Tech Gaming Hardware discussion (& Hardware Sales) thread

[Madmick]

@Madmick Do you think a cooling pad is a worthwhile investment for keeping your ps4 cool?

No.

 

[Big Al's Texas BBQ]

@Madmick Any opinions on this product?

https://www.newegg.com/seagate-fire...d6&gclid=CLDOkcON_-gCFY6ZfgodxXcMtA&gclsrc=ds

 

[Madmick]

@Madmick Any opinions on this product?

https://www.newegg.com/seagate-fire...d6&gclid=CLDOkcON_-gCFY6ZfgodxXcMtA&gclsrc=ds

The Firecuda hybrid drives (aka SSHD) are a great value right now if you want a boost your internal storage and performance simultaneously. I'd definitely opt for one of them over a traditional HDD if I didn't want to spend the premium on a pure SSD. Pay attention to the first spoiler in my PS4 expansion guide:
PS4 Question: Best Way to Expand Storage?

 

[Madmick]

If you're lucky enough to live near a Microcenter there's a jaw-dropping sale that's been going on I didn't flag when I first saw it, but I've noticed it has remained through two re-stockings, and so I thought I'd flag it now. I believe a lot of people have been building or buying new PCs because of the COVID shelter orders, and if you are one of these who lives close to a Microcenter, well, this is as good as it gets.

The sale is the 3800X for $199, and you get another $20 off any bundled compatible motherboard. Microcenter matches or beats the best price anywhere on the self-builder market for a lot of motherboards, so there's no hidden premium here nullifying that discount, too, meaning the effective price of the 3800X is $179 when coupled with a motherboard. It doesn't get any better than this, and since it's still April, we're probably at least 5-7 months away from the Ryzen 4000 chips, so this isn't a last-minute blowout to make room for the new chips while capitalizing on remaining inventory.
https://www.microcenter.com/product...-am4-boxed-processor-with-wraith-prism-cooler

Probably the best value motherboard for pure performance would be the MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max for $105 if your store has it in stock (can flash BIOS to install 3800X without older chip for update if necessary; supports up to 4133MHz RAM).

For $285 you're walking out the door. The cheapest this combo is on the PCPP right now using all vendors is $448.

 

[jefferz]

Drop.com (formerly Massdrop) has the FX Audio DAC-X6 Headphone Amplifier for $40.
https://drop.com/buy/fx-audio-dac-x6

Review:

 

[Swing]

Cool but simultaneously disappointing. Hopefully these do well enough that in the future they can be priced more reasonably. There's obviously a segment of PC gamers who don't want to bother with the more complicated side of things (water cooling/overclocking), but still want to be able to choose the parts; and paying someone else to build it for you is still pretty pricey.

I think Linus makes an excellent point that a CPU upgrade typically calls for a new mobo anyway, so just slotting all that in sounds wonderful. Then again, I don't see myself ever needing to go beyond 1440p 144hz for a mouse/keyboard setup, so my current PC might last for a very long time after a video card upgrade.

I'm not sure how much more powerful hardware really needs to get outside of advancements in VR. And even though I'm not even a little interested in the streaming services right now, so many companies trying their hand at the technology makes it impossible to ignore. Personally, it just seems nuts to give up all the advancements that have been made in terms of input lag. Playing on a G-sync compatible monitor feels terrific so long as the frame rate stays above like 80-90.

 

[Madmick]

Not technically a sale, but I thought I'd flag this SCUF controller giveaway Stipe Miocic is doing for our Sherdog brothers who frequent this thread.


GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY ***How to enter***
1) Like this post!
2) Follow me on Twitch at @stipemiocic now
3) go to @scufgaming IG profile and follow their page
4) Tag 3 friends in the comments section on this post!! That’s all!

TAG MORE FRIENDS FOR MORE CHANCES TO WIN!!! #SM
Grand prize winners will receive multiple controllers of their request.
Winners will be announced on Cinco de Mayo!

Must be following at the time of drawing to be qualified to win.
This sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, administered, endorsed, or associated with Instagram. Full sweepstakes official rules are available upon request.


Here's SCUF:
https://scufgaming.com/

 

[Swing]

I recently purchased a SCUF controller for my PC because the Xbox Elite is sold out everywhere. They're both too expensive, but I like the paddles.

 

[PEB]

OK for Tesla fans but pretty funny.

 

[jefferz]

Intel decided to show up to the party with PCIE 3.0

Edit:
Watching Ian Cutress and Wendell over on Level1Tech's channel and Ian claimed it costs about $10 to add PCIE 4.0 support to the board.

 

[jefferz]

 

[jefferz]

 

[Nameless King]

I am in urgent PC upgrade and to me Intel was always number 1. But seeing AMD sweeping charts for gaming CPU makes me really puzzled.

Any1 knows if Intel works on anything right now to compete with AMD? Or should I just go and buy AMD

 

[rob mafia]

tl;dr - intel's 10nm node has been/is a colossal failure, so they're been adding +s to their 14nm.

buy an amd cpu.

 

[Lovestorm]

AMD have Ryzen to the top.

 

[BEER]

AMD have Ryzen to the top.

I just bought a 3900x and everyone has told me it's the best all around workhorse in the game.

 

[My Spot]

They’re still king for gaming.

 

[AlphaBetaShark]

For the best gaming experience buy Intel. For everything else buy AMD.

 

[rob mafia]

For the best gaming experience buy Intel. For everything else buy AMD.

<{cruzshake}>

those days are either over or quite numbered, depending on the game/setup. and games being developed now are utilizing more cores.

 

[Benny Viper]

<{cruzshake}>

those days are either over or quite numbered, depending on the game/setup. and games being developed now are utilizing more cores.

it’s posts like these that make hesitant on buying a pc. Wtf does this even mean?