Gaming Desktop Help: Build vs Buy

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jon619

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Hey guys,

I'm mostly a noob when it comes to this, but would it be better to build my own gaming desktop (just the tower plus software [OS is only thing I can think of right now]) or just buying one from a website of Best Buy. Maybe some examples if it's not too much trouble..

I'm thinking about $1100 of spending money.
 
You'll always be able to build something better than you can buy. The brand names use parts they order which restrict your future upgrade options and compatibility, and can effect performance.

Go play with pcpartspicker and see what you can find. You can build a decent rig with that budget as long as you don't need monitor, keyboard and mouse.
 
A good gaming build would be 3570K cpu, motherboard, CM 212+ cpu heatsink, 2 x 4gb memory sticks, good airflow case, 256gb SSD, 1+tb storage HD, 670/680/7950/7970 video card, 500-600 quality power supply, dvd or blu ray burner.
 
jon619 said:
Hey guys,

I'm mostly a noob when it comes to this, but would it be better to build my own gaming desktop (just the tower plus software [OS is only thing I can think of right now]) or just buying one from a website of Best Buy. Maybe some examples if it's not too much trouble..

I'm thinking about $1100 of spending money.
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I spend about $700 when building my primary PC last year but I didn't need 1) power supply, 2) OS, 3) keyboard and 4) mouse.

See below post
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1669316
 
It's better to build than buy when it comes to gaming desktops. OEMs tend to massively overcharge when it comes to "gaming desktops". Dell's $1100 XPS 8500 comes with a nVidia GT 640, which can barely handle 1080p gaming. Follow Hagrid's part suggestions, DIY, and have a system that'll blow that POS Dell out of the water.

If you have a Microcenter nearby, you should see if they have any CPU + Motherboard combos available before the pull the trigger somewhere else.
 
IF you build your computer you have the knowledge of how to do such a thing and no parts that are "proprietary to just that purchased brand of computer. I say BUILD your computer and you can upgrade as you wish, when you wish.
 
Building is a great way to learn more about your computer and save a ton of money.
 
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I deleted what I originally posted here after reviewing the forum rules. This topic might be pushing them or at least how I was going to reply. This might be a better discussion for the "General Hardware" section now that you have recommendations.

Sorry for my error (only here for 1 min) mods.
 
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Without a doubt BUILD

Everything you need to know is in three very informative and well put together videos by newegg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok

Warning: picking parts, finding good deals, and building computers is surprisingly additive. While it is cheaper to build your first computer, I would argue that people who build computers upgrade parts more often and thus spend more in the long run. :D Building/Overclocking can easily become a hobby in itself.

Enjoy. ;)
 
doug_7506 said:
Without a doubt BUILD

Everything you need to know is in three very informative and well put together videos by newegg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok

Warning: picking parts, finding good deals, and building computers is surprisingly additive. While it is cheaper to build your first computer, I would argue that people who build computers upgrade parts more often and thus spend more in the long run. :D Building/Overclocking can easily become a hobby in itself.

Enjoy. ;)
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Brother ain't that the truth. I receive an annual Christmas card from online computer stores. I might have to take up a cheaper hobby like auto racing...again.
 
You should build your own desktop. It's a great learning experience and you'll save a ton of money compared to buying an pre-assembled one, especially if it's advertised as a "gaming" PC.
 
You can usually get a good deal on an OEM system for your base build (mid tower, processor, memory, hard drive), and then add in a video card. But in exchange you get a crapload of preinstalled shit to sift through, so it may be more worth your time and money to build it yourself.

That said, NEVER buy a "gaming" desktop PC from an OEM. Those things are designed to separate you from as much money as humanly possible, and your wallet will be left aching. The sad part is,you're paying a premium for someone else to just install a video card and run the driver installer - you can do that yourself if you follow any youtube guide.
 
yeah you will save money if you already have somethings like that. But honestly if you can, building your own is the way to go. You get more bang for your buck
 
Not only do you learn a lot from building your own rig, you also appreciate it more since you knew the work that was put into it. It also teaches you how to fix your rig if something dies and/or if you want to tweak it (e.g. putting in a better CPU cooler, for instance).

Plus, you gain a ton of geek cred for building your own rig. ;)
 
Hagrid said:
A good gaming build would be 3570K cpu, motherboard, CM 212+ cpu heatsink, 2 x 4gb memory sticks, good airflow case, 256gb SSD, 1+tb storage HD, 670/680/7950/7970 video card, 500-600 quality power supply, dvd or blu ray burner.
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Exactly what I needed to read ^-^
 
I built my first comp a month or so ago. It was a good learning experience figuring out where everything goes and how to put it together. I have since taken it apart 3 times it gets easier. Hardest part was the thermal compound for me it was more worriesome than hard though. Goodluck
 
If you're buying/building a low end computer, it's easier and often cheaper to get a pre-built one, but the way computer companies rape you over premium parts (memory upgrades, video cards, higher end PSU's), a higher end computer is easier to build.
 
kirbyrj said:
If you're buying/building a low end computer, it's easier and often cheaper to get a pre-built one, but the way computer companies rape you over premium parts (memory upgrades, video cards, higher end PSU's), a higher end computer is easier to build.
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Couldn't Agree more pal. $430 to upgrade the $200 Ram no thank you haha
 
doug_7506 said:
Without a doubt BUILD

Everything you need to know is in three very informative and well put together videos by newegg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok

Warning: picking parts, finding good deals, and building computers is surprisingly additive. While it is cheaper to build your first computer, I would argue that people who build computers upgrade parts more often and thus spend more in the long run. :D Building/Overclocking can easily become a hobby in itself.

Enjoy. ;)
Click to expand...

Nice! I've watched some good videos on it, but for some reason I never have been privy to these. Thank you.
 
you will find building a computer pretty easy and fun. most of us enjoy doing it because it's a hobby. buying one from dell would limit you to what they give you which is mostly crap parts and bad customer service.
 
If your not sure how to build a pc try looking on Craigslist for a gaming pc just make sure it has good specs and isn't very overpriced.
 
Itzryan said:
If your not sure how to build a pc try looking on Craigslist for a gaming pc just make sure it has good specs and isn't very overpriced.
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-Craigslist
-has good specs
-isn't very overpriced

Pick 2. All 3 do not exist.
 
I've found fantastic deals for desktops on craigslist. Buying some things used is probably your most cost effective option. I would search around craigslist to see if there are any good deals locally and if not maybe pick out a case and buy that new, then buy parts from members here or on other forums. Good luck!
 
Building is easy. Parts only really fit in a certain way and fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

The harder part with risk of the physical installation is really the seating of heatsink onto the cpu, cuz you want to put right amt of thermal paste and not over-do or put too little. It's a lil bit of precision, and if you mess up, just be sure to have rubbing alcohol + cotton swab to remove and try again.

Asides from that, just piece everything together and turn it on.

The part that takes the most effort when building a comp yourself is making the inside look nice with the wiring (which mostly applies to OCD ppl) or people with a comp case that has a window and like to look inside it.

Asides from that, if comp turns on, just enter BIOS and run everything to Auto and change boot order to the device you are installing windows on and should be good to go from there on.
 
do u want to, like, become kinda geeky with the product info too? or just have game thing to use?
 
if you live near NYC, id be happy to spend a better part of a day with you building a PC for beer and some pizza
 
The OP hasn't logged in the past three months. So I'm locking this thread.
 
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