[SOLVED] Is this cheap system worth it?

[RandomBloke_]

Hello, I found this system for a price of 295 euros and I was wondering whether you guys found it a good deal.

Processor: Intel Core i7 950 Boxed
1366 socket - Quad core @ 3,066GHz-3,333GHz

Cooling: Corsair Hydro H55

Memory: 8GB - Kingston DDR3 @ 1333MHz
4 x 2GB DDR3

Motherboard: MSI X58M

GPU: MSI Radeon R9 290 Gaming 4G
4GB GDDR5 - DP, 2x DVI-D, HDMI

SSD&HDD: Kingston SSD - 128GB
Optional: 500GB / 1TB or 3TB HDD

PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W
500W (80 Plus) - semi-modulair

OS: Windows 10 pro

 

[taeioum]

No, you are probably only paying for the graphics card. The CPU could be almost 10 years old as the release date is June 2009. Look into something newer.

 

[kanewolf]

That CPU/motherboard combo sells for about $150 on E-Bay. The GPU sells for about $90. So of the $330 equivalent your at about $240 for the big pieces. I would say not a good deal.

 

[Barty1884]

I wouldn't say so, no.

The system is viable enough if you had it already, but I wouldn't suggest dropping ~300EUR on it in 2019.
The CPU, while great in it's day, is ~10 years old at this point.
The R9 290 is still a respectable 1080p gaming card, but it's also getting a bit long in the tooth. While I think the 290 was 'new' silicon at the time, most of the 200 series were rebrands of HD7XXX series card from 2012.

Quite old tech, for what it is.

You're not going to be able to net better raw performance, new for ~300EUR.... but I still don't think it's a great use of funds.

 

[RandomBloke_]

That CPU/motherboard combo sells for about $150 on E-Bay. The GPU sells for about $90. So of the $330 equivalent your at about $240 for the big pieces. I would say not a good deal.

Alright, thanks alot for the quick reply. It also has windows 10 pro. Does that make it a better deal

 

[Barty1884]

Alright, thanks alot for the quick reply. It also has windows 10 pro. Does that make it a better deal

No. Windows can be run unactivated without issue, so the fact it 'includes' Windows doesn't really bring any value to the table at all.

 

[RandomBloke_]

No. Windows can be run unactivated without issue, so the fact it 'includes' Windows doesn't really bring any value to the table at all.

Thanks for the help! I also found this system for 260 euros:
Intel Core i5 3570K @ 4.2 GHz.
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO
8 GB DDR3-1600 (2x 4GB dual channel)
Gigabyte Z77M-D3H
MSI GTX 760 TwinFrozr IV
OCZ Vertex 3 240 GB SSD
Corsair VS550, 550 watt supply
Corsair Carbide 200r Windowed

Or should I look for something with atleast a Rx 470?

 

[jankerson]

Alright, thanks alot for the quick reply. It also has windows 10 pro. Does that make it a better deal

If it's activated it does add some.

I don't think the overall system is a good deal though, would have to replace the ram and PSU right off the bat.

4x 2GB.... Really? Sounds like someone bought some junk ram off EBAY.

And the PSU is a piece of crap.

 

[Barty1884]

Similar complaints with that system - it's dated, and overpriced for what it is.

Has a stronger CPU for gaming, but a substantially worse GPU.

Where are you looking for these deals? What kind of budget do you have?

 

[RandomBloke_]

Similar complaints with that system - it's dated, and overpriced for what it is.

Has a stronger CPU for gaming, but a substantially worse GPU.

Where are you looking for these deals? What kind of budget do you have?

I guess somewhere around 350 euros, I don't care if its used. I just want to play ck2, Kerbal Space Program and other lower end games. I am also Dutch, so the prices are alot higher here. I am not really a big gamer so thats why I do not want to spend 'alot'. And I am looking on Tweakers, it is a Dutch site for pc enthousiast.

 

[taeioum]

I can see you're pulling systems from tweakers.net, haha. I know prices here are different and of course everyone's trying to get the most for what they're selling. Especially Dutch people, haha.

