Question New Build

[vic243]

I was originally planning on building my next PC as that is what I usually do, but life is making it more complicated for me, so I am considering buying a prebuilt one. I am looking for recommendations on reputable pc builders as well as something that gets close to what I was planning on building


Approximate Purchase Date: within a month

Budget Range: pref no more than 2K

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, content creation

Are you buying a monitor: No, I have 3X LG 1040P 144hz I am planning to keep using. May upgrade to a 4K so I want to make sure the video card supports 4K

Parts to Upgrade: This is the original list of parts I was considering

Part Picker

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg/Amazon

Location: US WI

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 2560X1440 may upgrade to 4k

Additional Comments: I'd prefer to have 2 M2, one for apps and OS and the other for games

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Current PC 4 years old and starting to show the age

 

[Lafong]

There are so-called "boutique" builders, but I'm not sure you can do much with them for 2000. You would have quite a bit of control on the individual parts. Puget Systems for example.

Next best thing might be Microcenter. You pick the parts, they assemble them for a fee. Microcenter is rare in western half of the US. You may have one in Wisconsin? Or at least Chicago? I think this is done in person only, not shipped to you.

Other choices include Cyberpower, but you'd have to compromise on stuff like power supplies and coolers. Your parts choices would be limited.

Have you rejected long established OEMs like Dell and Lenovo?

 

[Aeacus]

I am looking for recommendations on reputable pc builders

Only one i could suggest, is StarForge.
Link: https://starforgesystems.com/

GamersNexus has reviewed several prebuilts and most of them have issues, from low to severe. But StarFroge PC they reviewed (twice now), has stood up as good buy.
GN playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsuVSmND84QuM2HKzG7ipbIbE_R5EnCLM

Besides StarFroge getting it right, it is also one of the few prebuilt brands that actually list the PSU's full make and model, while almost all brands list just the wattage (whereby PSU is often cheaped out on and low quality unit).

2nd option would be MainGear, who's prebuilt also reviewed well by GamersNexus,
link: https://maingear.com/

Do note that with any prebuilt, you will be paying markup price, compared to DIY. That, and PC warranty applies as a whole PC, rather than an individual component (as it would be with DIY).

Parts to Upgrade: This is the original list of parts I was considering

Part Picker

Corsair RMe is mediocre quality PSU and for your high-end build, bare minimum i'd look at would be good quality PSU, while great quality PSU is preferred.
E.g any of these: Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.
Or if you want latest ATX 3.0/3.1 PSU, then: https://hwbusters.com/best_picks/best-atxv3-pcie5-ready-psus-picks-hardware-busters/4/

(My 3x PCs are also powered by Seasonic. I have 2x PRIME TX-650 units and one Focus PX-550 unit. Full specs with pics in my sig.)

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

I was originally planning on building my next PC as that is what I usually do, but life is making it more complicated for me, so I am considering buying a prebuilt one. I am looking for recommendations on reputable pc builders as well as something that gets close to what I was planning on building


Approximate Purchase Date: within a month

Budget Range: pref no more than 2K

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, content creation

Are you buying a monitor: No, I have 3X LG 1040P 144hz I am planning to keep using. May upgrade to a 4K so I want to make sure the video card supports 4K

Parts to Upgrade: This is the original list of parts I was considering

Part Picker

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg/Amazon

Location: US WI

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 2560X1440 may upgrade to 4k

Additional Comments: I'd prefer to have 2 M2, one for apps and OS and the other for games

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Current PC 4 years old and starting to show the age

Hey there,

I'd be looking at a custom build, as opposed to a prebuilt, which as highlighted above have a trade off with some of the parts.

Is this website something you can order from? https://www.ibuypower.com/gaming-pcs/pc-builder

At least here you can customize the parts you buy, and pay a 100-200 $ premium for them to put it together.

