Can a better system be built for this price?

mgh-pa

Member
Mar 15, 2011
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I'm slowing researching and piecing together plans for my build (still deciding on ATX vs. mATX), but I came across this build on Fredmiranda for $900, and was wondering if it was worth considering?

LIAN LI ARMORSUIT PC-P50 Black Aluminum
Intel i5 2500k CPU
CORSAIR CWCH50-1 Hydro Cooler
BIOSTAR|TZ68A+ Z68 Motherboard
2x 128G |CRUCIAL CT128 M4 SSD
2 GB WD Caviar Black
HIS HD6870 1GB Video Card
16 GB Corsair Ram
DVD-RW
Windows 8 Pro

It's a little dated build wise which is my only concern. I have no qualms building my own, but I like saving money, too. However, if it's not really worth it, I will move on.
 

Sleepingforest

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Nov 18, 2012
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That is not great for the money, assuming you are gaming. In fact, it's really awful, and I doubt that it's really only $900. Fill out the sticky for more specific advice.

An overly expensive hard drive/SSD combo, no PSU, an old, outdated CPU, a weak GPU, and an expensive, outdated cooler do not a good computer make.
 
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lambchops511

Senior member
Apr 12, 2005
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I'm slowing researching and piecing together plans for my build (still deciding on ATX vs. mATX), but I came across this build on Fredmiranda for $900, and was wondering if it was worth considering?

LIAN LI ARMORSUIT PC-P50 Black Aluminum
Intel i5 2500k CPU
CORSAIR CWCH50-1 Hydro Cooler
BIOSTAR|TZ68A+ Z68 Motherboard
2x 128G |CRUCIAL CT128 M4 SSD
2 GB WD Caviar Black
HIS HD6870 1GB Video Card
16 GB Corsair Ram
DVD-RW
Windows 8 Pro

It's a little dated build wise which is my only concern. I have no qualms building my own, but I like saving money, too. However, if it's not really worth it, I will move on.

imo... u can do a lot better buying new parts.
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
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1. Most likely, yes. The video card in particular is weak.
2. What do you want a system to do for you? For, say, Adobe CS6, that system isn't too bad, especially since it comes with Windows.
 

crashtech

Lifer
Jan 4, 2013
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I don't think it's too bad, actually, depending on the usage it can be upgraded. Not many are fans of Biostar, but if this one has been in service for a while that is actually a plus, most failures happen in the first 90 days or so. That mobo can accept Ivy Bridge with a BIOS flash, so there is an upgrade path, and the case is pretty nice, as is the cooler.

All it really needs is a better video card if it's for gaming.

New parts of similar type and perfomance will be at least a couple hundred more, imo.
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
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I have no qualms building my own, but I like saving money, too. However, if it's not really worth it, I will move on.
Move on to a Dell Inspiron, XPS 8500 or OptiPlex for your needs.
You can get any of tthem for less than $900
 

crashtech

Lifer
Jan 4, 2013
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No one has posted an equivalent build for less, nor have I seen liquid-cooled Dells. I think I will work up a quick parts list to show what a rough equivalent to what the OP is considering would cost.
 

crashtech

Lifer
Jan 4, 2013
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Threw a list together of somewhat comparable new parts. This is not a recommendation, but a quick price sanity check. The main noticeable difference would be faster video. It's about $1400 if you figure in the optical drive which I forgot.

So maybe not such a bad deal, especially if he'll take a bit less than asking.

nye5mu.png
 

Sleepingforest

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2012
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No one has posted an equivalent build for less, nor have I seen liquid-cooled Dells. I think I will work up a quick parts list to show what a rough equivalent to what the OP is considering would cost.

The problem is that the gaming performance of that build (the OPs) can be had for $700 or $800. When looking at a $900 gaming build, you typically don't put in a 2TB WD Black or two 128GB SSDs. While the build offers more bells and whistles, it offers less performance. For example, liquid cooling is not magically better than air cooling. The Cooler Master 212+ performs nearly as well or equally well despite being an air cooler. A WD Black offers nothing really over a WD Blue or a Seagate Barracuda.

This build offers much higher gaming power for a slightly lower price:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TZ77A ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda LP 1TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($58.24 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $862.15
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-04 00:19 EDT-0400)
 

mgh-pa

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Mar 15, 2011
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I should probably add that this would be used purely for photo editing/restoration, graphic design, and hobby video editing. I don't game...ever.;)
 

Sleepingforest

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Nov 18, 2012
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In that case, you don't need a graphics card beyond a 650ti at all. Then the original build starts to look better. I'd still drop one of those SSDs to get an i7-3770K instead of the i5, but it's not bad.
 

crashtech

Lifer
Jan 4, 2013
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Sleepingforest's example contains a case that is not comparable to a Lian Li, has half the memory, no operating system, and no SSD. I believe the subjective all-around perfomance of a build with an SSD is much better than without. That's not a controversial view.

