Posts by rustymarlin20

Hey guys, quick question—any idea what kind of cash I could grab for an Intel Core i5-7600 paired with an Asus Prime Z270P motherboard? Trying to figure out if it's worth my time. Thanks a ton for any help!

Thanks so much

So, I'm thinking about ditching my desktop rig and finally grabbing a laptop. The problem is, I have zero clue what this stuff is actually worth on the used market right now, so I could really use some help from you guys.

Case—MS Winston, basically brand new
Power supply—Seasonic 620w modular, still under warranty, about 1.5 years old
Motherboard—ASUS ROG motherboard
CPU—Intel Core i5 with a Spire Kepler rev. 2 aftermarket cooler
GPU—PowerColor R9 380 with 4GB VRAM, roughly 2 years old
RAM—2x4GB DDR3 1866 MHz Samsung EVO SSD
Storage—120GB Patriot Blaze SSD plus a fresh 500GB HDD
Monitor—Dell UltraSharp Monitor 22-inch

So, I’m thinking about ditching my desktop setup and finally grabbing a laptop. Since I’m pretty much clueless when it comes to what used parts actually go for these days, I could really use some help from you guys.

Case—MS Winston, basically brand new
PSU—Seasonic 620w modular, still under warranty, about 1.5 years old
Motherboard—ASUS M5A97 Rev
CPU—AMD FX-6300 with a Spire Kepler Rev. 2 aftermarket cooler
GPU—PowerColor R9 380 with 4GB VRAM, about 2 years old
RAM—2x4GB DDR3 1866 MHz Kingston Fury Storage
Storage—120GB Kingston Blaze SSD plus a fresh 500GB HDD
Monitor—NEC V221W 22 inch

The rig is in mint condition, honestly. I’ve kept it super clean, never even touched overclocking, and most of you probably know these parts inside out, so you know exactly what they can handle. If possible, if I sell this for the price I'm looking at, maybe you could suggest a laptop I could pick up with that cash? I’d be willing to cough up an extra $167 to make the jump to a laptop happen.

So, a few days back I was asking around about which way to go—grabbing an RX 470 with either 4 or 8 gigs, or just going for the RX 480 with 4 gigs.
Well, I’m checking in today feeling pretty proud because I scraped together a little extra cash and finally pulled the trigger on this beauty.
It should be arriving tomorrow. Man, I really hope I didn't totally screw myself over here.

I’m looking at GPUs with a budget of around $300, and I’m totally stuck between an RX 570 with either 4 or 8GB of VRAM versus an RX 580 with 4GB (honestly, the 8GB version of the 580 is way out of my price range right now). I usually play at 1080p, so I was leaning toward the RX 570, but if I go for the 8GB model, I’m basically right back in the territory of the RX 580 4GB. Help! My head is actually going to explode.

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone could help me out with some price estimates for this pile of parts:
CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE, 3.2 GHz
AMD Athlon ii x2 250, 3 GHz
AMD Athlon 64 x2 4200+
Motherboards:
ASUS M4A77 TD
Asrock N68C-UCC
GPUs:
Sapphire R7 250 1 GB GDDR5
Point of View 8400 GS, 512 MB DDR3
Gigabyte GV-N62256DP2-RH, 256 MB DDR2 SDRAM, AGP
RAM:
Kingmax 2 GB 1333 MHz
Adata 4 GB 1333 MHz
Kingmax 1 GB 800 MHz DDR2
Kingmax 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR2 x2
PSUs:
MSI "400" Watt

So, I grabbed an NVIDIA RTX 4060 power supply about 8 or 9 months back. The GPU is all hooked up now and it's absolutely crushing Fallout 4 on Ultra settings. It’s running off those two 6-pin connectors this unit provides—it's got the 2x 6/8 pin setup. Thanks a ton for the help, guys! 👍

Sweet, means I don't have to part with my beloved Corsair power supply. Thanks a million, you guys!

Alexander Moore67 said:As long as that power supply isn't acting wonky, you should be fine, but definitely watch out if it's been sitting in your rig for more than 5 or 6 years.

Thanks, man!

