Question Are you a brand loyalist?

[SHaines]

With tech evolving every day, we're seeing big leaps forward in the tech we take for granted. For the most part, we tend to pick the best available item, regardless of brand. However, some of us may still have some preferences for specific items.

Do you consider yourself a brand loyalist for any of your tech? If so, why that brand?

For me, I've broken the habit of buying Sony headphones every single time I upgrade. When I was younger, Sony was the only name brand I could afford, so I just got used to using their equipment for pretty much anything related to music. I did use them pretty much exclusively for about 30 years though.

How about you?

 

[DrummerManSpike]

Personally I'd like to think I'm not, however it's impossible not to see just how much Intel and Nvidia gouge their product prices. AMD is offering CPUs and GPUs that more or less match the performance of both brands, at significantly lower costs. Also, after seeing Linus's video dragging Intel's 10th gen lineup and showing their less than pretty business practices, it would be extremely hard to convince me to go for Intel on any future upgrades.

I'm also partial to Corsair's LED fans, mainly due to just how intuitive the iCue software is. If their wiring connections were more universal they'd be dominating the field.

 

[RepoDraghon]

Regards to the OP, I am a brand loyalist by definition but sometimes those brands do something bad (build a bad part or be bad service for example). I have dropped Ford for instance as a brand I am loyal to as they treated us horrible (and this isn't the dealerships), I have also kinda weaned away from Corsair as I keep getting defective parts (Keyboard, Mouse, and CPU watercooler). Intel is starting to be overrun by AMD in processors so there's a loyalty change there... but this is starting to sound like I'm not a brand loyalist, but I really am... just these particular companies have left sour tastes in my mouth ...

 

[Mason3k]

I'm still learning what I like, I have a logitech mouse and I would never get one again, I have cheap earbuds by skullcandy and their are actually really good but Im looking for a more name brand set of headphones, and for a keyboard, I have no idea ive only had budget ones, a logitech and a corsair at one point which was an awesome one, but at some point I want to get a mechanical one, ive never had one.

 

[Fweed]

I'm partial to certain brands. I generally prefer NVIDIA cards, and CPUs, but I am currently using a Rhyzen CPU which is working quite well for me.
For cases, I really like Cooler Master, and for data storage WD is my personal choice.
All in all, I see myself open to other brands, so I wouldn't call myself a loyalist to any, just biased.

 

[JarredWaltonGPU]

I'm Team Cyrix, all the way -- running an S3 Virge graphics card! Or maybe Transmeta?

Honestly, I won't name specific companies, but there's one particular component in every PC build where it's not the sexists aspect when it comes to performance, but I do tend to gravitate toward one specific brand -- when I'm building my own PCs at least. And right now, I'm not using any of this company's parts in my testbeds. Heh.

 

[tibbs1972047]

Not me,

I just look for the specs of a device and the cost.

Regards
Tibbs

 

[ATTAFWRD]

Noctua for everything air. Corsair, NZXT for AIO. Else EKWB.
Intel, but recently switched to AMD (3900X, ftw).
Nvidia GPUs but without GFE.
G.Skill, Corsair rams.
ASUS motherboards.
Seasonic, Corsair PSUs.
Corsair, Lian Li cases.

 

[drea.drechsler]

I'm not normally a brand loyalist, but I will pick based on brand history as much, or more, than simple comparative performance.

Case in point: if one brand has been anti-competitive and acting in a way that is bad for the consumer and industry then I'll choose another brand even if it has poorer comparative performance.

I make that choice now simply because I don't want to reward the anti-competitive behavior that will only serve to make future choices impossible.

 

[ixenroh]

Well I used to be an AMD and AMD only fanboy but I had a good reason for that... I felt like AMD, even though lower performance than NVidia, always tried to deliver affordable gaming at a very attractive price, so I wanted to support them so they can keep getting better and better, and hey, it worked, RX 5700 XT is on par with 2070 SU for some configs, for 200$ less.

Nowadays I'm caring less and less and mostly focusing on what I need rather than which brand it is. Being a college student and researcher in machine learning is requiring me to look into NVidia's cards for the performance on ML, but if I wanted to build a new gaming rig I'd probably still go for AMD cause of the bang for the buck.

