Attention Mid-Range System Builders - Updated 08/01/2015

[lehtv]

Or a dual-fan Sapphire for $240

 

[mfenn]

New update today. Mostly the same, just compensating for OOS parts and price changes.

 

[mfenn]

Stickied.

 

[maziwanka]

finally got the computer assembled. it was really nice to build (last one I built was 10+ years ago!). getting pretty good temps and nice airflow. thanks to all for the help

 

[mfenn]

finally got the computer assembled. it was really nice to build (last one I built was 10+ years ago!). getting pretty good temps and nice airflow. thanks to all for the help

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Glad it went well!

 

[lehtv]

Holy Slappin' Batman! It's STICKIED!!!

 

[mfenn]

Holy Slappin' Batman! It's STICKIED!!!

Couldn't find it at first, could ya? :awe:

 

[lehtv]

Wasn't looking...

Expect less replies to the thread now that it has become part of everyone's peripheral vision.

 

[mfenn]

Wasn't looking...

Expect less replies to the thread now that it has become part of everyone's peripheral vision.

Yeah, that means you just need to link to it more.

 

[krnmastersgt]

I'd like to throw in this Crucial Ballistix 8GB Set for $35 into the mix since that is a great price for 8 GB of RAM even if you are stuck with ugly heatspreaders

 

[lehtv]

Those look rather good actually.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Welp so much for those, either their auto price correction system kicked in or someone typed in the wrong numbers, price is up to $53 AND they're out of stock.

Also worth nothing the MSI Twin Frozr 7950 is now $330 + $8 shipping.

 

[mfenn]

Welp so much for those, either their auto price correction system kicked in or someone typed in the wrong numbers, price is up to $53 AND they're out of stock.

Also worth nothing the MSI Twin Frozr 7950 is now $330 + $8 shipping.

Nah krn, it is just because the parts you pick are super popular.

 

[mfenn]

New update, mostly just chasing deals. The deals weren't as good overall this week, so the price went up by $30.

 

[mfenn]

New update, chasing some more deals. Most significant change is the NZXT Source 210 Elite with USB 3.0 is $50 now. The Three Hundred Two is still a good case, so feel free to keep it for $20 more.

 

[lehtv]

New update, chasing some more deals. Most significant change is the NZXT Source 210 Elite with USB 3.0 is $50 now. The Three Hundred Two is still a good case, so feel free to keep it for $20 more.

Or buy it from NCIX for $55 :whiste:

 

[mfenn]

Or buy it from NCIX for $55 :whiste:

:thumbsup: Very nice!

 

[mfenn]

New update, mostly just price changes. Not super happy with $70 for the PSU, let me know if you spot any good deals and I will update the build.

 

[RailHeaven]

I'm looking to build a new PC and this guide looks like a good jumping off point for me. I have a quick question though, how do you determine how big a PSU you need? It seems like only the graphics card lists how much power it uses.

 

[krnmastersgt]

New update, mostly just price changes. Not super happy with $70 for the PSU, let me know if you spot any good deals and I will update the build.

Did you not include the promo? It's another 15% from the original pre-rebate price so it's actually $56.50 AP AR (unless you're taxed like I am )

I'm looking to build a new PC and this guide looks like a good jumping off point for me. I have a quick question though, how do you determine how big a PSU you need? It seems like only the graphics card lists how much power it uses.

Basic math really, you add up the values of the maximum possible power draw of the components you want (mainly CPU + GPU) and then set yourself a slight overhead for overclocking, capacitor aging, etc. Hard drives and such do add to the power draw but are usually only a few watts on their own anyways. For accurate values of how much wattage you need from a PSU you need to really look at the power draws in proper tests like the one AT performs. The "suggested" minimum on video cards is typically highly overestimated just to make sure people have enough power.

 

[mfenn]

Did you not include the promo? It's another 15% from the original pre-rebate price so it's actually $56.50 AP AR (unless you're taxed like I am )

Wow, ask and ye shall receive! I wonder if I have my own personal Newegg fairy because the promo wasn't there yesterday.

 

[RailHeaven]

Basic math really, you add up the values of the maximum possible power draw of the components you want (mainly CPU + GPU) and then set yourself a slight overhead for overclocking, capacitor aging, etc. Hard drives and such do add to the power draw but are usually only a few watts on their own anyways. For accurate values of how much wattage you need from a PSU you need to really look at the power draws in proper tests like the one AT performs. The "suggested" minimum on video cards is typically highly overestimated just to make sure people have enough power.

Ok. The GPU here says 500W min and the CPU is 77W so that puts us at 577W (which you say might be an overestimate because the GPU might not need 500W). 600W is enough clearance for that?

 

[mfenn]

Ok. The GPU here says 500W min and the CPU is 77W so that puts us at 577W (which you say might be an overestimate because the GPU might not need 500W). 600W is enough clearance for that?

No GPU ever made uses anything close to 500W. The manufacturer's typical "recommended minimum wattage" is basically a CYA statement to protect themselves against people with very bad PSUs that can't deliver their rated wattage. Use these two Wikipedia pages to determine the true TDP of your GPUs: NVIDIA, AMD.

 

[RailHeaven]

Awesome, thanks for the help! One more question, do you think it's worth waiting until next week to order a graphics card (b/c of AMD's price cuts)?

 

[mfenn]

Awesome, thanks for the help! One more question, do you think it's worth waiting until next week to order a graphics card (b/c of AMD's price cuts)?

A quick perusal of Newegg indicates that the price cuts have already largely gone into effect, (aided by MIRs) so I don't see a good reason to wait unless you really detest MIRs.