Build this prebuilt for lower or similar price?

[thefuzz52]

Hi all,

In the near future I am looking to purchase a new PC. Specifically what I intend to do with it is indie Development (Unreal Development Kit, possibly Crytek SDK) and of course high end gaming (by this I mean play the latest games maxed or almost maxed at 1080p resolution). Obviously, with a budget of max $1600 for the desktop (initially) I would like to get the best for the lowest price available.

Considering this prebuilt for the non sale price of around $1330, would I be able to build a system of equally powerful (ie similar components), if not better, for a cheaper or equal price?

I am totally new to this concept of building my own PC and really do not know which would be the better deal. Though I do know quite a lot about computers and their components, I have always bought prebuilts and would like to try building if it is more affordable. I also see that buying individual components will up the cost of shipping.

I hope someone can point me in the right, or best, direction.

Thanks!

I am in Canada by the way so there might be a difference in prices between newegg.ca and newegg.com. Please consider this when writing your replies.

 

[ps3hacker12]

Just a 7870 in a $1300 system?!? wow thats low end for the price.

 

[thefuzz52]

Just a 7870 in a $1300 system?!? wow thats low end for the price.

As I said, I'm not very good with seeing what is a good deal and what isn't. Hence why I came here.

 

[Dmitriy Kuzmich]

build one. you can make one that's much better for that price.

 

[ps3hacker12]

Heres a much better system for a lower price:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1000.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 11:34 EDT-0400)

the rest of the money could go into a better monitor, mouse and keyboard or maybe even an SSD.

 

[Marcopolo123]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($154.99 @ Canada Computers)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($319.99 @ NCIX)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($58.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $962.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 11:58 EDT-0400)

 

[thefuzz52]

Heres a much better system for a lower price:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1000.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 11:34 EDT-0400)

the rest of the money could go into a better monitor, mouse and keyboard or maybe even an SSD.

Awesome! Thank you so much for doing this. I still need to buy a Monitor and keyboard. Only have a laptop I may however get a higher wattage power supply for future upgrades, (say crossfire?) or will that not be necessary?

 

[RazerZ]

Heres a much better system for a lower price:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1000.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 11:34 EDT-0400)

the rest of the money could go into a better monitor, mouse and keyboard or maybe even an SSD.

Awesome! Thank you so much for doing this. I still need to buy a Monitor and keyboard. Only have a laptop I may however get a higher wattage power supply for future upgrades, (say crossfire?) or will that not be necessary?

Crossfire is bad idea imo because of various graphic tears in texture when doing it. Here's some changes that save you money:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.02 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.79 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $971.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 12:57 EDT-0400)

 

[thefuzz52]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($154.99 @ Canada Computers)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($319.99 @ NCIX)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($58.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $962.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 11:58 EDT-0400)

Heres a much better system for a lower price:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1000.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 11:34 EDT-0400)

the rest of the money could go into a better monitor, mouse and keyboard or maybe even an SSD.

Awesome! Thank you so much for doing this. I still need to buy a Monitor and keyboard. Only have a laptop I may however get a higher wattage power supply for future upgrades, (say crossfire?) or will that not be necessary?

Crossfire is bad idea imo because of various graphic tears in texture when doing it. Here's some changes that save you money:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.02 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.79 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $971.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 12:57 EDT-0400)

Great, even better if it costs less. I just want to be sure that I won't have to get a new PSU in the future or for at least awhile. Do you think 600W is enough though?

 

[RazerZ]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($154.99 @ Canada Computers)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($319.99 @ NCIX)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($58.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $962.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 11:58 EDT-0400)

Heres a much better system for a lower price:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1000.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 11:34 EDT-0400)

the rest of the money could go into a better monitor, mouse and keyboard or maybe even an SSD.

Awesome! Thank you so much for doing this. I still need to buy a Monitor and keyboard. Only have a laptop I may however get a higher wattage power supply for future upgrades, (say crossfire?) or will that not be necessary?

Crossfire is bad idea imo because of various graphic tears in texture when doing it. Here's some changes that save you money:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.30 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.02 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.79 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $971.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-07 12:57 EDT-0400)

Great, even better if it costs less. I just want to be sure that I won't have to get a new PSU in the future or for at least awhile. Do you think 600W is enough though?

It is for this current build. The only reason to get a new PSU is if you run GTX sli, but that can get pretty expensive.

 

[Marcopolo123]

550w + is plenty

 

[ps3hacker12]

Awesome! Thank you so much for doing this. I still need to buy a Monitor and keyboard. Only have a laptop I may however get a higher wattage power supply for future upgrades, (say crossfire?) or will that not be necessary?

Crossfire is bad idea imo because of various graphic tears in texture when doing it. Here's some changes that save you money:

Yes i chose a 600W PSU so that it can last many single card upgrades, if you wanted a good SLI upgrade path then a 770 would probably be a better idea, HOWEVER the 13.10 Beta driver benchmarks show that crossfire has significantly improved with the recent driver updates. (including frame pacing).

 

[thefuzz52]

The thing is I am still intending on waiting a little bit to buy. I only asked this early so I have an idea of how much money I need to budget. I have taken note of all of your suggestions and will consider them when it is finally time for me to build. I'm sure I will be back again prior to building to get confirmation of everything an such. Now that I have an idea of what I can get for what price, it's time to start socking away some money

I'm still thinking about whether I will crossfire it, or perhaps buy a NVidia card and future proof for an SLI system. As well, I'm considering buying a higher wattage PSU to start just to be safe in upgrade paths and save myself the worry of needing to change PSUs. Perhaps the new ATI series of GPUs will be available by the time I build. Again I only started this thread to get an idea of the costs. Thanks everyone!

 

[ps3hacker12]

Yeah, prices can change radically over time (even over just a few weeks/days) depending on offers, post just a few days before purchase for some last minute checks

The new generation of AMD cards should be out next month or so.

 

[thefuzz52]

Yeah, prices can change radically over time (even over just a few weeks/days) depending on offers, post just a few days before purchase for some last minute checks

The new generation of AMD cards should be out next month or so.

I sure hope so. Anyway, thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!