modhatter113

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Sep 25, 2011
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This is for my son for Xmas. Neither of us can build a system so it's a mute point. I wanted to stay around $1,500.

There are certain brands I can't specify, so this is what they came up with. Right now my son is into Skyrim with downloading a lot of mods for it. Watches Netflix on it instead of reg. tv, and is on YouTube a lot.

Case 1 x CoolerMaster HAF 922 Gaming Case-Black
Case Lighting None
iBUYPOWER Labs - Noise Reduction None
iBUYPOWER Labs - Internal Expansion 1 x [6-Port] NZXT Internal USB Expansion System + Bluetooth & Wireless N Modules
Processor 1 x Intel® Core™ i5-3570 Processor (4x 3.40GHz/6MB L3 Cache)
iBUYPOWER PowerDrive None
Processor Cooling 1 x Corsair Hydro Series H60 Liquid CPU Cooling System-ARC Dual Silent High Performance Fan Upgrade (Push-Pull Airflow)
Memory 1 x 16 GB [4 GB X4] DDR3-1600 Memory Module-Corsair or Major Brand - FREE Upgrade to G.Skill Ripjaws
Video Card 1 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti - 2GB - FREE Upgrade to 660 Ti 2GB EVGA Superclocked-Single Card
Video Card Brand 1 x Major Brand Powered by AMD or NVIDIA
Motherboard 1 x ASRock Z77 Extreme6 -- 2x PCI-E 3.0 x16, 4x USB 3.0
Intel Smart Response Technology None
Power Supply 1 x 650 Watt - Corsair CMPSU-650TXV2-Free Upgrade to 750 Watt Corsair CMPSU-750TXV2 ($20 Savings)
Primary Hard Drive 1 x 120 GB OCZ Agility 3 SSD-Single Drive
Data Hard Drive 1 x 2 TB HARD DRIVE -- 64M Cache, 7200rpm, 6.0Gb/s-Single Drive
Optical Drive 1 x [12X Blu-Ray] LG BLU-RAY Reader, DVD±R/±RW Burner Combo Drive-Black
2nd Optical Drive None
Flash Media Reader / Writer 1 x 12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer-Black
Meter Display None
Sound Card 1 x 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard
Network Card 1 x Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100)
Operating System 1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010 (Includes basic versions of Word and Excel)-64-Bit
Keyboard 1 x iBUYPOWER Standard Gaming Keyboard
Mouse 1 x iBUYPOWER Standard Gaming Mouse-Blood Red
Monitor None
2nd Monitor None
Speaker System None
Video Camera None
Case Engraving Service None
Warranty 1 x 3 Year Standard Warranty Service
Rush Service 1 x Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee)-No Rush Service
Free Stuff 1 x [FREE Game Voucher] - Assassins Creed III-Free with purchase of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650Ti or above
Subtotal $1,596.00

Any other company to try for better available components? What would you change and why. Thanks for your help. Don't want to mess this up.
 

azathoth

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Jun 25, 2011
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Learn how to build your own, it seems like a daunting task at first, but it's actually pretty darn easy to do!

If you need help, youtube has MANY great and simple guides. You will get better quality, faster parts for MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper!

This system is both faster than the pre-built one, and the video card has 3GB of VRAM, Skyrim is VERY demanding when you have many mods active.

Oh, and did I mention it is also $600 cheaper?

PCPartPicker part list

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Green 630W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324-98 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Gigabyte GM-M6800 Wired Optical Mouse ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1025.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-17 15:19 EST-0500)
 

chugot9218

Honorable
You think you cannot build a PC, but you certainly can, with enough preparation and study (which is actually quite small, it just needs to be done) it is a rather simple and fun process. When I have children I certainly intend to build a PC with them (long time away I guess), it's a great way to build interest and knowledge of technology that is incorporated into almost everything we use to get on with our lives. You will also save lots of money and are able to create a system with quality components that fit your purposes.
 

larrym

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Oct 29, 2012
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It's all quality stuff that you are over paying for. Like Azaroth said, it's pretty easy to build one yourself. Not to mention, it would be a good experience for you and your son. Then, if you ever want to upgrade, it will not be an issue.
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
I agree with everyone so far that building your own is the way to go. Don't bother with iBUYPOWER - they include a lot of crap that isn't necessary to a build (liquid cooling with a locked CPU for instance, junk card readers, and so on) and they overload the OS with a lot of junk software that you don't need or will ever use.

