Tower PC misguided buying rant[s]

21 January 2022

Background

more than usual, buying now sucks [click for details]

Some years, it may not matter whether a new PC has the latest processor.
2022 is NOT one of those years.

• Apple has bailed on Intel processors
• 12th gen Intel processors are usefully more powerful/price than 10th, 11th or AMD
  • but no longer support Blu-ray disk playback</ul>
  • Component price scalping puts DIY at a cost disadvantage
  • Even arguably reputable PC reviewers recommend PCs built with proprietary components
    • techradar.com's top 2022 pick is obsolete
    • similarly for tomshardware.com</ul>
    • "Desktop" is meaningless for PCs
      • many are all-in-ones, AKA laptops with delusions of grandeur</ul>
      • "Gaming PC" includes laptops; "Gaming desktop" excludes some potentially superior alternatives
        • e.g. Dell XPS 5950, but optional liquid CPU cooler is lame.. </ul>
        • Z690: DDR4 is quickly becoming obsolete; DDR5 is being scalped.
        • Gamers Nexus may be relatively credible and current, but information density is low</ul> </details> ### [Tom's GPU ranking](https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html) ### Not all major vendors offer 12G Intel; these currently do * Dell and Alienware - [DDR5 at DDR4 price? ($2880)](https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/pdr/xps-8950-desktop/cto8950w11padl4?selectionState=eyJPQyI6ImN0bzg5NTB3MTFwYWRsNCIsIk1vZHMiOlt7IklkIjo2LCJPcHRzIjpbeyJJZCI6IkdORzE5N0QifV19LHsiSWQiOjgsIk9wdHMiOlt7IklkIjoiRzlBWUVWUCJ9XX0seyJJZCI6MTE2LCJPcHRzIjpbeyJJZCI6IkdGVkdMMlcifV19XSwiVGkiOiIiLCJEaSI6IiJ9&cartItemId=) * HP - [12700K + RTX 3080 Ti $3440](https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/ConfigureView?langId=-1&storeId=10151&catEntryId=3074457345620106819&configId=3K1G5AV_100021&a=1&jumpid=cs_con_nc_ns&utm_medium=cs&utm_source=ga&utm_campaign=HP-Store_US_All_PS_All_Hgm_OPEX_Google_ALL_Smart-PLA_PCs&utm_content=sp&adid=535232761907&addisttype=u&3K1G5AV_100021&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=13987943907&cq_con=130783845331&cq_term=&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=u&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&gclid=CjwKCAiA0KmPBhBqEiwAJqKK4z4-K844nSTvpGWhsBUf7fb8qRZ0R9NZobebRv0jbKzvuthAXh8xGxoCf-wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) * [iBUYPOWER](https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ibuypower-intel-12700k-nvidia-rtx-3070) - [ADATA XPG white 12700KF, 4x8GB DDR4-3600, RTX 3080, 1TB NVMe Gen 4 $2992](https://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Intel-12th-Gen-Z690-i7-DDR4-Gaming) * [CyberPowerPC](https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/IEM-Champion) IEM Champion - 12700K + RTX 3080 + DEEPCOOL 240EX + 1000W 80+ Gold + MSI PRO Z690-A ATX with a white high airflow case for $2528. *Gaming PCs > Intel 12th > Intel Core I7 > GeForece RTX 3080 > IEM Champion > Customize* ### Bottom Line * Pick CPU and GPU first - but no vendor supports this, most force case selection, then limit CPUs or GPUs allowed * Few if any builders offer CPU air coolers - perhaps to avoid issues with motherboard and DRAM interference - liquid coolers are more liable to problems - iBUYPOWER seems to allow selecting liquid coolers (e.g. 280mm) that would not fit e.g. [ADATA XPG Invader case](https://www.adata.com/us/xpg/638) which has 170mm CPU air cooler clearance #### [CPU air coolers sorted by height](https://www.xtremegaminerd.com/cpu-coolers-by-height) - [Cooler Master MasterAir MA624 Stealth](https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/cpu-air-coolers/masterair-ma624-stealth) is 165.1mm high, [rated highly by tomshardware.com](https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-cpu-coolers,4181.html) - [Noctua