Build my own or buy from CyberpowerPC? $900 budget

Raycharles22

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Aug 5, 2015
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Hi,

I have a (hopefully) quick question. I have never build a PC but do have an understanding of computers and their parts and how to put one together especially with all the videos these days.

However I limit myself to a budget of $900 including the operating system.
I have a monitor already I only need a desktop.

I need the PC to do college homework, play games like DayZ, Dead Realm etc. but no big titles like Bf4, GTA. I only play those games on my PS4.
I do want to stream on twitch in good quality meaning 720p with 30-60fps. But again only games like DayZ.

Now I'm not sure what to get that would actually meet my requirements as far as streaming and gaming goes. I found two options with a similar price point but I'm not sure what is better. And that's why I need your help.

Option 1 (self build)
I found the following combo and was wondering if this is good or not?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.2406037
Question here is would the fan that comes with the Intel i5 CPU be enough or do I have to get another one? And I would need to get a DVD R drive plus Windows 7 (my preferred operating system) which will end up at around $900 all together.

Option 2 would be to order the following PC from CyberPowerPc:
https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_Z97_i5_Configurator
BUT I would get a cheaper case but probably upgrade my Graphics Card to a AMD Radeaon R9 280 3Gb and add a 128Gb SSD. And I would have to get Windows 10 which I heard isn't the greatest for gaming yet.

Hope you can help me out here. Thanks in advance!


 
For the love of god build your own.

Both systems aren't too bad. But I recommend going with a Xeon 1231 V3 instead of the typical i5. Streaming requires a solid, speedy internet connection, and a strong CPU. Streaming benefits from hyperthreading which the i5 does not have but the Xeon does. The Xeon is a bit more than the i5 but it is definitely worth it. Especially if you are streaming.

Another thing with both of those builds is that they both come with poor quality PSUs.

Now this is a solid build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($237.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($76.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 380 4GB PCS+ Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-03 White ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 OEM (64-bit) ($96.75 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-SCF-P12025KK-RP 51.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($8.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $901.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 20:58 EDT-0400

 
Both unlocked, both with inadequate PSU's for overclocking aswell as one not even having an after market CPU cooler and the other having a barely adequate cooler. You might be able to squeeze .2GHz off of the turbo's clock with that thing. And that all depends on the silicon lottery.
 
Thank you MasterDell I appreciate your detailed response. Now with the build you recommended do I need an after market cooler in addition to your build or will the cooler that comes with the CPU do just fine? I even like the case you recommended and all in all it stands at $900 which is my budget.
Is there anything else on the list that I will need except what mentioned? Or can I order as is and build a solid PC? Also one more thing do I really need an electro static wrist band or can I touch the case frequently? I would build on a wood table and it's usually more humid around here not very dry.

Thanks a lot!
 
Don't bother with a wrist band. Just don't build standing on carpet, touch the case frequently, and you will be absolutely fine. Even if you do shock a part, the odds that you damaged it are small.

You will not need an after market cooler. However, some find the stock one to get a bit loud and annoying. I have used them before and they do get a bit noisy sometimes. You can always add an after market one later though. If you would rather just get one now, these two are really good:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr910htx3g1
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rrt418pkr1

The TX3 is super easy to install. The T4 is a little bit harder but not too bad. I have installed both before so if you need help with one, I can help :)

There is nothing else that you will need! You are fine to order the list I provided. And if you need any help at all when building it, PM me.

Happy building 😀



 
Thank you I really appreciate it!! I will order the parts tomorrow. I think I will get the TX3 since it's only $15. In the building video they use thermo paste or something on the CPU when installing (I think the same cooler actually). Should I order some of that, too and put it on the CPU before installing the cooler?
 
No. The cooler comes with thermal compound already. I can't remember if it's pre applied or not though. Regardless, it comes with some. If the thermal compound is not pre applied, make sure you put a pea size of thermal compound in the middle of the CPU. Do not put it anywhere else and especially do not spread like some instructions say and some videos do. No professional builder will spread on thermal compound. It creates bubbles and is just overall a bad idea.