$2000 budget on a new gaming desktop

[UsandThem]

Thanks for all the replies.

If I were to take out the mouse/keyboard/headphones from that list, could I possibly get better other parts in the list and still within 2k$ budget? I was thinking maybe a better monitor?

Yes?

You have a nice $350 1440p monitor already listed, but if you deleted those 3 items you could put extra money towards a 4k monitor and stay under $2000.

 

[heavyiron8]

Yes?

You have a nice $350 1440p monitor already listed, but if you deleted those 3 items you could put extra money towards a 4k monitor and stay under $2000.

Any brand or link to one you'd recommend?

This is the cheapest 4k monitor I saw on newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009659&ignorebbr=1

or this one? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung...D=1&siteID=8BacdVP0GFs-J6J9AsxB0TeUKIWvbF9N5Q

I'm assuming the GTX 1080 wouldn't have any issues with a 4k monitor like those right?

 

[UsandThem]

Any brand or link to one you'd recommend?

I'm assuming the GTX 1080 wouldn't have any issues with a 4k monitor like those right?

The GTX 1080 will play almost all games on high settings. It dips below 60 FPS from the reviews I saw, but those reviews were just for the 'Founders Edition' aka reference model. Once Nvidia partners release their cards, the performance should go up with better cooling and hopefully by adding additional power connections.

As far as recommended a 4k monitor, I am the wrong guy to ask that. I am on 1080p, and I will probably move up to a 1440p monitor the next time I upgrade in a few years. 4k gaming is too expensive for my taste.

You can read what other forum members like here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

And I saw this at Slickdeals the other day and it was a popular deal (it is expired now), but you can probably save some money keeping an eye out over there. It was the LG 27UD68 for $400.

http://slickdeals.net/f/8761059-lg-27-4k-ips-monitor-free-shipping-for-400-at-best-buy?v=1

 

[heavyiron8]

The GTX 1080 will play almost all games on high settings. It dips below 60 FPS from the reviews I saw, but those reviews were just for the 'Founders Edition' aka reference model. Once Nvidia partners release their cards, the performance should go up with better cooling and hopefully by adding additional power connections.

As far as recommended a 4k monitor, I am the wrong guy to ask that. I am on 1080p, and I will probably move up to a 1440p monitor the next time I upgrade in a few years. 4k gaming is too expensive for my taste.

You can read what other forum members like here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

And I saw this at Slickdeals the other day and it was a popular deal (it is expired now), but you can probably save some money keeping an eye out over there. It was the LG 27UD68 for $400.

http://slickdeals.net/f/8761059-lg-27-4k-ips-monitor-free-shipping-for-400-at-best-buy?v=1

I did a quick google search and came up with this:

A single 1080 will definitely not run modern games at 4K@60fps.

The 1080 is described by Nvidia as being slightly faster than 980 SLI, and to even run games at 4K@60fps now you need at least 980ti SLI, and even that doesn't do it well enough for most people (45-60fps in most games at high settings).

To achieve a solid 4K@60fps, you'd need 1080 SLI (going off all the information from Nvidia right now).

As for 4K itself, the majority of tech sites, youtubers etc agree that there isn't much point to it at small screen sizes. To really take advantage of it, you need 32"+.

If youre planning on picking up a single 1080, go for 1440p 144hz.

I guess I'll have to stick with the 1440. Couldn't really find a better one than the recommended by nsafreak.

 

[heavyiron8]

Hey also, is there possibly a compatibility issue with the GTX 1080 and the monitor recommended by nsafreak? something about free sync and gsync?

 

[looper]

Thanks for all the replies.

If I were to take out the mouse/keyboard/headphones from that list, could I possibly get better other parts in the list and still within 2k$ budget? I was thinking maybe a better monitor?

No, compromising on these items won't get you a better monitor. I was 'short' on my last rig, and so sold my Ping golf clubs (stopped playing, and they were just sitting in my garage) to pick up another @ $700.

I've settled on that Acer 27", the XB271HU.

 

[UsandThem]

I did a quick google search and came up with this:

I guess I'll have to stick with the 1440. Couldn't really find a better one than the recommended by nsafreak.

That is running games on 'ultra' settings. I said it would run them on 'high' settings in 4k.

Remember, if you must have everything run with 'ultra' settings on 4k at all times, you will pay and upgrading your video card every 1-2 years or running SLI because there are always new games that push a system to its limit. Benchmarkers are always 'chasing the dragon'.

Maybe you just need to think about your needs/wants for a few days, read some articles, and decide the route you want to go. You seem unsure on the exact route you want to go with several of your last posts.

