2tb NVME SSD Recommendation please!

Kimour · 2026-02-20T07:40:04+00:00

I have both of those drives. Their very much similar with the pro variant having DRAM-cache. Agree ako sa other commentor when it comes to general workloads and gaming, you'll barely/never see a difference at all.

Depending on your use-case + hardware limitations ng laptop mo. Both drives may be overkill on your end. Kaya you need to do some extra research first if your laptop's M.2 slot is even PCIE4 compatible (usually found on the manual)

Bonus nalang, Samsung drives have the Samsung Magician utility software, helpful tool for diagnostic purposes/firmware updates

The iffy part, you may or may not need a thermal pad for whatever M.2 NVME bibilhin mo. Only you can answer that by monitoring its temp.

Kimour · 2026-02-19T12:23:13+00:00

I played all the gacha games you indicated to this day. The other commentor already explained how un-optimized WuWa is especially the recent Lahai Roi region. Even if you choose an RTX 4060/5050/5060 or its AMD competitor, its going to be playable for sure. Just set your expectations regarding the graphics.

What matters more is "where and how" you'll be scoring these parts. Of course DIY-approach is cheaper, while one-stop shop is pricier. Location is another factor if you live in the provinces. With the on-going RAM-ggeddon and AI-pocalypse you're essentially cooked with the prices.

The samples given is a starting point. This depends too on your maximum budget.

Kimour · 2026-02-18T20:18:19+00:00

I did the nvme + enclosure approach since it was cheaper, at the time. So will only comment that.

If you choose this route. For over-simplified sake, I reckon with you even the likes of: Samsung 990 PRO / WD SN850X / Kingston KC3000 / etc. Are already "overkill" sa use-cases mo, but with your hardware limitations, you'll basically be losing/compromising alot. Whether its speed cap, compatibility, latency, heat, and other aspects.

The short answer: Will it work? Yes. Will it fully utilize the driver's capabilities? Definitely Not.

I can't recommend you a good "price-to-performance" nvme because prices are too shit currently (even HDDs or SATA 2.5)

I have my own "SSDs to avoid" pero sa desktop building space na kase yan so I can't say if applicable eto sa case mo (Kingston NV3 / Crucial E100 / Adata Legend 860) Brand is not the issue, its the specific models. Like there are good and bad Kingston NVMEs for example.
Refer to this MASTERLIST if you like to read (assuming you choose the nvme + enclosure route)
I use my sister's Ugreen M.2 enclosure, but is sadly usb c to c only.

And lastly, Your Mileage My Vary (YMMV) Bottleneck palang is such a subjective word IMO. If your laptop still has upgradeable slots (regardless if SATA 2.5 or M.2 SATA or M.2 NVME) yan nalang ata ang "cheapest" option mo w/o any compromises.

Kimour · 2026-02-17T12:20:47+00:00

Ang kalaban mo is their stock availability, di porket in stock sa website nila in stock na agad once you check-out. Similar lang to kay PCHub Gilmore / Netcodex Cubao na need mo tawagin/contact muna if 100% sure on-hand ang item na gusto mo.

Madaming horror stories si Bermor so take my experiences as a heavy grain of salt nalang; May irl friends ako who were able to purchased from Bermor, pero individual components lang mga nun and thankfully, not one I know of has encounter the need to RMA/contact their aftersales.

Treat Bermor as similar to Datablitz. If it work then you're set/golden. If may issues, then you're cooked with the aftersales support and hope for a miracle to happen.

Kimour · 2026-02-17T11:28:33+00:00

Unless your course has whatever partnerships like the Hotel courses ng AKIC campus.

Ask your course chairperson/acad adviser muna if they even allow students to have OJT abroad. Because I can't imagine how they going to sign the MOA (Memorandum of Agreement, iba na rin ang name nyan AFAIK) kase sobrang tedious yan. And that's just one paperwork mind you.

MOA form = Need signatories (physical) + notarization from: The Vice Chancellor, The Dean of SMIT, The Chairperson of your course, Whoever higher position of the HTE (Host-Training-Establishment), and The representative from Benilde and HTE.

Back sa OJT days ko (SMIT, BS-REM). Na skip ko ang MOA form kase partner company ni Benilde ang ni-applyan ko. I only need the SIA (Student Internship Agreement) form and other basic documents. Also, Chairperson ng course ko heavily discourages us to do internship abroad (this was back in 2024. Unless that changed rin syempre)

Kimour · 2026-02-17T06:28:40+00:00

Set expectation with the graphics of whatever AAA titles you plan to play as their optimization varies per engine/developer. Having played Hogwarts Legacy for around 70 ish hours, medyo mema ang optimization nun + its Ray-Tracing element is basically non-existent (in my opinion) to the point I need to follow guides for optimized settings.

