(PCGT VI) It's not just about hardware

Ah yeah, no I don't think there's a PC only code. You could maybe take advantage of a cheap code for Ultimate Game Pass as that includes both Xbox and PC, if you're thinking of getting a XSS anyway?

Xeno wrote:Seems that they have confirmed the Zen 3 info on the 8th October and RDNA2 information release will be the 28th October.

I'm hoping the release of Zen 3 will be end of October now, as opposed to next year. There were rumours they'd been pushed back till next year but I can't see that happening now (he says confidently).

I think they are going to go for a cpu release 2nd November with a limited release on GPU's mid November around cyber punk being released.

I'll take that. Assuming I manage to grab a 3080 on release, that'll be the last piece of my upgrade.

Talking of 3080s... What are the advantages of AIB versions Vs Founders? I don't really have any intentions of overclocking mine, and I really like the look of the FE cards...

Higher clocking and some manufacturers allow you to remove the cooling fans to stick a water block on it. I am tempted to get a founders for the funky pcb.

The Founders are the same as Reference cards but just given a posher name to try and take away from the negative associations from back when they were called Reference cards.

The AIBs will nearly all come overclocked out of the box as standard and have more bells and whistles. The Founders use the new 12 pin connector which no one has (they ship with adaptors) and the AIBs use either 2 or 3 x 8 pin connectors. The AIBs are also all still using a 3 fan, front mounted setup. Where as the founders are using the 2 fan through the board air flow setup.

In terms of the real world things you'll notice if you go for one over the other - you'll get more FPS from the AIB cards than the Founders.

My issue with the AIB cards at the moment is threefold: they appear to be far more power hungry than the FE, they look like they're coming in a fair bit more expensive and some of them are seemingly much larger physically. After measuring up my case I can just about fit an FE in so I have no desire to buy an RGB covered three-fan monster just for a single digit FPS difference I probably won't see for another 4 years.

Saying that, if I don't manage to grab an FE are there currently any frontrunners in the AIB race?

Maybe EVGA, their warranty especially is really good last time I checked.

We shall find out on Monday as the embargo lifts then apparently.

Edit: Seems it is the 16th at 2pm BST. That is some kind of bullshit.

Edit 2: Seems the AIB reviews lifts on the 17th as a load of tech tubers didn't get their units in time so all the reviews were pushed back from the 14th.

Ironhide wrote:
Tafdolphin wrote:
Finiarél wrote:Right, I've come for assistance. I know bugger all about PC parts.

I've got 2k to build a PC, I'm hoping to get a 3080 when they come out next week.

That's what I'm looking at.

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/3xs-gamer-rtx-amd-ryzen-7-3700x-16gb-ddr4-10gb-nvidia-rtx-3080-1tb-m2-ssd-2tb-win-10

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/27-asus-tuf-vg279wq-monitor-va-2560x1440-165hz-1ms-freesync-1500r-30001-400cd-m-hdmi-dp

I'm genuinely terrified of somehow blowing it up if I make it myself, That's why I've gone for a prebuild.

Any suggestions, or ways how to not blow something up?

I didn't see how much that machine was but the things that stuck out were the older motherboard chipset again and the smaller PSU. Also the RGB RAM sticks But a good build generally I think.

And, personal preference etc but curved monitors are a scam.

Probably better going with this monitor

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-27-inch-Monitor-FreeSync-Certified/dp/B07KKBDQCL/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1D4VT2FC7669F&dchild=1&keywords=asus%2B27%2Binch%2Bgaming%2Bmonitor&qid=1599315026&sprefix=asus%2B27%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-6&th=1

Might be cheaper elsewhere though

Just ordered that, Thanks!

I'm going to wait to see what water cooling options come out before deciding what 3080 to buy. I got stung with my 1080 Ti as the PCB layout was non-standard. All the extra HDMI ports prevented me mounting an aftermarket heatsink so I've had to put up with lacklustre thermals...

The 3060 leaks have already begun, apparently 2080 performance. If previous gen timelines are an indication it'll be released after Jan.

And 3070 looking to be due Oct 15th.

andretmzt wrote:I'm going to wait to see what water cooling options come out before deciding what 3080 to buy. I got stung with my 1080 Ti as the PCB layout was non-standard. All the extra HDMI ports prevented me mounting an aftermarket heatsink so I've had to put up with lacklustre thermals...

Forgive my ignorance here, but what's the deal with the thermal stuff? I get that too hot is bad, and if you want to overclock cooler is better... But is that it?

Might last longer too.

Well thinking of overclocking, you need that cooling performance to run higher clock speeds. This also applies to just the normal clock speeds. If I can't keep the temperature down, my CPU/GPU will reach its maximum performance then immediately start reducing that in response to the temperature being too high. Fans have to run harder as well meaning more noise.

I've actually underclocked my GPU as I don't play many games that require the raw performance of a 1080 Ti. I think when I first built my system, the GPU was happily running into the high 70s/low 80s on loads of games.

£460-ish for a 3070 is kind of a relief. I still remember the insane prices for Pascal. I will probably get one before Cyberpunk comes out in November. I'm not sure how much I will be able to get for reselling my 1070 but I suppose anywhere north of £100 will be better than nothing.

Eagerly awaiting reviews so I can pick out a card.

andretmzt wrote:Well thinking of overclocking, you need that cooling performance to run higher clock speeds. This also applies to just the normal clock speeds. If I can't keep the temperature down, my CPU/GPU will reach its maximum performance then immediately start reducing that in response to the temperature being too high. Fans have to run harder as well meaning more noise.

I've actually underclocked my GPU as I don't play many games that require the raw performance of a 1080 Ti. I think when I first built my system, the GPU was happily running into the high 70s/low 80s on loads of games.

Huh, interesting thanks.

I have absolutely no idea what temperature any of my components run at, but everything works! I'm planning on getting the FE 3080 which, according to previews, has decent enough cooling for standard clockspeeds. I'm also getting a Zen 3 CPU on release and will be using my current Coolermaster Hyper 212 with it.

People are too obsessed with cooling I think. My philosophy has always been so long as A) it's not too noisy and B) not throttling, then you are probably fine. Generally CPU can tolerate fairly high temperatures so I don't worry about them too much, since they are designed to operate in situations far less idea than a airy gaming tower. GPU's have lower tolerance so I always make sure I have a front fan blowing fresh air towards them.

There are people actually complaining that they will have to pay for a new cable with a 12 pin connector if they don't want to use the one in the box of the founders cards. EVGA and Corsair are charging and Seasonic are doing it for free till the end of the year on their current range of PSU's. I have no issue with it tbh.

Any good recommendations for places to pick up a 3080 on Thursday?

(PCGT VI) It's not just about hardware

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