Opinions wanted on pre-builds

[acctingman]

I'm in the market for a new gaming PC. I used to build, like 8 years ago and I'm currently using a HP slightly upgraded and it's barely able to keep up with my gaming needs.

I was entertaining the idea of building again, but to be honest, I'd rather not (for various reasons).

A friend of mine told me about this http://www.costco.com/.product.100040887.html?langId=-1

Many of the pros out there say it's cheaper to build and you know what you're buying (namely, brand name parts), but after looking through some of the configurations on that site, I see MOST of the components are indeed name brands AND I can beat almost any setup from NewEgg.

Unless I'm not seeing something, the Costco offer looks pretty inviting.

 

[mfenn]

CyberPower (along with iBuyPower and a few others) are basically what you would call "system integrators". They're not really an OEM like a Dell or an HP because they don't design any of the parts, they just assemble normal off-the-shelf stuff.

They get bulk discounts of course, but generally you'll notice that they make around $100-200 off of you. I quickly specced out my midrange system build from last week and it ran around $1200.

So at the end of the day, it really depends on how much you value your time and if you enjoy the build process or not. Saying that you'd rather have the end product and aren't too worried about the building part is a totally valid answer.

 

[MongGrel]

delete.

 

[acctingman]

So, I pieced out an identical machine on NewEgg and the price on NewEgg was $751 w/o a keyboard/mouse....the Costco PC from CyberPower is $805

So......what's the difference? I keep hearing it's cheaper to put a PC together, but I'm not seeing a savings. Am I missing something?

I'm going to upgrade the CyberPower PC and change the same product on NewEgg and see if there is a difference.

The component upgrades on CyberPower are name brands as far as I can see.

 

[acctingman]

I upgraded the Power Supply, video card, added a Samsung SSD using the same components on NewEgg and the pre-built and the pre-built was slightly cheaper, by $50 (the pre-built comes with a keyboard/mouse, so there's another $50 or so to the New Egg price)

So, not to sound stand off-ish....why should I build? I don't see a savings and both options are using same name brands.

I'm new to this "game", but I just don't see how building one vs. buying a pre-built makes any difference? (other than the joy of putting it together??)

I'm sure if I hunted on different online sites I can come up with less costly components/bundles, but I'd MUCH prefer to order all my parts from one location.

 

[SystemOverclock]

Did you use pcpartpicker to help you get your components together?
Admittedly, that will most likely spread your parts out, but in my mind, any saving is a good thing - unless you have particular issues with a suggested retailer.

Saying that, there are a few companies that I would consider purchasing a PC from again, for one reason or another, but the fact is, I am comfortable putting my computers together how I want them and troubleshooting them when they go wrong (if they go wrong)

 

[acctingman]

Did you use pcpartpicker to help you get your components together?
Admittedly, that will most likely spread your parts out, but in my mind, any saving is a good thing - unless you have particular issues with a suggested retailer.

Saying that, there are a few companies that I would consider purchasing a PC from again, for one reason or another, but the fact is, I am comfortable putting my computers together how I want them and troubleshooting them when they go wrong (if they go wrong)

I get the savings part, but I don't want parts coming from 2 or 3 different retailers (although I know more than likely all the parts would be just fine).

I guess what I'm getting at, or trying too, is if there is little to no savings.....AND I could care less about putting it together, then what's the sense?

 

[acctingman]

I don't mean to be rude, but I think a lot of you "pros" are just more apt to choose the build your own route because you enjoy the process/satisfaction of building?

I guess I'm kind of answering my own question

 

[SystemOverclock]

That is the joy... you can specify exactly what you want to go into your PC. You can indeed go and grab a PC from the store with a few different options, or get it online from a PC manufacturer with slightly more options, however, that choice will be limited still.

The first PC I built was probably the same cost as a store bought one, but then onwards parts got recycled and sold and used towards buying upgrades, so future PCs have been somewhat cheaper.

Not being rude fella, I think you hit the nail on the head, so to speak for the majority of people, at least.

 

[Cerb]

I don't mean to be rude, but I think a lot of you "pros" are just more apt to choose the build your own route because you enjoy the process/satisfaction of building?

I guess I'm kind of answering my own question

Yes. Why pay others to do the same? For similar quality, you pay as much extra from big OEMs, too, and still might not get quite what you want.

Many pros are just as likely to buy an Optiplex, XPS, Elite, Thinkcentre, etc., with their choice of CPU, and then add their own SSD, RAM, and/or video card, as well.

 

[riversend]

Not that you would buy them, but what additional services does Costco make available to you? Extended warranty? Free virus removal? Just like Newegg and other retailers, most companies build their profits by offering additional high margin products/services. They don't have to get everyone to buy those additional services, just a few to make it worthwhile.

Since you are not going to do that, and the price is right, then pull the trigger and get that system.

 

[mfenn]

I upgraded the Power Supply, video card, added a Samsung SSD using the same components on NewEgg and the pre-built and the pre-built was slightly cheaper, by $50 (the pre-built comes with a keyboard/mouse, so there's another $50 or so to the New Egg price)

So, not to sound stand off-ish....why should I build? I don't see a savings and both options are using same name brands.

I'm new to this "game", but I just don't see how building one vs. buying a pre-built makes any difference? (other than the joy of putting it together??)

I'm sure if I hunted on different online sites I can come up with less costly components/bundles, but I'd MUCH prefer to order all my parts from one location.

Part of getting a cheaper PC by building it yourself is having the knowledge of what components are substitutable for just as good but less expensive, and which are not. List out the exact parts that you've got in your CyberPower machine along with the final price, and I'll see if I can beat it with an equivalent machine.

