Hey I want a PC (Destiny)
Hey I want a PC and I honestly have no clue what I'm doing; I haven't had a desktop computer for years. Consoles have ruined me and now I'm dumb.
The driving interest is getting into VR this Fall and it seems like doing it on anything other than PC would be a waste of money. I'm hoping to save up $1,200 - $2,000 by the end of the year for a PC + VR kit. That might be optimistic, but that's what I'm shooting for.
I feel like every article I read on Google is someone getting a kickback to promote something rather than meaningful advice. Any recommendations from you honest folk on where to start?
Hey I want a PC
by Revenant1988 
, How do I forum?, Tuesday, May 17, 2016, 21:31 (3205 days ago) @ petetheduck
Reddit. (seriously)
Whatever path you choose you are going to get bombarded with information on components and such, but really most of that comes down to personal preference, which you will also encounter a lot of.
Write out a checklist of things you want to be able to do, and then start sourcing parts that will allow you to do that.
Lastly, save up more money than you think you need, and treat it like buying a car (that you get to build). I say that in the sense that when you do end up buying your parts, know that in mere weeks they will be yesterday's news.
You might even consider start a cheap build just to test the waters of VR and see if you really want to do this as much as you think you do.
Reddit. (seriously)
The newegg forums are also a good place for getting build advice.
Hey I want a PC
by Xenos , Shores of Time, Tuesday, May 17, 2016, 22:43 (3205 days ago) @ petetheduck
Hey I want a PC and I honestly have no clue what I'm doing; I haven't had a desktop computer for years. Consoles have ruined me and now I'm dumb.
The driving interest is getting into VR this Fall and it seems like doing it on anything other than PC would be a waste of money. I'm hoping to save up $1,200 - $2,000 by the end of the year for a PC + VR kit. That might be optimistic, but that's what I'm shooting for.
I feel like every article I read on Google is someone getting a kickback to promote something rather than meaningful advice. Any recommendations from you honest folk on where to start?
I can tell you right now your best bet for VR would be the GTX 1070 or 1080 (~$350 and $650 respectively). No other cards have really had the power to drive VR or 4K unless you wanted to spend a grand or more, and those two cards are more powerful than any expensive card on the market right now.
Agree, but wait to see what ATI comes out with.
by Funkmon , Tuesday, May 17, 2016, 23:38 (3205 days ago) @ Xenos
Unless it's urgent, then pick up a 1070 as soon as you can or a used 980...but if you're saving, then we'll know.
I'm counting on PSVR not being a waste of money.
by Kermit , Raleigh, NC, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 00:44 (3205 days ago) @ petetheduck
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I'm counting on PSVR not being a waste of money.
My concern is that you'll be limited to like 2 or 3 games and nothing else to do with it :/
I'm counting on PSVR not being a waste of money.
by Kermit , Raleigh, NC, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 08:36 (3205 days ago) @ petetheduck
edited by Kermit, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 08:48
Well, over 50 are promised this year, and if I really like two or three of those, that's about par for the course for me. Plus, I get an IMAX-sized screen for just about everything else. I've enjoyed the demos I've seen. I'm not an android user or a PC gamer nor do I want to become either. Google cardboard is essentially a party favor. PSVR hits the sweet spot for me. It's going to provide a more curated experience that requires less investment, and those are benefits I've enjoyed since becoming a console gamer 15 years ago.
Kermit
P.S. If I were more able-bodied I'd be more interested in the Vive. I selfishly hope VR continues to provide experiences that can be had while sitting. Just mentioning this because I doubt your share my particular limitations.
P.P.S. Facebook's ownership of Oculus is looking increasingly like a negative to me.
Easy parts guide
by electricpirate , Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 01:56 (3205 days ago) @ petetheduck
This guide is pretty dang useful.
http://www.logicalincrements.com/
Pick a budget, here's a build! when you are ready to build check it out. 1200 should make you VERY ready for VR.
Hey I want a PC
by SteelGaribaldi , Sol system, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 02:35 (3205 days ago) @ petetheduck
Ars Technica does system guides (November's Bargain Box), and they did a VR system guide in March.
However, I've been using Macs since 2004, so I don't know if the Ars Technica system guides are any good. Does anyone have experience with the AT guides?
They pay too much for the wrong stuff
by Funkmon , Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 04:27 (3205 days ago) @ SteelGaribaldi
edited by Funkmon, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 04:40
And not enough for the right stuff.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FRZYP6
For less than they're budgeting, you can get a 4 core processor that runs at 4 ghz and plays AAA games on 720p at low settings (remember, we're a gaming forum), a two terabyte HDD, and a 2.1 speaker set.
It makes sense to get a quality case and power supply...but then they shove in $40 processors. For this kind of thing, you don't need that stuff. You ain't upgrading it.
Now, if this is a build for a friend or family who doesn't do games, then investing in the quality, but low end, components and low end processor makes some sense. They don't need it, they're not going to fill up the hard drive, and you don't want to drive over there if their power supply fails.
Hey I want a PC
by Vortech , A Fourth Wheel, Thursday, May 19, 2016, 23:57 (3203 days ago) @ SteelGaribaldi
It's been at least ten years since I've built my own windows PC and five since I really read the Ars guides but I always found the Ars Technica guides to be pretty useful back then. On the other hand, I was always one for overbuilding in terms of quality and cooling and safety.
Then again I feel like everyone in this thread is just assuming that the question was how to build a PC when I didn't see that in the original post.
Then again I feel like everyone in this thread is just assuming that the question was how to build a PC when I didn't see that in the original post.
Yeah, I didn't either, honestly. Building will always be cheaper if you're patient and good at hunting for deals, but sometimes buying a pre-built, fully warrantied package is a good way to go if you just don't want to deal with it. I haven't looked in a while, but I'm sure there are some good pre-built gaming rigs out there. Whether they're fairly priced is another matter, but that's all dependent on what you're time is worth to you and how much experience you have. Building a PC isn't all that hard, but it can be a bit intimidating.
Hey I want a PC
by Cody Miller , Music of the Spheres - Never Forgot, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 03:10 (3205 days ago) @ petetheduck
The driving interest is getting into VR this Fall and it seems like doing it on anything other than PC would be a waste of money. I'm hoping to save up $1,200 - $2,000 by the end of the year for a PC + VR kit. That might be optimistic, but that's what I'm shooting for.
You've tried out VR I take it?
I don't want to be a party pooper, but make sure you really want it. I really think it's gonna be a passing fad that comes up again years later when tech gets better, only to fade again… I would never spend 2 grand on it.
The only way I personally ever see myself getting VR is if Gran Turismo goes VR, in which case it wouldn't be on PC anyway.
What about a steam machine?
by Blackt1g3r , Login is from an untrusted domain in MN, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 12:00 (3205 days ago) @ petetheduck
It's a console that doubles as a PC! I don't have one, so I have no idea if that's a good idea or not.
They appear to be pointless.
by Funkmon , Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 16:52 (3205 days ago) @ Blackt1g3r
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