OK let's use your example. Hang on, this is going to be a long read.

THE BUILD THINKING PROCESS: Have realistic goals for your budget and build the highest resolution to fps ratio you can get for the money with a target of 60fps minimum for at least 75% of the time.

When I make a build I almost always include an adaptive sync monitor (freesync/gsync) in the budget because of exactly your scenario.

When enabled, the average person CANNOT distinguish in the middle of a fight between 130 and 144fps. Now you're going to get that super APM Korean here who will claim they can but on average most people cannot consistently distinguish above even 120hz....Linus tech tips and a bunch of other respected tech youtubers have fleshed this out ad nauseum.

With this in mind, adaptive sync alone can often mitigate loss of frames vs what you actually notice when playing, thus slightly future proofing your needs to upgrade immediately on a new hardware cycle.

When a friend, family member or colleague asks for a pc build the following questions come into play:

1. What specific games or genre of games will you be playing?
   
   
2. I explain to them what adaptive sync is and usually Show them this video. I also tell them I try to target them at 60fps on average as most people CAN notice below 60fps. At my house I have 1080p 75hz, 1440p 144hz/165hz and Ultrawide 3440x1440p at 120hz set ups for me and my own family and explaining to them these are $1100+, $2000+ and $3500+ builds and let them play with them. I also have built budget builds sub $600 but explain that there won't be an adaptive sync monitor in the build.
   
   
3. Then I ask what's their top dollar budget before tax using roughly $1k, $2k and $3.5k increments and tell them what resolution and refresh rate they are buying into so they have upfront expectations of the best case scenario for frames. I also clearly explain that there will be variable fps depending on what is going on in the game and how graphics intensive it is.
   
   In addition, I also explain the difference in most games between med, high and ultra settings and what things you could turn off to increase frames and not notice much difference in overall gameplay (e.g. Turn off Hairworks, Reduce shadows appropriately, at higher resolutions there is little need for higher AA, etc.)
   
   NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT UPGRADE PATH:
   
   According to most recent Steam Hardware Survey the vast majority of gamers are rocking 1050ti/1060 level of cards. These are 1080p medium to high settings cards that can deliver 30-120+ fps depending on game.
   
   I tell them there is ZERO need to upgrade even when new hardware comes out IF you are happy with the current FPS of games you are playing. Seriously. Who gives a shit if all they want to play are esports titles like DOTA, LOL, Overwatch, Rocket League, Fortnite, etc and are getting 60fps+ and frankly typically 100+fps in those titles with those GPUs. Why bother upgrading a 3-5 year old system at all if your gaming experience is good and you are pleased with the current results.
   
   When to upgrade then? When a game comes out that you know you want to play outperforms your current setup and you are willing to pay to meet the performance bar. Depending on title, this MOST of the time doesn't even require anything more than a GPU upgrade if they already have a solid CPU and RAM config.
   
   I'll give you the perfect example. I had a colleague who was playing mostly esports titles with a 1060ti rocking a i5 4690k with 16GBs of DDR3 but now wanted to start playing more graphic intensive games such as Witcher 3 and Monster Hunter World PC at 60fps+ and he thought he had to buy an entire new computer and came to me. He currently has a 144hz 1080p IPS gsync monitor. I said no way man. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water. His rig specific for gaming is still quite playable in most titles. I asked him if he was happy to keep his current playing resolution (1080p gsync) or if MIGHT consider going 1440p in the near future. He said he was sure he wanted to stay at 1080p for now. I suggested he just upgrade to a 2060 for $350ish bucks. He ended up getting a 2060 for a little over $350 and is extremely happy with this upgrade path. Here he thought he was going to have to spend $1500+ and was perfectly happy with the $350 upgrade.
   
   THE BUILD ITSELF:
   
   I take my sweet ass time and tell them it will take at least a week before I'm done building when all parts arrive (even though I can knock out most builds in a few hours) so I have no rush on myself as I build PC's for a relaxing hobby and not a job. Some people build legos or models. I like building PC's.
   
   Long read. I hope it helps save you some money and make a more informed PC building decision.

Most of the monitors here are free sync and I would say have good implementations however I will include a Gsync category.

​

I would not recommend 4k for the 2080. It would be able to run games around 60 fps at 4k however refresh rate will make things more enjoyable. Also, 4k high refresh rate monitors are currently very expensive.

​

Good value companies to look at:

Viotek

Pixio (Did not list since availability issues but worth looking at)

Nixeus

​

More established companies to look at:

Acer

Asus

Samsung

LG

Gigabyte (They have one monitor on the market)

​

​

TL;DR of VA vs IPS

IPS has slightly better viewing angles than VA.

IPS has slightly better colors VA.

IPS has better response time than VA.

However, VA does not have defects like IPS glow and much better contrast, so much better blacks and such.

​

TL;DR of TN vs IPS

IPS has much better viewing angles than TN. TN will color shift if looked at straight on.

IPS has much better colors than TN.

TN has the best response rate.

TN is basically worse in every way than VA and IPS except for response time.

​

​

27"

Nixeus EDG 27" (NX-EDG27S v2) : $399.99

Here is one of the best value 1440p, 144hz, IPS monitors

https://www.amazon.com/Nixeus-FreeSync-Certified-Monitor-NX-EDG27S/dp/B07N4DL9F7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32PU0K3VQCQXR&keywords=nixeus+edg27&qid=1555093535&s=electronics&sprefix=nexius+e%2Celectronics%2C126&sr=1-1

Aorus AD27QD 27": $595.33

Arguably one of the best 1440p, 144hz IPS monitor:

https://www.amazon.com/FreeSync-Monitor-Exclusive-2560x1440-Response/dp/B07MVX3PKS

VIOTEK GN27DB 27": $329.99

A good value VA panel by Viotek

https://www.amazon.com/27-Inch-Monitor-Samsung-FreeSync-GamePlus/dp/B078P57ZWL/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=viotek&qid=1555094420&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Samsung CHG70 27-inch: $499.99

A good quality Samsung monitor however I would say it is overpriced, uses a VA panel

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSQ5QN8/ref=emc_b_5_t

Dell S-Series 27" (S2719DGF): $368.75

A good cheap TN panel usually can be found around $300 on sale

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-27-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor-S2719DGF/dp/B00N2L5CXO

AOC Agon AG271QX 27" : $390.00

An alternative to the dell.

https://www.amazon.com/AOC-AG271QX-2560x1440-Adjustable-DisplayPort/dp/B01G5JYN0C

​

​

32"

LG 32GK650F-B 32": $408.98

This is the LG monitor I would recommend over the one this post has

https://www.amazon.com/LG-32GK650F-B-Monitor-FreeSync-Technology/dp/B07FLGR2PN

BenQ EX3203R 32": $537.99

Here is an alternative Benq monitor

https://www.amazon.com/BenQ-EX3203R-FreeSync2-Brightness-Intelligence/dp/B07DPVRZXG

The two 32" monitors are also VA panels.

​

​

34"

MSI Non-Glare UltraWide 21:9 Screen 34": $419.99 also there is a $20 MIR.

Here is an MSI ultrawide (21:9) 1440p inside your price range

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824475018

Currently on sale on Newegg, however, remember Newegg has a terrible dead pixel policy.

Instead, I would buy it from B&H even though it is a little more expensive: $449.99

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1443762-REG/msi_optixmag341cq_34_curved_21_9_lcd.html

Acer ED347CKR bmidphzx 34" 21:9: $499.99

Here is an alternative ultrawide in case you don't want the MSI one

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1415643-REG/acer_um_ce7aa_001_ed347ckr_34_va_curved.html

Both of the ultrawide monitors I have listed are VA panels.

VIOTEK GN35DR 35" 21:9: $449.99

Another ultrawide alternative by Viotek

https://www.amazon.com/VIOTEK-GN35DR-35-Inch-Ultrawide-Monitor/dp/B07L9GL6WH/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=viotek&qid=1555094420&s=gateway&sr=8-4

​

​

Gsync monitors (Would not recommend since you are paying extra for gsync without any apparent benefits anymore since free sync now works with Nvidia GPUs)

Dell Gaming S2716DGR 27.0" : $446.00

Can be found on sale around $350 mark. This is a TN panel

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Gaming-S2716DGR-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B0149QBOF0

Acer Predator XB271HU bmiprz 27" : $599.99

The old goto monitor before free sync became compatible with Nvidia gpus.

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Predator-XB271HU-2560x1440-Display/dp/B0173PEX20

ASUS ROG PG279Q 27" : $699.00

The other goto monitor before free sync became compatible with Nvidia gpus.

https://www.amazon.com/PG279Q-DisplayPort-Adjustable-Ergonomic-EyeCare/dp/B017EVR2VM

I love them. Bought one new from Newegg on sale for $350 and one from Acer recertified for $280 (which is exactly what this thread is of). They're super smooth if you've got a good AMD card. Even a strong Nvidia card will look great, but won't be able to utilize the freesync like an AMD card could. I've used this copy/pasta in other posts about this monitor, so here it is again.

 

I used this guy's Amazon tutorial on how to put the adapter on, although I got the non-quick set version that comes in seperate tubes.

These are the items I purchased:

• VESA adapter, almost twice as strong as the quick-set.
  
  
• This exact JB Weld, although I got mine from the local Lowe's.
  
  
• Monitor Mount, I went single mount over double, so I could have more freedom of placement.
  
  Here are the pics of my setup. Please note, I waited a full 24 hours before mounting them. I know people get antsy, but just wait!!! Also, when adjusting the monitors for the first time, don't use too much torque, or you might detach the adapter from the monitor. The scratch marks you see on the back of the monitor, next to the adapter are where I sanded it down. I don't care about the way it looks, since my desk is against a wall. You can probably be a bit more careful if you actually care about the looks. I also sanded off the paint from the adapters so I can get good contact between the rough plastic surface and the bare steel plate. The screws that came with the adapters, as long as I washered them out a little, were perfectly fine to use.
  
  There are still some small adjustments I need to make to the way they are lined up, but this is pretty much 99% done. I highly recommend anyone looking for more desk space to give this a shot.

There's tons of good options sub $100, HyperX Clouds are really popular on this sub, I haven't tried them myself but my friends like it and the reviews look good.


If you want a split headphone/mic system, audiotechina and sennhieser are pretty good that have headphones in sale somewhat often. Just be sure to get a decent mic like the snowball although this mic might push you over your budget with the headphonws i listed. Theres good headphones by phillips and monoprice that are ~$50 o keep you under $100. Or a cheap clip on like this zalman one I use this mic and the only issue I have is that theres no mute button but most chat programs have one so its not too bad.


As for the mic issue have you tried playing with the windows setting and your chat program? You could boost your mic and adjust the threshold to not pick up your breathing noises

Got this mic for christmas, and I love it. I modded a paid of Sennheister HD515's to accept this mic and it worked alright, but I went ahead and bought another pair of cans that I fell in love with.

These headphones sound awesome and are probably the most comfortable and light pair I own. They also look nice, and accept the vmoda's mic without modification!

The last time they had this, most of the products sold out within hours. Here are some of the best deals:

Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse with 250 Hour Battery Life $44.99: Amazing mouse with a battery that never dies, I own one and would not go back to wired ever again.

Logitech G510s Gaming Keyboard $59.99: A feature non-mechanical keyboard for someone more interested in looks, and their display system. Also has different colored RGB backlighting, something that is just now coming to mechanical keyboards.

Logitech Gamepad F310 $12.50: A great wired gamepad, makes any racing or indy game feel much better.

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 with 7.1 Surround Sound $69.99: Wireless with 7.1, looks great, and has a lot of positive reviews. Costs as much on sale as the G430 is full price.

Logitech Wireless All-In-One Keyboard TK820 with Built-In Touchpad $49.99: One of their new products, makes for couch browsing a lot easier.

I just ordered a pair of these tonight, but I'm lost on what amp to get. I am completely new to any sort of advanced audio like this and have only owned gaming headsets and meh-tier earbuds all my life. With that in mind, I don't think I have the most discerning of ears yet and it would probably be a waste to spend 200 on a Schiit stack or 02+ODAC combo, especially considering that's over double the price of my headphones! I would prefer to keep amp/DAC totals to be in the $100 ballpark.

 

My first question - is a DAC even necessary for these? I'm still not entirely sure what it does, since all of the explanations I've seen have been in audiophile jargon that is gibberish to me. Can I get away with running only an amp or a amp/DAC combo?

 

A cheap option I've seen while shopping around is a amp/DAC combo as mentioned previously. I've heard SUPER mixed reviews of pairing these 250-Ohm headphones with a Fiio e10k, some saying it works great, but others saying the complete opposite. I've also heard good and bad things about SMSL products like the SMSL SD793-II, one mention highly recommending the iBasso D-Zero Mk2, and another few people recommending the CMOY.

 

What are my best options here? I would appreciate any help I can get. Sorry for the long post and thank you!

Fantastic budget "Hi-Fi", the SHP9500 headphones have been loved for a long time for their comfort and high value for the money.

This is a pretty good price according to CCC, although for those interested in the second revision SHP9500S model, it's only about $12 more on Amazon as well.

EDIT: From what I've read, there's not much of a difference between the two versions.

EDIT 2: The price dropped $1.04 down to $67.84 lmfao, cancel your orders and re-buy for that sweet dollar savings!

Here are a few options that I've found for you, which may suite your needs.

• Sennheiser GSP 300 for $88.99 wired Note you might be able to also get 12% off offer making this deal even more lucrative
  
  
• Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset for $98.78 Wireless 7.1 Surround Gaming Headset.
  
  
  
• Logitech G433 Wired Gaming Headset for $85.99, if you don't wireless Note also available in Red or Blue for slightly more $89.99
  
  Or you can build your own buying headphones and a mic
  
  
• Phillips SHP9500s for $52.49 Note these are open back so they won't have noise cancellation which may be important if you play in a noisy environment such as a living room and with constant noise in the background, but they are super comfortable a friend of mines described them like a cloud resting on his head
  
  
• V-MODA BoomPro Mic for $29.96
  
  
• This is the most common headset people recommend because it's very easy to work with as the SHP9500s have a 3.5mm jack for a microphone making it very convenient and leaving you without multiple snake coiled wires running all the way to your computer.
  
  
  

I really like it a lot. I went from 1080p 60hz -> this and the colors I got from this amazon review here made it look really really nice

Although I don't have it on 144hz yet (still on 760 GPU, waiting for MSI Gaming X 1070 to be in stock) its still a huge upgrade, they colors look really nice and the stand is super good. Also, games run really well surprisingly even though I'm on 1440p and that probably has something to do with g-sync, so that is really good as well.

Overall rating it right now solid 9/10

These are always on sale for about $58 but figured the $46 was a pretty good deal. I bought the open box deal a few weeks ago and there was nothing wrong with them, aside from the box being torn up, but that is just my own experience, yours may differ.

So far these things are fantastic! I have them paired with a V-Moda Boompro and everything works and sounds great. There is a large community for these and a lot of tutorials on how to change out the pads and whatnot.

 

 

Here are a few links for you all

 

---
---

 

New ---> $57.99

 

---

 

V-Moda Boompro ---> $29.98 + Free Shipping

 

---

 

Review

 

---

 

Modded

 

Thingiverse

 

Replacement pad adapter for sale on Ebay.

 

Replacement pads without pad adapter

 

---

 

Tuning

 

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Discussion Thread

 

---

 

 

 

I looked up Buyoo's website... and I can say I'm glad I didn't buy the monitor. Its way too sketch! They are a very small company.

Hell, they even have a video on their website telling you how to remove reviews on Amazon..


Anyways, Buyoo is NOT a retailer. They don't sell anything specific like Newegg, Best Buy, Frys, etc. They're more like a website like Slickdeals/PCPartsPicker that is meant to find you deals... BESIDES, how can a small company that no-one's ever heard of expect to make a profit by selling these monitors for $100 less than their actual price?

...What I am thinking is Buyoo "bought" these monitors off of that Amazon scammer selling them for $137, and Buyoo is hoping they can make a $30 profit by selling them on Walmart... Except Buyoo will never receive those monitors to send out to people who placed their orders, because they don't even realize that they bought from a scammer.

