So a friend of mine..

[Nikita]

Hi there, I want to upgrade my hardware before MoP hits. So a friend of mine told me I could buy his old computer. And was wondering if this setup would be a great deal for boxing 4 chars:

I7- 950 prosessor
GTX 570
8 GIG RAM
2 x 120 GB SSD
Corsair 850D Kabinett
750W Power Supply
CD/DVD

Will I be able to run without any lag in cities? BGs? WPvP? LFR?
1756.42 US Dollars
or
1318 EURO

This is what he ask for it. Does it seem like a fair price to pay for this?

Regards Nikita

[Peli]

That's his *old* computer? I think most of that hardware is fresher than my boxers...

That said, most of that equipment is overkill for 4 boxing (except the RAM, that's a bit low). I'd suggest that you look into what you could build for that price.

[Nikita]

Thats the thing, I dont want to build myself a computer. And from what Ive read from other posts, this system should give me the firepower I want :) but, would I need more RAM? Would I have any problem with playing and streaming at the same time? Would I be able to play, and surf ze webz without any issues? All replies will be rewarded with Coronas!!

[MiRai]

That equipment is 3 years old at this point and will be showing it's age sooner than later. $1800? I think your friend is out of his mind. You can build that PC for about $500 less brand new (http://i.imgur.com/Kq0f7.jpg).

Also, it's already been confirmed that MoP will once again have another graphics engine upgrade so... I'll also second the notion that you should compare hardware prices to what is new.

[thefunk]

Hi there, I want to upgrade my hardware before MoP hits. So a friend of mine told me I could buy his old computer. And was wondering if this setup would be a great deal for boxing 4 chars:

I7- 950 prosessor
GTX 570
8 GIG RAM
2 x 120 GB SSD
Corsair 850D Kabinett
750W Power Supply
CD/DVD

Will I be able to run without any lag in cities? BGs? WPvP? LFR?
1756.42 US Dollars
or
1318 EURO

This is what he ask for it. Does it seem like a fair price to pay for this?

Regards Nikita

I agree with Mirai that is a lot of money, but not sure of the cost of things in Norway. I just upgraded to the following for approx 700 pounds:

I7 2700k
16 gig RAM
560 ti (i think, posting in my mobile).
New motherboard.
Ssd
850w psu

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Thats the thing, I dont want to build myself a computer. And from what Ive read from other posts, this system should give me the firepower I want :) but, would I need more RAM? Would I have any problem with playing and streaming at the same time? Would I be able to play, and surf ze webz without any issues? All replies will be rewarded with Coronas!!
8GB should be plenty for 4-boxing as long as you don't slam your system memory with Chrome, Vegas and a bunch of other stuff running at the same time.

[edit] I think that price is far too expensive, though. I just priced that same system (except for the corsair 850d, which I couldn't find) for ~1200US. Brand new.

[EaTCarbS]

Your friend wants a lot of money for an old machine. I would only consider purchasing the system if it was reasonably priced. Just go to cyberpower and put a system together that costs that much and see the difference.

[Ualaa]

I've got 8GB, and 5-box with a lot of addons.
I usually have 12-15 tabs open on Firefox.
I have the IS Boxer Toolkit open, iTunes running, U Torrent, X-Split for streaming...

I have plenty of Ram, and rarely use more than 6 GB of it.



If you're upgrading, I'd lean towards an i7 2600K based system.

[Peli]

I've got 8GB, and 5-box with a lot of addons.
I usually have 12-15 tabs open on Firefox.
I have the IS Boxer Toolkit open, iTunes running, U Torrent, X-Split for streaming...

I have plenty of Ram, and rarely use more than 6 GB of it.



If you're upgrading, I'd lean towards an i7 2600K based system.

Are you guys running Windows 7 64-bit? System utilities alone sucks up 2 GB of RAM for me (on a brand new install) and then if you figure 1GB per instance of WoW, that leaves you with only ~1 GB for Chrome, Streaming, etc. With my recent upgrade, I put in 16GB of RAM and I no longer have any issues. I'd just hate for him to spend that kind of money and be bottlenecked by something as silly and as cheap to fix as RAM.

