Should I buy a Black Friday computer or build one myself?

[ihaveacamaro]

Hello everyone,

Currently, I'm looking at buying a Dell desktop being sold on Black Friday.

The deal is $700 for:

Dell XPS 8500
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3770 processor (3.40 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.90 GHz)
Windows 8, 64-bit
8 GB Dual Channel DDR3
16x CD/DVD burner
1 TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive 6.0 Gb/s
AMD Radeon HD 7570 1 GB GDDR5
1 Year Warranty

Can I build a computer with better specs for less?

My skills are decent with building stuff. I work on my car quite a bit (same screen name for every forum I'm on) so I feel comfortable with what I know how to do, but I don't know how to solder well. Will this make a difference?

I've never built a computer before.

Thank you for your help!

 

[spirit]

For 700 I'm gonna bet you can build a better PC yourself than that Dell, so I'd say build your own.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

For 700 I'm gonna bet you can build a better PC yourself than that Dell, so I'd say build your own.

want to help a newb like myself out and show me an example of a better build

I have no idea where to even begin if I start building my own computer. What kind of parts would I need to get?

 

[spirit]

I'm a tad busy now, but you'd want is something like an i5 3570K, 8GB DDR3 RAM, Z77 motherboard, Carbide 300R (or similar) case, Corsair CX600 PSU, Radeon 7850, 1TB HDD. Should come to about 700, give or take. It'd be a lot better than that Dell.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

So I'm doing some research on what I might like to get if I build my own computer... Think this would be better than the Dell?

Processor:
AMD FX-8320 Eight-Core
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FX-Series-Eight-Core-Processor-FD8320FRHKBOX/dp/B009O7YU56
$175

Graphics Card:
HIS IceQ X H785QN2G2M Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
$190 but $150 after mail-in-rebate


Motherboard:
ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514&Tpk=GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+
$100 after $10 rebate card


Memory:
G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
$38


Storage:
Seagate ST2000DM001 Barracuda 7200RPM 3 TB SATA 6 GB/s
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRN2/?tag=5336653510-20
$90


Case:
Thermaltake Chaser MK-I System Cabinet
http://www.overstock.com/Electronic...ystem-Cabinet/6028152/product.html?cid=123620
$160


Power Supply:
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ogleNEW-_-Power+Supplies-_-Corsair-_-17139028
$70


Optical Drive:
Lite-On IHES112-04 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Internal 12X Blu-ray Combo Model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...grabb3r-_-Blu-Ray+Drives-_-Lite-On-_-27106374
$55


Total: $840

 

[ihaveacamaro]

I'm a tad busy now, but you'd want is something like an i5 3570K, 8GB DDR3 RAM, Z77 motherboard, Carbide 300R (or similar) case, Corsair CX600 PSU, Radeon 7850, 1TB HDD. Should come to about 700, give or take. It'd be a lot better than that Dell.

Thanks, I was actually doing a little research while you typed this I guess. How does what I have above look?

Would what you wrote in your quote make for a better build than what I came up with above? You won't hurt my feelings if you say yours is better I just want the best I can get for my money

 

[spirit]

All looks fine but you still need a graphics card and you'll need a higher wattage PSU. I recommend using a 7850 for your graphics card and a 600W quality PSU from one of the brands in my signature for your PSU.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

All looks fine but you still need a graphics card and you'll need a higher wattage PSU. I recommend using a 7850 for your graphics card and a 600W quality PSU from one of the brands in my signature for your PSU.

Does a graphics card include a sound card? Or is there any negatives to not having a sound card if it doesn't?

 

[ihaveacamaro]

All looks fine but you still need a graphics card and you'll need a higher wattage PSU. I recommend using a 7850 for your graphics card and a 600W quality PSU from one of the brands in my signature for your PSU.

also are all 600w psu's made equal? If I limit my search to the PSU's you recommend and I find one that is $60 vs one that is $100, is there a difference?

 

[ihaveacamaro]

All looks fine but you still need a graphics card and you'll need a higher wattage PSU. I recommend using a 7850 for your graphics card and a 600W quality PSU from one of the brands in my signature for your PSU.

I know I could edit my past posts to make this one big post, but these are all different questions.

When I search Radeon 7850 on google, there is a VisionTek, Asus, and Sapphire version. Any differences between them?


Thanks again for all the help!

 

[ihaveacamaro]

I'm not sure which Radeon 7850 to pick, there's about 30 different versions?

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/video-card/#c=81

 

[Knut]

I know I could edit my past posts to make this one big post, but these are all different questions.

When I search Radeon 7850 on google, there is a VisionTek, Asus, and Sapphire version. Any differences between them?


Thanks again for all the help!

Although I am a noob I know that some have other clockspeeds then others, other cooling designs and others are better at overclocking.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

Although I am a noob I know that some have other clockspeeds then others, other cooling designs and others are better at overclocking.

