Should I build a new computer, or buy one pre-made?

[MCMXCIX]

Assuming my item on eBay sells, I should have around $500 to spend on a new computer, maybe more if they choose the buy now instead... (here's to hoping, right?) Anywhoo, I desperately need a computer. My current one is 9 years old. Pentium 4 Processor @~2.8 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 512 MB GeForce 8400GS (which is the best thing in that computer now). It's hard enough for me to do 10 mans in WoW now, and MoP will only make it harder. Trying to do normal 25 mans or LFR results in 1 fps if not less. I also want it to be able to play Diablo 3 and Borderlands 2.

I saw Chaud's latest Setup of the Month, and I could probably buy the Puppy (might even add in a low-memory SSD for the OS and any game I'm currently playing), but when adding a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and speakers, that adds around $200. Should I wait (don't want to wait any more than a month) for prices to go down? Or should I just buy a pre-made computer?

Edit: I just checked, and buying everything that chaud listed actually raises the price. I'm sure I could switch around different parts, but I just thought I'd add that information.

[Joathen]

You won't get the bang for your buck with a premade. You can usually find little i3 pre-builts for around 400-500US, but they usually use on-board video. What monitor / mouse / keyboard are you using with your current rig?

[MCMXCIX]

The keyboard, mouse, and monitor are all 9 years old as well. I'm not buying this computer as a replacement, but as an addition, because the current one will stay in the family room, so I can't use those.

[jmt]

Assuming my item on eBay sells, I should have around $500 to spend on a new computer, maybe more if they choose the buy now instead... (here's to hoping, right?) Anywhoo, I desperately need a computer. My current one is 9 years old. Pentium 4 Processor @~2.8 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 512 MB GeForce 8400GS (which is the best thing in that computer now). It's hard enough for me to do 10 mans in WoW now, and MoP will only make it harder. Trying to do normal 25 mans or LFR results in 1 fps if not less. I also want it to be able to play Diablo 3 and Borderlands 2.

I saw Chaud's latest Setup of the Month, and I could probably buy the Puppy (might even add in a low-memory SSD for the OS and any game I'm currently playing), but when adding a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and speakers, that adds around $200. Should I wait (don't want to wait any more than a month) for prices to go down? Or should I just buy a pre-made computer?

Edit: I just checked, and buying everything that chaud listed actually raises the price. I'm sure I could switch around different parts, but I just thought I'd add that information.

Do you need a monitor as well? What resolution would you be playing at?

If you're willing to piece it together over the course of a few months and use an AMD processor, you could definitely build a gaming rig that will handle any MMO at medium to high settings (depending on the resolution).

Edit: Saw your post. At the low end, a monitor, keyboard, and mouse is going to take $150 off the top.

[MCMXCIX]

Do you need a monitor as well? What resolution would you be playing at?

If you're willing to piece it together over the course of a few months and use an AMD processor, you could definitely build a gaming rig that will handle any MMO at medium to high settings (depending on the resolution).

Edit: Saw your post. At the low end, a monitor, keyboard, and mouse is going to take $150 off the top.

I'm not looking to do something like 1980x1080, and I could live with my current 1024x768, but something higher would be good.

[BlackZero]

IF you need a mouse keyboard and screen you just aren't going to get it with 500. You would need 200 more dollars to make it worth your time or you're just going to be buying trashy components for gaming.

Edit:

At the low end, a monitor, keyboard, and mouse is going to take $150 off the top.

Exactly.

[MCMXCIX]

First of all, thanks to everyone for the quick replies and information. I was also wondering: is Amazon.com the best place to get parts, or would I fare better with Newegg or Fry's or something? I know sales can change everything, but what would be best on average?

[Tandrius]

I will never buy a pre built again. The parts are junk and you can almost always build something better. What kind of budget are you working with?

