Attention Mid-Range System Builders - Updated 08/01/2015

[lehtv]

Oh nice, different SSD this time around.

It might be a good idea to mention the Asrock Z68 Extreme3 as well, the dual-GPU support would go well with the XFX 650W.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

you should come up with a 500~600 dollar build as well

 

[lehtv]

That'd need a different thread though.

 

[Charlie98]

So Mfenn, on a scale of 1-10 how hard do you think it is for a 1st time builder to assemble the PC from parts using online guides.

4-5...IMHO. (See rig in sig below...) Essentially the same computer, first-time builder, and I don't consider myself a 'tech guy.' The actual build took about 5 hours, but I was taking my time and enjoying the ride. 2 hours of that was probably spent tying the wires up.

 

[mfenn]

you should come up with a 500~600 dollar build as well

You're a slave driver you know that? :awe:

 

[daishi5]

I am planning on building a system right in this price range, but I had some questions.

I do a lot of gaming, and there is no way I can afford to get an SSD large enough to hold my steam games. Is it better to just use an SSD for the primary drive, with the games on a large HDD, or would I see better game performance by using the drive caching feature of z68? I know the caching isn't as good as an SSD, but it seems like the things I really want to improve performance on are all going to be on the big disk.

I want to do my first overclocking with this rig. I was considering watercooling, but it looks like the easy to use watercooling kits are beat by good aircooling. It seems like I see one of two options, all in one cheap watercooling kits, or people building their own huge custom watercooling rigs. Are the good watercooling a huge investment that just isn't worth it, or is there some form of middle ground?

I am also looking at getting a 32" tv to replace my 37" that is slowly dying. Should I be looking for recomendations here, or making a thread over in video?

 

[mfenn]

I do a lot of gaming, and there is no way I can afford to get an SSD large enough to hold my steam games. Is it better to just use an SSD for the primary drive, with the games on a large HDD, or would I see better game performance by using the drive caching feature of z68? I know the caching isn't as good as an SSD, but it seems like the things I really want to improve performance on are all going to be on the big disk.

You would install the OS and most applications on your SSD. Then use Steam Mover to move games that you don't care that much about to your HDD.

I want to do my first overclocking with this rig. I was considering watercooling, but it looks like the easy to use watercooling kits are beat by good aircooling. It seems like I see one of two options, all in one cheap watercooling kits, or people building their own huge custom watercooling rigs. Are the good watercooling a huge investment that just isn't worth it, or is there some form of middle ground?

As you've determined, all-in-one watercooling kits are not that effective for their costs. As a first time overclocker, a midrange air cooler like the Hyper 212+ or Mugen 3.

I am also looking at getting a 32" tv to replace my 37" that is slowly dying. Should I be looking for recomendations here, or making a thread over in video?

Is this to use as a monitor or just general TV shopping?

 

[daishi5]

Is this to use as a monitor or just general TV shopping?

Monitor. I am currently using a 37" westinghouse, that has been awesome, but something is going wrong with the blues. I want to replace it with something a little smaller, 35" would be perfect, but those don't seem to exist so 32" seems to be the only real choice.

Thanks for pointing out steam mover, I am a person who usually plays one game all the time for several weeks, so that would be awesome.

Edit: And another question, is AMD just plain better than Nvidia at this point for graphics cards? I haven't bought ATI in a long time, but I had a horrible time with the drivers, and the cheap ones the PC team gets at work seem to give them all sorts of issues.

 

[zCypher]

Threads like these (and its contributing members) are why I love this forum.

 

[mfenn]

Monitor. I am currently using a 37" westinghouse, that has been awesome, but something is going wrong with the blues. I want to replace it with something a little smaller, 35" would be perfect, but those don't seem to exist so 32" seems to be the only real choice.

I am far from a TV expert, but something like this Vizio is in the same class of display as your Westinghouse. Inexpensive and no frills, but good core features.

Edit: And another question, is AMD just plain better than Nvidia at this point for graphics cards? I haven't bought ATI in a long time, but I had a horrible time with the drivers, and the cheap ones the PC team gets at work seem to give them all sorts of issues.

I wouldn't use a blanket statement to say that AMD is just plain better than Nvidia, but I do think that they currently have the best product at the popular $250 price point.

 

[UDT89]

maybe i'm an idiot or dont know something. but the link for the SSD is for a laptop. can someone explain?

 

[mnewsham]

maybe i'm an idiot or dont know something. but the link for the SSD is for a laptop. can someone explain?

Almost all Solid state drives are 2.5" form factor. Many cases have 2.5" mounts or you can buy a 3.5" to 2.5" adapter.

 

[UDT89]

thanks for the answer. havent really dabbled with the ssd drives yet. time to start reading.

 

[grohl]

Wanted to say, thanks. It's been 3+ years since my last build. Recent interest in PC gaming again (hello, BF3) has led me to research the upgrades I need. I'm finding you've already done the hard work for me. Keep up the good work. :thumbsup:

 

[Charlie98]

Almost all Solid state drives are 2.5" form factor. Many cases have 2.5" mounts or you can buy a 3.5" to 2.5" adapter.

...and the SSD drive itself may or may NOT come with the adaptor. Buy a $150 drive and they can't include a $1.50 piece of metal to mount it properly. ...just sayin'

 

[T_Yamamoto]

You're a slave driver you know that? :awe:

yes, i know i am.

im 15 (ALMOST 16) remember?

 

[mfenn]

Wanted to say, thanks. It's been 3+ years since my last build. Recent interest in PC gaming again (hello, BF3) has led me to research the upgrades I need. I'm finding you've already done the hard work for me. Keep up the good work. :thumbsup:

Thanks

 

[mfenn]

...and the SSD drive itself may or may NOT come with the adaptor. Buy a $150 drive and they can't include a $1.50 piece of metal to mount it properly. ...just sayin'

Ain't nothin' wrong with a a little velcro.

:awe:

 

[Charlie98]

Ain't nothin' wrong with a a little velcro.

:awe:

...or two holes drilled into one of the tray sliders...

 

[lehtv]

Asrock Z68 Pro3 has been deactivated on newegg, probably because of the introduction of the Asrock Z68 Pro3 Gen3 which costs $118 shipped, actually more than Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 after rebate.

 

[mfenn]

Asrock Z68 Pro3 has been deactivated on newegg, probably because of the introduction of the Asrock Z68 Pro3 Gen3 which costs $118 shipped, actually more than Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 after rebate.

Thanks, I will make updates.

 

[lehtv]

Samsung 830 sold out at the moment, Crucial M4 for $197.

 

[mfenn]

Samsung 830 sold out at the moment, Crucial M4 for $197.

Thanks, will update with a note.


And, by the way: LIFER!! :awe:

 

[lehtv]

Haha yeah, gratz

 

[mfenn]

Haha yeah, gratz

Thanks. :awe: