[Prebuilt] Is this good enough

[lindy11]

Hello everyone. New to forum. Awesome Forum and web site!

I am looking to get a computer for my younger sister. She is 16. I am on a pretty tight budget $400.00. I could go to $450.00 if it included a monitor.

She is a avid gamer. Xbox and PS3. I cant afford a nice gaming system, but I would like to get her something that she can at least play the newer games on lower settings. Games like Guildwars 2.

I was thinking of trying to build something (1st and only build about 9 years ago), but it really seems like I can get more for my money if I find something Prebuilt.

I live near a micro center, and saw this on there we site.

Pavilion p6-2127c Desktop Computer Refurbished $329.00
http://www.microcenter.com/product/398274/Pavilion_p6-2127c_Desktop_Computer_Refurbished

AMD Quad-Core A6-3620 Accelerated Processor
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
8GB DDR3-1600 SDRAM
1TB Hard Drive
SuperMulti DVD Burner
6-in-1 Memory Card Reader
AMD Radeon HD 6530D
10/100/1000 Network
802.11b/g/n Wireless

Is the integrated AMD radeon capable of playing new games on low settings? I am out of touch with current technology, but if I wanted, could add a cheap (50-75) video card to work in conjunction with this APU, to enhance graphics for game play?

Thanks for any input. I really appreciate it.

I did see DIY kit on newegg (link below) with a similar setup yesterday (sold out now). Would something like this be a better option. I do have spare HDD and DVD/CD RW I could use in a build. I also have a good copy of win 7 ultimate (64bit). Figured if I added a HD 7750 low profile card for about 100 bucks, I would have decent little cheap computer.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1172224

I was thinking of adding my components plus a low profile HD 7750 to this for nice little computer

 

[warhead0]

Would you consider building a PC?

You would get much more value for your money this way, you should be able to build a decent low end machine with your budget, definitely capable of playing game like GW2.

 

[lindy11]

Yes I would consider building. I was considering this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1172224

But they sold out over night. I would have added something like a HD 7750 to it, along with a HDD, and DVD RW i already have laying around.

 

[lindy11]

Is building still cheaper than prebuilt on budget machines?

 

[EzioAs]

This will be better in many aspects especially games.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU: Intel Core i3-2105/2100 - $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115090

OR

CPU: Intel Pentium G850 - $81.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116397
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 4Gb (2x2GB) 166MHz - $20.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148517
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motherboard: MSI H61M-P31 - $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130639
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HDD: WD Caviar Blue 500GB - $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD7770 - $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202011
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSU: Antec VP-450 - $38.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case: Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel - $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subtotal: $444.93(i3-2105) OR $421.93(Pentium G850)

 

[Goodeggray]

The problem with building at this price point is you need to budget $80 to 90 for Windows. This only leaves less than $300 before taxes for parts. Plus she has no tech support. A refurbished computer may be the way to go. Get at least a one extended warranty. She can upgrade the gpu later. Very few system builds on this site need a OS.

 

[cball1311]

Here you go.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1173326

and add Windows to equal about $450.

 

[lindy11]

This will be better in many aspects especially games.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU: Intel Core i3-2105/2100 - $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115090

OR

CPU: Intel Pentium G850 - $81.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116397
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 4Gb (2x2GB) 166MHz - $20.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148517
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motherboard: MSI H61M-P31 - $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130639
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HDD: WD Caviar Blue 500GB - $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD7770 - $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202011
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSU: Antec VP-450 - $38.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case: Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel - $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subtotal: $444.93(i3-2105) OR $421.93(Pentium G850)

I really like your build. Thank you. I noticed the min specs for Guildward 2 (for GPU) is HD 3000 or Better. How good is this integrated GPU? I don't need it to max out, or even close to maxing out, any games; just be able to play them. A new GPU could be an upgrade later on.

If the HD 3000 is not good enough, would a cheaper card be? I read somewhere that with these integrated GPU's you can do something similar to crossfire/SLI? Sorry, like I mentioned initial post, I am a little out of date on my knowledge. Thanks again.

 

[lindy11]

The problem with building at this price point is you need to budget $80 to 90 for Windows. This only leaves less than $300 before taxes for parts. Plus she has no tech support. A refurbished computer may be the way to go. Get at least a one extended warranty. She can upgrade the gpu later. Very few system builds on this site need a OS.

I have a copy of Windows. Thanks for responding tho

 

[cball1311]

Oh. Well then on the combo I suggested (much higher end) you would be saving about $100. Misread, thought that you need OS.

 

[EzioAs]

Intel HD3000 is bad. AMD APU's IGP is generally better but why I recommend that you go custom is because you can get something way better.

 

[lindy11]

Oh. Well then on the combo I suggested (much higher end) you would be saving about $100. Misread, thought that you need OS.

Thanks Cball for the response! I have 2 questions.

First: Is the build you recommended as is, good enough for new games on the market, at least on low to medium settings.

2nd: It appears so to me, but is build good enough for upgrades later on? Mainly a better video card, when this one no longer plays newer games.

Thanks again for your suggestion!

