<$1700 Gaming Computer: Pre-built vs Custom [mainly LoL, no streaming]

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treregaurd

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Jul 19, 2013
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My previous computer has been rendered unusable so I need a new one. I have a bit of money available for a computer but have never built one. I have access to a local microcenter and HP has a -$250 deal on the $1449 HP ENVY Phoenix h9-1355.

I don't play anything other than League of Legends, so this machine is not meant for any current or upcoming FPS. I also stream music and watch twitch.tv.

The overwhelming feedback that I've gotten from the gaming community is that pre-built computers are not worth the premium cost. I would have to agree after seeing $100 GPU's placed in $1500 machines, however; I need to have a computer quickly and don't think that League of Legends requires that much PC power.

My current PC: the HP Pavilion Elite HPE-477c Specs
I can't run LoL on "high" settings without abysmal FPS.

I want to play at max settings with ideal FPS (not sure if 60, 100, or 300 is better due to monitor limitations and GPU safety) and not over power a custom PC or over spend on a pre-built PC.

I'm skeptical of the HP computer because they sell another model for $50 more which blows the discounted PC out of the water. I don't think I'll need two monitors or a TV tuner either, but scumbag HP won't let me link the comparison page.

If you could recommend a pre-built or custom machine, it would mean the world to me (and my mom who has no computer now.)

 
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Lezli

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Jul 19, 2013
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I'm pretty new to the computer building scene, but I would bet money that some of the smarty pants guys on this forum could suggest a 800$ computer that could do just what you're asking, plus (and way more than that pre-built HP).

Edit: A quick search reveals a 275$ processor, cheap as dirt hard drives, a less than amazing chipset on the motherboard, and a 150$ video card in that HP you're looking to buy. If you need absolutely everything (OS, the Blu-ray optical drive, keyboard, mouse, remote...?, etc) then it might be what you're looking for, but if you want a computer that's going to last a long time, and can be improved upon, I'd advise you to just wait till some techie comes along and suggests a strong foundation computer. Good luck! ^^
 
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AxlFone

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May 21, 2013
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You can get new video card. GTX 770 or 780. What PSU do that HP have? It sure cant be what we call a good PSU but if it do have enough connectors then you can use it.

I put here a custom build under 1700 $
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1iABm
All you maybe need more is couple fans maybe 3 120mm Scythe Gentle Typhoons are good silent fans.
Take 1150 rpm or slower if you like whisper silence build.

Other cheaper build can do the job too.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1iANa
Id like to know what is monitor resolution?
 
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Sackboy

Sackboy

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May 26, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($138.34 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($70.33 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($126.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($409.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.50 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1241.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-20 01:05 EDT-0400)
This has a way better graphics card than that computer,it will give you 60+fps even though LoL does not need a high end graphics card for those type of frame rates.
 
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sc2pro

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Jun 12, 2013
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I haven't got it to 4.8, but i'm running it at 4.2 right now, I plan to upgrade the heatsink to a something noctua, maybe the nh d14, and then overclock it a bit more. I'll find time to post a 3Dmark when I find some time.
 
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AxlFone

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May 21, 2013
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Yes and NO. Your budget can handle i7 so why not? For a one game it sure is overkill.
But new games do get benefit 8 Treads because PS4 and Xbox will use 8 core CPU.
You got the money so take bigger 256GB SSD it is better than 128GB because smaller comes soon full. And then it will slow down. Ad take MLC chip SSD . Not the TLC.

I haven't got it to 4.8, but i'm running it at 4.2 right now, I plan to upgrade the heatsink to a something noctua, maybe the nh d14, and then overclock it a bit more. I'll find time to post a 3Dmark when I find some time.
Click to expand...
Nice OC . Look too phantex coolers. they are cheaper than D14 and new D12S is good too :)

 
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realchaos

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Jan 30, 2013
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i7 AND 16gb of ram is overkill for any games. Especially if its only for League.
Just because the budget allows for it doesn't mean the OP should be dumping money.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $634.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-20 01:37 EDT-0400)

-Basic League computer, though even this is considered overkill for League (A 7770 will do).
-Unable to overclock, but it's meant to be "basic"
-You can add an SSD if you like.
 
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treregaurd

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Jul 19, 2013
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I presented the large budget because I was considering pre-built computers, and after looking at the HP computers and hearing from you guys I'm definitely building my own.

I can't think of any reason why I would want to prepare for the future: warcraft 3 was my favorite game and league of legends is an evolution of it. I'm not in to fps, adventure, mmorpg, or horror games.

Should I take the $1200 comp or the $600 comp?
 
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Sackboy

Sackboy

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May 26, 2013
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The $600.
 
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realchaos

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It's up to you.
The GTX 770 is meant to max out every game on 1080p. Obviously, you're not into that stuff so it's pretty overkill.
If you really think that you're only going to play LoL and WoW with maybe some other low-demanding games, the 7850 should be all you need really.
 
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Lezli

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Jul 19, 2013
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Just because you don't currently think you need a really powerful computer doesn't change the fact that if you build it yourself, the really powerful computer becomes the cheaper option. It's like saying you want a crappy apartment instead of a mansion when the mansion is cheaper.... I would really advise you to spend less, get more, and build your own computer. ^^
 
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treregaurd

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Jul 19, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card ($449.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($93.49 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1579.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-22 08:33 EDT-0400)

*I would have quoted AxlFone, but the button isn't working for me*

I've decided to pick a future-ready computer rather than take a computer that I need now because I would rather not throw away a machine if my interests change.

I have a couple of questions about this one:

1) Should I be interested in OC? Microcenter, who is putting the computer together, has an additional charge for OC.

2) I've read that the 770 is adequate for gaming on 1 monitor, but if I have a gaming monitor and a browsing monitor will I need a better card?

3) Is the motherboard up to par with the CPU and GPU? Can it handle SLI?

4) Is the PSU up to par with the CPU and GPU? Can it handle SLI?

5) I like the R4 case. Which fans would you recommend?

Thanks a ton.

 
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sc2pro

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Jun 12, 2013
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Here are the answers i've got.

1) I don't OC (anymore), and I still have great LoL and SC2 fps, 120, 80ish respectively.
2) The 770 will be fine for one monitor, If you want 2, one for browsing it should still work well.
3) The motherboard is definitely up, won't bottleneck, and can SLI.
4) The PSU can support SLI.
5) I recommend the Corsair AF Series fans.
 
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realchaos

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1. OC it yourself. It's fairly simple.
2. A single 770 should still be fine. A 2gb vram version is good enough unless you plan to game on multiple monitors.
3. Motherboard is expensive. You can definitely go with a cheaper one and you won't notice any difference: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz87xud3h
4. PSU does not support SLI. You want a quality 750w psu to handle SLI: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750bbefx
5. Corsair AF Series are my favorite fans.

Honestly, that build is overkill.
-Do you really need all that storage?
-Seriously, don't grab 16gb of ram. Games are still using about 4gb of ram. By the time 16gb of ram is relevant in a gaming system, your system will be completely out-dated.
-I would still advise against an i7. We can not be certain if games will start to utilize hyper-threading soon.
 
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