Gaming, Encoding, Streaming Build

[koawinter]

So I may be in need of an update for my current system so that I can stream or encode videos on the fly while playing games (SC2, WoW, Diablo, BF, Civ5).

I currently have:
CPU: X6 AMD
MB: Asus Crosshair 5
Memory: 16GB
SSD: 250GB
HD: 3+ TB
GC: XFX 7970
Monitors: 30" Dell and U2913WM.

Current system is a little sluggish. I don't mind going Intel or whatever works, but I would like to not spend more than I have too. And the AMD system will be fine if needs be. So any of the parts that would be best for doing this and playing at a relatively high frame rate and within the budget would be great. I don't normally overclock, mostly due to laziness.

I would like to have the system up and running within 6 months. So any upgrades you think would be appropriate should also fit that time table. I've got about $500-1000 for a budget. Live in the US, but not close to any big retailer that would be worth going to.

Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 88227]

Asking for Build Help?: ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST

 

[koawinter]

Updated with some more information that may be pertinent.

 

[Deleted member 88227]

Our hardware recommendations change on a monthly basis. This means that unless you are within' 2 weeks of making a purchase it's best to just save your money and wait. I see that you're wanting to build this computer within' the next 6 months. Do you have money to buy everything by this weekend? If not, then come back to this thread when you do.

 

[koawinter]

I have everything ready to purchase now. I just want to make sure that there isn't something on the horizon that would be more than just an incremental increase in performance.

 

[tiraides]

What are you considering buying?

 

[koawinter]

I've thought about the new haswell chips or just going with the fx 8350. What I really need is just a chip that will be able to encode while I play and not cause loss in frame rate.

 

[cageymaru]

I think with your desire to play SC2 at high frame rates would warrant an Intel build. The fact that you already own a Crosshair V means that you can just drop in a FX-8350 or FX-8320 and overclock it to FX-9370 levels. If you use OBS to stream with you can render the video on your HD 7970 and cut down on the workload presented to the X6. OBS can also double as a FRAPS alternative, but I've never used it that way. Another option is to get one of these AVerMedia C985 Live Gamer HD 1080p Capture Card and offload the rendering onto that. Last option I can think of on the spur of the moment is to get the capture card and put it into a spare system to render on. That way your PC's resources are completely freed up.

Hope that helps some.

The Phenom X6 1100T is starting to get old unfortunately.
http://www.techspot.com/review/706-splinter-cell-blacklist-benchmarks/page5.html
The FX-8350 is holding it's own in the BF4 beta. Look at graph #6.
https://linustechtips.com/main/topi...rks-released-amd-takes-cpu-performance-crown/

 

[koawinter]

Well spending $600-700 for a new MB/CPU/Mem combo seems a bit much. I may just have to pull the trigger on the FX 8350. Are AMD coming with anything soon to replace this? I haven't heard too much and it seems they are shying away from doing any more. If I go intel, will they then have yet another MB change from now to next year? That's even more money (one of the reasons I went with AMD is that I could go on 1 MB for 2 cpus).

 

[cageymaru]

I think AMD is going to do Steamroller on the AM3+ platform, but that's not confirmed. Rumors also say they move everything to the FM2+ platform. AMD hired some new people so times are a changing.

If you want to save money just drop in a FX-8350 or FX-9370 depending on your budget. I know you said that you don't overclock. Only because of that would I even mention the FX-9370 as it's a factory chip that's guaranteed to be able to run a 4.7GHz. Just drop it in and boom 4.7GHz without having to do a thing. The FX-8350 should be able to accomplish this feat as it's the exact same chip as the FX-9370. Of course you'd have to overclock it to get there.

 

[dogbert_2001]

Do any casters stream at 2560x1600 or 2560x1080? It doesn't seem worth it if most viewers will choose 1080p. How will you handle that with the monitors you have?

 

[koawinter]

Do any casters stream at 2560x1600 or 2560x1080? It doesn't seem worth it if most viewers will choose 1080p. How will you handle that with the monitors you have?

Well most programs have some sort of downsize option. OBS has that as well as a few others.

 

[tiraides]

Could you give us some specifics on the RAM, SSD, and hard drive(s)?

How much free space is left in your SSD?

 

[koawinter]

Well I continually delete games I don't use (because of Steam). With Windows, WoW, SC2, Diablo and a few games I have anywhere from 75-100GB at any given time. SSD is the new kingston.

I have about 2TB of open space still, but I get more periodically.

Memory is. CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9 (Corsair Vengeance)

 

[Dangman]

Well spending $600-700 for a new MB/CPU/Mem combo seems a bit much. I may just have to pull the trigger on the FX 8350. Are AMD coming with anything soon to replace this? I haven't heard too much and it seems they are shying away from doing any more.

As cagey said, AMD's Steamroller platform is suppose to be replacing the current crop of AMD CPUs. However, no confirmation on what socket it's going to use or whether or not current motherboards will actually work with the new CPUs even with a BIOs update.

In other words, if you're going to buy the AMD FX now, no guarantee it'll work with the next generation of AMD CPUs.

If I go intel, will they then have yet another MB change from now to next year? That's even more money (one of the reasons I went with AMD is that I could go on 1 MB for 2 cpus).

Yes. However, with the current way Intel does performance increases, it'll be quite some time before you need to actually get a new Intel motherboard and CPU