 

[Goodeggray]

lindy11,
Seems like you live near a Microcenter store. Their Jan specials catalog just came out today. These specials are in store pickup only. You said you have copy of Windows, a hhd and dvd burner already that you can use for the build. Here what you can pick up:
A i3 3225 for $120 andyou can get a $40 discount on a mobo such as a MSI Z77A-G41 for an additional $40 after $10 mir, A Nzxt Source 210 case fror $18 after mir, Corsair CX500 for $50 after mir, Corsair 8 GB XMS 1600 MZ MEMORY FOR $30 after mir, either EVGA gtx 650 FOR $100 after mir or MSI HD7770 for $108 after mir. These parts will make a very up to date build.

 

[DarkSable]

^Do that. Those are some bloody incredible prices.

 

[cball1311]

Thanks Cball for the response! I have 2 questions.

First: Is the build you recommended as is, good enough for new games on the market, at least on low to medium settings.

2nd: It appears so to me, but is build good enough for upgrades later on? Mainly a better video card, when this one no longer plays newer games.

Thanks again for your suggestion!

1. Yes. low side of things and at low resolution.

2. This is why I suggested it. All you would have to do is upgrade the video card and maybe the case (newer cards are pretty long) later. I forgot that you wished for a monitor so, here you go
http://www.compuvest.com/Desc.jsp?iid=1845070

all for around $450.

 

[lindy11]

lindy11,
Seems like you live near a Microcenter store. Their Jan specials catalog just came out today. These specials are in store pickup only. You said you have copy of Windows, a hhd and dvd burner already that you can use for the build. Here what you can pick up:
A i3 3225 for $120 andyou can get a $40 discount on a mobo such as a MSI Z77A-G41 for an additional $40 after $10 mir, A Nzxt Source 210 case fror $18 after mir, Corsair CX500 for $50 after mir, Corsair 8 GB XMS 1600 MZ MEMORY FOR $30 after mir, either EVGA gtx 650 FOR $100 after mir or MSI HD7770 for $108 after mir. These parts will make a very up to date build.

Great post. Thanks! I will start looking all the stuff up now. Is this up gradable later on? ie video card in 2 years, to maybe get another year out of it.

This is approx 360.00. that would be fantastic! Thanks!

 

[lindy11]

1. Yes. low side of things and at low resolution.

2. This is why I suggested it. All you would have to do is upgrade the video card and maybe the case (newer cards are pretty long) later. I forgot that you wished for a monitor so, here you go
http://www.compuvest.com/Desc.jsp?iid=1845070

all for around $450.

Thanks again cball

 

[EzioAs]

Video card will be upgradable as long as it's within the power supply wattage. CPU might not because you probably can't get any sandy bridge or ivy bridge after 2 years, PROBABLY.

 

[Goodeggray]

Go to microcenter.com click tab mared hot ad special. It'll open up and the bottom choice is online catalog. Yes, these parts are very upgradeable, but the cpu and mobo are the most current. The video cards are very current, but you could go to newegg.com and buy a amd hd 7850 for about $170. The intel i5 3570k is only $170 and has the same deal on mobos.It all depends on how much you love your niece.

 

[Goodeggray]

Sorry sister

 

[cball1311]

The fx-4300 is an overall better processor than the i3-3220 plus thats a lot of MIRs to have the money up front for.

 

[Goodeggray]

For amd lovers a FX6300 for $130 and same $40 off on mobo.

 

[lindy11]

Thanks to everyone for all the good input. I am going through all the options now. Anymore input is welcome.

I will be sure to update with what I decide. Awesome board.

 

[xsamdagreatx]

lindy11,
Seems like you live near a Microcenter store. Their Jan specials catalog just came out today. These specials are in store pickup only. You said you have copy of Windows, a hhd and dvd burner already that you can use for the build. Here what you can pick up:
A i3 3225 for $120 andyou can get a $40 discount on a mobo such as a MSI Z77A-G41 for an additional $40 after $10 mir, A Nzxt Source 210 case fror $18 after mir, Corsair CX500 for $50 after mir, Corsair 8 GB XMS 1600 MZ MEMORY FOR $30 after mir, either EVGA gtx 650 FOR $100 after mir or MSI HD7770 for $108 after mir. These parts will make a very up to date build.

wow really nice dicounts here interesting , i would definitely go with this build much more for your money. get these while they last

 

[lindy11]

Just to update. I decided to go with the build that Good.... suggested from Micro center. The MSI z77a-g41 is the only item that is not available at my local micro-center. There are 2 other boards available with the $40 off with the i3, but they seem to be a bit of an overkill for what I need. I was told they have more on the way though .

If for some reason that board is not available, I priced out the same build with fx 6300 instead of the i3 3225, and its only 10-15 bucks more, so I will go that route.

I have a visiontek radeon HD 4670 1gb ddr3 card, I might through in there instead of buying a new graphics card if I go the AMD route. If it is not good enough for her, I can always upgrade later. That will save another 100 bucks.

Thanks for the all the advise..At most this will be less than 370.00 with rebates. Feel like I am getting a super deal here.