 

[Why_Me]

https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nvidia-has-revealed-the-prices-for-the-rtx-5090-5080-and-5070/
RTX 5070 Ti 16GB MSRP: $749

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($359.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *MSI X670E GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($209.95 @ Amazon)
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($86.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: *Acer Predator GM7000 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($132.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: *Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($92.97 @ B&H)
Case: *Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: *Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1186.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-10 11:17 EST-0500

 

[artk2219]

If you do plan on going the custom build route, i would hold off on buying the video card a few weeks to see how the RTX 5000 series and RX 9000 series benchmark

 

[Why_Me]

https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nvidia-has-revealed-the-prices-for-the-rtx-5090-5080-and-5070/
RTX 5070 Ti 16GB MSRP: $749

PCPartPicker Part List

Motherboard: *Asus PRIME B650-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $129.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-10 11:20 EST-0500

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($359.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($86.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: *Acer Predator GM7000 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($132.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: *TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 2 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Case: *Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: *Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $971.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-10 11:19 EST-0500

 

[vic243]

Only one i could suggest, is StarForge.
Link: https://starforgesystems.com/

GamersNexus has reviewed several prebuilts and most of them have issues, from low to severe. But StarFroge PC they reviewed (twice now), has stood up as good buy.
GN playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsuVSmND84QuM2HKzG7ipbIbE_R5EnCLM

Besides StarFroge getting it right, it is also one of the few prebuilt brands that actually list the PSU's full make and model, while almost all brands list just the wattage (whereby PSU is often cheaped out on and low quality unit).

2nd option would be MainGear, who's prebuilt also reviewed well by GamersNexus,
link: https://maingear.com/

Do note that with any prebuilt, you will be paying markup price, compared to DIY. That, and PC warranty applies as a whole PC, rather than an individual component (as it would be with DIY).


Corsair RMe is mediocre quality PSU and for your high-end build, bare minimum i'd look at would be good quality PSU, while great quality PSU is preferred.
E.g any of these: Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.
Or if you want latest ATX 3.0/3.1 PSU, then: https://hwbusters.com/best_picks/best-atxv3-pcie5-ready-psus-picks-hardware-busters/4/

(My 3x PCs are also powered by Seasonic. I have 2x PRIME TX-650 units and one Focus PX-550 unit. Full specs with pics in my sig.)

This really helps quite a bit, thank you Aeacus

 

[vic243]

Is this website something you can order from? https://www.ibuypower.com/gaming-pcs/pc-builder

Yes it is. I was looking there and it looked decent but I have no experience with them so was a little leary

Have you rejected long established OEMs like Dell and Lenovo?

Not really, but I doubt they would have something that fits my needs

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Yes it is. I was looking there and it looked decent but I have no experience with them so was a little leary

Not really, but I doubt they would have something that fits my needs

THen you can custom build to your liking making sur eyou have all good components, with no shortcuts.

I'm sure we can sling together a build there for you. You budget is 2k, right?

 

[Aeacus]

Is this website something you can order from? https://www.ibuypower.com/gaming-pcs/pc-builder

I was looking there and it looked decent but I have no experience with them so was a little leary

I'd avoid ibuypower completely.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqK9wR6KMLs&list=PLsuVSmND84QuM2HKzG7ipbIbE_R5EnCLM&index=19

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sDRiakWcIM&list=PLsuVSmND84QuM2HKzG7ipbIbE_R5EnCLM&index=28

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

I'd avoid ibuypower completely.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqK9wR6KMLs&list=PLsuVSmND84QuM2HKzG7ipbIbE_R5EnCLM&index=19

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sDRiakWcIM&list=PLsuVSmND84QuM2HKzG7ipbIbE_R5EnCLM&index=28

Well, those videos are 3 years old, and whilst I'm not condoning `shoddy workmanship, maybe things have changes since then. But, it has to be said those entry level pre-builds are rubbish.

 

[Aeacus]

maybe things have changes since then

Unless someone else proves otherwise (e.g GamersNexus buys another ibuypower prebuilt and reviews it), what is currently known, remains as it is. Meaning to avoid ibuypower.

