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PC Components: Difference between revisions

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==Monitors==
==Monitors==
Go IPS or VA every time. If you're really rich, you can go OLED.   
Go IPS every time. If you're really rich, you can go OLED.   
I prefer 4K over 120 Hz but if you can find a good deal on QHD 120 Hz that's good too.   
I prefer 4K over 120 Hz but if you can find a good deal on QHD 120 Hz that's good too.   
Note that some lower-end GPUS and adapters won't be able to output 4k60.
Note that some lower-end GPUS and adapters won't be able to output 4k60.
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Typically go with Arctic P12/P14 or Noctua fans.
Typically go with Arctic P12/P14 or Noctua fans.


With most motherboards, you can buy 1500-2000 RPM fans and tune down in the UEFI/BIOS.<br>
You can buy 1500-2000 RPM PWM fans and tune down in the UEFI/BIOS.<br>
Typically, several slower fans (600-800 rpm) is quieter than fewer faster fans.
Typically, several slower fans (600-800 rpm) is quieter than fewer faster fans.
Try to get PWM fans instead of 3-pin fans. They allow a wider fan speed range.
 
For 3-pin fans, the range of fan speeds is typically much smaller. So try to get fans closer to 1000 rpm if you're going with DC fans.


===Motherboards===
===Motherboards===
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There are VRM tier lists for most motherboard chipsets.   
There are VRM tier lists for most motherboard chipsets.   
[https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1137619-motherboard-vrm-tier-list-v2-currently-amd-only/ Here] is one for AMD.
[https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1137619-motherboard-vrm-tier-list-v2-currently-amd-only/ Here] is one for AMD.
The primary difference between expensive and moderately priced boards are the number of x8 PCIe slots.<br>
Both Ryzen and Intel consumer CPUs only have x16 dedicated for PCIe and x4 for M.2. Other lanes are shared with the chipset. 
Sometimes, you can tell which boards support 8x/8x by seeing if they two 16x slots with metal shields (for GPUs). 
Other boards will only support 4x on the secondary 16x slots going through the chipset.


===Power Supplies===
===Power Supplies===
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Corsair AX/HX/RMx, EVGA Plat/Gold, and Seasonic PSUs tend to be good choices.
Corsair AX/HX/RMx, EVGA Plat/Gold, and Seasonic PSUs tend to be good choices.


In general, these will come with a 10 year warranty and 80+ Gold efficiencyor better.
In general, these will come with a 10 year warranty and 80+ Gold or better efficiency.
If you can find a sale, 80+ Platinum power supplies are even better (e.g. Corsair HX or AX).   
If you can find a sale, 80+ Platinum power supplies are even better (e.g. Corsair HX).   
Most expensive PSUs will keep the fan off when load is under 40% so try to aim for a high-wattage PSU.
Most expensive PSUs will keep the fan off when load is under 40% so try to aim for a high-wattage PSU.
Furthermore, higher wattage will be better against GPU spikes.
Furthermore, higher wattage will be better against GPU spikes.
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Sometimes, XMP speeds can be good with a small amount of ram but will fail with more ram due to a week memory controller, particularly on earlier Ryzen CPUs.
Sometimes, XMP speeds can be good with a small amount of ram but will fail with more ram due to a week memory controller, particularly on earlier Ryzen CPUs.


For XMP overclocked ram, it's best not to mix ram models. Otherwise, downclock to the lowest common specs.<br>
For XMP overclocked ram, it's best not to mix ram models.<br>
For JEDEC stock ram, it's usually okay to mix models as long as both have the same specs.
For JEDEC stock ram, it's usually okay to mix models as long as both have the same specs.


In general, you want the highest MHz and the smallest CAS latency.<br>
In general, you want the highest MHz and the smallest CAS latency.<br>
For Ryzen 3000/5000 and Intel 8/9th gen, '''only up to DDR4-3200 is officially supported'''.<br>
For Ryzen 3000/5000 and Intel 8-12th gen, '''only up to DDR4-3200 is officially supported'''.<br>
For most applications, DDR4 memory speeds have diminishing returns above 3000 MHz so don't spend too much extra.
For most applications, DDR4 memory speeds have diminishing returns above 3000 MHz so don't spend too much extra.


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Things I prefer to buy new:
Things I prefer to buy new:
* Cases
* Cases - to make sure you get all the screws
* Motherboards
* Motherboards - to make sure you get accessories like the IO shield
* SSDs and HDDs
* SSDs and HDDs
* PSUs


If it's part of an entire build, the above used parts are fine to leave in.   
If it's part of an entire build, the above used parts are fine to leave in.   
Used motherboards are okay if part of a bundle, i.e. with CPU and cooler. Just make sure there are no broken pins.
Used motherboards are okay if part of a bundle, i.e. with CPU and cooler. Just make sure there are no broken pins.
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