**Official PC rig Pics/Specs/mods thread PART III** Mirin' Aesthetics?

[Grevl]

Yes, it's awesome

Yeah it seems it, i chose reliability mode as it seems to turn off all things recommended.

Do i need to turn off disk defrag or does it only do it manually anyway?

just about finishing up transferring all my files to a ext. hdd so i can format my 1tb and have that fresh as well

[4567081110]

unless you get 250GB - 500GB (depending on the amount of games/programs you use) then the only benefit will be loading times.

IMO they really come into their own when you load all your programs and games onto them.

Other benefits include;
smaller so easier to conceal
no mechanical parts so essentially more reliable
quieter than mechanical drives

They're a luxury right now, if you have the spare cash then it'll be an amazing upgrade, but if you're limiting your choice of CPU or GPU in order to budget in an SSD, I'd advise against.

What's the rest of your system look like?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dfYpD3

Still not positive that this will be what i get and i do still have some extra cash to spend (I've allocated ~1400), but this is what i've got. It'll be my first PC in 9 years (and my first build ever) so I've still got research to do before I pull the trigger. Not looking for the world's fanciest rig, just something to play games on high (and sometimes ultra) settings.

[misc_brah]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dfYpD3

Still not positive that this will be what i get and i do still have some extra cash to spend (I've allocated ~1400), but this is what i've got. It'll be my first PC in 9 years (and my first build ever) so I've still got research to do before I pull the trigger. Not looking for the world's fanciest rig, just something to play games on high (and sometimes ultra) settings.

Z97 mobo

970 gpu

212 cooler

I have the c70 if you have any particular questions.

[SynapticCleft]

Is a 500v PSU enough for the r9 280x?

And is the 8320E amd processor any good. The E series suppose to be lower volts higher power.

I think you mean 500w not volts. 500w is enough for an r9 280x, the 8320 is still a good cpu if all you're doing is gaming.

[4567081110]

Z97 mobo

970 gpu

212 cooler

I have the c70 if you have any particular questions.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/m2QjvK

Like this?


I do have a question regarding the C70 and its built in fans though. How good are they?

[misc_brah]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/m2QjvK

Like this?


I do have a question regarding the C70 and its built in fans though. How good are they?

Looks much better. If you want to save some money you could do away with the optical drive and install the OS using a USB drive (assuming you have one + a way of creating a bootable usb)

I wish I could help about the fans lol I removed all mine and replaced them with different ones.

I would suggest you remove the drive cages and put the HDD in one of the 5.25 drives. It would free up space and improve airflow

[mayweathermusic]

Also consider ditching the wifi adapter and just running an ethernet cable straight into the PC.

[BennyJr169]

I dont see why people like that c70. Worse corsair case ever IMO

[KRANE]

Benefit of SSD other than loading times? cost/gb is really expensive, and if there's only that one benefit then it may be in my best interest to spend my $150 elsewhere.

Open to all comments. I'm not biased against them, if anybody wants to aware me on the benefits I'm all ears.

The benefits are much greater for a portable systems than they are for desktops. For one, they operates a bit more economically, but that's largely due to their faster speed. They runs cooler, and they're also a lot less prone to damage due to shocks, handling etc. because of no moving parts. With the proliferation of mSATA, there's also the significant reduction in space/space. Where as traditional HDDs only come in 2.5 mm and 9mm as their smallest size. They may operate quieter (less heat, less fan noise), but some of today's HDDs are also whisper quiet.

[4567081110]

Looks much better. If you want to save some money you could do away with the optical drive and install the OS using a USB drive (assuming you have one + a way of creating a bootable usb)

I wish I could help about the fans lol I removed all mine and replaced them with different ones.

I would suggest you remove the drive cages and put the HDD in one of the 5.25 drives. It would free up space and improve airflow

Interesting. Thanks for the help. I don't have an issue with the extra $50 if it means the system will perform better and run longer without needing new parts.

Also consider ditching the wifi adapter and just running an ethernet cable straight into the PC.

Maybe. I'd have to rearrange my desk setup though, currently don't have an ethernet port directly near it.

The benefits are much greater for a portable systems than they are for desktops. For one, they operates a bit more economically, but that's largely due to their faster speed. They runs cooler, and they're also a lot less prone to damage due to shocks, handling etc. because of no moving parts. With the proliferation of mSATA, there's also the significant reduction in space/space. Where as traditional HDDs only come in 2.5 mm and 9mm as their smallest size. They may operate quieter (less heat, less fan noise), but some of today's HDDs are also whisper quiet.

Probably gonna pass on the SSD. For my purpose, it doesn't seem to be of much use at its cost. Down the line I can always upgrade if I really find it to be in my best interest.

[KilaByte]

Saw a few potential builds posted lately and saw this drop in price again, if you're on a budget and need a CPU cooler or if you're just thinking about leaving the stock heatsink in, get this for $20, not only the best budget air cooler, but also much quieter than any stock cooler, the 212+:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065



Edit: $16.99 w/ promo code VISACHECKOUT with Visa Checkout

[Wu-Massacre]

Is now the best time to buy a 290/780?

I've been thinking about buying a used 290 for $260 on ebay but I was thinking about waiting for the next wave of GPU

[BennyJr169]

Is now the best time to buy a 290/780?

I've been thinking about buying a used 290 for $260 on ebay but I was thinking about waiting for the next wave of GPU

Yeah if you don't mind it being outdated in 3 months

[KilaByte]

Is now the best time to buy a 290/780?

