Poker computer set-up/build questions

Last year I read a thread here on FTR when givememyleg was building a new computer for gaming. I really enjoyed that thread - - learned alot & got me motivated to get a new setup for myself. Well.... I never got it... 'yet'. (unexpected life expenses).

I've been doing okay with the internet pokerzz lately & am pulling a few bucks off my online roll & am going to use part of that for a new puter setup for myself. I've done a fair bit of research but I still have questions & hope some to get some of your input.

Computer will be used mostly for poker but also a few other things but nothing that will require much (ie. skype, etc.).

I'm looking to spend < $1,000.

I'm a bit undecided about some components but have a general idea.

I realize what I'm getting is overkill for poker but do want to get something that will last me for ~5yrs. I'm also sick of not having anywhere close to enough power/speed/capability with my current setup (3yr. old Laptop 4GB Ram Pentium Dual Core T4200 2.0GHz.). I also am aware that you don't really need that powerful of a system if the main thing you're using it for is poker but I want it to 'zoooooom'.
I play on a bunch of different sites & when playing a session I'll typically have 5 sites running & 8 to 10 tables running. I have PT4 but don't usually have it running because if I do I have to make sacrifices (close some sites down). Even as it is (w/o PT4) I find I'm passing up on games I'd prefer to be playing but don't because I know I'll be lagging (& I can't f'n stand it when puter lags & CPU running close to 100%).


Here's what I'm considering:

Case: FractalDesign 'Define Mini' ($99)
'or' FractalDesign Define R4 ($109)

CPU: i5-3570 or i5-4670
question: is there any benefit to go with the Haswell 4670 over the 3570?
(note: I don't plan on ever overclocking so I'm not going for the 'K' model).

Motherboard
H77 or H87 chipset, AsRock or Asus
Asus P8H77-M LE LGA 1155 ($99)
Asus H87M Plus/CSm ($119)
AsRock H77M Micro ($109) < sale $74

or if a Z77 or Z87
Asus P8Z77-V LK ($139)
AsRock Z77 Extreme3 ($122)
(might need FractalDesign define R4 unless micro board)

HDD
WesternDigital WD Black 1TB 7200 rpm ($89)

SSD
Samsung 840 Evo 120GB ($104)
'or'
Samsung 840 Series MZ 120GB ($84)
'or'
Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB ($139)
'also considering'
Samsung 840 Series MZ 250GB ($154)

question: should I consider bothering with more than 120GB? If not, would it be worth it to go with the 'Pro' or would the 'Evo' or the other one suffice? (I don't really want to skrimp but wondering if I'd even notice a difference with the stuff I'm using computer for?). I read the newer 'Pro' will last longer then the reg. 840 but not sure if this will even matter either?

Ram
8GB 1600 speed
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2x 4GB) 1600 (9-9-9-24) $50

PSU
Seasonic G Series SSR-450RM 450W 80+ Gold ($79)
'or'
Seasonic SSR-360GP 360W 80+ Gold ($59)

ASUS 24X DVD Burner ($19)


Win7 ($99)

If I have no intentions of overclocking (& not going with 'K' model CPU) will I need to upgrade the CPU fan? Or will the stock one be good enough?
(I was considering a COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus $34 )

For a monitor I'm currently using my 17" laptop with an additional ACER 24" monitor.
It's a crappy one I picked up at Walmart on sale for $119 (reg. $149) & have been using it for past couple years. I actually find it good enough for what I'm doing (playing poker) but then again I've never tried out better ones.

I've been considering just adding another one (cheapest option obviously) & then run with two screens, splitting my tables up amongst them (tiling).

BUT I've also been thinking of just getting one new good one > DELL U2913WM $699

I'm kinda sick of looking at two monitors as it is & am thinking one good 'big' one might be better (& then use my sh1t one off to the side for lobbys & other sh1te).
Also had considered getting a Hanns-G 27" (on sale for $219) or maybe two of them.
but then thought "fk it! Why get two 27" monitors of 1920 x 1080 for $430 when I could just spend another $250 & get one nice 29" 2560 x 1080 instead?"

So... for monitors... be a cheap ___ck & grab another crap Acer or splurge a bit & pick up a nice DELL where I wouldn't kick myself for having another useless monitor I'd end up giving away later on. (big difference in price).

Do I need a Graphics Card?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poker Orifice

Why get two 27" monitors of 1920 x 1080 for $430 when I could just spend another $250 & get one nice 29" 2560 x 1080 instead?"

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Resolution. The bigger monitors have larger gaps between the pixels. This is why big monitors or TV's tend to look grainy up close. With 2 monitors, you can get the same viewing area with twice the pixels. Pay attention to pixel pitch when you're looking at stats if you're sensitive to this.
Another important monitor stat is gray to gray, where smaller (faster) is better.

I recommend getting a monitor with no speakers, too. Those speakers are total junk, and if you're even slightly discerning, you can get an acceptable modular speaker set that you'll be much happier with for pretty cheap. You wont be saving a ton of money on avoiding the speakers, but why pay for junk you don't use?

Bear in mind that you can always add a 2nd monitor at any time if you want to get them 1 at a time. Once I went to a 2 monitor setup, I hate going to a single monitor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poker Orifice

So... for monitors... be a cheap ___ck & grab another crap Acer or splurge a bit & pick up a nice DELL where I wouldn't kick myself for having another useless monitor I'd end up giving away later on. (big difference in price).

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It's personal taste, really. If you don't mind or don't notice the difference in resolution, then save the money. FWIW, I haven't heard/had any complaints about ACER monitors. Also, Dell monitors cost a bit more than competitors with equal (or similar) stats. I don't personally think the Dell name is worth it when it comes to monitors.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poker Orifice

Do I need a Graphics Card?

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ABSOLUTELY! Your Graphics card has it own GPU, which is going to take almost all the load that would otherwise go to your CPU. Having done a bit of programming, I can assure you that a huge majority of most of the software you're running is dedicated to the graphical interface. It's good economics to have a component in your system that is solely dedicated to bear that load.

Personally, I'd scrape the extra money together to step up a couple of levels on the graphics card. Your SSD is going to give you the ZOOOOM you're looking for, but don't you want to pop visually, too? You should definitely spend at least $100 on a graphics card if you're running 1080p, and up to ~$500 if you're ever going to play decent video games. That's a pretty linear bang-for-the-buck zone in graphics cards.

Also, I don't know if other people have a similar rule of thumb, but I think ~1/4 of the total cost of the computer system should be in the graphics card.

Thanks for the comments.
I might just go for the additional 24" monitor.

I was under the impression that if I went with a larger monitor & if it was 2560x1080 i'd actually be able to tile more tables.

I also have no interest in ever playing any video games (nevermind 'decent ones'). Will it still be necessary to get a vid. card? (I read that the new i5 Haswell with HD4500 can run 3 monitors comfortably). < I really don't have much of a clue though (hence the thread).

If I did add a graphics/vid. card I guess I'd have to beef up the PSU as well to maybe 500-550W?

Would something like an EVGA GTX650 1GB be good for what I need?
or could I get by with GT 630 or a GT 620?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poker Orifice

I was under the impression that if I went with a larger monitor & if it was 2560x1080 i'd actually be able to tile more tables.

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You'll get 33% more pixels horizontally, but the same number vertically. So if you have tables tiled 3 across, you'd be able to tile 4 across, but it's going to be the same vertically as before. So unless the monitor has a different aspect ratio, the tables will look squished in the horizontal direction.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poker Orifice

I also have no interest in ever playing any video games (nevermind 'decent ones'). Will it still be necessary to get a vid. card? (I read that the new i5 Haswell with HD4500 can run 3 monitors comfortably). < I really don't have much of a clue though (hence the thread).

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It will be well worth it. Even just running windows is a large load of graphical work.

... The Haswell chips/architecture are new to me...
...
I give up. I don't know enough about how they're integrating the bridges onto the CPU's and what the onboard graphical capabilities compare to.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poker Orifice

If I did add a graphics/vid. card I guess I'd have to beef up the PSU as well to maybe 500-550W?

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You'll definitely want to make sure your PSU is not overloaded.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poker Orifice

Would something like an EVGA GTX650 1GB be good for what I need?
or could I get by with GT 630 or a GT 620?

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Judging by the specs, and your comments, I think you'd be happy saving the ~$40 and going with the 630. You're probably missing out on some hardware value by spending less than $100 on the card, but if that value is relatively low for your personal taste/needs, then don't get it. Same reasoning as the monitors w/ speakers... it's a great value for the speakers themselves... but since I don't want/use them, it's no value at all.

I doubt it's worth saving the additional $5 to step down to a 620.

I think you need a 2nd opinion. It's been too long since I was in the loop on onboard graphical processing.

i have acers, no regrets. def don't skimp on the graphics card, tables with HUD got much faster once when I upgraded mine.

The nvidia geforce gtx 650 or the amd 7750 would both be ideal for you and both would run just fine on either of the PSU's you've selected.

No need to go more than 1gb with either card, they're not powerful enough to utilise 2gb well

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drmcboy

i have acers, no regrets. def don't skimp on the graphics card, tables with HUD got much faster once when I upgraded mine.

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Okay. thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luco

The nvidia geforce gtx 650 or the amd 7750 would both be ideal for you and both would run just fine on either of the PSU's you've selected.

No need to go more than 1gb with either card, they're not powerful enough to utilise 2gb well

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Thanks. The responses/comments have been appreciated.