1200-1400 USD Gaming PC build.

[Termie]

...

But if you're going to pay $90 for a PSU, you might as well pay another $15 just to get that Gold efficiency right?

...

Yes, I would. The OP should determine whether he's comfortable fitting that in the budget before buying it though.

 

[DSF]

My HX650 definitely had some annoying noise, although it was fan-related, not coil whine. It seems to have worked itself out and I never hear it anymore (after the first four weeks or so) although if it popped up again I'd probably RMA it. That's one nice thing about Corsair, they will definitely take care of you as a customer.

But I agree, I wouldn't buy the HX650 or HX750 again unless the discount was very steep and/or you don't mind the occasional annoying noise.

 

[mfenn]

The benefit of modular cables is only one of one-time convenience when building the PC. Meanwhile, Gold efficiency actually means lower heat output, quieter operation, potentially longer lifetime, and importantly, lower cost of electricity. And the Arc Midi R2 has decent cable management so fixed cables shouldn't be an issue anyway.

Agree 100%.

And you'll end up using a lot of the cables on the Capstone anyway.

Main 1x 24-pin (55cm) - check
ATX12V/EPS12V 1x 4+4-pin (60cm) - check
2x PCIe 6/8-pin (45, 60cm) - check
2x PCIe 6/8-pin (45, 60cm) - not used
4x SATA (ca. 50, 65, 80, 95cm) - check
4x SATA (ca. 50, 65, 80, 95cm) - not used
3x Molex (ca. 50, 65, 80cm) - check
3x Molex (ca. 50, 65, 80cm) - not used

 

[sgjackson]

The benefit of modular cables is only one of one-time convenience when building the PC. Meanwhile, Gold efficiency actually means lower heat output, quieter operation, potentially longer lifetime, and importantly, lower cost of electricity. And the Arc Midi R2 has decent cable management so fixed cables shouldn't be an issue anyway.

Of course, if you can get both that'd be win-win - but you have to pay $105:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151118

15 bucks is definitely doable to make things a little cleaner inside the case and have a more efficient PSU. I wouldn't mind reading an article about the real world differences between certain efficiency levels, though. I like to be educated about this sort of thing. 🙂

Just out of curiosity, do you know who makes the Rosewill units?

Edit: I'm also guessing 90 bucks cheaper for a 7970 is more than enough incentive to shift to that. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008

 

[Termie]

Agree 100%.

And you'll end up using a lot of the cables on the Capstone anyway.

Main 1x 24-pin (55cm) - check
ATX12V/EPS12V 1x 4+4-pin (60cm) - check
2x PCIe 6/8-pin (45, 60cm) - check
2x PCIe 6/8-pin (45, 60cm) - not used
4x SATA (ca. 50, 65, 80, 95cm) - check
4x SATA (ca. 50, 65, 80, 95cm) - not used
3x Molex (ca. 50, 65, 80cm) - check
3x Molex (ca. 50, 65, 80cm) - not used

It's not just about whether you use the cables, it's the process of assembly. Being able to lay the cables down or thread them through the case without them being attached to the power supply saves a lot of time and aggravation.

Anyway, haven't you said many times that Gold isn't worth paying for... 😉

15 bucks is definitely doable to make things a little cleaner inside the case and have a more efficient PSU. I wouldn't mind reading an article about the real world differences between certain efficiency levels, though. I like to be educated about this sort of thing. 🙂

Just out of curiosity, do you know who makes the Rosewill units?

The Capstone is Superflower: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=266

Fortress is ATNG: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=306

By the way, efficiency is pretty straightforward - Bronze units typically hit right at 85% efficiency at 50% load, and Gold units hit 90% efficiency at 50% load. The devil is in the details, though - idle power draw isn't rated, so if you're at 60W or so, you really have no idea how efficient the PSU is based on the rating. And that's where Seasonic-based units almost always beat the competition.

A Seasonic Platinum at 86% efficiency at 67W? http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story3&reid=326

Yes, thank you - that's better than a Bronze unit at peak efficiency!

The 750W version of the Capstone isn't bad at 82% at 80W: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=266

 

[cbk]

1. 400R is good but usually there are better options for the price, like Fractal Design Define R4.
2. I'd probably go for a Samsung 840 250GB or a Corsair Neutron 256GB on that budget.
3. No, GTX 770 is perfect for 1920x1200. Although I would say the 7970 is usually better bang for buck.
4. You'll probably like Logitech G400. It's not for me but if you find Logitech mice comfortable, why risk a change.
5. I have a Logitech G710+, it's pretty much perfect with the exception that the paint falls off pretty easily, I've only used this for a couple of months and my S and D keys don't look anything like S an D anymore. If you don't mind about such cosmetic faults, I can definitely recommend it. I haven't tried any other mechanical boards.

Is there a Microcenter near you?


I would stick to ATX and keep open the possibility of going SLI/Crossfire. A 1440p monitor will like a SLI/CF setup, and your budget is big enough for this. I would also prefer to be able to OC the CPU in order to minimize bottle necking with such a powerful GPU setup, it can be something you do later when needed.

I agree with everything you said.

 

[mfenn]

It's not just about whether you use the cables, it's the process of assembly. Being able to lay the cables down or thread them through the case without them being attached to the power supply saves a lot of time and aggravation.

Anyway, haven't you said many times that Gold isn't worth paying for... 😉

Maybe you and I have a different process, but I've never ever had keeping non-modular cables straight become a problem. Plugging in the PSU end of cables while the PSU is mounted in a cramped space on the other hand, is pretty hard. It's a basic principle of assembly that you do the most densely packed connector blocks first.

And yes, I don't believe that Gold is worth paying extra for. I also don't think that modularity is worth paying extra for. Lehtv's post was comparing the relative benefits of Gold efficiency and modularity, not about whether they were worth the money.