The Flying Buffalo

[AFlyingBuffalo]

I'll start off with a bit of backstory; I've enjoyed using and tinkering with computers since I was 12 (currently 15), and that started with my old HP Pavillion, then I worked m way up to a full gaming desktop last year, sold those 2 then built this. I don't regret any parts except the CPU, I can't play games like GTA V and FC4 (yet).

 I chose Mini-ITX because I wanted a smaller form factor to make it easier for transportation to LAN parties and friends houses,  I don't regret any parts except the CPU, but it budget constraints didn't allow me to get anything more so I can't play games like GTA V and FC4 (yet), but it does look pretty nice. My next upgrade will definitely be an i5, then probably an AIO liquid cooler.

 Now for the parts reviews;

 CPU: This CPU is good at what it does, even plays most of my games, but like mentioned above, can't play newer AAA titles because it's only a dual core. Haven't tried OCing yet but will soon.

 MOBO: Great little motherboard, all the ports are in good positions except the HD audio (right behind the PCI-E slot) and it looks great too.

 RAM: Honestly not much to say, cheap, fast, and pretty good looking.

 SSD: This is the first SSD I've owned, so Windows boot compared to my old HDD is SO FAST, I love it.

 GPU: First Nvidia GPU so I was really excited, it's maxed out every game I've played at 1080P with great FPS, but my CPU is holding back the potential of this card. It's nice and small, matches my MOBO, fast, and comes with a lot of goodies! However I didn't get a copy of the Witcher 3 from Memory Express because they ran out. Is there another way I can get a free copy?

 Case: Good looking, SFF, 200MM fan included, all black sleeved front IO connectors, and a top panel window! my only problems with this case were that the instructions were terrible, and one of the standoffs was bent a lot and I had to bend it back.

 PSU: didn't have to pay anything for this because I had it lying around, it's very reliable, semi modular, and quiet. What more could you want? My only gripe is that the 24pin cable is WAY too tough, and it looks bad.

 OS: I had an extra copy so I got it for free, and it's better than Windows 8...

 Overall I love this new PC, having this SFF case is fantastic, but the CPU is holding it back. I feel like I made good decisions when it came to the parts with my budget and the store i was shopping at.

Sorry for the huge pictures...

[wyattzx]

Aw.. You're running a really nice-looking GTX 980.. and then BAM! SSDNow V300. It's like opening up the hood to an old Plymouth Barracuda and finding a Chevy Small Block inside.. 

[arnavvr]

Aw.. You're running a really nice-looking GTX 980.. and then BAM! SSDNow V300. It's like opening up the hood to an old Plymouth Barracuda and finding a Chevy Small Block inside.. 

 

It's a 960.

[wyattzx]

It's a 960.

HA! It looked like an 8 to me. I knew something seemed up. 

[Equilibrium_FOOL]

Aw.. You're running a really nice-looking GTX 980.. and then BAM! SSDNow V300. It's like opening up the hood to an old Plymouth Barracuda and finding a Chevy Small Block inside.. 

He could have got lucky and received the first edition V300 like I did.

[wyattzx]

He could have got lucky and received the first edition V300 like I did.

Yeah. I wouldn't want to play luck of the draw with SSDs though. We already have the silicon lottery. No sense purposefully putting ourselves at a potential disadvantage, when you don't actually benefit at all. an 850 EVO can be had for the same price as the V300s. 

[Equilibrium_FOOL]

Yeah. I wouldn't want to play luck of the draw with SSDs though. We already have the silicon lottery. No sense purposefully putting ourselves at a potential disadvantage, when you don't actually benefit at all. an 850 EVO can be had for the same price as the V300s. 

I completely agree with you, what Kingston did was wrong.  I bought mine before I knew about that, thankfully I got lucky.

[GhostWindGamer]

I completely agree with you, what Kingston did was wrong.  I bought mine before I knew about that, thankfully I got lucky.

What's wrong with the V300?

[Equilibrium_FOOL]

What's wrong with the V300?

Kingston released the first batch with really good specs, then cut them down after the reviews and feedback were in.  The new(er) ones are trash, very slow and I think even unreliable.

[GhostWindGamer]

Kingston released the first batch with really good specs, then cut them down after the reviews and feedback were in.  The new(er) ones are trash, very slow and I think even unreliable.

Have they fixed that or are they still making them shit?

[Equilibrium_FOOL]

Have they fixed that or are they still making them shit?

I'm not entirely sure.  I heard that they were changing the controller, thus fixing the self created problem.

[AFlyingBuffalo]

Kingston released the first batch with really good specs, then cut them down after the reviews and feedback were in.  The new(er) ones are trash, very slow and I think even unreliable.

Mine is really fast and nothing weird has happened. The 850 is SUPER expensive here for some reason.

[GhostWindGamer]

I'm not entirely sure.  I heard that they were changing the controller, thus fixing the self created problem.

I hope so I just bought one yesterday

[AFlyingBuffalo]

Aw.. You're running a really nice-looking GTX 980.. and then BAM! SSDNow V300. It's like opening up the hood to an old Plymouth Barracuda and finding a Chevy Small Block inside.. 

Now that I look at it to does look like an 8, dumb camera.