Component selection

AMD recently rebranded it's R9 200 series graphics cards, which means there are plenty of new models available which are basically the same like the old ones. Since our system is not about hardcore gaming, we decided to use a great and silent mid-range card from Sapphire. The Sapphire R9-280X Vapor-X is equipped with an excellent triple fan cooler, which keeps the card cool even with a factory OC. The card uses a base frequency of 1100 MHz with memory set to 1500 MHz. There is 3GB of VRAM and that is definitely sufficient for FullHD gaming.

Since this rig is based on a single GPU and mid-range components in general we don't need a huge case. Due to the size of the motherboard we have to use an encloser, which is compatible with ATX form-factor boards. It's not a secret that we prefer elegant solutions, which is one reason why we decided to go with an Anidees AI6-V2. This mid-tower is made of steel with plastic, plastic and aluminum. One of the most important features is for sure the noise dampening material, which guarantees effective noise reduction. This case also offers plenty of space on the inside and apart from that it's very easy to install all the components. The AI6-V2 from Anidees can hold up to 8 HDD / SSD, CPU coolers with up to 428mm height and graphics cards measuring up to 428mm in length can be installed (without removing the HDD cage).

The power supply is always an important component and there are three main aspects, which need to be taken into consideration: output power, efficiency and warranty. Usually if you choose a unit with the right output power you don't have to replace it even if you want to upgrade your setup with for example a second graphics card.
For our system we used a completely modular model from Superflower rated 1Kw with 80Plus Titanium certification. We know that the actual consumption of our system is much lower than 1Kw but we preferred to maintain a good margin for future upgrades. This is definitely an absolute high-end component, especially since it features 80Plus Titanium certification.

Page 1 - Introduction	Page 4 - Component selection: part 2
Page 2 - Preview	Page 5 - Installation
Page 3 - Component selection: part 1	Page 6 - Conclusion