New iMac 3.1Ghz vs Custom PC

[TSF1O1]

Hello,

I'm considering buying the new iMac 27-inch: 3.1GHz and from what I've read it is a pretty good computer for the price if you break down the cost of each component. I also understand some negatives such as not being able to upgrade components, even though i might not upgrade very often if any, and possible screen issues from the heat?

I haven't build a PC before but i just wanted to get some feedback from the experts on what builds would give similar or better performance for the same price or cheaper, and if it would be worth paying a little extra for a clean all in one computer such as the iMac.

I mostly want a computer that runs World of Warcraft with high FPS, as well as allowing me to multitask with no lag. Some things i do besides WoW is browsing the internet (lots of tabs), organizing pictures, watching and organizing GB'S of video (downloads, YouTube,etc.), listening to lots of music, sometimes minimal video recording/editing (encoding/converting).

I'd be willing to spend around $2,000 - $3,000 for a nice computer and possibly a display since i haven't upgrade anything but ram on my PC since i got it around 2003-2004.


Thanks for your help.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Apple iMacs are far too expensive for the hardware that's included. The customizations they offer are also far too expensive.

I could build much better machines at each of the four iMac standard price points ($1199, $1499, $1699, and $1999).

 

[genghiskron]

Step 1: Duct tape this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230027&cm_re=asus_g_series-_-34-230-027-_-Product

to this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236101

There you have it, an imac! Isnt it "magical"? Thatll be 3000 dollars.

 

[kg4icg]

Thing is the new iMacs come with a I5 sandy bridge quad, not the I7's

 

[TSF1O1]

Thanks for the replies, i don't care if its Windows or Mac either but since they just released this nice looking machine and it seemed like the specs were good for the price i was interested.

I tried shopping around on New Egg for some parts that would suit me and be similar or better in speed, with a reasonable price. The only problem is i don't know what to get. I have a feeling ill run into the issue where things aren't compatible and i would waste money.

Can anybody put together or recommend a wish list on there that i could buy?

 

[Outlander_04]

Have a look at the $1000 pc build article on this site

add a monitor , speakers keyboard and mouse and you have a better system for a lot less

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Another alternative: The Tech Report's System Guide. I'd recommend the Sweeter Spot system build there.

 

[TSF1O1]

Another alternative: The Tech Report's System Guide. I'd recommend the Sweeter Spot system build there.

Nice!

Thanks for the link, i think this is the right place to make my decision.

I notice some of the higher builds have SSD hard drives, is this worth the $250 + Price?

Also I'm a bit skeptical when making my purchase on say for example the "Sweeter Spot". Is each part guaranteed to be compatible and have good synergy with the rest if i buy direct from the links they give? Ultimately that's what I'd want to do, just add the list to a cart and buy it. Then find a nice guild providing on this site to put it together.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Yeah, sites like Tech Report realize that people are going to do exactly what you want to do (buy directly from links) so those are good builds.

SSDs reduce loading time by quite a bit -- Windows loading time, program/game loading time, everything.

 

[TSF1O1]

Alright, i spent some time swapping a few things around and i came up with 2 builds from the site. Here's the links to the New Egg public wishlist

i5 ~ $1,000: http://goo.gl/Brtjy
i7 ~ $1,500: http://goo.gl/CYlMa

How are these two setups?

My only concern are the low ratings for the motherboards. Would it be better to use this motherboard for both setups or stay with ASUS?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229

 

[TSF1O1]

Best answer selected by TSF1O1.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

The ASRock is a good board, so I'd use it in both systems.

I would also go with a different hard drive in both. The Green is the slowest of the Western Digital line. Blue is middle, and Black is the fastest. Or go with something like a Samsung or Hitachi.

Here's a system I'd go with:
Intel i5-2500K
Cooler Master V6 GT cooler
ASRock P67 Extreme4
8GB 1600 CL9 Corsair Vengeance or G.Skill Ripjaws X (whichever is cheaper at time of purchase)
Gigabyte Super Overclock GTX 560 Ti 950MHz core version (with that overclock it's almost a GTX 570)
Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000 2TB SATA3 hard drive
Samsung SH-S223C SATA DVD burner
Corsair TX750 V2 power supply
Whichever case
ASUS VH242H or VE247H 23.6" 1920x1080 full HD monitor

 

[TSF1O1]

Doesn't the CPU come with a cooler? Or is it not good enough so we upgrade to the Cooler Master V6 GT cooler.

I'm also confused on which graphics card to get based on new egg ratings. Should i go with the one you recommended or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127555

I'll link the updated builds shortly.

 

[TSF1O1]

Alright guys, i think i want to settle with an i7 system. Here's what i came up with:

http://goo.gl/wPmBT

I went with the ZALMAN 9500A-LED 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler instead of the Cooler Master because of the ratings.

Again only thing i'm worried about is that graphics card.

If everything checks out on this build ill make the purchase today.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Looks like a great system. You have nothing to worry about on the graphics card front -- it'll be a good one for a long time. Plus, you can SLI it and get even better performance if you need/want to later.

 

[jeepman4403]

Step 1: Duct tape this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230027&cm_re=asus_g_series-_-34-230-027-_-Product

to this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236101

There you have it, an imac! Isnt it "magical"? Thatll be 3000 dollars.

ASUS SUCKS NOT EVEN NEAR THE APPLES IMAC,APPLE IS THE CADILLAC OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS WARRANTY CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AWSOME

 

[auriskv]

ASUS SUCKS NOT EVEN NEAR THE APPLES IMAC,APPLE IS THE CADILLAC OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS WARRANTY CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AWSOME

Lol, looks like you're a little bit of a fanboy. (profile pic?) And it is pretty near. The iMac is overpriced and customer service is pretty bad. My friends MB pro, wasn't working so the apple store people told him he needed a new computer when all he needed was a new hard drive. Plus iMacs are way overpriced for what you get. I could outperform a 1500 iMac with a build I just had that cost 1000$