Tell me about building a PC

[Rainman]

When you build your own, how do you know it's working at the high end of the expensive components? For example, it boots slow, or is slow in accessing data on one of the super-duper hard drives, or you're working with a graphics or music program, and it stalls or freezes or crashes, or just works at "meh" speed?
I suppose there is software out there that can measure most everything, maybe it's no big deal except to figure out how to override hardware settings or something.

I do know that in instruction manuals, the first suggestion is to check if your computer is plugged in.
I wonder if ever there has been someone that actually realized, "oh shit, I forgot to plug it in!"

[mark]

@Rainman There is benchmark software that will run code that is meant to stress the system. Also some monitoring tools.

[Rainman]

Thanks, Mark. I figured as much.

My question was more towards once one or several measurements indicate something is wrong, how do you fix something?
On a mechanical device, it's often easy to spot what is causing the problem, and where to spray the WD-40. On a computer, that would seem to be very difficult, wondering if the problem has been resolved or whether a symptom of the problem has been tweaked to offset a higher-level cause.
Don't respond, I'm just being too negative based upon my own types of experiences. Even a computer, I'd whip out the old WD-40 and start spraying.

[mark]

Took a chance and spent $210 on a Hisense 43" 4k UHD Roku TV to try as a monitor.

https://www.costco.com/hisense-43"-class---r6-series---4k-uhd-led-lcd-tv.product.100676488.html

Very impressive, immersive, and tack sharp. So far it has been very usable/non-fatiguing for hours of coding, browsing and gaming. The number of lines of code I can see at once is awesome. The RC Heli simulators work very well on it. Looking forward to trying the new MS Flight Sim on it after I build the new PC.

[George K]

@mark said in Tell me about building a PC:

UHD Roku TV to try as a monitor.

Why did you decide to use that rather than a dedicated computer monitor?

What about I/O ?

[mark]

@George-K said in Tell me about building a PC:

@mark said in Tell me about building a PC:

UHD Roku TV to try as a monitor.

Why did you decide to use that rather than a dedicated computer monitor?

What about I/O ?

Price/Performance was the overriding factor. Still considering the LG 38" Ultra-Wide 3780x1600 for $1,000 computer monitor if this proves to be less than ideal over the long term as far as comfort is concerned. Right now I do not see that as problem as it is sharp as a tack and easy on the eyes.

I/O is not an issue. If it becomes one, I will just buy a hub.

[George K]

@mark so you're hooking up via HDMI for the video?

[mark]

@George-K said in Tell me about building a PC:

@mark so you're hooking up via HDMI for the video?

Yes. Using an HDMI 2.0b cable rated for 4k 4096x2160 @60Hz.

[mark]

I ended up having some issues with the 43" 4k TV. It is just too big in the vertical and I was getting a sore neck, always dragging windows into the center for comfortable viewing. Everything is very small including
text at 100% resolution. Because of the smallness of everything, I had to sit closer to read text. Although it was awesome to see that many lines of code at one time, without having to scroll, the viewing angle made the edges actually disappear and wrap around the edge. Overall, I wasn't happy so I got the LG 38" 3740x1600 ultra wide, curved monitor.

I also hooked up my Sony, 12" subwoofer. Combined with the JBL studio monitors, it makes nice A/V experience.

[mark]

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Overclocked to 6.35 GHz Achieving Many World Records At Launch

https://techplusgame.com/amd-ryzen-9-5950x-overclocked-to-6-35-ghz-breaking-world-records-at-launch/

I Pre-Ordered 2 of them.

Case, Motherboard and power supply was ordered for the first build.

[Klaus]

LED strips on the RAM? That must be the mullet of motherboard modding.

[George K]

@Klaus said in Tell me about building a PC:

LED strips on the RAM? That must be the mullet of motherboard modding.

Coffee...everywhere this morning.

[mark]

@Klaus said in Tell me about building a PC:

LED strips on the RAM? That must be the mullet of motherboard modding.

Where have you been? PC builders get crazy with the RGB lighting effects and custom liquid cooling loops.

[mark]

Some of the fastest (affordable) Memory only comes in RGB and some of the fastest ram looks like it belongs in a jewelry case.

The color is user assignable to any color in the RGB color space. They can be programmed to perform rainbow color waves, ripples, etc. The entire interior of the PC becomes a light show.

[mark]

You have the option to turn it all off. My build is going to use some RGB components and I am still undecided on the custom liquid cooling loop stuff. It totally tickles the geek nerve to "plumb" a PC. lol

[Doctor Phibes]

My last gaming rig had liquid cooling.

It was very quiet, and worked really well, right up until the point after about 4 years when it leaked and trashed the motherboard.

[mark]

@Doctor-Phibes Did you do any maintenance on it?

[Doctor Phibes]

Of course not. Computers last for ever!

I did quite a bit of research after the fact, of course

[mark]

Water cooling does come with some risks. If I decide to go with water cooling of any ilk, (AIO or custom) I will be inspecting it on a regular basis for permeation and leaks. It does require a lot more diligence than air cooling. I have not ruled out a top quality air cooler.

[xenon]

@mark look into some of the big honking heat sinks and air coolers from Noctua, Mark.

Aside from perhaps the most demanding overclocking - they both perform better and are quieter than liquid coolers (no pump).