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

doubledeluxe · Mar 8, 2015

Ocz? You sure?

tbates757 · Mar 9, 2015

mfenn said:
New build posted. There are some very nice CPU+mobo, RAM, GPU, and PSU deals this week bringing the overall price lower than it has been in a while.

If I'm trying to futureproof my build, should I get a 970 GTX instead of the 290? I know there's a lot of controversy over the 970 GTX and the 3.5GB thing. How does that factor into selecting a graphics card week by week?

mfenn · Mar 9, 2015

doubledeluxe said:
Ocz? You sure?

Yep. They're owned by Toshiba now, and have extensive validation facilities at their disposal.

tbates757 said:
If I'm trying to futureproof my build, should I get a 970 GTX instead of the 290? I know there's a lot of controversy over the 970 GTX and the 3.5GB thing. How does that factor into selecting a graphics card week by week?

The GTX 970 and R9 290X are roughly the same power, with the R9 290X being slightly faster at the cost of more power consumption. I generally go with the one that's less expensive, slightly preferring the GTX 970 if prices are equal.

Fingolfin269 · Mar 11, 2015

Do all of these components come with everything else needed to complete a full install? I'm assuming so since you mention oc capability suggestion of an aftermarket hsf

I guess basically I'm checking to see if I need to get fans or anything else not listed? (Talking internal components not peripherals)

Thanks for the great thread!

Essence_of_War · Mar 11, 2015

Do all of these components come with everything else needed to complete a full install? I'm assuming so since you mention oc capability suggestion of an aftermarket hsf

I guess basically I'm checking to see if I need to get fans or anything else not listed? (Talking internal components not peripherals)

The cases that mfenn links to always include their own fans. You can usually add more (or swap out) if you'd like, but typically this is a pretty sharply diminishing return, especially if you're on a budget. Most motherboards come with two sata cables, it's possible you'll need a third if you have an optical drive, an ssd, and a hard drive.

mfenn · Mar 11, 2015

Essence_of_War said:
The cases that mfenn links to always include their own fans. You can usually add more (or swap out) if you'd like, but typically this is a pretty sharply diminishing return, especially if you're on a budget. Most motherboards come with two sata cables, it's possible you'll need a third if you have an optical drive, an ssd, and a hard drive.

:thumbsup: Great summary!

The only extra part that you might need is indeed an another SATA cable if you don't have spares.

everial · Mar 14, 2015

Essence_of_War said:
The cases that mfenn links to always include their own fans. You can usually add more (or swap out) if you'd like, but typically this is a pretty sharply diminishing return, especially if you're on a budget.

I'm a little confused by this, since the OP says

mfenn said:
<snip>
- If you intend to OC (the system is capable) grab an aftermarket HSF
</snip>

Are you saying there's no temperature/sound/part longevity boost from an aftermarket HSF if you're not overclocking? In that vein (since I know I _don't_ want to overclock) could I just use a non-K 4590? (Or maybe splurge and go for an i7-4770)

Sorry for the newbie questions, it's been a _long_ time since I've put together a new machine.

crashtech · Mar 14, 2015

If you are not overclocking, the only real advantage to aftermarket cooling is lower noise, but care must be taken, because not all aftermarket HSF assemblies are quiet.

mfenn · Mar 14, 2015

crashtech said:
If you are not overclocking, the only real advantage to aftermarket cooling is lower noise, but care must be taken, because not all aftermarket HSF assemblies are quiet.

Agree. The stock assembly will keep the CPU temps within spec.

everial said:
In that vein (since I know I _don't_ want to overclock) could I just use a non-K 4590? (Or maybe splurge and go for an i7-4770)

Yes, you could save money by getting a non-overclocking CPU. If you want to go above the i5, I wouldn't buy a non-K i7 though because Xeon E3's are the same thing but less expensive. You can also save a little more by getting a non-overclocking motherboard like an H97.

If you want more in depth advice regarding your particular situation, I would recommend creating a thread.

mfenn · Mar 15, 2015

New build posted. Unfortunately there's not a lot of good combo deals this week, but there are nice deals on the PSU, RAM, and motherboard. The lower tier R9 290 option also warrants special mention at $240.

mfenn · Mar 22, 2015

New build posted. We're back to a reasonable CPU+mobo combo, and there is a good deal on the R9 290X this week as well.

mfenn · Mar 29, 2015

New build posted. Very minor changes this week, mostly grabbing a separate motherboard since the Z97 Killer is a good price and the i5 has a promo code.

mfenn · Apr 5, 2015

New build posted. There's some reasonable motherboard and CPU combos this week, along with a nice deal on the Seasonic X-650. R9 290 prices are going up, so we're back to the GTX 970 as well.

mfenn · Apr 12, 2015

New build posted. Back to the R9 290X this week because prices have dipped down lower. The XFX TS Gold PSU is based on the Seasonic S12G platform, so we're sticking with high-efficiency Seasonic units this week. The other parts have been pretty static though.

lehtv · Apr 12, 2015

mfenn said:
New build posted. Back to the R9 290X this week because prices have dipped down lower.

Sapphire R9 290X Tri-X OC is even cheaper at $280 AR AP, and arguably a better card than the XFX DD.

mfenn · Apr 13, 2015

lehtv said:
Sapphire R9 290X Tri-X OC is even cheaper at $280 AR AP, and arguably a better card than the XFX DD.

They're actually both the same price right now ($280 after discount), but it's certainly a good option!

mfenn · Apr 19, 2015

New build posted. Most of the deals are steady, though we're on a different GPU and SSD than last week. Speaking of GPU, very seriously consider the R9 290 non-X option to save $50, it's really not much slower than the R9 290X. Regarding the potentially unfamiliar RAM brand, Klevv is to Hynix as Crucial is to Micron, a consumer brand for one of the major DRAM foundries.

mfenn · Apr 26, 2015

New build posted. Pretty minor changes from last week overall. The 850 EVO is really being pushed hard on price right now.

vailr · Apr 26, 2015

I'd just like to point out that the recommended Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI motherboard just had a bios firmware released: version F8, that now includes support for "Intel 5th generation CPU's", which likely means: compatible & soon-to-be released socket 1150 Broadwell CPU's.

mfenn · May 3, 2015

New build posted. There's not CPU+mobo combo this week, but the CPU is priced well enough such that the build comes out ahead even without it.

garndawg · May 4, 2015

OK, _really_ stupid question, Mr. mfenn!

Is there any benefit to justify the 3x cost for the M.2 form factor SSD over the SATA version?

Essence_of_War · May 4, 2015

For gaming desktop usage? Absolutely not.

mfenn · May 4, 2015

Essence_of_War said:
For gaming desktop usage? Absolutely not.

:thumbsup: The purpose of M.2 is to save space, which isn't lacking in a desktop case.

vailr · May 7, 2015

EVGA GTX 970 4GB for $310 (AR + AP):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487086

Several other video cards with extra 8% or 10% off discounts:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...00&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=PPSSBNKMLCECCG

lehtv · May 7, 2015

^ Looks like $270 AR, $260 AP to me

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