25
votes
Accepted
Which would make a greater difference? Extra CPU or RAM?
In almost any case, with a proper, modern compiler, compilation speed will increase near linearly with the number of hardware threads on your system. In the case of Microsoft compilers, even running ...
- 366
20
votes
Parts for a gaming PC from 2005
In 2005, Intel was running into severe heat problems with the NetBurst-architecture CPUs. A gaming system would likely be AMD-based, running a high-end Venice-series Athlon 64. For homebuilt systems,...
- 2,887
16
votes
Accepted
Parts for a gaming PC from 2005
In 2005, the most powerful single-core CPUs on the market (and the wet dream of every gamer) was AMD FX-55 and later FX-57. For such a machine, 2 GB of RAM would not be unheard of, even in 2005.
If ...
- 291
12
votes
Accepted
Personal computer UPS
First, you should figure out what your actual power consumption is. A 600W PSU only draws 600W if the hardware needs it. You can get a Kill-A-Watt or similar monitor in the $15 USD range. You can also ...
- 136
12
votes
Accepted
Recommended small form factor gaming PCs?
There are many many more options if you build your own system, and you can then be more flexible in terms of the components and the machine that you end up with. For example: are you looking to max ...
- 1,374
10
votes
Accepted
What should I buy? (RAM Chips)
Your computer's RAM cannot be significantly upgraded. Crucial's memory finder reports, and HP's support page agrees that your computer is limited to 4 GB of RAM. Further, you appear to be running a ...
- 2,887
9
votes
Accepted
Which modern CPU for best single-threaded performance?
Any overclockable Intel CPU, if you're willing, or the i7 4790K ($317.99@SuperBiiz) if you're not. Don't just look at clock speed. AMD's FX 9590 has a 5 GHz boost speed, but is slower than Intel's ...
- 1,782
9
votes
Accepted
1x GTX 1080 or 2x GTX 970
While purchasing two cards may seem gnarly, it really wouldn't be better than a single 1080.
First, you won't have to fuss around with getting SLI to work properly. Not that its a massive pain, but ...
- 537
8
votes
Which of these two PC builds would offer better performance?
The i7 5820K would be much faster than the i7 6700K. None of the programs you will use will benefit from an i7 5820K or even an i7 6700K for that matter. An i5 6600K will be enough for what you are ...
- 1,697
8
votes
Accepted
Mini PC with dual/quad-core CPU as Mac mini alternative
I'll recommend a Gigabyte BRIX, specifically the model with the i5 4570R, a 2.7-3.2 GHz Quad core i5. The iGP is a Iris Pro 5200, with the 128 MB of L4 cache
For RAM, I'd recommend a 1866 MT/s 2x8 GB ...
- 1,782
7
votes
Which modern CPU for best single-threaded performance?
I have two i7-4790 (3.6GHz) Intel processors. One is in a machine I use only for gaming and the other is in my development machine. Using the link that ArtOfCode provided, this processor currently (...
Andy♦
- 3,358
7
votes
Accepted
How to turn Dell Precision T5400 into a gaming computer?
I would recommend something in the GTX 900 series, or the R9 200 or 300 series.
If you want the most power possible, the R9 390 and the GTX 970 are both incredibly powerful cards, and just about ...
- 860
6
votes
Accepted
Which of these two PC builds would offer better performance?
Looking over the specs of the 5820K versus the 6700K, notable differences are:
Larger cache (15MB vs 8MB)
More cores and threads
Higher memory bandwidth
All of these would probably be of benefit ...
- 216
6
votes
Accepted
Smallest PCIe 4x box?
The only Mini-ITX board I've been able to find with a PCIe x4 slot is the Mitac PH12LI. It is not, however, any smaller than any of the PCIe x16 Mini-ITX boards.
Personally, I'd recommend a ...
- 2,887
6
votes
Accepted
Choosing the right hardware for an interactive kiosk - computer
A Raspberry Pi might be an option, esp. considering it's low power consumption, as well as low cost. WebGL is somewhat experimental, but HTML or Java would work.
