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

[monkeydelmagico]

Anecdotal Alert: Avoid HEC power supplies like the plague.

 

[lehtv]

Anecdotal Alert: Avoid HEC power supplies like the plague.

Hmm, that makes sense. Didn't think of that. Thanks!

 

[mfenn]

New build posted, back down to $1000. Thank to lehtv for doing the research on those EVGA PSUs.

 

[007ELmO]

Thakns lehtv, haiku time

 

[ejjpi]

Anecdotal Alert: Avoid HEC power supplies like the plague.

yep, they're terrible.

 

[mfenn]

New build posted. I guess all the Newegg deal-makers are taking the week off.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

New build posted. I guess all the Newegg deal-makers are taking the week off.

We've gotten spoiled when 2 promo's and 1 rebate = where's the deals?? :biggrin:

.

 

[mfenn]

We've gotten spoiled when 2 promo's and 1 rebate = where's the deals?? :biggrin:

.

And so the spoilage continues. :awe: New build posted, minor changes to PSU, case, and CPU+mobo combo.

 

[coolpurplefan]

New build posted. I guess all the Newegg deal-makers are taking the week off.

I searched and clicked on your homepage. I'm confused. Where do you post details of these builds?

 

[007ELmO]

He posts them on the very first post of this thread you're posting in. Here is a direct link:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841

If you scroll down the first post, you can read the changing parts he's been recommending as time goes on.

 

[coolpurplefan]

Thanks for the clarification.
He doesn't choose Blue-Ray burners or WD black HDs? Mmm...

 

[007ELmO]

I think it's a bang for the buck, gaming machine. Blu ray burner has nothing to do with that. Usually kept at $1000. $50 here and there matters in this case.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the clarification.
He doesn't choose Blue-Ray burners or WD black HDs? Mmm...

Adding $50 for a BD-R and a $30 for a WD Black would mean getting a smaller SSD or worse GPU, so no I don't put those in.

 

[mfenn]

New build posted. There are good deals on the PSU, CPU, and HDD this week. The lack of competition at the ~$300 GPU mark is really hurting. With the R9 280X at $400, the GTX 770 has been creeping up week-to-week. That combined with the lack of a good deal on a ~250GB SSD means that I went back down to the 120GB drive.

 

[coolpurplefan]

New build posted. There are good deals on the PSU, CPU, and HDD this week. The lack of competition at the ~$300 GPU mark is really hurting. With the R9 280X at $400, the GTX 770 has been creeping up week-to-week. That combined with the lack of a good deal on a ~250GB SSD means that I went back down to the 120GB drive.

Are these builds that you sell? I was looking at your lists thinking you choose parts that are reliable so I'd have an idea what to pick myself. Now I realize it's not really a review or even no 3D Mark scores etc. Do what you want but I just wanted to point it out.

 

[007ELmO]

He does not sell them, he is pointing out good parts from newegg/etc. It's a very good start for people like me, who cannot keep up with the hardware changing from month to month. I would bet the 3D Mark scores are pretty good, those video cards are just a notch below the top cards out, IMO.

 

[mfenn]

Are these builds that you sell? I was looking at your lists thinking you choose parts that are reliable so I'd have an idea what to pick myself. Now I realize it's not really a review or even no 3D Mark scores etc. Do what you want but I just wanted to point it out.

No I don't sell any of these builds, they're just to help people build high-performance, cost-effective machines. Why do you think that I'd knowingly pick unreliable parts?

 

[Papa Hogan]

No I don't sell any of these builds, they're just to help people build high-performance, cost-effective machines. Why do you think that I'd knowingly pick unreliable parts?

I've trusted Mfenn and have yet to be disappointed.

I don't remember exactly what he recommended and what I switched, but he, at the very least, gave me a platform from which to jump. I'm 99% positive I have the exact motherboard he recommended as well as the case, PSU, and SDD.

