First gaming PC; which place to choose for building it?

[RandomGuy123]

Hello, everyone.

This is my first post. I hope it's in the appropriate category. Also, thank you in advance to whoever replies. It's greatly appreciated.


Anyway... So, I'm wanting my first gaming PC. I've narrowed it down to two choices(for now, anyway): 1) have Microcenter build one for me, or 2) buy from Digital Storm(I picked them from the rest because they seem to be more reliable/trustworthy than other online builders). Trust me when I say that I just do NOT have the patience to build one myself. I know a lot of you will say it's fun and all that, but to me, it looks like torture. Just gotta be honest and put that out there.

Microcenter will build for $100, which seems reasonable to me. The PC would come with a 1-year warranty, in which they'd replace anything, free of charge. I know one year isn't much time, but still, it'd be nice to not have to worry about any out-of-pocket costs for the whole first year if something went wrong. After the first year, it'd only cost $40 for a diagnosis if I had to bring it in to them(if I couldn't figure out what a problem could be from helpful folk like you all first, of course 😀), which, again, seems reasonable. The fact that MS is local means I'd never have to pay shipping costs, which is a big plus. I'm not a big fan of all the taxes I'd have to pay from buying parts from them, considering I'd already have to pay $100 for the build, too. I wouldn't HAVE to buy from them, but they told me that it'd be best to, for if they had to replace parts, which I agree with. So, I would be buying parts from them instead of Newegg or wherever.

Digital Storm's pricing on their VANQUISH builds(I'd be going with this) seems pretty reasonable. They do a 72-hour stress test on machines before sending them out. The warranty seems good. I believe it's 3/1 years or something. I always get confused with what warranties actually cover, but I like the 3 years part. They seem to have a good track record. The shipping is what's really throwing me off with them, though. I *believe* it would cost around $65 to get the PC. Then, anytime I had to send the PC to them, it would cost another $65 - or maybe even double that if I had to pay for there and back.


With everything considered, it appears to me that Microcenter would be the way to go. But, I just wanted to get your guys' opinions on the matter. So, what do you all think? Microcenter? Digital Storm or someplace similar? Another option(besides building it myself)? Oh, and speaking of building it myself - I was told by MS that if I were to buy parts from them and build it myself and something needed to be replaced, I would just have to pay the $45 for diagnosis and then pay for the replacement. Therefore, having them build it for that 1-year warranty seems better than building it myself anyway.

Oh lordy, I apologize for the wall of text. =/

 

[thisnamehasalreadybeentaken]

duuuuude 100$ damn
really call up any software engineer /friend
you may also try building yourself its not so hard
there are millions of cabinet building tutorials i think you can try yourself

if you don't agree goo with the one giving more warranty

 

[sincreator]

I'd go for microcenter since their prices are usually better overall, and if something goes wrong you can get it fixed locally.

 

[sincreator]

duuuuude 100$ damn
really call up any software engineer /friend
you may also try building yourself its not so hard
there are millions of cabinet building tutorials i think you can try yourself

if you don't agree goo with the one giving more warranty

To me $100 is totally reasonable honestly. You get their warranty, they set it up for you, and they install Windows and update it which will take hours to do as well. If anything goes wrong during the set up they have the parts to swap on the spot.

Not only that, but Microcenters prices are usually a fair amount cheaper than anywhere else. The money saved on parts should easily offset the $100 set up fee.

 

[numanator]

Microcenter would be my recommendation. If you did go for digitalstorm, then the ultra package of the vanquish II is the best deal imo. What is your total budget for this build?

Here are some micro center recommendations:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($329.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $979.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-25 12:52 EDT-0400)

I put a power supply on there from amazon mainly since I did not like microcenter's available hardware for power supplies.

 

[JamesSneed]

If your not wanting or can't build yourself then I would also take a look at Maingear Vybe since its in the same price range.

If you decide on Microcenter then post all the parts here and let people comment. Whatever you do don't go cheap on the power supply(I don't mean wattage) buy a quality one from Seasonic, Corsair, etc.

