Okay, here's the skinny: I recently put in an order for a pre-built gaming PC at an online vendor. I had asked around - in forums, friends, etc. - about whether the build was good value for money. I received positive feedback and some useful advice. I was happy with my purchase. Today, however, I happened to stumble across a separate vendor, one which appeared to offer greater component selection and scope for customization. Naturally enough, I configured a build - initially out of curiosity. However, upon completion, doubt began to set in about the order I had already placed. So, I thought it'd be wise to solicit some advice and opinions about which build represents the best value for money.
Here are the two builds. (Note: I reside in the U.K., so prices are in GBP. But I have converted them into USD, too.)
The one that I've ordered:
CPU: NEW! Intel Core i5 3570K
CPU Overclocking: Not Overclocked
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek Loki SDS963
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Motherboard: NEW! Asus P8Z77-V LX2
RAM: NEW! 8GB Corsair 1866mhz Vengeance (2x4GB)
Hard Drive: 1TB S-ATAIII 6.0Gb/s
Optical Drive: 22x DVD±RW DL S-ATA
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB (Brand not specified)
Sound card: Onboard 7.1 Audio
Internet: Wireless 802.11N 300Mbps MIMO PCI card
Accessories: DVI cable
Case: NEW! Zalman Z11 Plus
PSU: NEW! 650W Corsair VS
Price (Including Warranty & Delivery): £938 ($1424)
Warranty: 2 years Parts, 3 years Labour
The one which I configured today:
Computer Case: Cooler Master Elite 430
CPU: Intel i5 3570K Overclocked to (4 x 4.6 GHZ) - Ivy Bridge - (Free Majesty 2 Game)
CPU Heatsink: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo - Low Noise
Memory: Corsair 8GB XMS3 PC3-12800 1600MHz (2x4GB) - Lifetime Warranty (DDR3)
Graphics Card: 2GB EVGA GTX 670 FTW, 28nm, PCIe 3.0 (x16), 6208MHz GDDR5, GPU 1006MHz, Boost 1084MHz, Cores 1344, DP/DL DVI/HDMI
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H (Intel Z77) - VGA/DVI/HDMI
Sound Card: Motherboard Integrated HD Sound
Networking: Motherboard Integrated Ethernet Lan (Broadband Ready)
Power Supply: Corsair 600W (Modular) PSU - Low Noise
Hard Drive #1: 1 TB Seagate (1000 GB) SATA-III HDD 7200 RPM 64MB
Optical Drive #1: Samsung 24x DVD/CD Re-Writer/Reader - Black - (SATA)
Operating System #1: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 BIT (Genuine DVD & COA Included)
Security Software: FREE - Webroot AntiVirus 2013 (1 Year - 1 PC License) - FREE FOR ORDERS PLACED BEFORE 25/3/13
Backup Software: 1-Click Recovery System - Image Backup - Original O/S DVD
Free Gift: FREE - 6 Port Surge Protection
Monitor Cables & Adapters: 2.5m HDMI Gold Plated Cable
DVD Playback Software: FREE - CyberLink PowerDVD 10
DVD/CD Burning Software: FREE - Nero V10 Essentials Suite 2
CPU Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-4 Thermal Compound
Case Fans: Cooler Master Green LED Quiet Case Fan 120mm
Price (Free Delivery & Standard Warranty): £1,047 ($1,589)
Warranty: 1 year Parts, 3 year Labour
I have to say, I'm veering more towards the latter, even if I'm spending slightly more. But what do you guys think? I'd appreciate your input.
Thanks.
Here are the two builds. (Note: I reside in the U.K., so prices are in GBP. But I have converted them into USD, too.)
The one that I've ordered:
CPU: NEW! Intel Core i5 3570K
CPU Overclocking: Not Overclocked
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek Loki SDS963
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Motherboard: NEW! Asus P8Z77-V LX2
RAM: NEW! 8GB Corsair 1866mhz Vengeance (2x4GB)
Hard Drive: 1TB S-ATAIII 6.0Gb/s
Optical Drive: 22x DVD±RW DL S-ATA
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB (Brand not specified)
Sound card: Onboard 7.1 Audio
Internet: Wireless 802.11N 300Mbps MIMO PCI card
Accessories: DVI cable
Case: NEW! Zalman Z11 Plus
PSU: NEW! 650W Corsair VS
Price (Including Warranty & Delivery): £938 ($1424)
Warranty: 2 years Parts, 3 years Labour
The one which I configured today:
Computer Case: Cooler Master Elite 430
CPU: Intel i5 3570K Overclocked to (4 x 4.6 GHZ) - Ivy Bridge - (Free Majesty 2 Game)
CPU Heatsink: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo - Low Noise
Memory: Corsair 8GB XMS3 PC3-12800 1600MHz (2x4GB) - Lifetime Warranty (DDR3)
Graphics Card: 2GB EVGA GTX 670 FTW, 28nm, PCIe 3.0 (x16), 6208MHz GDDR5, GPU 1006MHz, Boost 1084MHz, Cores 1344, DP/DL DVI/HDMI
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H (Intel Z77) - VGA/DVI/HDMI
Sound Card: Motherboard Integrated HD Sound
Networking: Motherboard Integrated Ethernet Lan (Broadband Ready)
Power Supply: Corsair 600W (Modular) PSU - Low Noise
Hard Drive #1: 1 TB Seagate (1000 GB) SATA-III HDD 7200 RPM 64MB
Optical Drive #1: Samsung 24x DVD/CD Re-Writer/Reader - Black - (SATA)
Operating System #1: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 BIT (Genuine DVD & COA Included)
Security Software: FREE - Webroot AntiVirus 2013 (1 Year - 1 PC License) - FREE FOR ORDERS PLACED BEFORE 25/3/13
Backup Software: 1-Click Recovery System - Image Backup - Original O/S DVD
Free Gift: FREE - 6 Port Surge Protection
Monitor Cables & Adapters: 2.5m HDMI Gold Plated Cable
DVD Playback Software: FREE - CyberLink PowerDVD 10
DVD/CD Burning Software: FREE - Nero V10 Essentials Suite 2
CPU Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-4 Thermal Compound
Case Fans: Cooler Master Green LED Quiet Case Fan 120mm
Price (Free Delivery & Standard Warranty): £1,047 ($1,589)
Warranty: 1 year Parts, 3 year Labour
I have to say, I'm veering more towards the latter, even if I'm spending slightly more. But what do you guys think? I'd appreciate your input.
Thanks.