More upgrades for more gaming

Times sure have changed. I didn't do a new build these past few years. I've really just bought upgrades as I saw better deals for my Gaming Rig.

It's been 1-year, and 5-months since my last upgrade post. Which doesn't seem like it's been that long, but it really has.

While I've not been chasing the "upgrade monkey" as much. The few choice upgrades I did decide to buy, have kept me happy.

How it Started. -- (last upgrades in March 2020)

DIY - Custom Rig 

Processor: Intel Core i5-6500 Skylake (3.2Ghz w/6m cache) 

Memory: 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3000MHz 

Hard Drives:

Samsung 850EVO (OS)

Samsung 850PRO (Games)

Samsung 860 EVO 1TB (misc. games/files/video capture)

Video Cards:

EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC ACX 3.0

EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW2 8GB

Monitor: AOC 27-Inch LED-backlit LCD 

Headphones: SteelSeries Arctis 5

Keyboard: Logitech G510 

Mouse: SteelSeries SENSEI [RAW]

Surface: TORQ x10 

Operating System: WIN10 Pro (Ninja) 

Motherboard: ASUS Z170-A ATX 

Computer Case: Antec Three Hundred Two



How It's Going -- 

DIY - Custom Rig 

Processor: Intel Core i7-10700KF (3.8Ghz w/16MB cache) 

Memory: 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200MHz 

SSD Drives:

Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB NVMe

Motherboard: ASUS Prime Z490-A ATX 

I simplified the list to just call out the items changed.

All of these were just to increase gaming performance. I got them on sale too, and used crypto currency to make the purchases. Overall a Win-Win.

Core i7 since the i5s from this generation didn't make sense for the dollar-to-performance.

3200Mhz RAM just because it was available, and matched the performance of the 3000Mhz RAM I had before.

NVMe drive was from my Christmas gifts, from my Mother. Makes load times so much better.

I stuck with Asus for the mobo, since their stuff has been solid.

...and then there was more!

Times sure have changed. I didn't do a new build these past few years. I've really just bought upgrades as I saw better deals for my Gaming Rig.

It's been 4-years, since the last full build. Which doesn't seem like it's been that long, but it really has.

While I've not been chasing the "upgrade monkey" as much. The few choice upgrades I did decide to buy, have kept me happy.

I went from This -- (Hot stuff in 2016)

• DIY - Custom Rig 
• Processor: Intel Core i5-6500 Skylake (3.2Ghz w/6m cache) 
• Memory: 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3000MHz 
• Hard Drives:
  Samsumg 850EVO (OS)
  Samsung 850PRO (Games)
  Dual 1TB WD BLACK (misc. games/files)
  30GB OCZ Vertox SSD (for video capture) 
• Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC ACX 3.0 
• Monitor: AOC 27-Inch LED-backlit LCD 
• Headphones: Tritton Pro+ True 5.1 
• Keyboard: Logitech G510 
• Mouse: SteelSeries Xai Pro
• Surface: TORQ x10 
• Operating System: WIN7 Ultimate (Ninja) 
• Motherboard: ASUS Z170-A ATX 
• Computer Case: Antec Three Hundred Two

To THIS!!!! (I've highlighted the major changes)

• DIY - Custom Rig 
• Processor: Intel Core i5-6500 Skylake (3.2Ghz w/6m cache) 
• Memory: 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3000MHz 
• Hard Drives:
  Samsumg 850EVO (OS)
  Samsung 850PRO (Games)
  Samsung 860 EVO 1TB (misc. games/files/video capture)
• Video Cards:
  EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC ACX 3.0
  EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW2 8GB
• Monitor: AOC 27-Inch LED-backlit LCD 
• Headphones: SteelSeries Arctis 5
• Keyboard: Logitech G510 
• Mouse: SteelSeries SENSEI [RAW]
• Surface: TORQ x10 
• Operating System: WIN10 Pro (Ninja) 
• Motherboard: ASUS Z170-A ATX 
• Computer Case: Antec Three Hundred Two

First off - I had to swap to Windows 10 Pro, since Win7 finally went End Of Life. Win7 had a great run! It was solid and stable the whole time I've been running it. Windows 10 has shown a lot of promise. I've grown to enjoy it, so far.

I increased the RAM to 32GB, just because I wanted more wiggle room for apps.

My lovely wife gave me the 1TB 860 SSD, as a gift. Such a sweet drive with plenty of capacity, and not too shabby on the performance.

My old Tritton headset had been a problem from almost the start, but I finally got rid of it.
I switched to the SteelSeries Arctis headset.
Oh man! I am so very glad I did. It has really been the best headset I have had in years.
These are so good. I bought one for each of my teens.
They all love their headsets. It has been a real "game changer" for them.
Since they can now hear all of the enemies, in most of their games, with increased detail.

I upgraded my mouse to the next version, in the SteelSeries product line, just because my old mouse finally bit the dust. The Sensei has been a solid replacement.

The Core i5 is still blowing and going. I've had a great deal of solid gaming from this chipset. It has fully held up, as I had anticipated in 2016. I'll likely hold on to it for another year at this point.

