Is it worth the extra $$ to build vs. buy Pre-built for my needs?

[dn89lx]

Hi - first off I have never built a computer before. I have always wanted to try though.

My current computer is maybe 5- 6 years old and is an HP running a AMD Phenom II X2 521 and has 4GB of ram.

I am looking to cut the cord and am thinking of upgrading to a newer PC. I plan to run Playon and Plex and stream to smart TVs / Rokus (7 TVs in the house). Plex will also be used to record my OTA TV through a Homerun tuner box. Also, it will be the downstairs computer for web browsing, and some basic Excel and using RDC to my work. No gaming. So the heaviest use will be the streaming and I guess transcoding when necessary for said streaming..

Given this set of circumstances, is it worth an extra $300-$350 to try to build my own custom PC?

I have come up with this parts list for a custom PC. This is using an I5 6500. If I went to an I3 6100 I would save about $85. Is the I5 worth the extra $$?

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/vTtkgL

Also I have found the following Black Friday deals for pre-built PCs.

The link below is $359.99 on BF

http://www.officedepot.com/a/produc.../?cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-CJ-_-1916129-_-11263938


The link below is $499.99 on BF

http://www.officedepot.com/a/produc.../?cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-CJ-_-1916129-_-11263938

Thanks in advance.

Dan

 

[mistersprinkles]

In this kind of situation you are actually sometimes better off buying prebuilt. You will have a hard time beating those BF deals with a prebuilt. Sure, your prebuilt had an SSD, these don't, you had a better quality Mobo and PSU, these don't, but ultimately, is that likely to matter in this case? Not really. I say go ahead and buy either of those prebuilt machines.

 

[Agent Smith]

I5 6500. If I went to an I3 6100 I would save about $85. Is the I5 worth the extra $$?

If you go to www.cpuboss.com and enter both of those CPUs you can see the comparison. Just seeing what you will use this for, primarily streaming I can tell you CPU isn't going to be that much of a factor given the choice between the two CPUs you listed. If you built your own box I would look at motherboards that offer a really nice network adapter on the motherboard. I've seen Gigabyte "gaming" motherboards offer Killer NICs.

So yeah, it looks like the majority of work this new computer will be used for is Internet/networking related and thus CPU isn't going to be that big of a factor. Unless you're going to do more than one task at once though. That could be a factor, which also means you should have at minimum 8 GB of RAM.

I just have to point out one common mistake PC builders do. When you install the OS, make sure that only your boot HDD is installed and no other HDD. Otherwise the boot loader could end up on the second hard drive. I advised a waiter on his PC troubles on this very thing that he did after buying a new SSD. He come to find out the boot loader was on his second hard disk.

Edit-

Looking at your parts list, you listed a 5400 RPM HDD. You should get a 7200 RPM HDD instead. Western Digital black or blue drives will suffice. I like Hitachi myself. I read they have a lower mean time before failure for large hard drives like you picked. Come to think of it. Are you using the second HDD for storage only? Then a Western Digital Green is what you want. But don't plan on using it for gaming and installing programs. Use the SSD or another HDD.

Another thing I noticed is the Blu-ray optical drive. You should consider this one as it has M-disk support as well. I had an LG and the damn thing didn't work at all and I turned a BD-XL 100 GB Sony disk into a coaster. Never LG for me again. Especially with the firmware crap. Couldn't even update it. I heard great things with Pioneer. As always read reviews and research.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3V634N3776

https://www.amazon.com/BDR-2209-Int...&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=Pioneer+BDR-2209&psc=1

http://fakespot.com/product/pioneer...able-accessories-supports-bdxl-sata-interface

 

[dn89lx]

Thanks for the help! I ended up buying a pre-built HP. I think I am going to reinstall a clean version of Windows 10 to eliminate all the crap it comes loaded with. I think it will be sufficient for my needs.

 

[spirit]

I think I am going to reinstall a clean version of Windows 10 to eliminate all the crap it comes loaded with.

Good idea, I always try to do this when dealing with OEM machines. It's faster than manually removing it all.

Enjoy your new PC!

 

[Laquer Head]

Thanks for the help! I ended up buying a pre-built HP. I think I am going to reinstall a clean version of Windows 10 to eliminate all the crap it comes loaded with. I think it will be sufficient for my needs.

Good deal on that !! and excellent move to install fresh!! Enjoy your new rig