Buying a new gaming PC, needing advice on a pre-built

[Frosst]

I wasn't quite sure where to put this, but I am wanting to buy a PC to use as my gaming rig. I would normally build another one, but this is not something I care to bother with this time around. If it costs me a bit more, I really don't care all that much.

I've been shopping around Newegg, Future Shop, Amazon, but I am needing some help because I want a system with a decent GPU (to play Battlefield 4, Witcher 3) and 1TB HDD space.

Current Rig


AMD Athlon X3 3.3GHz
GTS 250 1GB
3GB RAM
600w PSU

Can anyone recommend any pre-built gaming PCs? My budget is $900 max. Keep in mind that I am in Canada.

Here are a couple that I've been looking at.

Newegg.ca - iBUYPOWER Intel Core i5 8GB DDR3 1TB HDD Capacity Desktop PC Windows 8.1 64-Bit ATLAS SERIES NE703i

Newegg.ca - Avatar AMD FX-Series 8GB DDR3 1TB HDD Capacity Desktop PC Windows 8 64-bit Gaming FX6377

 

[Solarstarshines]

I can already tell you the choices you made are in the wrong direction
They are offering 765G chipset that is like 3 generations back

Also the power supply is less then the one you already own :shock:

My suggestion seriously is get a Barbone and go from there get your moneys worth and you can possibly use your old PSU and get a better GPU it's not that hard to put together your own system and you can get something way more powerful then prebuilt just saying

 

[Solarstarshines]

This is your best bet with a suitable PSU for a GPU upgrade when you get the money and this will be worth what you spent only problem is it's running windows 8.1 but other then this way more powerful then what you chose more space more up to date and a little more future proof

All the specs on this one is the best you will get for your money and in the future very upgradable also failed to mentioned this is a overclockable machine with the proper cooling and GPU this will be a monster and will compete with top of the line rigs Newegg.ca - CyberpowerPC Intel Core i7 8GB DDR3 2TB HDD Capacity Desktop PC Windows 8.1 64-bit Gamer Xtreme H710

 

[Frosst]

I can already tell you the choices you made are in the wrong direction
They are offering 765G chipset that is like 3 generations back

Also the power supply is less then the one you already own :shock:

My suggestion seriously is get a Barbone and go from there get your moneys worth and you can possibly use your old PSU and get a better GPU it's not that hard to put together your own system and you can get something way more powerful then prebuilt just saying

Thanks for the reply.

I can always swap the PSU out with my Corsair. But keep in mind that those two are just ideas, not necessarily what I'll choose between. My understanding is that the 7850, though certainly not high end, will run Crysis 3 at between 40-60fps on high detail settings. That's certainly acceptable to me.

 

[Solarstarshines]

unfortunately not it is a 7770 little less then the 7790 you might be able to see if you can get a upgrade for a few dollars more

With prebuilt so called gaming rigs that is where they cheap out at

 

[Solarstarshines]

Now we are on to something here i think Cyberpower is a Canadian outlet here is their site way more better deals skip new egg go here CyberPowerPC Gaming PC - Custom Gaming PC Configurator

 

[Solarstarshines]

Ok so for a respectable system with a decent card and build will cost you 992.00 http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/AMD_Eight_Core_Configurator/

CPU 8320
Water cooler
600+ 80 supply evga
Corsair gaming case
R9-270 2GB
1TB HD
DVD /Burner
8GB ADATA ram

Best i can do without exploding your budget

You can mix and match parts on this site for all i know you could exclude their PSU and see if you could chuck more into a video card but this is pretty solid for what it is

 

[Frosst]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzf7Q2-A7AU

Isn't that the same GPU?

Anyway, thank you for cluing me into the manufacturer's website! Clearly this is a much better source from which to buy rather than Newegg! Could you suggest a custom build from their options?

 

[Solarstarshines]

Customize AMD Eight Core Configurator Gaming PC

I made this one up you can forget that other card this one will eat it alive R9-270


This card on Crysis 3

 

[Frosst]

Excellent. I'm looking at it now. I can even pick my case, eh?

 

[Solarstarshines]

Excellent. I'm looking at it now. I can even pick my case, eh?

sure can

 

[Frosst]

$75 shipping + duty fee, which could be in the $90-$100 range. Things really start to add up, but I really do want to make sure I get a good build that will serve me well.

I have a couple of questions.

1. Is there anything that we can compromise on? I don't want to downgrade on GPU, but what about the CPU? I noticed that I can save like $110 if I go with the AMD FX-6300 3.50 GHz Six-Core over the AMD FX-9370 4.40 GHz (4.7 GHz Turbo) Eight-Core. That would help with staying at least in proximity to my original budget. Thoughts?

2. Can I afford to compromise on the motherboard? I noticed I could save $50 on that.

 

[Solarstarshines]

for sure i actually went with the 8320 CPU which is like 160 but the 6350 is plenty no game uses over 4 cores anyway

So yes be a smart move

 

[Frosst]

That definitely helps. I've tweaked the configuration and I've come up with $751. I upgraded some things, actually. Though I'm going to miss the Christmas sale, so this is really just a hypothetical build. Probably a week or two before I'm ready to order. But this is good research in the meantime.

I see that I will need to add an OS. I can always install from my OEM copy and just ask Microsoft to renew the license. It worked last time, so they may well allow it again.

 

[Solarstarshines]

That definitely helps. I've tweaked the configuration and I've come up with $751. I upgraded some things, actually. Though I'm going to miss the Christmas sale, so this is really just a hypothetical build. Probably a week or two before I'm ready to order. But this is good research in the meantime.

I see that I will need to add an OS. I can always install from my OEM copy and just ask Microsoft to renew the license. It worked last time, so they may well allow it again.

if you use the old hard drive from the other bulld it should be no issue cause technically they tie it to hardware if you add some stuff from the old build over it will be like using the same rig MS is cool about those things

 

[Frosst]

I want to keep that hard drive in the current PC because it will be my secondary. What's the difference to Microsoft? I know I'm not simply upgrading, but I can always ask them anyway.

Also, do I need liquid cooling or can I go with air cooling?

Edit: I just remembered that I can't have the same copy of Windows on two separate machines. It authorizes on one system, right?

I'll just get another copy.

 

[Solarstarshines]

I want to keep that hard drive in the current PC because it will be my secondary. What's the difference to Microsoft? I know I'm not simply upgrading, but I can always ask them anyway.

Also, do I need liquid cooling or can I go with air cooling?

Edit: I just remembered that I can't have the same copy of Windows on two separate machines. It authorizes on one system, right?

I'll just get another copy.

Yes that is correct i thought you were going to put the other rig on the shelf and watercooling isn't a need but it will help with FX chips plus if you plan to over clock a little you want some breathing room