Uber Value Computer Thread - 2013 - Xmas Ed

[holo`]

While it is US focused - this article may also be helpful for some who are indecisive: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/guides/2 ... dition.ars

[Shinanigans]

So considering Shin's is outta here are we considering this the new Uber Computer thread? (If so I will lock the other with a link to this one)

Baww, so soon? Hope it doesn't get pruned into the abyss D: jks!

Sorry that i haven't been around to continue updating stuff, things just got real busy for me real fast. Anyoo, looks good, Steve!

[steve_rogers42]

<3

i never consented to fully redacting your ubercomp, just posting over in the name of progress...

And what do you think bruges? And hows the busyness? anything NDA approved

p.s. 'holo, nice read through, i might make some changes later on today/tomorrow... just have to look through a few things and see where and whats what. also have to get back to onyx on his build thread... oh work... nevermind the uni assessments and trying to get a pair of 590 hc's from evga...

[jpeyper]

i think bluray combo drives are probably getting to the stage where they might be considered as a viable option for a build like this.

your dvd burner in the op is $35, you can get a combo bluray and dvd burner for as low as $66

$30 and you get the ability to play bluray movies (and maybe bluray based games in the future)? id say thats a quality trade.

edit:

i also thought i would add my 2c worth on a ssd. this is all my opinion and you are free to disagree with me (as you probably will).

i know they are awesome, and they offer huge performance gains, but i dont think they are value for money. after all, that is what the uber value computer is all about.

spending an extra $150+ to get windows (and other programs that are installed onto the ssd) to load faster is not worth it. it doesnt make games perform better, it doesnt make you any more productive (short of a few seconds loading time.

while they are excellent to have if you have the extra cash, they are an expensive luxury in a computer... and as such have no place in an uber value computer.

[Shinanigans]

Sounds like you haven't used an SSD system before Or at least a system with a decent SSD. Going from HDD to SSD has more of a profound impact on use than most CPU/RAM upgrades typically would. Granted, won't make much difference in gaming but the Uber Value Computer wasn't originally intended to be solely for gaming. Still, i wouldn't trade a 60GB SSD for 10 terabytes of HDD, gaming or not...

[jpeyper]

shin im not saying they arent great performance wise, i just dont think spending 10% extra on the budget of the pc (for a small ssd) just to have quicker read and write times is good VALUE.

its great performance, bad value.

but your right, im not familiar with using ssds... but from someone who doesnt have money to waste on computers. i havent felt the need to get a ssd because im quite happy waiting another few seconds for my stuff to load and not spending the extra cash.

but hey, im a super scrooge so please ignore me if you want to include one.

im actually more interested in what people think about adding the bluray combo drive to the build.

Or would it be more beneficial to put up two builds? or more?

maybe it would be benaficial to have a super-value, gaming-value, student/business-value, etc.

[DXPetti]

maybe it would be benaficial to have a super-value, gaming-value, student/business-value, etc.

As long as you are putting your hand up to maintain it

[steve_rogers42]

Re bluray, it did cross my mind, as there are some decent offerings in the 100 mark... just needing to find reviews and a look at the software that comes with them inorder to make a judgement...

Re ssd...

jpeyper, easy way to put it is the gains from a small sub 80gb ssd are outweighed by its cost, for the price of an x25-m 80gb you could easily raid 1tb drives and store os and program folders and everything else in one hit, the downside to that, well, raid is a PITA for an OS setup, if anything its the last thing you want your os to be running on...

so thats the way it is, looking into it again, the price for the current stock will mostly likely drop when more sata6 ssd's hit the market, but then again those drives will be cheaper due to the advances in the flash-nand memory and the availability and price of the controllers used, so until then i cant firmly say to go out and buy an SSD, as much as i want to....

To add into the argument of running a low capacity SSD, well although they are cheaper, and more available, the price performance isnt there, they are simply too pricey for the capacity and the performance, the best drives work in the 80gb and above range and the speeds increase the larger the capacity you go, and right now as has been stated the 80-128gb drives are just a little too expensive.

I'll still maintain, if your looking at a 1.2k or 1.5k build then with a case/psu you could factor in an ssd and still have a few pennies to rub together for a bigger gpu...

Dont get me wrong, i'd love to have the ssd in there, but its still top shelf, yea it'll get you drunk quicker, but why not spend a bit more on the beer on tap with your mates until that top shelf aint so expensive..



Just doing my rounds atm, been a bit awol due to assessments/GF moving to Melb/work/fixing car... so forgive me... will update and reconfigure...

Also the idea for the mutli builds is good, really comps these days come down to performance vs media... if anything i'd base off builds of mobo so a p67 a h67 and an 8XX AMD chipset build.... that way its more what the base can do, as opposed to a specific build category, then have in the gamer/budget/value/recommended tie-in for each piece...

kinda like...

Code: Select all

HDD: WD 1tb Black

Blurb...