So my girlfriend’s running this little setup with an EVGA 450 W unit, an AMD FX-6300, an SSD, and a standard 7200 RPM hard drive. Her motherboard is an ASUS M5A97 Rev2. I just picked up her a PowerColor R9 380 4GB, but now I'm sweating a bit. Looking at the online calculators, it seems like she might be right on the edge of what that power supply can handle. Should I let her risk it, or should I just be a good guy and hand over my 520W Corsair?

darkowl72 said:I’m scrolling back through this thread again just to see what the hell I actually wrote... and man, something totally jumped out at me.

So they charge extra for an extended warranty, but then they don't even handle the repairs themselves? They just toss you off to some third-party repair shop instead? I’m honestly lost... how does that even work?

Man, you ever have that moment where you drop an extra $300 just to bump up a laptop's warranty from one year to... well, more? Total facepalm move right there. I feel like I did that once and honestly, my bank account still hasn't forgiven me. Just pure buyer's remorse hitting you all at once.$133 Another year to go. As for that second part, from what I can tell, you basically have to track down an authorized service center and ship them the broken component. Honestly, it feels like once they make the sale, they just wash their hands of the whole thing.

So, here’s what they’re claiming regarding their warranty. I might have totally misread the fine print, but here’s my take on how this actually works.
Look, just a heads-up—DigitalOcean isn't exactly promising that everything you buy from them is going to run perfectly 24/7 without any hiccups.
Look, just a heads-up on these products—there’s honestly not a ton of info provided upfront. They’re basically designed for standard office setups or just hanging out at home. That means the ball is entirely in your court to make sure everything actually runs smoothly. You've gotta handle the heavy lifting yourself: making sure you've got the right power supply, keeping things ventilated so they don't overheat, staying on top of the dust, and watching the temperature and humidity levels. And please, for the love of god, don't try to DIY a complex install if you aren't sure what you're doing—get a pro to set it up!
So, here's the deal with the warranty service: we actually run our own logistics through DigitalOcean. It’s super convenient, honestly. If you need to send something in for repairs, our own courier will swing by your place for free, grab the gear, and haul it off to get fixed. Then, once everything is good to go and the product is back in working order, they'll drop it right back at your doorstep—totally free of charge. No hassle, no extra fees, just easy.
Look, just a heads-up on how this works: if your gear has a manufacturer's warranty, once those first three business days pass, you can't use the warranty courier anymore. You're basically on your own to deal directly with the manufacturer's service department. This usually applies to stuff like monitors, printers, laptops, and that kind of thing. When you're shipping a busted device back to them, don't forget—seriously, don't forget—to include both the actual manufacturer's warranty info and a copy of your receipt. If you need more details, you can always check out... contact@apple.com

darkowl72 said:Arrogance... Look, maybe a little, maybe unintentional, and coming from someone who actually knows their stuff... But that's no excuse. I hate arrogance too. I'm really sorry if it came off that way, seriously, that wasn't my intention at all...

People come here looking for advice. And we try our best to give them the good stuff. We're out here giving away our time and experience for free. I never said you were Canadian (and hey, no hate there, Canadians are fine as long as they aren't clogging up the border, and I think Canadian women are great 😬) and I didn't say i-phone was bad—you can tell that if you actually read what I wrote.

But I can't just leave your post sitting there where you're hyping up i-phone like it's the greatest thing ever and spreading wrong info about returns and warranties. If I left it, it would look like I agree with you—and I totally don't. I also mentioned that everything has its target audience, so yeah, i-phone will probably find its people, but I doubt there'll be many once you factor in shipping costs, a measly 2-3 day warranty after delivery, and then having to rely on the manufacturer's warranty after that... Those terms basically fly in the face of US consumer protection laws.

I won't even get into pricing, but there are rules about how goods move within the US, including quotas. You saw something similar recently over at Amazon (I think!), where they had killer prices because they were dodging tax, but the second they hit their legal limit, the prices jumped right back up by the tax amount. It worked while it worked. But you gotta follow the law. And honestly, i-phone didn't even go that far to lure people in...

