PC Build Advice/Review II: 3090 or Bust.

**Boyiee** · 2017-02-03 19:00

Originally Posted by Arkanna

You can knock the CPU down to say, an i5-7600 or an i7-7700 along with a matching motherboard and save some green. Also, since you're not overclocking, you could get a non-K variant CPU and a Hyper 212 air cooler and be just fine.

As said above, a 1070 is plenty for all 1080p gaming, and most 1440p gaming. A 1080 may still be a worthwhile pick, especially if you knock the CPU down, and if you intend to upgrade to 1440p at some point. Your dollars will be more effective if sunk into an overboard video card, rather than an overboard CPU. Does that make sense?

This. And a 600-750w platinum or gold psu is fine.

**Rulke** · 2017-02-04 00:34

Thanks for the tips fam, I shaved off over $400 with the suggestions and am still quite pleased with the build /feelsgoodman.

**Boyiee** · 2017-02-04 05:38

Can drop the K version of the cpu if not overclocking.

**Shenrien** · 2017-02-04 07:45

I would say go with 32GB of ram but idk what kind of loads you plan to put on your system. I've honestly felt that if I kept 16gb in my current system I'd be fairly upset with how much freedom that gives the extra 16GB opens up, and that's mostly for gaming on my personal end which also includes some streaming and light video and photo editing.

**Rulke** · 2017-02-04 09:37

Originally Posted by Boyiee

Can drop the K version of the cpu if not overclocking.

Noted. However its a free upgrade so may as well take it.

Originally Posted by Shenrien

I would say go with 32GB of ram but idk what kind of loads you plan to put on your system. I've honestly felt that if I kept 16gb in my current system I'd be fairly upset with how much freedom that gives the extra 16GB opens up, and that's mostly for gaming on my personal end which also includes some streaming and light video and photo editing.

I usually overshoot memory as well, but thought about adding another 16 down the road sometime. I've got the funds to do so now and if you notice an improvement already than its an easy choice to bump it now. Thanks.

**Boyiee** · 2017-02-04 09:38

16 is more than enough you'll be fine.

**Arkanna** · 2017-02-04 21:46

Originally Posted by Boyiee

16 is more than enough you'll be fine.

This. No reason for a gamer/occasional "other use" user to go beyond 16GB. I only have 32GB because I run a few VM's.

**Rulke** · 2017-02-05 13:59

I decided to stay with theb 16 as originally planned, as I can just put more in later (for cheaper) if needed.

**Corrderio** · 2017-02-08 19:45

So I'm thinking of getting a Surface Pro 4. I was wondering if anyone would reccomend one and if I should go for an i5 or i7. General uses for it would be:

-Logging in remotely for work
-Travel
-Browsing
-C#/Web Coding

**Arkanna** · 2017-02-08 20:47

There's not a ton of difference between a mobile i5 and a mobile i7. There's a pretty significant difference in cost though, iirc.

**Hellfury** · 2017-02-09 03:20

Originally Posted by Corrderio

So I'm thinking of getting a Surface Pro 4. I was wondering if anyone would reccomend one and if I should go for an i5 or i7. General uses for it would be:

-Logging in remotely for work
-Travel
-Browsing
-C#/Web Coding

We use a fair few of these at the office, I have an i7, the rest of the Surface users have i5s, in everyday use you won't really notice a difference between the two. We started using them with the 3rd incarnation, and haven't really regretted it.

I don't know how much difference it would make compiling your c# code, but I don't think a i7 is easy do defend spending the extra money on.

I have no problem recommending the devices in general though, fantastic computers, just keep in mind the base price of a unit, and the total price once you're done getting accessories etc, are much like for ipads/macs, two different beasts.
I love mine.

One problem: make sure all the applications you use have some scaleability visually. One of the journal tools we use is completely crap on the small surface screens, but every normal windows application I come across works perfectly fine.

**Gryffes** · 2017-02-09 06:44

Originally Posted by Corrderio

So I'm thinking of getting a Surface Pro 4. I was wondering if anyone would reccomend one and if I should go for an i5 or i7. General uses for it would be:

-Logging in remotely for work
-Travel
-Browsing
-C#/Web Coding

I7 if you're doing hours of video encoding or 3d rendering. Otherwise don't bother.

**Corrderio** · 2017-02-09 18:11

Originally Posted by Hellfury

We use a fair few of these at the office, I have an i7, the rest of the Surface users have i5s, in everyday use you won't really notice a difference between the two. We started using them with the 3rd incarnation, and haven't really regretted it.

I don't know how much difference it would make compiling your c# code, but I don't think a i7 is easy do defend spending the extra money on.

I have no problem recommending the devices in general though, fantastic computers, just keep in mind the base price of a unit, and the total price once you're done getting accessories etc, are much like for ipads/macs, two different beasts.
I love mine.

One problem: make sure all the applications you use have some scaleability visually. One of the journal tools we use is completely crap on the small surface screens, but every normal windows application I come across works perfectly fine.

Thanks, I guess the next question is are there any competitors for a surface?

**Hellfury** · 2017-02-10 01:48

Originally Posted by Corrderio

Thanks, I guess the next question is are there any competitors for a surface?

That 2-in-1 professional segment is growing rapidly, it kinda depends what you're going for, but on rough memory, all of the big ones have competitors out now, I haven't really looked at any of them for the last half year, or so, so I am loath to make any suggestions off the top of my head.
I dont' want to diversify our hardware pool too much (I have over 200 client PCs to deal with), we know that the Surface is good, it looks good, it has everything we need, though I wish it'd come with a WWAN option. We need Windows Pro (or better) versions, which took many of the competitors out of the match last time we evaluated it, but from what i understand, that has gotten better.

I am attending product launches with HP/Dell/Lenovo next week, I'll try to remember to report in if I see anything nice.

**Bardicrune** · 2017-02-10 12:37

If you can wait a couple of months the Surface Pro 5 has a rumored release date of April '17. You could either pick up the new model, or maybe find a price break on the Pro 4 model. Insofar as competitors, we've been selling the HP Pro 612 x2 series to our clients primarily for the long battery life (when attached to the power keyboard).

**Hellfury** · 2017-02-10 14:14

Hmm, the specs on that HP pro is pretty weak in comparison to the surface, two generations back on the CPU (and much weaker types), but that's probably why the battery duration is nommy.

**Corrderio** · 2017-02-10 21:07

Originally Posted by Bardicrune

If you can wait a couple of months the Surface Pro 5 has a rumored release date of April '17. You could either pick up the new model, or maybe find a price break on the Pro 4 model. Insofar as competitors, we've been selling the HP Pro 612 x2 series to our clients primarily for the long battery life (when attached to the power keyboard).

Hmm waiting could be a good idea since I don't need it til early summer.

Also any word on an XPS?

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/produ...03074058918207

**Hellfury** · 2017-02-11 02:39

Regarding the XPS;

I used to love Dell, but as I went from just handling my own and the familys computers, to dealing with 200+ client PCs and servers, I got a lot more "opportunities" to deal with their various customer departments, for better or worse.
Dells screens tend to be fantastic, and the XPS series is often nice, and on occasion, their customer support is good. But holy shit when they're bad they're bad.
We threw $4k+ of <1 year old hardware in the trash in the end just so we wouldn't have to deal with them anymore.
We have a bit of EMC hardware as well, very expensive, and their specialist customer support is in a different timezone we found out the hard way after they were bough up by Dell, so support conversations take place around midnight, on hardware for like 50k a piece.)

They don't follow their own support contracts, using every loophole they can latch onto, and if you get one of those "monday morning"-products (I think the expression is..) you're probably screwed, warranty or not.