FYI: I have been building PC's since the 90's. When friends need a PC I will help them choose parts and build it for them usually in front of them so they can learn a little as well. If you know someone who has built multiple PC's they can build a PC out for free more than likely. Pretty much all parts have at least 1 year warranty and some quality power supplies will have 5-7 year warranties.

 

[tambeshakunt]

I cannot stress enough how easy and rewarding it is to build yourself. It is much easier than you think and tutorials are in abundance! You have us here as well to help you. Building yourself will also leave you with the 100 extra in your pocket. Definitely worth going down the route.

Inspiration/ Tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnjBFk8YWCU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zOYdNEHDQo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsyxM_j3Y4U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFb3TNePIg

Hope this helps!

 

[SpencerMLB]

I was like you once. I didn't know how to build a PC, and I didn't really want to spend a lot of time watching tutorials online of how to build it. I even tried going to my local MicroCenter to have them build it, but they were closed. I then decided to build it myself, and you have no idea how fun it is. Knowing you built a computer yourself, and the feeling you get when you first power it on, and it works. It's something remarkable. Trust me dude, take the time, learn how to build it, then go at it. It's definitely worth it.

 

[thisnamehasalreadybeentaken]

even about the warranty part you will be satisfied that you wont have to face any problems as every component has been carefully assembled by you yourself
also with the extra 100$ you may buy something better

 

[RandomGuy123]

Whoa, so many replies already. 0_0 You guys are great!


@The ones saying to build my own: What about the warranty that comes with having MS build it for me, though? If I were to build myself and something needed to be replaced, I'd be kinda screwed, wouldn't I? I'd have no choice but to buy a replacement, right? But, with MS, they'd replace it for me, at no cost to me. That alone could pay for the $100 build cost, it seems.

@thisnamehasalreadybeentaken: I do know one person that could possibly build it for me, but I'd probably have to pay him like $50, which isn't far off from MS's $100. And I wouldn't get the warranty from having him build it. So, would MS not be the better option, in my case?

@numanator: It's funny you post that build, because if I do decide on MS, I'd probably be looking for something around $1000. 😛 So I'll have to keep that build in mind. Though, I'll probably wanna make a new thread asking for builds, just to get different suggestions and all.

@JamesSneed: I've never heard of Maingear Vybe. I'll have to look into them.

@SpencerMLB: Everyone says that about building, but I can honestly say that wouldn't be me. I just wanna play games on a powerful PC with no problems. It could have been built buy a mouse for all I care. Lol.


...I just noticed that I keep typing "MS" instead of "MC". Sorry for that, if anyone was confused. I mean MC, as in Microcenter.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

I recommend the Kitchen Table and do it yourself. Save that $100!

each part has anywhere from a 1 to 3 year warranty (some parts go even longer). you don't have the whole system, warrantied, but each part has its own.

 

[numanator]

Whoa, so many replies already. 0_0 You guys are great!


@The ones saying to build my own: What about the warranty that comes with having MS build it for me, though? If I were to build myself and something needed to be replaced, I'd be kinda screwed, wouldn't I? I'd have no choice but to buy a replacement, right? But, with MS, they'd replace it for me, at no cost to me. That alone could pay for the $100 build cost, it seems.

@thisnamehasalreadybeentaken: I do know one person that could possibly build it for me, but I'd probably have to pay him like $50, which isn't far off from MS's $100. And I wouldn't get the warranty from having him build it. So, would MS not be the better option, in my case?

@numanator: It's funny you post that build, because if I do decide on MS, I'd probably be looking for something around $1000. 😛 So I'll have to keep that build in mind. Though, I'll probably wanna make a new thread asking for builds, just to get different suggestions and all.

@JamesSneed: I've never heard of Maingear Vybe. I'll have to look into them.

@SpencerMLB: Everyone says that about building, but I can honestly say that wouldn't be me. I just wanna play games on a powerful PC with no problems. It could have been built buy a mouse for all I care. Lol.


...I just noticed that I keep typing "MS" instead of "MC". Sorry for that, if anyone was confused. I mean MC, as in Microcenter.