You can risk your own hard earned money to find out, but i don't suggest OP to do that.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Unless someone else proves otherwise (e.g GamersNexus buys another ibuypower prebuilt and reviews it), what is currently known, remains as it is. Meaning to avoid ibuypower.

You can risk your own hard earned money to find out, but i don't suggest OP to do that.

Interesting that they have pretty favourable views on Trustpilot, from actual purchasers. But, sure look, we're all entitled to an opinion. Gamer Nexus aren't the be all and end all. I'd also imagine that after such a review that practices like that have been rooted out. We can't just be doom and gloom for the sake of it.

 

[vic243]

I agree with you both. For what is worth though, I rather have someone else with much more money that I have, and who is much more knowledgeable, spend the money, test and review iPower. For now, I am going to try to steer clear of them being that there are so many more options.

 

[Aeacus]

Interesting that they have pretty favourable views on Trustpilot, from actual purchasers.

I'd actually question the trustfulness of Trustpilot.

Few examples;
Amazon.com = 1.6 - https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.amazon.com
Newegg Canada = 1.7 - https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.newegg.ca
Best Buy = 1.3 - https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.bestbuy.com
Wallmart = 1.6 - https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.walmart.com
etc.

Based on Trustpilot reviews, should everyone avoid the big retailers as a plague? 🙄

One can't blindly trust the public feedback of any site/product.
E.g Apevia Galaxy PSU has nice 4.5 rating on amazon,
link: https://www.amazon.com/Apevia-ATX-GX850W-Galaxy-Certified-Semi-Modular/dp/B094278HKG

Same with Apevia Prestige PSU, 4.3 rating on amazon,
link: https://www.amazon.com/Apevia-ATX-PR800W-Prestige-Certified-Compliance/dp/B07NWZZXHQ

Or Apevia Spirit PSU, also 4.3 rating on amazon,
link: https://www.amazon.com/Apevia-SPIRIT600W-Auto-Thermally-Controlled-Protections/dp/B0B9VGG83Z

Would you buy Apevia PSU? Since it has such a good rating.
If not, then why not? 🤔

Gamer Nexus aren't the be all and end all.

While not divine, GamersNexus (Steve) has done A LOT to protect consumers and their rights. Plenty of sagas where Steve has been part of, that has improved things for consumers. Newegg saga, Asus MoBo warranty saga, NZXT PCB fire saga, Gigabyte PSU saga, EKWB saga (still ongoing) etc etc. So, Steve has earned the reputation and respect of being genuine and helpful to consumers.

I'd also imagine that after such a review that practices like that have been rooted out.

Some brands just doesn't care. As long as they got your money, they don't care what happens next. And some brands aren't bothered to change their ways, even after years of negative feedback (prime example: Dell and their EXTREMELY proprietary prebuilt PCs).

We can't just be doom and gloom for the sake of it.

It's not like ibuypower is the only prebuilt brand out there. Plenty of others to choose from.
But it takes 3rd party, unbiased reputable review, to tell how things are exactly with the brand/product.

For now, I am going to try to steer clear of them being that there are so many more options.

Yeah, there really are many options regarding prebuilt PC brands. And GamersNexus (among many other tasks they do) is buying those prebuilts undercover to let consumers know which of those brands are good and which are best to be avoided. Since the idea of prebuilt is, that you take it, plug in the power, peripherals and are supposed to be good to go, without disassembly or any tweaks to the PC itself, to make it actually work. Not to mention damage to components or assembly issues.

 

[vic243]

After much thought and a lot of help from the amazing community here, I finally landed on what I think will be a pretty decent build without going overboard. I will pull the trigger on this after the NVidia 5000 cards come out so I can take advantage of any price drops on the 4000. Also, I am hoping by then all the items will be available.
I am keeping my 3X LG 144Hz I currently use as well as peripherals and OS.
I plan to get all this from Amazon unless I find another retailer running a bomb deal.
Please feel free to critique.