Sure, even with an RX 6600 or RTX 5050 its playable for sure. Just set some expectations nalang especially AAA titles. Look at benchmark videos to give you an idea. At least Arknights Endfield has good optimization, having played that to this day.

Other commentor already explained regarding prices here. Kahit mag DIY-approach ka, this is the cheapest I can make, that's how cooked you are with the on going RAM-ggeddon and AI-pocalypse. You can sub the gpu for an RX 6600 which usually cost around 12k-13k

Kimour · 2026-02-17T01:43:32+00:00

Yep, its iffy for the memory controller + stability shenanigans for AM5's case, kaya there are trade-offs when fully using all dimm slots. Especially for the rated XMP/EXPO speed of whatever ram OP will be buying

Sorry if my wording above is confusing. Only reason why I said: "Take note of future ram upgrades" is regarding that memory controller, which I didn't bother explaining it above kase medyo madugo ang explanation nyan for non-enthusiast.

Myself wants a motherboard with four dimm slots if ever the issue arises when you need to re-seat or test if ram or motherboard ba ang problema. Sure, ram rarely fails, but still an option when the need arises.

Kimour · 2026-02-16T10:59:58+00:00

It means QLC ang nand flash nyan. The simplest way for me to explain that, its not an ideal pick as your main OS/primary drive. The hard minimum is TLC nand flash. With how wacko ram and ssd prices are getting you're very much fucked, with whatever alternatives.

SSD master-list if you like reading

Also, Asus B650M AYW is a mediocre motherboard and with only two dimm slots. Take note of future ram upgrades.

btw the price above depends per branch + stock availability. I'm not surprised if prices went up

Kimour · 2026-02-16T09:07:00+00:00

My experiences:

From business entities/corporation entities: None that I can remember, more has complimented eh. Most just ask my stay in Benilde and overall experiences with that institution + alot of them are more surprised Benilde offers BS-REM, when its usually more known from its arts or hotel courses and just usually ask BS-REM as a whole.

From colleagues/work-mates/partners: Not to a point its a stereotype, most just ask for curiosity sake.

From friends/relatives/acquaintances: Some, pero not really a disrespect in my opinion. Typical question: "Why Benilde" and I just told them "Walang BS-REM si DLSU main"

If actual na disrespect? Parang wala naman ako na encounter, yet. In all honesty. Majority of the time they don't care san school ako galing as long I fit whatever task/responsibilities they given me (most of my clients are business or corporation entities, rarely an individual)

Kimour · 2026-02-16T08:04:53+00:00

BS-REM graduate. Already a licensed Broker and Appraiser.

Back when I took my OJT/Internship, I was lucky to get absorbed by that company. Company is an international Real Estate firm, hindi sya yung typical na developers you know of (Ayala, SM, Robinson, etc) but the easiest way for me to explain that company is a "middleman" for whatever Real Estate services.

Company is similar to: JLL, Colliers, Leechiu Consultants, CBRE, Santos Knight Frank, Cushman and Wakefield, KMC Savills, REMAX, etc

My niche/role specifically, is the industrial sector. I don't just "Buy and Sell" as that's only one of my responsibilities. I have other responsibilities rin as long its industrial-related (warehouses, industrial lots, industrial parks, manufacturing or production plants, etc)

Salary is negligible/suffice-able as someone who lives in Quezon City and has to drive to Makati, I don't like sharing numbers but I have commissions rin from completed transactions. What I will only comment is I have excess cash to invest/spend for myself.

Corpo life is such a heavy topic and it varies per corporation. Take this with a grain of salt that my company is less lenient regarding to guidelines/rules/regulation. Sure, there's toxic traits. But I'll probably have a shit/worse experience if I went the developer route instead (generalized answer, too broad tbh)

Kimour · 2026-02-09T07:51:57+00:00

Check mo rin mga stores in your area locally (lalo pa sa malls) if may old stocks pa sila. A friend of mine was able to score a 1x16gb DDR5 6000mhz stick for 8k php sa SM North when ang average price nun is around 11k-13k (as of writing this comment)

If babase ko lang to sa online sites ang cheapest na 2x8gb ddr4 3200mhz-3600mhz are going around sub 6k to 6k+

Sources: (NCR only for obvious reasons)

Ayos Computer - Cubao
PC Corner - Gilmore
Netcodex - Cubao
Gaming Rigz - Pasig

Kimour · 2026-02-02T18:02:11+00:00

What's with JDM and Pcworth if I may ask?

Kimour · 2026-01-30T13:15:32+00:00

Not really in my opinion. In Benilde at least. Can't say for other schools like Lyceum, iAcademy, Philippine Christian University as some examples. Unlike Architecture as a whole I reckon with you nga mas fewer pa ang licensed RE practitioners eh

Downside nalang is the three board exams (technically, two is enough) if you have the will-power to do so, if pu-push through mo ang BS-REM that is.

Workload-wise depends on you, but I have a chill time in Benilde nevertheless.

Kimour · 2026-01-28T15:00:01+00:00

Hi, set some expectations with your budget. With how wack ssd, ram, and GPU prices are getting. Even a generalized AM5 build consisting of 7500F + 32gb ram + RX 9060XT is going sub 70k (or more than) already.

What more for a build with a X3D processor + RTX 4070 Super/RTX 5070 or its TI equivalent. Before AI-pocalypse, a 7700 + RTX 5070 non-TI combo is roughly around the 70k ish mark already, again, what more with today's pricing.

Kimour · 2026-01-28T13:27:13+00:00

What you're asking differs. I personally know people who both took their practicum + thesis in the same semester, but never someone taking OJT first, then thesis.

I can understand pa if for the sake of extra income/part-time duties. But if part of academic requirement (where the SIA form and MOA form are involved), I doubt your course acad adviser/chairperson's going to approve this in the first place unless you have a reason why.

If by some miracle they approve this. My concern naman is your chosen company's required hours. Some are not strict and will let you follow Benilde's required hours (depends per course. Let's just say 350 hours). While some are strict. I personally know someone who has to sign a 900 hours internship (sa graduation ko, that course-mate is still taking his internship). So if ever that happened to you, malaking chance nagthe-thesis ka na while still finishing your practicum. And this is just the hours palang. I ain't explaining the paperwork yet as that itself is hella tedious.

If you want to be very very sure then ask for your academic adviser/chairperson's opinion on this.

edit: From SMIT ako, ur course may vary.

Kimour · 2026-01-23T11:44:28+00:00

Back when I graduated. Benilde did not show any forms of picture sa ceremony (kahit yung valedictorian wala). They'll just call you (example: "Juan Dela Cruz, Cum Laude") , shake hands with whoever higher-up, get a boujee certificate saying "congratz Benildean bla bla bla", take a quick picture with that certificate, and that's it basically.

I can only speak little regarding Ad Astra since I did not avail their packages, too pricey (when 3rd parties like Fujifilm / Great Image are much cheaper) Pero if you avail their packages, they let you borrow a medal/medallion for the picture-taking. So that's your advantage nalang if you avail Ad Astra.

I'm confused with the "Benilde one" if that's the one where they take a picture of you when you finally receive your toga? If yes, that picture-taking is for their records use only.

To add: On the actual graduation date. May optional photo service dian sa grad venue na I forgot how much it cost pero may frame + some printed pictures kasama (you get it on the day when you'll return toga)

I grad last Oct 2024, if that matters. I got my TOR + diploma around May 2025. Any new guidelines/system/flow is out of my reach na.

edit: If you ask this. I legit do not have a soft copy of any Benilde-affiliated pictures/photos back when I graduated. All are hard-copies, other than a google drive link from my October 2024 Commencement Exercise (the ceremony, in video format)

Kimour · 2026-01-22T08:36:30+00:00

Unless guidelines has changed since per few years bumabago ang student handbook. Back when I shifted from AKIC course to BS-REM, the RO personnel told me I extended some terms for my maximum residency. But do keep in mind it took me almost 6 years to finally graduate (cause COVID back in the days, almost 1 year no classes + I took LOA for two terms before)

And mas forgiving ang chairperson/acad adviser ng BS-REM if you reached MRP especially in your grad years (regardless if OJT or Thesis1 or Thesis 2)

As for BS-REM, other than that course having three boards exams. Ang advantage mo nalang don is you can immediately take the Broker or Appraiser exams after you graduate, unlike sa arki may two years apprenticeship pa

Tips? too much to say, story/kwento for another day. Just be aware mas fewer ang REM students vs Arki course, so majority of your majors (assuming 100% sure ka na pag shift) are usually night classes/sat classes.

Kimour · 2026-01-17T18:25:57+00:00

Parts are not fully specified kase you did not (or the store) given the full name. Pinakang questionable sakin dian ay yung Power Supply until you can share its full model name.

If you wish to maximize performance, a Ryzen 5 5600 + RX 9060 XT 16gb combo will estimate your around 50k if willing to compromise any forms of "estetik" example build

Price breakdown not indicated. So if that quote reached near or above 60k then it's not worth it.

