PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Tokitoki]

@Toki
I'd strongly consider Ark's build in the buy/sell thread. It's a damn strong build for the price. Can move the parts to a standard case if you would like. It just needs a gpu. I personally would go with a R9 380 or even a 280 over the 960 because it's so much cheaper for equal or better performance. I'd also not get a Corsair CX psu. Poor quality. Go for a XFX TS 550w when it's on sale for $27 AR at Newegg.

Thanks. I honestly just wasn't sure how Ark's rig would age, even just being a HTPC. I was going between the new stuff, or a new case (so a GPU would fit) and GPU for Ark's. Based on your suggestion, I'll do the latter.

Thanks again.

[Kalmado]

Np! That I7-2600k is still a monster of a cpu. Since it's an ITX motherboard you could do a really nice small build with a neat case like a BitFenix Prodigy. For gpu I would shop at jet.com and use promo code SCARYMOMMY2016 to get 20% off your first order.

EVGA GTX 960 2gb for $168 - https://jet.com/product/EVGA-GeForce...8d4b8432ec4aa9

XFX R9 380 2gb for $156.80 - https://jet.com/product/XFX-Radeon-R...ec0e6961456f91

Sapphire R9 380 2gb ITX for $164.80 - https://jet.com/product/SAPPHIRE-Rad...bb6ce92325b112

A bunch of other R9 380 4gb models for around $175-$185 - https://jet.com/search?term=r9%20380

[Tokitoki]

Is there any GPU brand that should be avoided? Was looking at this one from Sapphire.

[Kalmado]

Even though my last purchases were Asus (because I got at the time insane deals) I'd avoid Asus. Usually inferior customer service and rma process. Sapphire is like the EVGA for AMD. Really good products and top notch customer service. I'm a big fan of MSI as well. Usually great products for a fair price and their customer service has been very good to me.

[Krandor]

Some people here shit talk EVGA, but there's a reason they're the biggest vendor for Nvidia GPUs. Their cards seem more prone to coil whine then others, but in every other aspect they're easily the top choice for Nvidia imo.

[Kalmado]

I missed the deal when jet was giving another 10% off when using Android Pay so now I'm debating on what to do. I'm looking at $255 for R9 390s or I could do a GTX 980ti for around $582, but I don't think the extra $70 is worth it just for single gpu solution. I was even considering doing quad 7990 if I can find them again for $275 each.

[Arkanna]

Wow, thanks for the support Kal and thanks Toki for taking the plunge, I appreciate it both of you.

[Buffy]

Even though my last purchases were Asus (because I got at the time insane deals) I'd avoid Asus. Usually inferior customer service and rma process. Sapphire is like the EVGA for AMD. Really good products and top notch customer service. I'm a big fan of MSI as well. Usually great products for a fair price and their customer service has been very good to me.

I've had two MSI motherboard and both have been tanks for me, running for years despite being asked to do way too much. Co-sign on the MSI topic.

[Kalmado]

Welp, looks like I need to eat some of my words about Asus. Got contacted by them today (they received the gpu on 12/30/15) about my rma on my R9 290x. They said they will be sending me a STRIX R9 390X as a replacement. This card retails around $400 before rebate/coupon. So BG, direct me correctly. First, I originally paid $215 for the R9 290x OC that I'm getting a 390x as a replacement. I paid $205 for the R9 290x that I just got $230 for. Should I just get another 390x for around $350 or should I sell the 390x for around $375 and do crossfire 390s? Also, I have a NZXT Kraken G10 bracket to do AIO cooling on a gpu and a Corsair H55 will be around $55. Wat do?

[Krandor]

My only thought is to not bother with crossfire. Both that and SLI seem to be on the way out, especially once DirectX 12 fully becomes a thing.

Edit : a word

[Gredival]

Cross-fire/SLI also don't work in full screen windowed, which is how most people prefer to play. Makes it a huge disappointment.

[Senji]

Some people here shit talk EVGA, but there's a reason they're the biggest vendor for Nvidia GPUs. Their cards seem more prone to coil whine then others, but in every other aspect they're easily the top choice for Nvidia imo.