I've been thinking about buying a used 290 for $260 on ebay but I was thinking about waiting for the next wave of GPU

Honestly I don't know, the 970 for just a few twenties more offers a 780ti busting performance

Edit: ^Benny, my 780 gets 80 frames on shadow of mordor (game released yesterday), which supposedly required 6 gigs of vram for ultra...

[BennyJr169]

Honestly I don't know, the 970 for just a few twenties more offers a 780ti busting performance

Edit: ^Benny, my 780 gets 80 frames on shadow of mordor (game released yesterday), which supposedly required 6 gigs of vram for ultra...

I feel like, if you have one keep it, even buy another.If you don't...don't buy one.

[KilaByte]

I feel like, if you have one keep it, even buy another.If you don't...don't buy one.

I know what you mean by that, I'm going for the Ti when it releases but I don't want somebody on a budget get turned off thinking these cards don't perform, they will handle almost anything at ultra at 1080 and above at almost ultra for some time

[BennyJr169]

I know what you mean by that, I'm going for the Ti when it releases but I don't want somebody on a budget get turned off thinking these cards don't perform, they will handle almost anything at ultra at 1080 and above at almost ultra for some time

True that. 290x is a steal for the price he posted.

[Wu-Massacre]

True that. 290x is a steal for the price he posted.

I was talking about the regular 290

thinking about this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SAPPHIRE-TRI...item3f3dbd6ed7

[misc_brah]

I dont see why people like that c70. Worse corsair case ever IMO

It's not bad but it does have its limitations.

The side window is terrible, but my biggest complaint would be that you can't remove the front fan filter without taking off both side panels and the whole front panel.

[Grevl]

Before i format my 1tb drive for this comp, im thinking i should try to clone it all onto my spare 640gb so i have a backup copy if anything goes wrong (i lose files i forgot/didnt realise i need)

Has anyone used a cloning software before or is there a manual way to do it?

[spacecowboy00]

I have a question brahs, I'm looking to build my first rig and I want to use the GTX 970 as my GPU. I would like to save money on my other parts, so can you guys recommend the cheapest but still decent CPUs, MOBO and whatever else I can use to complement the GPU, and not bottleneck it?

[SynapticCleft]

I have a question brahs, I'm looking to build my first rig and I want to use the GTX 970 as my GPU. I would like to save money on my other parts, so can you guys recommend the cheapest but still decent CPUs, MOBO and whatever else I can use to complement the GPU, and not bottleneck it?

How much money do you have to work with?

[spacecowboy00]

How much money do you have to work with?

Definitely under $1000, preferably 750-800

[everblue]

Definitely under $1000, preferably 750-800

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX Video Card ($329.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $845.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-03 11:36 EDT-0400

[Grevl]

Before i format my 1tb drive for this comp, im thinking i should try to clone it all onto my spare 640gb so i have a backup copy if anything goes wrong (i lose files i forgot/didnt realise i need)

Has anyone used a cloning software before or is there a manual way to do it?

Just been on Western Digitals page and it looks like they have their own/recommend one

Acronis True Image WD

Gonna try that i think.

[SynapticCleft]

Definitely under $1000, preferably 750-800

everblue's build looks solid would have suggested a similar looking build and price point.

[jaimeruiz99]

Guys, what exactly is the difference between these cards?

Gigabyte GTX 970 Windforce 3x 4gb/256bit ddr5
MSI GTX 970 Twin Frozr 4gb/256bit ddr5
Palit GTX 970 4gb/256bit ddr5
Palit GTX 970 Jetstream 4gb/256bit ddr5
Zotac GTX 970 4gb/256bit ddr5
Zotac GTX 970 AMP Omega 4gb/256bit ddr5

They're all GTX 970's, but the bolded cards are worth 100 dollars more than the ones listed below, so what makes them different? Much appreciated, learning a lot here.

[BennyJr169]

Guys, what exactly is the difference between these cards?

Gigabyte GTX 970 Windforce 3x 4gb/256bit ddr5
MSI GTX 970 Twin Frozr 4gb/256bit ddr5
Palit GTX 970 4gb/256bit ddr5
Palit GTX 970 Jetstream 4gb/256bit ddr5
Zotac GTX 970 4gb/256bit ddr5
Zotac GTX 970 AMP Omega 4gb/256bit ddr5

They're all GTX 970's, but the bolded cards are worth 100 dollars more than the ones listed below, so what makes them different? Much appreciated, learning a lot here.

Custom PCB/Chip Binning/More power requirements meaning beefed up VRM's/Custom cooling/etc

[SynapticCleft]

Guys, what exactly is the difference between these cards?

Gigabyte GTX 970 Windforce 3x 4gb/256bit ddr5
MSI GTX 970 Twin Frozr 4gb/256bit ddr5
Palit GTX 970 4gb/256bit ddr5
Palit GTX 970 Jetstream 4gb/256bit ddr5
Zotac GTX 970 4gb/256bit ddr5
Zotac GTX 970 AMP Omega 4gb/256bit ddr5

They're all GTX 970's, but the bolded cards are worth 100 dollars more than the ones listed below, so what makes them different? Much appreciated, learning a lot here.

The windforce is slightly clocked faster than the Frozr, however it will be hardly noticeable if you're playing games or benchmarking.

[jaimeruiz99]

So which one should I get? D: