To build, or not to Build..

ZachSand

ZachSand

Member
I'm conflicted between two ideas:

To buy a computer such as:
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_Black_Pearl/
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Gamer_Infinity_8800_Pro/
(I haven't really shopped around too much, but from my minimal knowledge of computers, specifically for gaming, these Desktops will take on any game with ease, even on ultra settings.)

Or.. To teach myself, via the internet, how to build a computer(PC Desktop):
-For gaming specifically
I have the time, and a budget up to roughly $1300, to put towards the project of building a computer. I've gathered that in building my own computer I will be able to customize it to my liking, and I will learn/know a lot more about my computer and computers in general.

My questions are:
Is it really worth the time and effort?
Will I save a noticeable amount of money by building my own equivalent of, or somewhere near, the computers I posted from Cyberpowerpc?

----
I've browsed newegg, ebay, and other various sites to look at different components, and there seems to be an enormous variety.

Will it be incredibly difficult to find compatible parts, or is it more simple once I start getting into it and researching it?

Where should I start?

A little background information: I've never taken apart a computer to look at it's components. Most of my computer knowledge comes from researching pre-built PC's before I buy them. I've played many computer games and a few MMO's. I'm mainly building this computer for gaming, and slightly for music creation. I already have a monitor that I enjoy, but I'll probably be investing in a new mouse, and definitely in a new keyboard. I'm a fairly intelligible person, so don't hold back on your wordy words, but do try to explain in a way an amateur could understand.

My current desktop is an HP Pavilion Slimline s3220n:
If curious of specs, it's completely standard - http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/e...3158-12133158-12133158-80626073-81049432.html



Thank you ahead of time for looking over my thread, any feedback at all will be helpful.:good:

PS: I'm pretty excited for Star Wars: The Old Republic
 
Anyone care to help me out?
I've been researching a lot, but I'm still having trouble deciding on whether to buy a prebuilt or not, I've made a few shopping lists for a computer on newegg but it seems to cost me more.
 
Just Google "how to build a gaming computer", make a list of all the necessary components, then check out Newegg.com! It's like Lego, just stick the pieces together. (kinda) (basically) Oh, and you will probably save money if you use Newegg. They have some sizzling deals.
 
You can do much better than Raidmax for your PSU. Also, your link to the processor takes me to my own Newegg shopping cart.
 
This is just one thought, But... If it were me... I's start thinking along the lines of:

Antec True Power 750 and Lian Li Mid Tower, $160:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.612969

i7-950 $200:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0346210

Asus P6X58D-E & Asus EAH6870 $410 befor $20 MIR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.598551

Samsung F3 & Windows 7, $160:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.591429

6 GB Mushkin 1600 CL 7 RAM, $90:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226155

Asus DVD $25 shipped:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204


That's ~ $1050 leaving you room for a solid monitor if you need one. Some might suggest SandyBridge CPU's but that 950 for $200 is such a good deal.

You are set for adding a 2nd GPU (6870's scale really well), and you can add SSD, Blue Ray, Soundcard, Heatsink for OC'ing at your discretion.

The build above would kick the snot out of anything you'd get from Dell or HP for the same price.
 
That's a great price on that i7, thanks for showing me that.

I don't know much about video cards, can the Radeon HD 6870 easily handle anything I can throw at it?
I compared it to other Video cards and I noticed it had a lower Effective Memory Clock than a lot of others, does that really matter?
I've been told you can change it yourself, but I'm not really sure.
 
The 6870 is rated a nudge below a 5870. I had the 5870 and BFBC2, for instance, ran gorgeous. 6870's are newer and will scale Much better if you eventually add a 2nd card, at which point you have a monster.

If your budget allows, of course you can spend more. I just switched to a 570 when my 5870 was damaged while mailing my rig. After taxes it's a $400 card (I'm in Toronto now) and I prefered the 5870. The 570 may give more FPS, but it stutters more.
 
Well if it's just a nudge, I'm more picky about spending my money than on a little performance.

I added all of your suggestions to my shopping list, considering I'm pretty much converted to building my own computer now, but I still have a little while before I plan on making any definite purchases. Hopefully some interesting deals will present themselves over the next month or so.

I'm interested in the 2nd GPU idea though, would it be just another video card or are their specific video cards that are meant for it?
 
ZachSand said:
I'm interested in the 2nd GPU idea though, would it be just another video card or are their specific video cards that are meant for it?
Click to expand...

You can partner 2 or 3 cards that are of the same manufacturer and within the same series. If you went with a 6870 you can add a second 6870 or a 6850.

I might step up to the 69xx series though, or look at the 560/70 if you feel that additional GPU power is in the budget for the new build.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.598542
 
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I'll definitely think about it, but I'll have to get the money first, as always.

Were you just showing me that as a combo deal, or would I have to get a different motherboard to step up to the 69xx(X's 2) series.
 
It's the same MoBo combo'd with a different card. Those cards will work with any MoBo that you'll end up with, and vice versa.

This is all based on MY preference. Others here have done a Ton more research and building than I have though. You'll probably get more suggestions later as it's the middle of the night right now for most members.

ANd on the 'interesting deals' tip... you'll want some Hard Drive Storage space yeah? http://www.microcenter.com/single_p...edium=email&utm_campaign=E1009+eNews+20110315
 
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I think Hitachi'e have some reputation for a relatively high failure rate. WD Blacks and Samsung F3's seem to get the most recommendations among builders that I've seen.
 
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