Looking for a good Gaming PC

Orion-XXVI · Apr 10, 2013

Hey users of tomshardware, long time reader, first time user. I have been looking for a good gaming computer for some time now. My budget is around $1000-$1500. I would like to specify that i do not want to build my own computer, i do not know how and i dont feel safe about a homemade rig. I would preferably like a name brand computer something that would assure family members who wish to help me buy this computer.

My interest in gaming is centered around Starcraft 2. I have played on low graphics for long enough. I want a computer that will run Starcraft 2 Heart of the Swarm on Ultra settings and be able to handle recording software smoothly. I please beg of anyone who can assist me in finding a good gaming computer.

Once again try and refrain from suggesting the building of a computer.

I know everyone here is smart enough to assist a guy who just wants to make things as easy as possible.

DarkSable · Apr 10, 2013

I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm going to say anyways:

Why do you not feel safe about a homemade rig? They usually have better warranties, and nearly always have far far better quality parts in them. It'll be a fraction of the price, and is easy to assemble. All it takes is a screwdriver, a youtube video, and the mental capacity required to play with LEGOs.

That being said, when you say you would like a "brand name computer," I can tell you this - unless you mean a brand of boutique builders (i.e. origin pc, falcon nw... not alienware) you gain no benefit. All prebuilt computers are going to be more or less overpriced.

That being said, if you just want "easy" go buy an Origin Chronos with an i5-3450 and a 7950 HD.

Orion-XXVI · Apr 10, 2013

DarkSable :

Thanks for responding. The reason I don't feel safe about Homemade rigs is because I have little to no knowledge on building computers and I am extremely nervous about doing it because im afraid i will screw up badly. I see so many threads about not buying brand name computers like Dell for ex. I'm just really really nervous. Im heading to college this summer and i want a good gaming rig to take with me. Any other advice would be great. (Btw I am great with LEGOs

)

Hazle · Apr 10, 2013

note that these do not include a monitor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227431

this costs $1400. disregarding the case, power supply & cpu cooler as they either contribute too little to actual performance and/or perform equally to the parts listed below, this is how much it really costs;

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($364.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($83.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1092.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-10 23:20 EDT-0400)

add an extra $100 or so for keyboard and mouse. we can go lower if you're not interested in overclocking the CPU, and much more so if you got a Microcenter nearby. or we can add an SSD to bring it closer to the prebuilt's price with added value.

some shops will build and test the PC for you for a price. one near my place has a $40 fee, though i've read it can go as high as $70 elsewhere. that should all add up to $1270 max, sans SSD, at worst.

not to discredit the ibuypower pre-built, it does has it's pros; at the very least it comes as is and fully tested. warranty covers the whole system instead of the individual parts if you went with a custom build.

so the question you have to ask yourself; is the extra $130 or so dollars for convenience (and bling, i guess, if you're into it) worth it to you?

Orion-XXVI · Apr 10, 2013

I have been looking at places like ibuypower and CyberPower just to look around. I would consider purchasing there because Im worried about building a rig (I'll have to check my area out, i think theres a place that assists in building for a fee as well). If I can get a hold of someone to assist me in building a computer I think i will trust the majority of the Gaming community and build a rig

What's ur opinion on places like ibuypower and CyberPower? is it worth buying there and can one have piece of mind?

DarkSable · Apr 10, 2013

Orion-XXVI :

Go watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84NvDMMrCNU
It's pretty simple (Here's a direct quote: "the thing that fits into the other thing? Goes into that thing.")
Honestly, if you take your time and use a good video like that one as a guide, it's very hard to seriously mess anything up.

The other advantage to building a computer yourself, for college, (and this is huge, I can tell you from personal experience) is that you can make it small. For example, I've got one of the most powerful computers you can build without spending thousands, and it fits in a case smaller than my monitor. This is huge, because you're going to want to bring it home, if not over breaks and weekends, over the winter and the summer.... and this way it can be small enough you can bring it on the plane as a carry-on. (Which I've done with mine a number of times without problems - just use SSDs or take out the hard drive and you're good to go.)

Hazle · Apr 11, 2013

Orion-XXVI :

little to no interest in prebuilts and it's respective brand, so i can't fully vouch for them, but at the very least it's well priced compared to a similarly specced Alienware (seriously, they're crappy), and has the sense to tell you the brand and model of the parts they're using, especially for the power supply.

i can't blame people feeling overwhelmed from building a PC on their own, despite our best efforts to re-assure them, preferring to go with a prebuilt, especially if they're willing to spend on it. as long as you spend it right, by not going with Alienware or worse, a Mac for gaming, & you end up satisfied, i personally can't complain.

Orion-XXVI · Apr 11, 2013

DarkSable :

Thanks for the help. I have a few weeks to decide what I want to do but your advice has been greatly helpful. I'm still nervous about making my own but I think I can get some people to help me. I hear so much about how cost effective and rewarding building your own computer can be, I sure hope this is true and that some of that luck can make it to guy like me.

iplikator3333 · Apr 11, 2013

Hazle :

Orion-XXVI :

little to no interest in prebuilts and it's respective brand, so i can't fully vouch for them, but at the very least it's well priced compared to a similarly specced Alienware (seriously, they're crappy), and has the sense to tell you the brand and model of the parts they're using, especially for the power supply.

i can't blame people feeling overwhelmed from building a PC on their own, despite our best efforts to re-assure them, preferring to go with a prebuilt, especially if they're willing to spend on it. as long as you spend it right, by not going with Alienware or worse, a Mac for gaming, & you end up satisfied, i personally can't complain.

What's wrong with a Mac for gaming?

Hazle · Apr 11, 2013

iplikator3333 :

like alienware, too little performance for too much money. their $1.5K iMac comes with a a mobile i5 + GT650M, more than capable of playing SC2:HotS at high. but for nearly $400 less, or ~$130 in Orion-XXVI's case, he could gain nearly 200% in performance, 180% at worst, with a desktop i5 + GTX670. at ultra;

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-650M.71887.0.html

even for casual gamers who play less demanding titles like TF2, or don't mind playing demanding AAA titles @ low-med, unless they're more concerned with getting a pretty PC over performance, a PC or even a laptop, near half the costs of that iMac would've suffice.

iplikator3333 · Apr 12, 2013

Hazle :

iplikator3333 :

like alienware, too little performance for too much money. their $1.5K iMac comes with a a mobile i5 + GT650M, more than capable of playing SC2:HotS at high. but for nearly $400 less, or ~$130 in Orion-XXVI's case, he could gain nearly 200% in performance, 180% at worst, with a desktop i5 + GTX670. at ultra;

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-650M.71887.0.html

even for casual gamers who play less demanding titles like TF2, or don't mind playing demanding AAA titles @ low-med, unless they're more concerned with getting a pretty PC over performance, a PC or even a laptop, near half the costs of that iMac would've suffice.

But you also get OSX

thee_prisoner · Apr 12, 2013

I would seek out some local computer shops. Even though places like CyperPower are fine. A local shop is great to have around and will be near to help out IF something goes wrong. Plus no shipping back to whomever if there is a problem.

Basically, you tell them what you are looking for and your budget and they will build it for you. You can price out the parts before hand to get an idea what it will cost then add(let's say, $150.00 to 300.00) for them to build the computer.

Happy building, the Prisoner...

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