New Gaming Computer $1000AUD custom or prefab?

supersecret · Mar 25, 2013

Hi everyone, I'm looking to make my first foray into the world of pc gaming and would like to get a nice system capable of running most modern games (and hopefully future ones too!) that I could also upgrade as time goes by.

I'm a bit unsure as to how to go about this though, I've got a budget of about $1000 AUD and have looked into buying some pre-set up ones from some online stores, this one looking like a solid option:

http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/devil-devil-3570k-60gb-7850-p-61582.html?sort=2a

Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K

Chipset: B75

Memory: 8GB DDR3 Ram

HDD: 1TB

SSD: 60GB Kingston SSDNow V+

Optical: DVD Burner Combo

Graphics: XFX RADEON 7850 1GB

Case: NZXT Guardian 921

Power Supply: 650W Modular
What do you think of that setup?

The other option would be to try to build my own as I'm guessing I might be able to get more bang for my buck that way, though I don't really have any experience in doing so... (guessing I should be able to find some reliable guides online though)

I'd love to hear any suggestions/opinions about what you think would be best!!

Thanks a lot

DarkSable · Mar 25, 2013

It's a decent build, but you could do way, WAY better than it.

Here's my advice for you: Don't be scared of building a computer. It only takes a screwdriver, and is no harder than playing with LEGOs when you were a kid.

We'll help you figure out the parts you should get, and when they get there, you do this: Go to youtube, and search for videos on how to assemble a computer. I like the ones by Newegg and NCIX. Watch that video the entire way through once, then go back and watch it again, pausing to complete each step. Building the computer will take a couple hours, your first time, and installing windows will take another hour after that. All told, if everything goes smoothly, it'll only take an afternoon, and you'll have learned something new and will have an insanely better computer than if you went to a boutique and bought a computer off the shelf.

properbuilds · Mar 25, 2013

Hi, a i5-3570k paired with a b75 motherboard is a scam, you can't overclock with that motherboard, and it doesn't include a cooler, also that modular 650W seems a generic psu, no mention of the brand isn't a good sign, the card is good, but for that kind of budget you can do better, the 7870 XT is a much better card

Here's a list with aus websites

supersecret · Mar 25, 2013

DarkSable :

Thanks DarkSable, I have been checking out the prices of some of the parts in the prefab rig individually and it looks like I could save a lot of money building one myself... (or reinvest it wisely into better gear

)

DarkSable · Mar 25, 2013

supersecret :

Easily, yes. Do you have a website you'd prefer to buy from? If so, link it to me, and I can put together a build for you.

bigcyco1 · Mar 25, 2013

Watch this and see how easy it is the best building pc tutorial - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea_bs5G1yYU

supersecret · Mar 25, 2013

properbuilds :

Wow thanks a lot properbuilds, i've just been checking out those parts and they looks pretty good for my price range!
I'm glad I checked because I was close to hitting buy on that other prefab rig!

Just how important is the power supply though, most of the default ones I looked at were pretty inexpensive and I was wondering how necessary an expensive one is.

Cheers!

*and also would I be able to overclock that processor? I mean 3.4 ghZ seems pretty ample to me but just curious

supersecret · Mar 25, 2013

DarkSable :

I'm not too fussed about the website, so long as they ship to Australia, so far http://pccasegear.com/ seems to be a good choice...

What do you reckon about the rig proposed by properbuilds? I don't really know enough yet to have an educated opinion

supersecret · Mar 25, 2013

bigcyco1 :

Cheers bigcyco1, that looks like a solid guide... I'm sure a 47 minute video helping me should make the process relatively idiotproof

DarkSable · Mar 25, 2013

supersecret :

It's pretty much the most important part in the computer. If you get a cheap one, it won't provide the amount of power it claims it can, and it WILL fail... and if a cheap one fails, it could explode, set your computer on fire, or ruin other parts.

DarkSable · Mar 25, 2013

supersecret :

Since you've already had a good build suggested, I'd go with it.

