First time buying/building gaming PC. Advice needed

wahush on 09/04/2013 - 10:00

first time ive had enough spare cash to buy a gaming pc, prob is i have no idea what to buy, i got $1400 on me and that has to include a monitor and keyboard/headphones

heard buying parts is cheaper but no idea what to buy or how to build, looking to get a computer that can run GW2, lol and the new games that come out at atleast med to low settings at 30fps and has windows 7

seen this computer going on sale soon, no idea if its any good or not, will be $1208 with windows 7 64bit
http://www.visiontech.com.au/vision-tech-venom-v2-0

any help with info on that computer or a parts list for MSY or IJK and how much it will cost on top for them 2 build it will be appreciated, really dont wanna screw it up and buy the wrong thing.

please help :)

Computing

Comments

    • Aids on 09/04/2013 - 15:04

      I am about to get this one from PCCG

      CPU: Intel Core i5 3470 $195
      Mobo: Asus P8B75-M $75
      RAM: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 $59
      SSD: Plextor M5S 128GB $115
      HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2TB (ST2000DM001) $99
      GPU: Powercolor 2GB AMD Radeon HD7870 Myst Edition $229 (Tahiti LE — aka. "HD7930")
      Case: Antec 302 $79
      PSU: Antec High Current Gamer 520W $89
      ODD: DVD burner $25
      Peripherals: [ 23" LG IPS234V / Ducky DK2108 Zero / Logitech G400 / Creative Gigaworks T20 2.0 ] (+$352)

      Total: $965 ($1,317)

      As scrimshaw said, PC case Gear, excellent rep, very competitive prices. Add $100 for assembly and a few more for parts that aren't in stock (eg:PSU: 520w not in stock so get the 620w for $99) and $40 for postage and for $1455 or something you'll have a machine that would retail for $2500 elsewhere, and will run anything well.

      You just add all the parts to the cart as well as the PCCG Custom System Assembly Service found under systems.

      PS: you'll have to get that monitor from MSY, PCCG dont have it and I'm inclined to trust the super-geeks over at Whirlpool on these matters.

      • _Bruce_ on 09/04/2013 - 15:26

        This is a great system, I would just add a note that keyboard/mouse are highly personal preferences. If you don't think you care anything cheap will probably be fine (generally stay away from mice below $15).

      • isidore12 on 10/04/2013 - 14:41
        -1

        Good advise. PCCG has pretty decent prices, I always compare to amazon.com and if the price is close, it's a good one.
        CPU: Xeon 1230v2
        MB: gigabyte ultra durable
        No SSD (not enough reliable)
        HDD: Western Digital black
        GPU: nvidia 660 Ti or above
        Screen: Samsung
        My general advice is to buy quality over quantity. Never neglect the PSU, you need a good brand there. The more recent is your MB, the longer you will keep your rig.

        • scrimshaw on 10/04/2013 - 15:05

          Xeon 1230v2

          I didn't realize how good the E3 xeon was in terms of performance vs cost, but after I read some benchmarks, this chip absolutely flies in gaming PC, not just in a server. And it's cheaper than the lowest model Core i7.

          But keep in mind you won't have integrated graphics, and there's no overclocking.

        • _Bruce_ on 10/04/2013 - 15:50
          +3

          No SSD (not enough reliable)

          Interesting opinion to hold in 2013. Most people now consider magnetic drives to be less reliable (I certainly do).

  • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2013 - 10:37

    Ask visiontech to tell you exactly the brand and model of all the parts in the build. The 1200W Modular Gaming PSU listed in their short description could be a SHAW 1200W Special Edition for all you know.

  • SHPION on 09/04/2013 - 11:23
    +1

    First of all, for this price you can buy decent pre-built gaming PC including monitor, kbd, mouse, good 2.1 speakers and headphones (if you are not sound geek).

    You can go to VisionTech or any other retailer and ask them for gaming config for your amount (start from 1100-1200, they will make to add 200). Well they will offer you some pre built configuration with some upgrades or may build custom one and for this price it must be pretty decent gaming pc which you will enjoy for couple years. They still will try to sell some outdated parts without dramatic impact on your configurations performance. You just have to accept it.

    OR
    You can try to read heap of reviews, guides, advices, learn to understand hardware specifications. It MIGHT help you to build more balanced system with options to upgrade in future.
    Usually if you can design good balanced purpose oriented (gaming) PC, you should be able to build it yourself.

    Gathering basic knowledge should take few weeks, gathering enough experience - few months.

    Until you have enough knowledge and experience to do this, I would suggest to buy pre built configuration.

    The best thing you can do:
    ask some retailers for detailed quotes of their gaming PCs,
    ask some IT "literate" friends for their opinions on these configs (usually very subjective),
    read reviews and comparisons of particular graphic cards (most important gaming pc part, easiest to compare),
    find better price/performance graphic card alternatives,
    requote your config with selected cards,
    negotiate price,
    add more RAM and USB drive for that price,
    buy,
    play/enjoy/gather experience.

    • ESEMCE on 09/04/2013 - 11:37
      +3

      PS.
      Building a PC is really simple. They're designed so that pretty much every part can only go in one place.

      The hardest bit is plugging the cables for the LED indicator lights (power and hard drive activity lights on the case) into the motherboard!

      • _Bruce_ on 09/04/2013 - 11:49
        -2

        I know it isn't that hard, but it is still not for everyone. I know of someone who recently connected the motherboard power connector into the front indicator pins.

      • SHPION on 09/04/2013 - 11:50
        +1

        Sure, assembling PC is really simple and actually fun (for me, yes I'm nerd)))

        The most difficult part is to design PC for needs. Find most efficient, balanced and "future proof" combination of all parts for a budget that is the trick.

        PS: "They're designed so that pretty much every part can only go in one place." Don't you want to try connecting two SATA ports to each other? Or wrong 12v connector to GFX? Or you can just drop crewdriver on MB…

        • ESEMCE on 09/04/2013 - 16:02
          +2

          I did say "pretty much"
          I still stand by my comment that finding and orientating your head to get the polarity right for the LED header pins is the most difficult bit of PC assembly.

        • ZRXS12 on 09/04/2013 - 20:36

          I reckon getting all the cables tidied up is the hardest part.

        • scrimshaw on 09/04/2013 - 21:54

          If your case has cable management features then it's a piece of cake. Some lousier cases don't have cable management — thats where you'll have to get crafty.

        • ESEMCE on 11/04/2013 - 15:29

          Good to do, but not essential

  • scrimshaw on 09/04/2013 - 13:13
    +1

    For complete systems you can try PC Case Gear. They have a selection of prebuilds in different budget categories, and they are also well-balanced (that is, they don't overspec the processor and under-spec the graphics card)

    If you don't live near PCCG , you may wish to copy and paste one of the builds from Whirlpool into an email and see if a nearby MSY can build a machine for you.

    Vision tech is well…OK, but because they predominantly sell systems and don't sell computer parts individually, don't expect them to have a large range of upgrades to choose from. Most importantly is the power supply unit — which Vision Tech usually skimps out on.

  • Willy Bargin on 10/04/2013 - 11:45

    First thing you need to answer - what are your needs and want

    Most people only use Facebook , Skype , office - any $50 eBay computer or $300 notebook can do this

    I personally ask people to write down what they going to do with it and what needs

    Then build ( pay someone/shop) a custom to suit your need

    Question
    Use - every day use , gaming kids , extraneous gaming bf3 etc

    USB 3.0 vs USB 2.0

    Size - atx ( big tower) mirco atx ( small tower ) itx ( small pc same size as Xbox ) total build cost increase micro atx $200 micro itx $300 and limited to 1 video card

    How many monitor and how big - this impact your graphic

    Ssd vs hdd ( hard drive )

    Sata 3 or 6

    Wifi

    Overclocking - run standard , able to over clock , will over clock

    If you can't answer these . Just walk into any shop jb hi if , havery Norman , computer shop and flash your money and walk out with some thing

    Ps if your thinking about upgrading or can wait until jun (3 months ) the new intel chips will be out . there are no new games set to release befor then . So if your current PC play bf3 ,mw3 just wait and upgrade just befor bf4 come out
    They will be better then current chips - at the same price and older chips will become cheaper

    • _Bruce_ on 10/04/2013 - 11:53

      I wouldn't hold out for the haswell, it won't make much real world difference at all.

      • Willy Bargin on 11/04/2013 - 22:26

        haswell = less watts , more speed the same price

        ivy = when haswell come out they will be cheaper

        • ZRXS12 on 11/04/2013 - 22:36
          +1

          i5 2500K $241 http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=i5+2500k&sp…

          I think your overestimating the effects of the next gen on the current gen $wise.
          I purchased my i5 2500K in mid 2011 for $280ish.

        • Willy Bargin on 24/04/2013 - 02:30

          wow another Dushbag comment - so let me do my maths …. is $241 cheaper then $280 …. so would you say that is got CHEAPER

          the cost of computer decrease almost weekly with special even it it only $1 . Mark my word that all the computer shop will have " IVY run out special " as they want to sell the older stock to make room for the new

          just like day old bread

        • ZRXS12 on 28/04/2013 - 08:41

          Yes a $40 decrease in price over a nearly 2 year period is nothing to get excited about.

          You obviously think you are the be all and all of PC builds on OZB attacking anyone with an alternate position to you example http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/100527

          A lot of IVY will be sold out in prebuilt systems with a minimal discount if any and the average punter wont notice any difference performance wise.
          It's not like the 1st Gen I processors when IMO there was a large performance increase with Sandy Bridge.

          PS. I'm glad you can count, but you obviously missed the whole point.

  • Medrad on 10/04/2013 - 14:52

    I recently purchased from PCMeal off eBay. They are based in Sydney and have a HUGE eBay store.

    They have configurations for just about any situation and budget, they can also supply upgraded components in your order. I spent around $1600 on a gaming rig (postage is free!) without keyboard, monitor etc, but they have very decent systems for much less. I get a new PC on average every 5-6 years, so I purchase as high-spec as I can afford and then it lasts, just for those years.

