Building for first time or pre-built?

[wirm]

Hi folks, I was going to try to build a computer for the first time (for cost savings), but I couldn't seem to get the price down to around $750. I've answered applicable questions for this forum:

1) computer will mostly be for browsing the internet and word processing, but I would like to play Diablo III or Starcraft II.
2) I've been looking online at places like Newegg or big retail vendors like Dell or HP
3) I don't really care about brand unless there are obvious pros or cons (power supplies from Company X catch fire, etc)
4) I have no parts at all to recycle(no spare cards, case or cables)
5) I have no plan to overclock anything
6) Any medium-high resolution is great (720p?) for games
7) I would like to get the computer now, unless there is a significant incentive to wait. Would Sandy Bridge be any use to a non-overclocker like me?


As a point of comparison, I was looking at a PC from HP with the following specs:

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Core i5-760 quad-core processor [2.8GHz, 1MB L2 + 8MB shared L3 cache]
6GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [3 DIMMs]
1TB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
Norton Internet Security(TM) 2011 - 15 month
512MB ATI Radeon HD 5450
HP s1931a 18.5-inch Diagonal HD Ready Widescreen Monitor
LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
Integrated Ethernet port, No wireless LAN
15-in-1 memory card reader, 1 USB, 1394, audio
Integrated sound
USB keyboard and optical mouse
300 watt power supply

I know that the video card and power supply are nothing to get excited about, but I can upgrade those later.
Is it feasible for me to build a computer like that for $750? I believe this deal has no shipping cost.

 

[MisterDonut]

You want more than a 5450 for D3/SC2. Also, 1156 is dual channel, not triple channel, so you want 4GB, which is more than enough for your uses.

I wouldn't try to build anything for D3 considering it's not even out yet. As for SC2, a 5770 should suffice, but it's hard to fit that and even a Propus into the build if the $750 budget has to include the monitor and OS (which is like $280 off the $750).

As for your other needs, an Athlon II X4 Propus is more than enough and should suffice for even the mildest gaming you plan to do on it.

As for reputable PSU brands, Corsair/Antec/Seasonic are probably the top 3 in my book.

I wouldn't wait for SB unless you can increase that budget. Also, if you live in CA (or anywhere taxed by the Egg), use NE as a reference site, but buy off Amazon or something.

 

[mfenn]

What you have speced out from HP is a completely non gaming computer. There's really no reason to have a 5450 instead of an IGP. $500 (because you need monitor and OS) is probably not going to make happen what I would consider to be a reasonable gaming PC.

Here's a build that won't require you to scrap/swap parts when you get a GPU. It also gives you a much better monitor.

Phenom II X4 955 + GA-880A-UD3H $225 AR
G.Skill DDR3 1333 4GB $48
Samsung F3 1TB $70
Samsung DVD Burner $20
Seasonic S12II 430W $60
Antec Three Hundred $60
ASUS 23" 1080P monitor $155 AR
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100
Total $738 AR

 

[wirm]

Thanks for that. Would it be more cost effective to get a case with a power supply inside? I understand that most power supplies that come with a case are lower quality. I'm just wondering about quality brands that offer a combo.

 

[fffblackmage]

Hey, look at what I found. Antec 300 + Basiq 430W $70 after promo code

The Basiq is... well, basic, but the price seems pretty good for case and a non-POS psu.

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, the Basiq is a viable alternative. It's not as good as the Seasonic, but it should power a 6800-series GPU.