Old OC'r wants to build and learn for gaming.

[EarthDog]

ATM im looking at a 32" curved panel which is a bargain in my eyes.

So.... a couple of things to consider...

1. You're not in 1080p land anymore...so I'd stick to nothing less than a 7700XT for that resolution (7800 XT is ideal). You do not want to run that monitor at less than native as the image quality drops.

2. Watch your PPI on 32" @1440p. I can literally see/count pixels at that and 24" @ 1080p. I use a standard 28" @ 1440p and love that density.

 

[deathstar13]

@deathstar13 how do you feel about refurbs? I personally don't mind them if they still come with a decent warranty. I know others who would say definitely not no matter what.

Asking because I saw a bunch of newegg refurb 7800XTs starting starting at $389 (only 90 day warranty though). Sold out for now, but you can ask to get notified when they come back in stock if you're a refurb kinda guy. If you're not into refurbs, please ignore.

https://www.newegg.com/powercolor-red-devil-rx7800xt-16g-e-oc-amd-radeon-rx-7800-xt-16gb-gddr6/p/N82E16814131820T

https://www.newegg.com/neweggrefreshed

I have no issues with refurbs, As a matter of fact its why i got an over specced PSU from Amazon.
Corsair RM1200x Shift for $150 and looked brand new, Sure i only needed an 850W model but at that price i couldnt pass it up.
ive even bought 2x laptop refurbs from Amazon also. Sure i had to upgrade the crap out of them but i bet my Dell Latitude is the fastest one around. its gotta be +15 year old model but sports a 4 core i7, 16GB ram DDR3 and a 512GB Sata 3 ssd drive. Sadley it cant game as intel graphics suck. Its fast enough it runs Windows 11 lite perfectly.
Thanks for the link ill be checking it out!

Post magically merged: Mar 7, 2025

So.... a couple of things to consider...

1. You're not in 1080p land anymore...so I'd stick to nothing less than a 7700XT for that resolution (7800 XT is ideal). You do not want to run that monitor at less than native as the image quality drops.

2. Watch your PPI on 32" @1440p. I can literally see/count pixels at that and 24" @ 1080p. I use a standard 28" @ 1440p and love that density.

can you recommend anything 27"-32" thats curved and affordable? Id like to get 1440p if possible. Amazon or newegg is the 2 places i buy from. Im sure ill find a 7800XT somewhere for under $550
will a 7800XT run 4k at 60fps? or should i stick with 1440P?

 

[deathstar13]

Im learning monitor specs but not sure on many things.
Can the 7800XT run a 4K monitor well? or should i be happy too run 1440P?
Milliseconds im trying to get 1ms or can it be higher, and if so how much higher?
PPI specs is hard to find listed in ads, but when i do run across them what range should i be looking at?
60hz refresh is the bare minimum im sure, anything over 100hz ok?
whats the best input to look for? HDMI or i think its just called video out?
if you have anything in mind pls pass it on, Curved is not a necessity but id like 27"-32"

 

[EarthDog]

Can the 7800XT run a 4K monitor well?

AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT Review

With the Radeon RX 7800 XT, AMD is going after the GeForce RTX 4070. Our review confirms that AMD has achieved performance parity in rasterization and is pretty close in ray tracing, at a much better price point, and they are giving you 16 GB VRAM, instead of just 12 GB.

www.techpowerup.com

PPI specs is hard to find listed in ads, but when i do run across them what range should i be looking at?

It's not listed. It's just a bit of math.

Pixels Per Inch PPI Calculator

PPI Calculator finds pixels per inch (PPI) and pixels per square inch (PPI^2). Calculate screen resolution and pixel density using width and height of display screen in pixels. Also find dot pitch and diagonal in pixels. Enter screen diagonal in inches or cm.

www.calculatorsoup.com

Here's some info on ppi...

What Is Pixel Density And Pixels Per Inch (PPI)? [Simple]

What does pixel density and pixels per inch (PPI) mean? Here's everything you need to know so you can make the best possible buying decision.

www.displayninja.com

60hz refresh is the bare minimum im sure, anything over 100hz ok?

The higher the refresh the better for fast paced, think fps, games... im at 165 and won't ever turn back. But you don't play fps really... that said it could help that feeling you get when playing fps games as it takes the blur out of motion. 60hz is likely fine for you, but if you can swing 144-165 that would be ideal.

whats the best input to look for? HDMI or i think its just called video out?

Hdmi or displayport.


I don't have much in mind there... but I'd be 27/28" and 2560x1440 for good ppi. I suggest you go and look at these things at best buy or a microcenter if you have one.

