What should I get for my PC?

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 08:28 PM

Well as the title implies I have a $100 gift card for Amazon and could probably stretch the budget to $150 if I found something I really wanted/needed. My question is what should I get for my computer? I don't need any games but I am wondering if their is anything I could get that would be nice to have such as a gaming keyboard/mouse or any recommendations for fan upgrades to my HAF-X. The only thing I am not interested in is water cooling, my air cooling is more than enough even for my overclocked components, any other suggestions would be great though

Plans for a SSD are currently in the works for the beginning of June. Also the only part of my current system I would potentially be interested in changing out would be the RAM and that would have to be for either a very good deal or potentially significant performance increases.

OnePostWonder · Dec 19, 2011, 08:33 PM

One day, when the machines become self-aware, you'll just be able to give your PC the gift card and he'll decide what he needs.

I hope this answers your question.

Iceni · Dec 19, 2011, 09:07 PM

What about an SSD?

erocker · Dec 19, 2011, 09:09 PM

Well, personally I think the HAF series is one of the less asthetically pleasing cases around. I would get a new case.

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erocker

Well, personally I think the HAF series is one of the less asthetically pleasing cases around. I would get a new case.

Truth be told I love how my HAF looks and even if I didn't I tend to look more at functionality anyway which combined with actually liking its looks is why I got it over a Corsair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceni

What about an SSD?

I am currently looking for a SSD but when I do get one I would prefer to have a large enough amount of space to install alot of games on it in the future so I am hoping to get a 250 GB SSD around my graduation in June.

Thanks for the suggestions, going to edit the OP to add a few little details as well.

erocker · Dec 19, 2011, 09:28 PM

How about a nice set of 1866mhz or 2133mhz RAM?

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erocker

How about a nice set of 1866mhz or 2133mhz RAM?

Would I be able to see any noticeable performance increase with that over my 1600mhz Hyper X though?

erocker · Dec 19, 2011, 09:34 PM

I doubt it. In some benchmarks and stuff, sure. Perhaps your PC doesn't need anything else? SSD?

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erocker

I doubt it. In some benchmarks and stuff, sure. Perhaps your PC doesn't need anything else? SSD?

Perhaps but a PC is never done until you are out of money

Perhaps a gaming mouse/keyboard would be in order? I'm currently using a Logitech Keyboard and Mouse that came bundled with Speakers for only $25 so perhaps that would be better for BF3/MW3.

Also already have SSD plans lined up for June

Chewers · Dec 19, 2011, 09:44 PM

He he, for my self i order Corsair vengeance 1300 headset as xmas present and clan mates which complains all the time that i sound like underwater..

So how about nice headset?

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewers

He he, for my self i order Corsair vengeance 1300 headset as xmas present and clan mates which complains all the time that i sound like underwater..

So how about nice headset?

Got that covered as well gonna add it to my OP, already have myself a pair of Tritton AX720's

trickson · Dec 19, 2011, 10:15 PM

How about a new home ? Like mine ?

radrok · Dec 19, 2011, 10:19 PM

You are in dire need of a soundcard, onboard audio is pure ear torture

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radrok

You are in dire need of a soundcard, onboard audio is pure ear torture

Did you have any sound card in mind in particular? I have never had a problem with onboard audio using my headset, on the contrary alot of things I listen to sound great.

unsmart · Dec 19, 2011, 10:36 PM

If the card has no expiration date, how about saving it for your SSD. A penny saved is a penny earned.

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unsmart

If the card has no expiration date, how about saving it for your SSD. A penny saved is a penny earned.

It doesn't have an expiration date but the cost of the SSD will be fully covered by June so the money would still go into other PC related upgrades so I figured why not simply due it now.

radrok · Dec 19, 2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkleoco

Did you have any sound card in mind in particular? I have never had a problem with onboard audio using my headset, on the contrary alot of things I listen to sound great.

Which headset have you got? 2.0 or 5.1/7.1?
If you fancy a 2.0 headset and you have a PCI expansion slot I'd recommend you without any hesitation the Xonar Essence ST and if you don't have a legacy PCI there is the PCIe version (STX) that is a bit worse because of the PCI to PCIe controller but that's "almost" unhearable

CrAsHnBuRnXp · Dec 19, 2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkleoco

Truth be told I love how my HAF looks and even if I didn't I tend to look more at functionality anyway which combined with actually liking its looks is why I got it over a Corsair.

I am currently looking for a SSD but when I do get one I would prefer to have a large enough amount of space to install alot of games on it in the future so I am hoping to get a 250 GB SSD around my graduation in June.

Thanks for the suggestions, going to edit the OP to add a few little details as well.

I dont see a point in getting an SSD for gaming unless you play a game that takes a long time to load a level. (BF3 comes to mind but it seems theyve optimized this with the last patch) So I personally think getting an SSD big enough for games is a big waste of money. If you want speed for games, get 2 hdds and put them in RAID 0.

