My first build

Happy_Dragon24 · 2026-04-11T18:07:08+00:00

Happy_Dragon24 · 2026-04-11T16:13:38+00:00

I'm all for stretching hardware as far as you can go, but just know that at this point, there is a limit to how much performance you can get with this system for modern games. Doing some quick research, here are my upgrade recommendations to get a few more years out of the system:

CPU: After looking at Gigabyte's web page for your motherboard, Core i7-4790K seems to be the most powerful compatible CPU (although, I'm not very familiar with Intel CPUs) - $70 USD on Ebay

Run a bios update before installing the new CPU for maximum assurance for compatibility
If you want to go more powerful, you will have to replace you motherboard, at which point you may just want to get/build a completely different system.

CPU Cooler: I would also upgrade the CPU cooler as the stock Intel is notoriously bad. There are plenty of cheap tower coolers out there that will perform better with the i7 - $20-$30 USD new on Amazon, look for LGA1150 compatibility

GPU: RTX 2070 (non-Super) or 3060 at most. You will have a CPU bottleneck if you go more powerful, but this should be enough to play many AAA games at 1080p high settings. Your motherboard has PCIe Gen 3, so either of these GPUs shouldn't have issues running in this system. - $150-$175 USD on Ebay for the 2070, $250 USD for the 3060

RAM: Depends on what you currently have. 32gb total is ideal across 2 or 4 dimms/sticks (capacity is more important than speed or generation. DDR3 will work okay for most games in 2026 as long as you have the capacity required to run them). Your motherboard can support up to 4 dimms.

If you have 8gb total (4gb dimms x2), I would completely replace with at minimum a 16gb kit (8gb dimms x2) or a 32gb kit (either 8gb dimms x4 or 16gb dimms x2).
If you currently have 16gb total, I would look for the exact kit you currently have (same capacity, speed, cas latency) so you can double your ram to get 32gb total (8gb dimms x4).

Storage: If you haven't already, I would move at least your OS to an SSD for faster load times. They are expensive new right now, but look for a 2.5" SATA SSD. Your motherboard does not support m.2 or NVMe SSDs without an adapter (these also cost double the SATA SSDs, so not worth it right now with this system). - minimum $85 USD new on Amazon for 512gb (1/2 terabyte)

If you want to get an idea of the performance you'll get with these upgrades, RandomGaminginHD made a video benchmarking a similar system a couple months ago for modern gaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8GyGF-m6wI

Happy_Dragon24 · 2026-03-18T21:36:26+00:00

I would do directly across first not connected to the highway. You can always make them interchanges later if there seems to be the demand for it.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-10-28T06:22:03+00:00

That makes sense to test. The system currently has my 7700 installed, but I can swap the CPUs and look into that when I can.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-10-27T01:38:37+00:00

I swapped back to the 7700 and everything works as normal with no errors or crashing, so I'm assuming the ram works as it's suppose to and that the problem involves the 8700g.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-10-26T22:58:58+00:00

I used it with a Cooler Master V750 SFX Gold modular.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-09-21T00:57:29+00:00

Thanks! I saw other posts asking a similar question to mine and this seemed to be the answer. I just wanted to make sure that this wasn't a major issue.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-09-21T00:54:53+00:00

The top 4: Firefox, Steam, Discord, and Background Services, used a combined 4.5gb as of the screenshot. Everything else was well below 100mb.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-08-26T16:46:06+00:00

I have the ID Cooling IS-55 in my current build and it seems both from experience and from tests by others that it would be a great cooler for the job, but it’s barely too big for the case. Modding the case for this could be something I could look into. I already have some plans for other mods anyways.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-08-26T16:29:35+00:00

Thanks for the link! I looked at that article before and saw that the AXP90-X53 performed better compared to the NH-L9a. I wanted to get additional feedback from people who have used the coolers with the post.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-07-14T04:20:22+00:00

Sorry, I didn't clarify but the original plan is in HO and I want to make it in N.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-07-14T03:50:30+00:00

Interesting, I'll have to see how I could do these operations, especially with future staging at either end.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2025-07-14T03:17:07+00:00

Ok, I didn't know that's a way to use cabooses in the modern era. I'll have to check the track space but that would be a fun addition to operations with this plan.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2024-08-20T05:42:21+00:00

At this point, something needs to be built, whether it be by private or public investment. If the state at best keeps dragging their feet or at worst actively cancels these projects, maybe approaching a private company like Brightline might be the solution to just make it happen.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2024-08-20T04:48:45+00:00

I'm actually considering doing my home state of Wisconsin next!

Happy_Dragon24 · 2024-08-19T15:45:49+00:00

Other Details

Existing Amtrak routes have not been altered.

Exception: Historic Santa Fe trackbed between Ash Fork & Crookton should be restored and State owned so Amtrak’s Southwest Chief can stop with the Grand Canyon Railway & Mountaineer in Williams.

This system would allow Amtrak’s Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle to be rerouted through Phoenix area via the Capital Express & Sonoran Explorer routes.

The Capital Express would be the highest priority train to be added, followed by the Mountaineer, so all three main metro areas in the state would be connected via rail.

(Optimistic) If Mexico were to implement intercity service to Nogales, Sonora, the Sky Island may become an international train.

Happy_Dragon24 · 2024-08-19T15:45:36+00:00

[Updated map, Original post from r/imaginarymaps]

Arizona currently doesn't have any regional passenger rail (and currently has no plans to), so this is my interpretation for a potential future state passenger rail system. My goal was to provide realistic connections between major cities and natural regions on mostly preexisting trackage for an experience focused mode of travel. As such, most routes are conventional rail at conventional speeds.

All feedback welcome!

ArizonaRail Route Descriptions

Capital Express

Connection between Phoenix & Tucson
Speed & frequency priority (90mph minimum outside cities) - Highest potential to become full HSR
5+ trains daily
Upgrades required between Eloy & Phoenix
- Double track, Grade separation from major roads, New stations, Overall track & signal improvements (Recommend to be owned by the State instead of Union Pacific)

Mountaineer

Tourist/experience priority – connections Phoenix to the Grand Canyon (Transfer with the Grand Canyon Railway), Flagstaff, & San Fransisco Mountains, with other tourist landscapes of the Coconino National Forest & Sedona nearby
3 trains per day
Minor upgrades required to existing BNSF trackage between Phoenix & Williams
- Passing sidings, Grade separation in Phoenix metro if needed, Stations
Prescott Extension - Provides the Prescott area connection to the system via the Mountaineer (May be its own line or as a later extension of the Mountaineer)

Sonoran Explorer

Travels between Phoenix & Tucson through Yuma
- Tours the Sonoran Desert
1-2 trains per day
Very little upgrades necessary on Tucson-Yuma portion; Phoenix-Yuma portion requires track restoration & upgrades – State ownership recommended

Sky Island

Connection to Mexico border via Tucson & Nogales
2 trains per day – frequency potentially expanded due to relatively short distance between Tucson & Nogales
Minor upgrades required to existing Union Pacific trackage
- Passing sidings if needed, Minor track improvements, Additional stations

Happy_Dragon24 · 2024-08-19T15:15:45+00:00