Should I build a PC, or just get a Dell XPS 8900?

[mrmike16]

I have been needing a newer, more powerful desktop than my current build from 2008.

So I have been considering building a new desktop and selling the old one (For whatever I can get). The price of the parts came out to be rather high, though...

So I was considering, maybe I might as well just get the Dell XPS 8900? Any advice?

This is the home-build part list:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DmJhRB

Is the quality really that different?
Are there changes you think I should make to make it cheaper? The GTX 970 video card is 50% better than the GTX 960, I heard...And the i5 6600 has a much higher turbo than the 6500, if it means anything special.

I play the Sims 3, GTA SA, but maybe I'll end up getting GTA V or end up doing more intense things in the future. I also do some video editing sometimes. And audio editing. I want it to last, for sure.

I saw on Amazon some motherboard failures in the XPS. So I am leaning towards the home-build, but it's like $200 more.

I do know how to build a PC.

I probably left out details. Let me know what I missed.

Thanks!

 

[Archaic59]

Your homebuilt list rocks. You can't get that level of quality from an OEM builder. They will cheap out somewhere and / or use proprietary stuff making upgrades later a pain or the case won't fit the new video card you want 2 years from now etc... It's always something. Nobody ever said a homebuilt is cheaper. It's your chance to have 100% control of what parts the thing is made from.

 

[mrmike16]

Your homebuilt list rocks. You can't get that level of quality from an OEM builder. They will cheap out somewhere and / or use proprietary stuff making upgrades later a pain or the case won't fit the new video card you want 2 years from now etc... It's always something. Nobody ever said a homebuilt is cheaper. It's your chance to have 100% control of what parts the thing is made from.

Thank you!
So you think all of the parts I selected are worth it for what I am looking for?

 

[Archaic59]

It's a great list. Only thing to consider is new Pascal video cards from Nvidia coming soon. Google it and see what / when and if waiting a bit might be a good idea.

 

[mrmike16]

It's a great list. Only thing to consider is new Pascal video cards from Nvidia coming soon. Google it and see what / when and if waiting a bit might be a good idea.

Hope you're still around. I was planning on buying it tonight.
Buuuut, I just saw on Amazon 67% of the reviews on the Gigabyte Motherboard were 1 starred! All of these people have bad ones that don't even work..:/ Can you please give me a recommendation in a similar price range?

 

[mrmike16]

Any asus or asrock Z170 board in similar price range/specs. Dont buy a board from anybody but Asus, gigabyte or asrock and ignore feedback on amazon unless you take dates into consideration (there are always problems with new socket cpu's).

The dates on the reviews were at about November to December 2015.
Any motherboard in particular?

 

[Archaic59]

Best not to put too much stock in user reviews. They might not know what the hell they're doing. Tech websites that have tested boards are the best reviews to go by but they mostly test medium to higher end boards. I don't know of any specific problem with any of the Z170 boards offered right now. Here's a few alternatives to consider. Make sure they have the features you want. ie...usb ports, SLI or not etc...

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/asrock-motherboard-z170mextreme4,asus-motherboard-z170p,msi-motherboard-z170apro/

 

[mrmike16]

Probably best to buy one from somewhere else tho; many amazon re sellers are unscrupulous sharks who will just re label a return and post it to the next buyer.

You think Asus H170 will be good for this build?
Everything else seems to be Z170.
I don't know the difference.

 

[mrmike16]

Z170 boards with the right bios will actually overclock non 'K' cpu's. If your budget does not extend to an after market cooler and you just want a machine that 'works' for games with an i5 6600 for the next 4 years, the asus H170 is fine.
I like asus boards cos they just 'work'.
(Except the a.i. suite which 'doesnt'.)

So for what I need specifically, the H170 should be good. Has everything I need and won't, like, fail. Right?

 

[mrmike16]

You cant go wrong with an asus H170 board and an i5 6600 to be honest.
good to go ~ 5 years gaming, cant say much more than that.

Thank you!
Once I actually order it I'll pick a best answer. But I really appreciate the help from both of you

 

[mrmike16]

Be aware there are some limitations. You probably cannot run a.m.d. crossfire (2 graphics cards).
You will likely only get 2 ram slots (not really an issue now 16 gig is a common pair amount).
Etc.
The board will still be higher quality than what you get in a 'Dell' tho.

Could I use the integrated graphics on one monitor and the graphics card on another?

 

[mrmike16]

Yes, you can do that even on haswell boards (tho I have never tried).
Apparently with windows 10 you can have 2 desktops running on 2 different monitors utilising the onboard gpu. One of my pals has been running his big t.v. on the onboard graphics whilst playing games on his monitor set up for years with windows 7.

Perfect, I am really excited to finally have a modern desktop for the first time in 10 years! (Ever since then the desktops I have received were already at least 3 years old.) Thanks to both of you!

I don't know if you are able to message people here, but feel free to if you want to know how it goes

Giving tea the best solution, since it was the most recent answer. I know, I'm indecisive. Lol.