KieranD · Dec 19, 2011, 10:43 PM

Lets assume you dont need nor want any new hardware what's your peripherals like? Mouse keyboard, speakers, monitor, controller, mouse mat, headset?

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radrok

Which headset have you got? 2.0 or 5.1/7.1?
If you fancy a 2.0 headset and you have a PCI expansion slot I'd recommend you without any hesitation the Xonar Essence ST and if you don't have a legacy PCI there is the PCIe version (STX) that is a bit worse because of the PCI to PCIe controller but that's "almost" unhearable

It is a 7.1 headset

radrok · Dec 19, 2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkleoco

It is a 7.1 headset

Care giving me the model name?

You could also use a good mechanical keyboard

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radrok

Care giving me the model name?

You could also use a good mechanical keyboard

They are Tritton AX 720's and I was actually looking at Corsair's K60 for a nice mechanical keyboard but the price on it just seems a little outrageous to me.

radrok · Dec 19, 2011, 11:14 PM

You mean the new keyboard with the cherry red buttons right?
I'd also take a loot at the Mionix Zibal but well, the prices on mechanical keyboards are high but still worth it, trust me, especially if you are an avid gamer

Darkleoco · Dec 19, 2011, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radrok

You mean the new keyboard with the cherry red buttons right?
I'd also take a loot at the Mionix Zibal but well, the prices on mechanical keyboards are high but still worth it, trust me, especially if you are an avid gamer

Guess I'm going to try and get a Gaming keyboard/mouse then

Dec 19, 2011, 08:28 PM	#1
Darkleoco Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Cullowhee, North Carolina Posts: 1,333 (2.18/day) Thanks: 660 Thanked 238 Times in 213 Posts System Specs	What should I get for my PC? Well as the title implies I have a $100 gift card for Amazon and could probably stretch the budget to $150 if I found something I really wanted/needed. My question is what should I get for my computer? I don't need any games but I am wondering if their is anything I could get that would be nice to have such as a gaming keyboard/mouse or any recommendations for fan upgrades to my HAF-X. The only thing I am not interested in is water cooling, my air cooling is more than enough even for my overclocked components, any other suggestions would be great though Plans for a SSD are currently in the works for the beginning of June. Also the only part of my current system I would potentially be interested in changing out would be the RAM and that would have to be for either a very good deal or potentially significant performance increases. __________________ Last edited by Darkleoco; Dec 19, 2011 at 09:29 PM.

System Name:	Red Giant
Processor:	Intel Core i7-2600k @ 4.4 Ghz
Motherboard:	Asus P67 Sabertooth
Cooling:	CoolerMaster V6GT
Memory:	Kingston Hyper X DDR3-1600MHz 8 GB
Video Card:	MSI Twin Frozr II 6950 2GB CF
Hard Disk:	2 TB Barracuda Greens
CRT/LCD Model:	23" Acer 1920 x 1080
Case:	CoolerMaster HAF X
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	Corsair AX1200
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

System Name:	New / Breakin' the Lol
Processor:	i5 2500k / Athlon64 X2 4200+ (65W)
Motherboard:	P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 / Asus M2N4-SLI
Cooling:	/ Air (1 x 250mm, 2 x 120mm, 1 x 90mm)
Memory:	DDR3-1600 (8GB) / Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-6400 (2gb)
Video Card:	/ Visiontek 4870
Hard Disk:	HD103SJ /
CRT/LCD Model:	Viewsonic 22" VX2240W
Case:	Xigmatek Midgard II / Thermaltake VA8003SWA
PSU:	PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750W

System Name:	Gwafwar
Processor:	i5 2500K
Motherboard:	Msi p67a gd45
Cooling:	EK H30 HF240
Memory:	4Gb 2x2gb corsair vengence 1600 999-24
Video Card:	sapphire HD6950 Bios tweaked shaders.
Hard Disk:	1TB 2x500Gb mirror 2x500Gb mirror
Optical Drive:	LG generic 16X DVDRW+-
CRT/LCD Model:	HannsG HZ2211
Case:	Coolermaster 690 II pure black
Sound Card:	onboard
PSU:	FSP 80+bronze 800W
Software:	Win7 ultimate 64,

Processor:	Intel i7 3770K @ 4.6ghz 1.256v
Motherboard:	Asus Maximus V Formula
Cooling:	Water
Memory:	2x4gb Patriot Viper 2133mhz 10-11-10-25 2T 1.55v
Video Card:	Sapphire HD 7970 1125/1575 1.14v
Hard Disk:	Crucial M4 128Gb / Corsair Force 3 120Gb / Samsung 240Gb / 2Tb Seagate
Optical Drive:	None
CRT/LCD Model:	Acheiva Shimian 27" IPS 2560x1440
Case:	Corsair 500R White
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	NZXT Hale90 1Kw
Software:	Windows 8 x64

Dec 19, 2011, 08:33 PM	#2
OnePostWonder Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 485 (0.30/day) Thanks: 61 Thanked 89 Times in 70 Posts System Specs	One day, when the machines become self-aware, you'll just be able to give your PC the gift card and he'll decide what he needs. I hope this answers your question.

