Build by parts or buy pre-built (New PC)

[Regulator75]

Thinking of building a new PC for home (minimal gaming).it

I've built dozens of systems over the years, so this wouldn't be an issue for me.

Was looking into something like this for my build, nothing too fancy.




Then I came across this Asus pre-built from FS for $949.99
Doesn't look too bad, decent bang for a buck.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-ca/produ...0acff8d455en02

Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650
12GB of RAM DDR3 1600
2TB HDD @ 7200 rpm
Windows 8.1 - (never used 8 yet)

Thoughts?
Would like to keep it under a $1000.00 (Tax in).

[Swayze11]

That pre-built one is actually pretty damn good, I think I would lean towards the pre-built.

[Boblobla]

Windows 8 makes me feel like I have never used a computer before.

[Vulcan]

I'd rather have my own build but that's me. You haven't included a Power Supply with your build yet but you should save some money by using ME price match and checking prices with Shopbot.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I'd rather have my own build but that's me. You haven't included a Power Supply with your build yet but you should save some money by using ME price match and checking prices with Shopbot.

500W PS comes with case.

[Jude]

If you have access to a university email or know someone who does, you can get windows 8.1 pro for $70 with Microsoft's student discount thing. Each person can purchase up to 5 copies per year so its not like they'll be giving much up.

I mean only if you're unethical like that.

Also get classic shell if you want to ditch that fugly new desktop thing that windows 8 has going on. It's free and it gives you that regular windows 7 look and feel.

[Rathji]

I would build it yourself for sure.

Each and every component will be a better quality and be sure to be able to be swapped out without concern. Things you don't think about like adding extra drives and there are no extra SATA connections or drive bays, or putting in a new video card in a few years and there not being enough of the correct power connectors, or the card is too big for the factory ASUS case.

Just based on Power Supply and Case alone, it is a no brainer for me.

[LockedOut]

If you have the money I would recommend buying an SSD. There's been lots of good deals lately on SSD despite our lower dollar. A decent 240/256 GB SSD can be found for under $150 on sale if you look around.

[Regulator75]

Re: SSD, yeah I've looking into it.

However I'd really like to keep this system under $1000.00 all in.
Perhaps some more tweaks are required for my build.

[Flash Walken]

Regulator:

I am not a huge techno wizard, I do gaming and word processing and a little bit of video editing on my gaming pc.

I have just recently upgraded to an SSD and I am kicking myself for not doing it a year ago.

EVERYTHING is faster and more productive.

I have 3.5 inch drives for storage, but this SSD is remarkably fast.

[Regulator75]

I downgraded my video card which lowered the price a bit.

How does this look? Still not under a $1,000, but seems decent for photo and some video editing.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Wow is RAM cheap these days! I really need to do this again soon, my computer has got to be pushing over 4 yrs old now. Don't have any games that really challenge it though so not critical. I would like to have a system SSD though so maybe I could get away with just upgrading MOBO and processor and move O/S onto SSD and keep everything else.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Wow is RAM cheap these days! I really need to do this again soon, my computer has got to be pushing over 4 yrs old now. Don't have any games that really challenge it though so not critical. I would like to have a system SSD though so maybe I could get away with just upgrading MOBO and processor and move O/S onto SSD and keep everything else.

Haha that's cheap to you? I built my gaming PC last year during Black Friday sales and bought 8GB for $35 from ME. RAM prices have gone up exponentially in the past year.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

I downgraded my video card which lowered the price a bit.

How does this look? Still not under a $1,000, but seems decent for photo and some video editing.

Check out Amazon for some deals on SSD and HDD. And don't forget to shopbot everything and price beat (hopefully) at ME!

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Haha that's cheap to you? I built my gaming PC last year during Black Friday sales and bought 8GB for $35 from ME. RAM prices have gone up exponentially in the past year.

Like I said, it's been over 4 yrs since I last bought RAM.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Check out Amazon for some deals on SSD and HDD. And don't forget to shopbot everything and price beat (hopefully) at ME!

Amazon.ca sucks and .com won't ship here, without a major hassle.

[Esoteric]

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/ is better than shopbot for picking parts, at least IMO.

[dino7c]

I wouldn't skimp on the GPU if you are using it for gaming...I have built cheaper AMD based systems and then put a sweet card in them and everything runs silky smooth

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I wouldn't skimp on the GPU if you are using it for gaming...I have built cheaper AMD based systems and then put a sweet card in them and everything runs silky smooth

I don't do much gaming anymore (besides the odd PS3 gaming) and I can't see putting anything but a Pentium CPU in a personal machine. I'll look into the AMD line anyways.

This will be for photo and (minor) video editing.

[19Yzerman19]

I built mine from scratch some time ago and am moving - if you want one I can probably give you a killer deal on it. Though it is AMD based.