What am i doing wrong with my gaming pc build?

[iK1DDER]

I spent almost 900 dollars on my pc build and it still isnt great for gaming. i run skyrim at 20 fps in heavily snowy areas and when the weather is clear, it is around 26-40 fps. My specs are: MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte ga-z97-hd3, POWER SUPPLY: EVGA 430 watt 80+ atx, PROCESSOR: i5 4690k 3.5 ghz but overclocked at 4.24 ghz right now (but i could overclock higher but choose not to), HARD DRIVE: Western Digital 2TB 3.5-inch, SATA 6 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 64MB Cache WD2003FZEX, RAM: G.Skill 2 x 8(16gb) DDR3-1600 PC3-12800, GRAPHICS CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 1GB, Windows 8.1 and i use an external usb optical drive if that matters, which is: Lite-On IT Corporation Optical Drives EBAU108-01

 

[MarkW]

I like the brand. Had several of their cards many years ago. But I could say that about most of the companies that have ever made decent video cards. I've never really had a bad video card. And I used most of the video cards that I purchased for 3 to 4 years.

So yeah, I like the fact that you need a DVI-D port, and it has one. But at the same time, it still has multiple DP ports, and an HDMI port. That covers you until you decide to upgrade again some day in the future.

 

[iK1DDER]

I like the brand. Had several of their cards many years ago. But I could say that about most of the companies that have ever made decent video cards. I've never really had a bad video card. And I used most of the video cards that I purchased for 3 to 4 years.

So yeah, I like the fact that you need a DVI-D port, and it has one. But at the same time, it still has multiple DP ports, and an HDMI port. That covers you until you decide to upgrade again some day in the future.

okay. i will probably buy the graphics card tomorrow and then i will have to wait to get it.

 

[MarkW]

Tick
Tock
Tick
Tock
Tick
Tock
Tick
Tock

 

[iK1DDER]

Tick
Tock
Tick
Tock
Tick
Tock
Tick
Tock

yea, you got steam?

 

[renegadepestisrac]

I spent almost 900 dollars on my pc build and it still isnt great for gaming. i run skyrim at 20 fps in heavily snowy areas and when the weather is clear, it is around 26-40 fps. My specs are: MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte ga-z97-hd3, POWER SUPPLY: EVGA 430 watt 80+ atx, PROCESSOR: i5 4690k 3.5 ghz but overclocked at 4.24 ghz right now (but i could overclock higher but choose not to), HARD DRIVE: Western Digital 2TB 3.5-inch, SATA 6 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 64MB Cache WD2003FZEX, RAM: G.Skill 2 x 8(16gb) DDR3-1600 PC3-12800, GRAPHICS CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 1GB, Windows 8.1 and i use an external usb optical drive if that matters, which is: Lite-On IT Corporation Optical Drives EBAU108-01

Your cpu is lot more powerful at base frequency than what your gpu is required.
At nvidia always look for middle number. Example gtx 750 the 5 is the important cause its shows how powerful is the card. First digit is just the model lineup. Nvidia card numbered from x1x till x9x, you have 3 so it is basicly designed for everyday use. Gaming starts at 5.
Same with old amd, four digit code ex: 7870, the 8 (2. digit)is the performance, you can game with 7770 but everything below that will be bad performer in gaming. Im not sure with the new lineup, but if i got it right the R7 260 is the lowest for nice gaming.
And your psu is week. Get at least 500w but the more powerful gpu gets the power consumption higher too.

 

[len021098]

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/QcQNhM

You should of built this play almost all games 60fp's high settings? You spent wrongly that's your problem

 

[GObonzo]

I like the brand. Had several of their cards many years ago. But I could say that about most of the companies that have ever made decent video cards. I've never really had a bad video card. And I used most of the video cards that I purchased for 3 to 4 years.
So yeah, I like the fact that you need a DVI-D port, and it has one. But at the same time, it still has multiple DP ports, and an HDMI port. That covers you until you decide to upgrade again some day in the future.

okay. i will probably buy the graphics card tomorrow and then i will have to wait to get it.

you shouldn't limit yourself to any particular third party GPU manufacturer based on someone else's comments. there are multiple colors, logo designs, shroud shapes, fan counts, LED options, etc available now-a-days with GPUs that it has become more of a shopper's market and not only based on certain specs anymore.

just shop around on reliable retailers until you find one with a good cooler, backplate, and the connectors you need available, and that looks nice to you for a good deal. check user reviews\feedback to see if any reoccurring problems have occurred with the card for multiple users. then maybe check back to sites like Tom's to double check any known issues with that particular model.