These paired with a V-MODA BoomPro Mic are a perfect match, and pretty much the best gaming headset you can put together for under $100. I've had mine for about 9 months now and it is fantastic, sounds amazing and haven't had any issues with either items.

Personally I took a black marker and covered up the big R and L. Simple solution to make them look less cheap.

I have a pair and they've got fantastic instrument separation. If you lie down in the dark and focus on the track, you can very clearly distinguish every note that every part plays (probably to the point where you'd be able to transcribe the music quite accurately). I would not quantify the bass as weak; it has punch, even if not earth-shaking.

However, they have a laid back feel - they might feel slow for someone listening to fast, dynamic, lively music. They're great for anything, but if you discriminate and need the phones to closely suit the genre, then these are probably best for classical, jazz and movies.

They're also larger than the ATH M-series phones, but are said to be more comfortable because of their lesser headband clamping force.

But with regard to what you said, though I got mine for $99, $156 is still half price, a fantastic value.

One final caveat - the HD 598 phones come with a detachable 3.5 mm-in 6.3 mm-out cable, which will not be connectible to a computer or portable music player, and you'll have to resort to the included adaptor, which may be impractical for some users. This cable would alleviate that problem ($16).

This is the same price and doesn't use PWM. It's more or less a budget one still, no freesync, but it does have DisplayPort, and just not having PWM makes it better than the ASUS, as they are similar in most other respects.

If you're willing to spend just a little more, this is looked at as the best 144Hz 1080p TN model, its great in every respect and currently at one of the lowest prices I've seen it.

I use a Blue Yeti mic, but its honestly overkill for what I use it for (game chat on discord)

The Vmoda boom mic pro would be perfect with this headset.

https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Gaming-Headset-Headphone/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501350272&sr=8-1&keywords=vmoda+boom+pro+mic

it would plug right into the headset itself and have a better audio and mic quality than any gaming headset

edit: Haha, if you look at the "frequently bought together" section on the amazon page, the Philips headset is right there, Guess a lot of people get the vmoda mic with this

Most headphones and music sites (including /r headphones) use the head-fi guide as a good intro to well priced headphones:
http://www.head-fi.org/a/buying-guide-headphones-by-price-range

I would really recommend not getting a headset, as I find them to be overpriced as well as often times flimsy. You get much more sound for your buck by going for a nice pair of headphones and getting a mic like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342654741&sr=8-1&keywords=microphone+zalman

Personally I have a pair of ATH-AD700s and I love them to death (although I did have to do the rubber band trick to get them to sit more firmly on my head, not an issue if you have a nice large head though) and with the zalman (which is an AMAZING mic for less than 10 bucks) I couldn't be happier with my set-up.

I had a Zalman Clip-On Mic attached to the cable, but it had a fair amount of static. Some say having a better soundcard reduces the static, but I can't comment on that. I just replaced it with a Blue Snowball desktop mic (used from eBay for $30). It sounds really great and is perfect for teamspeak.

What are you planning to do with the build?

Initial feedback is depending on what you're planning to do with it you may want a slightly better GPU to fit the 144hz screen. If you want to be able to max everything and still really get your bang for your buck I generally would suggest a 1070.

Also you may want to look at this monitor for 144hz.
It is a jump up by about $100 but it's considered basically the best monitor in your price range. There's also this if you don't like curved. Which is again considered one of if not the best panels for the range you're in.


If you're just planning on video games I'd drop the 7 1700 for a 5 1600 and toss the extra money towards a better gpu/monitor.

Also I didn't look but be sure to check that the RAM you're buying is working well with the mobo/ryzen you buy. Some of them are having problems hitting their maximum speed because it's a new architecture. So just be very sure you get one that can because Ryzen REALLY benefits from fast ram timings.

This thing is AWESOME. I use it with these Philips headphones and fucking love the set up. The headphones are always on sale somewhere for like 50-60 bucks as well.

I'd say both combined are as high quality as a $150-200 range mic by the big name brands. Or at least close enough.

The headphones are very good for music as well btw. Open back though.

You won't really see any improvement in real world performance over a cheaper Phison E12 or SM2262EN based PCIe 3.0 SSD unless are heavily into content creation. They are also TCL based drives which don't have the same downside as a QCL based on such as the Intel 660p which slows down dramatically when you hit the cache limit (although you also won't run into that issue unless doing very large file transfers to the drive). This means boot times, game load times, and application load times will all be pretty much the same and you will be better off with the currently priced $99 Sabrent Rocket 1TB PCIe 3.0 drive. Save the $70 and put it towards something else like a nice CPU cooler, double the RAM, moving from a RX 5700 to a RX 5700 XT, etc.



$99 (Use Code 09P28FWK) Sabrent Rocket 1TB PCIe 3.0 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LGF54XR (lowest priced Phison E12)

$119 XPG GAMMIX 1TB S11 Pro https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07KZNTZYB (lowest priced SM2262EN)

Hah, yeah. My motherboard has some fancy gaming Dac/Amp, but truly they are kind of meh compared to dedicated hardware (they definitely won't push anything with an impedance of more than 50 Ohms too well). Once you have obtained your favorite headphones, you can invest in your own DAC and Amp eventually. I recommend the FiiO E10K DAC/Amp combo at minimum once you start dabbling into hifi.

Are you sure you bought that exact one? Because it absolutely has VESA compatibility -- it is literally only VESA-compatible.

Also, as you can see from the diagram, it is quite adjustable. In fact, both items have the exact same set of rotational axes -- the only thing that could vary between the two are the angles through which each axis rotates and the length of the arms. The Monoprice mount must have longer arms, if it's able to hold 34" monitors, making it more adjustable. But to say one is much more adjustable than the other seems over-dramatic. Something like this would be much less adjustable.

Also, some of the adjustable screws are concealed by plastic casings. They easily pop off, allowing access to adjust them, but the instruction manual failed to mention their existence. I only knew to look for them because I saw them referenced in a review. Perhaps, because the instruction manual doesn't mention them, you weren't aware of these extra adjustable parameters and misinterpreted the mount as less adjustable than it really is?

I have this one, which is the single-arm version of the one I linked above and I think it is very well-built/sturdy. The Monoprice is probably sturdier -- it would need to be, in order to hold more weight. If you need to mount something bigger than 27", definitely go with the Monoprice. But I have used the North Bayou mount to mount a XB270HU, XB271HU, XG2703-GS, and an older/heavier LG monitor -- all of which are 27" -- and the mount is rock-solid.

I'm not saying that the North Bayou is better than the Monoprice -- I've never used a Monoprice monitor mount and can't make that comparison. In fact, I would assume the Monoprice is better, since it can hold larger monitors. But the Monoprice is more expensive and, for me, the cheapest shipping is $12.19, bringing the total cost to $63.38, before tax. The North Bayou mount is only $38.16, before tax, making it $25 / 40% cheaper, and comes from Amazon. In my own experience, it is very sturdy and highly adjustable -- if my 27" monitors are being sturdily held in place and can be adjusted through any of the positions I'd realistically use, I don't think I'd gain anything from spending the extra cash.

I just want to make the distinction to anybody reading this that, even though the Monoprice mount might be a little sturdier/more adjustable, the North Bayou is absolutely more than adequate and is a crowd-favorite on r/buildapcsales (search through the previous listings, everyone speaks very highly of them and considers them to be exceptional quality for the price, including myself). Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but, if you're only mounting 27" monitors or smaller, the North Bayou option seems like a no-brainer to me.

Have this. Phenomenal monitor. However, I would recommend Alienware AW3418DW for $30 more. The Alienware one has an updated panel and Dell's warranty is the shit.

Just be prepared to play the panel lottery. I had to go through 3 before I found one where the bleed/glow was at acceptable levels.

Also note: FREE delivery: Dec 17 - Jan 16 as of this comment posting.

I also really like these, great headphones at a great price. However the stock cords suck pretty hard unless you like grippy rubber cables. I picked up these as a replacement, and fully recommend them for anyone else who doesn't like the stock cable:

http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Audio-upgrade-Sennheiser-Headphones/dp/B00KAKBHKM?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s02

If you just want good headphones for gaming and don't want to have to invest in additional gear like a DAC or headphone amp, just get the Sennheiser HD 599. I have the HD 598's and they're fantastic. Also quite popular in the gaming community. A lot of streamers either use them or have used them. They are open back though - so they will leak sound.

