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General discussion (archive)New Computer deal(41 posts)(41 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted February 21, 2012
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TCMU2009: I think I've made my decision, but before I do, is this a good computer? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.827606

I know it's an AMD processor, but it has a really good power supply and video card already packaged in. I'm not planning on overclocking or doing anything fancy with it, if that's a problem with the AMD CPUs.
It's not a computer. It's not assembled. It's just a box of parts. If you put it together and it doesn't work, you are on your own: no warranty except on the individual parts. Before you keep shopping Newegg's combo deals, reread that.

I'd rather see a better disk drive; "Barracuda" and "Barracuda Green" are the cheapest and most likely to fail of Seagate's already questionable line of drives. Newegg's details are out of date; the Barracuda and Green models now carry only 1-year warranties, which should tell you what you need to know about their quality.

Between the junk disk drive, the unnecessary Blu-Ray drive, the unnecessary Acronis software, the uncompetitive CPU, and the overpriced motherboard, it is still just not good value, but it's your money, not mine.

Remember that Newegg combo kits are not assembled and not warranted for compatibility. You can do much better for hundreds less.
Post edited February 21, 2012 by cjrgreen
Posted February 21, 2012
Much better, for a hundred less and including the Windows license that the previous combo left out:

Intel Core i5 2500 $210 (don't bother with the "K" unless you're overclocking; on your first DIY build, don't even think about it)

MSI P67A-G45(B3) $140 (less a $30 rebate)

Either of these:
MSI N560GTX-Ti 2GB $260 (less a $20 rebate)
XFX HD-695X-CNFC 2GB $270 (less a $15 rebate)

Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 2x4GB $50

Samsung SH-222AB DVD Burner $19 (don't overspend; DVD burners wear out and need replacement)

WD Caviar Black WD1502FAEX 1.5TB $170 (the hard drive market is so screwed up that this is the closest thing to a good deal)

Seasonic S12II 620 power supply (620 watt) $80 (Corsair and Antec resell this same model)

Lian Li Lancool PC-K58 case $70

Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium $100 (this wasn't in the combo you linked, but unless you have a retail or otherwise transferable copy of Windows, you're going to need it)

Total $1099 to $1109 less $45 to $50 in rebates.

Don't go above that price point. You can reduce the cost by going with a lesser Core i5 or a lesser graphics card (e.g. 1GB instead of 2GB). I'm not sure I would try to reduce the cost by going with a lesser disk drive, and certainly not a lesser power supply.
Post edited February 21, 2012 by cjrgreen
Posted February 21, 2012
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TCMU2009: I think I've made my decision, but before I do, is this a good computer? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.827606
It's not a bad offer, but imho a bit overpriced. Also, you said your focus was on gaming (with The Witcher 2 as a target application for the build), which means that an i5 2500 would be a better CPU, the blu-ray drive wouldn't be necessary, and the mainboard is too expensive (forhaving features that you won't need).

cjrgreen's build above is a much better choice. It puts the focus exactly where you said it should be, uses solid parts, hits the sweet spot between performance and cost for pretty much all the components, and leaves room for upgrades later without the need to rip everything out. Personally I'd probably use a (still) cheaper mainboard, but I'm not up to date with the latest developments in the mainboard market, and in any case you should trust cjrgreen more than me. ;)

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TCMU2009: I know it's an AMD processor, but it has a really good power supply and video card already packaged in. I'm not planning on overclocking or doing anything fancy with it, if that's a problem with the AMD CPUs.
The problem with the current line of AMD CPUs is not that they wouldn't overclock decently, it's that they just don't deliver the performance they ought to (judging from the general build parameters and their current price tags). Unless you're targeting your build at very specific applications (like 3d-rendering with certain programs), you'll usually get better performance with an intel CPU in the same price range.
Posted February 21, 2012
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cjrgreen: Much better, for a hundred less and including the Windows license that the previous combo left out:

Intel Core i5 2500 $210 (don't bother with the "K" unless you're overclocking; on your first DIY build, don't even think about it)

MSI P67A-G45(B3) $140 (less a $30 rebate)

Either of these:
MSI N560GTX-Ti 2GB $260 (less a $20 rebate)
XFX HD-695X-CNFC 2GB $270 (less a $15 rebate)

Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 2x4GB $50

Samsung SH-222AB DVD Burner $19 (don't overspend; DVD burners wear out and need replacement)

WD Caviar Black WD1502FAEX 1.5TB $170 (the hard drive market is so screwed up that this is the closest thing to a good deal)

Seasonic S12II 620 power supply (620 watt) $80 (Corsair and Antec resell this same model)

Lian Li Lancool PC-K58 case $70

Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium $100 (this wasn't in the combo you linked, but unless you have a retail or otherwise transferable copy of Windows, you're going to need it)

Total $1099 to $1109 less $45 to $50 in rebates.