 

[MarkW]

Who called in the newb squad?

We have been discussing this for weeks. He has taken his time, and he picked the card. I had to go read up on it after he finally narrowed it down to a single card. I have gone out of my way to guide him, but not to tell him what to get. He choose to focus on the R9 390. He chose to focus on the Sapphire card. And considering what he already has, as in a monitor that has a DVI-D port, a video card that also has a DVI-D port is a good option. It also does not hurt anything that the card also has 3 DP ports and 1 HDMI port, since any monitor you buy from now on will only support those 2 types of connections.

And now, after he has finally made a decision, and a good decision in my opinion, here you guys come... Let the man buy his video card. He has agonized over this decision for weeks.

 

[GObonzo]

Who called in the newb squad?
And now, after he has finally made a decision, and a good decision in my opinion, here you guys come... Let the man buy his video card. He has agonized over this decision for weeks.

here you guys come...the newb squad?
telling them that there are more options available for design taste that would still fit the exact same specs, and not to just go for what someone else suggests. besides that they may find a much better deal by further shopping. you sound less like an "ancient" and more like a kid hoping to brag that someone took their advice.
the poster asked you about the Powercolor version and you responded about the Sapphire. which would lead a less informed person to believe it's a better card for some reason, and it's not.
i am not telling anyone to go back through their decision about which card to buy. just to know that there are more things, including aesthetics, to help choose which model to buy.

 

[jackspeed]

I have wanted to add my 2 cents to this thread for a while but have stopped in fear of derailing the decision.

@Gobonzo Your advice is good advice and the card he may be buying may not be the BEST card for his system. To find the BEST card for his system would take the OP weeks to months when he can go with this very good card and be having a blast. His choice might be the best card. Also MarkW has not shoved anything down the OPs throat, he originally suggested a different card. The OP chose to go with the AMD card which is a very nice card he even chose the card based on advice of looking at the cooling. Unless you have the patience of a saint, and the willingness to go on for weeks or months, then let him buy his card.

 

[GObonzo]

I have wanted to add my 2 cents to this thread for a while but have stopped in fear of derailing the discussion.

@Gobonzo Your advice is good advice and the card he may be buying may not be the BEST card for his system. To find the BEST card for his system would take the OP weeks to months when he can go with this very good card and be having a blast. His choice might be the best card. Also MarkW has not shoved anything down the OPs throat, he originally suggested a different card. The OP chose to go with the AMD card which is a very nice card he even chose the card based on advice of looking at the cooling. Unless you have the patience of a saint, and the willingness to go on for weeks or months, then let him buy his card.

this is not about which GPU to go with: AMD or Nvidia, 390 or 970.
this is now about which version of the 390 to choose.
to not just go with a certain manufacturer because someone else suggests it. but to look through all the available 390s and choose which one is the best purchase price, clock speeds, connection, cooler design, and aesthetic-wise.

 

[MarkW]

We talked about the 970s... This thread is 3 pages long. Go back and read the thing!

 

[krf]

My bedtime too.. Cya tomorrow.

i have been debating on whether or not to buy this for my power supply instead: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ALK3KEM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ALK3KEM&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwcareyholzm-20&linkId=6UETW337E3LSKPRL . would this be more than enough? but idk how to hook it up. also is this better than the one you suggested? : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NI5DA2E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00NI5DA2E&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwcareyholzm-20&linkId=HN3WMJWLTRLG5LD2 ,it is more expensive but i want something that will run just about any game at max settings. i dont want to spend 300 some dollars on a graphics card that cant run most games at max settings then have to buy one for 500 some cause then its just a waste to buy the first one. i just want one that will run just about any game at max settings at 60 fps at least

Newegg - $239.00 MSI GeForce GTX 960 GTX 960 GAMING 4G 4GB 128-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ATX Video Card
Newegg - $59.99 CORSAIR HX series HX650 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply Factory Refurbished
Newegg - $183.99 SAMSUNG 850 EVO MZ-75E500B/AM 2.5" 500GB SATA III 3-D Vertical Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

[Arnav Bhatt]

To iK1DDER,

If you need help on power requirements, go here: outervision.com/power-supply-calculator
Then find a few power supplies within your range and budget and go on jonnyguru.com to find the best rated ones. Repeat as needed until you find "The One"

I used this process to choose my own PSU, which is an XFX XTR 650W. It's fully modular, within my budget, and it has an excellent rating on jonnyguru. The only thing that brought the rating down a bit was its awkward price but that's a moot point because I live in Switzerland and I'm buying it locally.

