Build or buy prebuilt? (Noob's first build)

[Fixuract]

I'm gonna be coming by some money soon and I want to move on from consoles and into the pc world. Now i'm a noob at all this computer stuff and was curious, build or buy a prebuilt pc off a site like cyberpowerpc. The things is I read some reviews on the site and people say they do the wires crappy and such and that they're a bit untrustworthy. I don't know how to buy parts or if i'll be able to build my own on the fact that I wouldn't know what i'm doing. I'm willing to spend like 700-800 bucks. I want to be able to play simcity, bioshock infinite etc at high settings and such. So can I trust a site to prebuilt it for me?

If someone can help me that would be nice. Because i'm just a noob trying to move on in the gaming world and wouldn't want my first experience on getting a gaming pc to be a regret.

 

[ihog]

The answer to this question is always build your own. You will save money, and by building it yourself, you will come to understand how each component works, which will help troubleshooting when the inevitable problem shows its face.

 

[Fixuract]

The answer to this question is always build your own. You will save money, and by building it yourself, you will come to understand how each component works, which will help troubleshooting when the inevitable problem shows its face.

Can you help me on suggesting a build? I know I want windows 7 and a gpu like r9 270x. Just im a bit scared because if I build it myself idk what I will be doing aha.

 

[ClintBeastWood]

The only benefit of buying a pre-built computer is some companies offer full product warranties that will replace parts or the entire computer if you drop it or spill something on it etc. Alienware I know offers it but its like $100 more dollars for 1-2 years of coverage. But in my opinion alienware is overpriced already. Not a good choice for a 700-800$ build.

 

[ihog]

You might as well go with Windows 8.1; I have it and love it.

Sorry, but I don't have the time to budget out a build for you, but just Google some PC building guides. Look around. Do your research. You don't want to make the mistakes that I made when I had my first go because I was so eager to build my PC already.

 

[Fixuract]

I still think I rather go with windows 7. Windows 8 is just to much for me. Also i'm willing to spend a little extra cash if a company can build it for me. I just want to know if theres a site that is trustworthy enough to do it correctly. Think i'll do some research on cyberpowerpc.

 

[SwiftTone]

It's not really that hard. I recently just built my first computer. Although I was slightly nervous, everything turned out perfect. Just take your time and double and triple check everything.

It took me like 5 days of research and an afternoon to build my PC. It runs like a champ.

There are 2 things that helped me immensely. The guide from DIY All Day and Newegg's PC building 3 part series.

Here's DIY's guide: http://www.diyallday.com/how-to-build-a-computer/

and you can search youtube for Newegg's guide.

As far as parts go I went with an i5-3570k, Asus Z77 motherboard, and Gigabyte's GTX 770 as my main parts. Total cost was about $950 and runs BF3 at 110fps+ on ultra.

Don't be scared and just take your time and do your research. This forum was a big help when I was doing my research.

 

[ClintBeastWood]

I could piece together a build, but I need you to answer a few question.
1. Do you want AMD or Intel (Google it)
2. Do you want an up-gradable PC eg, will you upgrade it later with more expensive, powerful components?
3. What do you plan to do with it? Just gaming? Or photography? Or anything else?
Lastly your going to need to be able to order stuff online and have it shipped. There are very few walk in stores that sell computer parts.

 

[Fixuract]

I could piece together a build, but I need you to answer a few question.
1. Do you want AMD or Intel (Google it)
2. Do you want an up-gradable PC eg, will you upgrade it later with more expensive, powerful components?
3. What do you plan to do with it? Just gaming? Or photography? Or anything else?
Lastly your going to need to be able to order stuff online and have it shipped. There are very few walk in stores that sell computer parts.

Hmm think i'll go with amd. Yes I will want to upgrade it later on since there might be games i want to play but need to upgrade it. and I'll only really use it for gaming. I have some steam games right now that I bought and now trying to get a computer to play them. I don't know if i'll be able to play bf4 on a 700-800 pc but if I could that be lovely. Also i'm fine with buying things online.

 

[Fixuract]

I'm gonna be buying this pc with my tax return which won't be much. I think i'll be getting 900 max. I have a key board and a mouse also a monitor. But I want to have duel monitors so i'll be getting another maybe. The games I want to play is Simcity, bioshock infinite, and maybe skyrim. I'm sure i'll buy other games just want to be able to play them on med - high settings.

 

[Fixuract]

I want something like this well if this is a good build. I just don't know what case to get really. I want something black with red leds. I'm gonna buy a 1080p monitor and a keyboard and mouse. But if someone can make this a bit cheaper that would be nice.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Gk3y

 

[Fixuract]

Bump. Still need someones opinion on this build and a case for it. Want a black case with red leds ( don't know if you have to buy separate) that i can see into. I seriously have no idea if this build will be good for Simcity and bioshock infinite on high settings.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Gk3y

 

[jaykimf]

The answer to this question is always build your own. You will save money, and by building it yourself, you will come to understand how each component works, which will help troubleshooting when the inevitable problem shows its face.

In my experience I've always saved money by not building my own. My last 4 desktops have all come from Dell outlet and in each case the price of the CPU, GPU, Ram, HD, and OS have added up to more than what I paid for the whole system. So the case, motherboard, PSU, DVD, wireless adapter etc. are basically free. And as far as troubleshooting the inevitable problems, I have never had a hardware or component problem. (Knock on wood) Of course I don't mean to say there aren't compelling reasons to build your own- such as being to configure it exactly to your needs using the components of your choice.