For comparison, I just overhauled my rig with these components for ~$600 US.
-i5 2500K w/ Thermalright cooler
-Asus P8Z68-V LE Mobo
-16 GB DDR3-1333 RAM
-560ti 2GB

That leaves you with a lot of cash left over to buy a case, optical drive, PSU, SSD, and HDD.

[Nikita]

Hmm, unsure what to do now. As I know little of building my own computer. Would anyone here lend me their time by building me a computer online?

Ive got 1800 dollars/1300 EURO to spend on a new rig.

www.komplett.no (http://www.komplett.no)
www.startit.no (http://www.startit.no)

These are the sites ill be using.


Ive got a casing, HDD and CD room and fans. Also have 4 x 2Gig RAM chips.

[Selz]

Intel® Core i7-2600K Processor (http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=619272)

Corsair H100 Hydro Series CPU Kjøler (http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=635806)ASUS Sabertooth P67, Socket-1155 (http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=626388)Corsair TX V2 750W PSU (http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=623449)Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 16GB CL9 (http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=618011) XFX Radeon HD 6970 2GB GDDR5 (http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=619975)
Totalt:
9.402,00 NKR
€ 1241,81


This setup would surely give you a better performance, due to newer technology.
You could also spend more money on a "high end" PSU for future upgrades
I would probably also choose another graphics card, if your budget can be alitle higher.

I expect you have a good enougth tower/dvdrom/hdd

But if you do not have a great SSD disk, id recommend you to spend/save up for a RevoDrive 3rd generation this is a SSD disk using the PCI achiving better results than most SSD's do in raid0 unless you spend a lot of money on a high end raidcontroler.

But the CPU / H100 CPU Cooler are must have :) else you can try and play around with motherbord/GPU/ram/PSU as you like.

This is just my recomendation for your budget

[Peli]

But the CPU / H100 CPU Cooler are must have :) else you can try and play around with motherbord/GPU/ram/PSU as you like.

This is just my recomendation for your budget

Unless you're planning on going to ridiculous overclock speeds (based on Nikita's experience and comfort level building a PC, I'm doubting this to be the case), you'd probably be fine going with an air-cooled CPU cooler like the Noctua NH-D14 (http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=512803) (and that's *STILL* overkill for just about every system). You can use that money to upgrade your videocard.

[Ualaa]

Are you guys running Windows 7 64-bit? System utilities alone sucks up 2 GB of RAM for me (on a brand new install) and then if you figure 1GB per instance of WoW, that leaves you with only ~1 GB for Chrome, Streaming, etc. With my recent upgrade, I put in 16GB of RAM and I no longer have any issues. I'd just hate for him to spend that kind of money and be bottlenecked by something as silly and as cheap to fix as RAM.


Yes, I'm using 64-bit Windows 7, Home Premium.

If you want more than 8GB of ram, go for it.
It is fairly cheap...

I don't think anyone needs more than 8GB for 5-boxing Warcraft.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Unless you're planning on going to ridiculous overclock speeds (based on Nikita's experience and comfort level building a PC, I'm doubting this to be the case), you'd probably be fine going with an air-cooled CPU cooler like the Noctua NH-D14 (http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=512803) (and that's *STILL* overkill for just about every system). You can use that money to upgrade your videocard.
Seconded. I have the Noctua NH-U12P which is basically half the heatsink that the NH-D14 is and mine sits at 36-38C when doing anything not gaming and 41-43C while 5-boxing. Mine is not overclocked.

[Nikita]

Would I truly need that kind of expensive cooling system? Should I go for a GTX 570 card? Would it run smoothly on 4 screens?

[ZooljinX]

Need and need if you want to OC yes, if you plan on running stock most processor fans are OK.. they can cope with gaming just fine, i guess if you want to save the cash go with the stock fan then check temps now and then and see if its good enough..(tho the stock ones tend to be abit nosiy compared to the bigger heatsink coolers)..

As for the 570, are you planning on running 4 monitors of one card? You should know that you cant run more then 2 monitors of a singel GPU..
As for 4boxing on 2 screens a singel GTX 570 should be enough, running slaves on low etc, if you plan on running 4 monitors with good graphics i think you need to invest in something with more bang..

