Pre-built vs. homebuilt Athlon II X4

[redrobot]

Any thoughts on the following build vs. the current Staples HP deal. With tax they both come out to about $450. I would need a monitor for either one, and would probably add a video card at some point. Am I missing anything in the build?

MSI 785GM-P45 AM3 785G mATX Motherboard $FAR
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0342512

Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case $49.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0283272

OCZ Technology ModXStream Pro 500 Watt $39.99 AR
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0301545

Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7,200RPM SATA $44.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340804

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM $109.99

AMD Athlon II X4 630 Processor Boxed $89.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0327513

OCZ Technology 4GB DDR3-1600 (PC-12800) $79.99 AR
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317775

SUBTOTAL $474.94
TAX $39.18
TOTAL $514.12
TOTAL AR $454.12



Current HP Deal
* AMD Athlon™ II 630 Quad-Core Processor (2.8GHz)
* 4GB installed memory
* 750GB hard drive
* SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology
* Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n
* Monitor sold separately
* High Definition Audio with up to 7.1 surround sound capabilities
* 15-in-1 memory card reader
* HP USB keyboard and optical mouse
* Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* 1 year warranty

 

[Motopsychojdn]

I'd say the homebuild,
Their going to put crap components in their build so if your confident enough to consider building your own, you'll get a better system for the money doing it yourself imo
Moto

 

[calguyhunk]

You did'nt say what you're gonna use the system for.

If it's not for hardcore gaming, I'll say you can order this right away, but you'll need a much faster RAM for gaming.

By the way, where are you buying this from? microcenter?

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium only costs 100 including taxes & shipping.

 

[calguyhunk]

For gaming, you wanna take a look at this G.SKILL Ripjaws(2 x 2GB).

Or better still, this CORSAIR DOMINATOR

EDIT : I did'nt notice you said 1600 Mhz. You really should have linked your components.

Read the first section of this guide and try & post accordingly. It's a lot easier for us that way, not having to copy / paste & google every single component.

 

[redrobot]

The parts are from Microcenter. I'll be using it for some gaming mostly MMO's and strategy games. Is the 8-8-8-24 RAM going to make a massive difference over the 7-7-7-20 of the DOMINATOR RAM? Enough to merit a $60 price jump?

 

[calguyhunk]

Firstly, the home build is gonna be better qualitatively and if you can get someone to assemble it for you, it'll also be cheaper. You'll be able to do so yourself as well, if you go through the You Tube videos and the tutorials on the net.

Secondly, that PSU is gonna be good enough, if you don't plan to SLI / XFIRE in the future, otherwise, you might wanna go with this CORSAIR 650W PSU.