This is the cheapest one that had 2GB of memory (instead of 1GB), do you think it is a good one? It's core speed is 860 MHz. I have no idea if those specs are great, lousy, or in between...

Graphics Card:
HIS IceQ X H785QN2G2M Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3938566&SID=
$190 but $150 after mail-in-rebate

 

[spirit]

Does a graphics card include a sound card? Or is there any negatives to not having a sound card if it doesn't?

Nope, doesn't include a sound card. You don't need a dedicated sound card, use the onboard sound on the motherboard.

also are all 600w psu's made equal? If I limit my search to the PSU's you recommend and I find one that is $60 vs one that is $100, is there a difference?

Yes there is a difference in quality and the parts used inside that PSU. The 600W PSU I keep on recommending is the Corsair CX 600. Cheap but good quality power. Just get that one.

When I search Radeon 7850 on google, there is a VisionTek, Asus, and Sapphire version. Any differences between them?

Some cards are factory overclocked, others not. Some have different/aftermarket coolers. Good if you like overclocking, if not then that's fine too. Some brands offer different warranties and guarantees. Personally, for Radeons, I like Sapphire and XFX. I used a Sapphire HD 5870 myself, awesome card from a great brand. MSI and ASUS and HIS are good too. They're all kind of similar at the end of the day. I wouldn't pay the extra for an overclocked card though. You can overclock it yourself later if you like.

I'm not sure which Radeon 7850 to pick, there's about 30 different versions?

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/video-card/#c=81

I'd go for a Sapphire or an XFX one.

 

[claptonman]

So I'm doing some research on what I might like to get if I build my own computer... Think this would be better than the Dell?

Processor:
AMD FX-8320 Eight-Core
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FX-Series-Eight-Core-Processor-FD8320FRHKBOX/dp/B009O7YU56
$175

Motherboard:
ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard
http://www.compuvest.com/Search.jsp...sku=351010522-00&CJAID=10547627&CJPID=3938566
$82 with 10% off with promo code CVM783402

Total: $810

That motherboard won't work. You'd want a AM3+ motherboard. I recommend:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514

Very good price for that board. I have the same one and it's great.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

Nope, doesn't include a sound card. You don't need a dedicated sound card, use the onboard sound on the motherboard.


Yes there is a difference in quality and the parts used inside that PSU. The 600W PSU I keep on recommending is the Corsair CX 600. Cheap but good quality power. Just get that one.


Some cards are factory overclocked, others not. Some have different/aftermarket coolers. Good if you like overclocking, if not then that's fine too. Some brands offer different warranties and guarantees. Personally, for Radeons, I like Sapphire and XFX. I used a Sapphire HD 5870 myself, awesome card from a great brand. MSI and ASUS and HIS are good too. They're all kind of similar at the end of the day. I wouldn't pay the extra for an overclocked card though. You can overclock it yourself later if you like.



I'd go for a Sapphire or an XFX one.

Thank you for your responses. Great turnaround time here on this forum!

I know you said Sapphire or XFX one, but is there is significant difference between that and this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1405&Tpk=HIS IceQ X H785QN2G2M Radeon HD 7850

What's the worst case scenario if I choose the cheaper one I linked to rather than Sapphire or XFX? I just want to be able to justify the extra $50 dollars for the same video card if I get Sapphire or XFX


Edit: I need to learn to read better, you said HIS is fine too. I guess I'll just stick with that since it is $50 cheaper

 

[ihaveacamaro]

That motherboard won't work. You'd want a AM3+ motherboard. I recommend:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514

Very good price for that board. I have the same one and it's great.

Oh ok. Just out of curiosity sake, why don't they work together? Is it just a motherboard that's AMD incapable if that is even possible.

Want to learn as much as I can before I jump into this!

Thanks!

 

[claptonman]

A better warranty would be the main concern, but I had a HIS 4670 and it was absolutely fine. I see no reason not to get the HIS if it is cheaper.

It's incompatible because the socket type is different. The FX 8320 uses an AM3+ socket while the board you had was FM2, which is for the AMD APUs, which are CPUs with a GPU inside of it.

And yes, that's possible. If you have an Intel board, no AMD will ever fit into it.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

A better warranty would be the main concern, but I had a HIS 4670 and it was absolutely fine. I see no reason not to get the HIS if it is cheaper.

It's incompatible because the socket type is different. The FX 8320 uses an AM3+ socket while the board you had was FM2, which is for the AMD APUs, which are CPUs with a GPU inside of it.

And yes, that's possible. If you have an Intel board, no AMD will ever fit into it.

Gotcha, thanks for the help!

Yeah spirit said HIS was fine, I guess my eyes glazed over that part the first time I read his response. I'm just going to go with that one I think and the motherboard you recommend.


So... next question:

I plan on making this desktop and keeping it for the next 5 or so years. Do you think that it will stay in working condition? Are all the parts quality parts?

 

[spirit]

Yeah all the parts should work fine.

And yes, the HIS is a good card.