The only two things I'd do with his build are this:
1) You only need a 550w power supply. I suggest SeaSonic or Corsair. (Yes, they're expensive, but they're worth it.)
2) Since you're new to computers, you don't know, likely, what overclocking even is. Because of this, if you wanted, you could get a cheaper processor and motherboard, and not worry about a heatsink. (Overclocking is making your parts run at a higher frequency, i.e. faster, by pushing more voltage through them. The voltage, of course, produces more heat, which you have to get rid of with a good heatsink if you don't want to ruin your parts.)

supersecret · Mar 25, 2013

DarkSable :

Well explosions sound like they would be best avoided so I'll keep that in mind!

properbuilds · Mar 25, 2013

Hi, the antec high current gamer is a seasonic oem psu and it's modular

Review -> http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Antec-High-Current-Gamer-M-620-W-Power-Supply-Review/1495/11
But, yes you could get by with the 520 version, but it's just 19$ more for the 620W.
Well, idk, if he plans to overclock or not, the asrock bios isn't difficult and you can find plenty of guides of how to overclock, the same for the guides to assemble the pc.
But if the op don't plan to oc, i can suggest a different build with ssd

DarkSable · Mar 26, 2013

Ooh, forgot about the SSD. Might well be nice for him to have.
(Is it really only $19 more for the 620w? Dang...)
And yes, AsRock is easy to deal with, but is it even necessary? I know that with my first computer I didn't know anywhere near enough to want to overclock, and there's not need - it's more of an enthusiasts's sport nowadays than a way to get needed performance for less money.

supersecret · Mar 26, 2013

DarkSable :

Cool, no I don't think I'll be needing to overclock then at least for a while, and if/when I decide to give it a go I'll come back for more advice! (the only reason I asked was because lots of the ready built sites I checked offered overclocking as an optional extra and I wasn't sure how necessary that would be to run games.)

DarkSable · Mar 26, 2013

supersecret :

Not at all. In the rare situation where your CPU is holding back your graphics card, overclocking can help a fair bit (10fps or so), but there are going to be very, VERY few of those situations - it's not even close to being necessary.

supersecret · Mar 26, 2013

properbuilds :

Cool well I'm happy to splash out an extra $19 if it will make my system safer!

What are the advantages of adding a ssd? I'm guessing I would need to run a regular hard drive as well because I tend to have a fair amount of music and files to store...

properbuilds · Mar 26, 2013

Hi, you get more responsiveness out of the system, with faster boot times, better loading times in games, overall, a good choice if you can afford it, though, i recommend at least a 128GB ssd, if you don't plan to overclock i suggest this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($195.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($95.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($115.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($229.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($115.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Total: $977.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

You can't overclock the cpu, but it's a good one at stock(performance wise about the same as the i5-3570k at stock), the asrock h77 is rich in features minus the overclocking capabilities, but with a good ssd

It's up to you to decide.

supersecret · Mar 26, 2013

Also I'm not sure if this would really make much of a difference but where I live it tends to get very hot in the summer... Would I need to look at any particular cases / fans to handle the heat?

properbuilds · Mar 26, 2013

The case has two fans, you can add more if you like, as for the cpu cooler, the stock cooler is fine with the stock speeds, but you can always add an aftermarket cooler if you're not happy with the temperatures(this only applies to the second build).

bigcyco1 · Mar 26, 2013

supersecret :

no problem.Your welcome.

supersecret · Mar 26, 2013

properbuilds :

Thanks again, that build looks tempting too... Now the only dilemma is choice! I think the extra responsiveness from the ssd sounds like a worthwhile investment so I'm veering towards that one.

Might be a stupid question but do all of these parts when bought come with the cables to connect them up or do you have to buy anything like that as well?

properbuilds · Mar 26, 2013

Hi, for the first build the motherboard has two sata cables, which is sufficient for the hdd and dvd drive, for the second build, since it has the ssd, you need an additional sata cable, it's not much, i forgot to tell you, as for the rest, yes, you don't need additional stuff.
Here's a sata cable : http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_104&products_id=21017

supersecret · Mar 26, 2013

also on a side note, any suggestions for a monitor? I'm thinking something in the 20-24'' range that can play in hd res. but not overly expensive?

bigcyco1 · Mar 26, 2013

Here's a couple of budget LCD gaming monitors that you should consider. While these monitors may not have the latest LED technology and all the fluff that comes with it, they still have some of the lowest response times and input lag in the market.
ASUS VS247H-P 24″ Full HD Monitor
ASUS VH236H
ASUS VS239H-P
ASUS VE248H

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