Hardware Discussion General

Backlash wrote

Anyone else been keeping an eye on tech news lately? Gamers Nexus just reported on something I read a few days ago, regarding the expiration of some critical waivers on computer hardware from China.

There's a good chance the new president will reinstate it, but that doesn't solve the issue of the virus and the resurgence of scalpers/mining. At least for new parts, I reckon this year could end up looking like an extreme version of 2018. >_<'

Got a link to that? I seem to be struggling to find the video ^^'7

So~, I recently bought a FiiO BTR5... For those unfamiliar, it's basically a miniature Bluetooth-connected DAC-amp. It pushes a pretty stout 250 Watts, according to the product sheet, though word is it can go to 300W, and drive an HD600.

I have to say, for once, it really does live up to the hype. The battery lasts for two days powering my WH-1000XM3's, and it offers a full range of Bluetooth protocols to sync with your phone, though a USB C>C or A>C cable makes it great for laptops. I hooked it to my laptop running the latest Pop!_OS, and it works flawlessly.

I will say the Sabre DAC in the device has a slightly different sound character to the Burr-Browns in my iFi equipment~... Less laidback, and less warm. One instance stands out to me, when  I noticed crisp cymbals in a live recording, wherein they were muted before. It's possible this was just a problem with my EQ curves, so this is just a curiosity. ^^'7

I also bought a pair of DT 770 Pros, the 250 Ohm versions... I'm still playing with EQ presets on them, so I'll get back to y'all on them.

Backlash wrote

So~, I recently bought a FiiO BTR5... For those unfamiliar, it's basically a miniature Bluetooth-connected DAC-amp. It pushes a pretty stout 250 Watts, according to the product sheet, though word is it can go to 300W, and drive an HD600.

I have to say, for once, it really does live up to the hype. The battery lasts for two days powering my WH-1000XM3's, and it offers a full range of Bluetooth protocols to sync with your phone, though a USB C>C or A>C cable makes it great for laptops. I hooked it to my laptop running the latest Pop!_OS, and it works flawlessly.

I will say the Sabre DAC in the device has a slightly different sound character to the Burr-Browns in my iFi equipment~... Less laidback, and less warm. One instance stands out to me, when  I noticed crisp cymbals in a live recording, wherein they were muted before. It's possible this was just a problem with my EQ curves, so this is just a curiosity. ^^'7

I also bought a pair of DT 770 Pros, the 250 Ohm versions... I'm still playing with EQ presets on them, so I'll get back to y'all on them.

The FiiO looks pretty cool! Though I do wonder, just how much better one of those is than, say, an LG V50. Although... looking at pricing, I might have just answered my own question ^^'

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sigh Anyone out there having better luck?

malmon Bought my GPU before all this nonsense. Kind of had buyers remorse because the 3000 series came out soon after, but considering I know so many people who are struggling to grab a card I feel pretty happy that I got my 2060 Super when I did, hell even got it on a sale.

malmon I grabbed my 1070Ti during the first big crypto crash. Since then the fan bearings took a shit. It sounded horrible any time it was under load. I slapped a NZXT Kraken kit and the cheapest compatible 240mm AIO I could find on it as a stop gap until the RTX 3000 and new AMD cards came out.
Turns out I'm completely happy with a water cooled 1070Ti. It plays everything I want at 1440p, some even at 145hz, and is completely silent and cool while doing it. I've written about it before, but where it used to sound like a jet and hit over 90°C it now stays at 60°C and the fans just ramp up and down based on CPU temp. I have been laughing at everyone overpaying for cards ever since.
The upgrade that I did plan on making that I'll probably be skipping was to grab a cheap AMD R9 3950X when they got clearanced out. I got a steal on a ASUS Strix X370-F and R7 2700 when the 3000 series launched and was hoping it would happen again when the next series dropped. That price drop never happened to AMD CPUs. Intel chips are very reasonable despite this chip shortage, but fuuuuuuck those power usage numbers. I'd probably have to stick a 360mm rad in the top of my case to have any hope of having a silent system with those things.

Erika

Haven't the 3950X prices dropped? At least, used ones on eBay here can be had for _£350. Admittedly, I don't remember what the RRP was, and that is pretty close to what you can get the 5900X for over here.

malmon

Retail 3950x's haven't really dropped in price from what I've seen. I bought mine in November, and it was still $750 brand new. You could probably get one for cheaper shopping used though.

I can't personally justify upgrading past my 3950x, not yet at least. And honestly, unless you're a programmer who does a fuck ton of compiling, I can't justify buying anything beefier than a 3900x at best. I usually suggest 3600s to my friends who are going to build, at least if they plan to play video games. For just daily use, something less.

Anyways, I digress. Maybe the 3950x's have dropped in price since November, but not from any store I've found online that I would consider reputable.

malmon Yeah, retail-wise they haven't gone down much. I feel like even the 3900X has been at $400 for a long time. I nearly bought one before covid for that price, and again with my "hazard pay" checks during covid. I was just hoping for the deep discounts that the 2000 series got or something similar to the first gen Threadripper parts. I could have had a whole Threadripper system for the price of a retail 3950X. I want as much overkill as I can get and stepping up to basically two of my current CPU in a single socket is the kind of thing that gets me wet.

Equinox

Erika

I suppose not then ^_^' You can get the 5950X for pretty cheap compared to other places over here though - £560

mnl What about one of those AMD APUs? I've heard they are pretty decent for integrated graphics, then you can buy a better CPU and proper graphics card when prices come down.

I'm planning on getting a new smartphone soonish. Anyone got some recommendations? I'm looking in the direction of a Pixel 5/4a or a Oneplus 9/8T right now. I was considering the Samsung S21, but I don't like the lack of a bundled charger.

Not really sure, whether I really should really go for one of these current/last gen flagship models. I've always had cheap smartphones (currently a Moto G5), but I'm kind of fed up and want something fast.

Backlash I might have to get one of these to power my DT 990 Pros, as none of the smartphones comes with a headphone jack... ^_^

mnl

Hmm, my mum recently got the Sony Xperia 1 III. Has some pretty cool features (the camera stuff is quite amazing, and it has a good DAC apparently), but I'm really not a fan of the form factor. Battery life could be better too. So not really a recommendation, just some info should you come across that one ^^'7

malmon I think I'll probably go with a Samsung S20 FE (non 5G version) as it seems to be alot cheaper than the alternatives atm. There is a Snapdragon version of it, which apparently has LDAC support (a bluetooth audio codec, or sth like that). That would play nicely with a FiiO Bluetooth amp/dac like the BTR3k or BTR5 for max audio quality and latency.

Would have loved a Pixel 5, but they seem to be out of stock in most places and prices have shot up to unreasonable heights.

mnl

Don't think I'd personally go with Samsung after their BS with disabling the cameras when the bootloader's unlocked. But I think that's only a thing on the new foldable ones. And the lack of a headphone jack would make it a dealbreaker otherwise ^_^' I doubt you'll miss much without the 5G though~