Edit: reading fail, srry, give me a minute

[BlackZero]

First of all, thanks to everyone for the quick replies and information. I was also wondering: is Amazon.com the best place to get parts, or would I fare better with Newegg or Fry's or something? I know sales can change everything, but what would be best on average?

You can probably get a better deal at Newegg but we're talking a few bucks at the most from my experience at least.

[MCMXCIX]

I will never buy a pre built again. The parts are junk and you can almost always build something better. What kind of budget are you working with?

Edit: reading fail, srry, give me a minute

I was hoping around $500, but from what people are telling me, it'd cost about $200 more for peripherals. I've really been hoping to find that awesome drop in D3 to get me a bunch of money, but it has yet to happen. So hopefully I can scrounge up enough.

[BlackZero]

Puppys total on Newegg: Subtotal: $573.91

Then 30.00 worth of mail-in rebates. So its like 443.91 which is almost identical to Amazons.

[Tandrius]

Hmmm, 500 is really tight, I don't know, but honestly I don't know that your prebuilt will be much better for gaming. My advice might be to buy in parts. If you have 500 now, get yourself a motherboard, video card, power supply, ram, dvd drive, processor, maybe fit in your hard drive. That will max you out but you've almost got a computer now (you'll have to go cheap on some of these parts, but if you're careful I think you can get all the above on 500).

Then in a month or so add to that a monitor, keyboard, mouse, you can do that on just over 100 bucks if you don't mind using cheaper stuff, but after all that you should have a computer that can run.

Watch newegg's bundle deals, don't be afraid to buy a part at a time when the deals are good. If your budget is low, don't be swayed by the nicer stuff. 4 gigs is plenty of ram when you're on a budget, you don't need a big monitor or a fancy mouse or keyboard. Do you need the dvd drive right up front, if so it's cheap, but a lot is digital now. Don't be swayed by a huge hard drive you can't afford. Go amd for your processor for price, there are some decent video cards between 100-200 (really great ones as you approach 200), the video card is where you want to spend whatever money you don't mind scrounging out. Don't forgot if you need windows that's another 100 :P

Good luck, and remember that once you have a working skeleton computer (case, ps, mb, ram, vid card, processor, hard drive, peripherals) you can always add to it each month (crossfire that 100 card and it becomes decent, you can add ram or a bigger hd or ssd, etc).

---------- Post added 2012-08-21 at 10:10 PM ----------

Also most shipping is free on Amazon right now b/c of back to school

[Xl House lX]

Assuming my item on eBay sells, I should have around $500 to spend on a new computer, maybe more if they choose the buy now instead... (here's to hoping, right?) Anywhoo, I desperately need a computer. My current one is 9 years old. Pentium 4 Processor @~2.8 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 512 MB GeForce 8400GS (which is the best thing in that computer now). It's hard enough for me to do 10 mans in WoW now, and MoP will only make it harder. Trying to do normal 25 mans or LFR results in 1 fps if not less. I also want it to be able to play Diablo 3 and Borderlands 2.

I saw Chaud's latest Setup of the Month, and I could probably buy the Puppy (might even add in a low-memory SSD for the OS and any game I'm currently playing), but when adding a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and speakers, that adds around $200. Should I wait (don't want to wait any more than a month) for prices to go down? Or should I just buy a pre-made computer?

Edit: I just checked, and buying everything that chaud listed actually raises the price. I'm sure I could switch around different parts, but I just thought I'd add that information.

For $500 you are going to want to build your own. If you go with premade your going to find that you won't get the upgrades you really want to have, especially if you do some research on what you could build with that budget.

[MCMXCIX]

Darnit, I forgot about having to buy Windows too. Nice catch.

[Tandrius]

Darnit, I forgot about having to buy Windows too. Nice catch.

Sorry
/10characters

[MCMXCIX]

Well, thanks for the info, everyone. I'd much rather know that I'm not going anywhere with $500 now than finding out on my own after already purchasing multiple parts. Time to win the lottery.

