PC Build Advice/Review Thread

**Jojimbo** · 2012-12-20 14:44

Get a single bigger SSD, windows takes up <15GB and smaller SSDs are slower and have lower life span (essentially less spare memory). Buying SSD soley for games is something you'll do if you have nothing else you could possibly buy because it only effects loading times and you can fit several games + OS + programs onto a single 256gb anyway.

840 is ok (especially as it's pretty cheap) but it is a budget SSD so there are faster ones out there that would last longer (the nand used in the basic 840 doesn't last as long as stuff used in most SSDs, not that it's an issue with 256GB as it'll probably fail or be incredibly outdated in 7~10+ years it'll take to wear it out). 830 is slightly faster I think, 840 Pro is much faster/better but a lot more expensive, Corsair Neutron series is meant to be pretty good as well (using a new controller).

**hey** · 2012-12-20 18:31

840 is BAAAAAAAAD. tlc nand is garbage. It's super slow and hardly lasts at all before dying, and you don't even save much money on it atm.

Tlc nand basically doubles all the disadvantages of 2 level cells, and only costs a tiny bit less. Don't even consider it, until prices come way down.

**Nitsuki** · 2012-12-20 20:27

My other decision is going w/ a 512gb ssd and put my gfs and dad's money together and i still have a plan for a 1tb for extra storage. So if this is the case i'll get a samsung 830, ocz vertex3 with updated firmware or ocz agility4, or an intel one. Of those which are recommended? I know you guys said to avoid ocz but i just need a verdict. W/ a 512gb i have enough to install my whole steam library and then some.

**hey** · 2012-12-20 20:35

Samsung 830 is awesome, and i'd highly recommend it. Vertex3 is good, but can be a bit hit or miss, in terms of reliability, not a bad choice if you can save a good amount of money, but i still have a hard time recommending any ocz ssds. Agility4 is asynchronous nand, so avoid that at all costs.

**Nitsuki** · 2012-12-20 21:16

what about corsair and crucial?

**Jojimbo** · 2012-12-20 21:30

Crucial M4 has been good but it doesn't get mentioned much now as it costs as much/more than a 830. Corsair's new Neutron (GTX) series has been looking good iirc (or at least got praised for consistency), they are using a new (non-sandforce) controller

**Nitsuki** · 2012-12-20 21:36

Ty guys, i've seen my choices i need, and the ones i'm looking for is available at tiger. I decided to not get a 60gb for the OS, i'm just going to partition the 1TB internal for the OS, i realize i just need a regular hdd cuz the ones i have are pretty much on the verge of death. the 256gb SSD will still be strictly for gaming.

**Jojimbo** · 2012-12-20 21:45

Install the OS on the SSD >.>

Difference of having OS and key programs on an SSD is pretty damn huge and it only takes up 15GB for OS, for 99% of games the levels will load quicker and that's it (Some MMOs and open world games may benefit in terms of FPS stability from SSD, but you could probably fit every single one that does onto a 256GB anyway). You can move games you are currently playing onto the SSD to make use of available room (you'll have loads of it on a 256GB) but still install OS/core programs (browsers and such) or you may as well put the $200 towards a better GPU.

**hey** · 2012-12-20 22:47

Yeah, not putting your os on an ssd is incredibly silly.

**Nitsuki** · 2012-12-20 23:05

Decided to put the os on an ssd partition then. >_> lol

**Fhloston** · 2012-12-21 12:30

Few questions..

Building a PC to game with. (Aion primarily, FFXIV possibly) Quad or Six core? Also have read SSD is the way to go. Aiming for Win7 64, coupled w/Aion, what would be the recommended amount of GB? I see 256 GB mentioned a lot, but for those games only, is that more than needed? I figure that's a recommended amount for hardcore gaming. (OC'ing, highest FPS in the latest games, etc) But yeah, won't be doing that... Already have a 1TB external for any extra storage. Looking at a $500-600 budget. Also, most likely going to Microcenter for my parts, as it is 15 mins from my job.

Appreciate the help!!!

So far I'm looking at this http://www.microcenter.com/product/3...oxed_Processor or this http://www.microcenter.com/product/3...oxed_Processor for the processor.

Sufficient SSD for Win 7 64 bit + Aion/FFXIV? http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...rive_%28SSD%29

**Jojimbo** · 2012-12-21 12:38

How much of a PC are you trying to build with $600? Do you have anything you are keeping from your current PC. SSD is a luxury component; it isn't required and trying to squeeze one in could mean you end up with a slower PC for gaming. Both those CPUs are old, FX-6100 was replaced by FX-6300 (and is technically a tri-core), X4 965 is pretty old as well. I wouldn't buy the 128GB version of a 840 either (wears out relatively quickly).

**Fhloston** · 2012-12-21 12:50

My current PC is pretty old, so no. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883107094 (Try not to laugh too hard....)

Just want a machine that'll run those games smoothly, at a decent price. Not gonna do any high end gaming. Kinda hard for me since I'm not so tech savvy at building PCs, especially when the processors I listed are the ones Microcenter seems to put at the forefront when searching their site. Would like to save money where I can, but don't want to get old CPUs either. (Current one is old enough!!!!) But yeah, Aion, FFXIV, Netflix, surfing the web is basically all I would use this PC for, if that answers your question.

Edit: Also I just chose AMD by default b/c that's what I'm currently using and it has lasted quite a while. Would Intel be better for my price range? Thanks.

**Jojimbo** · 2012-12-21 13:23

Intel i3 / HD 7770 might be all you need, or i3 / HD 7850 if you want some more power. Would have to look to see what's available at micro centre though. Not sure if FX CPUs would be better tbh (would be more expensive and use more power)

**Cyn** · 2012-12-21 13:30

If you're trying to game on a budget, you really should avoid SSDs. Looks like you don't really need a ton of capacity either, since it seems you stream your media. Best bet would be a 500GB 7200rpm SATA drive, which should run you about $65-$70 and give you much more storage capacity than the Samsung you listed. Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822236345

You're not going to be able to really use much out of your old box other than your DVD drive, so with your budget in mind you will want to focus on the GPU, RAM and CPU before getting a SSD or a MB with a ton of bells and whistles.

**hey** · 2012-12-21 16:02

Could always just use a cheap 60 gb ssd, if you've already got storage covered. It's not really a luxury item.

Also, stop looking at amd cpus, they are bad.

**Mrf** · 2012-12-21 17:11

Planning to order a new comp within the next day from cyberpower...

Anything you guys would recommend changing, I 90% likely will not overclock the processor and will be adding RAM for much cheaper from Amazon.

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IUSB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
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MEMORY: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair Vengeance [+9])
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**Cyn** · 2012-12-21 18:00

Originally Posted by hey

Also, stop looking at amd cpus, they are bad.

Amen.

**Nitsuki** · 2012-12-21 18:43

So at tiger i found the very last 256gb samsung 830, it was on sale too, instantly got it. Found out dad got me the 60gb ssd either way, can't do anything about it, gonna install win7 again on that lol. O well. Or keep the 60gb for something else and use the 256 partitioned for the os.

**Jojimbo** · 2012-12-21 19:22

There's no need to partition, you'll just end up wasting space (or running OS without any spare room). Could always use the 60GB as a SSD cache for your HDD

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