Not saying that I 100% can beat it, but the difference will give you some idea of the benefit (or lack thereof) of a hand-optimized build.

 

[acctingman]

http://costco.cyberpowerpc.com/cart/showcart.aspx?url=/system/CSINTEL1&ref=add

$990

 

[riversend]

OP, that link to the $990 build is not working. You may have to list out parts/prices.

 

[mfenn]

OP, that link to the $990 build is not working. You may have to list out parts/prices.

Yeah, that just links to an empty cart for me.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Something to consider if buying from Costco is the warranty. Costco used to double the one year factory warranty from OEMs, but I don't know how that applies to a speciality maker like this.

 

[acctingman]

• CAS: CyberPowerPC X-Titan 100 MID-Tower Gaming Case w/ Side-Window Panel (Black Color)
• CASUPGRADE: None
• CD: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
• CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-4690K 3.5 GHz 6MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1150
• CS_FAN: Default case fans
• FAN: Intel Certified CPU Fan & Heatsink
• FLASHMEDIA: None
• HDD: 1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive)
• HDD2: 64GB ADATA SP900 SATA-III 6.0Gb/s - 550 MB/s Read & 505 MB/s Write [+61] (Single Drive)
• HEADSET: None
• IUSB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
• KEYBOARD: AZZA Multimedia USB Gaming Keyboard
• MB_SRT: None
• MEMORY: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
• MONITOR: None
• MONITOR2: None
• MONITOR3: None
• MOTHERBOARD: ASRock Z97 Pro4 ATX w/ Intel GbLAN, 2 PCIe x16, 2 PCIe x1, 2 PCI, 1 x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s
• MOUSE: AZZA Optical 1600dpi Gaming Mouse with Weight Adjustable Cartridge
• NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
• OS: Microsoft® Windows 8.1 (64-bit Edition) + Office 365 FREE 30 Days Trial
• POWERSUPPLY: 750 Watts - EVGA SuperNOVA NEX750B 80 Plus Bronze Modular Power Supply [+56]
• SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 2-YEAR [2 Year Labor, 2 Year Parts] LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
• TEMP: None
• VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 2GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card [+68] (Single C

 

[OlyAR15]

So what resolution is your monitor? Assuming you are running at least 1920x1080, that video card is a poor choice. There really is no point in pairing a relatively high end CPU to such a low end card, since most games are GPU limited. Also, the power supply is more than you need for just a single GPU, depending on if you are planning to go SLI or overclock in the future.

Also, a bigger SSD would be nice to have, but I can understand if money is tight that you can't afford a larger one.

 

[acctingman]

Can you recommend a better card?

 

[OlyAR15]

I would get at least a 760, but if you can afford it, a 970 would be more future-proof. If you have to, get a less powerful cpu and power supply to offset the cost. Are you planning on overclocking? It doesn't seem like it given that you are getting the stock Intel heatsink. If you aren't OCing then it isn't worth getting a K CPU. Something like the Intel 4430 should be adequate.

 

[mfenn]

• CAS: CyberPowerPC X-Titan 100 MID-Tower Gaming Case w/ Side-Window Panel (Black Color)
• CASUPGRADE: None
• CD: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
• CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-4690K 3.5 GHz 6MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1150
• CS_FAN: Default case fans
• FAN: Intel Certified CPU Fan & Heatsink
• FLASHMEDIA: None
• HDD: 1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive)
• HDD2: 64GB ADATA SP900 SATA-III 6.0Gb/s - 550 MB/s Read & 505 MB/s Write [+61] (Single Drive)
• HEADSET: None
• IUSB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
• KEYBOARD: AZZA Multimedia USB Gaming Keyboard
• MB_SRT: None
• MEMORY: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
• MONITOR: None
• MONITOR2: None
• MONITOR3: None
• MOTHERBOARD: ASRock Z97 Pro4 ATX w/ Intel GbLAN, 2 PCIe x16, 2 PCIe x1, 2 PCI, 1 x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s
• MOUSE: AZZA Optical 1600dpi Gaming Mouse with Weight Adjustable Cartridge
• NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
• OS: Microsoft® Windows 8.1 (64-bit Edition) + Office 365 FREE 30 Days Trial
• POWERSUPPLY: 750 Watts - EVGA SuperNOVA NEX750B 80 Plus Bronze Modular Power Supply [+56]
• SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 2-YEAR [2 Year Labor, 2 Year Parts] LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
• TEMP: None
• VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 2GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card [+68] (Single C

Here ya go:

i5 4690K + MSI Z97 Gaming 5 combo $325
Team DDR3 1600 8GB $68
PowerColor R9 280 3GB $180 AR
Corsair MX100 256GB $113
Seagate 7200RPM 1TB $55
Lite-ON DVD Burner $14 AP
Antec NEO Eco 620C $35 AR
Corsair 200R $40 AR AP
Logitech K120 $18
Sharkoon Fireglider $30
Windows 8.1 64-bit OEM $100
Total: $978 AR

The main advantages to the self-built machine are that the SSD is 4 times bigger and much faster to boot, and that the GPU is much more powerful.

If you were to take these two down to their equivalents from the CyberPower machine, you'd save about $100, which is probably a pretty fair representation of how much money CyberPower is making on the build.

 

[JackMDS]

I never bought a PreBuild Desktop.

However a Good friend of mine got last week the $799 on this page.

I played with it to expalin to him friend how to use Win 8.1 (The Start Screen/ Desktop confused him).

I was impressed with the Hardware.

Seem to be very similar to the Costco Tower for less money.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8700/p...ST&cid=282167&lid=5359191&acd=123098073120560