 

[deathstar13]

after reading the review it looks like the 7900XT can run 75% of games in 4k by saying that i mean 60fps and up.
But i found a faster card and thats cheaper, More available and a tad faster. Thats the Radeon RX 6900 XT so i have a backup plan as id rather get the newer released card for resale value just in case.

not sure i did this right but i got this for PPI
pixels per in
109.68

im gonna look for anything MHZ wise at 100 and above.
Sadley i cant get to microcenter so ill have to rely on reviews.

one question, If i do get a 4K monitor can it be reduced to run 1440P or do i need to buy 1440P as a native resolution and just skip the 4K pipe dreams?

 

[EarthDog]

I wouldn't get a 6900xt. It's not any faster than the 7800xt (see my link above), two generations past the current old, and doesn't do ray tracing well at all.

If you buy 4k, you'll want to run at 1080p. 4k is 4x 1080p so it scales 1:1 (1:4) whereas 2560x1440 doesn't math right. Because of this the image has to 'upsale' to the lower res and trying to make up pixels that don't exist.

Just an fyi, any brick and mortar with monitors would work.

 

[deathstar13]

Im glad you chimed in on the monitor purchase as my knowledge is very lacking in that area.
So ill get a 4k and see which games can run it and those that dont will get 1080P.
it pains me alot to spend so much on a GPU but once its done i wont have any regrets.
ill doo some Amazon shopping and see what i come up with and what you think.

 

[deathstar13]

would it be a smart move to buy a native 1080P monitor?
Also is 5ms response time ok? Google says its fine for gaming.

Edit: I watched more videos and research and looked at the numbers and i think ill just go with 1 drive in my system. The Crucial T500 in 4TB should serve me fine and save some bucks. Plus using the 2nd and 3rd M.2 slots with screw with my PCIe lanes and take a bit away from the GPU.
I stopped looking at the super fast sequential numbers and focused on the random results and both Gen4 and Gen5 are about the same.

Also i was told Pro gamers mainly use 1080P in thier monitors for many reasons and the way they are priced im gonna look for a 1080P myself. I just hope i can get a wide screen if possible.

Amazon.com

Im still set to get an RX 7800XT

 

[deathstar13]

I did find a 4K monitor and would like to ask if you think how it will perform with the 7800 XT.

Amazon.com

Its got great reviews and is rather low priced as far as cost goes.
Will it downscale if needed when the 7800XT is pushed hard?

I saw the RX 9070 XT will be fully out and is supposedly at $550 when the scalpers stop inflating the card.
ill keep an eye out for it this month before i get paid again. They have them on Ebay for $1k and up but i hope that dont last.

 

[Zerileous]

I'm so glad you chose to go with a single drive. I came back to beat that horse I'm glad to see you've come around on your own.

Card launches are tough. 4k is tough. I feel like your budget is more of a 1440p territory. You'll likely keep the monitor through several cards, especially if you're buying at the edge of what the card can support now, because demands only go up.

Is there an electronic store (preferably microcenter, but any really is fine) where you can go look at monitors and various sizes. I know it's not the greatest but I have been super happy with a 27" 1440p setup. It works well for my setup and viewing distance and it's plenty of real estate to run two-three windows easily (from an old school multi monitor kid). I can't say I wouldn't use more, but this is enough for a lot of things.

edit: also, I know the PSU is a dead horse buuuuut https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails?ItemList=Combo.4764727

 

[deathstar13]

A 1TB gen5 would be fun for windows, But then i saw the Crucial T500 tests and it was beating the T705 gen5 in random write and reads. Ill stick with with a 4TB model so my second and third M.2 slots stay free so my GPU dont loose 4 lanes those slots would take up on the buss.

Im watching the prices of the RX 9070 XT as i need to stay under $600 which puts me in 1440p land as 4K is a gamble if it can run a 4K.

Amazon.com

Is what im looking at and its 3440 * 1440P resolution. Which i think will be good at pushing what card i get to its limits.
Thats a good deal at Newegg and selling the psu would be easy.
what card i get may depend on when i get paid as the longer the wait the more the stock will show up at real prices.
I may have wanted to build a budget system at the begining but that went out the door long ago.
I still need to buy my Drive and GPU and Monitor which works out to be a bit over $1k more.

With what ever monitor i get i putting it on a extendible swing arm.

Amazon.com

This way i can play while in my recliner.

 

[EarthDog]

Ill stick with with a 4TB model so my second and third M.2 slots stay free so my GPU dont loose 4 lanes those slots would take up on the buss

On your board....