[jmt]

I built out a computer meant to run an MMO at Med-High graphics at 1600x900 resolution on New Egg. It has everything you need, but I want to realize that what you're buying is a few steps above middle of the road. Not a bad machine for the money, but expand-ability is somewhat limited.

Case - $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147122

DVD Burner - $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147122

HDD - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136769

Monitor - $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009256

Motherboard - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128530

Video Card - $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125376

PSU - $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371046

Mouse/Keyboard - $19
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823109232

RAM - $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145324

CPU - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103951

Total = $466

There are a few good pieces in there that should get you going on your way. I would seriously consider picking up that PSU for $20. And if you're interested in going mATX vs. ATX, the case is a nice deal too.

I'm always shopping for computer parts and I love a good deal. Based on what I've seen, you could pick-up the following if you will wait and price shop and play on high @ 1080p.

PSU - $20
Case - $25
AMD Phenom x4 CPU - $60
AMD Mobo - $40
8GB 1600 Ram - $35
120GB SSD - $50
AMD 6850 - $120
22" 1080P Monitor - $100
Microsoft Keyboard & Mouse - $20
DVD Burner - $15

Total: $485

---------- Post added 2012-08-21 at 09:38 PM ----------

Well, thanks for the info, everyone. I'd much rather know that I'm not going anywhere with $500 now than finding out on my own after already purchasing multiple parts. Time to win the lottery.

Don't be discouraged.

I built my 6 Core AMD w/ CF 4890s and 16GB of 1600 RAM including a 25" monitor for around $900

[MCMXCIX]

I built out a computer meant to run an MMO at Med-High graphics at 1600x900 resolution on New Egg. It has everything you need, but I want to realize that what you're buying is a few steps above middle of the road. Not a bad machine for the money, but expand-ability is somewhat limited.

Case - $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147122

DVD Burner - $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147122

HDD - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136769

Monitor - $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009256

Motherboard - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128530

Video Card - $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125376

PSU - $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371046

Mouse/Keyboard - $19
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823109232

RAM - $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145324

CPU - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103951

Total = $466

There are a few good pieces in there that should get you going on your way. I would seriously consider picking up that PSU for $20. And if you're interested in going mATX vs. ATX, the case is a nice deal too.

I'm always shopping for computer parts and I love a good deal. Based on what I've seen, you could pick-up the following if you will wait and price shop and play on high @ 1080p.

PSU - $20
Case - $25
AMD Phenom x4 CPU - $60
AMD Mobo - $40
8GB 1600 Ram - $35
120GB SSD - $50
AMD 6850 - $120
22" 1080P Monitor - $100
Microsoft Keyboard & Mouse - $20
DVD Burner - $15

Total: $485

---------- Post added 2012-08-21 at 09:38 PM ----------



Don't be discouraged.

I built my 6 Core AMD w/ CF 4890s and 16GB of 1600 RAM including a 25" monitor for around $900

Thanks for this. It'll be useful for when I try and build a computer (hopefully soon).

[Deleted]

I would suggest you to read my thread here:
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...-Sample-Builds

Also, eye through the Computer Build / Upgrade Help forum. For a $500 budget, the 450 or 550 builds are your best bets in terms of performance. I'd recommend the latter, but with a copy of Windows you are nearing $650 total cost.

There's always corners to cut though; you could pick up a cheaper motherboard with less features, lower capacity HDD and even try to pick up an older GPU on ebay. The one thing you should never skimp out on is the PSU though.

[JGeek]

Build a new computer. You may save some money on buying cheaper HDD, less amount of RAM, less amount of coolers, don't but a dvd burner, and then upgrade it and add some RAM and other stuff. This way you'll be able to get a good CPU, Motherboard, PSU - parts that are hard and expensive to change. You can always connect two video cards and add some memory and other stuff. I also recommend you to buy an SSD for your OS later on. I currently have 120 GB SSD + 1TB HDD and this is more than enough for me.