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Mobo: Gigabyte X870 Gaming X Wifi 7
GPU: MSI Gaming RTX 4070 Super
Storage: Samsung 990 EVO 2TB PCIe 5x2
Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
RAM: Teamgroup T-Create Expert CL30 2X16
PSU: Corsair RM850e
Case: Montech XR ATX Mid-Tower

I estimate than when all items are finally available this rig will cost about 2K. I will be using it mainly for gaming and content creation.

 

[Lutfij]

Please stick to one thread to help keep thoughts concise.

 

[vic243]

Please stick to one thread to help keep thoughts concise.

So much for sticking to one thread 🙁

 

[Aeacus]

Please feel free to critique.

PSU: Corsair RM850e

Mediocre quality PSU.

When you have money to buy the BEST gaming CPU + expensive GPU (RTX 4070 Super isn't cheapest), then you'll have also money to buy proper PSU as well.

With that build, i'd expect to see Seasonic PRIME TX ATX3.0 or Seasonic Vertex PX powering it. Other good options include: Seasonic Focus, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.
And here's further reading as well (750W unit does fine): https://hwbusters.com/best_picks/best-atxv3-pcie5-ready-psus-picks-hardware-busters/3/

But don't come saying that you don't have enough money for proper good/great quality PSU. If so, don't buy so expensive CPU/GPU. Buy cheaper CPU/GPU, so that you'd have money for proper PSU as well.

 

[vic243]

Thank you for the input Aeacus, that is a good point,

But don't come saying that you don't have enough money for proper good/great quality PSU. If so, don't buy so expensive CPU/GPU. Buy cheaper CPU/GPU, so that you'd have money for proper PSU as well.

haven't and will not

 

[vic243]

And here's further reading as well (750W unit does fine): https://hwbusters.com/best_picks/best-atxv3-pcie5-ready-psus-picks-hardware-busters/3/

This article you linked, it has none of the PSUs you recommended, except for the Corsair RMX. Am I missing something?

 

[Aeacus]

This article you linked, it has none of the PSUs you recommended, except for the Corsair RMX. Am I missing something?

The PSUs i listed, for the most part, are ATX 2.2/2.5 PSUs. Like the Super Flower units or Corsair RMi/HXi/AXi.

Seasonic units, Focus and PRIME do have two variants, ATX 2.5 and ATX 3.0. When Seasonic PSU is ATX 3.0, it also says so in it's name.
E.g PRIME TX, lineup: https://seasonic.com/prime-tx/
PIME TX ATX 3.1, lineup: https://seasonic.com/atx3-prime-tx/

Seasonic Vertex is ATX 3.0 off the bat.

PSUs listed on the link i gave, are all ATX 3.0/3.1 PSUs.

As of what the ATX 3.0/3.1 is, further reading: https://hwbusters.com/psus/intel-atx-v3-0-specification-explained-briefly/

When you have modern GPU (GTX 10-series or newer), especially RTX 40-series GPU, you'd be better off with ATX 3.0/3.1 PSU, since those PSUs are designed to soak up GPU transient power spikes (PSU can sustain double the rated capacity for those milliseconds when transient power spikes happen). Older PSUs, ATX 2.2/2.5 PSUs work fine as well, but to combat the GPU transient power spikes, you need to pick ~200W higher capacity PSU, so that the PSU has the wattage headroom for GPU transient power spikes.
On top of that, ATX 3.0/3.1 PSUs come with dedicated power cable (12VHPWR or 12V-2x6) that connects directly from PSU to the RTX 40-series GPU. With ATX 2.2/2.5 PSU, you have to use 8-pin PCI-E to 12VHPWR/12V-2x6 adapter.

For example;
RTX 4070 Super is 220W GPU, specs: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-4070-super.c4186
And it's transient power spikes can be ~up to 1.5 of it's TDP. Meaning that GPU can spike to ~350W.

While specs suggest 550W PSU for it, 550W is a bit low and i'd be more comfortable with 650W ATX 3.0/3.1 unit. But if you get ATX 2.2/2.5 unit, then you're looking at 750W unit.