As for a mic, the Antlion ModMic would be my recommendation. If you don't want to spend that much, just get something cheap like this until you're ready to upgrade. I used that for years and it served me well.

Since people are talking about cord length, I thought I'd chime in with a small recommendation. If anyone is interested, I purchased these awesome cables for my 598SEs. Just the right length and excellent and sturdy fit. Might be a good rec for those looking to replace the cables that come with these headphones.

Just an example, not necessarily a recommendation, and obviously it's a very different price bracket but this line is very popular and relatively well priced for what you get: http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/

Something like that. This one is also a DAC (Digital Audio Converter). It doesn't use the line out from your headphone jack, it uses USB and then converts from digital to analog itself, as well as including an amplifier.

However, if you want something to hook up to a receiver as well then look elsewhere (not something that uses USB input). These are much more common and scale from this price range into the thousands.

>When I first turned this monitor on, not gonna lie, it was very underwhelming. Colors were washed out and it was too bright. You HAVE to calibrate this in order to see its true potential. Here is what I finally landed on. Use this for yours or atleast a starting point. You should be able to play games without adjusting in game brightness. Here we go.

>Nvidia Control Panel>Adjust desktop color settings:

> - Brightness-50%

> - Contrast-50%

> - Gamma-0.60%

> - Digital vibrance-70%

> - Hue-0

> - CLICK APPLY

>DELL Monitor settings:

> - Brightness-26%

> - Contrast-75%

> - Color>Custom Color:

> - R-97%

> - G-99%

> - B-96%

>*Also, download the latest driver for this monitor on Dell's website.

>And you're welcome :)


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B0149QBOF0/ref=mw_dp_cr

Not sure why they'd throw a 9900K with a 2070... i mean the price isnt God awful... but if you want to save some money I'd go with THIS ONE... quite a bit cheaper and still has a 2070... will fare just fine for the greater majority of things.

​

Edit: the one thing that I'd be careful with on this one is the RAM that it comes with... seems to come with 2400mhz ram... not sure how much you know about RYZEN but RAM speed matters a lot more for them compared to Intel... If you go for this computer... I'd probably take the ram out and sell it and throw in something like this. The processor will run MUCH better with that ram and youll probably only have to spend about $40-$50 more after you sell the ram that the computer comes with

I have these and I love them. The sound quality is pretty decent. No issues hearing anything or with my friends hearing me. In audio lag either. The one thing I will recommend is changing the ear pad. The new pads help change the sound and provide a ton more comfort.

https://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-Replacement-Memory-Foam-Earpads/dp/B00MFDT894/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=brainwavz&qid=1557054224&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&th=1

I own this mouse and generally keep it plugged in and only use it wireless when gaming (the charging cable is really stiff so it's hard to game while plugged in). It can usually handle a few hours of gaming, pretty good I guess but if you want something that can go wireless forever get the G602 which is also on sale for $40. Also note that this mouse is pretty large, perfect for my big hands but YMMV.

I have a pair of the LPs, paired with the XL ear cushions and the boom pro mic. It's a pretty decent setup for gaming (main reason for purchase), lots of bass, great sound. Ears get a bet warm after some time due to closed back, but still comfortable for flights and at work.

Overall it is like /u/kronbison mentioned, it's a completely different class of headphones. That being said, I also have a pair of AKG K511 headphones as spares and still chose to order the Sennheisers today as I'm looking for some new open back options.

Same deal is also on Amazon for Prime Day. Seems like an excellent deal, all time low on camelcamelcamel and solid reviews everywhere. Been looking for a good mouse to play MMORPGs with and this seems to be the answer. Now to find a good deal on a silent click wireless....

Logitech G602 Lag-Free Wireless Gaming Mouse - 11 Programmable Buttons, Up to 2500 DPI

TN and IPS are panel technologies that affect the perceived colors at different viewing angles. On a bad TN monitor (like my brother's TN monitor he got for ~$80 3 years ago) if you have a single color on your whole screen, even at the optimal viewing position/angle, the color will look different at the top of the screen than at the bottom, significantly so. In practice, that means in a game your screen's colors look "off". Now, if you slide out of that spot upwards or downwards (or somewhat sideways)? Instantly terrible. Colors nearly unrecognizable.

On the other hand, on a good TN, like my brother's VG248QE that he bought a year and a half ago for ~$260? You still have the colors a bit off, and you still get color shifting, but as long as you're sitting in front of it normally it's not "bothersome". I wouldn't watch movies on it from an off angle, or slouched back in my chair, but for gaming it's fine.

IPS, meanwhile, has basically all the viewing angles. Lovely colors as far as the eye can see. Downsides: cost (especially if you also want 144hz) and a little extra latency (5ms VS 1ms on TN, not really noticeable IMHO, but maybe for top-tier twitch FPS players).

The holy grail tends to be IPS + 144hz, which only exists at 1440p for some reason and not 1080p, and costs typically over $500, and until recently was in the $600-$700 range.

/r/headphones and /r/audiophile would help the most in choosing the best cans for your personal taste with your budget.

However, modmics is currently one of the popular choices as an "add on mic" to any headphone. They're pretty good and they're on the cusp of releasing their newest iteration. Another option is the Zalman clip on mic on [amazon] (http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395510295&sr=8-2&keywords=zalman). This option is much cheaper, but I had this for awhile and the wire is very fragile and broke on me :(

Either way, headphones + add on mic is usually the best way to go for best audio quality in terms of input and output.

This is the lowest price I have seen for this monitor on this sub. I would have bought one, but tax in CA kills the deal for me.


If you are sensitive to refurbished, for $198 at Amazon, this is brand new and very similar: https://www.amazon.com/AOC-G2460PF-24-Inch-Professional-Monitor/dp/B01BV1XBEI


I have had great luck with ebay Manufacturer refurb monitors. I think its a great deal if you are sensitive to price.

The pads are apparently replaceable since CoolerMaster carries them in their store but I am unsure which Brainwavz would fit on these. (Maybe the ones that fit the M40X?)

But the stock pads are a rare breed, they are super comfy! Any reason why you would want to replace them with the Brainwavz?

Same here. I was gonna get this $195 AOC G2460PF 144HZ on Amazon when I saw this 240HZ. Hope we win the lottery and not get bad panels. Good luck

Gotta upvote the ATH-AD700 such good headphones. Add this microphone on it and you're set. Great headphones AND great microphone.

You don't. This is more for a professional recording environment.

-----

If you are looking for something tho:

These two in combination are a killer combo:

• https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826138190&ignorebbr=1
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Gaming-Headset-Headphone/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HHTN7TNRH17YBMFC027Y
  
  They'll kick any gaming headset's ass. Amazing sound quality (there are EQs out there to make it even better) and the microphone is amazing as well. They will last you forever.
  
  BONUS: THEY FEEL AMAZING AF ON YOUR HEAD. ITS AS IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON.

Yes, this is a pretty standard price for these, but they go out of stock so I thought I'd post. Also own these, so AMA. Great cheap open back headphones with a really nice soundstage. As the regular advice goes with these, pair with a Modmic or (what I have) the v-moda boompro if you're looking for an excellent gaming setup.

Are you gaming? If you are playing pretty much any not-Destiny modern pc shooter (especially counterstrike or PUBG) you'll want a 144hz monitor.
For gaming purposes bonus monitors are nice but I'd say aim for a 1ms 144hz 1440p monitor above getting 2 cheaper monitors.
For workstation stuff, more monitors > 1 big monitor in my experience.
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Gaming-S2716DG-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B0149QBOF0 is my monitor and I can't recommend it enough. Glorious for gaming and so good for workplace productivity that I'm aiming to get the office to fork out for one for me.

I got mine from amazon. Assuming your desk supports a clamp mount, super happy with this.

VIVO Dual LCD LED Monitor Desk... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S750LA?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Dunno what you were trying to link to mate, but it is actually on Amazon for $379.99 which is a pretty good deal for a 1440p gsync monitor!

Here's the Dell for anyone curious.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IOO4SGK/ref=twister_B01N5DR9U9?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

There's only 5 left when I posted this...possibly 4 depending on whether or not I cave.

