Comparing Pre-Built PC vs Custom Built

ptrickono · Oct 5, 2014

Hi,

attached are two different computers I am trying to decide on, one is a pre built computer and the other is a custom built. What I want to know is if the custom built PC is really worth me trying to build it (It would be my first time) and the price at which all the parts would cost me. Or if the pre-built computer is a better deal. My budget is $1000 +- $50 and I am living in Canada.
Here is the pre-built PC:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227578
and my custom one:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ptrickono/saved/ZL3NnQ

Any opinions / suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

ronintexas · Oct 5, 2014

The iBuyPower PC's usually ship with sub-standard PSUs.....you probably would want to upgrade that just to begin with....

When custom building - you choose the exact components, and are not tied to a specific brand or vendor. If you have confidence in building one (there is a lot of videos and help online) - I would always recommend building it yourself.

mbreslin1954 · Oct 5, 2014

Your custom build has a much faster processor and much better PSU, not to mention the latest version of Windows. And the Cooler Master Hyper 212 is a fantastic cooler (I have one), I'm sure much better than whatever comes with the iBuyPower.

See here:

http://ark.intel.com/compare/80817,80811

ptrickono · Oct 5, 2014

So you guys would suggest that I stick to the custom build and try to build it myself? Any tips for building it myself?
Thanks for the input!

DonkeyOatie · Oct 5, 2014

There guides on this site, videos on YouTube (lots of them) and you can start a thread here, post progress photos, and ask for advice and help as you go.

ronintexas · Oct 5, 2014

There are quite a few videos on Youtube - it isn't very difficult building it yourself. It just takes patience, and a couple of screwdrivers. Here are three videos from New Egg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok

filippi · Oct 5, 2014

The thing about a $1000 gaming build:

1. Money enough for GTX970. Its the best performance/price gpu right now. Its a high quality project.
2. Money enough for a Haswell i5. Its your best bet for +60 FPS in games.
3. Buy quality parts. No weak link.

See (Canada):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($197.95 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($379.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master K280 ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.79 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.79 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1017.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 19:57 EDT-0400

DonkeyOatie · Oct 5, 2014

The OP is in Canada, where the Dollars are smaller. (but the horizon is bigger)

ptrickono · Oct 5, 2014

filippi :

The thing about a $1000 gaming build:

1. Money enough for GTX970. Its the best performance/price gpu right now. Its a high quality project.
2. Money enough for a Haswell i5. Its your best bet for +60 FPS in games.
3. Buy quality parts. No weak link.

See (Canada):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($197.95 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($379.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master K280 ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.79 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.79 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1017.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 19:57 EDT-0400

Do you not think a CPU cooler is necessary? or the faster CPU?

filippi · Oct 5, 2014

For Core i5-4460 stock cooler is ok. Considering Canada weather stock cooler is more than ok

I am looking for someone complaining about i5-4460 gaming performance. No luck yet

ptrickono · Oct 5, 2014

filippi :

So you would suggest then switching out the CPU and CPU cooler and get a better GPU?

filippi · Oct 5, 2014

ptrickono :

Yes. Switch out the CPU and CPU cooler and get GTX970.

DonkeyOatie · Oct 6, 2014

filippi :

I'd complain, but I couldn't do it with a straight face.

Given that you have decided a good i5, then when you place the order check for the best CPU deal in that range on that day. It's all really about GHz per $.

DonkeyOatie · Oct 6, 2014

ptrickono :

That is what filippi has suggested in his built for you. I am using an i5 4590 with stock cooler. I could upgrade later if necessary, but I don't think that I will need to.

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