PC build thread

[noiseredux]

You will save a few dollars, but sacrifice a lot of performance (going the AMD route).

agreed.

I always did Intel for my CPU. And I had an AMD card for a while. That said, switching to Nvidia was awesome for me. Their drivers are updated far more constantly, and honestly I *predict* that Nvidia would do you better in the long run graphically than AMD's Mantle which it looks like they're already starting to bail on.

My advice for PC gaming is always going to be an Intel/Nvidia setup, and yeah it's gonna cost you a few bucks more, but I feel it will last you longer and have better results.

My feeling is that AMD CPU/mobo is cheaper and *good* but for the difference in price, you're probably sacrificing more than it's worth.

[the7k]

Ok, thanks. Think it would be fine using with a dedicated streaming/HTPC build? I wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a dedicated streaming build, but I want to know where to cheap out and what I absolutely have to go deep on.

[noiseredux]

Ok, thanks. Think it would be fine using with a dedicated streaming/HTPC build? I wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a dedicated streaming build, but I want to know where to cheap out and what I absolutely have to go deep on.

Well, just to clarify. If you're streaming from an already AWESOME machine, then yeah you can go low-specs. Meaning if you're doing a low level Steam box, sure. But if you're proposing something more intensive, then I'd go Intel/Nvidia and be safer than sorry.

[the7k]

Ok, thanks. Think it would be fine using with a dedicated streaming/HTPC build? I wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a dedicated streaming build, but I want to know where to cheap out and what I absolutely have to go deep on.

Well, just to clarify. If you're streaming from an already AWESOME machine, then yeah you can go low-specs. Meaning if you're doing a low level Steam box, sure. But if you're proposing something more intensive, then I'd go Intel/Nvidia and be safer than sorry.

Okay, cool. I just would like to get a dedicated streaming rig in a smallish case so I can take it to local tournaments and such for on-site streaming, plus to free up the main rig for more gaming power.

[noiseredux]

if you're taking out of your house, and off your local network, what are you streaming from? Just trying to understand your setup.

[the7k]

if you're taking out of your house, and off your local network, what are you streaming from? Just trying to understand your setup.

Most tournaments in the area have wired connections.

Only one place I know of that doesn't, in which case they usually just upload the recordings to YouTube after the fact.

[noiseredux]

but I mean what are you streaming? You'll be streaming from a wired connection to your main PC?

[marurun]

If you think a streaming setup is going to be effective over the internet (I have some doubts), go with one of the AMD APU units. That combines the CPU and GPU in a single unit with a pretty reasonable price. The GPU is light years better than anything Intel has been putting on mobos. AMD really has a lock on the low-end. Their APU systems are some of the best for HTPC setups.

[the7k]

but I mean what are you streaming? You'll be streaming from a wired connection to your main PC?

Console fighting games, streaming from the secondary rig to Twitch? Is that the question?

That's all down the road, though. I'm focusing on the main rig right now. I sure as heck don't have the money to build two rigs in a small amount of time.

Thanks, Maru, I'll look into APUs.

[noiseredux]

let's talk about RAM, baby...

Assuming all the sticks were the exact same thing, would it be 'better' to have 2 sticks of 8GB, or 4 sticks of 4GB? Obviously these are running dual mode in both examples. My brain-gut tells me that prob 4x4GB is better for some reason, but I'm curious to know which is truly correct, and more importantly WHY.