    As for PCMeal, they are prompt on their communication, answering all my questions within a working day. They even threw in a few freebies with the system (Bluetooth device for example). Just make sure you ask questions first before ordering. I'm not a fan of building my own, especially with over $1k to destroy if I stuff things up, plus there's warranty provided. Check them out, cheaper than I could get from MSY… and the service was better too!

    Check them out here:
    http://stores.ebay.com.au/pcmeal

  • Davros on 10/04/2013 - 14:54
    -4

    Why would you build your own when someone like uMart does it for $80

    • ZRXS12 on 10/04/2013 - 15:07
      +5

      Why would you pay someone $80 to do something that you're perfectly capable of doing?

      Unless you have no idea how and no interest in learning.

  • Davros on 10/04/2013 - 15:10
    -1

    Because I have no idea how to and couldn't be bothered learning, not for an $80 saving, once every several years.
    Far more productive ways to spend my time.

    • Aids on 10/04/2013 - 15:52

      BOOOOO! What are you doing on this site exactly?

      Watch a 10min youtube vid and you are sorted.

      • scrimshaw on 10/04/2013 - 20:27
        +1

        Build a man a computer and he can save some time.

        Teach a man to build his own = save money on computers down the road!

  • Davros on 10/04/2013 - 16:00
    -3

    I dont perform surgery on myself either, I also dont do engine rebuilds on my car or drill my own teeth.

    • Aids on 10/04/2013 - 16:13
      +4

      Do you butter your own toast?

    • ZRXS12 on 10/04/2013 - 17:08

      Well you've got me there I don't do much surgery and I leave dentistry to the dentist since the tooth fairy stopped visiting but I still service the bikes n cars, haven't had to do a full rebuild for a while though.
      Do you check your oil and top it up when it needs it, or do you take it to the local mechanics to do that as well?

    • Weezle on 10/04/2013 - 17:21

      @Davros: yes but you don't need to go and study for four years at a university to build a simple computer, like you would have to if you became a doctor or dentist!

      • ESEMCE on 11/04/2013 - 15:34

        Add another 3 years onto that and you're about right to become an Intern.

        @Davros Building a PC is simple. If you have a screwdriver and half a brain there really isn't much to learn!
        Might take 60 minutes to build including the time to go find a screwdriver and extracting bits from their wrappers.

  • Davros on 10/04/2013 - 17:46

    Yes I butter my own toast and yes I top up the oil, but I dont change it.
    I have added ram and hardrives to my old pc as its a 5 minute job, but I couldn't be bothered doing a build.

    Why would I risk buggering the PC build and software install and voiding any warranty on parts when I can get the bits cheap at Umart and let them build it for $80.

    This is what I did last week, bought it home and plugged it in and good to go.
    The time I saved building a box probably paid me a several times over vs $80 I outlaid getting someone else to do it.

    I look at spending money as buying some of my life back to enjoy on more productive pastimes.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2013 - 20:34
      +2

      You don't void the warranty by installing the parts or the software yourself. Davros you are running out of excuses..

      • Davros on 10/04/2013 - 21:31
        -5

        You do if those parts sh1t themselves due to poor installation.
        Excuses? I dont need any.
        Money Vs Time is a simple enough concept, perhaps you should look into it.

  • sjp770 on 11/04/2013 - 10:45
    +1

    Get PCCG to build your first PC if you dont have experience. If you want experience, get 2nd hand PC's and pull a few apart to make a better one. I'm not saying pay for the 2nd hand PC's, a lot of people will just give you old ones when they upgrade.

    Buy good quality parts for the Tower. If you move the computer a lot a good case is important. Cheap cases will flex more and you can get issues with RAM / Video cards not being seated properly. $70+ for an empty case is fine.

    Buy a quality PSU - power supply: Antec, Gigabyte, Corsair, Seasonic etc.

    If you buy a cheap already built PC they will almost assuredly use a cheap and nasty PSU. They are usually only capable of a fraction of the rating on the side.

    Buy a second hand screen! LCD's are everywhere at the moment. put the saved money into a better graphics card and buy a new screen if you really want one later.

    Logitech keyboards / mice are well priced and most have decent quality. Dont buy a RAT mouse unless you have used one and like it!

    Cheap hard drives are OK if you dont care about your data. I stick with Corsair, Intel or OCZ SSD's. Seagate, Samsung, Western Digital, Hitachi GST drives. Avoid Green drives unless it is for storage you wont access often, or don't care if it takes longer to access. 7200RPM is better for performance.

    Asus or Gigabyte motherboards have never let me down. I cant say the same for MSI, ECS (elitegroup - are they still around?) etc.

    As far as building it yourself, I knew someone that was trying to get the cpu bracket down with a screwdriver and it slipped… he scraped a 1 inch line on the motherboard and killed it before it was even used once. If you aren't sure of your abilities and dont have the money to get new parts if something goes wrong, just get it built the first time.

    • Medrad on 16/04/2013 - 14:34

      Thank you sjp770!

      "If you aren't sure of your abilities and dont have the money to get new parts if something goes wrong, just get it built the first time."

      This is the reason I don't build my own PC's. Loss of cash/parts vs. paying a small build fee (if anything).

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join