PC build thread

[isiolia]

Current model series may start at 120GB instead of smaller. You can get a Samsung 840 EVO or Crucial M500 120GB for about $100, and either would be a solid pick. Sandisk Extreme for $115 is also good.

Samsung is using a type of flash memory with a lower projected lifespan, but that means more like a 10+ year "normal desktop use" kind of thing rather than 20-30 year. So, likely not a huge deal.

[ZenErik]

Just found out that I need larger than 500w for a PSU. 600w+ recommended for GTX 770. So questions. 650w or 750w? And bronze or gold? Gold is obviously more, but is it worth it?

[isiolia]

PSU requirements are often overstated for GPUs. 500W should should still be fine.

Not that having a bit more headroom is a bad thing. 650W should still be plenty for most any single card setup.

The standards for the different 80+ ratings are explained here (and elsewhere I'm sure). I don't think it's a huge deal as long as the PSU has an 80+ rating of some kind.

[fastbilly1]

isiolia, what is your opinion on the hybrid Harddrives/solid state drives? SSHDs as they are called.

[emwearz]

PSU requirements are often overstated for GPUs. 500W should should still be fine.

Not that having a bit more headroom is a bad thing. 650W should still be plenty for most any single card setup.

The standards for the different 80+ ratings are explained here (and elsewhere I'm sure). I don't think it's a huge deal as long as the PSU has an 80+ rating of some kind.

As said above in the link, what is really important, but far too often overlooked, is the rated amps on the 12v rail(s). If you buy a 600W PSU, but it has a single 12v rail at 24a, then you are only drawing 288 watt max. Just an example.

[ZenErik]

So this would be fine? If you can see another one that is better on performance to cost ratio on their site let me know. Thanks!

http://www.microcenter.com/product/4195 ... wer_Supply

[EvilRyu2099]

Get the R9 290X over the GTX 770.. Or even an R9 290... Better performance from both cards.. I'm regretting my GTX 780 purchase now..

You mean a R9 280x?

NO I mean the soon to be released 290X that's on par with the Titan in benchmarks and is about $300 cheaper if not moreso.. In fact it's probably the best card on the market for 4K resolutions, or soon to be..
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.p ... 0X&id=2697

[EvilRyu2099]

Just so you know.. Newegg sells full on part bundles that you could build a PC from scratch yourself at a reasonable price..

[EvilRyu2099]

isiolia, what is your opinion on the hybrid Harddrives/solid state drives? SSHDs as they are called.

It's pretty much on par with SSD when loading up a cache but still a slower performance overall.. I personally don't see a problem with storing most software on a HDD.. You buy an SSD for OS and improved performance on software you use often, like an MMO or Visual Studios/Codeblocks/Autocad.. Anything else like movie files and other software is fine for me on a HDD..

[isiolia]

isiolia, what is your opinion on the hybrid Harddrives/solid state drives? SSHDs as they are called.

The 500GB Momentus XT I have in my Macbook works well enough, but I haven't exactly done performance testing on it. I know some users had issues with them, but part of that could be due to OS X being fussy with SSD stuff that isn't Apple-branded.

That's about all I've had hands-on with them though. I haven't tried Intel Smart Response Technology (the basis for Apple's Fusion drive setup) either.

It's a great compromise for when you can only have one drive, and if the benchmarks and such are accurate, a good value setup. Still, when multiple drives are feasible, the cost/GB for SSDs isn't that prohibitive to use one for an OS/apps drive.
For enthusiast use, I'd think rolling your own via Intel SRT would be more appealing, but again, I haven't had hands-on with it. I just have a 64GB SSD for MMOs, since those are the main games I play that really benefit from it.