christianelliott

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Mar 8, 2012
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Hi guys! a while back i posted a series of threads, because i was clueless of what to do. i want a new gaming pc. i want the stuff listed below:
Gamer Paladin D827
1 x Case ( NZXT Lexa-S Gaming Case - Black w/ Blue Light )
0 x Case Lighting ( None )
0 x iBUYPOWER Labs - Noise Reduction ( None )
0 x iBUYPOWER Labs - Internal Expansion ( None )
1 x Processor ( Intel® Core™ i5-3570K Processor (4x 3.40GHz/6MB L3 Cache) - Intel Core i5-3570K )
0 x iBUYPOWER PowerDrive ( None )
1 x Processor Cooling ( Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink )
1 x Memory ( 8 GB [4 GB X2] DDR3-1600 Memory Module - Corsair or Major Brand )
1 x Video Card ( AMD Radeon HD 6870 - 1GB - Single Card )
1 x Video Card Brand ( Major Brand Powered by AMD or NVIDIA )
1 x Free Stuff ( [Free Game Download] - DiRT Showdown - Free with purchase of AMD Radeon video card )
1 x Motherboard ( Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H -- 1x PCI-E 3.0 x16, 4x USB 3.0 )
0 x Intel Smart Response Technology ( None )
1 x Power Supply ( 700 Watt - Standard )
1 x Primary Hard Drive ( 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 32M Cache, 7200 RPM, 6.0Gb/s - Single Drive )
0 x Data Hard Drive ( None )
1 x Optical Drive ( 24X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive - Black )
0 x 2nd Optical Drive ( None )
1 x Flash Media Reader / Writer ( 12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer - Black )
0 x Meter Display ( None )
0 x USB Expansion ( None )
1 x Sound Card ( 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard )
1 x Network Card ( Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100) )
1 x Operating System ( None- Pre-formatted Hard Drive Only )
0 x Monitor ( None )
0 x 2nd Monitor ( None )
0 x Speaker System ( None )
0 x Video Camera ( None )
1 x Case Engraving Service ( Custom Message - Max 35 characters (including spaces) - [Aperture Laboratories] )
1 x Warranty ( 3 Year Standard Warranty Service )
1 x Rush Service ( Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) - No Rush Service, Estimate Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days )

this all costs around 850 bucks on ibuypower. however, i am not sure about their workmanship and stuff, so i might build instead. price is the issue. if its cheaper to buy this, or build with the same components, i want the cheaper option. thanks!
 

randomkid

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Building is cheaper than buying pre-built. You also have full control of the specs & can make sure they are balanced whereas pre-built usually put more weight on the processor rather than the graphics card.

I trim down your post to the essentials:

The cost if you include Operating system will be more than $850.

What you can do is hunt these components from newegg & put it in a cart & you can see how much it cost. Then post the link & we can help finetune your selection.
If you are not comfortable building the PC yourself. Ask a friend who may know how or as last recourse, specify the part & ask the store to build it for you at some service fee.
 

christianelliott

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Mar 8, 2012
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Thanks for the help! about the operating system issue, i already own a copy of windows 7 that i will use, so i am aware of the fact that the ibuypower pc does not come with one. i customized it myself on their site. however, i agree with you on the psu. it could very well be generic
 

mastrom101

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Jun 12, 2010
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Here's a similar Config

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2373004&sku=I69-3570K - $239 (Same)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item
-details.asp?EdpNo=6044639&CatId=4533 - $55 (Faster RAM)

GPU
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2148471&CatId=3669 - $200, Much Better GPU

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1241686&CatId=7005 - $160, Same GPU, Free Games!

MOBO
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2276159&CatId=6976 - $120, Same

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=353599&CatId=7212 - $120, Another Option

HARD DRIVE

Hybrid Drive (SSD+ HDD)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1505940&CatId=2682 - 750GB, $130

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6280178&Sku=TMD-500AS4 - 500GB, $80

Or a plain HDD
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=744346&CatId=2459 - $80, Same everything, larger cache

Cd/DVD Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1896527&CatId=1624 - $20, Not sure how it compares, who cares tbh

Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5520044&CatId=1509 - $40, Good Case, Great Price

Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6285097&CatId=2533 - $65, SLI, Way better than the IBP PSU

Card Reader
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1871218&CatId=2824 - $10, Good i guess

Fans
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4675264&CatId=802 - $10, Lights up blue

Total:
539

6870 With 500 GB HBD or 1tb HD = 240+539= $779
560 ti With 500 GB HBD or 1tb HD= 280+539= $819
6870 with 750 GB HBD = 290+539= $829
560 ti with 750GB HBD = 330+539= $869

There you have it, much better builds, better quality components. Your either saving money or getting a better build in both cases (no pun intended).

I would go for the 500 or 750 GB hybrid drive, and than pick the GPU based on your needs.


 

christianelliott

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Mar 8, 2012
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thanks mastrom101! i think its unanimous that i should build rather than buy. but, as mastrom showed, there are two (affordable) choices for mobos. the z68 chipset and the z77 chipset. both are 120 bucks or so. which do you recommend?
 
If you don't want to build, Max M has a couple of sandy bridge systems for sale at anandtech. He might save you some $$. First time builders always have issues and want to blame the parts, so if you don't have much patience, you may want to buy a near new system. I usually offer 25% under the new price. Good luck.
 

mastrom101

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Jun 12, 2010
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For the same price, you get more features on a z68 than a z77. SO its newer board v.s. more features (generally)

E.G. better on board sound v.s. newer board

Choice is yours!