Should I buy prebuilt desktops from cyberpowerpc or ibuypower?

[xw913]

My question is simple: Is it a good idea to buy gaming desktop from the two websites I have just mentioned considering my own situation
1.I understand that it's better to build by my own but I don't want to do it. I know how to install GPU and RAM but have no idea how to build one from scratch. Also I don't know how to install a windows 10 for a brand new computer. A more important reason is I don't mind spend slightly more to save my time.
2.I know pc components pretty well. As many people have pointed out, these websites give unreliable PSU/motherboard. However, they do offer customized options for good parts like corsair RM750i or ROG m10h motherboard etc. I guess if you change all the components into some major brand with higher cost, it might just be fine.

I have viewed several similar questions and have seen some scary experience like the computer didn't work at all. I wonder whether there is anyone who have had OK experience with them. By OK I mean the computer is correctly built according to what you have paid for and works normally even though there is overprice or a long shipping time.

I would really appreciate your suggestions. Hope u all have a nice day!~

 

[USAFRet]

iBuyPower:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3605380/set-windows.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3607005/unboxed-died.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3245699/brand-computer-boot-past-boi-screen.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3525858/ibuypower-boot.html

CyberPowerPC:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2990661/asap.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3044218/advice-failing-performance.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3249706/cyberpowerpc-burnt-flame.html


Your call...

 

[Barty1884]

YMMV.

If configured with quality components and not just taking some of the 'junk' they typically include.... your end result is likely to be solid enough.
You will also get a warranty on the completed system, so that's a bonus*

*Although you do typically have to pay at least one-way shipping - which can be pricey for an entire tower.


Realistically, when opting for quality components you don't spend "slightly more"... it can be a pretty decent market.


As for not knowing how to build, or how to install Windows..... if you're interested in going that route, there are an abundance of guides and/or Youtube walkthroughs from many reputable builders.

 

[ezdeath4u.yt]

I have an iBuyPower custom laptop and it works still. That's my only experience with either of them. I recently built a PC and it is not as hard as you would think. (The hardest part was unhooking the 24pin connector for the first time lol) It would save money but it's your choice.

 

[USAFRet]

If you can install a GPU, you can build the whole thing.

Installing the OS? Simple:
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

 

[USAFRet]

Last year there was a thread here...CyberPowerPC - $2400
Full exact parts list shown.

Buying that exact same (or slightly better) parts list. Including the OS - $1800

I don't know about you...but $600 for an afternoons work on your kitchen table is a pretty big hit.

 

[xw913]

iBuyPower:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3605380/set-windows.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3607005/unboxed-died.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3245699/brand-computer-boot-past-boi-screen.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3525858/ibuypower-boot.html

CyberPowerPC:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2990661/asap.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3044218/advice-failing-performance.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3249706/cyberpowerpc-burnt-flame.html


Your call...

For the examples you provide, it seems that most of them are caused by junk PSU. What if I configure with a major brand one?
Also, they do have options like professional wiring/extra shipping protection with more cost. I wonder whether those people with bad experience paid for those extra services?

 

[USAFRet]

iBuyPower:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3605380/set-windows.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3607005/unboxed-died.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3245699/brand-computer-boot-past-boi-screen.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3525858/ibuypower-boot.html

CyberPowerPC:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2990661/asap.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3044218/advice-failing-performance.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3249706/cyberpowerpc-burnt-flame.html


Your call...

For the examples you provide, it seems that most of them are caused by junk PSU. What if I configure with a major brand one?
Also, they do have options like professional wiring/extra shipping protection with more cost. I wonder whether those people with bad experience paid for those extra services?

The difference between the "professional wiring" and "regular" is, with the regular wiring, you get the 19 year old intern, suffering through a Monday morning hangover.
Professional is that same guy on Tuesday, after he's recovered a little.

I would trust my 13 year old grandson more than letting CyberPower assemble it.
It's your money, though.

 

[mjslakeridge]

IF you can specify the PSU they use in the build (and you don't mind the extra cost), you could probably go that route. If you are near a MicroCenter, I understand that their PowerSpec desktops are a pretty decent value, but I don't know about the PSUs they use.

Here are a couple of PSU tier lists. Avoid the low end tiers, you don't want a bad PSU to take out expensive parts if (when) it fails.


http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/631048-psu-tier-list-updated/

 

[xw913]

iBuyPower:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3605380/set-windows.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3607005/unboxed-died.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3245699/brand-computer-boot-past-boi-screen.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3525858/ibuypower-boot.html

CyberPowerPC:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2990661/asap.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3044218/advice-failing-performance.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3249706/cyberpowerpc-burnt-flame.html


Your call...

For the examples you provide, it seems that most of them are caused by junk PSU. What if I configure with a major brand one?
Also, they do have options like professional wiring/extra shipping protection with more cost. I wonder whether those people with bad experience paid for those extra services?

The difference between the "professional wiring" and "regular" is, with the regular wiring, you get the 19 year old intern, suffering through a Monday morning hangover.
Professional is that same guy on Tuesday, after he's recovered a little.

I would trust my 13 year old grandson more than letting CyberPower assemble it.
It's your money, though.

Still, I don't want to build one by myself. Since it seems that you really don't like cyberpowerpc, is it feasible to buy the parts and pay someone to assemble them? I don't know where can this be done.

 

[Barty1884]

Most retailers (MicroCenter, NewEgg et al) have some kind of "assembly" service. That's certainly an option, but you typically have to buy all/most of your components from them.... which may wind up more expensive vs shopping around.

You do remove the potential shipping hassle/damage, so that's definitely a bonus.

 

[USAFRet]

Still, I don't want to build one by myself. Since it seems that you really don't like cyberpowerpc, is it feasible to buy the parts and pay someone to assemble them? I don't know where can this be done.

If you live near a Microcenter, they do assembly for $150
http://www.microcenter.com/site/content/instore-service-complete-build.aspx

 

[xw913]

Still, I don't want to build one by myself. Since it seems that you really don't like cyberpowerpc, is it feasible to buy the parts and pay someone to assemble them? I don't know where can this be done.

If you live near a Microcenter, they do assembly for $150
http://www.microcenter.com/site/content/instore-service-complete-build.aspx

I have checked the Microcenter website. Fortunately, I live in Queens so there is one nearby. It seems that I can use newegg + microcenter to get all the parts and pay microcenter $150 for assembly. This option is cheaper and safer. Problem solved! Thank you very much!

 

[USAFRet]

Still, I don't want to build one by myself. Since it seems that you really don't like cyberpowerpc, is it feasible to buy the parts and pay someone to assemble them? I don't know where can this be done.

If you live near a Microcenter, they do assembly for $150
http://www.microcenter.com/site/content/instore-service-complete-build.aspx

I have checked the Microcenter website. Fortunately, I live in Queens so there is one nearby. It seems that I can use newegg + microcenter to get all the parts and pay microcenter $150 for assembly. This option is cheaper and safer. Problem solved! Thank you very much!

Yep...MUCH better option.

Now...for the parts.
What, exactly, have you picked out?
(I'm betting you can get the same performance for $2k vs $3k)

 

[mjslakeridge]

On the Microcenter link above, it says ALL parts and software (Windows) must be purchased from Microcenter.

They have recently been running good deals on cpu/motherboard/GPU combos.

 

[xw913]

Still, I don't want to build one by myself. Since it seems that you really don't like cyberpowerpc, is it feasible to buy the parts and pay someone to assemble them? I don't know where can this be done.

If you live near a Microcenter, they do assembly for $150
http://www.microcenter.com/site/content/instore-service-complete-build.aspx

I have checked the Microcenter website. Fortunately, I live in Queens so there is one nearby. It seems that I can use newegg + microcenter to get all the parts and pay microcenter $150 for assembly. This option is cheaper and safer. Problem solved! Thank you very much!

Yep...MUCH better option.

Now...for the parts.
What, exactly, have you picked out?
(I'm betting you can get the same performance for $2k vs $3k)

CORSAIR Vengeance LED 32GB (2 x 16GB) 3200
i7-8700k
ROG Maximus X Hero
1080Ti, not decided, cheapest one probably (maybe wait for new generation, probably will be released in July)
Corsair RM750i/HX850i, depends on what is in stock
960 evo 250G
860 evo 1T
WD Black 2T 7200RPM
Corsair Hydro Series, H115i PRO RGB
intel optane 16G (boost HDD)
Acer XB271hu IPS
case not decided, pick one at mc
case fans, not decided, not essential
noise reduction, not decided, not essential

Total should be around $4K including the monitor

 

[xw913]

On the Microcenter link above, it says ALL parts and software (Windows) must be purchased from Microcenter.