Is G-Sync worth the extra tax? I'm dying and have been on the edge of buying a monitor for like 5 months...is this probably the best price I will get on a similar monitor?

You're absolutely correct, the BoomPro mic will plug into any pair of headphones with a standard detachable 3.5mm audio cable. I currently use the BoomPro with my Philips SHP9500, and it's pretty great for gaming with friends. link to mic

Good luck! You can find ideal calibrations for this monitor in the top comment for this amazon review. https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Gaming-S2716DG-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B0149QBOF0

I would recommend trying them out once they arrive, then deciding if you need more power. You might be happy with how they sound out of the box, nothing wrong with that! If you did want something to amplify them I would recommend the FX Audio DAC X6 for home or the Fiio E10k for a portable setup.

Y'all should watch this video if you're on the fence about buying this headset. I'm no audiophile, but I agree that they're the best headphones I've ever used. The guy in this video, however, is in fact an audiophile and is in love with them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aipXii-qWiQ

Also, if you're looking to use these for gaming and don't have a standalone mic, this VMODA BoomPro mic is the common recommendation. I use it daily and have no real complaints.

Here you go

I've had these since september and they're still flawless. I've went through two other sets of other brands and these are so much better. Hope you enjoy!

Bought mine for $430 a few months ago. The caveat is it was sold as "Used - Like New" on Amazon. Always check out the other sellers on that monitor.

Took me about 2 weeks of watching daily before I found a great deal on what should have been and what was a "like new" monitor. Looks and runs flawless for a savings of over $100.

edit: holy shit, I can't believe the lowest priced new one there is now $600.

Amazon has some "very good" (for $465) and "like new" (for $491) in their warehouse deals as well if you're looking to save a little more money.

Additionally, the street price per camelcamelcamel for this monitor appears to have settled at $599, so bear that in mind when considering the savings.

If you're willing to trust Amazon Warehouse (which has free returns) with a Like New listing, you can get it right now for $512+tax.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0777RY75V/ref=sr_1_1?condition=used&s=warehouse-deals&keywords=3440+x+1440&qid=1574783466&sr=8-1&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ

Buy it from Amazon WAREHOUSE (usually great condition, if not return for replacement within 30 days): https://smile.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0149QBOF0/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

Use code WDEARLY20 or WDEARLY to get 20% off. If it doesn't work, place the order and kindly requested via chat or phone call for the promo to be added.

Code only works for prime members, and you can use it on any amazon warehouse items.

Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is $34.99 right now. I've used this mouse for the past two years and love it, it's great if you have slightly larger hands or prefer a heavier mouse. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019OB663A/ref=s9_acsd_bw_wf_a_BTSmainw_cdl_16?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=ZVHYV3E1TPWD4X23HZ8H&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=6f250f5d-11fd-4514-8a93-8de81ba3c290&pf_rd_i=15201447011

The Acer XF240H is a newer panel and the only complaint I've seen about that is that its out of the box colors are worse than the VG248QE's. It's flicker free at all brightness settings where the VG248QE uses PWM at <100 brightness. And let me tell you that you will not use it at 100 brightness.

But if you don't like that one specifically, here's another 144hz from Amazon that's newer than the VG248QE at a price I'd definitely say is worth it over the VG248QE: https://www.amazon.com/AOC-G2460PF-24-Inch-Professional-Monitor/dp/B01BV1XBEI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499027011&sr=8-1&keywords=144hz+freesync

I got these a few weeks ago and the cable it comes with is pretty long...

Got these to replace the original cable, they work great.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAKBHKM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't believe that's compatible with the HD 558's , and i'm not aware of any adapters.

If you need a gaming mic I would suggest a ModMic for around $50, or this cheaper ($8) clip-on mic from Zalman I use the Zalman mic and honestly it works pretty great for gaming, couldn't be happier.

This monitor holds up pretty well to IPS after some fine tuning. I have two of them mounted to a cheapo dual LCD monitor desk mount and couldn't be happier.

This post really helped with monitor color/brightness/contrast adjustments, as well as the amazon reviews

I don't overclock to 165hz right now because my 1060 card really can't handle 1440p gameplay over 120fps. Just bought a 1070, so that's about to change :)

Anyone have a good recommendation for a dual arm mount? I bought two of these monitors and want to get a good mount for them. I see some on amazon for like 30$ with high reviews. Are people just using those or what?

Any suggestion on this is much appreciated. Thanks.

Here is one I looked into that seems good but of cheaper build: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S750LA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RpH9Bb7BYGB1R


Here is one from AmazonBasics which seems to have “premium” quality construction but it’s quite expensive: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MIBN71I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_XqI9BbBNJY5J4


EDIT; I’ve ended up purchasing the expensive Amazon Basics one. From my research, the durability, weight, and adjustment of monitors seems to be simply much better than the 30$ mount. Also, most folks have said there isn’t much monitor movement or anything when you tighten the tension - that’s key for me. Monitors moving at all after mounting drives me crazy.

This mouse is fine for it's price, esp if you got it for the $25.

I recently tried several mouses from competitors to see if any matched the Deathadder feel and shape, and I came to like the
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Proteus-Spectrum-Tunable-Shifting/dp/B019OB663A which i'm using right now.

This was good for MMOs and replaced my deathadders:
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Gaming-Backlit-Programmable-Buttons/dp/B0086UK7IQ


I bought this also to replace my G600 for a deathadder feel that was raved about online but it was too small for me. It's got amazing reviews online for any gaming though.

https://www.amazon.com/BenQ-Sports-Ergonomic-Optical-Gaming/dp/B00S9SH7C4/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1517711535&sr=1-3&keywords=Benq+mouse

I bought these a few years back. Turned me into a huge Sennheiser fan boy. The comfort and durability alone are notable. Add-in that the sound quality brings you into the realm of audiophile-grade and you have a huge reason to buy whenever they go on sale.

I have the 558 in my laptop bag for gaming on the go, a pair of HD518 for use with the Vive, and the Massdrop HD6xx on my main PC setup.

I've been wanting to grab another set for work, was hoping to grab the 598 and "complete the set." But this is tempting.

-----

I use the following replacement cables with mine:

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/B01IRCXC9S/
  
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAKBHKM/
  
  Along with this compact budget DAC/Amp for the 558 (Schiit Stack for the HD6xx):
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009WN7QT4/
  
  

I don't think so, but you can always get something like https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01IRCXC9S

or even the V-Moda BoomPro mic

but you'll need a 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter as well. (e: and some modding due to the twist-lock, Youtube has guides)

edit: Looks like there is bundle @ $79 which includes a mic, not many details on it though. See my post here.

Welcome man! Also I picked up https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MFDT894/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_Sh0ZCb9J7XZ2M

Saw that in one of the comments above, tons of good reviews and might make this headset even better.

Looks like its the same price on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Spectrum-Shifting-Personalized-Programmable/dp/B019OB663A/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1542557146&sr=1-2&keywords=Logitech+-+G502

​

Pretty sure its the same one.

VG248QE may be a better option as it is around $240 new but has 1 ms response time and 144 Hz..

Here it is, although it looks like the price went up a good $30 in the past few weeks. If you're willing to wait, it's usually the cheapest 144 Hz monitor.

Those are good points. Thinking about trying out this one. Would make my desk a lot easier to dust. Can these clamp-mounts really support the weight of two 27" monitors?

Good choices for 144hz 1080p TN panels are ASUS VG248QE and BENQ 2411z. Check for BENQ refurb deals, I got my 2411z refurb from benq.com 2 years ago and i love it, no issues.

and btw 5ms is no big deal, you will not notice, anything under 10ms is definitely acceptable. This video explains everything you need to know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER1YV42iqrE You can't trust what manufactures put in the specs, just read reviews and use 3rd party testing results such as https://displaylag.com/display-database/ if you are worried about ghosting

The most difficult part was getting off the adhesive from the old pads, stretching them over was also a little bit tedious but it was definitely worth it in the end because the default ear cups are very shallow. I'd estimate 80% of people's ears would touch the inner material. And yeah, I believe the red velour memory foam model is the one currently on sale on Amazon.

edit: These are the ones I got, also currently on sale https://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-Replacement-Memory-Foam-Earpads/dp/B00MFDT894/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1499035647&sr=8-4&keywords=brainwavz+earpads

Not really, $100-130 is about what 1tb m.2 drives cost these days. Not even Samsung's drives actually cost $200 for 1tb these days and they tend to be the highest priced due to their reputation for performance.

