3 PC choices: buy, buy or build

[Versking]

I've come across what I think are two good buys on used gaming rigs, but I want opinions -- from people who know more about computer hardware. Which option should I buy, OR should I build my own for the same cost? Details below.

Option 1: CyberpowerPC Black Gamer Ultra GUA250 Desktop PC with
-AMD Quad-Core FX-4130 Processor
-NVIDIA GeForce GT 610 Graphics
-8GB Memory
-1TB Hard Drive and Windows 7 Home Premium.
Peripherals included: 23" lg monitor flatron e2351, A razer naga gaming mouse, and a razer black widow mechanical gaming keyboard.

Option 2: ASUS build with
-ASUS dual sli motherboard
-AMD 5200 dual core processor
-4 gig of ram
-Nvidia 1 gig GeForce 8800 gtx
-320GB hard drive
-Dvdrw
-Windows 64 bit
-Office 2007
Peripherals included: 24" ASUS monitor, Keyboard, mouse, speakers

Both cost around $325

My third option is to build my own. The budget would be $300-ish without peripherals or OS. (If you think this option is best, I would appreciate part recommendations or links to prior builds.) Also, I have no preference toward AMD. Both above just happened to have AMD processors.

I know the monitor, mouse and keyboard and the monitor on Option 1 are almost worth the entire cost themselves, but it's the PC itself I'm primarily interested in.

For context: I currently have a Lenovo Carbon X1 (provided by work) that I sometimes use to play SWTOR or games on Steam -- currently BioShock infinite. So pretty much anything with dedicated graphics will be an improvement for me.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[tiny voices]

Option 1 won't play games. Even at lowest settings possible. The GPU is designed for powerpoint and youtube videos. NOT games.

Option 2 will play maybe at lowest possible settings. CPU will hold you back and GPU won't run anything past lowest possible settings.

The intel hd4000 graphics in your laptop is better than option 1 and about the same as option 2.

 

[Deemo13]

The second option would be the better choice, the 8800GTX can at least play games.

 

[Marcopolo123]

always build

 

[ScrewySqrl]

build your own.

compare the $350 build in today's article, which can game most modern titles at medium settings at 1600x900

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-your-own-budget-pc-overclocking,3623.html

 

[james77]

Here's a $330 gaming PC that can play latest games at modest settings.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ECS H61H2-MV Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 320GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: HEC Enterprise MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($17.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $331.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-27 08:13 EDT-0400)

 

[Marcopolo123]

over budget i know,
but with this pc, you will be able to play everything at very good settings with high fps



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks




CPU:  Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($129.98 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard:  MSI B85M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($59.24 @ Amazon) 
Memory:  Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($48.96 @ NCIX US) 
Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ NCIX US) 
Video Card:  PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card  ($209.99 @ Newegg) 
Case:  NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply:  Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $598.14
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-27 11:06 EDT-0400)

 

[Deemo13]

Here's a $330 gaming PC that can play latest games at modest settings.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ECS H61H2-MV Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 320GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: HEC Enterprise MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($17.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $331.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-27 08:13 EDT-0400)

Missing power supply.

 

[james77]

Here's a $330 gaming PC that can play latest games at modest settings.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ECS H61H2-MV Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 320GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: HEC Enterprise MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($17.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $331.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-27 08:13 EDT-0400)

Missing power supply.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Here's an updated list.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: HEC Enterprise MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($17.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $376.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-27 21:20 EDT-0400)

It's more expensive but the parts are guaranteed to be quality. Also, I increased the the HDD from 320GB to 1TB because of storage importance.

 

[tiny voices]

Here's a $330 gaming PC that can play latest games at modest settings.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G2120 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ECS H61H2-MV Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 320GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: HEC Enterprise MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($17.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $331.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-27 08:13 EDT-0400)

Missing power supply.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the power supply is included in the case. Thanks for pointing that out.

That PSU is total junk.

 

[Versking]

Thanks for the great replies! After what I've read, I'm thinking about building either the $350 or $380 builds you've posted.

Video card question, though: What do you think about the Radeon hd 5450?

 

[Deemo13]

Its a rather slow card for gaming. Better for media centers.

 

[StarTrek2013]

Don't listen to these intel fanboys. :3 AMD is what you need for your budget. You can use an A10. It has integrated graphics and will serve you well. I've used it on my old laptop and it runs STO and BlackLight Retribution excellent.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A75MA-P33 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($30.83 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill FB-03 ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $314.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-28 22:40 EDT-0400)