 

[heavyiron8]

That is running games on 'ultra' settings. I said it would run them on 'high' settings in 4k.

Remember, if you must have everything run with 'ultra' settings on 4k at all times, you will pay and upgrading your video card every 1-2 years or running SLI because there are always new games that push a system to its limit. Benchmarkers are always 'chasing the dragon'.

Maybe you just need to think about your needs/wants for a few days, read some articles, and decide the route you want to go. You seem unsure on the exact route you want to go with several of your last posts.

Right. Honestly, I am. I haven't had a brand new gaming PC since 2010 and that one, someone else picked the parts and built it for me. So this is pretty much a new experience.

 

[giantpandaman2]

Right. Honestly, I am. I haven't had a brand new gaming PC since 2010 and that one, someone else picked the parts and built it for me. So this is pretty much a new experience.

Going 4k now is absurdly expensive. Even more so, there are no single video cards that can handle it at ultra settings. The sweet spot, to me, is 2560x1440 @ 90fps or better. That will give the best gaming experience and single top of the line video cards will be able to handle it.

 

[UsandThem]

Right. Honestly, I am. I haven't had a brand new gaming PC since 2010 and that one, someone else picked the parts and built it for me. So this is pretty much a new experience.

One of the nice things about building your own PC is you are able to configure it exactly how you want it. But you really need to be a part of that process.

The down side to that is you do need to read some reviews and decide what you want. Not saying you do this, but people who don't want to do this are probably better off buying a Ibuypower system or a Dell.

To get to the point where you have made a decision and are ready to order your parts you need to:

1. Decide on budget.

2. Decide what you want out of the computer and what you want to do with it.

3. Read some reviews on parts you are interested in. Anandtech, Tomshardware, and even a sticky thread at the top of this sub-forum has recommendations on components. If you click through a few pages in 'General Hardware' there are tons of previous "Is my build good?" posts. I might love a monitor, but you might hate it. I don't care about 4k, you might require it. You have to decide what works for you.

4. Use Anandtech bench to compare GPUs and CPUs.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/CPU/39

5. Use PCpartpicker to get at least a rough draft of a system together.

6. Post your system for review. Tell people what you want out of it. Example: "I want to play all games at 4k at ultra settings" or "I want to play all games at 1440p on ultra settings".

7. Ask questions about components you don't understand: "Do I need DDR4 4000 or would DDR 3200 be good enough?" or "Do I need a $300 Asus ROG motherboard or is this Asus z170-A for $150 good enough?" or "If I want game at 1440p on ultra settings should I buy a GTX 1070 or GTX 1080?".

8. Go to a local electronics store and look at the monitors, keyboards, speakers, mouse, etc. and see what YOU like.

 

[looper]

Going 4k now is absurdly expensive. Even more so, there are no single video cards that can handle it at ultra settings. The sweet spot, to me, is 2560x1440 @ 90fps or better. That will give the best gaming experience and single top of the line video cards will be able to handle it.

WORD....

Also, check out Ari Altman's site 'TechBuyersGuru'... http://techbuyersguru.com/ Honest and informative, and great for new builders....

 

[heavyiron8]

No, compromising on these items won't get you a better monitor. I was 'short' on my last rig, and so sold my Ping golf clubs (stopped playing, and they were just sitting in my garage) to pick up another @ $700.

I've settled on that Acer 27", the XB271HU.

Is the gsync worth the extra few hundred? If I just pick the freesync monitor will there be frequent screen tears or something?

 

[looper]

Is the gsync worth the extra few hundred? If I just pick the freesync monitor will there be frequent screen tears or something?

I've been an nVidia enthusiast, and so that's 'GSync'.

My Acer XB271HU arrives tomm (Sunday)... I'll post about install and my initial thoughts. But, I'm quite sure based on everything I've read at many tech site forums, including Ari's site listed above, that I'm going to be blown away by this monitor.

Can't wait to play Battlefield 4 online with this super/fast high quality screen...

As I said above, if you are a bit new to building your own rig, you owe it to yourself to read extensively on the http://techbuyersguru.com/ site..... the guy is awesome... And no, he's not a relative of mine, nor do I in any way get paid to recommend him...

 

[looper]

Just set up the Acer XB271HU.... The screen is excellent, no issues at all. The only negative > the menu/options setup is a PITA. Got the refresh to 165hz.

I then fired up Battlefield 4 for some online/multiplayer.... OMG, just WOW, amazing... Super fast and smooth on 'ultra' settings with the below-listed rig....