The ridiculousness of PC hardware
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(hardware seems to be on-topic today ... ) I'm in the process of upgrading my gaming PC. I need to upgrade CPU/motherboard/RAM and GPU. I currently have a GigaByte motherboard, so, why not look at what they have now : They have [400+ motherboard available](https://www.gigabyte.com/ca/Motherboard/Ultra-Durable™) Looking at [ASUS](https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/All-Series/), same shit. Same crap for GPU, either AMD or Nvidia. :~
I'd rather be phishing!
... and even then, it's hard to find a sensible mainboard. Some "you gotta turn off Windows fast boot" dubious boot optimization, lights, metal coolers on the southbridge, tons of additional chips for this and that functionality (because the dozen or so USB ports supplied by the CPU aren't enough) and whatnot. When looking for a SIMPLE mainboard, I feel like I should quit and be happy with my Switch.
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(hardware seems to be on-topic today ... ) I'm in the process of upgrading my gaming PC. I need to upgrade CPU/motherboard/RAM and GPU. I currently have a GigaByte motherboard, so, why not look at what they have now : They have [400+ motherboard available](https://www.gigabyte.com/ca/Motherboard/Ultra-Durable™) Looking at [ASUS](https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/All-Series/), same shit. Same crap for GPU, either AMD or Nvidia. :~
I'd rather be phishing!
Well, the problem may be not so difficult to address... my advice is to start from the CPU and this alone will cut your options by 50%... then think at the features you really need, like wi-fi, USB 3.1, one or two nmve slots, USB-C, RGB lights, and so on... you will quickly reduce your choice to a small bunch of motherboards... If you are upgrading a gaming PC you should already have something in mind...
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Over the years I've bought most of my hardware from newegg, great outfit.
Did a little mechanic work today. Put a rear end in a recliner! JaxCoder.com
Newegg is fine, but you have to be careful of some of the 3rd party stuff that sell through them. Some of those companies are not properly "vetted". Had a few bad experiences where the description doesn't match the item you get...
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(hardware seems to be on-topic today ... ) I'm in the process of upgrading my gaming PC. I need to upgrade CPU/motherboard/RAM and GPU. I currently have a GigaByte motherboard, so, why not look at what they have now : They have [400+ motherboard available](https://www.gigabyte.com/ca/Motherboard/Ultra-Durable™) Looking at [ASUS](https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/All-Series/), same shit. Same crap for GPU, either AMD or Nvidia. :~
I'd rather be phishing!
Try pcpartpicker. Start with the CPU. They can limit your choices to compatible components to go with it. Once you get your list of gotta-haves, like x4 M.2, number of slots, back panel connectors, mobo size, etc., the choices really narrow down. Their list of filters is pretty good.
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frys is pretty good too, as long as you know what you're looking for. I usually find what i want at newegg and then compare with frys
When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.
be careful with Frys. I've managed to acquire gray market stuff from them.
Charlie Gilley "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783 “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
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be careful with Frys. I've managed to acquire gray market stuff from them.
Charlie Gilley "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783 “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
I only buy hardware from them anyway.
hack everything.
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Try pcpartpicker. Start with the CPU. They can limit your choices to compatible components to go with it. Once you get your list of gotta-haves, like x4 M.2, number of slots, back panel connectors, mobo size, etc., the choices really narrow down. Their list of filters is pretty good.
done that and cross-referenced with what was available on newegg.
I'd rather be phishing!
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Over the years I've bought most of my hardware from newegg, great outfit.
Did a little mechanic work today. Put a rear end in a recliner! JaxCoder.com
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done that and cross-referenced with what was available on newegg.
I'd rather be phishing!
I use Microcenter sometimes. Their selection can be thin but they can have some good deals on some parts. If there’s a store in town, that’s a bonus. For that matter, you can get a lot of stuff at BestBuy. I’ve never had a problem with anything I’ve gotten at either place. My experience with NewEgg is spotty.
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Try pcpartpicker. Start with the CPU. They can limit your choices to compatible components to go with it. Once you get your list of gotta-haves, like x4 M.2, number of slots, back panel connectors, mobo size, etc., the choices really narrow down. Their list of filters is pretty good.
Agree, came here to say this. This site is a great resource. Also when ordering consider Microcenter. My last build I found their in-store prices were competitive with mail order, with the advantage of being able to return the same day if anything didn't work. If you don't have one near you, they also do mail order.
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If I may offer a word of advice: Get a main board with a dedicated M.2 form factor SSD connector. :)
the M.2 connector comes with a legacy SATA port that has AHCI mode compatibility. does anyone knows if this SATA port on the M.2 supports IDE mode for hard drives?
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Well, the problem may be not so difficult to address... my advice is to start from the CPU and this alone will cut your options by 50%... then think at the features you really need, like wi-fi, USB 3.1, one or two nmve slots, USB-C, RGB lights, and so on... you will quickly reduce your choice to a small bunch of motherboards... If you are upgrading a gaming PC you should already have something in mind...
good idea, this list may help also.
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the M.2 connector comes with a legacy SATA port that has AHCI mode compatibility. does anyone knows if this SATA port on the M.2 supports IDE mode for hard drives?
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frys is pretty good too, as long as you know what you're looking for. I usually find what i want at newegg and then compare with frys
When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.
Sad news. Frys is close to going out of business. Their shelves are bare and they are closing stores.