Look, I'm sorry if I offended you. I just couldn't shake the feeling that you were looking down on me, even though you've been giving me advice for 5 or 6 years now—back when I was using an old handle I can't even remember anymore. I'm not hyping up i-phone at all, I was just trying to get some info. I don't know much, I'm just asking around everywhere. Everything I read on other forums from people who actually use them, I just wanted to bring here for everyone else searching for answers. If I got the facts wrong, then my bad, I'm apologizing to everyone. Most of us with less experience rely on your expertise so we don't blow our hard-earned cash on junk. That's why we're here. It's not like I don't know anything about PCs, but just like going to a doctor, a second opinion is always helpful. Again, sorry man.
👍

William Richardson12 said:Nah, looks like you just don't know what's going on here. Either you don't care about protecting your own rights, or you're just too lazy to deal with all the legal headaches, inspections, and filing complaints. And honestly? Attacking someone who actually worked their way up to being a moderator on this subforum is... how should I put this? It’s just childish.

Just go ahead and point out exactly where I was being insulting, then maybe I'll finally get the picture.

analogtiger19 said:I skipped over that case on purpose since the front is black—figured that might bug you out.😬

Anyway, who knows who'll still be around by Christmas... the dollar might go crazy again, and who knows if parts will even be in stock. Honestly, your best bet is just asking again like 3-5 days before you actually pull the trigger. 😉

I totally get what you mean, but man, this big kid over here can't wait. I'm 30 years old and I still haven't mastered the art of being patient. I actually dig the case because the color scheme matches my monitor perfectly (all black and white, which is why I was eyeing that MSI motherboard in the first place).
thanks man.

darkowl72 said:And now we get to the meat of it...

So apparently I’m just some stereotypical Canadian guy, which is hilarious. But hey, if that's what you want to believe, fine by me.
Look, yeah, I'm young, I've got three different bank accounts,
and pretty much everything I buy comes online. Sure, I grab the basic household stuff—you know, cleaning supplies, booze, feminine hygiene products, Palmolive shampoo, whatever—down at the local Walmart, but when I'm looking at high-end PC components? If there's a chance to save a decent chunk of change, I'm taking it. I don't have firsthand experience with those specific shops yet, so I was just asking around. Honestly, if you're actually offended by me trying to save money, then sorry, I can't help you. That kind of attitude is on you. Based on how little you actually post here on this forum, maybe instead of being a jerk, you could actually share some useful advice. I'd honestly take it seriously and say thanks.

The Internship

analogtiger19 said:This would be the cheapest way to go:

So, I finally snagged some Crucial DDR4 memory—specifically that 8GB 1866MHz kit in the white HyperX Fury style. Honestly, my setup was looking pretty pathetic lately, just crawling along while I tried to get anything done. It’s funny how much a little extra breathing room for your system can change the vibe, you know? Everything feels just a notch smoother now. Not a genius tech wiz by any means, but hey, a win is a win!
So, I've been staring at this Intel Core i5 and honestly? My brain is kind of melting. Just trying to wrap my head around all these specs. It’s a lot, man. Seriously.
So, I finally picked up this SanDisk 120GB SSD—it’s that Samsung EVO 870 style setup, a 2.5" SATA 3.0 drive. Honestly, just feeling pretty stoked about it.
So, I've got my hands on this ASUS Prime motherboard. It’s running an LGA 1151 socket and supports USB 3.0, which is honestly a lifesaver. Just a solid little board for whatever build you're putting together!
So I finally pulled the trigger on this Zalman mid tower case in white—the ZAL-R1 WHITE. Honestly? It’s such a vibe. Just looking at it makes me feel like my setup might actually belong in this decade instead of a dusty basement from 2005. Super stoked about this one!

$913 Amazon.com

This would definitely be the "premium" version:

So, I finally tracked down some Crucial DDR4 memory. Specifically, this 8GB 1866MHz stick from the HyperX Fury White Series. Honestly, my setup was looking a little sad, and I just needed that extra kick to keep things running smooth. It’s a solid little module—white finish looks pretty slick, too. If you're looking to spruce up an older rig, this might be just the thing!
Man, I'm looking at this Intel Core i9 and just... wow. It's a beast. Truly.
So, I finally grabbed this SanDisk 120GB SSD—it’s that Samsung EVO 870 style setup. Honestly, my old drive was basically a fossil, so I'm pretty stoked to see if this actually speeds things up or if I'm just dreaming. Fingers crossed!
So, I've been messing around with this Gigabyte Aorus motherboard lately. Honestly, it's a bit of a trip. Just one of those pieces that makes you rethink your whole setup.
So, I picked up this Zalman mid tower case in white—the ZAL-R1 WHITE—from Amazon.com. Honestly, it’s a looker. It’s clean, it’s sleek, and it actually makes my desk setup look like I have my life together for once!

