What type of system should I purchase built or build myself?

Anesthetic · 16 Jun 2015

Hi all!

I've never built a computer before, although I'm somewhat open to it... (I just get really nervous about screwing something up) I'm also leaning towards just buying a pc already built. I don't need anything extreme; however, at the very least, I want to be able to play the Sims 4 without any hiccups, stutters, or slowdowns. This is the onlygame I'll be playing. Additionally, I'll be primarily editing photos, watching HD videos, and listening/organizing music. I'll also be using ShadowProtect backup software.

I want at least 2 USB 3.0 ports and a chassis that will allow me to add at least 3-4 HDDs for backup purposes.

If you guys could kindly point me in the right direction as far as either building my own and point me towards a system that's already built, I would gladly appreciate it.

My budget is $1,000.

----

I've tried looking for PCs already built...... but I keep running into AMD systems? I would prefer an Intel processor i5 Quad.

If you're able to be as detailed as possible, I'd really appreciate it! Thank you.

ignatzatsonic · 16 Jun 2015

A 2 minute Google of Sims 4 says it isn't a particularly demanding game. I see recommendations for an Intel i-3 and a $120 graphics card.

Do you know otherwise?

The rest of your tasks don't appear to be demanding either.

Which of the following parts do you need to buy with that $1000, if you wanted to build your own:

Monitor (what size do you want and at what resolution will you play Sims 4)
Keyboard
Mouse
Operating system (Windows 10 will be out in 6 weeks)
Case
Motherboard
RAM
CPU
CPU cooler other than the cooler included with the CPU (unlikely you need this)
DVD drive
Hard drive (how many and what size?)
Solid state drive (optional but generally a good idea)
Sound card (rarely needed)
Graphics card

You should be able to easily fit an Intel i-5 build into that for $1000.

Something like this:

Motherboard 100
Operating system 80
Monitor 150 for a decent 23 inch
RAM 50 for 8 GB.
Case 50
CPU 200 for a mid to upper level i-5
Hard drive 70
Graphics card 200
Mouse, keyboard, DVD drive, miscellaneous: 100

That's $1000 exactly.

That's a wild stab at it and can be adjusted, depending on which of those parts you need.

If you want to buy a pre-built, I'd probably point you to Dell, but that's debatable. The less you can spend, the more a pre-built makes sense--especially if you'd prefer not to get into building your own.

List the parts you need if building, from that list I mentioned. Maybe you already have some of them?

ignatzatsonic · 16 Jun 2015

Whoa---I left out power supply.

Figure 50 to 75 if you need one.

You may be able to carry over your existing power supply.

Anesthetic · 16 Jun 2015

Hope this helps!

I'll be using a monitor I already own. 1080p 23 inch LCD.

My existing power supply is a little ridiculous. I think it's a little over 700 watts Lol. So, you're saying 750?

And I believe I had that power supply a little over three years. Does that matter? Do I need a new one?

I already have 2 internal HDDs 1TB and two external USB 3.0 HDDs. I have had those for a few years, too.

I already have a mouse and keyboard.

I've seen the recommended vs minimum specs for the Sims 4. I want to make sure that I exceed them a little bit.

Anesthetic · 16 Jun 2015

Here is one PC that I was looking at...... CybertronPC Kombat X TGM2242B Gaming PC - AMD Six-Core FX-6100 3.30GHz, 16GB DDR3, 1TB HDD, DVDRW, 2x AMD Radeon HD 6670, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit at TigerDirect.com but I read that the single core performance of this AMD is sub-par.

And I'm not sure if the included graphics card will perform good enough according to this list ---- *UPDATED* Supported Graphics Card List (The Sims 4 Edition) - The Sims Forums

It would be nice if there was a pc like this but an Intel one... but I noticed that in exchange.... there are usually less features overall under the same price point when processor is an intel one (I could be wrong).

ignatzatsonic · 16 Jun 2015

So, you need all of the following?

I'm boosting the amount allowed on some items since you don't need hard drives, keyboard, mouse, monitor

Power supply (possibly; see below); 75
Operating system (Windows 10 will be out in 6 weeks), 80
Case 100
Motherboard 150
RAM 60; 8 GB.
CPU 240, high level i-5
DVD drive 20
Solid state drive (highly recommended for Windows and applications; data goes on hard drive); 75 for a 128 GB
Graphics card 200

That's 1000, including a new power supply and a new Windows license.

That would be a powerful all-purpose machine.

Post what you've seen as the minimum specs for Sims 4.

You will likely need a new Windows license if your current license came pre-installed on your current Asus machine. Confirm this, yes or no.

Re power supply: all we know is that you have a 3 year old "TR2 750 watt".

We know NOTHING about its quality. Can you get inside the case and give more details from the label, such as manufacturer and detailed model number??

3 years is not excessive. You certainly do NOT need 750 watts. If I knew it was a high quality power supply, I'd tell you to stay with it.

But I don't know that.

When in doubt, replace it since it's a critical component. You'd need 400 to 550 watts max, depending on what graphics card you buy. Excluding the graphics card, you'd probably never use over 100 to 150 watts.

Intel will release a new Skylake processor line in August. I'd wait for that unless you have an urgent need.

If you buy pre-built in August or later, you'd likely get Windows 10 pre-installed. Even if you got it with Windows 7 or 8.1, you would qualify for the Win 10 free upgrade.

Advise on that revised parts list, power supply details, and Windows license details.

ignatzatsonic · 16 Jun 2015

I would not consider that Cybertron for these reasons off the top of my head:

16 GB RAM; highly unlikely you'd ever know you had it rather than 8 GB, considering your purpose

AMD CPU: OK if you are on a tight budget. You are not. You can afford an i-5

Includes a hard drive you don't need.

Does not include an SSD, which you would appreciate.

Completely unknown motherboard

Two video cards; unnecessary for your intended purpose.

Power supply made by god knows who, which typically means mediocre at best.

Keyboard you don't need.

Cybertron completely unknown to me and may have questionable support.

Anesthetic · 16 Jun 2015

Power supply - Is this good quality? This is what I purchased - February 1st 2012.
Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 750 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS Bronze (TX750)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MYFODI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

ignatzatsonic said:

So, you need all of the following?

I'm boosting the amount allowed on some items since you don't need hard drives, keyboard, mouse, monitor

Power supply (possibly; see below); 75
Operating system (Windows 10 will be out in 6 weeks), 80
Case 100
Motherboard 150
RAM 60; 8 GB.
CPU 240, high level i-5
DVD drive 20
Solid state drive (highly recommended for Windows and applications; data goes on hard drive); 75 for a 128 GB
Graphics card 200

That's 1000, including a new power supply and a new Windows license.

That would be a powerful all-purpose machine.

Post what you've seen as the minimum specs for Sims 4.

You will likely need a new Windows license if your current license came pre-installed on your current Asus machine. Confirm this, yes or no.

Re power supply: all we know is that you have a 3 year old "TR2 750 watt".

We know NOTHING about its quality. Can you get inside the case and give more details from the label, such as manufacturer and detailed model number??

3 years is not excessive. You certainly do NOT need 750 watts. If I knew it was a high quality power supply, I'd tell you to stay with it.

But I don't know that.

When in doubt, replace it since it's a critical component. You'd need 400 to 550 watts max, depending on what graphics card you buy. Excluding the graphics card, you'd probably never use over 100 to 150 watts.

Intel will release a new Skylake processor line in August. I'd wait for that unless you have an urgent need.

If you buy pre-built in August or later, you'd likely get Windows 10 pre-installed. Even if you got it with Windows 7 or 8.1, you would qualify for the Win 10 free upgrade.

Advise on that revised parts list, power supply details, and Windows license details.

Anesthetic · 16 Jun 2015

Additionally, yes, I'll need to be buying a Windows 7 license because the version I currently have is OEM.

ignatzatsonic · 16 Jun 2015

That's a good PSU.

Stick with it.

Here's a review:

Corsair TX750 V2 750W Review

Advise on revised parts list.

The more stuff you can re-use from your existing machine, the more it makes sense to build your own. Why buy a new pre-built with a monitor and power supply when you already own them?

No need to continue analyzing parts if you are NOT going to build your own. You have to come to a conclusion on that.

If you want to buy pre-built, go to Newegg.com and look through some machines with an i-5 and post the links so we can pick it apart.

Look through these links; all should be i-5 Intels above $500. I tried to weed out brands I would try to avoid, but I couldn't do much filtering on the "gaming" PCs.

Computers & Tablets, Desktop & All-in-One Computers, Desktop Computers, ASUS, DELL, Intel Core i5, Celeron D, Pentium 4, Celeron Dual-Core, Pentium D... - Newegg.com

Computers & Tablets, Desktop & All-in-One Computers, Desktop Computers, DELL, ASUS, Lenovo, $750 - $1000, Newegg, Intel Core i5, $500 - $750 - Newegg.com

Gaming Computer, Gaming PCs, Gaming Desktops - Newegg.com