It is a slight deal, saving $10-$15. $200 is a made up price.

This sub has a huge problem with being unable to recognize actual deals. They tend to fall for things selling slightly below their actual price, but with a really high MSRP listed. They are all like those housewives that would tear up Macy's and JCPenny for clothes with a 80% off sign, but still end up costing more than you would pay if you just bought them online.

This actually tends to be a bad place to find deals. You find better deals on subs dedicated to the hardware parts or using tools like PC part picker.

How do these compare to the ATH-M40x? I've had those since November and the reviews I read suggested the M40x were more neutral sounding so I went with those. But seeing the M50x go on sale so often for the same price has made me question if I made the right choice in going with the lower end model.

As far as the M50x, if anyone thinks the bass is too overwhelming I recommend the Brainwavz HM5 pleather ear pads. They place the drivers farther away from the ears to reduce the low end, and as a bonus they add extra comfort. Their velour pads further reduce bass (the material is slightly open) and are extremely comfortable.

Thanks for your input. So do you mean something like this would be better?

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Rocket-Internal-Performance-SB-ROCKET-1TB/dp/B07LGF54XR/ref=sr_1_1?pf_rd_i=gb_main&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=5269a1b9-d99f-4f97-90e1-4fe5850d115b&pf_rd_r=YB6W270JGFMQ55KCSPNV&pf_rd_s=slot-5&pf_rd_t=701&qid=1562290802&s=gateway&smid=A29Y8OP2GPR7PE&sr=8-1&th=1#

Alienware 1900R 34.1", Curved Gaming Monitor LED-Lit, WQHD 3440 x 1440p Resolution, 4ms 120Hz Overclocked Refresh Rate, NVIDIA G-Sync, 21:9 Aspect Ratio, HDMI, Display Port, 4x USB 3.0, AW3418DW https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0777RY75V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YoklDbNZR4ME1

Can anyone advise if this is a good buy with the giant discount right now? I’ve been hunting for a 34” ultrawide 1440p 21:9 144hz gsync. The problem with this one is that it’s only “120hz overclocked”, and I’m curious how big the difference between that and a full 144hz one would be? I’m planning to upgrade to a 2080 super next week when they release. The price here just seems fantastic for almost exactly what I’m after. Any thoughts?

These are great headphones for the money. You can have a great budget gaming headset if you pair it with the V-Moda BoomPro for $30: https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Microphone-Gaming-Communication/dp/B00BJ17WKK

It may be budget, but they will blow any "gaming" headset out of the water. I got this for my brother, and they are pretty comparable to my HD58x if not better for when it comes to gaming.

More or less. Picture wise they will be close enough. The aesthetics of the monitors are fairly close. The XB271HU has a very different stand and I would recommend you throw these up on some type of VESA mount double arm. Something like this:https://www.amazon.com/VIVO-Monitor-Mount-Adjustable-Screens/dp/B009S750LA/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1523389920&sr=1-5&keywords=27+inch+monitor+arm

The bezels look close from screenshots and the only glaring difference I see is the branding in the bottom. If that doesn't bother you then go for it!

I got the m50's for Christmas, the right ear pad was sewn smaller than the left making my ear get pinched. Sent em' back and upgraded to the M50x's. These are sweet headphones.

In my research I saw a post that said upgrading the speaker wires improves the soundstage. Sounds like stuffy audiophile stuff, so of course I was all in. I ordered these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAKBHKM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Waiting for both from Amazon. Can't wait. I wish it came with the protective case tho.

I have the yeti too. Agreed, it barely fit under the bottom of mine when attached to the stand, I would always have to bend the bottom of the cable. The one you linked, or this 4ft version are both great.

High quality tn is also pretty good for a budget. Look at this one during the sale, if it doesn’t go on sale, go onto BLINQ.com and look for it there. https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Gaming-S2716DGR-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B0149QBOF0
Otherwise, the Asus ROG would be your best bet for ips (as far as I know)
https://www.amazon.com/PG279Q-DisplayPort-Adjustable-Ergonomic-EyeCare/dp/B017EVR2VM/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_147_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GF3KYKM1DVR7SH6HVJJ0
**Note these are both 165hz, so if you’re not interested in that don’t bother with this comment.

> Also, would this bleed a lot of sound into a mic?

Not really, unless you have an obscenely sensitive mic. People around you (3-5ft) will be able to hear your music/whatever you're doing, if you like high volume. I found that I like lower volume with these, not because of others hearing my stuff, but because of how crisp and great they are.

As far as mics go, the Modmic is great. This is what I used for a while, but I hated it because it was a 2nd cord I had to deal with. I say go for a desktop mic when they get cheaper TBH.

The default cable they provide does not work with headphones, as it's actually the larger plug (what are they, 6.5mm?), with a 3.5mm adapter. You can buy a different cable from these guys, which will fit much better, or mod the headset to accept 3.5mm cables (requires removing the locking mechanism).

Dual Mount desk attachment.

I have this screen and a 23" in portrait mode. The mount is pretty solid. It is much better than the mount the screen comes with.

Others have mentioned that you have to take the bezel apart to VESA mount this, so just be aware and careful when you do.

I have two of these. One at work and one at home. Mine are slightly different (I got this one). Both have 2 24 inch monitors on them. Pretty awesome product. I always laugh when people spend hundreds on crappy plastic mounts that take up half of their desk space; this takes up about 3 square inches..

You'll need to spend an additional $10 to get the free shipping, otherwise it's $46.14

Also $40 on Amazon with Free shipping

Cannot reccomend the Phillips SHP9500s enough. Very light, huuge ear cups, above average sound. They frequently go on sale for $50-60 bucks, abut are worth every penny of the $77 they are on amazon now. One of the more popular headphone/audio reviewers on YouTube gave them a glowing review.

I personally have had mine for over 2 years, and even though I have a set an Audeze LCD-2 sitting next to me, I always for the 9500s when gaming.

For a mic, if you want to get a standalone mic (like a Blue Yeti or Snowball) that works. Using a modmic would be a slightly expensive approach providing a more "gaming headset" looking solution.

Thanks you rock! I went ahead and bought this drive for $113. I'm not planing on cloning my OS over so it will be a fresh install. Do I have to do anything special with this drive within windows 10? Sorry I'm new to this type of storage.

I like these, but to get the display in exactly the right place they require more space behind the desk because of the shape of the arms usually. I still prefer the ones that are just a pole sticking up with 2 arms reaching outwards that have 3 axis movement like this type (I don't have this one and have no idea if it's good, it's just an example)


If you have a desk or table against a wall or something, this is something to consider.

Headphones

HyperX Cloud 2 - $70

Steelseries Arctis 7 - $100

Steelseries Arctis Pro with DAC - $200

Astro A50 - $200

Corsair Void Pro Wireless - $60

HyperX Cloud Stinger - $40

HyperX Cloud Pro - $50

HyperX Cloud Flight - $90

​

Keyboards

Corsair K68 - $80

Corsair K75 Mk.2 - $150

Corsair K95 - $110

Razer Huntsman - $100

HyperX Alloy Core - $30

HyperX Alloy FPS - $80

​

Mice

Steelseries Rival 600 - $50

Logitech G602 - $25

Razer Naga Trinity - $55

Logitech G502 - $35

Razer DeathAdder Elite - $35

​

Monitors

Dell D2719HGF (27", 1080p, 144Hz, Freesync) on sale for $150

Acer ED323QUR (31.5", 1440p, 144Hz, Curved, Freesync) - $270

Acer KG241Q (23.6", 1080p, 144Hz, Freesync) - $188

Acer Nitro VG271 (27", 1080p, 144Hz, Freesync) - $210

Alienware AW3418DW (34", 3440x1440p, Ultrawide, 120Hz Overclocked, G-Sync) - $720

Samsung LC32JG50QQNZA (32", 1440p, 144Hz) - $300

Acer EI491CR (49", 3840x1080p Ultra.. ultrawide?, 144Hz, Freesync) - $700

Acer KB272HL (27", 1080p, up to 75Hz, Freesync) - $115

Dell S3219D (32", 1440p, Freesync) - $220

ViewSonic XG2702 (27", 1080p, 144Hz, Freesync) - $180

​

​

Internal Components

Ryzen 7 2700X - $200

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X - $250 Sold Out

MSI Armor RX 590 - $180

Sapphire RX 570 4GB - $120

Ballistix Elite 16GB (8GBx2) DDR4 3600 RAM - $105

Corsair H115i RGB Platinum - $105

​

Other

Vive Pro - Up to $200 off

Samsung Galaxy S10 - $600, S10+ is 700

​

Some laptops and desktops on sale too, along with power supplies, routers, wifi extenders, and cases.