Dec 19, 2011, 09:07 PM	#3
Iceni Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: coventry UK Posts: 329 (0.43/day) Thanks: 24 Thanked 82 Times in 66 Posts System Specs	What about an SSD?

Dec 19, 2011, 09:09 PM	#4
erocker Senior Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI. Posts: 31,891 (12.77/day) Thanks: 2,781 Thanked 12,268 Times in 7,811 Posts System Specs	Well, personally I think the HAF series is one of the less asthetically pleasing cases around. I would get a new case.

Dec 19, 2011, 09:28 PM	#6
erocker Senior Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI. Posts: 31,891 (12.77/day) Thanks: 2,781 Thanked 12,268 Times in 7,811 Posts System Specs	How about a nice set of 1866mhz or 2133mhz RAM?

Dec 19, 2011, 09:34 PM	#8
erocker Senior Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI. Posts: 31,891 (12.77/day) Thanks: 2,781 Thanked 12,268 Times in 7,811 Posts System Specs	I doubt it. In some benchmarks and stuff, sure. Perhaps your PC doesn't need anything else? SSD?

Dec 19, 2011, 09:44 PM	#10
Chewers Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Latvia Posts: 128 (0.15/day) Thanks: 27 Thanked 20 Times in 12 Posts System Specs	He he, for my self i order Corsair vengeance 1300 headset as xmas present and clan mates which complains all the time that i sound like underwater.. So how about nice headset? __________________ CPU-Z validation sig pics temporarily blocked

System Name:	Calculator 2.0
Processor:	Intel Core i7 3770K
Motherboard:	Asus Maximus V Formula
Cooling:	Corsair H100i
Memory:	16GB Corsair Veneance 2133MHz
Video Card:	Asus DirectCU II GTX670
Hard Disk:	2X Intel 330Series 120GB at RAID0
Optical Drive:	Samsung SH-B123L/BSBP
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung T24B300EEC
Case:	Corsair 500R White
Sound Card:	SupremeFX IV
PSU:	Corsair AX760i
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium x64
Benchmarks:	Pending

Dec 19, 2011, 10:15 PM	#12
trickson OH, I have such a headache Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Planet Earth. Posts: 6,083 (1.97/day) Thanks: 1,808 Thanked 872 Times in 734 Posts System Specs	How about a new home ? Like mine ? __________________ Asus P5Q pro turbo MB (DEAD JIM) , Q9650 @ 4.0GHz water cooled , 8gb Hyper-X RAM @1066MHz , VisionTek HD5870 , Corsair TX850w PSU , Barracuda HDD SATA RAID0 1Tb , Windows 7 pro 64 bit . HeatWare

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Sound Card:	On borad .
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Dec 19, 2011, 10:19 PM	#13
radrok Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 1,876 (3.28/day) Thanks: 138 Thanked 454 Times in 356 Posts System Specs	You are in dire need of a soundcard, onboard audio is pure ear torture

Processor:	Ci7 3930K
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Memory:	Corsair Dominator GT 2133
Video Card:	Kryographics SLI Titans ;)
Hard Disk:	2x Corsair Force GT 120GB
Optical Drive:	wut
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell U3011 2560x1600 + Dell 2408WFP 1920x1200
Case:	Dimastech Bench EasyXL
Sound Card:	Xonar Essence STX with AKG K 701
PSU:	Corsair AX1200 (Enermax 1250+ Revo as backup)
Software:	Win7

Dec 19, 2011, 10:36 PM	#15
unsmart Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 397 (0.15/day) Thanks: 16 Thanked 38 Times in 37 Posts	If the card has no expiration date, how about saving it for your SSD. A penny saved is a penny earned. __________________ my optic flip top mod: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=26851

System Name:	H1200
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Sound Card:	Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer / Plantronics Gamecom Headphones
PSU:	Corsair HX750w Professional Series
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Dec 19, 2011, 10:43 PM	#19
KieranD Eligible for custom title Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 5,460 (2.60/day) Thanks: 1,640 Thanked 821 Times in 712 Posts System Specs	Lets assume you dont need nor want any new hardware what's your peripherals like? Mouse keyboard, speakers, monitor, controller, mouse mat, headset? __________________ http://myinstants.com/instant/transformer/

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Dec 19, 2011, 11:14 PM	#23
radrok Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 1,876 (3.28/day) Thanks: 138 Thanked 454 Times in 356 Posts System Specs	You mean the new keyboard with the cherry red buttons right? I'd also take a loot at the Mionix Zibal but well, the prices on mechanical keyboards are high but still worth it, trust me, especially if you are an avid gamer

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