Help me build my PC: 2024 Catch-All

So I have a 3080 with a great 4K monitor. Thinking of adding a second monitor to plug in for some games and stuff (not a permanent attachment but just at times). Do I need to get another 4K one, or can I just get like a 1440p or 1080p to use? Something inexpensive. I have not run dual monitors outside work and in that case both monitors are both at the same resolution.

Pretty sure they don't need to be the same resolution.

I run a 2080 Super with three monitors of different resolutions and refresh rates. Primary is a 1440p ultrawide. Works great, except for waking from sleep where the windows move to a different monitor.

They absolutely don't need to be the same resolution. Or even refresh rate.

I love you guys! Now I have a weekend test plan!

fangblackbone wrote:

What is your current gpu and what did you pay for it?
You might be closer than you think...

I more than doubled my rx580 with a 6650xt and paid only ~50-75$ more.

3060 for $330, from a 970 that I think I paid 350ish for.

Yeah, you are stuck for at least 6 months. I guess it is possible that the 4060, 4070, 7800xt or 7700xt may be announced by February. The 7600xt has been rumored for the last year to be a little faster than a 6900xt for $400. That is probably what you are looking for. If you are set on Nvidia, you know there will be a premium attached or they will throw a lackluster 4050 out at your price range...

I need to update my cpu before any new gpu… still rockin a 4690k

You're in luck then. The 7000 X3D release should be pretty hand in hand with the mid range 7000 radeon release.

Not sure if this is the place to ask this, but don't know where else. Am I too hard on the scroll wheel or is it a common fail point? The click on the scroll wheel of every mouse I have ever owned always fails after a year or two. I've had Logitech, Razer, Microsoft, and now a Swift Point Z. I usually buy another one, but at this point I'm just going to pretend that center click has never been a thing.

EverythingsTentative wrote:

Not sure if this is the place to ask this, but don't know where else. Am I too hard on the scroll wheel or is it a common fail point? The click on the scroll wheel of every mouse I have ever owned always fails after a year or two. I've had Logitech, Razer, Microsoft, and now a Swift Point Z. I usually buy another one, but at this point I'm just going to pretend that center click has never been a thing.

I used to break that too. Usually on Logitech mice. Then I stopped using it. Mice with thumb buttons I can remap helped.

Evoluent has an actual full middle button as well as a clicker on the scroll wheel. I've never had either fail.

fangblackbone wrote:

You're in luck then. The 7000 X3D release should be pretty hand in hand with the mid range 7000 radeon release.

I'm waiting for whatever processor lands in the $200 range.

Okay. For the last 2 weeks or so, coinciding I think with an update to Windows (either the Security one or the 22H2 update which auto-installed before I knew there was a problem), my son’s computer and mine have been crashing with BAD_POOL_CALLER blue screens. Sometimes 0xC2, sometimes not.

We faffed around with various fixes; I called Dell support; and eventually got them working again for a week or a bit more by resetting the systems. But Thursday it started again; my system may have downloaded it although honestly I’m not sure. Reset did *not* fix it for my system; jury is out on mine.

I have an R12, he has an R13, both Alienware. My wife has an earlier version of the desktop - R8 maybe? and is running quite well.

One thing I did today was to finally get around to installing Avira and Malwarebytes. Hmmm.

Anyone have any knowledge of these issues? Any ideas?

Uninstalled Malwarebytes as the first test.

Found one post saying windows install and some updates on some recent Dell/Alienware machines can install an outdated or faulty version of the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver.

Maybe try hitting Intel or Dell's site for whatever the newest version of that is.

A shot in the dark based on a post by one single person but hey, it's a driver install so it's a quick try.

I do recall it installing that in order to run SupportAssist or some other tool… Thanks, I will try that.

Hmmm. Looks like that driver is not supposed to be used on my system. I think SupportAssist had recommended it.

I need to check my son's system, too, I guess.

GPU Market Nosedives, Sales Lowest In a Decade

Interestingly, sales of standalone graphics cards for desktops (including the best graphics cards for gaming) decreased to 6.89 million, or by 33.5% quarter-over-quarter, the lowest quarterly result in years.

Good. These prices are getting ridiculous

I think the PC market overall is down this past year?

why do cards go for 50% more than msrp on new egg then?

The 1% who will pay anything for an RGB Heater are still very much there.

WhAt tHe MARkeT wiLl BeaR...

Robear wrote:

WhAt tHe MARkeT wiLl BeaR...

It is indeed a bear market

Had the faint hope of finding better deal today for an rx6600 - 6650xt to no avail, bad Amazon, BAD!
There's a 280 USD 6650xt on Newegg but Its a gigabyte and I'd rather not to try my luck with a different store, at least I know my way around with Jeffy's

Alas, I'll have to wait a bit longer for my GPU

Edit: Happy Thanksgiving by the way to the American Goodjerdom

So my Ryzen 3600 is pushing 90C in some games. Not damaging yet (95) but not ideal. Cleaned out some dust in system but still above 85C.

Yes I'm still on the stock cooler but I'm seeing other people say 75C under load with that. So is there something I can do with fan curve first?

Otherwise I guess Noctua is the recommended fan upgrade? Something like this probably.

Ambient temps are a big factor. Its a lot easier to cool a CPU at 40 degrees in winter...

But I have a Vetroo cheap cooler that was reviewed positively on Gamer Nexus. Works fine on my 3600:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...

Also, I've had my gigabyte 6650xt from newegg for almost a month now and love every minute of it.

Stele wrote:

So my Ryzen 3600 is pushing 90C in some games. Not damaging yet (95) but not ideal. Cleaned out some dust in system but still above 85C.

Yes I'm still on the stock cooler but I'm seeing other people say 75C under load with that. So is there something I can do with fan curve first?

Otherwise I guess Noctua is the recommended fan upgrade? Something like this probably.

have you taken off the cooler and reapplied thermal paste/ pad? The original paste might be drying up.