CPU-wise I always stick to AMD cause I believe intel CPUs are simply overpriced, looking at the performance to price ratio. Intel has made some strides on making their prices more reasonable and managed to even outweigh AMD at one point recently but that's only thanks to AMD's pressure.

So I suppose I am an AMD loyalist overall.

In terms of other hardware.. I never mostly cared, but I do prefer ASUS when I can afford it.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

I'm Team Cyrix, all the way -- running an S3 Virge graphics card! Or maybe Transmeta?

Honestly, I won't name specific companies, but there's one particular component in every PC build where it's not the sexists aspect when it comes to performance, but I do tend to gravitate toward one specific brand -- when I'm building my own PCs at least. And right now, I'm not using any of this company's parts in my testbeds. Heh.

I prefer my S3 Savage 4!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfjZkL5m4P4

 

[Brian_180]

Not really. I used to be but since going to uni to study IT and learning how to objectively look at information better (we all think we do this but let's be real, lol) I've gotten a lot better at examining the minute details, listing out pros and cons, and all that tedious stuff, before making a purchase (an important purchase, I mean). There's never really a "perfect" solution and you have to pick which one will work best for what you're doing (which is why I think that people who argue things such as Intel vs AMD to be the last people you should take advice from).

I built my current PC before all of this so there are a lot of changes I'd make if I were doing it again but... it works. Since then, though, I've started building a home recording studio and critical thinking has definitely been a boon in this situation.

 

[Andydog]

A little. I mean, I don't only shop within a single manufacturer. I'll buy whatever performance/price works for me, but if I see a brand I've had past success with, and it cost a little more with them, I will go with what I feel is more reliable imo.

David

 

[ptferg1234]

For GPUs, Nvidia has always had better drivers than AMD so I always prefer to get an Nvidia card if I can. From there I have no qualms of who I buy from.

Headphones, on the other hand, I am more flexible. Sennheiser is my preferred brand but other companies such as Shure, Audio Technica, Beardynamic, etc make great headphones.

 

[bit_user]

All I'm doing is answering the question in the thread. I also wouldn't buy anything from Razer due to their bad logo as well.

I can actually sort of agree with you, on this one. When a brand is too in-your-face with its logo (especially if it's a logo I dislike), that's definitely a turn-off for me.

Fortunately, since I run windowless cases, pretty much the only items where I really care about looks is for cases, monitors, keyboards, and mice.

 

[bit_user]

My old time favorite is MX 518

I once used a MX 518, but that coating was so gross. Made the mouse feel dirty and I never figured out how to clean it correctly when it was.

I like a mouse I can just wipe down with rubbing alcohol. In fact, I like headphones with earpads & headband that will stand up to being cleaned the same way.

I don't have a current favorite but dont like Logitech G502.

That's what I use when I'm not on a trackball. It's good, but too many buttons. I should remap some to do nothing, because there are a couple I'm always hitting by mistake.

 

[bit_user]

As at least another has stated, my favorite brand of GPU is EVGA,

Many have mentioned EVGA GPUs, in this thread. I also have an EVGA GTX 980 Ti FTW and have been entirely pleased with it, including how quiet it is under load (something I cannot say for the XFX HD 7870 it replaced).

However, EVGA is not perfect. They had a fairly high-profile thermal issue with some of their Pascal-era FTW cards, as I recall. It's mentioned in this article:

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/evga-icx-cooling-gtx-1080,33632.html​

That said, if/when I buy another Nvidia GPU, the two brands I'd look at first are Nvidia Founders' Edition and EVGA. However, I'd very much go in with eyes open.

Paste needs replacing more often than some, yet I fully clean my build every two years anyway, no big deal.

I use Arctic Cooling MX-4 and never replace it. It has a pretty good reputation for longevity, and continues to work fine on my non-overclocked, air-cooled PCs (one 8-year-old with a 130 W CPU).

Fractal Design cases, large, quite with dampening material, even with 2 intakes & an exhaust, plus the two 140mm fans on the Noctua NH-D15, running, very quiet.

Did the dampening material come with it? Was it pre-installed? Or was it an aftermarket mod you did?

