Question In need of advice in purchasing/building a new gaming desktop

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ryancoker36

ryancoker36

Jul 19, 2023
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Hello all. I have currently found 2 pre-built desktops on newegg.com that I'm considering for purchase as a new gaming desktop, and I'd like some reviews/advice on them. My budget is $1500 USD. I haven't really seen any new games that I'd like to buy for PC, but I'm using the recommended system requirements of the most demanding game I currently own as my baseline, listed below.
OS: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K, AMD Ryzen 5 1600
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB, Radeon RX 5700 8GB
Storage: 18 GB available space

The pre-built desktops that caught my attention are linked below, alongside their prices and system specs.
1) $1369 https://www.newegg.com/p/3D5-002D-00091
  • CPU: AMD R7-7700X ,3.8-5.3GHz ,8-Core 16-thread
  • Motherboard: GIGABYTE A620 Motherboard
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
  • RAM:16GB*2(32GB) DDR5 6000MHz
  • Hard Drive:NVME 1 T SSD
  • Power Supply: 800W 80+ Power Supply
  • Operating System: Windows 11Pro
  • Special Add-Ons: PCI-E WIFI & | Window side case panel | Multiple RGB Fans for Maximum Air and lighting
2) $1399(technically on sale for $849) https://www.newegg.com/p/3D5-001U-001D1?Item=9SIAZEBJB81838
  • CPU: Ryzen 5 5600G 3.9GHz (4.4GHz Turbo) 6-Core 12-Thread
  • GPU: GeForce RTX 3060
  • RAM: 16GB (8GB*2) DDR4 3200MHz
  • SSD: 500GB M.2 SSD
  • CPU Cooler: 4 copper pipe air cooling
  • Case fan: 12cm RGB FANS
  • PSU: 500W
  • WiFi: Yes
 
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..........."advice in purchasing/building".....................

Building is preferable, but do you have specific reasons to go with a pre-built?

Such as lack of building skill, lack of warranty, fear of choosing wrong parts, etc?

The requirements of your game are relatively low.
 
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Lafong said:
..........."advice in purchasing/building".....................

Building is preferable, but do you have specific reasons to go with a pre-built?

Such as lack of building skill, lack of warranty, fear of choosing wrong parts, etc?

The requirements of your game are relatively low.
Click to expand...
I have never built a desktop before, though my father has some experience, and I have no idea how to go about selecting parts, etc. I simply don't know what's current or where to go to find out. I have been directed at PCpartspicker.com for simulated builds, though my aforementioned ignorance has rendered this less than helpful.
 
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ryancoker36 said:
I have never built a desktop before, and I have no idea how to go about selecting parts, etc. I simply don't know what's current or where to go to find out. I have been directed at PCpartspicker.com for simulated builds, though my aforementioned ignorance has rendered this less than helpful.
Click to expand...

We can certainly point you at the right parts.

Putting them together is another issue.

Possibilities:

You fight your way through it. You'll encounter some frustration despite a lot of people telling you "it's easy". Do you tolerate frustration well?

You find someone locally who will assemble your parts for X dollars.

You have a Microcenter store within driving distance. They have good prices and will assemble for you..........but they have limited US locations.

Pre-builts tend to be weak in certain areas....cooling, power supplies. BUT, it doesn't look like you require high-end parts.........even if you can afford them.
 
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Lafong said:
We can certainly point you at the right parts.

Putting them together is another issue.

Possibilities:

You fight your way through it. You'll encounter some frustration despite a lot of people telling you "it's easy". Do you tolerate frustration well?

You find someone locally who will assemble your parts for X dollars.

You have a Microcenter store within driving distance. They have good prices and will assemble for you..........but they have limited US locations.

