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Help me buy (and not build) a gaming PC!
- Thread starter UFO
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Mother board and power supply aren't compatible with that case. If you're going the build your own pc route, try the "I need a new PC" thread. Just specify what you want and your wish will be granted.
Something like this would work better and everything is compatible. But honestly, head over to that thread. They will put together the best possible build for your buck.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bHsPZL
The only thing that I would ask of you is 4GB VRAM minimum and a quad core CPU.
Need a Mini-ITX board and a SFX/SFX-L powersupply (Silverstone/FSP Gold) and rest is good.
Better (Most cost effective) alternative is a slew of nice and smaller mATX cases, but if you want a really small case you have to go ITX.
SFF stuff is in the 3rd post of the PC thread
Langdon Alger
Banned
OP asks for help getting a pre-built PC and says he doesn't want to build his own...and he gets a bunch of replys telling him to build his own. Yes, pre built PCs are more expensive, but why do you care how people spend their money? That's their business.
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
Yeah, if you post a build and your goals you are a lot more likely to get responses. Especially compared to saying you want a prebuilt. Folks are typically willing to help optimize price/performance but not do all the work in deciding what sort of build is right for a person.
Because we aren't salesmen (well, I assume most of us aren't) and we don't want to see somebody buy something they aren't going to be happy with or won't suit their needs? If there is a better deal to be had it makes sense to recommend it.
Especially since OP seemed to have some misconceptions about it that were preventing him from being interested.
They didn't want to see me get ripped off, and looking more closely at the specs of the machines I posted that was going to happen. Give me wood or metal and I can build shit, but computer related stuff is just out of my comfort zone.
OP said he was fine with building which is the major hangup for most people. If that wasn't included, then there would be less posts saying to build.
The software side is really 4 clicks and a CD install nowadays (If that).
Rktk
Member
GAF customer service > Dell customer service.
NervousXtian
Thought Emoji Movie was good. Take that as you will.
You can toss a 750ti in almost any pre-made tower PC.. keep that in mind.
Will play most everything at decent levels... not super Ultra, and not super high FPS.. but it's still really capable.
So if you really don't want to build, and want to stick cheap.. that's an option.
Will play most everything at decent levels... not super Ultra, and not super high FPS.. but it's still really capable.
So if you really don't want to build, and want to stick cheap.. that's an option.
QualityPixel
Banned
Buying a pre-built is like throwing money in the trash. Building is easy and will mean the difference between playing on lowest settings and high-max settings for the same price (in your budget).
Spend 20 minutes watching build guides.
Tips: build it on your kitchen table while wearing shoes, plug in power supply and put in case first and occasionally touch some bare metal on case to discharge static electricity. Install I/O plate, then install cpu cooler before installing motherboard to case. Before windows install make sure SATA is set to AHCI in the bios (look in your motherboard manual).
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Pk3jdC (if you need to buy a copy of Windows)
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zzrPZL (if you already have Windows)
Spend 20 minutes watching build guides.
Tips: build it on your kitchen table while wearing shoes, plug in power supply and put in case first and occasionally touch some bare metal on case to discharge static electricity. Install I/O plate, then install cpu cooler before installing motherboard to case. Before windows install make sure SATA is set to AHCI in the bios (look in your motherboard manual).
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Pk3jdC (if you need to buy a copy of Windows)
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zzrPZL (if you already have Windows)
NervousXtian
Thought Emoji Movie was good. Take that as you will.
Seriously, if you want cheap.. just do something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014QVM2KO/?tag=neogaf0e-20
+
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KHUE0MC/?tag=neogaf0e-20
$500, and decent bottom tier machine and no building, installing, etc.. except for tossing in the card.
Dude asks for $300 to 700.. and you go 900 to a grand... at least give him options for cheaper and explain why the money is better spent by putting more into it.
Honestly, if he was to do it right.. he's at around a grand.. if I was going lowend.. I'd just buy a shit tier like above and toss in a 750ti and go for it.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014QVM2KO/?tag=neogaf0e-20
+
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KHUE0MC/?tag=neogaf0e-20
$500, and decent bottom tier machine and no building, installing, etc.. except for tossing in the card.
