OT: No clue where to start looking for a new PC that meets my requirements.

[Keatah]

A system like that will easily give you service for 5 years. Computers are not getting any faster, and have not for about 10 years. We hit a speed limit of about 3.5GHz to 4GHz back in the early 2000's, and that's when things started going "wider" (think more cores, etc.). But for typical desktop use, a 3GHz computer from 5 years ago is just a good as a 3GHz computer today, and that will be just as good (or bad depending on how the future goes) as a 3GHz computer in 5 years. IMO.

 

That's a good thing, because if there wasn't a limit on speed with today's current (yet outdated) process technologies we'd be running 10 or 12GHz and need refrigerant style coolers. Bad enough the M2 drives need heatsinks to maintain their throughput.

 

The way forward is IPC and power efficiency. Not forgetting multi-core and bigger caches. There is also lot of software still not using multicore resources.

[Omega-TI]

Hey guys I have another question, although it may be a 'stupid one' based upon my ignorance of the current stuff out there.

 

I know graphics cards have HDMI outputs on them now, but do they also have a connection on the PCB to accept output from the sound card? The reason I ask is because I'm contemplating getting a 4K television to act as the monitor, that way I do not have to mess with separate speakers. I'd prefer one simple cable from the computer to the television for both the audio and video.

[+chue]

Hey guys I have another question, although it may be a 'stupid one' based upon my ignorance of the current stuff out there.

 

I know graphics cards have HDMI outputs on them now, but do they also have a connection on the PCB to accept output from the sound card? The reason I ask is because I'm contemplating getting a 4K television to act as the monitor, that way I do not have to mess with separate speakers. I'd prefer one simple cable from the computer to the television for both the audio and video.

 

I bought a cheapo NVidia graphics card (less $150) a few years ago and didn't need a separate sound card. I'm sure others can chime in but I think all cards (at least the NVidia ones, unsure of AMD) are now both graphics and sound cards. Here are the specs for the audio on the NVidia card:

 

High definition audio brings consumer electronics quality sound to the PC delivering high quality sound from multiple channels. Using HDA, systems can deliver 192 kHz/32-bit quality for eight channels, supporting new audio formats.

(From http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_27962.html)

 

Perhaps those specs are good enough that you may not want a separate sound card.

Edited June 14, 2017 by chue

[Omega-TI]

Thanks Chue. I was unaware that video & sound were combined now. I'll be looking for a card that will do 3840 X 2160 in native resolution mode with decent speed. I'm not a big audio nut, so whatever is comes with will probably be good enough. I see I have a lot more homework to do. Maybe it's time I bought a PC magazine to help me catch up.

[+chue]

I should mention: if you want 4K resolution at 60 FPS, you'll want to look for a card as well as a monitor that supports HDMI 2. My card and monitor are only HDMI 1.x and therefore only do 4K at 30 FPS.

Edited June 14, 2017 by chue

[Omega-TI]

I should mention: if you want 4K resolution at 60 FPS, you'll want to look for a card as well as a monitor that supports HDMI 2. My card and monitor are only HDMI 1.x and therefore only do 4K at 30 FPS.

 

Thanks... but why do I get this sick feeling in my stomach that the price is gonna jump...

[VectorGamer]

Check out CyberPowerPC - you can customize your desktop to order.

[Omega-TI]

There is one thing I don't want in my next PC... glowing red or blue lights inside or outside of the case.

[+chue]

 

Thanks... but why do I get this sick feeling in my stomach that the price is gonna jump...

 

Well if HDMI isn't that important you can also look at the other display output standard: display port (DP). DP 1.2 will do 60 FPS at 4K. DP was a little ahead of HDMI in this respect, so older monitors (read: cheaper) will support 60 FPS as long as they have DP 1.2.

 

I looked at the latest gen nVidia cards, and those all have HDMI 2 and probably also DP 1.2. I'm talking about the ~ $150 cards.

 

Note that I am unfamiliar with DP though and don't know if you will need a separate audio cable.

[+arcadeshopper]

There is one thing I don't want in my next PC... glowing red or blue lights inside or outside of the case.

 

good luck with this, i use electrical tape on most new devices so that it doesn't illuminate the entire room

[Omega-TI]

Actually the current standard and a single cable is important to me. I may be downsizing in a couple of years, so the fewer cables for the rats nest is better. So HDMI 2 it will be. I'm sure I'll be able to keep it under $200.00.