[Nikita]

Id love to run 1 char on each screen. So what kind of card would I need for this? No need for supah graphics on my alts, but would like my main to run on high settings. Also Id like to have a card where I dont lag, low FPS or have graphic issues in SW, LFR, BGs and WPvP :)

[MiRai]

Even though I replied earlier, I almost worry about threads like these. While anyone can get a better deal by building their own PC over buying something pre-built they usually:

A) Don't have the time or patience.
B) Don't have the knowledge or confidence.
C) Have money to burn.

It's the same case here. The OP is not entirely sure they want to build their own PC based on their know-how but, because a mob of people are telling them they're getting ripped off they are now considering it. However, this could end up being a disaster with endless hours of aggravation and tedious troubleshooting.

For some of us, that's not really a big deal because we have backup hardware that we can swap in and out of machines to test what's wrong. For someone else who doesn't have the same resources, they now have to buy another component to test if one is faulty; and, they may have to continue to do this until they find what's wrong.

So, if you don't feel comfortable building your own machine... then don't. HOWEVER, don't expect an amazing machine on a tight budget.



As for the 570, are you planning on running 4 monitors of one card? You should know that you cant run more then 2 monitors of a singel GPU.
True for everything nVidia until the newest 680's (http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-680/features).



Id love to run 1 char on each screen. So what kind of card would I need for this?
You would need either an AMD card capable of being able to output to that many monitors through display ports, 2x nVidia 5xx cards, or 1x nVidia 680 (though I'm not sure a single card is really the right route for 2+ monitors).



No need for supah graphics on my alts, but would like my main to run on high settings. Also Id like to have a card where I dont lag, low FPS or have graphic issues in SW, LFR, BGs and WPvP :)
We still don't know what system you are currently running (unless I missed that post somewhere).

[Nikita]

Intel® Core i7-2600K Processor
Socket-LGA1155, Quad Core, 3.4Ghz, 8MB, 95W, Boxed w/fan

ASUS Sabertooth P67, Socket-1155
ATX, P67, DDR3, 2xPCIe(2.0)x16, CFX& SLI, SATA 6Gb/s, USB 3.0, FW, EFI

Corsair TX V2 750W PSU
ATX 12V V2.3, 80 Plus Bronze, Standard. 4x 6+2-pin PCIe, 8x SATA, 140mm Vifte

Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 16GB CL9
Kit w/4x 4GB, CL9-9-9-24, 1.5V, Vengeance Blue Heatspreader, 240 pin

Gainward GeForce GTX 580 3072MB PhysX, PCI-Express 2.0,"Phantom", GDDR5, 2xDVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, 783MHz


Been browsing through the computer site. The only thing im kinda worried about is the video card. I really want to run my boxing setup on 4 screens, probably 1 window on my 19" widescreen, and the rest on some smaller screens like 3 x 15". All these components are perfectly within my spending range atm. Anything im missing here regarding kables, fans, SSD etc. Im gonna use my old computer to get the kables, HDD and CD rom I need for the new one, will also use the old PC casing to put the new computer in.

[Bollwerk]

IMHO, if you've never built a computer yourself, I'd strongly suggest buying either a pre-built machine through a reputable company, or some place local. You really don't want to make a mistake and fry a component and be out the money for it.
It will be worth paying a little extra for the peace of mind and warranty.

[Ualaa]

I'm running two monitors, off of a 1GB GTX 570.
They're 27" Samsungs, with 1920x1080 resolution.

IS Boxer renders five regions at 1920x1040 (I have the taskbar visible).
The master is on one, and the four slaves on the other.

My master is capped at 60 FPS, the slaves at 20 FPS.
The slaves are on minimal settings, except about 1/3rd for view distance.
The master is on medium-high settings, with maxed view distance.
Shadows & Weather Effects are off, across the team.

I'd think a 3GB GTX 580 will be more than adequate.

[Lyonheart]

the 680 4GB is out soonish. Should cost close to what the 580 3GB goes for.

[luxlunae]

....as long as you don't slam your system memory with Chrome, Vegas and a bunch of other stuff running at the same time.


.... Perhaps I don't need 30 browser tabs open at once.

I agree that it would definitely be cheaper to build it from new parts yourself. Heck, even pay your friend $100 to put it together for you and you'd come out ahead.

[Nikita]

So anyone got a date for the 680? It can support 4 monitors, so might just wait for that card. But does the rest of the pc spec look good?