​

NOTE: The computer deals are located in two different places. PC Gaming section and PC Component section.

I've hit character limit, if I find more I'll add it underneath this

​

edit: Thank you to the kind redditor who gave me my first gold!

edit2: A silver too?! Thanks!

You might have good luck with pricing in your area, but under $500 for just three parts would be quite easy. r5 2600 + msi b450 tomahawk + Corsair 16gb 3000mhz comes out to <$300.

If you prefer 3rd gen ryzen: r5 3600 + asus tuf x570 (wifi) + same Corsair ram comes out to <$450.

Which is better. This or the LG which just went on lightning deals?

ViewSonic XG2401 24 Inch 1080p 1ms 144 Hz Gaming Monitor with FreeSync Eye Care Advanced Ergonomics HDMI and DP https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A0ZRR50/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ROilDbP1EJDMD

Way better off dishing out $60 more to get one of the best budget 144hz monitors https://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-XG2401-FreeSync-Monitor-DisplayPort/dp/B01A0ZRR50'

Also has the addition of freesync for any AMD gpu users

Sure! But you'd probably prefer a pair of "open" headphones.

The Philips SHP9500 have been under $40 in the past, and would sound a lot better. Note that they don't block out noise at all, and people in the room would be able to hear what you're playing. If that's a problem then the AT M20x would be a good choice.

• V-moda boompro is good if your headphones have a detachable cable. You can also zip tie it to the back of your monitor (using zip tie tiedown points) and have it stick out the side.
  
  
• I currently use a Audio-Technica ATR-2100 on a scissor stand connected via XLR to a Scarlett 2i2. This is overkill for most people, but I find the scissor stand convenient and I already had the Scarlett 2i2.
  
  
• On an extreme budget you can get by with a clip-on mic.
  
  
• The Antlion Mod-mic is a bit more expensive at $55, but is really nice.

I use these, I like them more than other fabric cloth covers since these do not cause as much sweat therefore also not itching. Plus side is that they are also easier to clean.

I've used a G402 for almost 2 years now and enjoy it thoroughly, but once I bought the G502 Spectrum for $40 on Black Friday, I can never go back to just the G402.

You can actually still get a G502 for $51.99 which is still a good deal on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019OB663A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mouse: G400 $35, free shipping

Mic: Zalman Clip-on $9, free shipping with prime

I use the headphone jack on the front of my tower and with the adapter, it was sticking out way too far for my liking. Felt like it was just a matter of time before I would accidentally hit it and bend/break it. Also, the length of the cable was super long, I had to roll half of it up just to keep it out of the way.


I ended up getting this:

https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Audio-upgrade-Sennheiser-Headphones/dp/B00KAKBHKM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482442694&sr=8-1&keywords=hd558+replacement+cable


Solved both my problems of the adapter sticking out and the cable was just the right length.
Edit: Braided cable is nice too :p

Since there is a lot of processing of information going on around the motherboard there may be some kind of electrical interference affecting your audio output. In my case I would hear faint squeaking through my headphones when my GPU usage was high. Right now I have a FiiO E10K external Amp/DAC and it works great with my HD558's and HD598Cs, solved all my issues. I personally have not had any experience with Creative's solutions.

I personally chose the 558s, but I'm using them exclusively on my desktop so I don't have to worry about noise leaking out at home or carrying an amp around with me.

Also for gaming I use this.

Much cheaper and excellent audio quality.

That's not remotely comparable in price since it's 1/4 the size. Luckily this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LGF54XR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 is one sale for $100 pretty often so your point is still mostly valid.

I have 598s and use this. I've never used the Schiit stack but used my FiiO E10k every day for two years and love it.

Anybody that could help me decide if the extra 43$ is worth it here for the extra 70hz? I have narrowed it down to these two monitors.

https://www.amazon.com/AOC-G2460PF-24-Inch-Gaming-Monitor/dp/B01BV1XBEI

Thanks for any feedback!

Just bought my first g-sync monitor two weeks ago and the difference is very noticeable from my previous monitor. The framerate is just so much nicer. I highly recommend upgrading.

Edit: I bought the Dell S2716DG for around $505 and i've been very happy with it.

I personally do not like LG monitors. It doesn't even have FreeSync.

Acer XF240H 24" 1080p 144hz FreeSync TN. - $257.07. Acer Recertified - $199

AOC G2460PF 24" 1080p 144hz FreeSync TN - $209.99.

Personally prefer a IPS monitor, but looks like they do not have a 23-25" IPS 1080p 144hz FreeSync Monitor. I don't need one currently, but others have asked.

If you do not care for FreeSync and want to get a good monitor:

QNIX QX2414 24" 144hz 1080p IPS - $229

I heard a BenQ XL2411T exists... but I've never seen it.

24" 1080p 144hz TN/IPS Monitor List

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Proteus-Spectrum-Tunable-Gaming/dp/B019OB663A

Looks like they're slowly putting the Logitech G-series products on sale to compete with Best Buy's deal.

Pair these up with the V-Moda boompro and you've got a very nice comfortable headset for less than $100

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the Brainwavz pads have never gone below $15. You definitely ordered fakes. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFDT894/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have that same delivery date as well. It also looks like Amazon is getting them back in stock on that date too. So hopefully this means that the date they gave us real and permanent and not just a placeholder or something.

I dont know, i got a sabrent rocket 1 tb off the sabrent amazon store for $125. They had a coupon for $25, its normally $150. I confirmed in crystal disk mark z370 a read of 3450 and write of 3050. So 3rd party drive makers are joining the party so i might say hold.

Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Rocket-Internal-Performance-SB-ROCKET-1TB/dp/B07LGF54XR

DO NOT USE THESE, they make it VERY easy to break your 3.5mm jack.

Instead, use something like this that separates the 1/4" section from the smaller jack:

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-MHE-100-5-Right-Angle-Headphone-Adaptor/dp/B000068O6B/

Alternatively, you can get this aftermarket cable:

https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Audio-upgrade-Sennheiser-Headphones/dp/B00KAKBHKM

After a few hours of learning what things mean and doing some research I have come to the conclusion that aside from some random really good sale you hit the nail on the head.

Seems G-Sync Monitors are a bit more expensive than the Freesync counterpart and I'd rather not go overboard on a monitor quite yet.

There are two monitor's on amazon I'm looking at atm: one a 24, the other a 27.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Monitor-S2417DG-24-Inch-Response/dp/B0149QBOF0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1527740248&sr=8-3&keywords=1440p%2B144hz%2Bg-sync&th=1

Is 70$ worth the 3" upgrade on the panel?

its $256 on amazon.ca with free shipping. I just got two :)

Newegg link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826197148

Best Buy link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-g502-proteus-spectrum-optical-gaming-mouse-black/4803300.p?skuId=4803300

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Proteus-Spectrum-Tunable-Gaming/dp/B019OB663A

I suggest one of logitech's brand gaming mouse pad.

Here: http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/gaming-mice

4k is 4x the resolution of 1080. It doesn't matter the size of the monitor in corresponding to resolution and graphics power. 24 or 27 at 4k won't matter. It'd be the same number of pixels the gpu needs to render. Only thing that chances is the pixel density, but depending on how far you sit back, it may not matter.

I think if you want to stay at 24, I think 1440p would be good for you.

Might want to look into this monitor

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Monitor-S2417DG-24-Inch-Response/dp/B01IOO4SGK

I️ believe he’s referring to these. I️ upgraded the pads on my M50s as well and these are great.

