Build advice

[confusis]

Yes, me, the all knowing, all seeing *COUGH* hahaha nope. Anywho, I need advice.

Current system;
FX-8350
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3
no brand case
FSP 300w SFX PSU
1x 8gb DDR3-1600
1x 240GB OCZ Trion 100 SSD
Gigabyte R7-360 with Xigmatek Bifrost cooler
1x 23" LCD, 1x 22" LCD, both 1080p (desk can only fit 2x screens)


Budget NZ$1000 (around US$670) including shipping.
Will try and buy in NZ, using sites like Ascent.co.nz, playtech.co.nz, pbtech.co.nz, and computerlounge.co.nz

System uses:
Content writing for SFFn
Gaming (Minecraft, GTA5, Simulators)
Photo Editing for SFFn


Goals:
Efficient, quiet.

What upgrades would you recommend?

Examples within budget:
R9 Nano and another 8GB of RAM
Case, mobo, core i3 and 8gb of ddr4

 

[jeshikat]

I'm surprised you're willing to consider Intel instead of holding out for Zen

 

[confusis]

Zen is next year - only the AM4 boards will be here this year, and even then.. when? 1151 does have an upgrade path to Kaby Lake due soonish.

The main idea behind this PC upgrade is to 'treat' myself after the absolute crap I've had to deal with the past few weeks.

 

[Tek Everything]

INTELINTELINTELINTELINTELINTELINTELINTELINTEL!!!

 

[confusis]

I asked for advice, not fanboyism

 

[jtd871]

Start with nz.partpicker.com?

 

[confusis]

Didn't even realise that was a thing!

On that note, does anyone know of a M-ATX case, smaller than 19L, that is currently available on the market and can actually cool a ~400w system?

 

[jtd871]

Just saw "TekEverything's motherboards go boom!" and burst out laughing, startling my family.

 

[confusis]

I'm in a tricky spot where changing socket means a significant investment to get similar performance to my FX-8350.
I may have to continue with my M-ATX board.

 

[Phuncz]

On that note, does anyone know of a M-ATX case, smaller than 19L, that is currently available on the market and can actually cool a ~400w system?

A Cerberus prototype ?

 

[confusis]

i cant afford that!

 

[Phuncz]

Than you'd need to drop either the good performance or the <19L restriction, respectively the Jonsbo RM1/2 or the Silverstone SG09/10 would work. Or cardboard-box it !

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Is mATX an absolute need ? I do not think buying Intel CPU + mobo will get you much improvement over your AMD CPU. Only improvement could be going to ITX mobo and chassis, and TDP too ... which will bring quietness.

Edit: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/fpFPpg

An Intel i5-6400 + Asus H170I-PLUS D3 would cost a lil' over 500 NZD. Good think, the Asus board is mITX sized and uses DDR3/DDR3L (i/o DDR4). It also has an M.2. PCIe x4 to the back.

 

[jeshikat]

A Cerberus prototype ?

There are only two Cerberus prototypes currently in existence. One is spoken for and the other is mine and I'm not willing to sell mine for anything resembling a reasonable price

or the Silverstone SG09/10 would work.

They're not too much over 19L, pretty ugly IMO though.

 

[Phuncz]

They're not too much over 19L, pretty ugly IMO though.

Probably one of the reasons people have been foaming at the mouth for the Cerberus.

 

[PlayfulPhoenix]

Probably one of the reasons people have been foaming at the mouth for the Cerberus.

We're workin' on it!

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Probably one of the reasons people have been foaming at the mouth for the Cerberus.

Shocking news: A sea of foam submerged the city mall. From the first information, hundreds of people were waiting in line to get their hands on a Cerberus chassis when foam flew out of their mouth.

 

[EdZ]

when mouth flew out of their mouth.

Cerberus chassis: H.R. Giger approved?

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Cerberus chassis: H.R. Giger approved?

loooool .... I meant when foam flew out of their mouth.

 

[PlayfulPhoenix]

Cerberus chassis: H.R. Giger approved?

I'll be the first to admit that I didn't remotely get this reference.

(He's a surrealist painter, for those who didn't know, such as myself)