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Upgrading older unit

Post Date: 2019-10-16
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Whthawke66 View Drop Down
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Posts: 53 		  Quote Whthawke66 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Upgrading older unit
    Posted: 16 Oct 2019 at 2:26pm
OK, My machine is now celebrating 10 years of use, and is a bit overdue for a refurbishment. So I'll post what I have, and ask for suggestions - especially in regards to graphics. It may be that I need to get a new machine, but with the exception of the graphics nothing really seems to 'need' upgrading from my use-standpoint. I appreciate any input:

DSO-156676     Digital Storm Desktop 156676     
1     Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master HAF 932
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - No Thanks
Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Certified (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (32MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card(s): 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 896MB (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: 7.1 24-bit / 192kHz Decoding High Definition Integrated Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 1: Asetek Liquid CPU Cooler
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Yes, Factory Overclocked i5 750 from 2.66GHz to 4.0GHz with 100% Stability & Reliability
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks
Memory Boost: - No Thanks
Windows Boost: - No Thanks
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) With Windows 7 Upgrade Coupon
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Pre-Install Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: Ship Within 72-Hours After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty          

MISC     adding 120gb intel 320 series SSD
MISC     Upgrade Motherboard - ASUS Z97-C (Intel Z97 Chipset)
MISC     Upgrade Processor - Intel Core i5 4690K 3.50 GHz By:
MISC     8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance

So, the motherboard was upgraded in 2014 - not sure what the chipset can handle. My thinking is, in priority order - graphics cards, larger SSD (can't update windows any more with the current one) and then think about motherboard upgrade. trying to keep total upgrade costs to $1k or less. All input is appreciated!

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HockeyBuck View Drop Down
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Posts: 1608 		  Quote HockeyBuck Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 16 Oct 2019 at 4:27pm
In my humble opinion, save your upgrade funds.   
This outdated Z97 pc can still serve you as a backup as long as it keeps going.   I would not invest any more funds as this rig is well past it's tech performance prime.

You would be far better off investing in a new Windows 10 DS gaming rig to last you many more yrs ahead.   I suspect you would find the improvements in almost every component catagory to be quite amazing.   I kinda would know a bit about this subject as I have purchased 4 DS rigs since 2011... My 2011 and 2012 & 2014 DS rigs are using upgraded graphics cards and are still in daily use, but I won't buy any more upgrades for them.   I have a 2019 DS Lumos I7-9700K CPU / Z390 mobo / RTX 2080 GPU build my son uses that can run rings around them all.   Time for a tech refresh my friend.   
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Whthawke66 View Drop Down
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Posts: 53 		  Quote Whthawke66 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 16 Oct 2019 at 5:39pm
Well, I'm an old Pennsylvania Dutchman, which means I make a penny squeak before I let go of it. But, we also have a reputation for buying quality stuff that lasts - and my DS rig certainly has met that test. A new Lynx system was recommended to me, but I'm a bit concerned that they have only 600 watt power supplies, and also rely on air cooling - are these issues I should not be particularly concerned over? I know that tech keeps marching forward...
Anyway, ty for the input Buck, I'm leaning towards getting a new rig it seems. :)
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HockeyBuck View Drop Down
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Posts: 1608 		  Quote HockeyBuck Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 16 Oct 2019 at 7:37pm
My Dutch roots are even deeper, so I really do understand pinching pennies!   Lol.
Lynx is the entry level....Try something like this Overclocked Lumos build that compares better to what you once ordered.   

Strong Intel 8-core CPU fully Overclocked using a big 280mm Corsair AIO cooler
DDR 4 RAM (32 GB because RAM prices are so darn low right now)
Solid MSI Z390 Motherboard with WiFi and excellent sound codecs on board
Excellent all around mid range do everything well RTX 2070 Super GPU
Fast Samsung M.2 NVME SSD Drive1 for speeds 7 times faster than SATA III
The mobo has two M.2 ports...M.2 NVME SSD are the size of a pocket comb and install flat right on the board for very easy drive upgrades.