The GTX1070 has been so good, I got a second one!

I've been able to play every game I love with 40+ fps & everything on Ultra/Max settings. Which has been very satisfying.

...The Adventure Continues!

Completed a NEW build for my Gaming Rig this weekend, just got around to posting this.

It's been 4-years, since the last full build. (a bit too long)

This time around I went with fairly new components... Only to be out done 18-months later. Hahahahaa!!!

I went from This -- (Hot stuff in 2012)

• DIY - Custom Rig 
• Processor: Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E (3.8Ghz w/10m cache) 
• Memory: 8GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1600 
• Hard Drives: Dual 1TB WD BLACK + 30GB OCZ Vertox SSD (30sec OS boot times) 
• Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 
• Monitor: UltraSharp LCD 24in Widescreen 
• Sound Card: SB X-Fi 
• Headphones: Tritton AX51 Pro 
• Keyboard: Logitech G510 
• Mouse: SteelSeries Xai Pro Gaming Mouse 
• Surface: RATPADZ.COM 
• Operating System: WIN7 Ultimate (Ninja) 
• Motherboard: EVGA X79 SLI Classified 
• Computer Case: Aluminum ANTEC SuperLanBoy

To THIS!!!! (I've highlighted the major changes)

• DIY - Custom Rig 
• Processor: Intel Core i5-6500 Skylake (3.2Ghz w/6m cache) 
• Memory: 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3000MHz 
• Hard Drives:
  Samsumg 850EVO (OS)
  Samsung 850PRO (Games)
  Dual 1TB WD BLACK (misc. games/files)
  30GB OCZ Vertox SSD (for video capture) 
• Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC ACX 3.0 
• Monitor: AOC 27-Inch LED-backlit LCD 
• Headphones: Tritton Pro+ True 5.1 
• Keyboard: Logitech G510 
• Mouse: SteelSeries Xai Pro
• Surface: TORQ x10 
• Operating System: WIN7 Ultimate (Ninja) 
• Motherboard: ASUS Z170-A ATX 
• Computer Case: Antec Three Hundred Two (Had to leave my old case due to the size of the GTX1070) 

I went with the Core i5 this time around. I found very few games that would take my old 3rd-Gen i7 past 50%. 

I usually stay away from getting the newest parts, but I just couldn't resist the Price-to-Performance of the GTX1070.

I've been able to play Star Citizen (Alpha 2.4.1) with 40+ fps & everything else on Ultra/Max settings for all the glorious eye-candy!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy... the adventure continues!

The Day of TRANSFORMATION is at Hand!!! (...and I did this at night. Go figure)

Yes, it's been 4years in the making. That's way more time than took place between my last upgrade, but who's counting? (other than me)

It took my old rig dying to get me this bad-boy. It was worth every dollar.

It happens 3 times/decade, when I upgrade my PC Gaming Rig to the hottest new gear... Only to be out done 18months later.. hahahahaa!!!

I went from This -- (Hot stuff in 2008)

• Manufacturer: Custom Rig
• Processor: Intel Core2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz
• Memory: 4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800
• Hard Drive: 150 GB
• Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT SuperClock 512MB
• Monitor: KDS 22in Widescreen
• Sound Card: SB X-Fi
• Headphones: Turtle Beach EAR FORCE 5.1
• Keyboard: Logitech G15
• Mouse: Logitech MX310 Mouse Surface: RATPADZ.COM
• Operating System: WinXP Pro (Ninja)
• Motherboard: EVGA nForce 750i SLI
• Computer Case: Aluminum ANTEC SuperLanBoy

To THIS!!!! (I've highlighted the major changes)

• Custom Rig built by my own two hands
• Processor: Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E
  (3.8Ghz w/10m cache) 
• Memory: 8GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1600
• Hard Drives: Dual 1TB WD BLACK + 30GB OCZ Vertox SSD
  (30sec OS boot times)
• Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi)
• Monitor: UltraSharp LCD 24in Widescreen
• Sound Card: SB X-Fi
• Headphones: Tritton AX51 Pro
• Keyboard: Logitech G510
• Mouse: SteelSeries Xai Pro Gaming Mouse Surface: RATPADZ.COM
• Operating System: WIN7 Ultimate (Ninja)
• Motherboard: EVGA X79 SLI Classified
• Computer Case: Aluminum ANTEC SuperLanBoy
  (still rocking it!!)

Quad Core 64-bit Gaming at it's best!! Only a few games take advantage of it, but it is so smooth.

I now have a rig with near-flagship parts. Which I've usually stayed away from. I typically get the Tier-2 parts from most companies for the budget. (but not this time)

I've been able to play RAGE & Battlefield 3 on Ultra/Max settings for all the glorious eye-candy!

Yes, it is a true Gaming Shrine to worship & play on. (not that I do much worshiping, but you get it)

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy... It's upgrade time!!

The Day of TRANSFORMATION is at Hand!!!

