It's almost been 4 years since the last time I got a new computer... I guess it's one of those "closing yet another chapter in the Grand Tale of the FGR" things (the last time I got a new computer was right after I had finished TODOA).

1) So here's what I've been looking at:

http://www.jimms.fi/tuote/JIMMS-EPIC-ASTEROID

(Yes, the site's in Moonspeak but you can more or less make out what the components are)

( Except I'd probably change the AMD CPU + mobo with the ones from this one: http://www.jimms.fi/tuote/JIMMS-GAMER-R%26B )

Is it a good build? Anything you'd change?

2) How much would you say my current system's worth?

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15991411/mp3/compluther.txt

kthx

Your current system is probably worth about $300-400 USD right now, if you get the right buyer. In Finlandia, no idea.

A. Get Windows 8.1, according to the site it's free. Yes the UI is annoying, but it has dramatic improvements to performance and even a little more stable.
B. Definitely get the Intel CPU
C. Don't get RAID anything. Not SSD, not HDD. Ideally, just get a plain old 240GB SSD instead. I don't like that they do not specify what SSD it is, some SSDs are much worse than others.
D. If you can afford it, try for a Geforce GTX 770 instead of the 760. The performance jump is pretty significant between the two. The 780 though isn't really worth the extra cost (unless you're pumping multi-monitor gaming).
E. I know Europe's PC equipment is expensive, but goddamn, over $2100 for that?!

Hmm. How about this one with a BluRay drive, 240GB SSD and a 1-2 TB HDD?

http://www.jimms.fi/tuote/JIMMS-GAMER-HEAVY

As for Windows 8.1, any experience with the Stardock Windows 8 Start Button?

That one has only a 120GB SSD, which is pretty damn small. 240+GB are decently priced anymore, and are actually faster.

Also, Windows 8.1 brought the start button back. Windows 8.1 is more like a mix of Windows 7 and 8.

A'ight. At the moment I'm eyeing at this computer build except with this SSD, this GPU, an Intel i5-4670K 3.4GHz CPU and a Z87 mobo. Possibly even throwing in a sound card (or maybe I'll just salvage it from this one).

Any particular reason why RAID is bad?

Shall this receive the Massassi stamp o' approval?

(Of course, it depends on if the store agrees to changing the components. Gonna ask more details from them if/before I buy anything, funny how trying to hand-pick all the parts myself brings the prize a lot higher than I anticipated)

Alternatively, I toyed around with picking up all parts from scratch and came up with:

Generally any store that builds their own machines is going to charge more for individual parts. Also, you don't need Windows Professional, just bog standard Windows.

RAID is really stupid because it doubles the chances of losing data for a performance increase you won't ever make use of. It also complicates formatting the PC and usually costs more.

I see. Yeah, I actually sent them an email on the exact parts they're gonna use (and if I can do the switcharoos I mentioned), here's hoping they'll answer soon.

Glad you switched to an Intel CPU, most people would consider the i7-920 to be superior to the FX-4350 that you were originally looking at.

Yeah, I'm gonna go with the i5 I just mentioned.

So, any opinion on Kingston RAM/SSD? Really mixed reviews on them out there.

Namely:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239045
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104381

Oh, and anyone else think I should go with Windows 8.1? >_>

The ram isn't impressive. Not sure if your just looking on newegg or that's one of the options the finnish site offers but see if they have any CL9 offerings. If that's the best they offer, that's fine the performance difference is negligible anyway.

The SSD does have a pretty good reputation.

'puter

Okay, here's what they're offering me for 1810 €:

* Motherboard: Gigabyte Z87X-OC, LGA1150, Intel Z87, DDR3, ATX
* CPU: Intel Haswell i5-4670K, LGA1150, 3.4GHz, 6MB, Boxed
* GPU: Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 OC REV2.0, Windforce 3X
* RAM: Kingston 8GB, HyperX Black, DDR3 1600MHz, CL10, 1.5V (x 2 = 16 GB)
* Case: Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl ATX
* SSD: Kingston 120GB HyperX 3K SSD, SATA III, 2.5" (x 2 = 240 GB)
* HD: Western Digital 2TB Caviar Green, 3.5", IntelliPower, 64MB, Sata3
* BD/CD/DVD-RW Drive: Asus BW-16D1HT/B, SATA Blu-ray, bulk
* CPU cooler: Noctua NH-U12S
* PSU: Corsair 750W RM-Series ATX, Modular, 80+ Gold
* OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1, 64-bit, FI, DVD, OEM

Sounds good?

(The price also includes extra warranty and building the computer itself. Yes, I'm just that lazy.)

Hmmm well the price seems high to me, but I don't keep tabs on computer hardware pricing in Europe. The 2 x 120gb SSD's seems like an odd choice, not sure what your planning there. I'd recommend using SRT (SSD caching) on the 2TB drive especially since it's the slower green drive, instead of using the SSD in RAID. Not sure if they would configure that for you, but it's not that hard. Also only 8gb of ram? Not that 8gb will hold you back, its only like right now that games are finally being compiled as 64bit apps and starting to use more than 4gb memory. I guess you can always upgrade later if you feel that's an issue in 3 years.

Whoops, the RAM was a double set as well (so 16 GB in total).

Actually, I didn't choose the 2x SSDs, apparently it was a part of the original build... I'll send them an email to just replace it with a 240 GB one.

As for SRT (SSD caching), will it lead into notably improved performance? I'm mostly really planning to store stuff like the OS, MS Office and whatnot on the SSD and use the HD for games, media etc.

Otherwise I'm more or ready to place my order (just sent an email concerning replacing the 2X 120 GB SSDs with a 240 GB one).

Well SRT caching is very difficult to setup with just 1 SSD and still use it for OS, I doubt they would do that for you. So if you change to a 240gb SSD you can pretty much rule out SSD caching. Is it worth it? I think your going to see some long load times using the WD Green for gaming but that's about it, you can always move a few games to the SSD tho.

I see. My current system has a WD Green HD, though ... I guess I'd notice the difference if I changed to a faster one >_> At any rate, I've been very satisfied with it.

All in all, this new rig will still cost about 50 € less than this one.

Thanks for the replies, folks.