Don't go above that price point. You can reduce the cost by going with a lesser Core i5 or a lesser graphics card (e.g. 1GB instead of 2GB). I'm not sure I would try to reduce the cost by going with a lesser disk drive, and certainly not a lesser power supply.
Thanks. Based on what you have here, this combodeal looks pretty complete. It has the exact type of video card I want, a good looking PSU, and the right CPU. I know I said I don't care about overclocking, but I'd like the option there in case I ever want to use it. The only thing I see wrong here is the RAM. I know you or someone here said not to use GSKILL memory. Would I have to get new sticks? The only things it doesn't come with are windows 7, a monitor, and a disk drive.
Posted February 21, 2012
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TCMU2009: and the right CPU. I know I said I don't care about overclocking, but I'd like the option there in case I ever want to use it.
The intel CPUs usually overclock better than the current AMD CPUs, provided that you get the "K" edition of the intel chip (these are the ones that are unlocked for overclocking). But there's a lot of variance for both models. Basically, you should be able to overclock any of these CPU by at least 300 MHz, and how far you can go beyond that depends (a) on the luck of the draw (i.e. how well that individual CPU was manufactured), and (b) on the amount of cooling you provide. However, from the impression I got so far, I would agree with cjrgreen and recommend against overclocking, or at least double-check your steps with people who know more about it.

Regarding the combodeal, my opinion hasn't changed. You'd fare better with cjrgreen's build. But it's your money.

Edit: Regarding G.Skill memory: There's nothing wrong with it per se. No one said "not to use" it, but cjrgreen mentioned that it shouldn't be used with the particular mainboard used in a previously suggested build, because of known compatibility problems between that memory and that mainboard. The build you're now thinking about has a totally different mainboard, which may or may not have its own compatibility problems.
Post edited February 21, 2012 by Psyringe
Posted February 21, 2012
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cjrgreen: Much better, for a hundred less and including the Windows license that the previous combo left out:

Intel Core i5 2500 $210 (don't bother with the "K" unless you're overclocking; on your first DIY build, don't even think about it)

MSI P67A-G45(B3) $140 (less a $30 rebate)

Either of these:
MSI N560GTX-Ti 2GB $260 (less a $20 rebate)
XFX HD-695X-CNFC 2GB $270 (less a $15 rebate)

Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 2x4GB $50

Samsung SH-222AB DVD Burner $19 (don't overspend; DVD burners wear out and need replacement)

WD Caviar Black WD1502FAEX 1.5TB $170 (the hard drive market is so screwed up that this is the closest thing to a good deal)

Seasonic S12II 620 power supply (620 watt) $80 (Corsair and Antec resell this same model)

Lian Li Lancool PC-K58 case $70

Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium $100 (this wasn't in the combo you linked, but unless you have a retail or otherwise transferable copy of Windows, you're going to need it)

Total $1099 to $1109 less $45 to $50 in rebates.

Don't go above that price point. You can reduce the cost by going with a lesser Core i5 or a lesser graphics card (e.g. 1GB instead of 2GB). I'm not sure I would try to reduce the cost by going with a lesser disk drive, and certainly not a lesser power supply.
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TCMU2009: Thanks. Based on what you have here, this combodeal looks pretty complete. It has the exact type of video card I want, a good looking PSU, and the right CPU. I know I said I don't care about overclocking, but I'd like the option there in case I ever want to use it. The only thing I see wrong here is the RAM. I know you or someone here said not to use GSKILL memory. Would I have to get new sticks? The only things it doesn't come with are windows 7, a monitor, and a disk drive.
Actually, I think the one you linked has an overpriced, underperforming CPU, a power supply that is far over any reasonable need, and a disk drive that is likely to fail in less than two years. And it does not have a Windows license, so it is not the actual price for a working tower; add $100. That makes it $200 more than the (better) combination I cited.

The combination to avoid is G.Skill memory on an MSI motherboard. G.Skill is fine on ASUS motherboards.
Post edited February 21, 2012 by cjrgreen
Posted February 21, 2012
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TCMU2009: The only things it doesn't come with are windows 7, a monitor, and a disk drive.
Windows 7 isn't exactly freeware, a good disk drive is quite a few bucks as well and you have to build it as well... And given the TDP of the FX 8xxx, you p^robaly want to consider a better CPU cooler as well.

I agree with what Psyringe says. It is possible to find better value. There is no need to pay for the sabertooth or the couple of software provided

While I would be less manichean than many on the AMD FX series, I would not encourage you to build it yourselve if you're not used to build Pcs. High TDP CPU + High thermal dissipation GPU = problems if your build is not perfect.

You could maybe have a look at this as well
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/AMD_Eight_Core_Configurator/
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_Z68_Configurator/

For 1230 usd, you can get an i5 2550k, Radeon 6950, 8gb RAM, 775W certified PSU, Win7 licence, Blu ray reader- DVD burner, Coolermaster v6 cpu cooler, crossfire ready MB (Asus P8Z68 v LX) & 1tb 7200 rpm HDD

A comparable AMD system ( FX 8150, MB Gigabyte GA 970A UD3 ) amounts to something like 1330

You can reduce the price by about 130 us by opting for a radeon 6870

(and yes, I selected an air cooler despite the free liquid cooler. I don't like the idea of liquids in a PC )
Posted February 21, 2012
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TCMU2009: Thanks. Based on what you have here, this combodeal looks pretty complete. It has the exact type of video card I want, a good looking PSU, and the right CPU. I know I said I don't care about overclocking, but I'd like the option there in case I ever want to use it. The only thing I see wrong here is the RAM. I know you or someone here said not to use GSKILL memory. Would I have to get new sticks? The only things it doesn't come with are windows 7, a monitor, and a disk drive.
avatar
cjrgreen: Actually, I think the one you linked has an overpriced, underperforming CPU, a power supply that is far over any reasonable need, and a disk drive that is likely to fail in less than two years. And it does not have a Windows license, so it is not the actual price for a working tower; add $100. That makes it $200 more than the (better) combination I cited.

The combination to avoid is G.Skill memory on an MSI motherboard. G.Skill is fine on ASUS motherboards.
If I selected all your options on someplace like ibuypowerpc.com, do they put it together? Cause that's what's really worrying me. I know most of the components I want, I just don't want to potentially mess them up by installing them myself.
Posted February 21, 2012
avatar
cjrgreen: Actually, I think the one you linked has an overpriced, underperforming CPU, a power supply that is far over any reasonable need, and a disk drive that is likely to fail in less than two years. And it does not have a Windows license, so it is not the actual price for a working tower; add $100. That makes it $200 more than the (better) combination I cited.

The combination to avoid is G.Skill memory on an MSI motherboard. G.Skill is fine on ASUS motherboards.
avatar
TCMU2009: If I selected all your options on someplace like ibuypowerpc.com, do they put it together? Cause that's what's really worrying me. I know most of the components I want, I just don't want to potentially mess them up by installing them myself.
You will usually find two commercial practices

- configurators that allow you to select a base system, then options. It's the case of the one I checked before writing my previous message. The advantage is that all parts are
compatible. the disadvantage is that you have to use their selection

- sites were you can purchase parts and add an assembly option. They will do it , at a cost and may contact you to change parts that are either not compatible either would differ too much the delivery of your system.
Posted February 21, 2012
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cjrgreen: Actually, I think the one you linked has an overpriced, underperforming CPU, a power supply that is far over any reasonable need, and a disk drive that is likely to fail in less than two years. And it does not have a Windows license, so it is not the actual price for a working tower; add $100. That makes it $200 more than the (better) combination I cited.

The combination to avoid is G.Skill memory on an MSI motherboard. G.Skill is fine on ASUS motherboards.
avatar
TCMU2009: If I selected all your options on someplace like ibuypowerpc.com, do they put it together? Cause that's what's really worrying me. I know most of the components I want, I just don't want to potentially mess them up by installing them myself.
Yes; those companies assemble and ship the PC to you assembled and ready to go. You can also buy their PCs through Newegg or Tiger Direct, but you have to take what they have in stock. If you buy from iBUYPOWER or CyberPowerPC, they build to order.

(Newegg combo kits are not assembled.)
Posted February 21, 2012
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TCMU2009: If I selected all your options on someplace like ibuypowerpc.com, do they put it together? Cause that's what's really worrying me. I know most of the components I want, I just don't want to potentially mess them up by installing them myself.
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cjrgreen: Yes; those companies assemble and ship the PC to you assembled and ready to go. You can also buy their PCs through Newegg or Tiger Direct, but you have to take what they have in stock. If you buy from iBUYPOWER or CyberPowerPC, they build to order.

(Newegg combo kits are not assembled.)
Ok, good. I'll probably buy something from one of those sites then. The price comes out about the same no matter where I look. I just wish monitors weren't so expensive.

I was worried about assembling the computer myself cause we have three dogs, along with several other animals. There's hair all over the floors, no matter how much we clean them :P
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)New Computer deal(41 posts)(41 posts)
(41 posts)