What do you think of the PC I just purchased at microcenter? How does it compare to my original build?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
D

davdukes4

Honorable
Nov 29, 2013
41
0
10,540
I originally went into microcenter to pick up my CPU. I brought along my partpicker list to ask a few questions....I left with an entire shopping cart full of goodies.

My PC:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Qi36

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (Purchased For $179.99)
CPU Cooler:Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (Purchased For $125.99)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87-D3HP ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (Purchased For $99.99)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $66.99)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $79.99)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $79.99)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card (Purchased For $336.05)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $89.99)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $54.99)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased For $99.99)
Assassins Creed 4: Black Flag (Holiday bundle and a 2nd code on smaller card, 2 copies of AC4?)
Splinter Cell: Black list (Included on holiday bundle card)
Batman: Arkham Origins (Two codes stuck together, oops. Not sure if they are both active)

Total: $1213.96

The Original List:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Q64T

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0587 106.2 CFM CPU Cooler ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.27 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($77.27 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($87.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Thermaltake Armor Reveo Snow Edition ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($78.40 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1219.84

So how does my final build compare to my original build?



Accessories:
Monitor: BenQ XL2420TE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor (Purchased For $241.99)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Quick Fire TK Wired Gaming Keyboard (Purchased For $80.99)
Mouse: ROCCAT Kone XTD Wired Laser Mouse (Purchased For $79.99)
Headphones: Turtle Beach EarForce Z SEVEN 5.1 Channel Headset (Purchased For $224.99)
Total: $627.96

This will be my first time playing on PC. I thought if I were going to do it, I might as well try and do it right. I am hoping I fall in love and I can sell my xbox one, ps3(netflix machine) and xbox 360. If I'm missing anything let me know!
 
Solution
tiny voices
The wattage is not the problem. The quality is. The CX units from Corsair and made with poor quality capacitors.

Don't bother getting more memory. The second still will be useless. The difference between dual and single channel in not noticeable. And 16gb RAM is pointless for gaming as it will give ZERO performance over 8gb. If the option was there to get a 2x4gb kit it would have been better but 1x8 is fine too. Not a problem at all. Don't waste money on another stick.
Sort by date Sort by votes
tiny voices

tiny voices

Titan
Sep 6, 2012
34,175
5
99,965
You got a better PSU than your original build, but it is still average at best quality.

I also like the case you got much more than the case in your proposed build.

You got 1x8gb RAM which is worse than the kit in your proposed build as dual channel RAM is always better.

Your headphones are CRAZY overpriced and you could have gotten MUCH better ones for the same or less money.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

davdukes4

Honorable
Nov 29, 2013
41
0
10,540
Add a stick of memory and upgrade the PSU? Will the PSU limit my current build? I was going to stick to the 2x4gb but the 8gb was normally $95, thought I'd go for the deal. I'll order a 2nd.

I like the new case too. It looks solidly built on the inside and it has high density noise reducing material on the inside. The sales associate made a good recommendation on that one.

Agreed on the headset. I actually prefer my x41s over the new headset, but it was a gift...so I guess I'll deal with it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
tiny voices

tiny voices

Titan
Sep 6, 2012
34,175
5
99,965
The wattage is not the problem. The quality is. The CX units from Corsair and made with poor quality capacitors.

Don't bother getting more memory. The second still will be useless. The difference between dual and single channel in not noticeable. And 16gb RAM is pointless for gaming as it will give ZERO performance over 8gb. If the option was there to get a 2x4gb kit it would have been better but 1x8 is fine too. Not a problem at all. Don't waste money on another stick.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
tiny voices

tiny voices

Titan
Sep 6, 2012
34,175
5
99,965
Lower quality units are more likely to fail. If they fail, they can fry every single component of the computer. The CX series are VERY sensitive to heat. IF they get even a little hot, they are know to have capacitor failures.

The PSU is the single most important part of the build by far.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

davdukes4

Honorable
Nov 29, 2013
41
0
10,540
Ordering a new PSU as we speak...Any recommendation on a quality PSU?

Side Note: I did mention to the sales associate that I had read about 2 x 4 being better than 1x8...but he said it would only make a 1-2% difference and wouldn't be noticeable...after seeing the sale price I decided to go with the 1x8. Might switch it out for 4x2 when I trade the psu back in.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom