One of my close friends decided to build a new computer, so I gladly offered to help.
We purchased the components from our usual retailer, Sxxxx. I told my friend that if he wanted, he could find cheaper parts on Danawa and buy them separately, but he preferred the convenience of a single payment and decided to buy from the place where I usually shop.
There can be a significant price difference between picking out cheaper parts individually and buying everything from one place, so if you want to save money and aren’t having it assembled for you, it’s generally better to choose the cheaper parts from open markets.
Here are the components we chose:
- 9600KF
- MSI MAG Z390M Mortar
- MSI Ventus 2070 Super
- Samsung RAM 21300 8GB x 2
- Samsung 981a 512GB SSD
- Seagate 2TB HDD
- Daven FT301 Case
- Deepcool Gamer Storm TF120S x 2
- Gammaxx GTE V2 White
- GreatWall B650H 80PLUS BRONZE 230V (Personally, I might avoid this maker in the future)
He wanted a white-themed build, so we matched the components to be as white as possible.
This is the Daven FT301 case.
My friend chose the case himself. Daven’s cases are known for their great value, and at first glance, this one seems no different. The steel panels don’t seem too thin, and the paint job is thick and well-done, giving it a high-quality appearance for its price range.
The fans are white and have LEDs only on the rear fan.
The front panel is entirely made of plastic, which gives it a clean look, but it causes a lot of resonance noise when housing components like hard drives that produce vibrations.
So, if you’re considering buying this case, it’s advisable to choose a power supply with reviews indicating it’s quiet and to use SSDs instead of hard drives for storage.
My friend eventually had to replace the case due to the resonance noise.
The motherboard is the MSI MAG Z390M Mortar.
This friend has a special fondness for MSI, as the first gaming laptop he bought in middle school was an MSI laptop. That laptop is still running well, which shows that MSI makes reliable products.
Although there are many negative comments about their after-sales service (A/S) provider, I’ve had good experiences with MSI’s products and their A/S services. They’ve been polite and satisfactory, so I think the quality of service can depend on the individual representative or technician.
Reducing these variations in customer satisfaction requires company-level staff training. MSI should focus on this to ensure that they sell great products while also providing excellent service, thereby maintaining a strong brand image.
Enough digression.
Even though he’s using a 9600KF and insisted on buying an unlocked CPU and a Z-board while stating he won’t overclock, I told him a 9600 with a B-board would suffice. However, he’s stubborn about such details, and I couldn’t convince him otherwise, haha.
So, we chose a lower-tier, affordable model.
I installed the CPU, RAM, cooler, and SSD onto the motherboard.
The SSD is a Samsung OEM product, the 981a, which I bought as a bulk package along with a heatsink from the retailer.
The CPU cooler, known for its value, is a white model from Gammaxx, which is a brand with a solid reputation in this price range.
With some budget left over, we decided to add two Deepcool Gamer Storm TF120S fans.
They’re not top-of-the-line, but they are decent and get the job done.
This is the GreatWall B650H 80PLUS BRONZE 230V power supply, recently imported by FreeFlow.
Based on the price, it offers great value. However, it seems like we received a defective unit, as the fan doesn’t adjust its speed and constantly runs at full speed.
Given that the case already had significant resonance issues, after a few days, my friend felt like he was going to lose his mind and ended up replacing the power supply as well.
You might ask, “Why not just exchange it if it’s defective?” Well, they didn’t answer phone calls or reply to KakaoTalk messages for weeks, so we couldn’t get it replaced.
As a result, this is a manufacturer I won’t be considering again.
Thinking about it, people with a negative view of MSI might have had similar experiences with poor customer service, leading to their negative perception.
The assembly is finally complete.
The graphics card is the MSI Ventus 2070 Super. The Ventus lineup offers great value for its price, but the fan noise is notorious.
I warned my friend about this before purchasing the parts, but he claimed he wasn’t very sensitive to noise. Eventually, though, he replaced it with the MSI Trio, which is much quieter. He’s very satisfied with the new setup and has been using it happily ever since.
When building a PC, it’s important not to focus solely on getting the cheapest parts. Investing in components that can manage noise levels well is crucial. People who have only used Samsung or LG pre-built PCs might not realize how noisy a custom-built PC can get; it can sometimes sound like a plane taking off!
I’ve roughly set everything up.
Although the case has since been replaced, it would have fit perfectly with the theme of my friend’s room if not for the resonance noise.
Lastly, on the day I finished assembling the PC, my friend treated me to Bburinkle as a thank you.
When you dip it generously in that white yogurt sauce, ah… Bburinkle is truly an addictive menu.
Whenever I order chicken, I always debate which kind to get, but I always end up choosing Bburinkle in the end.
The dilemma only delays the inevitable order of Bburinkle.
Writing this is making me crave Bburinkle again.
I think I’ll order a box for a late-night snack.