I've been in the reserves for the unit since the start of January and don't believe how much I miss at after the withdrawels. Needless to say it's been long enough and I'm ready to put the money down for a new gaming PC. Only problem is I know little about this process and am trying to learn as much as I can. The sites giving me info on what is good can vary so much it can all be very confusing. So who better to ask about a good gaming computer than the men and women in the unit. Basically anything on what video cards and parts to buy is helpful. I have a budget of 1500 with my tax returns if that gives a sufficient window. Any input is much appreciated.
Building PC advice
- Thread starter Wyngaard
- Start date
SSG (Ret) Street
11B Infantryman
This is what I use to build my PC's gives you a link to where to buy stuff and how much it is, as well as different price points.
http://kbmod.com/2016/01/pc-build-guide-january-2016/
http://kbmod.com/2016/01/pc-build-guide-january-2016/
SGT (Ret) Padgett
11B Infantryman
what do you have now?
CPT (Ret) Clark
11A Infantry Officer
I watched youtube videos to learn about building my pc last year.
It was actually very easy and I will never buy a premade desktop again.
It was actually very easy and I will never buy a premade desktop again.
CPT (Ret) Clark
11A Infantry Officer
This is the guy I watched to learn how to do everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zOYdNEHDQo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zOYdNEHDQo
CPT (Ret) Whitby
11A Infantry Officer
If you need help installing components, LinusTechTips is the place to go. Guy just has a Library of content around building PC's
CPT (Ret) Richardson
11A Infantry Officer
For ARMA, get an intel processor, not an AMD.
I got a Geforce GTX 960 with an i5-4590. It runs everything we do great, 40-60 pretty strong, dependant on what's going on, but doesn't really drop noticeably during those extreme engagements.
Get a better processor (i7 variant) if you can afford it. And make sure to get a decent processor heat sink (cpu cooler) 30$ or more.
Work around these specs and you'll be pretty happy. I run everything on high-ultra no problems.
I've heard bad things about the 980ti.
Get a better processor (i7 variant) if you can afford it. And make sure to get a decent processor heat sink (cpu cooler) 30$ or more.
Work around these specs and you'll be pretty happy. I run everything on high-ultra no problems.
I've heard bad things about the 980ti.
I have built a i7 6700k and a i5 6600k, testing both with a MSI GTX970 gaming GPU. i5 gave a much higher FPS on ultra settings. Arma is a strange duck and is all about the single core processor speed. An Arma specific build, will most likely not be you best all around gaming machine. You may want to try and duplicate a machine that someone has and proven to run the game well. Also changing the graphics settings, type of monitor etc dramitcally effects the performance so you need to know exactly what setup people have before you trust their advice.
SSG (Ret) Donohoe
11B Infantryman
This is my exact build http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fvHQTW
It is only my second ever build, I learned off youtube, it is basically electronic lego and very easy to do.
It is only my second ever build, I learned off youtube, it is basically electronic lego and very easy to do.
Yea it is definitely pretty easy what with YouTube and the manuals that come with it. The hardest part I found was actually committing to getting the shit.
Definitely take advantage of sales, especially if you're getting an SSD, (although just a hard drive will work just fine).
Additionally, just like a couple of guys posted their builds from pcpartpicker. If you feel like putting something together different than what guys have posted (for cost reasons, etc). Make sure you just go onto that website to ascertain the compatability of the components together. Parts websites won't tell you if it will work with other brands of components, etc. So just make sure you do yourself the favour.
Definitely take advantage of sales, especially if you're getting an SSD, (although just a hard drive will work just fine).
Additionally, just like a couple of guys posted their builds from pcpartpicker. If you feel like putting something together different than what guys have posted (for cost reasons, etc). Make sure you just go onto that website to ascertain the compatability of the components together. Parts websites won't tell you if it will work with other brands of components, etc. So just make sure you do yourself the favour.
CPT (Ret) Richardson
11A Infantry Officer
I don't see any case fans in most of the linked builds, so whatever case you get, make sure it either comes with fans pre-installed, or purchase fans to install into your case. You'll have to look at your case specs to see which fans to get.
SSG (Ret) Donohoe
11B Infantryman
1LT Richardson said:
Choosing which case was the biggest headache of my build and took the longest to decide on!!!!! But like the LT said fan selection and location can be very important for a good clean positive airflow.
CPT (Ret) Whitby
11A Infantry Officer
PV2 Kiefer said:
Kiefer do you have a reference cooler or ACX? On my 780ti reference cooler it has always had coil whine over 400fps.
SSG (Ret) J. Patterson
11B Infantryman
CPT Whitby said:
I can't speak to that card, but when I first got my 7950 it whined like crazy. A few months later it stopped or decreased to where I can hardly hear it now....also helps that I got a nice and quiet case. Fractal design S.
It is all luck of the draw when it comes to coil whine, usually the more power hungry the card or depending on what application is using on the card, you may experience a great deal of whine. Unfortunately Arma is one of those programs.
Thanks to all you guys for the info. Got everything picked out, now just time to go through and buy it all then the hastle of putting it together thank you CPT. Whitby for the video to help me through that shitstorm. 
Posting a pic of the beautiful beast when shes done.
Posting a pic of the beautiful beast when shes done.