Help needed with pre-built budget gaming rig

[ScrocodileDundee]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to get some feedback on this pre-built gaming rig I'm somewhat interested in. I'm also a bit of a noob with hardware specs etc so go easy.
I'm interested in something that can play some old games and all the new titles coming out.

So my current rig (5+ years old), which cost me near on $4,000 (one of those loan until you own things) is basically having a hissy-fit when more than one tab is open in firefox. It's embarrassing to think that a rig that was once an absolute weapon is now running at an average of 70 degrees Celsius and can't run Morrowind without switching off. Yes I've cleaned cooling fan and GPU fan.

Anyway, here's my current specs for your entertainment:

Intel Core i7 930 2.8 ghz
12gb DDR3 memory (also showing 4gb 'module size' under "SPD" in CPU-Z?)
Radeon HD5770 Graphics

So rather than try and salvage what I'm currently working with, I thought starting fresh with a pre-built unit might be a better option (keeping in mind I'm not confident enough to build my own) and I found this:

http://www.mwave.com.au/product/mwave-vector-34-gaming-pc-ab60433#detailTabs=tabOverview

Now in my limited knowledge I can tell it's not the GREATEST unit money can buy, but money is very tight for me and the computer will actually be for my wife to use during the week for her return to work after more than a year off (a lifetime illness hasn't been kind to her of late) so down the track things can definitely be upgraded once the money starts coming in. Computer parts here in Australia aren't renowned for being priced well so it will be a work in progress.

Thanks in advance!

-Scott

 

[Victorion]

So your prebuilt choice looks like this:

CPU : Intel Core i5 4460
Ram: 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3-1600MHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950 2GB
HDD: Seagate 1TB 7200RPM
Optical Drive: DVD/CD Burner
Wifi-adapter: Wireless N 300Mpbs

Price $1099

That is horrible!

Down below, for less money a hugely better performer. Allround better quality components and will last you alot longer too. Where as the prebuilt machine will struggle with high/ultra settings on newer tripple A games, below build will run it fine and is ready for 2K and to some extent 4K gaming.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($263.22 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($304.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 660W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $993.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 04:35 EST-0500

The prebuilt machine is old tech. Haswell CPU and DDR3 ram. Weaker-end graphics card and I´d expect PSU to be of poor quality.

If you build it yourself, you get premium components and newer skylake tech with DDR4 ram and a speedy SSD drive, double ram etc. If you are uncomfortable assembling the parts (it´s alot of fun) then pay someone to assemble it for you. Shouldnt cost you more than $50-100

 

[Victorion]

Oh, and here´s a budget build. Still better performer and better quality than the prebuilt one:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $598.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 04:42 EST-0500

 

[ScrocodileDundee]

I know with pre-built I'd obviously be paying for the fact that I'd pick it up from the store and it's ready to go, but your lists are actually quite impressive. And the SSD in the more expensive one is very tempting.
Are those prices in AUD or USD?

 

[Victorion]

USD, my mistake if yours was in AUS. Still, it´s almost always better to buy components and assemble yourself. And it´s actually alot of fun and all you need is really the ability to follow the manuals.

 

[ScrocodileDundee]

Still, your budget option works out close to my budget (going by AUD nearly being double USD) and it seems like there's a few components of higher quality than the pre-built option, namely the 450W power supply which I was a bit hesitant on.
I've emailed the shop that sells the pre-built one and asked them if they assemble PC's if the hardware is provided by me, so we'll see where that leads. Only reason I'm leaning more towards getting it professionally built is the reliability factor.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Victorion]

In australian prices, with links where to order.

Order the components yourself. Then either pay a friend or a proffesional to assemble them for you. Or even better, do it yourself - it´s really not that hard, and we´ll be here to help you every step on the way. You´ll actually get a much better insight in your pc as well.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($294.00 @ IJK)
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-HDV Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($94.00 @ IJK)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($75.00 @ IJK)
Storage: OCZ Trion 100 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($108.00 @ CPL Online)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.00 @ IJK)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($479.00 @ Umart)
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT BF ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Mwave Australia)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($105.00 @ Umart)
Total: $1272.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 22:00 AEDT+1100