1. The primary pcie slot doesn't lose lanes when ANY m. 2 socket is populated.
2. When m.2_3 is in use the second pcie slot (not the primary for your gpu!!) Is disabled.

In other words, you can use the first two m.2 sockets and not lose bandwidth/slot.

I did find a 4K monitor and would like to ask if you think how it will perform with the 7800 XT.
Amazon.com

It'll perform like any other 4k monitor using a 7800xt... not sure what you're asking there.

 

[deathstar13]

Thanks for explaining the M.2 slots.
Im still kicking the around the Gen5 T705 in the main slot for windows but with just 1x 1TB stick. its more for fun and tweaking the system but the T500 4GB Gen4 will do everything but Windows.
I dont think ill need the second PCI slot but will keep the 3rd slot empty.
I will be buying only Crucial drives as the bit of extra cost is worth good customer service.

I done forgot going with 4K monitors unless i can land a RX 9070XT at MSRP, If all i can afford in a RX 7800XT ill go with a 1440p and save some money and save on frustration with low FPS's
3440 * 1440P be too much or should i aim at 2560x1440?
this is what im considering: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DMSZLDHM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=AV6OOLE5PCIDH&th=1

Now to just work on this dreaded cable management and power hook ups. Back in my day you couldnt run 3x120mm fans off of 1 header slot, That still go for today? I have 9x120mm fans that need hooked up. Ill test the DB levels and see which can be run at 100% without being annoying.

 

[JLK03F150]

3440 * 1440P be too much or should i aim at 2560x1440?

That ultra wide is really close to the same number of pixels as a 16x9 4k monitor. I think you want to stick with 2560x1440.

For connecting your fans, you can get a fan hub. Connect all your case fans to the hub & the sense wire to a motherboard fan header for speed control. A SATA power plug will power the fans, no worries about motherboard hear amp limits. Super inexpensive too.

Amazon.com

 

[deathstar13]

Thanks for the link i added it to my cart.
2560x1440 it is then, Super wide monitors arent a must have as much as keeping my frame rates up.
I think if i can land a RX 9070 cheap enough ill kill my Gen5 T705 1GB windows drive and just do everything on a 4TB T500 so that gives me an extra $150 to go towards the card as i know ill actually see a difference with that money spent.
Here is what i picked out in the 2560x1440p range.

Amazon.com

Do you think 32" is too wide pixel wise? i can go to a 27" even tho i wouldnt be so happy about it.

If i can score an RX 9070 what would you suggest i get monitor wise as i know it will run 4K with no issues?

With everyones help here i think this system will be rather great, Despite my hard headiness. Ill have headroom to OC my CPU,Ram and graphics card all of wich is what i wanted.

 

[EarthDog]

its more for fun and tweaking the system

Well, there's no tweaking on these, but, yeah. It's fast!

I done forgot going with 4K monitors unless i can land a RX 9070XT at MSRP, If all i can afford in a RX 7800XT ill go with a 1440p and save some money and save on frustration with low FPS's

You can also not get a GPU right now (use the integrated graphics on the CPU), don't play hardcore games for a bit (a month, maybe), then snag a 9070 XT that's more capable at 4K........

Back in my day you couldnt run 3x120mm fans off of 1 header slot, That still go for today?

Not really. Your board has several headers on it with varying power output (see your manual). You don't need a hub.

what would you suggest i get monitor wise as i know it will run 4K with no issues?

4K like we've been saying.
EDIT: Oh gosh, you mean an exact monitor, I don't know offhand as I'm looking into high Hz (240) 4K which is well out of your budget. Let me look....

Do you think 32" is too wide pixel wise? i can go to a 27" even tho i wouldnt be so happy about it.

For 4K, I would go 32". For 2560x1440, 28/27"... because pixel density (discussed earlier with links!!!).



EDIT2: Monitor - https://www.amazon.com/MSI-MAG321CUP-Adaptive-Display-Port-Mountable/dp/B0D327K2LV

 

[deathstar13]

Well your right i cant tweak a SSD but i can benchmark it and the higher scores from it will give me higher benchmark numbers. Yes! But i have too much time on my hands.
I still believe the Gen5 drive will have benefits and not give anything away to the Gen4, But in reality ill only ever see that in benchmarks and not real word use.
Ill be honest id rather put that money to use on a graphics card.

I went with the Ryzen9 9900K so i have no integrated graphics. But im sure i could find a cheap $100 card on Ebay to hold me over. An RX 9070 and 4K monitor would look out standing.
But ill be perfectly happing with a 7800 XT and a 1440p monitor also.

