Is this premade pc worth it?

[chipdip]

I'm thinking about buying this for current to the last couple of years games. Also which one is the better of the two and are they very upgradeable?

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229285

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227392

And how do those two compare to this

CPU Intel Celeron G530 (Sandy Bridge): 2.4 GHz, 2 MB Shared L3 Cache
$50
CPU Cooler Intel boxed heat sink/fan 0
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D3V: LGA 1155, Intel H61 Express
$60
RAM Pareema 4 GB (2 x 2 GB) DDR3-1333 MD313C80809L2 $20
Graphics ECS NGT560TI-1GPI-F1 GeForce GTX 560 Ti $210
Hard Drive Western Digital WD3200AAKX: 320 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
$75
Case Rosewill R101-P-BK MicroATX Mid Tower $30
Power Antec VP-450 450 W $38
Optical LG 22x DVD Burner SATA Model GH22NS90B-OEM $17

Total Cost
$500
Sorry for asking for so much in one post and thanks

 

[Ajwork]

That's not too much to ask in one question

It's vital that you list specific games you want to play, though, with the most demanding titles listed first. It'd also be nice if you posted the links to the pages of the items you want to buy, though that's optional.

I'm assuming you're budget is about $500; that's okay, but for a little bit more, you can have a better PC.

The CPU you have listed is okay, but I personally would invest in something better, namely:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116522
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

You're wise not to purchase an aftermarket cpu fan for what appears to be a budget build, but if you have an extra few dollars you might strongly consider investing in this, too:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

You'll be miserable with a 320gb hdd as a main (and only) drive. Either invest in:

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Cache-Desktop/dp/B00461G3MS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1340852041&sr=8-2&keywords=hard+drive

(which is actually cheaper...)

or, I very strongly recommend:

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Momentus-7200RPM-Hybrid-ST750LX003/dp/B00691WMJG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340852081&sr=1-1&keywords=momentus+xt

The latter is twice the price of the drive you listed, but you'll notice a significant boost in performance with it.

You have an excellent graphics card in mind, but if all you need to play are games that are either older or less demanding, the 560ti will be overkill. If that's the can, then this is an excellent price/performance money-saving alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-PCI-E-Video-100315L/dp/B0047ZGIUK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340852458&sr=1-1&keywords=6850

That case is okay, but for just ten dollars more (because the case you have listed charges ten dollars for shipping), you can get this Tom's Hardware recommended case (which looks better, cools better and is better):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

That's a nice psu you have listed, but unless you're getting that 6850, you're going to need a slightly more powerful, reliable psu to power that 560ti you're sporting. I recommend:

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Series-RS500-PCARD3-US/dp/B001G0WPLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340852777&sr=1-1&keywords=500w+psu

It's a mere 50-watt difference, but for a dollar more (and free shipping), it's a smart move.

The budget probably got blown a little out of proportion; you don't have to do everything I recommend. Take what I said and what you want, and make your own plan.

It's also a great idea to buy one of those two computers and purchase a 6850 graphics card; it's much better than the 6670 that both those PC's come with, and it's only $130. The cpu they come with is also pretty decent, considering what you're buying. If you build you're own computer, though, don't forget your operating system:

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340853190&sr=8-1&keywords=windows+7

(The bare minimum, unless you can find a virgin copy of XP or Vista off Ebay for, like, $20, or wouldn't mind using a Linux distro).

 

[chipdip]

Thanks for answering with so much detail and making recommendations. The games id like to play are SWOTOR, Mass Effect 3, and if possible Battlefield 3. Once again thanks for answering
(i know these are newer than what i said but it'd be nice to play these too)

 

[chipdip]

so far I've got this:

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-Intel-_-19115078

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4176827&SID=19fol2wllfyj6

HDD: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Cache-Desktop/dp/B00461G3MS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1340852041&sr=8-2&keywords=hard%20drive&tag=vglnk-c1001-20

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031

EDIT

CD Drive: http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-Super-Internal-GH22NS90B/dp/B005S0YK1W/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1340855317&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=GH22NS90B

 

[Ajwork]

Thanks for answering with so much detail and making recommendations. The games id like to play are SWOTOR, Mass Effect 3, and if possible Battlefield 3. Once again thanks for answering
(i know these are newer than what i said but it'd be nice to play these too)

Mass Effect 3 is a heavily rendered game, meaning it should run at pretty decent frame rates (30+) even with a 6850. BF3 and SWOTOR, however, unless you play on lower graphics, won't be as smooth (especially during multiplayer action)

I recommend, at least:

http://www.amazon.com/SAPPHIRE-Radeon-6870-GDDR5-Graphics/dp/B005C8RTTU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340854745&sr=8-1&keywords=6870

(will give you another ten framerates as opposed to the 6850, it's little brother))

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-DL-DVI-I-SL-DVI-D-PCI-Express-100312-3L/dp/B005X64QAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340854799&sr=8-1&keywords=6950

(20 framerates)

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Dual-DualLink-DisplayPort-Graphics-012-P3-2066-KR/dp/B0069RZ0LW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340854880&sr=8-1&keywords=gtx+560+ti+448+ftw

(30 framerates plus! A luxury if you can afford it)

Alot of people will recommend you get something like:

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Dual-Link-DisplayPort-Graphics-02G-P4-2678-KR/dp/B0083Y6MV6/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340855049&sr=1-2&keywords=670

or

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-11196-00-40G-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B0070APVQ6/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340855109&sr=1-2&keywords=7950

The reason being that they're part of a newer generation (and, therefore, a better investment for future-proofing). While you're getting what you're paying for with either of those cards, they're probably out of your price range. You'll also have a hard time utilizing their full potential without a motherboard that supports PCIex 16 3.0 lanes (as opposed to your motherboard's PCIe 16 2.1 lane).

Don't get too confused, though; a card is a card. Unless you demand the highest graphics at the best frame rates (and alot of people do, sacrificing an arm and a spouse to get just that), than the 6850 will serve you just fine.

Keep in mind, though, that Nvidia card will support Nvidia's PhysX software, which helps to make extra "stuff" appear on screen (more debris, more smoke, etc.). AMD does not have their own version of this software, which makes certain games 10~20% better. Also, AMD is comparitively bad with their graphics drivers as opposed to Nvidia, who updates their drivers the second a new game comes out (and doesn't stop until it works). In my experience, only one or two games would not even begin to play because of that (Portal 2).

If you'd like to take advantage of Nvidia's PhysX and slight advantage in drivers, then this is an equivalent card to the 6850:

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Mini-HDMI-Graphics-01G-P3-1556-KR/dp/B004S5CCP4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340855597&sr=1-1&keywords=550ti

I would personally get the 6850, but only because I have more experience with fixing driver-related issues and don't play games (yet) that would take advantage of Nvidia's PhysX software. The 6850 has greater graphics performance (20~30%, at least) but the 550ti will probably leave you with more peace of mind.

But like I said, anything under $200 isn't guaranteed to play games at high frame rates with high settings. I've had Grand Theft Auto IV run at 40fps (30 seconds is considered the "bare minimum" for enjoying any game) on medium settings, 1600X1050 resolution with a 6670, though, and I didn't mind how "bad" it looked (it looked MUCH better than when using integrated graphics).

Unless you have to have 60+ fps on ultra settings (which is okay), either a 550ti or a 6850 will serve you until you can afford either a 7950 or a 670 in a couple of years (when they become the new standard in gaming).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++EDIT+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I would also recommend this CD drive:

http://www.amazon.com/Lite-On-LightScribe-Layer-Drive-IHAS424-98/dp/B002SIMPXM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340856509&sr=1-1&keywords=light+scribe

I'm not sure about the one that you pointed out, but this drive advertises Light-Scribe capabilities. While you may go through your life without using this feature, it's still really nice to know that you can burn labels to light-scribe compatible CD's if you have to. And it's only, like, two dollars more.

