[SOLVED] New Gaming PC Build - Details Included In Post

[Skrad]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within a month

Budget Range: $2000-$2500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: This will be a new build\pre-built

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: N/A

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: It's been 6 or 7 years since my last upgrade, so it's time. I am wanting a build that can support VR.

To sum up what I am asking, I am looking for advice on whether or not I should go pre-built or build my own PC. I was initially looking to build my own PC with an RTX 3060 GPU over a year ago, however due to the GPU shortage, it seemed that a pre-built would be the best option. I took a look at Best Buy and found the PC below:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-ome...080-1tb-ssd-jet-black/6487503.p?skuId=6487503

I wanted to think on it for a few days, so I did some research in the meantime. Surprisingly, I received an email from EVGA that said I was being notified of an RTX 3060 that would be in stock that I could purchase. I went ahead and bought it, but after pricing parts on PC PartPicker, it seems like the pre-built would be the better option since it's an RTX 3080. Any thoughts? If you believe the 3060 would be the better option, is there anything that I should replace from the list?

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/29L8ht

Thank you for your input and I look forward to any discussions.

Quick Edit*: I compared the pricing. Roughly, the New Build would be $1622.92. That's taking away the 500GB SSD, the extra stick of RAM, adjusting the $450 (tax included) for the RTX 3060, and taking off the monitor.

The pre-built would be right around $2200, so there is a noticeable difference in price. The Pre-Built would also come with Total Tech for 1 year that would keep me from having to troubleshoot on my own. It also comes with an AMD processor (not knocking AMD) which I'm not familiar with.

 

[Hellfire13]

For the RAM, https://pcpartpicker.com/product/B8...6-gb-ddr4-3200-cl16-memory-sp032gxlzu320bdaj7 was listed, but is 32GB. Hellfire mentioned 32GB as well, so would either of the 16GB (2x8GB) in those brands be a good alternative?

Not sure what you mean, but any 32gb kit with 3200mhz and above speed should work. Just make sure you get the lowest timing possible.

For storage, @Hellfire13 mentioned the NVME SSD, which I've already swapped, but still had the regular QVO SSD from my previous build. Should I swap this out for the same NVME SSD for the speed since my games will be on this SDD? or was it due to the cost difference between the 2? I went ahead and added a 2nd NVME SSD from WesternDigital as @Hellfire13 suggested from the first one. I want to separate my OS and personal use.

If you already have a SSD that should work fine. You wont find much difference in gaming performance.

For PSU, @Hellfire13 mentioned https://pcpartpicker.com/product/97...d-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-focus-gx-750 @ $70.99.
In my list, I had https://pcpartpicker.com/product/6p...fully-modular-atx-power-supply-220-p2-0650-x1 @ $90. I figured since it was EVGA and was platinum certified, that'd it'd be a good option. Is 650 just not enough and that's why the 750W is better?

Both the units are good and 650w is sufficient for the build. A little headroom can give you leverage for future upgrades if you want.

How does this look? https://pcpartpicker.com/list/d9GmVc

Looks good. Dont forget to add the RAM.

 

[Skrad]

Not sure what you mean, but any 32gb kit with 3200mhz and above speed should work. Just make sure you get the lowest timing possible.


If you already have a SSD that should work fine. You wont find much difference in gaming performance.


Both the units are good and 650w is sufficient for the build. A little headroom can give you leverage for future upgrades if you want.


Looks good. Dont forget to add the RAM.

I was going to get a 16GB kit over the 32GB. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083TRRT16/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bestforphotog-20 seems to have good reviews and has a lifetime warranty (or so it says)
The timing is CL16.

@Hellfire13 What made you pick that case? It has great reviews but was curious if you had personal experience with it. I was thinking about getting a case with dust filters built in, but wasn't sure if anyone here had any comments on their reliability.

 

[Hellfire13]

I was going to get a 16GB kit over the 32GB. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083TRRT16/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bestforphotog-20 seems to have good reviews and has a lifetime warranty (or so it says)
The timing is CL16.

Most RAM kits come with a Lifetime Warranty. Its a bit of a game. A lifetime warranty is for replacement, not for money back, and will only be honored if the manufacturer/seller verifies the RAM has gone bad, and it is not damaged due to customer handling, which is a very very grey area.

@Hellfire13 What made you pick that case? It has great reviews but was curious if you had personal experience with it. I was thinking about getting a case with dust filters built in, but wasn't sure if anyone here had any comments on their reliability.

I have built a machine in that case for a colleague and it is pretty good...
https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3630-best-worst-pc-cases-2020

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYsOmJ9X7Ow