I installed dampening material in one case, but never again. Bad for thermals, so fans have to run faster. Plus, it's a bit of a pain, reduces the amount of usable space, and doesn't look great (especially when the case gets a bit dusty).

 

[c0dine]

I Love working on a macbook pro but I only use android phones. So Yes and No

 

[sxk1277]

I can actually sort of agree with you, on this one. When a brand is too in-your-face with its logo (especially if it's a logo I dislike), that's definitely a turn-off for me.

Fortunately, since I run windowless cases, pretty much the only items where I really care about looks is for cases, monitors, keyboards, and mice.

Its not just about a fashion statement though. I guess I've paid the price too many times when I went for a logo that looked fun rather than professional. So now, even if a reputable company has a unprofessional design, it just scares me.

 

[bit_user]

Only game company I would buy every game for was Rare and only on the N64. Pre dlc, if game sucked, too bad.. no patches, no way to fix it. Now they release games digitally and don't have to make it right even on launch day. I liked it how it was.

Well, PC games would sometimes have patches that you could get mailed to you on a floppy disk. I think I got a patch that way for Ultima 7. I waited what seemed like forever for that game.

 

[bit_user]

I'm Team Cyrix, all the way -- running an S3 Virge graphics card!

You forgot Gravis Ultrasound sound card, US Robotics Sportster 14.4k modem with V.32bis, Maxtor HDD, Colorado Memory Systems tape backup, Plextor CD-ROM, 3Com NIC, and Viewsonic multisync monitor.

My dad had a Cyrix 387 math co-processor, to accelerate CAD.

 

[Red2Six]

With tech evolving every day, we're seeing big leaps forward in the tech we take for granted. For the most part, we tend to pick the best available item, regardless of brand. However, some of us may still have some preferences for specific items.

Do you consider yourself a brand loyalist for any of your tech? If so, why that brand?

For me, I've broken the habit of buying Sony headphones every single time I upgrade. When I was younger, Sony was the only name brand I could afford, so I just got used to using their equipment for pretty much anything related to music. I did use them pretty much exclusively for about 30 years though.

How about you?

LOl I have a old Sony srs-002 speakers w/ D-2super woofer and it rocks...added a couple of tv speakers to it and it sounds gr8. Headset Logitech all day

 

[cat1092]

Did the dampening material come with it? Was it pre-installed? Or was it an aftermarket mod you did?

It was stock (pre-installed) with the Fractal Design Define R5 & is a quiet case, considering all inside, the one w/out the dampening material & rubber grommets was only $20 less. 👍

Have some MX-4, will try that after my spring cleanup. Yet since I have to remove cooler to clean fans & wash the rest in hot soapy water to remove grime, have to replace thermal paste anyway. It's also a good time to replace the liquid metal on a delidded CPU, I skipped this the last cleaning, time for a fresh cost.

BTW, I have all of my fans (CPU & case) set to run at 100% at boot (just over 1,450 rpm for case fans, 1,530 rpm for twin CPU ones). No worries with Noctua fans, they last forever & if I need to have one replaced, am sure there'll be no hassle. Plus with most, we get lots of goodies, like a PWM splitter for one, plus another cable to reduce speed (if desired). No shortage of PWM spitters around here, good to have for installing twin fans on CPU cooler. Some motherboards also has a single 4 pin PWM fan connector for case fans, can daisy chain to have two intakes & one exhaust, it's OK, as long as 3 fans or less. Don't know why MB OEM's still includes 3 pin fan hubs & case OEM's (some premium models) includes 3 pin fans in 2020,,,,,,so 2010ish. Even Fractal Design is guilty of pushing these cheaply made 'Dynamic GP-14' fans which weighs half of the Noctua PWM equivalent that won't (or can't) do 1,000 rpm on their best day in their expensive cases. I use these on the bottom or side for a tiny bit of added air, but for intake/exhaust are no better (or worse) than Rosewill branded ones. As for being 'quiet fans'. I guess so for a max of less than 1,000 rpm for 140mm ones. The least they could do is make them push 1,500-1,750 rpm & I'd not complain. These aren't cheap on the Newegg site either, at $5 less than the Noctua NF-140, one would think these would be PWM w/out question.