Brainwavz Replacement Memory Foam Earpads - Suitable For Many Other Large Over The Ear Headphones - AKG, HifiMan, ATH, Philips, Fostex https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MFDT894/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sAXbAb0YM7190

Best way I have found to look at the upcoming sales. Picked out a few hopefuls.

NZXT 850 - 3:15 am est

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGCFWJY/ref=gbps_tit_s-4_312f_8d599589?pf_rd_p=f301321d-61e9-4073-b454-2e3f198d312f&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_watching&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=9787TDC4RY0SX929C9BF

Crucial P1 1TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD - 7:30 am est

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J2Q4SWZ/ref=gbps_tit_s-4_312f_2f473a41?pf_rd_p=f301321d-61e9-4073-b454-2e3f198d312f&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_watching&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=MMBHQYBZPPM12BV2BF39

Ballistix Sport LT 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR4 3200 - 9:55 am est

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MNJP6RW/ref=gbps_tit_s-4_312f_7aa38bdb?pf_rd_p=f301321d-61e9-4073-b454-2e3f198d312f&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_watching&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=185ES1P698420RTJQFWY

ViewSonic XG2401 24 Inch 1080p 1ms 144 Hz - 10:10 am est

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A0ZRR50/ref=gbps_tit_s-4_312f_c966212e?pf_rd_p=f301321d-61e9-4073-b454-2e3f198d312f&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_watching&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=6CD65GE9FE3MTET19Y2S

NZXT AER RGB 2 - 3-Pack of 120mm RGB PWM Fans with Hue 2 Lighting Controller - 11:55 am est

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GVWSDVL/ref=gbps_tit_s-4_312f_09d4ac66?pf_rd_p=f301321d-61e9-4073-b454-2e3f198d312f&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_watching&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=MNDSBXZXP3HMYBHRMRPY

XPG Spectrix D80 Liquid-Cooled RGB DDR4 3600MHz 16GB - 12:05 pm est

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D2VJXX4/ref=gbps_tit_s-4_312f_29f43d90?pf_rd_p=f301321d-61e9-4073-b454-2e3f198d312f&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_watching&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=PRK5XX5FHPVTFXXTHBN8

Cooler Master MasterLiquid LC240E RGB All-in-one CPU Liquid Cooler - 12:05 pm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CRGC899/ref=gbps_tit_s-4_312f_6e8b0854?pf_rd_p=f301321d-61e9-4073-b454-2e3f198d312f&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_watching&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=Z0MP8N6TNW6ARG83EWMQ

NZXT H700 - 2:20pm est

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C3PJ2GP/ref=gbps_tit_s-4_312f_b2d42f50?pf_rd_p=f301321d-61e9-4073-b454-2e3f198d312f&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_watching&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=7YFK981EH4R4015930RZ

A lot of people say that this is a pretty good clip on mic for starting and its only $8ish.

Purchased this mouse while rebuilding my PC as my apartment is not large enough for a dedicated work station. I use it for work and gaming and have not had any issues whatsoever. I'd highly recommend this mouse.

Also, Amazon has the mouse at $39.99 with prime shipping!

I'm right there with you. I'm currently on the LG 34UC88. Looking to upgrade to the Alienware AW3418DW this holiday season. And you're right, ultrawide is a game changer. People ask questions like how far do you sit from the computer and they don't understand the extra periphal on screen makes a huge difference, not only for immersion but for a cinematic experience. I feel like I'm a high class establishment when I use my PC.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MFDT894/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1499739894&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=brainwavz&dpPl=1&dpID=41vuwIZESZL&ref=plSrch

For $19.50 these seem pretty popular. In the questions section people have commented that they have used them for m50s

These are amazing. I bought them open box about a months ago for $37.99 on Newegg. They sound phenomenal I use them for everything form music, gaming, and watching Netflix. They're extremely comfortable, I've worn them for 6 straight hours no problem.

For gaming I highly recommend pairing them with this microphone.

Here is a link to another Reddit thread about how to tune these headphone for music, it made all the difference in the world for me.

The ModMic 4.0 has a better mic capsule that picks up less background noise (which may be an issue for some). See TekSyndicate's review of it, and reference the Boom Pro reviews mentionning background noise.

They are also a much more popular product, look at their YouTube exposure (specifically the 90 000 view LinusTechTip video) compared to the Boom Pros exposure.

IMO at this pricing $113 with that Read/ write there are better options out there.

Sabrent Rocket 1TB: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LGF54XR?psc=1

Addlink 1TB: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7LRB2T

Silicon Power 1TB: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L6GF81L?psc=1

Read Write: 3400/3000 and TLC as well. Take a look

Even better, here's what could get you under the $60 budget. This would be if you don't mind plugging in a dedicated cable to your mic input. Been using one of these for 10 years.

Zalman clip on mic for $7

Excellent deal. The Philips SHP9500's are also currently on sale for $54.99 if you're interested in those as well. That's the lowest I've ever seen them. Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Mng4DbKXDKZ8J

Please don't. no offense to vg248qe owners but it's a bad monitor at that price now.

the aoc g2460pf looks better for a lower price
and the viewsonic xg2401 is even better still . Both come with freesync which is just nice to have as an option even if you have nvidia now.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B2HH7G0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.v6fAbV4PG43H

This is a good monitor and good sale

Just looked and if you're OK with Amazon Warehouse it's listed for $625.97+tax - easier returns IMO

Dell code for mobile users: 18AW3Sub8cw9

This is a horrible head set. The sound quality is awful, and there's a constant hiss from the USB amplifier. On max bass boost, the bass is muddy and intrudes on the other sound ranges; on minimum bass boost, the sound feels empty and tinny. There's no good middle ground that I found. The soundstage is also horrible, which makes it far from ideal for gaming as you can't really perceive positional audio well.

You will honestly get much better sound quality out of the Koss KSC75 with a Zalman Mic attached, for even a few bucks cheaper.

The amp is the Fiio.



Gaming and movies, yes, but their audio isn't as important to me.



I listen to a lot of different things. An assortment of metal (progressive, djent, etc), some orchestral/classical, prog rock... mostly everything but rap or country.



My experience with decent headphones is limited to the ATH-M50s. I found them to be good, but a little too muddled and bass-heavy. I'm not sure which kind of frequency response I prefer, which makes it hard.



Thanks for taking the time to respond.

I can't speak for this monitor but for 8 dollars more you can get a highly recommended, well known brand Viewsonic xg2401

Any suggestions on best RAM for this with a Gigabyte AB350 - Gaming 3? I'm confused on the latest with all of this since most of the search results reference Ryzen when it was newly released and everyone was stressing the Samsung RAM over the others. Would I be ok with something basic like [this] (https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-3000MHz-Desktop-Memory/dp/B0134EW7G8/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1499795435&sr=1-1&keywords=corsair+vengeance+lpx+16gb)?

it's also 39.99 at amazon, bestbuy (in case you have gift cards), regular newegg right now, which is weird why sell on their flash site for more lol

Definitely keep FreeSync in mind when you buy a monitor. If you haven't already, this 144hz 1080p FreeSync one is on sale for a good price now, assuming you haven't already made your purchase.

One of the drives based off the reference phison E12 design like sabrent rocket or silicon power p34a80

TLC nand (not qlc like 660)

Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 Internal SSD High Performance Solid State Drive (SB-ROCKET-1TB)
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Rocket-Internal-Performance-SB-ROCKET-1TB/dp/B07LGF54XR

P34a80
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LGF54XR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.pnwDbJCNHQN8
https://www.amazon.com/Silicon-Power-Gen3x4-000MB-SU001TBP34A80M28AB/dp/B07L6GF81L

Everything online got cleaned out because of the price. Next best is the G502 spectrum which is the same mouse with RGB however it's $15 more.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-g502-proteus-spectrum-optical-gaming-mouse-black/4803300.p?skuId=4803300

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Proteus-Spectrum-Tunable-Shifting/dp/B019OB663A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511775260&sr=8-1&keywords=g502+spectrum

Shit...this AOC monitor? I was looking at picking it up. Are there any comparably priced freesync 144Hz monitors? This was the best I could find by a large margin...

Just curious, what makes this refurb @ $330 better than this NIB Asus @ $256.41?

Check this one out. Got it last week.
Totally in love with this mouse.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E4MQODC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1