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Buy or Build new PC?

T

thicks56

Android Enthusiast
Hey guys,

Im getting a new PC soon but I'm having abit of a problem.
I've based the spec im looking for around a certain graphics/cpu combo so that I can hopefully manage some PC gaming for a fairly low overall cost.

The problem is on any custom build website the price for the build goes over my budget,
But if I buy all the parts and build the PC myself then I might just be able to manage to keep within budget,

Heres the spec on Part Picker -
AMD FX-6300, Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770, Cooler Master Elite 430 - System Build - PCPartPicker United Kingdom

Im not a complete novice when it comes to PC's but building one from scratch would be the most advanced thing ive done so far,

Question is do I stick to the spec I want and build my first PC or do I lower the Spec of the PC and get a pre built one?

Also Im still in the early stages of this plan so if im going the completely wrong way about it feel free to tell me :)
 
It's not too hard to build it yourself. Just take your time, be careful with the parts.

A few tips I can offer:
Install the CPU and cooler BEFORE installing the board in the case
Install the RAM before putting the board in the case
Route the cables neatly to help improve airflow in the case
Remember that warm air rises, plan your fans accordingly (intake in the bottom front, outlet in the top back)

There's no better feeling than pushing that power button and seeing/hearing the thing spin up on the first try, even for a guy that works on computers all day.

Now, as for the parts. Why the Hyper TX3 cooler? Look at the Hyper 212 Evo. Only a little more money and a MUCH more secure mounting solution. (I HATE those plastic push-pins)
 
mplevy said:
Now, as for the parts. Why the Hyper TX3 cooler? Look at the Hyper 212 Evo. Only a little more money and a MUCH more secure mounting solution. (I HATE those plastic push-pins)
Click to expand...

Thanks very much for the tips and the reassurance, Yeah I like the idea of a challenge and the sense of achievement ill get at the end.

As for the cooler, I'd just picked a cheapish one with a good review rating so far, its one of the things I've still got to research into but thanks alot for the advice, :)
 
Something else - never turn on a PC with an AMD chip without a heatsink installed. I've never done it, but have heard/read that doing so will immediately fry the processor. I can't comment on doing so with Intel, but would advise against it regardless.

Also make sure you use the right amount of thermal paste on the processor.

Use zipties to secure the cables together as well as to the case. Here's an article about cable management that's worth looking at.

And round cables are much easier to keep tidy than traditional flat cables.
 
Building a computer isn't that hard to do, I built mine and it's running at home right now. I have the same CPU that you are interested in, and I'd say its a good choice, as mine has been running at 100% for weeks now, because I'm on the Phandroid Folding@Home team!! The graphics are pretty good also, it will be able to handle most everything you through at it, unless you are trying to Fold at 100% while Gaming, then things don't look so good, and you may experience crashes. Building a new computer is a good experience and I suggest that if you can, go for building the computer.

One experience I had while building my computer, was that I found it difficult to get the CPU cooler on my motherboard, it required MUCH more pressure than anything I would have guessed, I thought I was going to break my CPU with the pressure I put on it to get the fan on. I actually had to have my brother help me :)

Good luck with the build, and if you do need any help, the Android Community is here for you.
 
Build your own system is just like placing the pieces of a puzzle. However, it takes a greater skill when it comes to tweaking the components themselves. Just keep in mind that the components are compatible and you wont have any fuzz on your new system.

Word of advice, a prebuilt systems most of the times is little bit less pricier than custom built ones but your custom build sure will satisfy your needs and wants!
 
thanks for all the advice, its been really helpful.

Made a few changes to the planned rig so far as I keep finding new things out :)
Although not suprisingly every change makes it harder to keep in budget! haha

AMD FX-6300, Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770, Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) - 1st Build 4GB RAM - thicks56's Saved Part List - PCPartPicker United Kingdom

I realised that the first motherboard I'd selected was only able to support 8GB of RAM so i've changed it for one with more room for expansion,

Then the new motherboard had USB 3.0's but the case didnt so I had to upgrade the case! :D

Think im definitely going to build it myself as there is just no way that I can get this spec within budget on a pre build machine.

How reliable are Part Pickers prices?
Is there anywhere that Part Picker doesn't search on that I might be able to get the parts cheaper?
 
I've never heard of part pickers. When I built my system, I got all the parts on Amazon.com. There are some good prices there, and if you buy the parts from an Amazon Warehouse, you can get free shipping, assuming that the part is over $25.00. I got all my parts together in 2 shipments, and it was all free for shipping. Saved me a lot of money.
 
Cheers,

I've got the price for all the main components now, but can anyone tell me a rough price that I need to be putting aside for MISC stuff, wires etc?
 
thicks56 said:
Cheers,

I've got the price for all the main components now, but can anyone tell me a rough price that I need to be putting aside for MISC stuff, wires etc?
Click to expand...

