Building a Gaming PC

[Franzchise]

now just deciding on a monitor with a higher maximum resolution or one that supports 3d and maxes at 1920 x 1080. Any input?

[ShyguyXPC]

where are you ordering from, and how much you have left to spend? Also I forget if you had a max screen size to get or not?

[Franzchise]

It doesn't matter where I order from. but if I get it on newegg I can just have it shipped with the rest of my stuff.

I prb will stay below 30".

ASUS VG278H 3d 27"

or I saw a Dell that was a higher max resolution for a tad more but with lower specs then the ASUS

also the ACER from the original parts list you made me. Just don't know what would be better gaming in 3d or at super high res

[ShyguyXPC]

really no way to tell with out seeing it first hand on display or something.

But for 3D, you want 120Hz or higher Refresh rate.

otherwise, Lower response time, 5ms or less, higher contrast ratio (most monitors these days are fine, as many use artificial if not bogus in house rating systems to sell their products), higher brightness settings.

And LED Backlit for more even colors across screen.

DVI and/or HDMI input at least.

1920x1080 or higher as well.

[Franzchise]

Something like this which has 2560 x 1440 resolution but only a 12ms response time and 1,000:1 contrast ratio.

Dell - UltraSharp U2711 27" LCD Monitor - 16:9 - 12 ms - U2711



With both the refresh rate and contrast ratio being so low what is the benefit of 2560x1440.

Why not just go with 1900x1080 with 2ms response and super high contrast ratios. Also its 3d....

is 2560x1440 really better then all the other stuff such as 3d 2ms and high c-r's. I have never seen a monitor capable of 2560x1440 so idk...

[Franzchise]

also both ARMA II and AII: OA are just under 50% its to bad I've been playing other games off steam which pauses the downloads. But it may be done late tonight!

[ShyguyXPC]

12ms is pretty "slow"

thats like response times from 5 or 6 years ago at least.

its 27", and really high res, but its specs are not all that great.

at least not for gaming.

If your doing basic PC uses, or 3D rendering type work on the PC, then it might be fine.

the response time has much to do with that, to keep from getting that "ghosting" effect with fast moving images on a screen.

if your doing 3D rendering work, AutoCAD, or similar, then this would be fine.

but for Gaming, you'll want something with a faster response time, and maybe higher Contrast Ratio, add in LED Back lit.



No LED Backlighting, slight con, but for the price and size, Res, and Response time its worth it:

ViewSonic - 27" Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HD Monitor - VA2703



not sure what the refresh rate is, but if it supports 3D with Nvidia Glasses, it has to be 120Hz or more: Asus - VG278H 27" 3D LCD Monitor - 16:9 - 2 ms - Black - VG278H



Otherwise take a look at these: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Monitors, LCD Monitors, 27", Yes, 120Hz

[Franzchise]

Im going to to with the ASUS.

ARMA II has finished downloading, time to give it a try any tips? lol

[ShyguyXPC]

Just so you know, that Asus is also on Newegg (last link I posted has it), for cheaper than what Best Buy sells it for.

Newegg.com - ASUS VG Series VG278H Black 27" 2ms HDMI Swivel & Height Adjustable Widescreen LED Backlight LCD 3D 120Hz Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 50,000,000:1 w/ 3D glasses and speakers




as to ArmA 2, spend some time configuring your keybinds and controls before jumping into the game and playing in servers.

Also try out the game in scenario mode (single player), and play around in the "Showcase" missions/maps to play with things and get feel for controlling, shooting and driving stuff.


Trust me, you don't want to jump into the game, in servers, or even campaign mode with out learning a few things first.

Otherwise, like many of the guys we used to play with, despite us telling them to do so, they ignored us, jumped into the game, and then was turned off by it for being too overwhelming and complicated. Had they listened and done what we suggested they might of had a better time, and stuck with the game.


Some various links to download and install some tools that may come in handy.

Most of the community uses this tool for updating mods, installing mods, and starting game with said mods, as well as server browser and what not.

Six Updater

I mainly use it to update my games mods, and then upload those mod folders to our Server via Filezilla, so its up to date.

This is the mod launcher tool I use, with out having to load up Six Updater, which can be a pain to load every time, as it likes to do periodic updates to its software.

ArmA II Launcher

its fairly minimalistic and loads mods fine, as well as some nice game tweaks for configuring how the game runs with various things (options tab).

