To Build or to Buy...

Okay money wise it almost seems like a waste to build it myself, it seems like I can get a few little extra by buying a pre-built rig (i.e. Card reader, more ram, etc.). I can definatley see that there is a difference in quality on some of the components (i.e. Power supply, mobo, etc.), but what will weigh more performance wise...

I only play WoW as online gaming is concerned, do a little video editing/making, and use system connected to xbox to stream some media (mainly Audio).

Here are my 3 different Choices:

Option 1: True Homebuilt - Newegg'n = $950 give or take a few$$

LG 22X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH22LS50 LightScribe Support
Item #: N82E16827136168
Rosewill DESTROYER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Item #: N82E16811147144
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
Item #: N82E16822136320
Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE
Item #: N82E16817371025
OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W
Item #: N82E16819115215
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Item #: N82E16832116754
ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770 CuCore/2DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5
Item #: N82E16814121363
ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131620


Option 2: Gateway 4831-07 i5 System - $929
Specs:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6883113120


Option 3: Dell XPS i7 - $1049 Sale Price
Specs :http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+- [...] Id=9697488

Im open to suggestions and thoughts as long as they are intelligent and within the price range...
Ideally would like to get away with something under 1k!

I'd say to build it yourself because at you budget you will be able to get more for your money. Usually it is the low end systems where prebuilts are able to compete. Why don't you fill out the sticky for a new build and see waht everyone can come up with.

OEM win 7...

Wanting something that will last me quite a few years without having to upgrade...
Might get into some other gaming down the road as well.

that whole system seems overkill for WOW. as WoW is a pretty old game and doesnt require a good pc (thats why it has some many players)

but if you are planning on getting a few extra games, or you dont want to upgrade for a few years, then it seems like a pretty good build, i would build it my self, as you get exactly what you want, as you never seem to get what you want with prebuilt ones, they always have something you dont want.

Wondering if you built it or not?

One thing I noticed, (I made the same mistake) no mention of a monitor!
With that beast of a GPU (I got a 5850) your gonna be unable (if you're anything like me) to resist the allure of a good monitor or two (I've got just one and my 720p HDTV, for now

I agree with brennon7 that you gotta get that extended warranty if you go for a pre-built, heat sinks and what-not tend to crap out on you after a couple years (in my experience with laptops - and once they go, you find out in the form of overheating CPUs

On the other hand good manufacturers give 2+ year warranties so I feel safe that the investments I made will last until they become obsolete and you save a couple hundred (monitor ;-) there for a home build