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Decent pre-built tower for ~ $600?

S

SkyBum

Senior member
A friend of mine refuses to scratch build his next gaming PC. Any suggestions to steer him in the right direction for a pre-built? He's ready to buy but I've not looked at pre-built in 15 years and he does not follow tech. We could both use your advice on reputable mfg's / models.

His current rig is an e-machine from 4 years back (X2 220, and an old HD 4870 that I gave him) his monitor is 17". I realize that pretty much ANY prebuilt PC would be a massive upgrade, but at the same time, there are plenty of garbage $600 offerings out there.

Any recommendations / deals would be awesome...

EDIT: this is his top choice. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...3H4&pldnSite=1 Where do we go from here?
 
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Lenovo K450...

i5-4440, 8GB, GT 635, 1TB, Windows 8.1 @ $402

Well configured desktops don't last long at the Lenovo Outlet site, better hurry.
Upgrade the HD to a 240GB SSD and you've got a sweet pre-built at a good total cost.
Even without the SSD upgrade, it's a good deal. The SSD just adds that extra little punch.
 
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'Prebuilt gamer PC' and '$600' usually can't go in the same sentence, in fact, you are struggling to fit that into a $600 DIY build.

Having said that, an Intel i5 would be the best solution for a prebuilt. That Lenovo Blain linked would be a good starting point or I would check the Dell Outlet, too. Unless your friend is completely obstinate, you could get a $400-$450 prebuilt and put a decent $120 GPU in it and be able to game (although you will have to check that the PSU is capable enough.
 
Does it have to be a new system? I've seen some nice refurbished desktops on ebay for that price. Though, these systems usually come with only 300-400w psu...
 
I assume he wants the PC for gaming. Otherwise, any 400.00 prebuilt pentium is more than adequate. I would concur with Blain on something from Lenovo or Dell outlets, in the 450.00 range. However, I would add a better graphics card instead of an SSD. A 450.00 pre-built with an i3, (or i5 if you can find it), with an added GTX750Ti should be a good low/mid range gaming box. Just make sure the 750Ti is one that does not require a 6 pin connector. Most dont, but some factory overclocked ones do. The reference 750Ti should run on an OEM power supply.

I am assuming he would be willing to at least install a graphics card. As long as he does not have to upgrade the power supply, it is a very simple matter. Otherwise the best he could do is an AMD A10, which will not play the most demanding games at 1080p at decent settings, although it will play most at 720p.
 
Charlie98 said:
'Prebuilt gamer PC' and '$600' usually can't go in the same sentence, in fact, you are struggling to fit that into a $600 DIY build.
Click to expand...

Agree. Any prebuilt in the ~$600 range that's marketed as a "gaming" PC is going to have a token GPU at best. Case in point, the machine that the OP linked has a GT 610, which is only marginally better than the Haswell IGP.

You best bet is to pick up a ~$400 box like Blain pointed out and then add a GPU that doesn't require external power like this GTX 750 Ti for $120 AR.
 
Thanks Blain, for the tip on that Lenovo refurb. He's definitely interested and would chuck the included GPU (and possibly PSU) in favor of adding a 750 ti. Should be a pretty solid budget rig that will more than likely exceed his expectations.

As always, AT forums to the rescue, I can always count on you guys to point me in the right direction and I appreciate the hell out of the people here. Now I just hope he jumps on that deal quick because you weren't joking, those refurbs are going FAST...

In terms of PSU the K450 seems to be shipping with a 280w PSU. The reference 750 ti lists 60w, and the i5 4440 lists 84w. Obviously, adding a reputable 400w PSU would be advisable but anyone think that if push comes to shove, could that stock 280w cut the mustard or would that be ill advised?
 
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SkyBum said:
In terms of PSU the K450 seems to be shipping with a 280w PSU. The reference 750 ti lists 60w, and the i5 4440 lists 84w. Obviously, adding a reputable 400w PSU would be advisable but anyone think that if push comes to shove, could that stock 280w cut the mustard or would that be ill advised?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't try it. For $30 or so you can get a Corsair CX430 (et al) and not have to worry about it. 😀
 
SkyBum said:
Thanks Blain, for the tip on that Lenovo refurb. He's definitely interested and would chuck the included GPU (and possibly PSU) in favor of adding a 750 ti. Should be a pretty solid budget rig that will more than likely exceed his expectations.

As always, AT forums to the rescue, I can always count on you guys to point me in the right direction and I appreciate the hell out of the people here. Now I just hope he jumps on that deal quick because you weren't joking, those refurbs are going FAST...

In terms of PSU the K450 seems to be shipping with a 280w PSU. The reference 750 ti lists 60w, and the i5 4440 lists 84w. Obviously, adding a reputable 400w PSU would be advisable but anyone think that if push comes to shove, could that stock 280w cut the mustard or would that be ill advised?
Click to expand...

The stock PSU should be fine. The GTX 750 Ti was designed with the power available of just the PCIe slot in mind. You're looking at 69W CPU (IGP is turned off when GPU is in place) + 60W GPU. That's 129W plus maybe 20W for the rest of the system.
 
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