I figured you were looking for around 1k since you mentioned the digital storm vanquish pcs . When you build the PC yourself, each individual part has a manufacturers warranty for replacement of faulty parts. The warranty duration varies depending on the part (good power supplies have 5 year warranties). Having microcenter take care of any problems would be less of a hassle though. I also recommend building yourself but I have a few friends who feel like their heads are going to explode at the thought of putting a PC together so I get where you are coming from.

 

[RandomGuy123]

@ScrewySqrl: But how would I know if something needed to be replaced or not? I would have no clue what to do if something went really wrong, which is why being able to take it in to MC, free of charge for that first year, is really appealing to me. Because that's my biggest fear with building one myself: not knowing what to do if something went wrong.

@numanator: But, like I mentioned above, how would I know which of those parts needed to be replaced? And yes, my head also feels like it's gonna explode when I watch videos about building PCs and then picture myself doing it. I barely have the patience to hook one up let alone build. Lol.

 

[thisnamehasalreadybeentaken]

@ScrewySqrl: But how would I know if something needed to be replaced or not? I would have no clue what to do if something went really wrong, which is why being able to take it in to MC, free of charge for that first year, is really appealing to me. Because that's my biggest fear with building one myself: not knowing what to do if something went wrong.

@numanator: But, like I mentioned above, how would I know which of those parts needed to be replaced? And yes, my head also feels like it's gonna explode when I watch videos about building PCs and then picture myself doing it. I barely have the patience to hook one up let alone build. Lol.

if something goes wrong the computer won't start the first time
you are not the first one thinking of doing so
it is super easy to figure out if anything goes wrong after your pc runs

btw there are many precautions/cautions/all the know how for a complete noob
PS it doesn't take so much time

 

[Heroesneverquit]

So alright. I built my first pc a while back and I will not deny I was a bit nervous. Let me explain to you what actually goes into building a pc.

PSU. This is a simple bolt on thing. Just make sure you bolt it on in the right place. You can check the pc case specs to know if it is a top or bottom psu mount. If you bought a case with a PSU already installed then skip this.

Motherboard gets bolted in. There really is no wrong way to do that other then stabbing the motherboard with a screwdriver. Even then it probably could still work.

CPU gets slotted. Theres a lever on the side of the cpu slot. Unhook it and pull it up. Slot in the chip. The chip only goes in one way. When properly seated lower and relatch the lever. Pretty much unless you try to force the cpu in you wont break anything.

Thermal paste the back of the CPU. This sort of depends. Most CPU's come with thermal paste already on it either on the cpu or on the fan. If you are getting ab aftermarket CPU cooler make sure to buy thermal paste. On my motherboard I was able to do it after I put it in the slot. On some you have to do it before but in any event theres no real way to do it wrong.

CPU Fan. Another part that sort of depends. On both of my AMD boards it just gets clamped down with a clamp that will already be on the motherboard. On the one intel I have near by it is just screwed on. Once again not something to complicated just dont overtighten the screws.

Ram. Click both sides out. Push ram in. Personally I push the ram in and while pushing I will click the sides back up which lock it in place. A lot of people just push until they click. I just feel like clicking them up myself is safer. Just make sure it is seated all the way down. Only way to really mess that up is putting the ram in backwards and trying to force it in.

GPU card. Another thing that only goes in one way. Has the same locking mechanism like the ram. Click the side out, insert card, click side back in.

Wiring the front connections. Wiring case connections is actually the most difficult part of this whole thing. If it is your first pc build do not go micro atx. I made that mistake and it is very cramped in the case and hard to do this. There are pins that were in my case on the bottom of the motherboard. The front of your case will have a bunch of 1 pin connecters that go on the motherboard. That is how you wire up the front usb's, power button, and front 3.5mm Jacks if you have them. There is no real way to break anything doing this unless your case is really cramped like mine. I had to remove my GPU and reinsert it after I was done just because of space issues. If you plug any of the chords in on the wrong parts nothing bad will happen. Your front panel stuff just wont work if you have got it wrong. There will be a diagram that came with the motherboard and hopefully one with the case. If one did not come with the case they will be labeled on the little pin cables which sometimes makes it a little more guess and check.

