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

[LgFriess]

Thanks for posting and keeping this updated mfenn. I'm on the verge of upgrading for the upcoming gaming goodness this fall and this is a great thread for quick reference.

 

[Skott]

So?

Doesn't change a thing for gaming builds, as expected.

One of the questions posted was about possible price changes. Thats why I posted that BD released.

 

[mfenn]

Does it need to be a $1000 PC then? $1000 is just a round number but in reality it seems that a $1000 build will necessarily have something that is not good value for money. It seems to me it could be a $900 PC instead. Would make a lot more sense. The 128GB SSD just isn't money well spent, considering what's being paid for everything else. BTW the HAF 922 isn't great value either, could have the HAF 912 there instead for $60

You are right, there is no reason that it has to be $1000. I just picked it because that seems to be a round number that everybody targets. I'm also trying to keep the "capabilities" the same or better from one iteration to another, so going from 128GB to 64GB would look weird.

I'm gonna add a section to the OP just for you and other posters.

 

[mfenn]

One of the questions posted was about possible price changes. Thats why I posted that BD released.

Thanks for following up. Looks like BD won't be causing Intel to shake in their boots after all.

 

[lehtv]

I'm also trying to keep the "capabilities" the same or better from one iteration to another, so going from 128GB to 64GB would look weird.

It might look weird to some, but to me it'd look like an improvement in price/performance :thumbsup:

The OP looks good though, I'm glad

Thanks for following up. Looks like BD won't be causing Intel to shake in their boots after all.

The FX-4100 looks pretty attractive at just $100 though. Intel i3-2100 isn't overclockable, and AMD's X4 Black Editions are all priced higher (but they might come down in price a bit). All of the bulldozers, AFAIK, are unlocked and highly overclockable (being 32nm). FX-4100 at 4.5GHz or over would be a pretty sweet budget gaming CPU

http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-fx-8150--8120-6100-and-4100-performance-review/10

 

[mfenn]

The FX-4100 looks pretty attractive at just $100 though. Intel i3-2100 isn't overclockable, and AMD's X4 Black Editions are all priced higher (but they might come down in price a bit). All of the bulldozers, AFAIK, are unlocked and highly overclockable (being 32nm). FX-4100 at 4.5GHz or over would be a pretty sweet budget gaming CPU

http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-fx-8150--8120-6100-and-4100-performance-review/10

That's a good point actually. Too bad Guru3D didn't put the i3 2100 into their charts and Anandtech only has the FX-8150 in Bench. Once that's there we can look at the relative performance of the i3 2100 and FX-4100 (optionally extrapolate a 4.5GHz clock).

 

[Ken g6]

Mfenn, I'm curious about one choice in the new build. What's the Hitachi Deskstar got that the Samsung Spinpoint ain't got?

 

[mfenn]

Mfenn, I'm curious about one choice in the new build. What's the Hitachi Deskstar got that the Samsung Spinpoint ain't got?

A single 1TB platter vs. 2 500GB platters. It is quieter, faster (180MB/s seq), and uses less power. Now that doesn't suddenly make the F3 a bad choice, but I think the above is worth $5.

 

[trexpesto]

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 == $25.99

 

[trexpesto]

Hi mfenn, y'all, I just got most of that stuff to finish a build, but held off on the 6950 because I haven't done my research, and there is that 27" Planar on sale right now.
Any insight on that choice? Frozr is the only quiet stock cooler - correct?

 

[lehtv]

I would say any dual-fan cooler is about as quiet as any other dual-fan cooler, but MSI is likely to be one of the quietest. How quiet the fans end up being in the end also depends on whether you use a custom fan profile in Afterburner.

 

[R4in]

A single 1TB platter vs. 2 500GB platters.

....mother...effer....already bought my F3's lol. I need to stay on top of things better...

 

[mfenn]

....mother...effer....already bought my F3's lol. I need to stay on top of things better...

Well, the 7K1000.D just came out, so don't feel too bad. It's not like the F3 is suddenly a bad drive or anything.

 

[mfenn]

I would say any dual-fan cooler is about as quiet as any other dual-fan cooler, but MSI is likely to be one of the quietest. How quiet the fans end up being in the end also depends on whether you use a custom fan profile in Afterburner.

I agree, I picked out the Twin Frozr II because it is a dual-fan card that is known to be unlockable. The Sapphire Dirt 3 edition is also good and can sometimes be had for less, but the newer ones won't unlock.

 

[anti.machine]

Interesting, I will def be looking into the 7K1000.D for my second drive!

 

[Ken g6]

From the "good Newegg bundles" department:

- Bundle the CPU with RAM to save about $14.
- Bundle the mobo with a Corsair 650W PSU to save $5 off the XFX, AR, even before the 10% discount code ending tomorrow.

 

[lehtv]

G.skill 2x4GB 1600mhz for $40. Limited time shell shocker
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231428

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the updates!

 

[mfenn]

New build taking into account the HDD situation. Feel free to post any good HDD deals that you find.

 

[lehtv]

Can always search for deals with pcpartpicker. Here's a link for HDDs sorted according to price, but you'll have to check the actual seller website to confirm if it's in stock or not. http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/internal-hard-drive/#sort=a7&t=2,4,1&f=0&s=8,6,11,7,5,10,4,19,17

 

[mfenn]

Bump for revised build.

 

[mnewsham]

Maybe recommend a 500GB HDD in the interim to keep costs down?

 

[mfenn]

Maybe recommend a 500GB HDD in the interim to keep costs down?

Not a bad idea, shaves $40 off.

 

[mfenn]

Bump for "ridiculous" $70 deal on a single-platter 750GB drive.

 

[mfenn]

New build added