will be in the top X16 slot.

The GPU will run in pcie 4.0 mode, no issues. Both the cards are pcie 4.0 X16 native.

There are no as such drawbacks apart from less M.2 slots and other I/O which most users wont miss.

 

[p0t3nt1al]

Thank you for your reply.

I think a lot of the time when doing a custom build you can be feared into over speccing or buying overpriced items which you don't really need in reality.

To hear you also have this board gives a lot of confidence on making the purchase as this is one of the best priced boards I have on offer/available.

Thanks again!