I still maintain that the system the OP wants to buy is not that bad a deal, especially if the seller is flexible on price.

Not sure what the two SSDs are for, though, unless they are running in RAID? I'd prefer one larger unit myself, but that can always be changed later.
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
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Now the OP's system looks much better to me too. Adobe Photoshop can use a second SSD as a "scratch disk"; the use of such a disk is recommended.

Be sure to get CS6 if possible, to make use of OpenCL on that AMD graphics card.
 

aaksheytalwar

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Feb 17, 2012
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Sleepingforest

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2012
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That's pretty good! I would go for that, update the motherboard BIOS to support Ivy Bridge, and then try to sell the CPU for $150 or so and get an i7-3770K (since you are video/photo editing, it'll be helpful). The out of pocket cost would be around $975.
 

crashtech

Lifer
Jan 4, 2013
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Yeah, that's not bad. As a matter of fact, with that liquid cooling, you should be able to crank that 2500K up pretty easily to the point you may not care to replace the CPU right away.

What are you upgrading from, anyway?
 

mgh-pa

Member
Mar 15, 2011
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Yeah, that's not bad. As a matter of fact, with that liquid cooling, you should be able to crank that 2500K up pretty easily to the point you may not care to replace the CPU right away.

What are you upgrading from, anyway?

Pentium 4 2.53ghz:$:|

Built it in 2002.:D

Used it up until I graduate college in 2007. Been using a Gateway laptop (T2310) since then, lol. It doesn't handle CS5.5 very well. I do most of my editing at school (I teach Graphic/Digital Design and Digital Photo).

I just have found too many other things to spend money on in the past (mostly tools and home improvement projects since buying our house 4 years ago).
 

mgh-pa

Member
Mar 15, 2011
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I should add, that if I can build a comparable i7 system for a little more money, I would also be willing to wait a bit.
 

Sleepingforest

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2012
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Yeah, that's not bad. As a matter of fact, with that liquid cooling, you should be able to crank that 2500K up pretty easily to the point you may not care to replace the CPU right away.

The upgrade will definitely be noticeable. I'm just saying that the next logical step is to get a 4 core/8 thread CPU, since Photoshop and the like really benefit from extra cores.

The other thing is that the H50 isn't actually that good for overclocking. It competes roughly with other $60 coolers, but it trades off cooling ability for quietness.
 
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Eureka

Diamond Member
Sep 6, 2005
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I should add, that if I can build a comparable i7 system for a little more money, I would also be willing to wait a bit.

Do you live near a microcenter? I think you can do a similar build for $900 or so.

i5-3570K: $180 @ MC with -50 off motherboard
Z77 motherboard: $60 (combo with 3570K)
16GB ram: $80
budget case: $50
2x 128GB SSD: $200
2GB hard drive: $100
600W power supply: $40 for a CX600 or similar
Video card: $100

That's $810 right there... all new parts, if you're willing to hunt around a bit. Fudge around, say you can't find the same deals... you're only looking at $900 or so. It's about $100 to set up from the i5 to an i7 (you lose the motherboard combo and the 3770K is $230 at microcenter).
 

mfenn

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Jan 17, 2010
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I should probably add that this would be used purely for photo editing/restoration, graphic design, and hobby video editing. I don't game...ever.;)

And this is why the first reply should have been, "I dunno, what do you want to use it for?"
 

crashtech

Lifer
Jan 4, 2013
10,580
2,150
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Pentium 4 2.53ghz:$:|

Built it in 2002.:D

Used it up until I graduate college in 2007. Been using a Gateway laptop (T2310) since then, lol. It doesn't handle CS5.5 very well. I do most of my editing at school (I teach Graphic/Digital Design and Digital Photo).

I just have found too many other things to spend money on in the past (mostly tools and home improvement projects since buying our house 4 years ago).

The improvement will be tremendous.

And the system you are buying could become an i7 with just a CPU change, that Biostar will support a 3770K when flashed to the latest BIOS.

I still don't see how you could beat it, unless you live near a Microcenter as asked previously.

2500K CPUs are still selling for good money, I think you can get $150+ out of it, which makes the true cost of going to a 3770K very inexpensive.