Maybe this is your best option: https://tweakers.net/aanbod/1866707/game-pc-gtx-960-i5-4460.html

Even that has a processor and graphics card from mid 2014. Buying into the computer market is expensive..

 

[RandomBloke_]

I can see you're pulling systems from tweakers.net, haha. I know prices here are different and of course everyone's trying to get the most for what they're selling. Especially Dutch people, haha.

Maybe this is your best option: https://tweakers.net/aanbod/1866707/game-pc-gtx-960-i5-4460.html

Even that has a processor and graphics card from mid 2014. Buying into the computer market is expensive..

Haha shit I have been found out! It is also the only Dutch site I know of that is reliable. But yeah it sucks that it is so expensive. But I already have a ps4, so I only need a pc for its exclusives. Also thanks for the link, I hope that its not your own Ad

 

[Barty1884]

For the money, and i5-4460 and 960 isn't a horrible deal. Not great, but not horrible.

Consider what a new system would cost though. I'm thinking 400-500EUR would be your entry point. Something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz Quad-Core Processor (€79.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B350M-A/CSM Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard (€67.87 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory (€49.05 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Storage: Gigabyte - 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (€31.21 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Video Card: Sapphire - Radeon RX 570 8 GB PULSE Video Card (€158.89 @ Mindfactory)
Power Supply: be quiet! - System Power 9 400 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (€40.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Total: €428.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-13 19:02 CET+0100

Just a rough example, and not necessarily a build I'd suggest running out to put together.
420EUR.... You're saving 15-20% going used at 350EUR.
For me, looking to used components I wouldn't want to spend more than probably 250-300EUR (60-70%) of a cost new for similar performance.

 

[RandomBloke_]

Haha shit I have been found out! It is also the only Dutch site I know of that is reliable. But yeah it sucks that it is so expensive. But I already have a ps4 so I only need a pc for exclusives. Thanks for the link.

For the money, and i5-4460 and 960 isn't a horrible deal. Not great, but not horrible.

Consider what a new system would cost though. I'm thinking 400-500EUR would be your entry point. Something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz Quad-Core Processor (€79.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME B350M-A/CSM Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard (€67.87 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Memory: Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory (€49.05 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Storage: Gigabyte - 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (€31.21 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Video Card: Sapphire - Radeon RX 570 8 GB PULSE Video Card (€158.89 @ Mindfactory)
Power Supply: be quiet! - System Power 9 400 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (€40.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Total: €428.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-13 19:02 CET+0100

Just a rough example, and not necessarily a build I'd suggest running out to put together.
420EUR.... You're saving 15-20% going used at 350EUR.
For me, looking to used components I wouldn't want to spend more than probably 250-300EUR (60-70%) of a cost new for similar performance.

Dude, thanks alot for taking your time with helping me. It was greatly appreciated.

 

[Barty1884]

You're welcome.

 

[King_V]

I wasn't sure if we should assume that RandomBloke already had a case and/or a Windows 10 license.

Windows 10 can be used for free unregistered, but can't customize options..... I just wasn't clear if there was an existing system/case to use though.

 

[taeioum]

I was assuming he simply had nothing and that he needs a full computer, possibly including a screen and peripherals. I'd never use second hand peripherals however, especially not of that age.

But I like a new build for little money like @Barty1884 suggested. Do try to put all those parts into a wishlist on tweakers, as you may save money on parts since it's on the opposite side of the border. It's a small build and don't expect crazy performance. Maybe even a small processor upgrade like a 2200G could help out, but keep in mind you may need to upgrade your power supply a little bit, as 400 isn't much.

 

[Barty1884]

Sorry, I meant to mention the case. I left it out simply because, on a budget you can find the cheapest thing that fits everything new/used and it's so subjective/personal preference.

As for the PSU, 400W is more than capable for the build proposed. It's not a top tier unit, but it's not a fire hazard. Regional availability matters too - I had used Germany PCPP to get an idea and did state not to run out & buy that system specifically.
It was just a jumping off point. Compare performance/value in new vs used. If you can find a build that performs in that range for ~250EUR, it's a decent deal. If you need to spend 350EUR to get similar performance, then the new route is probably the way to go.