Building a computer vs Buying a premade

[thang4life]

Hows it going everyone!

I've been looking for a computer for at least 3 months now scouring around for the cheapest deal. I found that this forum really helped me out alot when it comes to information given from members. What really sets this place apart is that members are going out of their way to help the OP.

My question seems easy to answer but please consider these facts:

1. I'm on a very limited budget, I want to be able to play Diabloe 3 at a decent frame rate and settings (im not expecting high or anything like that, just not choppy)
2. Speaking of budget, my budget is MAX $1,000.00. I know some of you will laugh, but that is all i can spend
3. My knowledge with computer hardwares are very basic, yes i know what a GPU is, but I do not know if certain processors work with which mobos...those I just cant seem to wrap my head around.
4. I am willing to install everything myself (no need for software) the main problem is getting the parts that work together in the first place.

With that in mind, will anyone be able to help me out?? Please!

My name is Tony by the way, glad that you took the time to read my lengthy question

 

[slicedtoad]

$1000 will get you a computer that can play d3 on max at 1920x1080. You will definitely want to build and not buy it premade.

Please copy paste this template and fill it out:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Technically you should have posted under systems->new build but don't worry about it.

 

[whatsthatnoise]

Custom build: You get what you pay for, you can choose components that fit your use and that are upgradable (if you choose them to be). You get more out of your money.

Pre Build: You get what someone else throws together with the intention of making the most out of the least. Most often these builds are featuring components that are not very future proof, like motherboards. Even if all components are the same that you would choose for yourself, you still pay for assembly + x.

TLDR; custom build all day. Even if you have no idea, you can still manage to build a PC. There are tons of video tutorials about it. And PC components are made in a way that you basically can't go very wrong.
Just remember if you need force to put things together, your most likely doing something wrong, so try something else.

That being said, you don't need much for Diablo 3: a HD 6770/GTX 550TI, an i3 2120 and 4GB RAM are enough.

Last but not least, Diablo 3 alone is definitely not solely worth building a PC for, ever (and yes I own it and play it).

 

[shanky887614]

have a look at tomshardware main page

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/overclock-radeon-hd-7970-core-i5,review-32458.html


thats not a bad one to look at

 

[slicedtoad]

^yeah that's a good starting point but change the GPU to the gtx670 which wasn't available when they picked the parts. Also it saves you $80 which you could spend on 8GB of ram, an i5-2500k if you want to oc, a better case, or whatever.

Also, if you only plan on playing games like d3, you could drop the gpu to a 7850. The 670 is excellent value per dollar but not necessary for most games at 1920x1080.

If you don't have a 1920x1080 monitor, get one. Just take the $150 out of your budget, it'd be worth it.

 

[dudewitbow]

does the build need everything from scratch(i.e monitor keyboard etc)

 

[loops]

If you have a monitor. keyboard, optical drive, and windows 7..:

From newegg:
1

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119233
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant


$69.99
$59.99
1

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136769
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant


$84.99
$74.99
1

EVGA 02G-P4-2670-KR GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814130782
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy


$399.99
1

Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371044
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant


$89.99
$79.99
1

G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
Item #: N82E16820231424
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy


$39.99
1


Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...
Item #: N82E16819115072
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157279
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
-$18.00 Combo


$334.98
$306.98
Subtotal: $961.93

 

[slicedtoad]

^add an $18 dvd burner and that's a good build.

Also you could drop to a 7850 and add an ssd. Might be more appropriate to your needs.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[Guest]

This may help you decide
http://www.pcsupport4.me.uk/2012/10/are-you-considering-buying-newcomputer.html