I'm taking the above build and switching a few things on it:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $992.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-17 16:01 EST-0500)
 

DeusAres

Distinguished
Here's a far more powerful build for much less than the pre-built.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.95 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1305.72
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-17 15:56 EST-0500)

If you want, you can lower the price even more without sacrificing too much power and you'll still have more power than the pre-built. All you gotta do is drop the GPU down a notch. The HD 7970 may prove to be too powerful. I'd consider the HD 7950.

I also included a 256gb SSD. These things help your computer load applications faster and make it overall far more responsive. You'll want to store your games and operating system on this drive. Then put all your media files (pics, movies, music) on the 1tb mechanical hard drive.

One more thing, there are far more case options out there than the one I and Azathoth picked out. I'd research these things. Or at least get your son to research it. Figure out which he likes best and then make your decision. I believe you'll be far happier if you build this yourself. This way, you'll know exactly what is going in your PC and you can save money.
 
Solution

modhatter113

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Sep 25, 2011
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Well here is the deal. Two days ago my son and I moved into a new house. Or I should say new State, as his house is a mess. It was just left, garbage and all in every room, and needs major work. We have no furniture at all at the moment, and won't until May 1st. We are sleeping on air mattresses. I can,t find a dang thing I am looking for in the 21 boxes of "stuff " I shipped here, and since there is no furniture to put stuff in, I CAN NOT AT THIS TIME BUILD A COMPUTER. Heck, I can't even find the screw drivers. Under more normal times, I would definably give it a try. But not now.

I don't know any reputable computer places in town, as we just moved here, or I would ask them to put one of the configurations together that you recommend. What would be a fair price for doing that (including installing Windows 7)? Without knowing the source, would you recommend doing that?
 

chugot9218

Honorable
Only if they were willing to tack on a warranty, and you will be getting close to the price for the iBuyPower. I would not pay to have Windows installed, as long as all the Hardware is good, installing windows should be a breeze.
 

larrym

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Oct 29, 2012
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11,060
If you don't do it yourself, and you don't know of anyone that can, your going to overpay. The system you have picked out is very nice...just over priced. Since you really don't know much about computer parts, your going to over pay at any shop. That is a quality built they put together for you, if you dont mind over paying, but your son will be happy with it. Maybe you can print this forum out and take it to them and they will cut you some sort of deal, but I wouldn't count on it.
 

DeusAres

Distinguished


Craftsman 5-Piece Screwdriver Set, Phillips
http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-5-Piece-Screwdriver-Set-Phillips/dp/B002L0LIBM/ref=sr_1_1?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1355791522&sr=1-1&keywords=craftsman+phillips+screwdriver

Buy a cheap set of screw drivers. You don't have to buy 'em online obviously. You can find 'em just about anywhere. Just get a cheap phillips screwdriver. As for furniture, just build the thing right on the floor. No need for furniture. I'd rather spend a few dollars on a screwdriver and build the computer on the floor, than pay some idiot $500 to do a job that takes no more than an hour or two to complete.

If you're still set on a pre-built, then I recommend you take your question over to the pre-built sub-forums. They can better help you. I just can't bring myself to recommend someone buy a $1000 computer for $1600. It's illogical.

Pre-built forums:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum-31-369.html
 

anti-painkilla

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Mar 29, 2011
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My local computer store charges $30 for a system to be built. Do any USA retailers in your area do the same thing? We are lucky that they are one of the cheapest for components, so it is still cheaper than competitors.

Putting the system together is should be fairly cheap, installing the OS they usually charge a bit more for. Take the components list to the shop and ask for a build quote. As I am in NZ I cannot comment on how much is an acceptable cost.

All the best.
 

modhatter113

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Sep 25, 2011
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Yes, I called one, and they said $60 bucks. I was surprised. It's a store here in Las Vegas (Outlet PC) that was suggested for some components in build recommendation. Talking to guy on the phone today. Their price point on other components were higher than ordering them myself, plus I would need to pay an additional 8.7% sales tax on all parts. I asked him if they provided parts wouldn't it be somewhat cheaper for me, and more profit for them? He didn't seem to have an answer for that. So I guess a trip there in person is in order. Anyone familiar with this place?
 

DeusAres

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Sounds like a good deal to me. If you can bring in the parts and have them build it for you for $60, do it! It'd be a much better deal than buying that overpriced pre-built.

Are you able to make online purchases? Most sites such as Newegg and Amazon do not charge sales tax. They usually have free shipping as well.