 

[Torn Mind]

Are these builds that you sell? I was looking at your lists thinking you choose parts that are reliable so I'd have an idea what to pick myself. Now I realize it's not really a review or even no 3D Mark scores etc. Do what you want but I just wanted to point it out.

You do realize that those type of transactions(selling your own parts, whole computers, etc) are supposed to be done in the FS/FT section of this board?

Reliability is mostly a matter of making sure transport and handling of the device was done properly, along with proper soldering at the factory.

 

[coolpurplefan]

No I don't sell any of these builds, they're just to help people build high-performance, cost-effective machines. Why do you think that I'd knowingly pick unreliable parts?

I didn't make myself clear. I was assuming you chose reliable components. I wouldn't mind seeing the occasional "more expensive" build suggestion.

You do realize that those type of transactions(selling your own parts, whole computers, etc) are supposed to be done in the FS/FT section of this board?

Reliability is mostly a matter of making sure transport and handling of the device was done properly, along with proper soldering at the factory.

I was guessing he had real-world customers who wanted these machines built by him.

Does anyone mind if I ask what might appear as an annoying question. I bought an LG WH14NS40 Blue-Ray burner and found out later there's no software with it. Does anybody know what I can get for it?

 

[Skott]

I didn't make myself clear. I was assuming you chose reliable components. I wouldn't mind seeing the occasional "more expensive" build suggestion.



I was guessing he had real-world customers who wanted these machines built by him.

Does anyone mind if I ask what might appear as an annoying question. I bought an LG WH14NS40 Blue-Ray burner and found out later there's no software with it. Does anybody know what I can get for it?

Some of the units manufacturers sell come with no software to run discs. You can get software free online that will do the job. Just do a google search or ask in the General Hardware section.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I didn't make myself clear. I was assuming you chose reliable components. I wouldn't mind seeing the occasional "more expensive" build suggestion.

Yes, it is safe to assume the components are towards the top end of the reliability heap. Any junky parts would quickly get pointed out. If anything, Mfenn is conservative in his choices while some of us are willing to take a gamble on parts if they are cheap. I can't recall ever seeing any questionable parts make their way into one of Mfenn's builds.

If you want a more expensive build, or any build advice really, you can start a new thread in the general hardware section using this handy guide. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121
You will certainly get good advice about how to tailor your build to your needs.

 

[JumBie]

Like how this is called a mid-range system. The only thing mid-range on that system is the GPU(even then the video card isnt bad)...This is a HIGH-END PC!...really...add a hundred bucks more on a GPU and you got a system that can play games a 2560x1440. So what gives? If thats not high-end i dont know what is.

An i7 4770k with 16gb and 2 titans? No thats not high-end, thats extreme. Calling this system mid-range is misleading, especially to those who are just getting into gaming systems.

 

[Skott]

You can build a pc that can easily hit $3000 or more so I would maintain the title is close enough. This thread is getting some odd hate lately seems like.

 

[JumBie]

You can build a pc that can easily hit $3000 or more so I would maintain the title is close enough. This thread is getting some odd hate lately seems like.

A $3000 is overkill and is pretty much only for enthusiast who want to play at 2560x1440 and BEYOND at a high frame rate. The pc specified in the OP's post is a HIGH-END PC. That PC is capable of playing all games at 1080p at an amazing frame rate and possibly even 2560x1440 decently (especially if another card was thrown in) there is nothing mid range about that.

Here's what a mid-range PC would look like. Notice its $300 cheaper? That price can even be lowered, I added a sshd just for shits and giggles. You could get this PC down to under 650 if you wanted to, and it would play all games at 1080p (not on ultra of course).

AMD FX-8320 $159.99
MSI r9 270x Hawk edition $229
MSI970A AMD3+ Motherboard $69.99
G.Skill DDR3 1866 8GB $68 AP
Seagate 500GB SSHD $79.99
Lite-ON DVD Burner $15 AP
Antec HCG-620M $60 AR
NZXT Source 220 $50
Total $731.98

And don't tell me this is low-end, lol because we all know that's so far from the truth.