Advice on purchase vs. build for noob

N

Noob_101

New Member
Hey guys and gals, my first post, but have been reading and searching for countless hours. I am a complete noob with computers, but am mechanically capable when working on car engines, suspension installs, etc. I am typing this on my dying Dell Dimension 2400, so in need of a new tower. I believe I could assemble some of the suggested builds, but came across a Costco ZT tower on sale for $799. Wanted to get opinions on whether this was a good enough deal that it may cost more to build. I'm 45, not into online games, and would need for normal computing, email, etc, but something fast with lots of memory that won't be outdated in 3-4 yrs.

I was following along with the Oddler's build thread, http://www.computerforum.com/209197-building-new-pc-need-help.html (about 12 threads below mine) and was going to do basically the same minus monitor and speakers, but it was still more expensive than this Costco ZT assembled. Please steer me in the right direction: if Oddler's build at about the same price would be vastly superior to the Costco one. Thanks in advance, and please be nice. The more I read, the more I realize I don't know squat...


OK, so I put together a build and I'm sure I mismatched or forgot something, but please have a look and give me some input:


LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS70 $16.99
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.99
ECS NGTX560TI-1GPI-F1 GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $209.99
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply $104.99
G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR $59.99
ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS $179.99
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K $219.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit OEM $99.99
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 $29.99
Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $154.99

Subtotal: $1,136.90


Then came across this prebuilt that seemed pretty decent for less $...What do you guys suggest?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.864966
 
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You could probably build one cheaper if you used the same (crap) quality parts they will, or for the same price probably get better quality and all.
 
You could build an AMD APU system for like $320-400. The processor would be plenty fast enough for what you would use it for, and it would come with low level discrete-video card graphics. That would also include 8GB of memory and a typical hard drive. For an additional $80-120, you could add a solid state drive, which would make your system run even faster. (drastically reduce boot-up times, software load times, etc)

In virtually all scenarios, building your own system is going to be cheaper than buying a pre-built. The only case where the line gets fuzzy and a pre-built may be cheaper is when it comes to extreme budget systems (like $400 or less), that come with Windows 7 ($100 value). But those systems are piles of dog crap, and at best they will have low quality PSUs, etc.

That said, that system seems like a pretty good deal for a pre-built, considering it is $800 and includes Windows 7. The quality of the parts is probably not the greatest, but it has a very nice processor in it, and the integrated Intel graphics would be plenty for any non-gaming usage. I'm sure others will have more to say.
 
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Thanks for the responses...anyone else have an opinion one way or another? At around this price point, would anyone be willing to throw a build idea out for me? I only need a tower, and the costco one seemed like a pretty decent deal, but if it is crap inside, I'd rather build with higher quality parts
. I would also need some direction on installing an operating system, which is why the prebuilt seemed like an ok deal. Anyone care to help out? Thanks
 
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Noob_101 said:
Thanks for the responses...anyone else have an opinion one way or another? At around this price point, would anyone be willing to throw a build idea out for me? I only need a tower, and the costco one seemed like a pretty decent deal, but if it is crap inside, I'd rather build with higher quality parts
. I would also need some direction on installing an operating system, which is why the prebuilt seemed like an ok deal. Anyone care to help out? Thanks
Click to expand...

Sorry I don't know much about them, but I am looking to build a Gaming Computer, using this website as a guide.

http://www.build-gaming-computers.com/gaming-desktop-computer.html

And it seems that for the price you are paying, you get WAY more quality for your money by custom building your own computer, it may not have the "brand" or company insurance, but if you can get it insured and don't care about brand hype, then I would go custom build anyday.

Hope this helped alittle
 
Thanks for the link and it was helpful, but I won't be using it for much gaming. Anyone feel like suggesting a build that would work for me? Just need the tower, quality parts, fast with lots of memory and at around $750 to $900price point? What would you pick if you were me? Thanks.
 
C'mon guys, help a brother out. I would like to build something to be proud of, but really don't understand how these computer parts work together/are compatible with each other. Anyone want to throw me a bone on this, so that I can get a foundation to build from? My 12 yr old daughter knows more about this stuff than me, but I'm asking you, the people with real experience to help out.I'm just looking for ideas, no major thing. May I get 2-3 "builds" that I could do myself for under 1k? there has to be someone willing to chime in!!!
 
Noob_101 said:
Thanks for the link and it was helpful, but I won't be using it for much gaming. Anyone feel like suggesting a build that would work for me? Just need the tower, quality parts, fast with lots of memory and at around $750 to $900price point? What would you pick if you were me? Thanks.
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With that budget you can do real well for a custom build for what you need it for since you don't need a lot of graphics hp. But you could add that hp later on if wanted. What about your daughter? Would she play any games on it? Someone will be chiming in here soon, unless I beat them to it.
Go to Newegg.com and sign up for their eblasts. It can be a good shopping tool.
 
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Intel or AMD.
Here's an AMD example.
MB -
One of the 2 best brands. Most consider it the best. Choose quality because you want the mb to last a long long time. Everything that connects to it can be changed/upgraded w/o buying Windows again, if that's what you go with since most new builds buy the OEM version of Windows 7 since it's only $100 ($80 right now)). This one has AMD's lasted cpu socket design AM3+ and latest south bridge chip 950. An IGP would suit you well. This one doesn't have a built in graphics processor (IGP) so a dedicated video card is necessary. AMD has probably the best IGP in the 4290/890G chip, but you may have to give up the latest AM3+ socket and 950 chip to get it.
GIGABYTE GA-990XA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990X SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
CPU -
With 4 cores and @ 3.5Ghx stock speed, you'll blaze thru your uses/that type of multitasking with plenty of reserve power for future demands without having to try to over clock anything (altho it co’s very well). Corsair is one of the best brands for power supplies and the 550M would be a good fit.
AMD Phenom II X4 970 Deneb 3.5GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDZ970FBK4DGM - OEM

Intel has a good IGP as well (with supporting cpu/mb). The more learned on Intel can comment on that.

The rest of these components will most certainly be compatible with the AMD or Intel platform (cpu/mb) you choose.
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...
G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR
HIS H677FN1GD Radeon HD 6770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
This is going to make a big difference in your computing experience. OS + programs.
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR60GB 2.5" 60GB SATA III Asynchronous MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Storage.
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS70 - OEM
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

Some parts have a time sensitive promo or rebate or both. Right now the net is about $755 shipped - but no case yet.
While you’re waiting for more feedback, if you want to post the links to a couple cases you like, the case suggestions will be more toward your preference.
 
Thank you Benny for your advice. Currency, I don't have a preference for a tower case as it won't really be seen, so best functionally to price would be great. True on the observation that my 2 kids, aged 12 and 16, will probably use it for some gaming. Benny, with that scenario in mind, which of the 2, Intel or AMD would you use? Again thank you guys for taking the time to help me out, much appreciated. I'm struggling with information overload. I'm going to base my purchase on the info I'm getting here as it's obvious there are many knowledgeable people in these forums. Anyone else with additional ideas, I would love to hear your input!
 
The k62 is a great case. Here's a couple others that are a bit less $.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583%20600029808%20600053918&IsNodeId=1&page=2&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&CompareItemList=7%7C11%2D119%2D216%5E11%2D119%2D216%2DTS%2C11%2D112%2D323%5E11%2D112%2D323%2DTS
And if you wanted to go less than that this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
is good for the 60 bucks since you said it wouldn't be seen cuz it's ugly imo hehe. There are other budget cases around to pick from.

As for gaming, it's pretty much all about the video card so, depends on what games. The 6770 is at the lower end of midrange cards while the 6870 is upper midrange. Pretty good difference in thier performance. A 6850 will play most any game pretty well. There are nVidia counterparts to Radeon that could be considered.

So depends on the budget. You could go up on the vc in the build above, or, drop the ssd and go up with the vc with Intel and the 2500k. Either way, I personally wouldn't give up the ssd. Once you use one, you won't go back to hdd as c:\.

There are other AMD and Intel cpu's that would do what you want. But at the 970/2500k are good choices for their price/performance.
edit: Not bad for $140 if you want to oveclock it http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103962
 
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I purchased the Lancool K62 for the cooling, tool-less design, overall it lowered the temp my 5770 was hitting while gaming for long extended periods of time. Several hours and some times that turns into 12-16 hours on and off.

I noticed overall load temps drop nearly 5 degree's C. Comparing to changing the thermal paste which would have only cost under $10 and voiding the double lifetime warranty on the video card.
 
Hey Benny, question...when I add the windows 7 that you linked, it's priced at $100, not $80 as indicated in the build post. Not a big deal, but is this the right version? I don't care about the extra $20 if it's correct...
 
Noob_101 said:
Hey Benny, question...when I add the windows 7 that you linked, it's priced at $100, not $80 as indicated in the build post. Not a big deal, but is this the right version? I don't care about the extra $20 if it's correct...
Click to expand...
Benny Boy said:
Some parts have a time sensitive promo or rebate or both.
Go to Newegg.com and sign up for their eblasts. It can be a good shopping tool.
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Its $80 with an email flyer pomotional code.

Here's the diffs in Windows versions.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/shop/windows-7/compare-editions?ocid=S_GOO_EVE_google_windows_en-us&semid=ef_GGL_e_2a0c0555fb9f860edadee7e8cf6f656c_11710848072&WT.search=1&ef_id=VoJPeHDLYgUAAMKD:20120401151419:s

OEM is used by system builders and doesn't come with Microsoft support. You get all the features, updates and everything just like non oem, you just can't call MS and say "Hey, somethings wrong with my os". But then how many times have you had to do that? The OEM version can be reinstalled to the same 1 pc as long as you have the same mb or one just like it if you replace it. The full retail version can be reinstalled, or installed to a diff pc/mb, as many times as you wish and the number of licenses that are bought determine how many diff pc's it can be installed to at a time.

I know your ready to pull the trigger as soon as your comfortable with your choices. I suggest editing your first post with a list of links to the parts your thinking of getting so members can see it and comment/suggest on your build list :good:
 
Benny Boy said:
Its $80 with an email flyer pomotional code.

Here's the diffs in Windows versions.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/shop/windows-7/compare-editions?ocid=S_GOO_EVE_google_windows_en-us&semid=ef_GGL_e_2a0c0555fb9f860edadee7e8cf6f656c_11710848072&WT.search=1&ef_id=VoJPeHDLYgUAAMKD:20120401151419:s

OEM is used by system builders and doesn't come with Microsoft support. You get all the features, updates and everything just like non oem, you just can't call MS and say "Hey, somethings wrong with my os". But then how many times have you had to do that? The OEM version can be reinstalled to the same 1 pc as long as you have the same mb or one just like it if you replace it. The full retail version can be reinstalled, or installed to a diff pc/mb, as many times as you wish and the number of licenses that are bought determine how many diff pc's it can be installed to at a time.

I know your ready to pull the trigger as soon as your comfortable with your choices. I suggest editing your first post with a list of links to the parts your thinking of getting so members can see it and comment/suggest on your build list :good:
Click to expand...

Gotcha, thanks for the info. Will do!
 
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