Pre-builts tend to be weak in certain areas....cooling, power supplies. BUT, it doesn't look like you require high-end parts.........even if you can afford them.
Click to expand...
Between my father's experience in upgrading his own PCs, and the more tech-savvy of my social circle, I can probably make do when it comes to putting it together. You're right that I'm not looking for high-end parts, just "Good enough" for the moment, and with a reasonable ability to upgrade in the future. I'm aware that getting a motherboard with a format that will remain current for a few years, and plenty of slots for upgrades, is highly important to longevity. Alongside a power supply with the wattage and slots to support those upgrades once installed.
 
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Lafong said:
State the maximum dollars you will spend.

Do you need to buy a monitor and Windows with those dollars or do you already have them?

Do you have a preferred place to buy the parts? Amazon? Newegg? Local store?

Do you have any preconceived notions about PCs based on Intel or AMD?
Click to expand...
Max Dollars: 1500
Monitor: Already owned
Windows: Likely need to buy
Preferred vendors: None, though I am more familiar with Amazon and Newegg.
Preconcieved notions: None.
 
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punkncat said:
How could you possibly be gaming on something that the requirements above outline on this PC?

The best CPU available for that model doesn't meet minimum requirements aside from the graphics card requirements.
Click to expand...
I play a couple of browser games on my current PC, but otherwise use it for reading and browsing. My gaming activities are almost exclusively console and handheld-based. Hence my seeking advice now on getting something better.
 
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For 1500, you can do pretty well. I assume you will build it, not buy it.

Intel: i5 13400 to 13600K (230 to 320); 32 GB DDR 5 RAM (circa 100); B760 motherboard (circa 200); 2 TB SSD (maybe 100?); above average cooler and decent case (150); Windows (130?); decent power supply maybe 650 to 750 watts (100)

Above maybe 1000 to 1100.

Add the GPU of your choice, depending on whether you want to spend the entire 1500.
 
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ryancoker36 said:
dell SE198WFP, 1440 X 900, 59.887 Hz. 8-bit, RGB, standard dynamic range

And the closest Micro Center is 200 miles away, in Georgia. I live in
Click to expand...


If you are planning to keep that monitor, you could readily spend sub $550 and be fine. Either one of the two systems you linked above will basically be loafing at that resolution.

I am going to echo the sentiment which is strong in this thread to recommend you consider doing a build rather than a pre. There is so much support online for 'how to' build a modern system, there is so so little to mess up if you pay attention. I would also tell you to consider including at least a 1080p monitor into the build because you have room for it. Probably even something 1440 for down the road.
 
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ryancoker36 said:
And the closest Micro Center is 200 miles away, in Georgia. I live in South Carolina.
Click to expand...

400 miles round trip.

I'd at least consider Microcenter.

Decide on parts you'd like if you built it yourself.

Then find a close comparison to that at Micro Center. They stock good parts.

Find out how much extra they would charge to build it. Might be worth a phone call or two to Georgia.

They have various package deals going on at any time, so you should at least evaluate them. Unless you outright reject the travel expense.

It's kind of a tradeoff between that cost and the time/trouble you might get into if you built it yourself.
 
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PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($149.97 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($18.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($159.99 @ B&H)
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($97.13 @ Amazon)
Video Card: *MSI VENTUS 2X BLACK OC GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB Video Card ($299.99 @ B&H)
Case: *Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: *Corsair RM750e (2023) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Operating System: *Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($117.98 @ Other World Computing)
Monitor: *Lenovo G24-20 23.8" 1920 x 1080 165 Hz Monitor ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1228.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-07-20 13:58 EDT-0400
 
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Why_Me said:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($149.97 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($18.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($159.99 @ B&H)
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($97.13 @ Amazon)
Video Card: *MSI VENTUS 2X BLACK OC GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB Video Card ($299.99 @ B&H)
Case: *Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: *Corsair RM750e (2023) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Best Buy)
Operating System: *Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($117.98 @ Other World Computing)
Monitor: *Lenovo G24-20 23.8" 1920 x 1080 165 Hz Monitor ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1228.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-07-20 13:58 EDT-0400
Click to expand...
Thank you. I was trying to muddle through PCpartpicker's build simulator today with LaFong's recommendations when IRL happened.
 
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