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I got my new PC up and running (eventually) and I've clicked it up to 4.6GHz. I'm looking for software for benchmarking, stress testing etc. to make sure it's all stable and can handle the grunt of extensive use (which I'm sure I'll need for VR).

I want to push my computer a bit more, just to squeeze all the power I can out of it but I want to know it's worked, rather than hope I don't get a BSOD or fried chips...

Does anyone have any recommendations for software? Free stuff is always good but I don't mind paying if its worthwhile

PC spec for those that are curious:
Asus Maximus Viii Hero
i7 6700k @ 4.6GHz (oc)
Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR4 @ 3020MHz (oc)
Corsair H115i
Asus STRIX nvidia GTX 970 4GB
Corsair Force GT 120 GB SSD
WD Black edition 2TB HDD
Lots of Corsair fans

(Haven't worked out how to do pictures on the forum yet...)

I would swap that corsair ssd for a samsung m.2 drive that while more expensive will be alot faster.

I have looked at the m.2 drives and decided that I'll stick with the corsair for now (as I already have it).

I found a good deal on the VIII Hero with H115i, i76700k and 16GB 3000mhz RAM for £650!
It's not what I originally planned but I've decided on the slightly more cost effective build so I can afford to get the HTC Vive as well

Ok so I've decided to go for the Corsair 400C case. I like the clear side + easy open and it has fiancee approval (not that she wants me to buy anything )

I'm now down to building the new thing.

Components I'm keeping from current build:
Corsair HX1050 PSU
Nvidia GTX 970 (ASUS STRIX)
Corsair Force GT120 SSD (120GB) for OS
ALL the hard drives! _o/
Some fans (Corsair AF120/140 I think)

I might also keep the Corsair H80 CPU cooler but I'm thinking of getting the H100i or the H115i as it seems to fit nicely in the front of the case


Potential Build:
CASE: Corsair 400C
CPU: i7 6700K
CPU FAN: Corsair H80 or H100i or H115i
MOBO: ASUS Maximus VIII Hero or Formula
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB DDR4 3600mhz
PSU: Corsair HX1050
GPU: ASUS STRIX Nvidia GTX 970
SSD: Corsair Force GT120 SSD (120GB) for OS
HDD(s): WD Black 2TB, WD Green 2TB
FANS: Corsair AF120 / 140 (as many as fit in the case)


What do you think of the build?
Would you go for the H115i/H100i CPU cooler or stick with the H80? (They apparently fit in the case, I could be wrong)
Are there any clear advantages to getting the Formula vs the Hero mobo? (i.e. is it worth the extra ~£100?)

Hi all, I recently joined the forums after being directed here by suicidal_monkey and I thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm a twenty-something user interface (front end web) dev with a love for gaming. I'm based in Hertfordshire (UK) and can travel anywhere as long as there's public transport

I'm also a semi-professional paintballer. I play for the London Tigers 2nd team and regularly travel around the world to play various tournaments, the best being the World Cup on Orlando, Florida.

I mostly play single player or offline on games like Fallout 4 and skyrim but I used to play League of Legends, Minecraft and counterstrike with a bunch of friends before losing touch so can probably be convinced to join a game or two!

I've only ever been to one LAN a long time ago with a bunch of friends. We couldn't work out the networking, nobody brought beer, it was generally a disaster! I'm looking forward to coming along to one or two

I'm generally quite friendly and will help where possible and I'm glad to be a part of the community

I generally go by Chazdude42 for steam/other game clients, feel free to add me

[might]

Very bad time to upgrade.  Wait for the next GPU generation which might be releasing this June.

I had seen that they're possibly releasing some new GPUs but I'll probably be sticking with my GTX 970 for now - It's at the very least capable of VR

The size comes down to how many PCIe slots you need really. How many GFX cards or other ekstra cards do you plan to stuff in there?

I'm not sure I'll do full watercooling, I'm happy enough with air cooled solutions.
I think the main issue with the short/fat SFF cases is where it needs to go. I currently don't have a desk (nor do I have somewhere to put one) so it has to live behind the sofa where ere's not much width to play with but a lot of height. That means the difference between the wide SFF cases and an MT is marginal, aside from the added expense and lack of space.

Personally I'd not go SFF if you want gaming.  Unless you like oven roasting your gear.   Pound to a penny you'll cook things and it will cost you more in the long run and perform less well in the short-term.

I think that's the thing I'm coming round to, it seems to make more sense to just get a MT with an ATX board - they're definitely cheaper, can be upgraded easier and I can probably transfer the fans to the new case as well.


Overall I think you've done enough to convince me that going the SFF route is probably not the best way to go in terms of the 'thin' cases, especially as I plan to use the new rig for 4K gaming as well as VR (when I get my HTC Vive).

The only thing I have to work out now is what to do with the old rig! I'll probably try and sell it with a cheap PSU, my old GTX 560ti and the stock intel cooler that I think I've kept in the 'box of random spares' in the loft

tl;dr: Mid tower beats small form factor, anyone want an old rig?

I'm trying to decide what to do about upgrading my rig and suicidal_monkey directed me here and said that you guys probably have opinions on what to do.

I currently have a Corsair 800D case which is awesome, the only issue is that I live in a relatively small flat and it takes up a lot of room. I'm trying to decide whether to go for a Mid Tower ATX build or a Small Form Factor HTPC/MicroATX.

On the one hand, buying Mid Tower would make it easier to fit components in, including my existing 3.5" drive(s) but on the other, I like the small size of SFF builds.

I've looked at cases and I think the choices are the Corsair 400C or for SFF either the Silverstone RVZ02B or the Fractal Design Node 202.

My current build is this:
Corsair 800D
i7 2600k (3.4GHz)
ASUS P8VZ68-V Mobo
16GB Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz ram
Corsair Force GT 120 SSD
Western Digital Black 2TB HDD
Western Digital Green 2TB HDD
Other misc hard 3.5" hard drives (hot swappable bays are awesome)
ASUS STRIX GTX 970 4GB
Corsair H80 CPU cooler
Multiple Corsair fans (A120/140 - supposedly silent)
Corsair HX1050 PSU

I like Corsair if you hadn't noticed

I'll be getting an i7 6700k (Intel ftw) and probably an Asus maximus viii board (Hero, formula, extreme or impact) depending on how much I decide to spend and I can will keep the (almost new) graphics card.

If I go for the SFF build, I have to additionally buy a new PSU, CPU fanand probably more hard drive(s) as the 3.5" ones won't fit. The massive bonus is the fact that it's tiny which would also make it easier for me to come to LANs (suicidal_monkey keeps suggesting I come along )

Getting an MT build would mean I can keep my current PSU / CPU fan, lowering the cost, as well as keeping some of the fans.

In either case, I'm left with a complete/mostly complete rig that I'll need to shift.

Has anyone had experience with SFF builds and why they may not be a good idea for a gaming PC?
Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions about what I should do?

Any input is greatly appreciated