[Lyonheart]

So anyone got a date for the 680? It can support 4 monitors, so might just wait for that card. But does the rest of the pc spec look good?

the 2GB is out now.. the first batched sold out in minutes. im sure a bunch will come out soon.. not sure about 4GB versions

[Nikita]

The 2 Gig 680 costs 558 euros in Norway.... But back to my other question, does the PC spec I linked on page 2 look viable? :)

[Sajuuk]

The 2 Gig 680 costs 558 euros in Norway.... But back to my other question, does the PC spec I linked on page 2 look viable? :)
Sure.

[Nikita]

So Ive decided what components I wanna use in my new computer:


http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=619272

http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=626388

http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=623449

http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=640644

http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=746472



I just need confirmation from you guys that this system will support 4 WoW windows divided on 4 screens is possible. And that I`ll be able to play while streaming without having any major problems in wPvP, 40 man BGs and SW.

And <3s goes out to everyone who commented on my post, ty for the help :)

Regards Nikita

[Peli]

Nikita, any reason why you aren't going with an Ivy Bridge i7? Also, the P67 chipset mobo is two generations old already. Z68 replaced the P67 and the Z77 is replacing the Z68.

[Nikita]

Nikita, any reason why you aren't going with an Ivy Bridge i7? Also, the P67 chipset mobo is two generations old already. Z68 replaced the P67 and the Z77 is replacing the Z68.


So I updated the P67 to a Z77, thou I dont understand the difference. Care to explain?

I couldnt find Ivy Bridge i7 on the site Im ordering from, so what kind of processor would you pick?
Isnt Intel® Core i7-2600K Processor a good choice?

http://www.komplett.no/k/search.aspx?q=i7

Link to the site im ordering from

[Peli]

So I updated the P67 to a Z77, thou I dont understand the difference. Care to explain?

I couldnt find Ivy Bridge i7 on the site Im ordering from, so what kind of processor would you pick?
Isnt Intel® Core i7-2600K Processor a good choice?

http://www.komplett.no/k/search.aspx?q=i7

Link to the site im ordering from

The Ivy Bridge is just the next generation die set of the i7-2600k. it comes with a higher clock out of the box and some other goodies. Apparently it isn't going to be released until the end of the month, though (I didn't know that they had gotten delayed a few weeks), so unless you're willing to wait, the 2600k is a great processor.

[Nikita]

Will the 750 PSU be able to run thus champ? Do I need extra cooling system or will the original fans and shiat be able to cool this mutha down?

[Peli]

Will the 750 PSU be able to run thus champ? Do I need extra cooling system or will the original fans and shiat be able to cool this mutha down?

The 750 should be fine for running with a single GPU and even SLI. The stock Intel fan should cool the i7 just fine at stock clocking (it'll just probably be loud), but if you want to overclock or get it quieter, you can always go aftermarket later on.

[Ualaa]

I went with a Corsair A70 cooler.
A = Air; H = Hydro/Water.

It was $40, Canadian.
Not all that much.

My 2600K is stable, with a very moderate overclock to 4.5 Ghz.
The CPU runs at 40-42c, at the desktop and aren't often beyond 60c while 5-boxing Warcraft (Medium settings on the main, except maximum view distance; Low settings on the slaves, except moderate 1/4 view distance; Shadows, Weather Effects, Water Effects off & Spell Effects high enough to notice things to move out of).

Using Prime95 for a stress test, the CPU can get up to 80 celcius.
The ambient temperature upstairs at my place is 25c, give or take a couple of degrees.

I used this guide for the overclock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMZoWOpry40
It was directed at an i5 2500K, but the i7 guides I found were similar and I already had the settings saves on the motherboard for the i5 overclock.

My system is:
i7 2600K, @4.5Ghz
Asus PvZ68-V Pro
8GB, Corsair DDR3 1600mhz ram.
GTX 570, 1GB.
OCZ Vertex 3 (120GB), as the OS Drive.
64-bit Win 7, Home Premium.

[Nikita]

Got my build up and running now. I went with:

Zotac 670 4gb
Z79 mobo
i7-3820 processor
128 gig SSD
16 gig of ram


And its running like a dream, had all slaves on ultra at peak time. Had 40-70 fps depending on where in SW I was flying!

Just wanted to say thank you to all who posted in my thread. Love this community! Biiig thanks to Selz for the massive help and input he gave me through skype when selecting hardware :)

Xoxo