Yes, it's been 3years in the making. Well almost 4years, but who's counting? (other than me)

It's happens 3 times/decade, when I upgrade my PC Gaming Rig to the hottest new gear... Only to be out done 18months later.. hahahahaa!!!

I went from This -- (Hot stuff in 2005/2006)

• Manufacturer: Custome Rig (ABIT NF7)
• Processor: AMD Athlon XP 3200+ (Barton)
• Memory: 2GB Corsair XMS 3200
• Hard Drive: 75 GB Total
• Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GS (AGP)
• Monitor: Dell E176FP
• Sound Card: SB X-Fi
• Headphones: Turtle Beach EAR FORCE 5.1
• Keyboard: Logitech G15
• Mouse: Logitech MX310 Mouse Surface: RATPADZ.COM
• Operating System: WinXP Pro (Ninja)
• Motherboard: ABIT NF7
• Computer Case: Aluminum ANTEC SuperLanBoy

To THIS!!!! (I've highlighted the major changes)

• Manufacturer: Custome Rig (EVGA nForce 750i SLI)
• Processor: Intel Core2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz
• Memory: 4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800
• Hard Drive: 150 GB
• Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT SuperClock 512MB
• Monitor: KDS 22in Widescreen
• Sound Card: SB X-Fi
• Headphones: Turtle Beach EAR FORCE 5.1
• Keyboard: Logitech G15
• Mouse: Logitech MX310 Mouse Surface: RATPADZ.COM
• Operating System: WinXP Pro (Ninja)
• Motherboard: EVGA nForce 750i SLI
• Computer Case: Aluminum ANTEC SuperLanBoy

Some may say, "You have a 64-bit CPU, why not switch to WinXP x64, or Vista64"
To them I say, "Forget that MESS!!!"
Granted 64-bit support is maturing, but it's not a requirement, yet.

"But what about the extended memory space, Crue?"
"Quiet N00B!!!" -Crue

Show me a Game that can tax my 4GB of DDR2 Ram.. there isn't one!
Hell, my games don't even come close to using enough CPU cycles to get my Core2 Processor excited, let alone thermally warm. 8^)

On top of all that I refit mine for ~$500
Try to top that!!

Yes, the Gauntlet has been thrown!

This Day in History... how could anything be more important?

Happy Birthday to ME!
Yes, it's true I am yet one more year closer to the time of my death!
According to my "calculation" (which I'm making up) it won't be for many, many, many, many, many (you getting this?) years down the road.
Great Events for the year of my birth:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Dallas Cowboys 35–31 in Super Bowl XIII (to some a most exciting and disappointing game)

- The first fully functional space shuttle orbiter, Columbia, is delivered to the John F. Kennedy Space Center, to be prepared for its first launch. (wicked cool Government Space travel, gets usurpt in 2011 by private sector space travel... or atleast that's what I'm predicting) :^)

- Anyone Remember "The Three Mile Island Incident"? A nuclear power plant accident at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania, caused a partial meltdown.

- The Seattle SuperSonics won the NBA Championship against the Washington Bullets.

- The Susan B. Anthony dollar is introduced in the U.S.

- NASA's first orbiting space station Skylab begins its return to Earth, after being in orbit for 6 years and 2 months. (EPIC FAIL!!)

- Michael Jackson releases his first breakthrough album Off The Wall. It sold 7 million copies in the United States alone, making it a 7x platinum album. (MJ was much cooler, when he was Black!)

- The U.S. Pioneer 11 becomes the first spacecraft to visit Saturn, when it passes the planet at a distance of 21,000 km.

- The Entertainment Sports Programming Network, known as ESPN, debuts.

- The world premiere for Star Trek: The Motion Picture is held at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.

#1 most important event - Jacob was born!!

Now if this doesn't clue you in to how old I am...
Then I pity your failing memory,
it means you're far older than I and becoming senile!

The Latest... and why don't I send out more updates?

I swear if I have to put up with this Vertigo crap for another week I'm going to hurt someone.
Well maybe not hurt, but glare very sternly.

Luckily it's either improving or I'm adjusting to it. (damn resilient internal balancing mechanisms)

Thankfully it's the "subjective" variant, or I'd be really messed up.

I've stopped my vertigo meds...I can't stand being tired for 3/4 of the day.
And I ran through the antibiotic, which seemed to be a complete waste.
YEAA!! for low cost Meds, thanks to my PPO.

Either way, I can't run without being unsteady/stumbling.
And my Ninja Reflexes are suffering in exccess.

As you can see, this was my attempt at levity in this situation.
Vertigo sucks... woah to those that have to suffer through it cronically... you have my pitty.

And for those that have bad memories, schedule issues, or just don't know...
My birthday is coming up on Nov. 17th (best day ever)

Don't buy me some sappy cliche crap... just email me a good joke and "Happy Birthday!!" in the subject line. It shows you care, even though we may not see each other.
With my busy schedule I'm lucky I get any free time.

Of course something Star Wars related will always get you Bonus Points. (just don't expect to cash-in aforementioned points) 8^)

Speaking of jokes... Check this out!