Firs Custom Config

Budget:1500-2k

Expectations: Reliability and the flexibility to make changes as my usage evolves.

Usage: Gaming (Tiny Tinas, HFW, Apex, Terraria, Etc.), Data analytics, Matlab.

Special Needs: I have never built a computer before so I would appreciate learning about the process a bit. Mostly I need this computer to be reliable, no bugs, random issues, miscellaneous ticks I cannot explain (my current laptop shuts off randomly when you move the screen. Every tech expert I have taken it to has been stunned) and I need this computer to be easy to modify or upgrade. My needs will inevitably change and I would prefer to need the addition of a second processing chip than a brand new computer assuming my need is processing capacity.    

Saved Ticket #: 4526039 (I am not sure if this is an accurate number, I just wanted to use the sweet spot from buying/posting guide)

Specifications:

For specifications I have started with the sweet spot from the buying/posting guide (Amazing guide btw. Thank you for taking the time to get that together) simply because it is within my budget. Please remember, my goal for this desktop is longevity and reliability. If that means some extra $$ to improve cooling to ensure hardware longevity, I would not be opposed.

If you go to create a new topic under config help there will be a link to the purchasing guide. Did not realize it was that old . I have 2 monitors with resolution 1920x1080 (model number if you need to look it up 24CF390FHN), but if you are saying any of those 4 options will play todays games and have the ability to be upgraded in the future. That may just solve my problems there since all 4 of those options are in my price range.

Out of curiosity in the 10 yr old article there was mention to the point where more money does not equal better gameplay. Do you know where that point is now?

Originally posted by TheDoorMan Out of curiosity in the 10 yr old article there was mention to the point where more money does not equal better gameplay. Do you know where that point is now?

The answer is complex but basically correlates with display resolution and refresh rate. That is, for example, if your computer is paired with a 2560x1440 pixels @ 120 Hz, an RTX 4090 paired with an Intel 13900K is wasteful.

With that said, one of the other pieces of info to pay attention to in the following video is frame time.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition Review & Benchmarks: Gaming, Power, & Thermals | Gamers Nexus (YouTube)

If you do research to a higher degree, search for benchmarks of games or games in the categories you prefer to play and look for the 0.1% and 1% low rates. The graphics card that performs with lows closet to your monitor resolution is close to the most optimal. Hopefully, that makes sense.

Ideally, a "serious" gamer would target a consistent frame rate of 60 to 120 FPS (i.e., not fluctuating 60 to 120, but somewhere between, such as a consistent 90 FPS)

As for a CPU: most exceed gaming demands. However, you're fairly safe selecting a newer Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5. If you'll be doing content creation or other productivity in addition to gaming, a Core i7 or Ryzen 7. The Core i9 and Ryzen 9 models are strictly for numbers (i.e., benchmark) bragging rights and won't provide any perceivable benefit -- unless your PC is foremost a professional productivity system.

Edited by MrCheetah - 25 Oct 2022 at 8:30pm