NH-D15](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L7UZMAK) w/140mm fans  ### Ranking the rankers: custom PC builders by reviewers who seemingly have not actually use them - [techguided](https://techguided.com/best-custom-pc-builders) ranks iBuyPower first, citing *affordable* and seemingly ignoring customer support and quality issues. - [xidax](https://www.xidax.com/desktops) was rated second, but is another that wants users to waste time guessing which models offer what CPUs and GPUs Hint: X-6 and lower do NOT support Z690 They still offer a BD-RW drive, which as noted above is NOT supported by 12G Intel CPUs Their X-6i Edge Light white case seeming supports 360mm coolers - [BLD ny NZXT](https://nzxt.com/build/fa1e4fe3-75cc-40c3-843b-55efc741b3fd) appears to be stuck on 11G Intel with H510 chipset - [Origin](https://www.originpc.com/gaming/desktops) has a compare option and seemingly allowed full CPU and GPU choices in their second-cheapest line, but restricted Intel choices to 11G once selected. - [Maingear VYBE](https://maingear.com/product/maingear-vybe-custom-q4-2021/) custom selection was fairly easy, but limited to a black case @ $2995. - Digital Storm allows CPU and GPU in any case, but opaque DRAM configuration option, e.g. 1x32 vs 2x16 vs 4x8GB About 10% more ($3300 vs $3000) for comparable configuration - [**CyberPowerPC**](https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/IEM-Champion) has quick selection of CPU and GPU in left column with a white high airflow case for $2528. Easy config with great (IMO) choices. - [AVA Direct](https://www.avadirect.com/12th-Gen-Intel-Core-processors-Z690-Chipset-Custom-Gaming-PC/Configure/14666090) selection seems clunky, but offers DH-15 Noctua cooling option, at a considerable premium ($144) Comparable system cost about $3650. Configurator warns of incompatibilities; trying to change the case after selecting internals **failed badly**. - [The TECHLOUNGE](https://www.thetechlounge.com/best-custom-pc-builders) adds a few others - [Puget Systems](https://www.pugetsystems.com/nav/core) sorts first by CPU Limited, but OK, configuration options with $4253 cost Black cases only. - [Velocity Micro](https://www.velocitymicro.com/wizard.php?iid=2) similar to Puget Limited, but OK, configuration options with $4150 cost, black case only.. - Alienware?? ##### CyberpowerPC Eclipse P418R DRGB ATX Mid-Tower High Air Flow Gaming Case + 3x 120mm ARGB Fans (White Color)  Features: - Fully Equipped with Magnetic Dust Filter - Long GPU Support (380mm/15in) - Full Size PSU support - Equipped with 1x Phanteks 120mm Fans - Front I/O (2x USB 3.0, Headphone, Mic, D-RGB LED SW) - Integrated D-RGB Illumination modes + sync with D-RGB (addressable) motherboards/Phanteks D-RGB products - Optimized high-airflow design - 2x Front Loaded 3.5" HDD - Supports up to 240mm radiator in Front, up to 240mm radiator in the Top. - 3x SSD mounting location (2x bracket included) Case Specifications: - Dimension: 200 mm x 450 mm x 455 mm / 7.8 in x 17.7 in x 17.9 in (WxHxD) - Form Factor: Mid Tower - Material(s): Steel Chassis, Tempered Glass - Motherboard: Support ATX, uATX, mITX, (E-ATX* - up to 285mm wide) - Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0, Mic, Headphone, D-RGB LED SW - Side Window: Yes, Tempered Glass Expansion & Drive Bays - Expansion: slots 7 - Internal 3.5": 2 (2x included) - Internal 2.5": 3 (2x included) 120mm fan - Front: 2x (2x pre-installed) - Top: 1x - Rear: 1x (1x pre-installed) 140mm fan - Front: 2x - Top: 2x 120mm radiator - Front: Up to 240 - Top: 120/240 140mm radiator - Front: Up to 280 Clearances - Graphic card: 380 mm / 15 in - CPU cooler: 160 mm / 6.3 in - Cable management: 36 mm / 1.4 in - PSU (including cable): 250 mm / 9.8 in Package Dimension: 508 x 282 x 531mm / 20 x 11.1 x 20.9in (WxHxD) Net Weight: 6.4 kg / 14.1 lbs Gross Weight: 7.6 kg / 16.8 lbs