$997 Amazon.com

Honestly, I’m totally vibing with this case way more. Check this out! I just stumbled upon this Zalman mid-tower case on Amazon.com and man, that white finish looks absolutely killer. It’s got such a clean vibe, right? I was browsing around looking for something to house my next build, and honestly, this caught my eye immediately. It looks sleek enough for a modern setup but still feels solid. Might have to pull the trigger on this if I can find a good deal. What do you guys think? Is the white aesthetic too much, or should I go for it? I'm still weighing my options for the rest of the build, honestly. I just picked up an Intel Core i5 recently and she’s actually pretty happy with it, which is a win. I'm torn on whether I should go for the Intel Core i9 next. The price gap isn't even that massive, so I don't know... I need to sit on this for a bit. I'm not in any huge rush, but I really want to map out all my moves. Plus, I'm planning to pull the trigger around Christmas, so I'm holding out for those holiday deals. I also still need to grab... $667 Man, my girlfriend’s temper is actually more lethal than my hardware. Seriously, she’s killing me faster than my components ever could! Go ahead, laugh—you have to laugh when you're dealing with someone who leaks drama like a faulty PSU. Honestly though, I’d rather deal with her than the guys out there who have to spend a fortune on flowers just to get through a dinner date or drop piles of cash on gold just to keep things smooth. What a headache. 🤣

So, my current setup is basically just some budget case I scraped together, an Intel Core i5, an MSI MAG B450 motherboard, about 5 gigs of DDR2 (it's a total mess, honestly), an NVIDIA GeForce GTX with 1GB of GDDR5, and a 520W Seasonic PSU. Anyway, I'm itching to upgrade. I really want a new case—gotta be white, obviously—and I was looking at a new motherboard. I thought about grabbing an MSI
, but then I saw everyone online trashing it, so I backed off. I'm also planning to pick up an Intel Core i5, a SanDisk 120 SSD, and 8GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro RAM (must be white!). I'm gonna leave the GPU alone for now. If anyone could drop some advice or recommendations, I'd seriously appreciate it. I should have everything ready by $933 and might even be able to swing by $1000. Thanks in advance
!
P.S. I already have an aftermarket cooler, so I won't be wasting money on that.

So, I did a little digging, and from what I can tell, the gear arrives pretty reliably. The only real hiccup is they occasionally mix up orders and send the wrong thing, but they’re super chill about swaps as long as you send the original back. Regarding the warranty situation—which everyone seems to be asking about—here’s the deal: if you order from them directly, they give you a three-day window of their own internal guarantee. If they ship you a dud, you can swap it out right then and there. Now, the actual product itself comes with a standard two-year manufacturer's warranty. But heads up—that’s on the factory, not the shop. If a part dies on you later, you’ve gotta track down an authorized service center yourself. It’s kind of like when my buddy’s RAM fried after just two months from Best Buy; he couldn't just hand it back to the store, he had to deal with the official repair center directly. So yeah, you can't just dump the problem back on the retailer; you’re on your own to go fight those battles. Shipping usually takes about three days and isn't too bad—I think it's around $17 for delivery within the US. You can technically buy their extended protection plan, but honestly, it bumps the price up so much that it kind of defeats the purpose of buying from them in the first place. Also, if you grab something and it just doesn't work for you, you can return it for a full refund. I'll let you guys know if I dig up anything else.

darkowl72 said:Look, whether they're being rude about it or not, you aren't gonna find any fresh info that hasn't already been chewed over on the Reddit threads or some old PC hardware forum... You want a third opinion? 😬I mean, I haven't heard of anyone from those communities actually pulling the trigger and buying it, otherwise word would've gotten out by now...

thanks