Only thing that most people over look, is once you set your settings, you have to click the little floppy icon image below each tab to save settings to your profiles or the main profile for stuff.

if you plan on running any Mods, most will need at least the CBA or Community Base Addons to be installed to run them.

Community Base Addons - Miscellaneous - Armaholic

can also install it via 6 Updater as well.

if you go to join a Multiplayer server, make sure to see what is required to join it, as there will be a list of needed mods in the server browser in game (or even the Server Browsers in 6 Updater or ArmA II Launcher tool), otherwise, most if not all servers, if you don't have the required addons/mods it will kick you before you can join and play.

Some servers like ours doesn't have max security settings enabled, servers that do, your mods and addons have to match the servers files exactly (exact versions of files) otherwise it won't let you join.

For example, someone joining the game with the Island Lingor 1.6 version, can join our server which only has version 1.4 installed on it.

or someone joining with version 1.2 can join still.

granted not having exact versions, you may encounter bugs in game, but still lets you join.



but mainly spend some time configuring controls, or at least after you do the tutorials, this way it uses stock settings for controls in tutorials, and then configure for after wards how you like.



Also, before climbing into any Aircraft, its good to have a Game pad (with dual analog sticks like a 360 controller, or PS2/PS3 style controller) or Joystick with quite a few controls for Throttle, weapons, and other functions.

Flying with Keyboard and mouse can be a real bitch.

I use a Logitech dual action controller, helps out a lot with flight of either fixed wing or choppers.

otherwise I use Keyboard and mouse for infantry and Ground/water craft.

[Franzchise]

I've played about a hr of Arma II. I love the feel of the mechanics and the graphics seem nice. But it was difficult to find a normal game. I got into one, (most were not joinable) it was a modded room and I didnt know the rules so I bailed after a min. But I see the potential there for the game, I just have to get into a game and see how it plays.


I recived most of my packages today, I am still waiting for the GPU which will most likely be here tomorrow.

Idk if I should start my build now or wait to I get the GPU?

[SoloCamo]

I've played about a hr of Arma II. I love the feel of the mechanics and the graphics seem nice. But it was difficult to find a normal game. I got into one, (most were not joinable) it was a modded room and I didnt know the rules so I bailed after a min. But I see the potential there for the game, I just have to get into a game and see how it plays.


I recived most of my packages today, I am still waiting for the GPU which will most likely be here tomorrow.

Idk if I should start my build now or wait to I get the GPU?

I would start it asap, saves you a headache and time if you run into problems along the way. Besides the gpu is usually one of the very last things to get installed anyway, especially with these newer cards since they take up half the room in the case as well

[ShyguyXPC]

if you got the new system all together, you could test it with your old card. or just use the Onboard (on CPU) Graphics to test with.


yeah, for ArmA 2, you'll probably have to at least have the CBA addon installed to get into most servers, if their running Mods.

and if their running custom island maps, you'll need to install and add the latest versions of those.


If you hear about the ACE mod or ACE2 mod, I'd familiarize myself with the main game first before delving into that. It adds a ton more complexity to the game, as well as annoyances, such as trying to figure out how to drop a damn satchel properly, or if you get into an Aircraft, ALL of your items you carry are dropped, obviously a sniper rifle and such would be, but even your sidearm pistols will be dropped and such. So if you bailed out during combat, and you manage to land on the ground with out being shot as you float down... you still SOL since your unarmed.

some bugs they still have to work out of the mod.


But if you have at least the CBA installed, you should be able to get into a server like ours, as long as its not running the Isla Duala, Lingor, CLAfghan, or Fallujah Island Maps. We run all of those, plus the stock ones (Takistan, Zargarabad, Cherynaus, etc... Yeah I know, I misspelled a couple LOL).

if the stock island maps are running, usually can tell by the name of the missions, as we really only play Domination and Evolution Mission types on our server, and you have the latest version of CBA installed, you should be able to get into our server.

Look for Synergy Breed Gamers, or here's our server IP: 75.102.38.39

lately we have been running Isla Duala since its new for us. I haven't played in a week since I've been working so much, but I might be on tomorrow night after work, if I can get one of the other guys to finally meet up to get some time in.

