Potential Build or Pre-Built?

PatJoy

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Mar 28, 2015
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Hi,

attached is a parts list for potential build I am looking at as well as a pre-built PC that is for a similar price and I was wondering which is better for the price? (Budget is $1200 max Canadian)

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/ptrickono/saved/

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/hewlett-packard-hp-envy-700-pc-intel-core-4th-gen-i7-4790-1tb-hdd-12gb-ram-nvidia-geforce-gtx-745-windows-8-1-eng-700-529/10360777.aspx?path=ee996229ab7231908d4ebd71f925f6feen02

Also if you think my parts list can be improved let know, as well if the parts list is better is there any tips you can give me to build a PC as it would be my first build

Thank you everyone for the feed back and input!
 

0x1eef

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Jan 16, 2015
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Seems like a gaming build. Try this then

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($243.25 @ shopRBC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($96.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.98 @ NCIX)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.95 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($260.74 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($84.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($62.98 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($104.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1073.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-18 19:24 EDT-0400
 
Granted this is for gaming and you are not going to overclock:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/JfFYzy
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/JfFYzy/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($222.50 @ shopRBC)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.95 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($299.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($104.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($104.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1074.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-18 19:35 EDT-0400


Granted this is for gaming and you are going to overclock:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/PfFYzy
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/PfFYzy/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($284.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.05 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.95 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($409.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($104.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($104.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1395.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-18 19:36 EDT-0400
 


XTR is based on the G-series topology from Seasonic and the OEM of the XTR is Seasonic - along with Super Flower renowned for their consistency of quality.

Now, you are quite correct to raise an eyebrow, given that the vast majority of PSU OEM's cannot claim the same consistency of quality, thus leaving many households in a sumptuously frustrated state, when pairing a sub-par 550W with a powerhungry card, like the 280x.

However, with the correct quality and no overclocking, 550W is sufficient for powering that system without a doubt.

Without overclocking total power consumption will not exceed 400W. In other words; far from dangerous.
 

PatJoy

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Mar 28, 2015
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This computer will mostly be used for a lot casual use like excel, word, watching movies, etc. and some casual gaming like I am really looking forward to play Dragon Age inquisition, I have been playing games on a 5 year old laptop so and upgrade in graphics is an improvement. That being said I dont think I need to overkill GPU hence the reason for R9 270, but I do want the computer to be "snappy".

With this in mind which build of the ones posted would be best suited?
 

iRaariTy

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Sep 19, 2014
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The build I posted which is also the current one I'm using should easily be able to suit your needs and will be able to run Dragon Age Inquisition on Ultra settings at around 60 frames. Hope you enjoy it if you choose to go with it because I know I am.