They are an American company that rolled in killer CS, and warranty + upgrade program during a time of GPU manufacturer turmoil. They are the only Nvidia only, while ASUS/Giga/MSI do both, and sell a lot. I don't know the sales figures split, but wouldn't argue they are outselling those 3 outside of NA. If you are speaking strictly in terms of tangible product performance; really isn't any reason to pick them in 2016.

[Kalmado]

I do not have to worry about full screen windowed as I prefer to play with full screen. My thing about doing a single card vs two is I need it for 4k which the only real solution is a Titan (not going to happen). I was leaning towards a 980 ti, but raw performance xfire 390(x) stomps it and is cheaper. I personally do not have the concern about new release same day drivers and I also haven't had any issues while running crossfire in the 9 months or so that I have ran them. What about DX12 would make xfire/sli obsolete? I thought it was supposed to make it better do to vram stacking?

[Krandor]

DX 12 natively supports multi GPU setups (i.e. You could run Nvidia, AMD, and integrated Intel GPUs all at the same time). It would be up to the developer to code for it, but it would make more sense for stuff to be coded for a platform standard then the manufacturer specific versions.

[Adajer]

doesnt the game need to support dx12? or am i just in the wrong conversation here?

Like, wouldnt older games be unable to use because of lack of dx12 support?

[Krandor]

The game would have to be DX12 and have to be coded to support it, but by the time that becomes commonplace it's not like you'd need multi GPU setups to run older games anyways.

[Senji]

The list of [upcoming] games that will be taking advantage of this is so pathetic, unless something screams at you I wouldn't even factor it in. Live in the now, go 390.

[Krandor]

It was more an aside that Crossfire/SLI aren't something to really plan for in the future, or even in the now as less and less games keep supporting it.

[Kalmado]

I think we've established here (unlike the main "tech" sites) that none of here are blatant marks for either side so for that I'm thankful. Now I know how to spot deals on new stuff but I do not keep up on the cutting edge of hardware nor am I a "gotta have it now" guy for hardware or games. With that said I do understand Nvidia puts out drivers very fast for new games. I also understand that when sli/xfire works it's awesome and when it doesn't it sucks. Most older relevant titles already have dual gpu support. My thing is, most tech sites say that no single card can run 4k 60pfs on any game (maxed out of course or close to it). With that said, why would someone choose the 980 ti for more money than dual r9 390 at 4k? Yes if the game does not support dual gpu the 980 ti is the smarter card hands down. But when looking at benchmarks of a single 390x (which a 390 can reach via OC) vs. a 980 ti, the latter wins by roughly 16-30% depending on the game/settings. Just looking at single card price, is it really worth the $350 more? And when looking at crossfire 390 vs. 980 ti, is it really worth it to spend roughly $50 more for a card that performs less (when dual gpu is supported)? Even with DX12 not taking support of vram stacking (unless game is supported) the 8gb from the 390 is still more welcomed for 4k. The driver argument is invalid (at this time at least) as AMD's crimson has boosted both the 200 and 300 series quite a bit.

I understand this may read like I've already made up my mind or something like that. What I'm really trying to do is create conversation on a logical reason as to why it's a benefit to buy a 980 ti over 390(s)?

[Krandor]

I'd say the primary concerns with present hardware for AMD vs Nvidia comes down to the generally higher power draw of most current AMD cards, and the unfortunate bullshit that Gameworks is causing with alot of AAA titles. I'd imagine the PSU demand probably wouldn't be an issue for you. For the other one though, I've been locked into green for this cycle since so many of the big games I've played this last year have had Gameworks baked in.

The driver thing is gonna be interesting whenever the next game ready driver drops (I'm assuming Rise of the Tomb Raider will be the next obvious target) since they'll be locking said drivers behind the Geforce Experience. I'm hoping the drivers can be extracted and thrown up on Guru3d (or wherever) since I refuse to install the cancer that is Geforce Experience.