 

[chipdip]

Now I've got this
Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-Intel-_-19115078

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4176827&SID=19fol2wllfyj6

HDD: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Cache-Desktop/dp/B00461G3MS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1340852041&sr=8-2&keywords=hard%20drive&tag=vglnk-c1001-20

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231310

CD Drive: http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-Super-Internal-GH22NS90B/dp/B005S0YK1W/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1340855317&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=GH22NS90B

Would all this work together? And I'm not sure which motherboard to get that is compatible with this stuff. And am i missing anything?
P.S. thanks for the advice

 

[chipdip]

Also will it run most valve games? (Portal 2, L4D2, HL2, TF2)
and Deus Ex HR

 

[Ajwork]

Also will it run most valve games? (Portal 2, L4D2, HL2, TF2)
and Deus Ex HR

Without any problems; not only are most of those games using a slightly dated graphics engine, but Valve is pretty good about rendering their graphics, so they'll look decent even on lower end cards. Left 4 Dead 2 and Deus EX HR will be the most resource demanding games on the list. You might have to tone down the resolution a little, which won't always noticeably degrade graphics quality and will significantly increase fps (which are more important ).

 

[Ironslice]

Can you redo those links in your last post, they're not working.

Anyway, make sure you invest in a quality PSU such as this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

or this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028&Tpk=CX600

 

[chipdip]

ok for those two games I mostly care about smoothness. But do you know what motherboard i should use?

 

[chipdip]

i think i fixed them

 

[Ajwork]

Now I've got this
Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] _-19115078

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102908

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ol2wllfyj6

HDD: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digi [...] k-c1001-20

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171031

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231310

CD Drive: http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electroni [...] =GH22NS90B

Would all this work together? And I'm not sure which motherboard to get that is compatible with this stuff. And am i missing anything?
P.S. thanks for the advice

Generally, if it fits in the motherboard, it works together. There are a few specialized exceptions, but these are ordinary. The motherboard you chose in the beginning is an excellent motherboard for the purpose: budget gaming. CPU sockets: the i3 laid out is an LGA 1155 socket. The motherboard accepts LGA 1155 sockets. It works perfectly.

I would also recommend 8gb of RAM instead of just four. Although your system might not take full advantage of 8gb, it will go past four if you play on higher settings. I won't recommend a particular product, though; whatever looks good to you!

And don't forget the following parts:

CPU Fan (if you're using the stock cooler, say so!)
OS (Operating System)

And don't forget to take into account:
Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor

If you already have those, you're set. If you don't, or you need to replace them, then don't forget to add them to your cost.

There is a minuscule chance that you'll get a defective part, or a part that works just fine but you don't like, and not realize it until after you've built your computer. Don't let that scare you away, but be prepared for it just in case it happens. To reduce this chance, buy all your parts brand new from a reliable vendor. And always keep the postage packaging, just in case you have to ship it back for a refund (generally, you have to pay for shipping the item to the vendor. Depending on the situation, sometimes they'll refund this charge, other times they deduct it from your refund; be prepared for that, too, if necessary).

An additional note; if you're installing a used cpu fan, you'll need thermal paste. I also won't recommend a specific brand, but don't spend more than ten dollars on it if you need some. You won't need to buy any, though; new cpu fans, even stock cpu fans that come with the cpu, have just the right amount of high-quality thermal paste pre-applied. For more information, look on youtube for a guide on removing and installing cpu fans.

 

[Ajwork]

ok for those two games I mostly care about smoothness. But do you know what motherboard i should use?

Like I said, the motherboard you mentioned in the beginning of your thread will suffice just fine. If you'd like a choice, though, here are a few alternatives to consider:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157256

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130592

I won't pick one for you, but I would select one of these based on:

Chipset Date (newer is better)
RAM slots (more is better) and amount of RAM supported (also better)
Sata III (Sata II, which is 3gbs, is standard. The next best thing is Sata III, which is 6gbs. You prefer 6gbs, but 3gbs is just fine. Frankly, most gamers in your price range won't do anything to go higher than 3gbs)
USB 3.0 (This feature is a must; you WILL notice a difference in transfer times when transferring files from an external drive/bean drive to the computer.)

Don't consider price; they're all in the same price range.

 

[chipdip]

Thanks for all your help I appreciate it.
My total is now $485.63 before taxes and shipping
Im still debating on the OS, monitor, mouse, and keyboard.
I'll probably get vista so i can save more
(with rebates)

 

[chipdip]

Best answer selected by chipdip.