They have recently been running good deals on cpu/motherboard/GPU combos.

Two questions:

1. Should I buy all the parts from Microcenter to let them assemble it for me? My understanding is only the third point: installation of drives requires all the parts purchased from them

2.Do I need to pay extra money for Windows 10 or it's included in the $150?

 

[USAFRet]

Two questions:

1. Should I buy all the parts from Microcenter to let them assemble it for me? My understanding is only the third point: installation of drives requires all the parts purchased from them

2.Do I need to pay extra money for Windows 10 or it's included in the $150?

The OS would be your own purchase, not incl in the $150.

And no harm in buying everything from Microcenter.

 

[xw913]

Two questions:

1. Should I buy all the parts from Microcenter to let them assemble it for me? My understanding is only the third point: installation of drives requires all the parts purchased from them

2.Do I need to pay extra money for Windows 10 or it's included in the $150?

The OS would be your own purchase, not incl in the $150.

And no harm in buying everything from Microcenter.

Bad news : (

Windows will cause extra 100+ and the RAM in microcenter is also very expensive compared with newegg/Amazon. I may only purchase a 8GB one and buy the rest later~

 

[USAFRet]

Bad news : (

Windows will cause extra 100+ and the RAM in microcenter is also very expensive compared with newegg/Amazon. I may only purchase a 8GB one and buy the rest later~

Yes, a Windows OS costs around $90-$100.
Anywhere much cheaper than that, it is NotValid.

 

[mjslakeridge]

You should buy all of your RAM in a kit. Proven to work well together. Did you see any of the cpu/motherboard/gpu combos advertised at MicroCenter?

 

[mdd1963]

ANy Crucial/Corsair/Gskill kit (8 GB x 2) at 3200 MHz should be fine

 

[xw913]

Bad news : (

Windows will cause extra 100+ and the RAM in microcenter is also very expensive compared with newegg/Amazon. I may only purchase a 8GB one and buy the rest later~

Yes, a Windows OS costs around $90-$100.
Anywhere much cheaper than that, it is NotValid.

Sorry to bother again.

I have found a pre-built PC on newegg which has a AMD 1950x, is it worth buying?

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883102344

Personally, I think the Pros & Cons are:

Pros:
online review shows that AMD 1950x is more powerful than i7-8700k
major brand parts like ASUS and G.SKILL
saves me the cost of OS and assembly which will be around $250
The price is reasonable as I find building an 1950x PC at microcenter is not much cheaper and it seems that the CPU is out of stock now

Cons:
It seems that the new GTX will be released soon thus I might wait for a while
It has 2400Mhz memory while I personally prefer 3200Mhz
I have heard from someone that Intel is better if you wanna play at 144hz

Therefore, my questions are:
1. The PSU seems to be Rosewill ARC 750, is it a reliable one?
2. 32G 2400RAM + 1950x VS 32G 3200RAM + 8700K which gives you better gaming experience?
3. Why people say buy Intel rather than AMD if you want to play at 144hz?

 

[USAFRet]

Sorry to bother again.

I have found a pre-built PC on newegg which has a AMD 1950x, is it worth buying?

Personally, I don't view $3500 as "reasonable".

And the Threadripper CPU is not really aimed at a pure games machine. The 8700k is almost certainly better for that usage.

 

[Corwin65]

Still, I don't want to build one by myself. Since it seems that you really don't like cyberpowerpc, is it feasible to buy the parts and pay someone to assemble them? I don't know where can this be done.

If you live near a Microcenter, they do assembly for $150
http://www.microcenter.com/site/content/instore-service-complete-build.aspx

I have checked the Microcenter website. Fortunately, I live in Queens so there is one nearby. It seems that I can use newegg + microcenter to get all the parts and pay microcenter $150 for assembly. This option is cheaper and safer. Problem solved! Thank you very much!

That Microcenter is about 5 minutes away from me in Queens. Go in knowing what you want and they take good care of you.