Homebuilt gaming tower compared to package ($800 budget)

[mercury996]

First time builder here so here I go! Here are the parts I chose myself:

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $21.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5 - $54.99

MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard $167.99

MSI R5770-PMD1G Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX - $159.99

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready $64.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Desktop Memory $109.99

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor $183.99

Antec VSK-2000 Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $44.99


Subtotal: $808.92

Compared to @ run of the mill $719 tower (sure there are many others out there in this price range):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229181

Really which is a better deal? Am I really getting a better value building myself? What am I missing here or what parts should be substituted? Any help very much appreciated!

 

[macabre215]

That cyberpowerpc build has a crap psu and a 9800GT, which is slower than a 5770~4870.

 

[ScoobyJooby-Jew]

You get the satisfaction of knowing exactly what goes in your computer. Big Computers will sell you the cheapest thing for as much money as possible You dont get system warranties cause you put it together. When something goes wrong on something you built, you can call tech support (you) and place yourself on hold if you wish. Cyberpower/Gateway/Dell however flimsy and crappy they may be, usually have a warranty. When something goes wrong, you can call them and speak to "Bob" or "John" and have your call recorded for training purposes. Mac's dont have warranties, because Macs are Perfect and its you who failed to operate it correctly . You also have to provide an OS. There's also obsolescence. Big Computers dont want your computer to last forever. They arent as expandable, because that would be counterintuitive to making money. You however can plan a build with some futurproofing. Extra ram slots, more sata connectors, yada yada yada.
FWIW I like your build. Your PSU is great for a single card, but if you do plan on CF someday, you might wanna consider at least a 650w

 

[batuchka]

At that price range for AM3 one should really go for the jugular i.e monster frames for the low dollars config $745 AR including ship:

Rams in Qualified Vendor's List of motherboard specified
http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/t-series/memory_report.php?S_ID=428

OCZ3P13334GK

Very decent cooling options for case
http://www.apextechusa.com/products.asp?pID=205

Additional Fan
120 & 120mm Front & Rear
3 x 80mm/ 2 x 120mm side (optional)

 

[ksampanna]

First time builder here so here I go! Here are the parts I chose myself:

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $21.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5 - $54.99

MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard $167.99

MSI R5770-PMD1G Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX - $159.99

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready $64.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Desktop Memory $109.99

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor $183.99

Antec VSK-2000 Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $44.99


Subtotal: $808.92

Compared to @ run of the mill $719 tower (sure there are many others out there in this price range):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229181

Really which is a better deal? Am I really getting a better value building myself? What am I missing here or what parts should be substituted? Any help very much appreciated!

u always get the best value from ur self-built system. go with that ...

 

[mercury996]

Best answer selected by mercury996.