PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Churchill]

btw just cinebench'd my CPU and non-OC single core dumped on all the i7's and OC'd 4C dumped on everything but server processors, it also scored 2100 points higher on CPUMark than advertised as the average, dont believe the i7 hype yo

the only slow thing about my system is my really old OCZ SSD from like 2010 that has the OS, games run off a new SSD

[Krandor]

Need to get on that PCIe/m.2 SSD life.

My OS and most programs run off a Samsung SM951, and then I use a 960GB Sandisk Extreme Pro as my games drive

Assuming it doesn't have some kind of crippling problems I'm pretty excited about Mushkin's prospective 4 TB/$500 SSD that's supposed to release this year. It's going to lag in general performance compared to the average SSD but will perform a hell of a lot better then conventional HDDs, while adding huge storage capacity for most laptops even compared to said HDDs.

[Churchill]

I have the OCZ for Windows which doesn't matter, I run games/shadowplay off a new Samsung 850EVO and have a 1TB storage HDD.

[Mugekuge]

Hi, how good is this offer?https://www.tanga.com/deals/2d9bbcf0...mpaign=channel

Is tanga a trustworthy website? Thanks!

[Arkanna]

Hi, how good is this offer?https://www.tanga.com/deals/2d9bbcf0...mpaign=channel

Is tanga a trustworthy website? Thanks!

You can get the same thing (refurb Latitude E6520) from Newegg for only a little more. I don't know anything about Tanga, and I'd probably pay a little bit more to get it from a site I trust. That being said, it's a decent laptop for non-gaming, but forget about gaming on it, outside of old titles and/or Flash games, that kind of thing.

[Mugekuge]

Ok thanks, will check in newegg, is mostly for job, networking stuff.

[Mugekuge]

http://ecomm.dell.com/dellstore/bask...&details=false

Now i am checking this offer from dell outlet, 265$ after 30% coupon rebate, looks decent for what i want it, opinions ?

Edit:

sorry this link

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineS...&puid=af66e510

ends at 265$ with discount.

Is for job and some study, Cisco packet tracer, Huawei eNSP software, vmware, and office stuff.

I kinda need a windows OS to run those software, that's why i was looking for a laptop.

[Churchill]

That's not a link to anything.

Also, unless you really really needed a laptop, I can't imagine using a laptop in 2016.

[Krandor]

I only own a laptop at this point, sold my desktop to a coworker a few months back.

[Kalmado]

My wife uses a laptop for internet but we're in the market for something new as the charging port is jacked up. We're looking at either chromebooks or a cheap laptop. We've tried a few tablets and neither of us like them. I'm in the process of selling her on getting into gaming. Gives me an excuse to revamp the HTPC!

[Mugekuge]

I want a cheap one and imo under 300$ a laptop is a better option than a tablet (for what i want it).

[Churchill]

I only own a laptop at this point, sold my desktop to a coworker a few months back.

sux4u

Unless i had to work on the go with some real processing power, I'd just stick to a tablet like device, surface pro, etc.

[Krandor]

Well, it does have a 4th Gen i7 and a 980M, so not like I'm hurting for horsepower in 95% of current games.

I generally prefer laptops over desktops anyways. Especially after enlisting it just makes more sense, though currently not so much since I've still got another year and a half hanging out in MA on land.

[Psion]

Ok, so i'm getting about 740$ refund from tax within a few weeks, and my 6 year oldish computer is in desperate need of some upgrades!

Currently what I have:

Computer Case: Cooler Master large case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119216

Motherboard: Sabertooth X58 (So old i couldn't even find it on newegg! :D)
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_X58/

Processor: Intel i7 950 quad core (also so old i couldn't find the newegg link! XD )
http://ark.intel.com/products/37150/...-GTs-Intel-QPI

Video Card: Radeon HD 6870
http://www.amd.com/en-us/products/gr...top/6000/6870#

RAM: 3 2G corsair sticks
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/cmx6gx3m3c1600c7

Storage: Western Digital 640GB hard drive (ok so maybe a bit more than 500 gigs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218

Operating System:Windows 7 64bit home premium- OEM type
http://www.neweggbusiness.com/Produc...=9B-32-116-754

I'm thinking of upgrading the RAM to 24 gigs (which i think is the max this motherboard supports), because i'm really feeling the crunch sometimes trying to say, play modded minecraft or other games while leaving firefox open and the like. Its still playable, but i often have to turn a lot of settings down, which makes me sad. I dunno how this will work though. there's 6 slots for RAM, but i see something about triple channel and i'm not sure if i should be getting say, 6 4 gig sticks or 3 8 gig sticks, and thats before even getting into slot types, specifications, and other stuff that makes my head spin figuring out what is best and what can even work with my system.

I'm also thinking of getting an SSD, at least 1G if not 2G. Right now I just have a 500 gig hard drive, (yes, and its only half full! shocking, i know. i don't watch much movies.) so I figure 2 gigs will keep up the next few years of data inflation, though I have a 1T hard drive lying around I could use as a backup storage for less important things. I'm not familiar at all at how to set up SSDs though, nor how to set up multiple drives.

I'm thinking of going lastly for a better video card, since 1G is kinda... sad now. Probably 2-4G? I WOULD like to play rise of the tomb raider on max settings... :D (but also have enough money leftover to afford it in the first place <.<; )

At any rate, i'm moving out by next year, and moneys going to be tight, so i doubt ill have extra to spend on upgrading my computer for a looong time ._. . would prefer to overupgrade so my computer can hang on for a good few more years at least, just in case i don't get another chance for a while.

[Arkanna]

Your best bet is going to be what you said: upgrade your RAM, get an SSD, better video card. 24GB is overkill but memory is cheap so go for it. Get, at minimum, a 250GB SSD to boot off of and store your most-used programs on, but go bigger if you can work it into your budget. SSD's do God's work my friend.

Lastly, use the remainder on a new video card, assuming your power supply is up to the task. You'll probably want at least 550W for your machine, though I tend to always go a little high on the PSU so I would personally go 600W or 650W if you don't already have that.

Kalmado can probably speak better than I on where the value lies in video cards right now.

[Kalmado]

I've personally never worked with anything pre Ivy Bridge on the Intel side but from what I gather that cpu+mb is pretty darn good. If it's still going strong I'd keep using it unless it becomes apparent there are issues. If you're not overclocking it at this time I think it would be worthwhile to give it a boost. Nothing crazy since it's a little older, but free performance is always a bonus. If you do not have an aftermarket cpu cooler get a Cooler Master Hyper Evo/Plus 212. Can be found for $20 after rebate constantly and is easily the best value for a cooler.

Arkanna is right about ram. It is overkill, but right now ram is cheap. You can pretty easily get 3x8gb for around $90-$100 depending on brand/speed. Just make sure it's at least 1600 speed CAS 9. You can go with a higher latency, but the speed needs to be there. 240gb SSD are pretty much $50-$60 now on sale depending on brand. If you want Samsung you'll be looking at closer to $75. SSD is widely regarded as the best upgrade one can do.

Before talking gpu, psu needs to be up to the task. At minimum it should be a quality 550w 80+ bronze such as the XFX TS. For gpu, it is my opinion at this time AMD is easily the best value. Recently Newegg has had the R9 380 4gb for $160-$170 after rebate. For brand new that is tough to beat for value. The Nvidia equivalent would be the GTX 960 4gb and hovers closer to the $180 mark when on sale. Yes it uses less wattage and will run cooler, but for raw power AMD is the way to go. It just depends on what you're looking for. Just be patient when shopping for everything.

[Arkanna]

1st-gen i7 is still pretty stronk. Motherboards have evolved a good bit since then though, and I believe the X58 does not have SATA3, but that's not a big deal really. Any SATA3 SSD you buy today will work fine with the next motherboard you get down the road. The only thing I'd be cautious on though is loading up on too much system memory. While it is cheap right now, any RAM you get today will likely not work in the next motherboard you buy. That's not a certainty, but it's likely.

[Zetanio]

I've come to the conclusion that I won't have the money to do a full upgrade in the next 6 months like I wanted to.

Here's my current setup.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LNvbqs

I'd like to start with the weakest link and work my way up.

I'm assuming that's my HDD -> SSD or mobo/chipset

[Sonomaa]

SSD and/or video card upgrade would be your biggest jump
500gb SSD would be my suggestion, or maybe a 240gb
video card wise Id say like a 960 to see a big shiny jump (about double power) or a 970 to see a HUGE jump (triple power plus), power supply should be fine

when its time to rebuildish youll be able to use the SSD and video card easily

[Zetanio]

SSD and/or video card upgrade would be your biggest jump
500gb SSD would be my suggestion, or maybe a 240gb
video card wise Id say like a 960 to see a big shiny jump (about double power) or a 970 to see a HUGE jump (triple power plus), power supply should be fine

when its time to rebuildish youll be able to use the SSD and video card easily

Thanks Catman. I think SSD would be my smartest move.