 

[RandomGuy123]

@thisnamehasalreadybeentaken & Heroesneverquit: It would definitely be nice to save money. I'm gonna be honest, though, I'll most likely let my nerves get the best of me and just have someone do it for me, no matter what anyone tells me. But, I will keep building it myself in mind.

Alright, folks, I don't wanna take up more of your time than necessary. There are tons of other noobies who need help. I just wanted to see what you all would say, if there would be any major objections to MC, etc.. I'll most likely go with having them build it for me. Or, if I actually muster up the courage to build myself, buy from them and use them as my go-to place if I need someone to look at it if problems occur.

I'm nervous to pull the trigger on spending so much money, so Idk when I'll actually be ready to buy, but when I am, I'll probably post back here to ask for build suggestions.

Thank you all. 😀


One last thing, though... Does MC often have sales/deals? Because I'd prefer to buy during one, if possible. Like, maybe for 4th of July that'll be coming up soon or something?

 

[Heroesneverquit]

Like I said. In reality unless you try to force something in or stab something its pretty much impossible to break anything.

 

[tambeshakunt]

Whoa, so many replies already. 0_0 You guys are great!


@The ones saying to build my own: What about the warranty that comes with having MS build it for me, though? If I were to build myself and something needed to be replaced, I'd be kinda screwed, wouldn't I? I'd have no choice but to buy a replacement, right? But, with MS, they'd replace it for me, at no cost to me. That alone could pay for the $100 build cost, it seems.

@thisnamehasalreadybeentaken: I do know one person that could possibly build it for me, but I'd probably have to pay him like $50, which isn't far off from MS's $100. And I wouldn't get the warranty from having him build it. So, would MS not be the better option, in my case?

@numanator: It's funny you post that build, because if I do decide on MS, I'd probably be looking for something around $1000. 😛 So I'll have to keep that build in mind. Though, I'll probably wanna make a new thread asking for builds, just to get different suggestions and all.

@JamesSneed: I've never heard of Maingear Vybe. I'll have to look into them.

@SpencerMLB: Everyone says that about building, but I can honestly say that wouldn't be me. I just wanna play games on a powerful PC with no problems. It could have been built buy a mouse for all I care. Lol.


...I just noticed that I keep typing "MS" instead of "MC". Sorry for that, if anyone was confused. I mean MC, as in Microcenter.

When building yourself, each component usually has 3 years (sometimes 1 or sometimes 5yrs) warranty. Believe me the RMA and customer service for components is pretty smooth, from my experience. You shouldn't need to worry. Also, building yourself, you choose the quality and the better the quality, the less the worry.

hope this helps!

 

[RandomGuy123]

@tambeshakunt: I've actually already watched all of those videos. 😛

I'd maybe build if I could find a video that walks you through step-by-step with a build that I like, which probably wouldn't be too hard to find. But, I'd still be nervous about what to do if something went wrong down the road. If I'm sitting there one day and something serious starts acting up, I wouldn't know what to do. I'd have no clue which part was causing the problem to send it in for the warranty. So, I'd most likely have to take it in to a place like MC for inspection anyway. And the thing is, if I had them build it for me and had to take it in that first year, the inspection would be free. Whereas if I built myself and took it in, I'd have to pay $45 to get the diagnosis. So, paying the $100 for them to build it seems worth it to me because of being able to get a free diagnosis AND replacements that whole first year. So, unless I'm missing something major, paying the $100 doesn't seem like a bad deal to me.

Edit: And once that warranty was up, I'd still be able to use the individual warranties for each part, right? So, I could just take it in to them, have them diagnose it, and then they'd replace whatever was wrong outta warranty for the part, all for $45. At least, I hope that's the way it works...

 

[JamesSneed]

Right each part will have a manufacturer warranty on top of the Microcenter one. Some parts have longer than a 1 year warranty. If you pick the parts then you will know what each one is and the warranty they carry.