Hardware Sales: $160 480GB SSD, $70 240GB SSD, & 1440p Display

Time's about up for online purchases if anticipating pre-25th arrival. This weekend's got a few good sales on SSDs, including an Intel 480GB SSD for $160 and Kingston 240GB SSD for $70, but we found a few side-items while searching.

Intel 535 480GB SSD ($160): Using code EMCKNKS28 at checkout provides an instant $20 discount (no rebate required) on an already-discounted item. The SSD is priced at $180 before the further price reduction, with the post-discount equating $0.33 per GB. For gaming and entry-level production, this is an SSD we can recommend and that we're actively using in production rigs at GN HQ.

Kingston V300 240GB SSD ($70): It's not the fastest SSD out there – the asynchronous / synchronous NAND switch did reduce media copy transaction speed – but it's still one of the most accessible options for mainstream boxes. We're running a V300 in an HTPC without issue, given that all the heavy media is located on external NAS or internal HDDs. For a boot drive, it's quick and cheap.

Intel i7-4790K CPU ($310): This might be the new price of the i7-4790K, which would make it far less of a 'sale' and more of a permanent price reduction. The i7-4790K was originally priced at ~$330-$340, but Skylake's arrival has heralded a new price of ~$310. For gamers who don't need small percentage increases for production, Devil's Canyon is more affordable and about as powerful (slightly better, in some games) as the i7-6700K.

ASUS MG278Q FreeSync Display ($400): 2560x1440 has become a firm middle-ground for high-end GPUs that don't quite make the 4K cut. We're running this display on one of our bench rigs and can attest to its quality. The 144Hz display makes for fluid FPS output in ultra-competitive FPS titles, like CSGO, and the resolution provides a step-up from 1080p without digging deep into the bank for 4K funding.

That's it for this round-up. Publication schedule for this week sees some Star Citizen content (video is being worked on now), another 380X review, and a review of Logitech's G410 keyboard.

- Steve “Lelldorianx” Burke.