Dude asks for $300 to 700.. and you go 900 to a grand... at least give him options for cheaper and explain why the money is better spent by putting more into it.
Honestly, if he was to do it right.. he's at around a grand.. if I was going lowend.. I'd just buy a shit tier like above and toss in a 750ti and go for it.
Glass Shark
Banned
I love building PCs. I'd build and set it up for you free of charge if you paid the costs. Seriously.
345triangle
Member
sounds like the x51 would be perfect for you. i got one about a year ago and have been very happy with it.
you lose a lot of power and upgradability with the alpha, though the form factor is pretty amazing.
you lose a lot of power and upgradability with the alpha, though the form factor is pretty amazing.
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
Upgrade options go out the window with that route, and there's no guarantee that the PSU in a $400 Dell is going to support a 750ti.
LostMyNarbles
Member
The Alienware Alpha is a great computer just not at $500 given how frequently it has gone on sale. Power level is comparable to the PS4/Xbox One although you're going to want to replace the included HDD with an SSD because it's way too slow. If you want more power and customization the X51 is a good choice but it also costs more.
(Edit) Just adding that the Alpha is $380 at Amazon which is an excellent price although maybe wait until Cyber Monday tomorrow to see if it lowers any bit. At $380 you won't come close to building a comparable machine, especially since Windows costs like $80 on its own.
(Edit) Just adding that the Alpha is $380 at Amazon which is an excellent price although maybe wait until Cyber Monday tomorrow to see if it lowers any bit. At $380 you won't come close to building a comparable machine, especially since Windows costs like $80 on its own.
CreepingFear
Member
I don't like that pre-built option, but some 750ti's don't even require a 6 pin. That was one of the selling points of the 750ti with the lower power requirements. I believe PCper had an article where they bought like 3 pre-built computers from Best Buy at the $300, $500 and $800 price points and stuck a 750ti in it.
Found it. http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Upgrade-Story-Can-GTX-750-Ti-Convert-OEMs-PCs-Gaming-PCs
chaosblade
Unconfirmed Member
6 pin doesn't matter, if the PC only comes with a 200W-250W PSU that's specced for the OEM hardware, a 750ti might still draw too much power for the included PSU. Those systems aren't designed to be upgraded.
NervousXtian
Thought Emoji Movie was good. Take that as you will.
That's not a Dell, and it's 300w.. plenty to power a 750ti.
CreepingFear
Member
I'm more on your side than you think.
NervousXtian
Thought Emoji Movie was good. Take that as you will.
I'm just saying it's an option, and honestly in his price range.. I'd go Alpha or this route.
If he's serious about the $700 high point, there's a better system to be built... but you can't typically build out a PC as cheap as a discount low-end tower, and tossing in the 750ti makes it a workable gaming platform.
Again though, it's tough in the fact that finding one with a decent power supply is kinda hit and miss.. but I know the Asus typically work out fine, it's what my daughter is using now.. an AMD based Asus tower with a 750ti added.... it runs all the shit she tosses at it just fine.. and I've used it for other games just fine as well.
It's not as good as my other 7950, i5 custom-built setup.. but it's not that far behind.. and I had about $500 into it.. and only went that route as I had a ton of Best Buy credit.
If he's serious about the $700 high point, there's a better system to be built... but you can't typically build out a PC as cheap as a discount low-end tower, and tossing in the 750ti makes it a workable gaming platform.
Again though, it's tough in the fact that finding one with a decent power supply is kinda hit and miss.. but I know the Asus typically work out fine, it's what my daughter is using now.. an AMD based Asus tower with a 750ti added.... it runs all the shit she tosses at it just fine.. and I've used it for other games just fine as well.
It's not as good as my other 7950, i5 custom-built setup.. but it's not that far behind.. and I had about $500 into it.. and only went that route as I had a ton of Best Buy credit.