As one can see, am a Noctua loyalist, also Fractal Design, yet any case which shipped with a MSRP of over $100 isn't 'budget' & should include have PWM fans which are fast & quiet. I don't expect $50 Rosewill cases to include these, know will be upgrading out of the box. Most of the time, we get what we pay for, but not with Fractal Design & case fans (can't speak of other premium brands).😀

Cat

 

[SkyBill40]

To a somewhat large degree, yes, I am a brand loyalist.

I prefer my CPUs to be AMD and my mobo and vid cards by MSI. I've had no issues with any of their products across several builds now and don't expect that to become an issue. As for my peripherals, I like Razer. Say what you want about their stuff, but I've not had problems and believe their quality to be very good.

In relation to other things such as cooling, RAM, cases, fans, or whatever else, I'm less manufactuer specific so long as it is reliable and is of good quality.

 

[cat1092]

For GPUs, Nvidia has always had better drivers than AMD so I always prefer to get an Nvidia card if I can. From there I have no qualms of who I buy from.

Headphones, on the other hand, I am more flexible. Sennheiser is my preferred brand but other companies such as Shure, Audio Technica, Beardynamic, etc make great headphones.

Yes, NVIDIA GPU's & Audio-Technica M50x headphones! Drivers are easy to download & install on the NVIDIA site & the M50x headphones are plug & play. In fact, were designed for studio usage, am amazed the model has withstood the test of time.

There is a BT 5.0 version of the same headphones, not sure if cables are included, still a great deal at $150. I believe the M50x are now in the $119 range on promo, still far better than anything under $100. These are after all, studio headphones, not budget & lasts for years. The only thing I've had to replace on these are the pads, these will eventually wear on any brand/model. I ordered an extra set with the M50x when purchased in late 2016, however decided to try a set of Wicked Cushions. Being I wear glasses, these are more comfortable & if there was any 'loss' of sound, so minimal I didn't notice.

About the NVIDIA GPU's, just install (use DDU unless a new build to remove previous drivers), it's also basically plug & play after that. While my 1st new GPU was an AMD, didn't like how they shoved unproven (or incompatible) drivers down my throat, would always have to image the system before installing. Makes no sense to offer drivers in 2019 for a 2012 card (MSI R770 or AMD 7770 GHz Edition (1GB GDDR5)). Drivers crashes the system (AMD or Intel), so had to block updates, the 15.7.1 is the best for this series & am sure many more of the 'GHz Edition' era. We're long past 8GB too, yet NVIDIA knows how to deliver drivers. It's just that we must disable Telemetry once installed, which is easy with CCleaner's Startup tab. While it came as no surprise that Microsoft 'phones home', it did for NVIDIA.

Fortunately this can be controlled with CCleaner. Open the app, go to Tools > Scheduled Tasks & you'll see all of the 'NvTmRep' enabled. Disable all, to include all that begins with 'NvProfile & Node Launcher (an out of date plug-in) & NVIDIA GeForce software. If a laptop user, it's best to leave the Batter Boost Check on Logon enabled to conserve power while not gaming & for all, OK to allow notification via leaving 'NvDriverUpdateCheckDaily' enabled. This won't always notify us of driver updates, yet far safer than allowing GeForce Experience with the way out of date 'node-js' plug-in to run at boot. If using GeForce, it's best to check for a new version of the node-js driver weekly, like old versions of Java, a known security risk. Even though distributed by the Linux Foundation, old software is just that. The thing of it is, the included version of node-js is outdated when installed with the most recent driver bundle, so unless disabling, it's necessary for security to download the latest node-js version, an .exe installer for Windows. It's one's choice to go with recommended or most features, the latter likely applies to power users such as gamers.

https://nodejs.org/en/

So unlike the headphones, one still must use careful when installing NVIDIA driver packages. Also the offending packages can be removed by opening CMD as Administrator & type (or copy/paste) the following below, then press Enter.

rundll32 "%PROGRAMFILES%\NVIDIA Corporation\Installer2\InstallerCore\NVI2.DLL",UninstallPackage NvTelemetryContainer

This must be done with every new driver upgrade to remain effective.

Cat

 

[Deleted member 2783327]

Absolutely not. What's the best at the best price.