Finally, if you're set on the R9 390, which I'm also getting, go for a brand that has good ratings and is within your budget. I'm getting the MSI R9 390, but this is a personal preference, and by no means the only choice.

Oh and once you feel good about your options, don't doubt yourself. I do this a lot when I browse forums. Every time I read something bad about one of the components in my build I feel like I'm making the wrong choice. I try to remember that there are millions of people who have built their pc and so statistically there will people who have had no problems at all (the majority) and people who have gotten parts that are DOA, or have had an otherwise poor experience. I do believe that if you take the time to research and learn a bit you can build a good system. Sorry for the freakin essay! Have a good build

 

[MarkW]

Power supply has been ordered. It is an awesome power supply.
Video card has been ordered. It will be an awesome video card for him.
Video cable has been ordered. It is the right one for him.

 

[iK1DDER]

Power supply has been ordered. It is an awesome power supply.
Video card has been ordered. It will be an awesome video card for him.
Video cable has been ordered. It is the right one for him.

i agree with Mark, he has wasted a lot of his time with no reward really to help me, i looked things up and he helped me make a decision, i took his advice but he never told me what to buy, he just made a few suggestions like the gtx 750 i think or something like that and i looked it up and saw that a r9 390 was a bit better than that so i ask him which brand would be best and i looked it up myself as well and have heard sapphire get the amd cards before anyone else so they have more time to work with each new gen card so i thought they would be better plus three fans seems better than only two from msi and gigabytes and i have heard some bad things from the gigabyte version of this card, i like gigabyte, i have a gigabyte motherboard but the gigabyte branded version of this card didnt seem the best and it is locked, so i have heard, so i was debating on msi and sapphire and he told me i should probably get which ever has three fans and some kind of pipe, idk what the pipes were now but the sapphire had three fans and he said that cause the temp play a big role, it determines the life of your part because the hotter it is the lower the life span so i thought the sapphire one would be good and i then realized i dont have a cord for this to hook up to my monitor so i then bought one of those too and i also bought an evga 850 watt b2 i think it was for the graphics card, thank you all for your help especially Mark for the outstanding help he has given me and it was free too, so thank you mark, i should get the graphics card, and the cord by 8pm on tuesday, at least that is what amazon said but idk when i will get the power supply for sure, should be any day now.

 

[MarkW]

My reward will be when you put it all together, and it works well for you.

 

[Arnav Bhatt]

Awesome man. I'm glad that worked out for you. Hope to see some pictures of your build! And also want to thank you MarkW because you inadvertently helped me out as well

 

[iK1DDER]

My reward will be when you put it all together, and it works well for you.

how do you upload pictures on this thread? or will i have to send a link to the pic from another website? so i can show you and Arnav my build once it is finished.

 

[SherbetAddict]

My reward will be when you put it all together, and it works well for you.

how do you upload pictures on this thread? or will i have to send a link to the pic from another website? so i can show you and Arnav my build once it is finished.

I think you'll just have to use a link to another website like Imgur.

 

[MarkW]

I use tinypic.com. Lets me use the pictures/graphics in the IMG things to embed them into the message itself. and its free. but does have some ads sometimes.

 

[Arnav Bhatt]

also pcpartpicker has a completed builds section if you want to use that. no ads

 

[Erik DeSart]

Your build would do a lot better with an ssd or two and more video memory. Here's where I went with a similar build.

http://on.fb.me/1uTTMEG

I would be curious to know what your windows score is. You should be able to push it pretty high with a $900 build. Minus the monitor of course. Mine is similar but I spent over $300 on the video card.

 

[SherbetAddict]

Your build would do a lot better with an ssd or two and more video memory. Here's where I went with a similar build.

http://on.fb.me/1uTTMEG

I would be curious to know what your windows score is. You should be able to push it pretty high with a $900 build. Minus the monitor of course. Mine is similar but I spent over $300 on the video card.

His build was actually pretty legit,save for the not-so gaming vga card.

 

[iK1DDER]

I use tinypic.com. Lets me use the pictures/graphics in the IMG things to embed them into the message itself. and its free. but does have some ads sometimes.

just gotta wait until tuesday now to get graphics card, power supply should come any day now and dvi cord should be here sunday, it better have been worth like almost 1400 dollars lol.