Should I pull the trigger?

It's alright if you need a pre-built machine but you could do SO much better building your own.

+1

It's actually not that bad.

I prefer Intel, but if I built something to compare I'd try with an FX-6300 and an i5-4570 to see how much I could budget towards graphics (FX-6300 is a weaker CPU but cheaper).

At $750, that gives only $660 left for hardware since if building you'd need to buy Windows.

I'll put a quick build together and see what's possible...

(Oh, there's also usually a difference in QUALITY if you know how to pick your own parts, and Warranties and even opening the case to add a component on pre-builts can be a pain.)

Intel i5-4570 build ($752): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tbej

AMD FX-6300 build ($765): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tbuF

I tried to keep things nearly identical but ran into an issue where I couldn't find a good micro-ATX AM3 motherboard so I had to change the case.

Basically for performance, with the Intel build the CPU is much better and thus prevents bottlenecks in games that are more CPU dependent. We see the reverse in the AMD build.

Personally, I would get the Intel build then drop in a better graphics card in two years or so, or simply spend a little more money to get the Intel build plus better graphics card.

Here's some good BENCHMARKS (an average) though keep in mind they are done using the same Intel CPU so you can't compare the GTX750Ti to the R9-270X if using different CPU's. The gap would NARROW.

Benchmarks:
Asus GTX750Ti: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GTX_750_Ti_OC/25.html

MSI R9-270X: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/R9_270X_Gaming/24.html

So the R9-270X is 35% better here, but the Asus card will overclock higher than the R9-270X now so it's about 25% difference, and again ONLY if no CPU bottleneck exists.

Other:
Why no FX-8320 build?
The price fell between the FX-6300 and i5-4570, but considerting the $40 or $50 difference I'd just get the Intel CPU.

SUMMARY:
1) At $750 if building your own you have to choose between a better CPU or better graphics. I suggest the better CPU in this case.

2) Quality of parts are better than pre-builts usually if you know what you're doing. Such as the motherboard, graphics card, and Power Supply.

3) Pre-builds suffer from warranty issues like having to send in the entire PC for something you might fix or replace easily.

4) The GTX750Ti is comparable to the HD7850. So, for the same price at $750 the Intel build has a better CPU, and likely better quality components.

5) BUILDING YOUR OWN computer is actually rewarding and not as hard as most people think.

Other:
- Get START8 ($5) for Windows 8.
- no CPU cooler in my builds as the pre-built likely uses stock so wanted to compare as close as possible. I recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo ($30)
- I didn't consider OVERCLOCKING much. The Intel CPU can't be overclocked but it doesn't matter as it's rarely an issue with this CPU. The FX-6300 would benefit many games from running faster but i don't have an expensive motherboard so it's questionable how high it would get, plus you may need a more expensive CPU cooler. The $80 price gap closes however if getting a better motherboard and/or cooler which makes the Intel CPU look better.

Complicated, huh?