Lumos Build1: Config # 2630555. $3169 less DS Sale $300 off = $2869 Total + Free Shipping

Intel I7-9700K 8-core / 8-thread CPU Overclocked to Stage 2 at 5.1 GHz
MSI Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon AC ATX motherboard with WIFI built in
Corsair 32 GB Vengeance RGB RAM
Corsair H115i Pro 280 mm Stage 2 AIO Sealed No Maintenance CPU Cooler
NVidia RTX 2070 Super 8 GB VRAM Graphics Card
Samsung Evo 970 Plus 1 TB M.2 NVME SSD boot Drive1
2 TB SATA III Hard Drive storage Drive2
Corsair LL Series RGB Fan Upgrade
Corsair 850 watt Gold Efficiency PSU


See what you think!   
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Cretae View Drop Down
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Posts: 7331 		  Quote Cretae Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Oct 2019 at 5:08am
Lest we leave you with the impression that $3000 is some sort of baseline, I'd rather hear from you what you use your computer for and especially what monitor resolution you intend to drive before throwing a bells and whistles build on the table. If you are truly anxious to find a sweet spot that simply meets your needs at the best price/performance, yet remains truly upgradeable for the future, you can do well at a lower price point.

HB is correct, I think, in saying his recommendation is fairly equivalent to what you originally purchased pricewise, while being vastly more powerful. If that is your goal, you're there. If you are daunted by adding upgrades as you may require, this offering is solid. If not, there are alternatives.

Think carefully about extra RAM, primary drive size, appropriate choice of video card, case and case fans. These are all great to have, but may not meet your need. RAM is inexpensive right now, but if you never need more than 16 GB, more contributes little. That proc TURBOS to 4.7 GHz whenever needed, and it's about 3x more powerful to begin with than what you know. If you game on a 1080p monitor, the RTX 2060 SUPER will kill. It may be a bit late in the Nvidia cycle to over-buy for future needs.

Indeed, see what you think.
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Whthawke66 View Drop Down
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Posts: 53 		  Quote Whthawke66 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Oct 2019 at 10:56am
Well, looks like I'll be playing around with the configurator a bit to see if I can find a sweet spot. Thanks for the input folks, I will post what I eventually come up with.
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Cretae View Drop Down
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Posts: 7331 		  Quote Cretae Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Oct 2019 at 3:47am
Be advised that anything DS branded is not junk, but is lower priced precisely because it doesn't come with a comprehensive warranty. You'll simply get whatever coverage you select from DS.

The name brand parts will have factory warranties that usually range from 5 years and up, and remain active from the manufacturer. Best example: for very little extra, either Corsair RAM takes your warranty to "lifetime"!    
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Whthawke66 View Drop Down
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Posts: 53 		  Quote Whthawke66 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Oct 2019 at 11:12am
Good to know - I was just wondering while playing around with the configurator whose parts DS was using for their branded stuff. While this doesn't answer that directly, it makes sense why they're a bit less expensive.
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HockeyBuck View Drop Down
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Posts: 1608 		  Quote HockeyBuck Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Oct 2019 at 11:19am
DS parts gives DS the option of using whatever brand they can acquire for a low cost.    Choices in components to build your PC with is one reason why DS is a very unique system builder.    
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Whthawke66 View Drop Down
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Posts: 53 		  Quote Whthawke66 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Oct 2019 at 11:40am
Hmm, now I'm back to looking at gutting the old system again and just putting in a new motherboard, ram, ssd and graphics - anyone know what motherboard I would select to fit into a coolermaster HAF 932? I'd have to get appropriate liquid core cooling as well, as the current one is unlikely to fit....Again, it might not be worthwhile, I'm just trying to recycle what's useful rather than retiring the machine entirely...But I guess a new motherboard would be the place to start if I'm going to compare options properly. TY for continued input.
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Posts: 17 		  Quote Setitimer Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Oct 2019 at 1:50pm
What are you looking to do with the PC?  That CPU isn't really obsolete.  For gaming it's comparable to the 4930K that I'm typing this on right now - I got it from DS in 2014 and upgaded the video card to a 1080ti last year and it's fully able to play AAA games on Ultra at least in 1080p.  I'm only now replacing it, and that's mostly because I'm going to give this one to my son.

If you aren't ready to go all out and get a complete new machine, you could replace the storage drive with a big SSD, upgrade it to 16GB of RAM, and put in a modern video card, and it would easily last you a few more years.  But it depends what you do with it -- if you want to play 4K games or do 3D animations you probably would be better off with a new machine.
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Whthawke66 View Drop Down
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Posts: 53 		  Quote Whthawke66 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Oct 2019 at 2:12pm
Well, I'm starting to find games I want to play, but cannot because of graphics limitations. I drafted out a build below, and I am thinking I will just get a new unit - 10 years is a long time to keep upgrading, :)

Digital Storm Desktop - Config ID 2632814     
1
$3,232.00     $3,232.00
     
System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Digital Storm Velox
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X (12-Core) 4.6 GHz Turbo
Motherboard: MSI MPG X570 GAMING PRO CARBON (Wi-Fi) (X570 Chipset) (Up to 2x PCI-E Devices) (No SLI Support)
System Memory: 32GB DDR4 3200MHz Digital Storm Performance Series
Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Performance Series (Fully Modular) (80 Plus Gold)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: - No Thanks
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD M.2 (1TB Digital Storm M.2 Performance Series)
Storage Set 2: 1x Storage (2TB Seagate / Toshiba / Hitachi)
Storage Set 3: - No Thanks
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 1x GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8GB (VR Ready)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex Liquid CPU Cooler (Dual Fan) (Fully Sealed + No Maintenance)
HydroLux Tubing Style: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
HydroLux Fluid Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
Cable Management: Premium Cable Management (Strategically Routed & Organized for Airflow)
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Airflow Control: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Stock Factory Turbo Boost Advanced Automatic Overclocking
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
OS Boost: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: USB Drive - Windows 10 Installation (Format and Clean Install)
Virus Protection: Windows Defender Antivirus (Built-in to Windows 10)
Office: - No Thanks
Mouse Pad: - No Thanks
Display: ASUS 24 inch VP248QG (75Hz Refresh) (1ms Response) (1920x1080)
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: Digital Storm MasterKeys Lite Bundle (RGB) Keyboard & Mouse
Mouse: - No Thanks
Branded Gear: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 20-25 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty (3 Year Labor & 1 Year Part Replacement)
Hide Configuration Æ

119591     -- PROMOTIONAL LIMITED TIME BONUS DISCOUNT: $300     1     ($300.00)     ($300.00)
2236527     -- AMD - Raise the Game (Borderlands 3 + Tom Clancy's Breakpoint + Xbox Game Pass 3mo)     1          
2215412     -- NVIDIA Bundle - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Digital Code)     1
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HockeyBuck View Drop Down
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Posts: 1608 		  Quote HockeyBuck Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Oct 2019 at 5:29pm


Storage Set1.....You should use a Samsung Evo 970 Pro or faster Plus M.2 NVME SSD that are 5 times faster than SATA3.   They use the PCIE bus and your mobo has two ports for M.2 SSD.

The DS branded RAM, PSU, and cpu Cooler selections can be upgraded to Corsair for longer factory warranties that beat the DS 1 yr system warranty.


For a gaming system, the AMD 12-core processor is overkill. (Nothing wrong with overkill...lol. )

Gaming doesn't make much use of all those extra cores, but activities like video encoding and pro photo editing can utilize extra cores.   Best recommended gaming CPU selections continue to be the excellent Intel i7-9700K 8-core/8-thread and the top rated I9-9900K 8-core/16 thread (Overclock-able) processors.    

Edited by HockeyBuck - 18 Oct 2019 at 9:16pm
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Posts: 7331 		  Quote Cretae Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Oct 2019 at 3:43am
+1

Originally posted by Cretae

The name brand parts will have factory warranties that usually range from 5 years and up, and remain active from the manufacturer. Best example: for very little extra, either Corsair RAM takes your warranty to "lifetime"!    


1 year vs lifetime from Corsair.