Its usually a smooth running, low ping server, but since we don't have top end security (Signature and file verification) on, we some times get hackers that come in and devastate the maps, and ruin things, we had to kick a couple douche's a month ago, and then a week or two ago, the other guy I play with was in, and since we use the Loki's Lost Key mod in our server, to spawn new vehicles and help out as needed, he used it to create an aircraft to tank to use, and the 2 noobs in the server, were chatting and debating whether to kick/ban him... he typed back, "This is My Server you morons"... he was logged in as admin too, LOL.

they left right after that. Apparently the fact he was wearing SBG tags in server, and the server name, and he was logged in as admin in player list... never occurred to the 2 idiots.

[Franzchise]

Ya I'll start the build this evening.... Hopefully with minimal complications.

Hahaha ya people tend not to use the common sense part of their brain. Coming from online console gaming Arma has a bit of a curve to getting comfortable with everything.

[Franzchise]

I can't shut the latches on the mobo to hold the cpu in place. It feels as if there is a lot of resistance and ill break something. I lined up the arrows when placing the cpu in but I can't shut the latches or I'm reluctant to because it feels like it will break

[ShyguyXPC]

its supposed to be like that, if you have it installed right and lined up right, then there's supposed to be a ton of tension or resisitance on the bar once the flaps or hinges have been folded over.

the bar is fairly flexible and shouldn't break, just bend it downward and tuck into its latch.

to open, you push it down and pull it outwards a little and then open it as you did when you first put the CPU in.

Its not like the AMD socket CPU's where you have the same lever, but less tension on the bar when pushing it down.

The contact pins on Intel CPU's are in the socket, and springy so to speak to ensure solid direct contact with the pins and contact points on the CPU.



When I had my First Intel System back in 2006/2007 with the Core 2 Duo, I had similar concerns, as I had always had an AMD CPU/Socket platform, that relied on CPU Pins and what not. Intels Socket 775 introduced this Pinless CPU Design, and I had heard about it, but I had never seen or used one before. So was a bit of a learning experience for me back then as well.

I've just grown accustomed to it now.

[Franzchise]

ya I had to apply a tad more pressure and it went right in. Its the same thing when I was repairing electronic paintball markers, some times, you're overly concerned with damaging something but after you do it you realize, it wasn't so bad.

I have all the internals hooked up, I just have to drop in the mobo and connect the wires (which there are a ton!! and every item came with another set of 10 wires haha) and install the corsair h100 and power it up.

So Ill take my time and try to run the wires as clean as possible and as long as I did not destroy the cpu during my earlier fiasco, I should have it up and running late tonight. I took tomorrow off from work to finish and use my new baby.

My gtx 690 should be in tomorrow sometime as well, so I'll throw that in too.

[ShyguyXPC]

install the main hardware and test it first, then after its all running fine, then wire it so its nice and clean looking, thats what I did, I used my 520W Antec and just wired it up half @ssed and tested the system to make sure it was running, then once it was ok and everything, then I installed the modular PSU, and started to route stuff and wire it up.

[Franzchise]

whats the main hardware needed to test it? I know noob question

[ShyguyXPC]

Motherboard, at least one stick of RAM (test each stick individually and then together), CPU, you can use onboard video, or the video card. and of course PSU, just to make sure it boots up and you can get into Bios and monitor idle temps, as well as make any changes if needed. Obviously have the CPU Cooler installed, and wired up.

then attach one piece at a time such as DVD Drive, then Hard drive, and so on.

make sure the PC can boot each time with them attached, and make sure the Bios recognizes them.

Then organize them in Bios for Boot order (Usually placing the DVD Drive to boot from first if a bootable disc like the Windows disc is inserted, and HDD 2nd).

you can install Windows at that point if you want as well.

But once its been verified that all the parts boot up fine, and are in working order, you can wire the system as you want.

otherwise, it can be a real pain in the butt to wire the whole thing up, then find one part is defective, and find you have to take apart half the system for that one part.

also if you don't have any handy, stop at your local hardware store, or walmart's automotive department or something similar, and pick up some thin zip ties, 6 inch length is more than enough. most good cases have what look like metal loops or such on the back side of the motherboard tray, these are for wire management to bundle cables and wires and then using zip ties or something similar run through the loops and tie back the cables out of the way.

[Franzchise]

well before I saw the post I wired most everything. So I really hope I don't have an issue when I finish and attempt to boot. We will see.

Again shyguy you have been extremely helpful throughout this whole process