PC build thread

[ZenErik]

My experience with CyberPower was that ~ their customer support was wicked fast replacing any parts, but actually getting the PC was slow. Be sure to not use their own branded power supply.

Otherwise, I mean, I'm sure you're aware that you'll be spending an extra $100+ by not building your own. They do an okay job as far as prebuilds are concerned.

It would be coming with this 'EVGA 500 Watts 80 Plus Gold Power Supply'. Comes with that particular case I am looking at.

[EvilRyu2099]

The cool thing about buying a CyberPower or IBuyPower PC is it's like buying one you built yourself.. They are so easy to customize around..

[EvilRyu2099]

@zen: I'm not sure what you're saying on price difference?

I was just saying Digital Storm you can get their low level Vanquish model for like $700, which is only like $40 more than if you bought those parts yourself. So you're paying $40 for labor AND lifetime tech support on that build.

I'm not looking for a rig like that though. You aren't comparing a machine w/ specs similar to the ones I posted. I want a Intel® Core i5-4670K or similar i5 processor, a GTX 770, and 8GB RAM. Looking for something that'll last me 5-6 years. After 2-3 years I will upgrade the GPU to the current best performance for a reasonable price card.

Get the R9 290X over the GTX 770.. Or even an R9 290... Better performance from both cards.. I'm regretting my GTX 780 purchase now..

[isiolia]

I know you guys will probably encourage building my own, but I feel safer having someone else do it. Especially for the more compact build I want to do.

Anyone have any experience with CyberPowerPC?

Here is what I am looking at. I know I could get a similar build in a larger tower for a bit less, but how does this look? And am I really getting ripped off that badly if I go this route?

Personally, I haven't bought from them. I usually just lump them in with ibuypower.com in that they're taking off-the-shelf parts and putting them together for a small premium. It's nice in the sense that you've got name-brand parts that you could have put together yourself...main thing is whether or not they do a good job assembling it.

That said, if you toss those parts into a shopping cart on Newegg...it's about $1265, whereas the Cyberpower it looks like you took the Hadron 200I and bumped up the video card to a 770? Looks like it comes in a little over $1300.

The much larger premium is the ITX form factor, given the case/PSU is $180, slimline DVD drive is $50, etc. But, you've already acknowledged that. Point is, that's double what a basic (but good) case/PSU and DVD drive would cost, even if you were building it.

Additionally, you could likely shave some off the price if you built it yourself, as for example, Microcenter sells that CPU for $200, instead of $240. So careful shopping could reduce the build cost in addition to saving on the (admittedly small) premium Cyberpower is charging.

You could get better specs for the money...but at the same time, I'd consider the premium to be in an acceptable range. I still would suggest building as both a way to get more for the money, and as a learning experience, but if you really don't care to it's not all that bad a deal.

[ZenErik]

I am actually looking at Microcenter right now. Here are the parts I have so far. But what do I need besides these? Thermal paste? Cables? Etc?

Power Supply: Corsair CX Series CX500M 500 Watt ATX Modular Power Supply
http://www.microcenter.com/single_produ ... id=0406087

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit
http://www.microcenter.com/single_produ ... id=0382101

HDD: WD Desktop Mainstream 2TB Intellipower SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive WDBH2D0020HNC-NRSN
http://www.microcenter.com/single_produ ... id=0415197

Case: Elite 130 mini-ITX Computer Case - Black
http://www.microcenter.com/single_produ ... id=0417220

Mobo: ASRock Z87E-ITX Socket LGA 1150 mini ITX Intel Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/product/4149 ... otherboard

GPU: Gigabyte GV-N770OC-2GD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 2048MB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card
http://www.microcenter.com/product/4152 ... Video_Card

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Boxed Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/product/4132 ... _Processor

Total after tax: $979.55

Yes, I know I am omitting an optical drive. Don't need one.

[MrPopo]

I don't see a cooler on there. The CPU comes with a stock cooler but you probably want something better for such a small case.

Yes, I know I am omitting an optical drive. Don't need one.

You realize an optical drive is $20, right?

[ZenErik]

I don't see a cooler on there. The CPU comes with a stock cooler but you probably want something better for such a small case.

Yes, I know I am omitting an optical drive. Don't need one.

You realize an optical drive is $20, right?

Really? I figured they were still in the $50 range. They used to be. I have an external DVD drive anyway, but for $20 I don't you can't go wrong. I'll see what Microcenter has.

Does the CPU come with any thermal paste generally or no?

And what would you recommend for a cooler? Thanks!

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I don't see a cooler on there. The CPU comes with a stock cooler but you probably want something better for such a small case.

Yes, I know I am omitting an optical drive. Don't need one.

You realize an optical drive is $20, right?

To be fair, my friend has that case and it's surprisingly efficient at cooling. I think you'd probably be fine with a stock cooler. You can always take it apart and put a better one in if need be. Just be sure to make sure whatever aftermarket cooler you get fits.

[flex wood]

Get the R9 290X over the GTX 770.. Or even an R9 290... Better performance from both cards.. I'm regretting my GTX 780 purchase now..

You mean a R9 280x?

[noiseredux]

Erik, you should try using pcpartbuilder.com

It will tell you (A) if there's any conflict between parts, and (B) the cheapest place to get each part you want.