Gamer: +$120 120 Corsair force SSD

Budget: Samsung F3 1tb

value/recommended: WD Green 1tb black

more work, but i think it would lead to a bit more of a spread in terms of information for those looking into builds, it would also supply those with the need to build an idea of configurations along with compatibility....

<3

BRB

[diamondd]

Hidden: show

Re bluray, it did cross my mind, as there are some decent offerings in the 100 mark... just needing to find reviews and a look at the software that comes with them inorder to make a judgement...

Re ssd...

jpeyper, easy way to put it is the gains from a small sub 80gb ssd are outweighed by its cost, for the price of an x25-m 80gb you could easily raid 1tb drives and store os and program folders and everything else in one hit, the downside to that, well, raid is a PITA for an OS setup, if anything its the last thing you want your os to be running on...

so thats the way it is, looking into it again, the price for the current stock will mostly likely drop when more sata6 ssd's hit the market, but then again those drives will be cheaper due to the advances in the flash-nand memory and the availability and price of the controllers used, so until then i cant firmly say to go out and buy an SSD, as much as i want to....

To add into the argument of running a low capacity SSD, well although they are cheaper, and more available, the price performance isnt there, they are simply too pricey for the capacity and the performance, the best drives work in the 80gb and above range and the speeds increase the larger the capacity you go, and right now as has been stated the 80-128gb drives are just a little too expensive.

I'll still maintain, if your looking at a 1.2k or 1.5k build then with a case/psu you could factor in an ssd and still have a few pennies to rub together for a bigger gpu...

Dont get me wrong, i'd love to have the ssd in there, but its still top shelf, yea it'll get you drunk quicker, but why not spend a bit more on the beer on tap with your mates until that top shelf aint so expensive..



Just doing my rounds atm, been a bit awol due to assessments/GF moving to Melb/work/fixing car... so forgive me... will update and reconfigure...

Also the idea for the mutli builds is good, really comps these days come down to performance vs media... if anything i'd base off builds of mobo so a p67 a h67 and an 8XX AMD chipset build.... that way its more what the base can do, as opposed to a specific build category, then have in the gamer/budget/value/recommended tie-in for each piece...

kinda like...

Code: Select all

HDD: WD 1tb Black

Blurb...

Gamer: +$120 120 Corsair force SSD

Budget: Samsung F3 1tb

value/recommended: WD Green 1tb black

more work, but i think it would lead to a bit more of a spread in terms of information for those looking into builds, it would also supply those with the need to build an idea of configurations along with compatibility....

<3

BRB

I think that's an awesome way of doing it, providing a base system and suggesting options/upgrades

[jpeyper]

maybe it would be benaficial to have a super-value, gaming-value, student/business-value, etc.

As long as you are putting your hand up to maintain it

i would except im a bit out of the loop with parts these days. id just be giving bad advice ^_^

Dont get me wrong, i'd love to have the ssd in there, but its still top shelf, yea it'll get you drunk quicker, but why not spend a bit more on the beer on tap with your mates until that top shelf aint so expensive..

that was essentially my argument. there are much better value ways to spend $150+.



with the multi builds thing... perhaps a way to do it...

Code: Select all

HDD: WD 1tb Black
cost: $100
Same good 'ole drive, until more mechanical drives pickup the sata6 standard or the ssd's drop in price enough to become viable for this station, the WD 1tb black will hold this bastion of storage hope.

Want it faster?
you might want to add a 120gb Corsair force SSD to install your OS and favourite games on. this will turbo charge your read/write times and make your games load a **** tonne faster.
extra cost: $xxx


just highlighting how upgrading a particular part can be beneficial to a certain type of user.

Code: Select all

CPU:Intel Core i5 2500
blurb...
Price: $220

Got the need for speed?
jump up a notch to the Intel Core i7 2600. The hyperthreading will allow you to run more threads simultaneously while also offering a higher clock speed.
extra cost: $100


[Dinwiddie]

I agree 100+% with S.R.'s choices.
Next step: Start a community fund, and send the parts to me (reverse the postage cost).
It should serve me well when I go on the pension in June

Thanks in advance....

ps: - don't forget the case - a CM 690 v2 will do (actually don't post this, just send the money).

Thanks again all - DW

pps; I don't mind fronting for the SSD for the OS from the pension....
Which reminds me - the Os - Win7 64bit Home Premium (OEM) will be fine.

Thanks again, and again....

[steve_rogers42]

posted a bit of an update... the amd builds/parts... let me know what you think of the structure and the layout... will add in the rest of the h67/p67 and additional components tomorrow... mad tired as atm... <3

[Jeatalong]

I would like the builds to include the 'options alternative' as proposed by jpeyper.

Not everyone is looking for the uber value and can afford a little additions performance, and this seems to be a good compromise as to maintaining many different lists.

[Bek]

posted a bit of an update... the amd builds/parts... let me know what you think

I think the phen. 965 would be better overall value rather than the 970, too much of a price gap.

[steve_rogers42]

updated and cheers for the suggestion bek... think i was lookin at the 955 and forgot there was a stop gap between it and the 970...