Re: Tenative ArmA 3 PC build(critiques welcome!)

**BL1P** · 08-18-2012, 10:00 PM

true true 80$ is maybe too much for just some extra ram

was just a suggestion

**DeF** · 08-19-2012, 01:28 AM

It needs more cowbell. On a more serious note as others have recommended a bigger SSD would be beneficial as it gives you more flexibility with several games now streaming textures from the hard drive, 6.0Gb/s is a leap ahead however with an SSD it's like adding rocket boosters to an F1 car. Also I might suggest looking at a video card with a little more memory, this comes in handy with games that feature lots of hi-res textures and extreme view distances (like that new game ArmA 3

).

EVGA GeForce GTX 670 Superclocked+ w/Backplate 4GB

**Wicks** · 08-19-2012, 03:18 AM

As people have mentioned 8GB is a good sweetspot if you do any recording and or run multiple programs at once. I have crashed in the past running multi programs on 4GB. Going above 8GB is probably only necessary for severe multi taskers or for those who use editing software like Adobe and use large Ram previews etc (oversimplified explanation due to lack of morning coffee).

Personally I would get just one larger Sata 3 SSD and transfer the OS, Arma and DCS onto that, you will have space for any other programs you fancy too. I don't see the gain in putting a new SSD into Raid, Sata 3 will be fast enough and RAID has its risks.

Just think carefully about the GPU, it's a real corker that card but will it get the performance you want across triple monitors. In a normal games yes, but Arma is a bit of a hog over 3 monitors. I expect it would do the job but check it thoroughly in reviews, also triple monitors may be one of the scenario's where a 4GB model may benefit you. Either way it's a great card, recently picked up a 680 SC+ after two generations of AMD and couldn't be happier.

Congrats on embarking on a new build, always exciting, very jealous lol!

(EDIT: Ninja'd by DeF's solid advice, typed my post, made coffee, fed cats, returned and pressed submit and.....doh!)

**Riyker** · 08-19-2012, 08:59 AM

Why an i5 and not an i7? As a software developer I multi-task all the time, having Outlook running on one monitor while working on the others and do the same while gaming. As I understand it, the i7 is like nudity with bells and candy whistles on when it comes to comparing to the i5.

I'll also say that I have 12GB of RAM and never exceed 6GB not matter what I've thrown at my rig to date -- even with A2 and TS, TrackIR, Outlooking and Fraps all running at the same time. As others have said, you would be throwing your money away.

We should also mention that not all RAM is created equal. Performance comes via the speed of the sticks -- you can get cheap RAM yes, but many are more economical and thus slower. It takes time to read/write to RAM just like concerns about read/write to disks.

I would also suggest purchasing the fastest video card you can afford up to the latest. There are a lot of purchasing methodologies folks use. The best scenario is to purchase a motherboard and PSU that supports a SLI/XFire setup and buy a single card to start -- then upgrade later of the gaming curve exceeds the requirements of a single GPU.

LOTS to consider when building a gaming rig. For example, you can't just go and buy any RAM for your motherboard; you need to make sure the RAM is on the motherboard's QVL (Qualified Vendor List) so that it is proven compatible.

This is why I've stopped building rigs for friends/family and now just recommend they pick up fully configured boxes from custom shops who have packaged all the hardware together into a system they've tested end-to-end. That takes all the headaches and hiccups out of the build process to ensure compatibility and adds a configuration warranty and technical support if you're not an advanced builder.

Just my two cents. Good luck with the build -- let us know what you end up doing in the end!

**Charles Darwin** · 08-19-2012, 01:40 PM

I7 doesn't add anything to gaming so I chose to spend more money on the clock speed, what benefit would i get from going i7?

is the RAM i chose fast enough in your opinion or would I gain by spending more on a higher clock?

I looked at some of the different gaming PC builders and they just don't seem to put out systems with the latest hardware, most still had "high high end" pc with 550s 0.o

**DeF** · 08-19-2012, 08:54 PM

The i5 Ivy Bridge is fine and since it is unlocked you can overclock as needed in the future if you want to squeeze out a little more performance. In reality this is a "tick" in Intel's lineup so you will always be able to upgrade to the next generation, assuming Intel will not change it's cadence.

The RAM and speed is perfectly fine, I use it myself actually. The only thing I may recommend simply as a good deal, for $30 more you can get extra 8GB without losing any DIMM slots.

Corsair Vengeance 16 GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600MHz

As far as video cards, if you are on more of a budget I would suggest the 500 series or the lower end 600 series (<= 660).

**gijoe** · 08-20-2012, 12:48 AM

Is Intel still making new CPUs after the latest batch for the 1155 socket? They've already gone to 2011 (what im running). If they weren't i would suggest biting the bullet and going with a 2011 board/CPU for future proofing? I don't really know to be honest, if someone could provide a bit more info on the situation, it would be good to know.

Im not sure if intel plans on making the 1155 their consumer level socket that stays around for ever and maybe the 2011 being the higher end gaming rig socket? Up until like 3 months ago I was still running socket 775 with my intel Q9550...

**Charles Darwin** · 08-20-2012, 01:11 AM

I usually tend to play a system until it is so obsolete that it is not worth updating, the PC I use right now I built in 2007 and is running a core 2 duo, the only upgrades have been HDD and extra cooling since I first put it together.

aka not too worried about future proofing CPU since by the time i usually think about upgrading they don't even make parts for my stuff anymore

**DeF** · 08-20-2012, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by gijoe

Is Intel still making new CPUs after the latest batch for the 1155 socket? They've already gone to 2011 (what im running). If they weren't i would suggest biting the bullet and going with a 2011 board/CPU for future proofing? I don't really know to be honest, if someone could provide a bit more info on the situation, it would be good to know.

Im not sure if intel plans on making the 1155 their consumer level socket that stays around for ever and maybe the 2011 being the higher end gaming rig socket? Up until like 3 months ago I was still running socket 775 with my intel Q9550...

Well I doubt either will be around forever. As for which will be for higher end gaming I would generally say both as it really comes down to the chipset and features of the board. As with most CPU's coming out as long as you pick something over 3GHz your never going to run into any gaming issues and with closed looped water coolers anyone can OC a little. I think that overall everything right now is primetime for gaming, you really can't go wrong.

**Riyker** · 08-20-2012, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Charles Darwin

I7 doesn't add anything to gaming so I chose to spend more money on the clock speed, what benefit would i get from going i7?

That's why I was asking ... if you're just doing single processing, then yes you could save the money and go for the i5. We're all offering opinions here for you to consider -- but I will tell you, the i7 is a much better performer. If you're just going to boot up and play a game and do nothing else, fine -- but if you're doing a bunch of other tasks, especially creative ones and/or want to take advantage of the new Win8 threading optimization core, then take a moment for jumping the gun. The CPU is the one component that you cannot upgrade cores on later.

BTW, in that vein, if you're budget conscious, I might suggest an i7 will a lower clock speed.

Originally Posted by Charles Darwin

is the RAM i chose fast enough in your opinion or would I gain by spending more on a higher clock?

Yeah, I'm sure it will be. I didn't look up your actual RAM product -- I was just brain dumping about PC builds in general. It's DDR3 so you're getting twice the speed already, plus it has lanes that allow the i7 to talk direct with the sticks vs. through the chipset bus. The CAS or "C" value is what i was referrring to -- some cheap DDR3 mega-Hrz memory can come with extremely high CAS latencies -- the lower the better -- but if you're not building a top performer this might be splitting hairs at this point. Again, just sharing...

BTW, looks like Def found a link to a good deal on a RAM suggestion. While I still standby that you'll never exceed 6GB, $30 isn't that much coin and would be easy to consider the extra. If I had my druthers though, if budget conscious, I would rather see you put it toward your CPU. You can add RAM later if you need to -- but you can't add to the CPU (I know -- broken record around here).

Originally Posted by Charles Darwin

I looked at some of the different gaming PC builders and they just don't seem to put out systems with the latest hardware, most still had "high high end" pc with 550s 0.o

They are out there, but I must admit I don't have any URLs saved that i can refer you to. I know of Overclockers.co.uk -- but that's not in the US obviously.

Anyway -- let us know what you end up with bud!

**Toptonic - Butler** · 08-20-2012, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by DeF

EVGA GeForce GTX 670 Superclocked+ w/Backplate 4GB

I have EVGA's 670 FTW. The card is faulty, and locks up the entire system every now and then. It (of course) didn't show symptoms until after my warranty period ended. Now I'm stuck with it until I can make enough money to purchase a new one...

I'm not a happy camper.

**ChiefBoatsRet** · 08-20-2012, 02:07 PM

I am having problems with my GTX 570 and trying to get an RMA from Evga so its back to the HD5770 for awhile. I have always been a stalwart ATI card fan and think its bad karma for switching. I think when it comes to electronics it is always a crap shoot in what you are going to get, heaven or hell.

**DeF** · 08-20-2012, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by ChiefBoatsRet

I am having problems with my GTX 570 and trying to get an RMA from Evga so its back to the HD5770 for awhile. I have always been a stalwart ATI card fan and think its bad karma for switching. I think when it comes to electronics it is always a crap shoot in what you are going to get, heaven or hell.

EVGA's warranties are pretty good and I have always had a good experience with exchanges. It has led me to use their advanced RMA program on almost any product I purchase with them. Also one must remember especially with computers, Murphy's law, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong".