I’m looking to get a PC custom built for living room

boco77

Bronze Level Poster
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z370-pc/!vYbkbpAmU/

I’ve decided to go for this as my final config. No major changes apart from a better more future proof gfx card.

Few questions though, will I absolutely not have any problems doing the below with this build?:

Will displaying a 4K resolution Windows desktop through my 4K tv connected via my 5.1 4K receiver work fine with this graphics card? And playing 4K videos through vlc etc.
My tv is a Samsung 65” KS8000 4K HDR. Don’t really see the point of displaying the desktop and using windows in 1080p if my tv can output in 4K resolution. Obviously I’d need a hdmi 4K cable.

I don’t really get how 5.1 sound works with pcs either. Is this 5.1 audio coming from the gfx card via hdmi or the onboard sound processor on the motherboard? It’s confusing. I don’t need optical leads for 5.1? Hdmi will work for 5.1? it’s something I’d definately want on my new pc as I play all my consoles through 5.1 receiver and speakers. On consoles I just plug hdmi into my receiver and it just works and outputs 5.1 without setting anything up. Is it the same for pc? Do I just enable 5.1 in Windows and not set it to 5.1 in each game or app setting?

is HDR possible with this build? I have a 4K hdr tv and 4K hdr receiver and again, hdr just works on consoles via hdmi. But I heard all sorts of nonsense on PCs where awindiws requires a specific type of HDR from your tv - HDR10? I heard hdr is a mess on pc because if this. It’s like format wars of hd dvd and blu Ray all over again. Would this build support hdr or is a more powerful gfx card required like through vlc can this display hdr encoded video files with the build and setup I’d have? I’d be disappointed if it can’t do hdr tbh, considering the price of these components versus a £300 console that can do hdr.
 
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Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
It has USB 3.1 Gen 2 built into the motherboard.

I'm not sure as to your other questions. If you can connect the console via HDMI output I assume the PC will work the same, I don't see why it shouldn't. If you have a separate sound system you could connect that via HDMI, via optical, via 3.5mm jacks, or via USB as appropriate.

HDR is possible I believe though I don't know the detail of it.
 

boco77

Bronze Level Poster
The case I ordered is define R6. On all the reviews on YouTube it has a window on the side. But the one on here has no window? I’m confused. Hope it doesn’t have the window and is black on all sides?r
 

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
There are 2 versions, one with and one without window. PCS sell both.
Window: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/form/includes/case_images.php?view=11881 (£115)
No Window: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/form/includes/case_images.php?view=11797 (£101)

The one you picked in that spec is the one with no window :)

I dunno why all the youtubers have one with window - I guess that's what gamer crowds who *watch their videos like and either they bought those or Fractal sent those out to reviewers on that basis.

Fractal also have white R6s but needless to say these are not those. (they also apparently have gunmetal grey ones, and variants of all 3 colours +/- windows with and without USB type C at the front...) That's a lot of variants...
http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r6-gunmetal

But yeah, you're fine. You're getting one that's black and has no windows.
 
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boco77

Bronze Level Poster
There are 2 versions, one with and one without window. PCS sell both.
Window: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/form/includes/case_images.php?view=11881 (£115)
No Window: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/form/includes/case_images.php?view=11797 (£101)

The one you picked in that spec is the one with no window :)

I dunno why all the youtubers have one with window - I guess that's what gamer crowds who what their videos like and either they bought those or Fractal sent those out to reviewers on that basis.

Fractal also have white R6s but needless to say these are not those. (they also apparently have gunmetal grey ones, and variants of all 3 colours +/- windows with and without USB type C at the front...) That's a lot of variants...
http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r6-gunmetal

But yeah, you're fine. You're getting one that's black and has no windows.

Cool thanks. Looking forward to this PC.
 

boco77

Bronze Level Poster
There are 2 versions, one with and one without window. PCS sell both.
Window: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/form/includes/case_images.php?view=11881 (£115)
No Window: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/form/includes/case_images.php?view=11797 (£101)

The one you picked in that spec is the one with no window :)

I dunno why all the youtubers have one with window - I guess that's what gamer crowds who *watch their videos like and either they bought those or Fractal sent those out to reviewers on that basis.

Fractal also have white R6s but needless to say these are not those. (they also apparently have gunmetal grey ones, and variants of all 3 colours +/- windows with and without USB type C at the front...) That's a lot of variants...
http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r6-gunmetal

But yeah, you're fine. You're getting one that's black and has no windows.

I got my pc and you weren’t kidding it’s mega quiet! Almost as quiet as XB1 like a whisper. It doesn’t even get loud when I run graphics heavy PC games like FFXV. I guess it’ll get louder over time if I don’t clean it? How easy is it to clean and get the dust filters off? The instructions for the case look like it opens like a door at the front? Where would the dust filters be? Front or back?

Anyway the PC seems to play most games at 1080p 60fps with settings on high and a few on medium from what I’ve tried.. if I add loads of effects it drops though l but glad I got a 1060. Definately can notice the increase. I’m happy with that. It plays less demanding stuff like Ori in 4K 60fps too.

One question though where is the digital serial key for Windows 10 supposed to be? The OS came pre installed but just In case I ever needed to reinstall it in the future. I can’t locate it. Was it in the box?
 
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Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
Very glad to hear there's little to hear! :)

Have you tried with the case fans turned down from 12V to 7V yet?

I guess it’ll get louder over time if I don’t clean it?
Yeah, dust will make fans the flow of air louder, and affect thermals, so periodic dusting is sensible. Unless your home is very dusty, even every 6 months could well be more than enough. Check periodically in the case over the months to see how it's building up and action as appropriate I guess.

Where would the dust filters be? Front or back?
The manual shows you how to get at them (you have the Fractal R6, right?). (pg 34 here https://www.fractal-design.com/media/5aa866b5-c98b-4ad3-971a-2be0d2b146d3 ). In your case there is a front dust filter which you can get at by opening the front door, and a bottom dust filter which also slides out via the front.

Frankly that's much better designed than my R4 where the front filter can only be got at by removing a plastic tray that holds the fans, and the bottom dust filter only slides out the back :/

One question though where is the digital serial key for Windows 10 supposed to be? The OS came pre installed but just In case I ever needed to reinstall it in the future. I can’t locate it. Was it in the box?
It's stored digitally on the motherboard. You can, if you wish, tie the licence to your Microsoft account, which could allow it to be used on another PC in the future or on this PC if you ever need to replace the motherboard I believe.

Anyway the PC seems to play most games at 1080p 60fps with settings on high and a few on medium from what I’ve tried..
My 970, which is a slice weaker than your 1060, can handle things like Assassins Creed Origins on high at 60fps most of the time, with some drops to the 50s that aren't really an issue. So high settings on demanding titles at 1080p is what you should be looking at. What games are you turning things to medium on?

Some games will have a few particularly expensive settings that can tank performance (apparently volumetric clouds in Assassins Creed Odyssey, the soft shadows in Deus Ex MD, Hairworks in Witcher 3, etc).
 
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boco77

Bronze Level Poster
Very glad to hear there's little to hear! :)

Have you tried with the case fans turned down from 12V to 7V yet?

Yeah, dust will make fans the flow of air louder, and affect thermals, so periodic dusting is sensible. Unless your home is very dusty, even every 6 months could well be more than enough. Check periodically in the case over the months to see how it's building up and action as appropriate I guess.

The manual shows you how to get at them (you have the Fractal R6, right?). (pg 34 here https://www.fractal-design.com/media/5aa866b5-c98b-4ad3-971a-2be0d2b146d3 ). In your case there is a front dust filter which you can get at by opening the front door, and a bottom dust filter which also slides out via the front.

Frankly that's much better designed than my R4 where the front filter can only be got at by removing a plastic tray that holds the fans, and the bottom dust filter only slides out the back :/

It's stored digitally on the motherboard. You can, if you wish, tie the licence to your Microsoft account, which could allow it to be used on another PC in the future or on this PC if you ever need to replace the motherboard I believe.

My 970, which is a slice weaker than your 1060, can handle things like Assassins Creed Origins on high at 60fps most of the time, with some drops to the 50s that aren't really an issue. So high settings on demanding titles at 1080p is what you should be looking at. What games are you turning things to medium on?

Some games will have a few particularly expensive settings that can tank performance (apparently volumetric clouds in Assassins Creed Odyssey, the soft shadows in Deus Ex MD, Hairworks in Witcher 3, etc).

Thanks for the info. So if anything went wrong with Windows how would I go about reinstalling exactly?

Also I have a problem with my DS4 controller and wireless mouse in terms of connection or range. Both of these worked fine with no dropouts or latency when connected to pc upstairs while I was using it from downstairs tv on the couch. Mouse is IR with a dongle connected to upstairs and never dropped out once which I was surprised by. Now with this new pc in the living room
And the mouse just a few meters away it sometimes lags and drops out before reconnecting. Same issue with the DS4 controller. Any ideas? If anything I though connection issues would never be a problem if it’s even closer than before. But now it’s more like the opposite compared to before.
 

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
Get Windows 10 from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/Windows10 and install it off a USB pen. You won't need to give it a key.

I've no idea about the controller. Maybe a driver/software issue if it needs more than just plug and play: https://www.techradar.com/uk/how-to/gaming/how-to-use-the-ps4-dualshock-4-controller-on-a-pc-1309014

If it connects via a dongle/USB device have you tried other USB devices in those ports and/or tried those USB devices in other ports? Just to rule out an issue with the ports themselves or other Windows 10 USB-related silliness.
 

boco77

Bronze Level Poster
Get Windows 10 from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/Windows10 and install it off a USB pen. You won't need to give it a key.

I've no idea about the controller. Maybe a driver/software issue if it needs more than just plug and play: https://www.techradar.com/uk/how-to/gaming/how-to-use-the-ps4-dualshock-4-controller-on-a-pc-1309014

If it connects via a dongle/USB device have you tried other USB devices in those ports and/or tried those USB devices in other ports? Just to rule out an issue with the ports themselves or other Windows 10 USB-related silliness.

The PC I bought doesn’t have Bluetooth built into it right? I use a generic Bluetooth dongle plugged into it from my old pc but just wondering if I even need to if the PC has it built in?
 

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
Well that goes to show what I know doesn't it.

The answer was going to be "flick the switch at the front of the case to go from 12v to 7v or 5v" which is what my R4 does and the R5 does - then I found out Fractal didn't include that in the R6. ...

There is, however, an internal fan hub they provide with the case. Not sure if PCS have used that or not. Some info here:
https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/970586-define-r6-adjust-speed-of-stock-3-pin-case-fans/

If PCS haven't set it up, I wouldn't bother messing around with it though - since you say the PC is quiet enough as it stands. I'd just enjoy the system and think about twiddling with it in the future.
 

boco77

Bronze Level Poster
Well that goes to show what I know doesn't it.

The answer was going to be "flick the switch at the front of the case to go from 12v to 7v or 5v" which is what my R4 does and the R5 does - then I found out Fractal didn't include that in the R6. ...

There is, however, an internal fan hub they provide with the case. Not sure if PCS have used that or not. Some info here:
https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/970586-define-r6-adjust-speed-of-stock-3-pin-case-fans/

If PCS haven't set it up, I wouldn't bother messing around with it though - since you say the PC is quiet enough as it stands. I'd just enjoy the system and think about twiddling with it in the future.

So this PC has been great so far but I've had a issue I've just noticed today after checking my download speeds. I'm only getting half internet speed with this PC instead of the full 220mbps-250mbps I am only getting about 90-100mbps. I tried downloading the same file on my old PC which is upstairs still and got the max speed from Virgin Media of around 200mbps (or is it 250mbps these days?). This new PC is only giving me 100mbps or thereabouts. I did speed tests and they all show half reduced speed. I have no idea why? I have it connected with ethernet cable directly to a ethernet hub which is also downstairs. This has various ethernet leads connected to it to consoles and this pc.

The ethernet lead from the router upstairs is about 20m and trails and goes directly to the ethernet hub dowstairs through trunking, so none of this is wireless. I am using all cat6e or cat7 cables for everything. The PC ethernet lead is 3m goes to the ethernet hub and is a UGREEN 11270 Ethernet Cable, Cat7 Networking Cord Patch Cable RJ45 10 Gigabit 600Mhz Lan Wire Cable STP. The ethernet hub itself is a TP-LINK TL-SG108 8-Port Metal Gigabit Ethernet Switch.

Any ideas why only getting half the internet speed with only this PC? Hope its not a faulty PC or bad network card on the mobo?

I am not using any powerline plugs for the connection as I know the speed is limited with these. But could it be the hub? Nothing else is in use on it and I still only get 90-100mbps with the new PC but get around 220mbps on my old pc upstairs. The old PC upstairs is closer to the router obviously with shorter ethernet lead connected to it but I wouldn't have thought that would affect it surely almost like its now capped on the pc downstairs.
 
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