If you're not averse to reddit, there's also some good PC building subreddits (not talking about that cesspool PCMR):
https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/ is a general PC building subreddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapcforme/ is a subreddit where you answer a bunch of questions and get recommended a build based on your answers. There's also https://www.reddit.com/r/CabaloftheBuildsmiths/ which is similar to the one above, but it's more focused on bang for buck and not just anyone can suggest a build, only approved "buildsmiths" can make the recommendations, so since it's more stricter that way, you're more likely to get better results.
https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/ is a general PC building subreddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapcforme/ is a subreddit where you answer a bunch of questions and get recommended a build based on your answers. There's also https://www.reddit.com/r/CabaloftheBuildsmiths/ which is similar to the one above, but it's more focused on bang for buck and not just anyone can suggest a build, only approved "buildsmiths" can make the recommendations, so since it's more stricter that way, you're more likely to get better results.
Geek Squad will want several hundred bucks for that, just a warning
outunderthestars
Banned
Oh look, another thread where someone goes out of their way to say they don't want to build a PC only to have everyone ignore him. 
If you can swing a X51, go that route. That said,the Alpha is a really fun system in a very nice form factor.
If you can swing a X51, go that route. That said,the Alpha is a really fun system in a very nice form factor.
Yeah, good luck with that. If you're going to buy one that someone builds, great. But maintaining that without you doing that work yourself? Good luck, dude.
You can still install Windows on Steambox. Just change the BIOS to load from a USB or DVD. Then put the Windows DVD/Flashdrive in and boot the computer. Click next a few times, input serial, and wipe the Linux partition if you don't go with the Windows 10 installation tax on the pre-built.
Then post in the "I NEED A NEW PC thread" with the questionaire in the OP. Someone will do the work for you to find the parts that all "fit together" for the price you want. Buy them. Install them yourself. ?????. Done.
That and the $700 hard-limit is a bit impossible even with pre-builts depending on the parts/store's cost of installation...
Oh look, another thread where someone goes out of their way to say they don't want to build a PC only to have everyone ignore him.
If you can swing a X51, go that route. That said,the Alpha is a really fun system in a very nice form factor.
Because building is better in every way. We just don't want him to waste his money which is what a prebuilt equals.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
It's going as you may have thought because you are listing "Bang for Your Buck" as a primary condition for your purchase, yet are unwilling to do the most obvious thing when it comes to getting the most out of your dollar.
Wanting to get a great machine for cheap isn't really compatible with being lazy and unwilling to spend a few hours learning something new.
Cheap
Powerful
Pre-built
You get to choose two.
Fury Sense
Member
For 4 hours building the PC yourself, you can save $400.
I don't see how you could have time to play GTAV, MGS, and Fallout 4 but not have the time to effectively earn $100/hour building your PC yourself.
Hell, give me $200 bucks and I'll build you the best PC in your budget and ship it to you with Windows 10 installed. The PC thread on gaming side is really great, you should really check it out.
I don't see how you could have time to play GTAV, MGS, and Fallout 4 but not have the time to effectively earn $100/hour building your PC yourself.
Hell, give me $200 bucks and I'll build you the best PC in your budget and ship it to you with Windows 10 installed. The PC thread on gaming side is really great, you should really check it out.
345triangle
Member
no, it doesn't. time is money.
if i paid, say, a $200 premium for my x51 over building myself, i consider that money worth spending. i get the build and software taken care of, a more integrated design than i could handle myself, and the fallback of customer support from a major company like dell.
you can walk home for free, or you can get a cab. some people prefer to pay for cabs; some people like to walk because they enjoy the exercise. both are fine, but recommending one to someone set on the other isn't constructive.
don't assume what people's time and money is worth to them.
I updated a pre-built laptop, bought in 2011, to Windows 10 recently. The Synaptics touchpad is no longer supported by the manufacturer and it barely works.
You don't escape driver or BIOS issues buying a pre-build.
Anyway, I would take a list of components to a local PC shop and have them build you one according to specifications.
You don't escape driver or BIOS issues buying a pre-build.
Anyway, I would take a list of components to a local PC shop and have them build you one according to specifications.
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