Can I build this cheaper?

[eyeage]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a new pc. I don't have a huge budget, so I'm looking for the best quality for the lowest price. My budget is around $600-$700. I know many people are anti-prebuilt, but I'm hoping for some reasonable discussion. This system listed below is $739 (cheaper if I get a coupon email). Can I build a better system for the same price, or a similar one for less? Usage is some gaming and normal stuff. Not doing any rocket science or anything. Looking for some advice. Thanks in advance!


Processor: Intel Core i5-3450 Processor (3.1GHz, 6MB Cache with Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost Technology 2.0)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
Dell Outlet Alienware X51 Desktop
1TB 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
8GB, DDR3 UDIMM Memory, 1600MHz, Non-ECC (2 DIMMs)
Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
1 GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 545

Or this one for $759
Processor: Intel Core i7-2600 Processor (3.4GHz 8MB cache,with Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost Technology 2.0)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
Dell Outlet Alienware X51 Desktop
1TB 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
6 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz
Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
1 GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 545

 

[buwish]

This topic has been moved from the section Opinions and Experiences to section Systems by Buwish

 

[cball1311]

This would be a much better machine if you can stretch it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($204.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $788.46
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-30 00:12 EST-0500)

 

[ingtar33]

yes, you can easily... very easily build a cheaper, better performing system then those junkers... those are high performing CPU systems with really crappy GPUs.... so the end result will be a joke of a machine.

read the build directly above this post. It would be 5 times the machines you listed without really even trying, due to a "real" gpu being used (that hd 7870 gpu is literally 5 times the video card of the system you posted)

 

[strife_ff7]

Get this if you can't afford the build above.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($58.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($169.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $704.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-30 00:17 EST-0500)

 

[tiny voices]

Get this if you can't afford the build above.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($58.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($169.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $704.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-30 00:17 EST-0500)

If you can't swing Cball's build, get this. Either one will be many times better than the alienwares. They barely have a gaming GPU in them and offer basically no ability to upgrade. Alienware is generally a big no-go.

 

[verdenshersker]

If you wanna save money - then look at this Antec PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031

Antec Neo Eco 620 watt like the one you - this one is made by SeaSonic, which is one of the best and most respected companies! You won't need more power than this!
But the price is $30 after the mail in rebate!