I have 9x 120mm fans, background lighting and my AIO pump and a fan on my ram sticks. So headers these days can handle a daisy chain off 3x120mm fans?2
None of the fans are high rpm so running them wide open most likely wont bother me.

i know ill have until the 3rd of next month to get paid and finish up the system, But i have some back pay coming i may get anyday so im not sure on how long my wait may be on the 9070

Ill drag that owners manual of the mobo out soon and start hooking things up, I always hated cable management.

 

[EarthDog]

Ill be honest id rather put that money to use on a graphics card.

Hey hey.......! Now you're cooking with fire!

I went with the Ryzen9 9900K so i have no integrated graphics.

That chip has integrated graphics...it will run 4K and web games and some 1080p with lowered settings, even. Likely better than anything you'll find for $100.

I have 9x 120mm fans, background lighting and my AIO pump and a fan on my ram sticks. So headers these days can handle a daisy chain off 3x120mm fans?2

Oh, 9 fans, lol. It depends on the fans (what fans, exactly, did you get?) and the output of the headers. Your motherboard specifcations page or the manual will tell you what they output. A hub may be easier, however.

Fan on the RAM sticks? Don't. Even with overclocking, not needed. Save a header.

Ill drag that owners manual of the mobo out soon and start hooking things up, I always hated cable management.

It's online.


a 4K monitor suggestion - https://www.amazon.com/MSI-MAG321CUP-Adaptive-Display-Port-Mountable/dp/B0D327K2LV

 

[deathstar13]

AMD hid that graphics ability as i never seen ANY info on it being an APU. When i bought it i thought it was odd that one the sealing sticker it said " With Radeon Graphics" i thought it was just a mistake or a generic sticker.
I just went to AMD's site and looked this up and really i had to dig for the info but you are right it is an APU.
This will help put more money to getting a great GPU.

My understanding using the onboard graphics and NVMe slots 2 and 3 really screw up the PCIe lanes. Another reason to stick with one drive. So the integrated graphics can run 4K? ill be researching reviews to and see what all it can do. I thought all their APU's were designated with a "G" in my defense.

The fans are all case fans, 3 came with the case and 3 are on my AIO and i added 3 to the bottom floor. I think they are all under 2k rpm.
Ill be pushing my ram hard as i can so im just putting a 60mm fan over them, Ill run it full time off the PSU if need be.
Ill also be taking my GPU apart and see if the memory needs heatsinks and at least put some real thermal paste on the GPU itself. Id really like to overclock it with undervolting if possible.

 

[EarthDog]

AMD hid that graphics ability as i never seen ANY info on it being an APU. When i bought it i thought it was odd that one the sealing sticker it said " With Radeon Graphics" i thought it was just a mistake or a generic sticker.
I just went to AMD's site and looked this up and really i had to dig for the info but you are right it is an APU.
This will help put more money to getting a great GPU.


I thought all their APU's were designated with a "G" in my defense.

Typically, it was only in their APUs, correct. But this is a desktop-class processor. There is a difference. That said, their desktop processors now have integrated graphics. This is relatively new for that line of products.

My understanding using the onboard graphics and NVMe slots 2 and 3 really screw up the PCIe lanes.

I'm curious what led you to that understanding. The integrated graphics have nothing to do with the M.2 storage. Slots 2/3 are connected to the chipset anyway (with the bottom PCIe slots), while the top PCIe slot connects through the CPU (using the integrated graphics also does not affect the PCIe slot).

So the integrated graphics can run 4K?

Yep. It will easily run 4K desktop web games, and some older or newer games with low settings. You'd want to run a 4K monitor at 1080p while gaming, but that's optimal if you have to lower the res.

The fans are all case fans, 3 came with the case and 3 are on my AIO and i added 3 to the bottom floor. I think they are all under 2k rpm.

Well, on the fan hub, there is likely a model number or even voltage and amperage ratings.... which is the information you need to know. That, combined with understanding the output of each header, will get your answer. Or, buy a hub that connects to the PSU like JLK mentioned!

ll also be taking my GPU apart and see if the memory needs heatsinks and at least put some real thermal paste on the GPU itself. Id really like to overclock it with undervolting if possible.

I mean, you can, but, these days the memory is typically cooled with a heatsink/thermal pads and unless you're buying high-end pads and paste, run of the mill stuff isn't worth the time and effort (for giggles, sure, but don't expect much). You can also likely Google a review of your card and see a teardown.