What are GPU transient power spikes? A video to watch:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnRyyCsuHFQ

 

[vic243]

The PSUs i listed, for the most part, are ATX 2.2/2.5 PSUs. Like the Super Flower units or Corsair RMi/HXi/AXi.

Seasonic units, Focus and PRIME do have two variants, ATX 2.5 and ATX 3.0. When Seasonic PSU is ATX 3.0, it also says so in it's name.
E.g PRIME TX, lineup: https://seasonic.com/prime-tx/
PIME TX ATX 3.1, lineup: https://seasonic.com/atx3-prime-tx/

Seasonic Vertex is ATX 3.0 off the bat.

PSUs listed on the link i gave, are all ATX 3.0/3.1 PSUs.

As of what the ATX 3.0/3.1 is, further reading: https://hwbusters.com/psus/intel-atx-v3-0-specification-explained-briefly/

When you have modern GPU (GTX 10-series or newer), especially RTX 40-series GPU, you'd be better off with ATX 3.0/3.1 PSU, since those PSUs are designed to soak up GPU transient power spikes (PSU can sustain double the rated capacity for those milliseconds when transient power spikes happen). Older PSUs, ATX 2.2/2.5 PSUs work fine as well, but to combat the GPU transient power spikes, you need to pick ~200W higher capacity PSU, so that the PSU has the wattage headroom for GPU transient power spikes.
On top of that, ATX 3.0/3.1 PSUs come with dedicated power cable (12VHPWR or 12V-2x6) that connects directly from PSU to the RTX 40-series GPU. With ATX 2.2/2.5 PSU, you have to use 8-pin PCI-E to 12VHPWR/12V-2x6 adapter.

For example;
RTX 4070 Super is 220W GPU, specs: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-4070-super.c4186
And it's transient power spikes can be ~up to 1.5 of it's TDP. Meaning that GPU can spike to ~350W.

While specs suggest 550W PSU for it, 550W is a bit low and i'd be more comfortable with 650W ATX 3.0/3.1 unit. But if you get ATX 2.2/2.5 unit, then you're looking at 750W unit.

What are GPU transient power spikes? A video to watch:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnRyyCsuHFQ

Thank you so much for the detailed response. I know so little about PSUs that this really explains things for me. Based on your feedback, I am leaning towards the Vertex Amazon - Seasonic Vertex

I see the 750 is $129 vs $149 for the 850. Considering is a minor difference does it make sense to get the 850?

 

[Aeacus]

I see the 750 is $129 vs $149 for the 850. Considering is a minor difference does it make sense to get the 850?

Higher wattage capacity PSU means that your have more headroom for CPU/GPU OC, or when you plan to upgrade to beefier GPU down the line, within 12 years.
12 years is the warranty period Vertex has, just like PRIME series has it. (The longest warranty you can get with PSUs.) This very long warranty period is also one of the reasons, why i'm running two Seasonic PRIME TX units myself.

Seasonic Vertex, based on it's build quality, is considered between Seasonic Focus (good quality) and Seasonic PRIME (great quality). I did contact Seasonic directly and ask them where the Vertex series falls within their PSU lineup, when Vertex series 1st came out in 2023.

Great choice btw.
Most people try to cheap out on PSU and there are few, who actually are willing to pay for great quality PSU.

It's quite interesting conundrum actually, since most people have 0 issues going all out on CPU and especially GPU wise. No issues to fork out $500+ for GPU. But when it comes to PSU, then most turn frugal and stingy. And it's not like that high-end PSUs cost $500+ like GPUs do. E.g Vertex goes for $150. I payed for my PRIME units €206.80 and €205.50 (one bought in 2016, another in 2020).

Yet, most people fail to consider that PSU is the most important component inside the PC, since it powers everything.

$100 bucks difference in PSU segment, plays a huge role. $50 PSU vs $150 PSU. On one instance, you have ticking time bomb, that can go out at any given moment, frying everything it is connected to (aka your whole PC + fancy/expensive CPU and GPU). On another instance, you have solid power plant that will serve you well for easy 10 years.