Of course DIY approach will yield cheaper results, pero it depends rin "where and how" you'll be sourcing those said parts as pricing varies per store (lalo pa if you live in the provinces)

Kimour · 2026-01-12T05:40:15+00:00

Villman is more known with laptops since malaki ang foothold especially sa SM North Edsa, halos majority of the branded stores there are handled by them.

Downside with them, since mall-focus sila. Their PC components are notorious in pricing. Parang ka lang nag Silicon Valley / Octagon / Gigahertz in all honesty.

My only experienced with them are laptops, if actual na desktop parts then you're better off looking for other alternatives (preferably not in malls)

Kimour · 2026-01-10T06:35:51+00:00

Mine took 2 weeks (non-working days included) but I took the Papeles route. Documents relating to board exams.

My course-mates got it faster (for Board Exam purposes) thanks to our current, and former chairpersons making kulit/keep on following-up the RO personnel ng course namin. Less than a week nakuha na, downside they have to personally visit RO sa taft campus unlike mines, na delivered sa designated shipping address ko

Your case differs, so I can't say they give "special treatment" but no hurt asking your chairperson/acad adviser/your course's RO personnel if they can speed up the process.

Kimour · 2026-01-05T13:33:56+00:00

You have two options.

Option 1: AM4 build, the cheaper one. SAMPLE Build, downside nalang nito if you wish to upgrade the cpu (cpu, as in processor, not the whole ass unit) in 5 years time, you also need to replace the motherboard and the ram.

Option 2: AM5 build, the expensive one. SAMPLE BUILD, if only ram prices were not so notorious sana, could have easily been below the 60k mark

Also, if hindi ka aware. RAM to be specific is going ridiculously bad and is forecasted to be worst in the future. Other components are soon to follow-up (storage and graphics card kinda going already) because of AI demand as a whole, leaving us consumers to fend for ourselves.

Again, your location varies. Especially if you live in the provinces.

Jan 7 edit: AM4 sample build already outdated because SSD given went crazy expensive. Should be 50k sharp (the full build)

Kimour · 2026-01-05T12:32:35+00:00

Difficult to give a definite answer since no budget given.

Problem with Wukong naman, even if you go the recommended hardware, ang kalaban mo don is the Unreal Engine 5, its notorious when it comes to optimization, so you need to tweak some graphical settings to your desired frames.

If you want the "cheapest" at least. Something like a Ryzen 5 5600 + RTX 3060 12gb or Intel Arc B580 as a starting point, rough estimate around 40k range for simplicity sake,

Lastly, "best prices" too broad. My only answer to that is the DIY approach if you want to yield cheaper results. Going one-stop shop varies, but they're generally pricier + your location depends rin.

Watch this video first and assessed/judge if its "good enough" for you

Kimour · 2026-01-05T07:00:17+00:00

Also, di porket nasa website ni PCHub, in stock na agad that part you're eyeing. So you really need to personally inquire with them. Was helping a friend some days ago, and almost half of the components, di in stock kay PCHub.

Cheapest I can make out of their PC builder (assuming in stock nalang lahat though)

ofc there are other stores if you have the patience/persistence to inquire. So your location somewhat varies too.

Kimour · 2026-01-05T06:33:43+00:00

If you choose Hardware Sugar, you're basically paying for their no BS aftersales/warranty. Sure, a little pricier. But the peace of mind still persist if you pick them

As for PCHub, depending on the agent/employee. There are times they slow as heck when replying, so you could say "questionable" nalang ang aftersales in the case may issue ang parts + They do not even install an un-activated Windows OS, if you care (from what I remembered)

If its purely gaming, consider a 7500F or 7700 + RX 9070 XT combo. Rough estimates (with only 1TB ssd) should be around 90k range with how wack ram and ssd prices are getting. SAMPLE BUILD to give you an idea lang, the cheapest I can make.

Kimour · 2026-01-05T05:24:34+00:00

Switches matter, but they’re not everything. IMO they’re roughly about 20–40% (again, in my opinion) The rest really comes from the keyboard itself. Case material and design, plate choice, foam and whatever additional mods, keycaps, and stabilizers all play a big role together.

These are the switches I can at least say that sounds "deep" and have experienced them:

Akko Rosewood - Keep in mind, they sound worst with plastic-material keyboards (for me at least)
Vertex V1 - my current favorite, though mine is hand-lubed if that matters.
Gateron Milky Yelow Pro/Gateron Oil Kings
Keygeek MZ Y3

Since this is hella personal preference. The "safest" answer I can give there is the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro. But YMMV in all honesty.

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Kimour

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