Gaming Computer

[Elder Tokes]

Hello, I am new to gaming computers, and would like a second opinion on this system. I plan on playing games like Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, Smite, and Firefall. With research, I have come up with the following:

Processor: AMD FX 4100 3.6 GHz
Memory: 8 GB DDR3 1333
Hard Drive: 1TB SATA II 7200RPM
Graphics Card: Radeon HD 7850 2GB
Motherboard: AMD 760G
PSU: Corsair CX 600W

Here is a link to the prebuilt computer: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229396

I plan on upgrading the PSU and GPU to what is listed above. Total cost would be 820 dollars. Is this a good price for a setup such as this? Another computer I had in mind is this:

CPU: AMD FX-4100 3.60 GHz Quad-Core AM3+ CPU 4MB L2 Cache & Turbo Core Technology
HDD: 1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD
MEMORY: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory
MOTHERBOARD: [CrossFireX] GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3 AMD 970 Chipset Socket AM3+ ATX Mainboard w/ Touch Bios, Ultra Durable 2, On/Off Charge, 7.1 Audio, GbLAN, 2 Gen2 PCIe X16, 3 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI
POWERSUPPLY: * 430 Watts - Corsair CX430 V2 80 Plus Certified Power Supply
VIDEO: AMD Radeon HD 7770 1GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card
SOUND: ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 Channels PCI Xonar DG Sound Card

With a total cost of 792 dollars. Did I make the right choice in choosing the first?

 

[tiny voices]

No, you can do MUCH better for less money.

 

[Wisecracker]

You should try to build around a Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 AM3+, FX6300 Piledriver and your HD7850 2GB ...

 

[Elder Tokes]

Could I have some help then? I wasn't planning on building the pc myself as Ive never done it before, it seems like that is the best bet from what you guys are saying though. What are some cheap, effective parts?

 

[Elder Tokes]

Btw the top system was on newegg and the bottom was customized on cyberpower.

 

[Elder Tokes]

Ok I am considering building the cpu myself...But it is just a bit more expensive doing it this way...



Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

Processor: AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Six-Core Desktop Processor FD6300WMHKBOX

Video Card: ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5-V2 Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9

HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply


This would all come, with shipping, to be around 30 or 40 bucks more than the original systems I posted. Is it really worth it? I dont know a hell of alot about computer hardware, but Im sure I could put it together. I just really would prefer not to because I dont want to *** anything up.

 

[Elder Tokes]

No, you can do MUCH better for less money.

Could you help me do much better for less money? Because that would be fantastic lol.

 

[Wisecracker]

Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 2GB : $204 before $15 rebate

AMD FX-6300 Vishera: $140

GB GA-970A-UD3 AM3+ with Win7 64-bit: $200

Cooler Master Elite 430 RC-430 Case: $40 before $10 rebate

Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600: $55

Corsair TX650 V2 650W Power Supply: $90 before $20 rebate

Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB: $80

Samsung optical drive: $18

That's $841 before $45 in rebates

If you wish to knock $40-$50 off the up-front cash you may drop-down on the PSU, and snag a 1GB discreet HD7850.

Do you have a thumb drive? You need to copy the AMD AHCI drivers to load prior to installing Windows (the Windows installation has a **Load Drivers* option if AHCI is of interest to you)

Enjoy! [:lutfij:4]

 

[TinkerTailor]

Just to throw a pre-built curve ball into the game, how does that system compare to a CyberPowerPC - Gamer Ultra Desktop - 16GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive Model: GUA420 available from BestBuy at $960.98 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/CyberPowerPC+-+Gamer+Ultra+Desktop+-+16GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive/6979401.p?id=1218818469722&skuId=6979401#tab=specifications) based on the AMD FX-8150 3.60 GHz CPU and the AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB? For someone with limited assembly skills like me, the extra $100 or so seems not unreasonable for an out-of-the box solution with 16 GB memory (which may become of more use in the future). Thoughts?

 

[Wisecracker]

I'm going with my build

Pay a local shop $100-$150 to put it together for you, if you must. If you were going to install a PSU and graphics as in your OP, you have the skills. Online videos, reading through your motherboard manual, and we dunderheads at Tom's can help you with any questions.

The AMD FX-x1xx Bulldozers run hotter (especially the 125w) and generally perform 15-20% below that of the AMD FX-x3xx Piledrivers. Additionally, the FX-6300 is 95w, and an OC monster for when you are ready.

The Corsair PSU has a five-year warranty, the Crucial RAMs are top-notch qualified for the Gigabyte -UD3 AM3+ motherboard, which itself will take you to any level you have the nuggets to try (it should also easily qualify with a BIOS update for the FX- Steamroller next-gen processor in 2014). The Sapphire HD7850 2GB has dual-fans, and a poster noted, " ... maxed out the core speed to 1050MHz and the memory at 1450MHz using MSI and the cards temps don't flinch." It's great stuff for when you are ready to get your freak on.

The Cooler Master Elite 430 RC-430 is a great low-budget case (the only thing missing are USB3 front ports which is likely part of the reason it is on sale). If there is a weak link in the build this would be it. If you are willing to make the investment for a case you will love for the next decade, buy the Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White Computer Case with that extra money. Or, an SSD. Or, both!

:lol:

This is how you do **much better** -- OEM builds normally have massive weak links in the quality of some components that ultimately will cause you pain down the road.

 

[TinkerTailor]

Just wanted to say thanks to Wisecracker for the valuable feedback and to point out that I wasn't the OP. I just happily found this thread when I was considering a similar question around this price point and trying to sort out the prebuilt versus custom pros and cons.

 

[Elder Tokes]

Yes Wisecracker that was an excellent response and really helped me with my build. I went with something very similar. Thank you for everyone else who has assisted in the thread, everyone's feedback has made this alot simpler for me.