Best parts for a 2018 system upgrade ?

Zorachus

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My Brother wants to upgrade his computer, last build he did was back in 2012. He's ready for all new parts, motherboard, Intel cpu, memory, video card, etc...and a curved 4k monitor too.

I've been out of the computer parts scene myself for a long time, so really no clue as to whats what right now as of early 2018.

He didn't win the Lotto, but he also doesn't want cheap budget friendly parts either. He can spend a few bucks on this, but not go insane either.

What would you recommend ?

- Motherboard
- Processor
- Memory
- Sound Card
- Video Card ( maybe wait for the next gen GTX 2080's due in Spring ? )
- SSD
- 4k curved monitor ( something in the 43" or so size )

Thanks.
 
Motherboard: If he isn't overclocking, then there is little to no point in getting the high-tier boards. Just get the more mainstream boards like a $130 Z370 board if you were going with Intel 8th gen.

Processor: Debatable between AMD Ryzen and Intel 8th gen

Memory: Faster ram speeds like DDR4-3000 do show a difference for Ryzen chips.

Sound Card: I wouldn't bother unless he is some extreme audiophile.

Video Card: Get the lube ready if he wants to buy a GPU anytime soon.

SSD: Crucial MX300/MX500 or Samsung 850/860 Evo are my favorite picks. No one in the right mind would see any real world difference. Buy whichever is on sale.

Monitor: Is he gaming with 4k? I would consider stepping it down to 1440p with gysnc.
 
Ok this is what I'm looking for recommendation wise;

- Motherboard in the $200 or less range ( Intel based )
- Intel CPU in the $300 or so range
- DDR4 32GB ( 2 x 16GB )
- SSD 512GB
- GTX - 2070 16GB
- 4K monitor in the 40" size or higher
 
Ok this is what I'm looking for recommendation wise;

- Motherboard in the $200 or less range ( Intel based )
- Intel CPU in the $300 or so range
- DDR4 32GB ( 2 x 16GB )
- SSD 512GB
- GTX - 2070 16GB
- 4K monitor in the 40" size or higher

Why do you think the GTX 2070 will have 16GB? I don't think nvidia will be that generous.
 
hey all ... I'm the "brother" :)

this is great stuff !!! My last build was in 2012 ... so it's definitely high time!

Here's what I need it for:
(1) GAMING ... and yes with a nicer monitor ... maybe even try VR
(2) WORK ... will probably go with Windows 10

So ... just need to know the best (with price in mind) for:
  • Motherboard
  • CPU
  • Memory
  • Internal Drives (ya ... SSD is the best, but are there different 'flavors' of SSD ...?)
  • Graphics Card
  • Power Supply
Thanks !!!
 
Z270 and save a few bucks.

I don't know pretty lucky though..lucked out on Silicon Lottery both of the chips I got are awesomely binned.
gonna start Burning Ryzen away at that clock and shit lol, and you want that lol
 
Z270 and save a few bucks.

I don't know pretty lucky though..lucked out on Silicon Lottery both of the chips I got are awesomely binned.
gonna start Burning Ryzen away at that clock and shit lol, and you want that lol
Unfortunately, the OP will not be able to use the new six-core CPUs on any motherboard that uses that older chipset. This is because although the 7th- and 8th-generation mainstream Intel CPUs use the same physical socket (LGA 1151), the electrical pinout is not compatible between the two. (The i7-8700K will physically fit into the socket of a Z270 motherboard, but the system won't even POST at all. Conversely, an i5-7600K will not work at all on a Z370 motherboard.) And the quad-core CPUs for that older socket still cost almost as much money as their corresponding 6-core replacements, when you factor in the performance of the corresponding CPUs.
 
Unfortunately, the OP will not be able to use the new six-core CPUs on any motherboard that uses that older chipset. This is because although the 7th- and 8th-generation mainstream Intel CPUs use the same physical socket (LGA 1151), the electrical pinout is not compatible between the two. (The i7-8700K will physically fit into the socket of a Z270 motherboard, but the system won't even POST at all. Conversely, an i5-7600K will not work at all on a Z370 motherboard.) And the quad-core CPUs for that older socket still cost almost as much money as their corresponding 6-core replacements, when you factor in the performance of the corresponding CPUs.

That case ground up Z370 then if he really wants the Six-core...what I was gonna do...but I was in bad time frame old shit dieing and tired and didn't want to wait on that all to release.
honestly ok went with it...would of spent more on the cpu mobos still around the same...and it's still higher...prices haven't budged much...

They should of had a six with z270..so I mean it's kinda gay what they did....

Could do an awesome 1700/1800x build...wouldn't dismiss that and should age pretty well.
 
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Just looking at Desktop Memory prices, I am freaking shocked at the crazy high prices right now WTF ?

I was thinking if your building a new Gaming PC today, and plan to have it least for 5 or so years, I'd go with 32GB DDR4 ( 16GB X 2 ), especially if you going to be 4K gaming too. But WOW 32GB is running like $400+ !!!!!!!! Even 16GB ( 8GB x 2 ) is still $200+.

Seems motherboards, cpu's, ssd's, have all stayed around the same prices as years ago, no real change there, heck SSD's have come down in price, and the sizes larger, right now 512GB SSD is pretty affordable. But man the Memory pricing is outrageous.
 
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