Computer Forum Z - Recent Topics

Which CPU avoids bottlenecking the new RTX 5080?

SakuraStatic — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:55:34 +0000

Ive been building custom loops for a decade but this 50 series jump is weird. Im grabbing a 5080 for my 4k rig next month and really dont wanna deal with a massive bottleneck after dropping all that cash. Is the 7800X3D still the king for this or do I need to wait for something else?

What are the best carrying cases for the ASUS ROG Ally X?

CopperCadenza — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:56:03 +0000

I finally pulled the trigger on the ROG Ally X and man this thing is a beast compared to my old Z1 Extreme. The extra RAM and that massive battery are literal game changers for my commute but now Im running into a super annoying issue. I have like three different cases from my original Ally—the official travel one and a couple of hardshells—but none of them fit properly anymore because the X is just so much thicker with those improved ergonomics. Its like trying to squeeze into jeans from high school lol.

I really need something sturdy because I have a long flight to Tokyo coming up in three weeks and I dont want my joysticks getting crushed in my backpack. I looked at some of the dbrand Killswitch stuff but I dont think the fit is quite right for the new chassis dimensions yet and I definitely need full enclosure. Im looking to spend maybe 50 bucks max since the handheld already emptied my savings account. Does anyone know if there are dedicated Ally X cases out yet that actually account for the extra depth and the moved ports? Or maybe a steam deck case that fits it better than the OG Ally ones?...

Best high-resolution monitor for any desktop model in 2024?

RetroRanger — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:55:48 +0000

my old screen literally just flickered and died this morning so now im scrambling for a replacement before my next project starts Monday. looking for something high res thats gonna work with my pc and mac mini.

im torn between the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE and the ASUS ProArt PA279CRV since they both seem solid for design work. the dell is tempting for that ips black tech but the asus is cheaper and seems super color accurate. ive got about 750 to spend and need to buy it today so i can get it shipped to chicago fast. which one is the better pick for a mixed setup in 2024? or should i look at something else...

Which gaming laptop offers the best performance under 1500 dollars?

GlitchGrotto — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:55:26 +0000

honestly i am so done with my current acer nitro its literally sounding like a jet engine and dropping frames every five minutes even on low settings. i just want something that actually works without melting my desk. ive got about 1500 dollars saved up and i need to buy something by the end of the month for my dorm. i mostly play stuff like warzone and some heavy rpgs so i need actual power.

my main needs are:

under 1500 total

at least a 4070 if possible

decent cooling because i cant stand the thermal throttling anymore

16gb ram minimum

is the legion pro 5 actually worth the hype or should i look at something else? i keep seeing mixed reviews and i dont want to waste my money again...

What is the best mechanical keyboard for any desktop model?

AstralApricot — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:55:47 +0000

my main keyboard just quit on me and i have a deadline on monday so im kinda panicking right now. i was looking at the Keychron V series since everyone loves them but then i read some stuff about wireless lag and weird firmware issues with certain motherboards so i dont know if its worth the risk. then i looked at the SteelSeries Apex but people say the software is bloatware garbage. i just need a solid mechanical board that works with literally any desktop setup i throw it at.

budget is max $140

needs to be hot-swappable if possible

full size is a must for my spreadsheets

i live in the US so need quick shipping

is there something reliable that just works without a bunch of drama?...

Best budget motherboard for Intel i5-13600K that supports overclocking?

BorrowedTimeTraveler — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:55:40 +0000

Whats the absolute cheapest Z690 or Z790 board I can get for a 13600K that wont throttle when I push the clocks? Ive been building PCs for a decade but these LGA 1700 prices are insane and Im seeing such mixed reviews on VRM thermals for the entry level stuff. My old Z97 board was so much simpler lol. I need to get this rig up and running by Friday for a freelance editing gig here in Chicago and my budget is hard capped at $180 for the mobo. Looking at the MSI PRO Z790-P or maybe an Asrock board but I'm worried about the power delivery keeping up with a decent overclock. Is there a hidden gem Im missing?

What are the must-have accessories for a PS4 in 2024?

SirSnoozeALot — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:55:46 +0000

I just picked up a used PS4 Slim from a guy on FB marketplace here in Chicago for like eighty bucks and honestly I'm kinda terrified it's gonna die on me. I really wanted a PS5 but the budget just isn't there right now with rent going up so I'm trying to make this old thing last as long as possible. Winter is coming up and I'm gonna be stuck inside basically all the time so I want the best experience I can get without breaking the bank. I've been looking online for what I actually need to buy for it in 2024 because everything feels so outdated and most guides are from like five years ago.

Like I saw a bunch of people on Reddit saying I HAVE to swap the internal hard drive for an SSD but when I looked at the prices for a 1TB one it's almost as much as I paid for the whole console? Is the speed boost even that noticeable on a Slim or is that just for the Pro models? Then I saw those vertical stands with the built in cooling fans and charging docks which seemed like a great idea until I read a few forum posts saying they actually make the console hotter by messing with the airflow and pushing dust inside. Now I'm just sitting here staring at it and I'm worried I'm gonna fry the thing if I dont get some kind of cooling setup or something to help it breathe but I dont want to buy something that breaks it faster.

I also only have one controller and the battery life is pretty trash since it's used so I definitely need something for that. My budget for all these extras is maybe $100 tops for right now and I really want to get it sorted within the next week or two before the snow hits. Should I get a specific headset too or just use some cheap earbuds I have lying around? I'm mostly gonna be playing single player stuff like Horizon and God of War but I don't want to miss out on the sound quality. What are the absolute must-have accessories I need to buy right now to keep this thing running and actually enjoy it in 2024?

What is the best budget gaming laptop under $1000?

SunsetSyntax — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:55:40 +0000

I really need some help because honestly I have been looking at websites for three days now and my head is spinning with all the numbers. I have about $900 saved up maybe could push it to $1000 if it makes a huge difference but im a student so every dollar counts right now. I just want to play games like The Sims 4 with all the expansions and maybe try out some newer stuff like Baldurs Gate or that wizard game because my current laptop literally screams whenever I open more than two tabs and the fan sounds like a jet engine about to take off.

My logic was that I should just look for the biggest screen but then I read somewhere that the inside parts matter way more but honestly I dont know what an i5 or an i7 even does for me. Like is a higher number always better? I saw one that said it had 8gb of ram and another that said 16 and I think 16 is better because more is usually better right? But then there is this thing called a graphics card and people keep saying RTX this and that and I just have no idea where to start or if I'm gonna get ripped off by a salesperson.

So I was thinking maybe I should just go to a store and ask them but I'm scared they will just sell me the most expensive thing they have. I live in Ohio and there is a Micro Center near me but walking in there feels like I'm in another dimension because I dont speak the language at all lol. I just want something that works.

Here is what I am looking for basically:

something that wont overheat and burn my legs while I use it

can handle school stuff and games at the same time without crashing

stays under $1000 total including tax if possible

doesnt look too much like a giant glowing spaceship because I have to take it to class and dont want people staring

Sorry if these are really dumb questions I just really dont want to spend my savings on something that breaks in a year or cant even run the games I want. Does anyone have a specific model they actually use and like? I'm hoping to buy something by next week before the semester starts...

What is the best OLED gaming monitor for Xbox Series X?

HearthHacker — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:55:38 +0000

Finally moving from IPS to OLED for my Series X but honestly I am terrified of burn-in with the HUDs in Halo. I need something that handles 4K 120Hz properly without those weird flickering issues.

Budget is $900

HDMI 2.1 is a must

Under 32 inches

What should I even look at...

Best M.2 SSDs for expanding Sony PS5 Pro storage?

HoneyHooligan — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:56:12 +0000

So I finally got my hands on a PS5 Pro and I'm super hyped to play everything in 4k60 but the internal storage is gonna fill up so fast with my library. I looked around and saw people recommending the WD Black SN850X and the Samsung 990 Pro but honestly I'm a bit lost. Some folks on Reddit say the Samsung one needs a firmware update first or it gets weird and I dont even have a PC to do that with. Plus does the Pro even need faster read speeds than the base model?

2TB is the goal

budget is around $180 max

needs a built in heatsink because I'm clumsy

Let me know what you guys are running in yours...