Edited by Cretae - 19 Oct 2019 at 6:08am
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Whthawke66 View Drop Down
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Posts: 53 		  Quote Whthawke66 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Oct 2019 at 11:37am
ok, pulled the trigger and placed the order on this one - if there are any suggestions for changes, please make em within a day so I can alter it before it goes into production. Thanks for all the input!

Digital Storm Desktop - Config ID 2633418   
Chassis Model: Digital Storm Velox
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X (12-Core) 4.6 GHz Turbo
Motherboard: MSI MPG X570 GAMING PRO CARBON (Wi-Fi) (X570 Chipset) (Up to 2x PCI-E Devices) (No SLI Support)
System Memory: 32GB DDR4 3200MHz Digital Storm Performance Series
Power Supply: 850W Corsair RM850x (Fully Modular)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: - No Thanks
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD M.2 (1TB Digital Storm M.2 Performance Series)
Storage Set 2: 1x Storage (2TB Seagate / Toshiba / Hitachi)
Storage Set 3: - No Thanks
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 1x GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8GB (VR Ready)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex Liquid CPU Cooler (Dual Fan) (Fully Sealed + No Maintenance)
HydroLux Tubing Style: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
HydroLux Fluid Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
Cable Management: Premium Cable Management (Strategically Routed & Organized for Airflow)
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Airflow Control: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Stock Factory Turbo Boost Advanced Automatic Overclocking
Graphics Boost: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
OS Boost: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: USB Drive - Windows 10 Installation (Format and Clean Install)
Virus Protection: Windows Defender Antivirus (Built-in to Windows 10)
Office: - No Thanks
Mouse Pad: - No Thanks
Display: MSI 31.5 inch MAG321CQR Curved Series (144Hz Refresh) (1ms Response) (2560x1440)
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: Digital Storm MasterKeys Lite Bundle (RGB) Keyboard & Mouse
Mouse: - No Thanks
Branded Gear: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 20-25 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty
2215412 -- NVIDIA Bundle - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Digital Code) 1 $0.00
2236527 -- AMD - Raise the Game (Borderlands 3 + Tom Clancy's Breakpoint + Xbox Game Pass 3mo) 1 $0.00
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Posts: 1608 		  Quote HockeyBuck Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Oct 2019 at 4:11pm
Lol...Sounds like you still want correction if we see stuff....
Confirm you did see the comments above?
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Whthawke66 View Drop Down
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Posts: 53 		  Quote Whthawke66 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Oct 2019 at 12:06am
Yeah, and I pulled the order after some more research. I think the 9900 Intel processor may be a better bet. So much info to try to absorb for a guy who only does this once or twice a decade :) The NVME suggestion led me to 3 hours of research as well (Keep in mind, my first computer was a TI-99 - with 4 whole k of ram and a cassette deck for program storage!)
I'll keep plugging and posting - I want to see if any of the games coming out for Christmas this year catch my eye...
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Whthawke66 View Drop Down
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Posts: 53 		  Quote Whthawke66 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Oct 2019 at 12:12am
Also - I've seen several recommendations about corsair memory versus DS - is there a particular problem with memory these days that the warranty is something to be concerned over? I have never had problems with my DS branded memory...
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Posts: 1608 		  Quote HockeyBuck Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Oct 2019 at 12:42am

It’s a matter of choice.   All memory is not alike.    DS selects memory to supply their lowest cost option, so if low cost is your main qualifier...then you care not about the well regarded brand names and the quality levels they offer for a price.    You only get a one year part warranty unless you pay DS to extend the system parts warranty.

If you seek the highest quality binned RAM memory modules and heatsinks then the Corsair Vengeance or top of line Dominator will be the preferred memory choices, costs a bit more, and you get longer Corsair warranties in case something goes wrong. The Corsair RAM also come with RGB led lights you can control and sync with your Corsair RGB fans, keyboards, mice & coolers.
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Posts: 7331 		  Quote Cretae Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Oct 2019 at 5:44am
In the vast majority of all cases, it's a fact that electronic parts that make it a year in regular use will probably last the long haul. Aside from all other considerations, though, RAM is so inexpensive just now that I think the difference is like $11. Just makes sense to me.

A year ago, an extra 16GB of RAM cost $221, and the name brand spread was about another $50 more.
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