The Pi 2 has good specs ($35 gives ...
- 671
6
votes
Computer (of any type) without screen, for bed-ridden blind person
Its more of a general class of systems but chances are you'll want to add your own keyboard, speakers and mic but a "nuc" class system and/or a mini PC of some sort would work well. There's a few ...
- 3,731
5
votes
which intel skylake cpu will give me longest battery life ? m3, m5 or m7?
Honestly it won't make much of a difference.
While they are clocked differently, all of the core M chips (and indeed, all modern CPUs) are designed to throttle down when not in use.
The exact ...
- 1,782
5
votes
Accepted
How far above my power draw should a PSU be?
For a 80-Plus Platinum power supply, efficiencies are between around 5% of one another between the 20 to 100% range of load(88-92, give or take a percent). It tops at around 70% load.
Having more ...
- 285
5
votes
Accepted
Upgrade path to raise performance in games
I'm currently doing 4k gaming - a 980TI is probably the most sensible option - its 90% of the performance of this generation's titan at 75% of the cost stock but I'd wait for the next generation if ...
- 3,731
5
votes
Accepted
Older model vs new model PSU
As long as you are happy with 80+ Platinum and the power envelope, there have been no significant improvements in power supply technology over the past few years. A quality PSU is a quality PSU. If it'...
- 216
5
votes
Accepted
Graphics card help for my current desktop?
Would highly recommend and AMD RX 480 - 4GB model. That is less than 200 Euros i believe. If you save a big more you could get the 8GB model, given if you are just watching HD movies and rendering ...
5
votes
Accepted
Power supply advice - 550W range
Great System Design, Daniele!
For all of your components you'll need about:
170 watts for your 1060 GPU
160 watts for 16 GB of RAM
91 watts for the i7-6700
30 watts for your drives
25 watts for the ...
- 166
5
votes
Accepted
Oculus Rift or HTC Vive?
I'll open by saying I am not an authority on VR tech nor do I follow the scene as a hobby. I own an HTC Vive and have used a Rift once or twice.
TL;DR: I love my Vive, I'd spend the money above the ...
- 308
5
votes
Accepted
Smallest but fastest computer?
A product like this is non-existent.
Today's component sizes are way bigger than this, so it is not possible to fit those specs into such a small thing.
- 869
4
votes
Cheap USB drive bay with headphone output
It looks like your case has standard front-panel audio. If that's correct, it makes finding compatible front-panel bays much easier.
The cheapest 5.25" bay I've been able to find is this $40 bay ...
- 2,887
4
votes
Upgrading my current build for gaming purposes
Upgrading your GPU
Guessing at your budget, I'm going to recommend a R9 380, or GTX 960. Both are pretty equal cards, and the GTX 960 pulls ahead in nVidia optimized games but I'm not going to go ...
- 1,751
4
votes
How good is the Intel HD Graphics 4600 compared to my 7 year old GeForce 9600 GT?
The answer is "it depends". The Tomshardware graphics hierarchy places your 9600 GT seven steps above a HD 4600, where three steps is the minimum worthwhile upgrade. However, the hierarchy is ...
- 2,887
4
votes
Accepted
How good is the Intel HD Graphics 4600 compared to my 7 year old GeForce 9600 GT?
Integrated GPU's will never be as good as a dedicated graphics card because of the space constraint: when the GPU is integrated with the CPU, there is far less space for the GPU to fit into, so not as ...
- 2,291
4
votes
Choosing the right hardware for an interactive kiosk - computer
You might consider looking for a used point of sale system. I've played with PARs, Microses, and Alohas and have never had any trouble with Debian. Even the touchscreens generally work with out of ...
- 141
4
votes
Power supply advice - 550W range
550W is enough and gives you enough room for overclocking I think... Also, the power supply you have in mind is Gold rated and, as I understand, that's as important as the watt quantity.
Also, the ...
- 71
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