Usually when you get all the parts, they come with all the wires you will need for the build, however if you require something longer, or better you would have to buy them yourself. Of course you will need extras for keyboard and mouse and monitor if you don't have them already.

However you may want to buy some SATA III cables, as your Storage unit will need them, and they don't come with the parts. When you get the Motherboard, they only give you about 2, which, if you are like me, you will need more because I have more than one storage unit.
 
Thats ok then at least that wont cost me too much extra,

Dont need a monitor as im plugging it into the TV,
and im planning on getting a wireless keyboard with built in touchpad but thats an upgrade in the next few months when ive got the money, Will use my wired keyboard and mouse till then.

Also Ive just read about SSD Hard drives, how necessary is it to have one if im intending to use the PC for quite abit of gaming?
 
An SSD isn't necessary, unless you need speed :P

I think I good way to get the speed for a low cost is to use a small 60GB SSD and use Intel Caching which loads all your program cache onto the SSD.

I moved my OS onto an SSD, as well as a few games and I've noticed a huge increase in speed for boot times and loading applications. I also don't have to wait a few seconds to start browsing after I've turned in on :D

Also, just a FYI, there is no difference in regards to speed for SATA2 vs SATA cables. Exactly the same on the inside... too bad my OCD wouldn't let me get anything else other than Asus SATA3 cables for my rig :L
 
A couple of thoughts on your revised spec:

1. If you decide to upgrade the RAM in the future you're going to be limited to 8GB (another 2x 2GB modules). I'd suggest spending a bit extra on 2x 4GB modules, to give you the ability to expand to 16GB down the line without having to discard existing parts.

I made a similar 'mistake' when I built my own system, maxing it out with matched 4x 2GB modules. Now that I could use 16GB RAM I've nowhere to go without starting over.

2. I wouldn't advise a 5900rpm hard drive, at least as your primary storage. A 7200rpm Barracuda is only around
 
+1 for the barracuda and 4GB ram sticks. Make sure they're 1600Mhz, and remember to set that in the BIOS (for some reason it defaults to 1333...)

RE: misc stuff to buy, you might want dust filters for your fans if you case doesn't have any. Also, if you don't plan on overclocking, you could save
 
if you are really picky about your PC, you need to build it yourself. If you can bare with some other companies parts you can find giod deals for almost as much as a custom rig.

I got a smoking hot deal on my pc. I don't care if its amd or intel or if its radeon or nvidia.
I got this rig 2 years ago for $500 shipped http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229253R
PS failed after 1.5 year and it cost me another $45
 
Overclocking is just making a component run faster than it was originally intended. You can overclock ram your cpu or gpu.

You'd only really need an aftermarket heatsink if the current one isn't good enough to cool your cpu enough.
But tbh, if you're thinking about it, I'd just get the aftermarket one: you'll get better cooling in general, you'll be prepared for whenever you want to OC. Also I'm not sure if you need to clean off the thermal compound off the cpu before changing the heatsink. The standard Intel one comes with thermal compound preapplied but the hyper 212 you need to apply your own
 
Mehta23 said:
You'd only really need an aftermarket heatsink if the current one isn't good enough to cool your cpu enough.
Click to expand...

Or you value your hearing/sanity; the stock AMD coolers in particular used to be (literal) screamers when running full-tilt. Plus they were 'top down' blowers which didn't do anything for chassis airflow.

I'm not sure if you need to clean off the thermal compound off the cpu before changing the heatsink.
Click to expand...

Always! :)
 
Thanks very much for all the advice, I've learn loads over the past week.
Still got a few things to research but it basically comes down to a choice of 2 setups now.

Have increased the budget to 500 (was always going to happen haha)
So I either get one with a SSD hard drive and a lower spec GPU,
or no SSD and a higher spec GPU,

AMD FX-6300, MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition, Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) - Working - thicks56's Saved Part List - PCPartPicker United Kingdom

AMD FX-6300, HIS Radeon HD 7850, Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) - Working 2 - thicks56's Saved Part List - PCPartPicker United Kingdom
 
The best option is to leave the ssd for now and spend even more money ^_^ and get a 7870! But the 7850 would suffice if you couldn't

Budget? For me that went out of the window pretty quickly.
 
thicks56 said:
Right I know pretty much nothing about overclocking yet, thats still on my list of things to research pre-build.

This might sound like a right newbie question but I just want to be clear, do you mean that if I dont overclock it I only need a basic CPU cooler or that can I wait to get a CPU Cooler until I decide to overclock it? which leads to my second question, Im assuming I can choose to overclock the PC anytime, is this correct?
Click to expand...


in reality you want to overclock the system when you are on a very serious budget.

Now days I don't even bother. Overclocking used to be fun and very effective back in days(like 10-15 years ago) . You could have gotten a rig for $1000 and make it run like a $1500 in few simple steps.

Now days its neither fun or very effective. I try to keep as much heat away from my HDDs to make them last as many years as possible.
 
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