Which PC should I got with?

[Kroftyy]

So I have two options:

Am I better off going with this pre built from PCCG:

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1411&products_id=30616

Which costs 1589 when adding in a monitor, keyboard and wireless card (and shipping)

OR

Should I get this system I came up with myself, built via Mwave:

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/kQYq99

Which costs 1590 including everything?

[79wjd]

Your build is better. 

 

Also, you can shave some money off of your build by going with a cheaper case, cheaper ram, and a cheaper psu.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($237.00 @ Centre Com) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($63.00 @ Centre Com) 

Memory: G.Skill Value 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($89.00 @ CPL Online) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($68.00 @ CPL Online) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($329.00 @ IJK) 

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($84.00 @ PLE Computers) 

Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($79.00 @ CPL Online) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($119.00 @ Mwave Australia) 

Monitor: Samsung S24D300H 60Hz 24.0" Monitor  ($178.00 @ IJK) 

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($45.00 @ CPL Online) 

Keyboard: Gigabyte Force K3 Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($22.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $1313.00

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-24 11:25 EST+1100

[das affe]

both cost way too much

[Nup]

Looks cool,  

 

Also @dasaffe, i think it's so expensive because of his location. 

[Kroftyy]

They only cost more cause or the building cost (I don't want it build it myself). The reason I picked those more expensive sorts is because Mwave do not offer all parts...

EDIT : oh yeah, and because it's AUS

[79wjd]

They only cost more cause or the building cost (I don't want it build it myself). The reason I picked those more expensive sorts is because Mwave do not offer all parts...

EDIT : oh yeah, and because it's AUS

Just build it yourself. It's incredibly easy, and you'll be able to get much better specs. 

[Kroftyy]

Just build it yourself. It's incredibly easy, and you'll be able to get much better specs.

It's so much stress though. Paying the extra 100 to have it built seems like an alright option... Plus I couldn't really find a tutorial I liked...

[79wjd]

It's so much stress though. Paying the extra 100 to have it built seems like an alright option... Plus I couldn't really find a tutorial I liked...

Step 1: Buy parts

Step 2: Put parts where they fit 

Step 3: Profit

[stconquest]

Just to compare parts.  All done at Mwave:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($311.99 @ Mwave Australia)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($99.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Seagate SV35.5 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.99 @ Mwave Australia)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($339.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case  ($72.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($109.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($119.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor  ($179.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($18.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Keyboard: Gigabyte GK-KM6150 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($12.99 @ Mwave Australia)
Total: $1475.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-24 12:10 EST+1100

[Kroftyy]

Just to compare parts.  All done at Mwave: PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchantCPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($311.99 @ Mwave Australia)Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.00 @ Mwave Australia)Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($99.00 @ Mwave Australia)Storage: Seagate SV35.5 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.99 @ Mwave Australia)Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($339.00 @ Mwave Australia)Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case  ($72.00 @ Mwave Australia)Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($109.00 @ Mwave Australia)Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($119.00 @ Mwave Australia)Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor  ($179.00 @ Mwave Australia)Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($18.00 @ Mwave Australia)Keyboard: Gigabyte GK-KM6150 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($12.99 @ Mwave Australia)Total: $1475.97Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when availableGenerated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-24 12:10 EST+1100

Oh wow, that build looks good. It is better than my original proposed one? I would just have to add 100 to get it made. Also, that build would be over clockable? I would just need an aftermarket cooler...

[stconquest]

Oh wow, that build looks good. It is better than my original proposed one? I would just have to add 100 to get it made. Also, that build would be over clockable? I would just need an aftermarket cooler...

 

First, you don't need an aftermarket cooler.  Run it stock for a while, it will be fine.  That lowers your initial cost.  Overclock when you really need it later.  I am still running my i5 3570K stock after two years, and yes I bought an aftermarket cooler... but not on the initial build.

 

Second thing, build it yourself. 

 

Yes, it is overclockable.

[Kroftyy]

First, you don't need an aftermarket cooler.  Run it stock for a while, it will be fine.  That lowers your initial cost.  Overclock when you really need it later.  I am still running my i5 3570K stock after two years, and yes I bought an aftermarket cooler... but not on the initial build.

 

Second thing, build it yourself. 

 

Yes, it is overclockable.

How did you make a better build with a decrease in price? I am confused..

[79wjd]

How did you make a better build with a decrease in price? I am confused..

no ssd

[stconquest]

How did you make a better build with a decrease in price? I am confused..

 

I just picked parts carefully.  No aftermarket cooler.

 

@Kroftyy Welcome to LTT's professional tech shopping service =D

[Kroftyy]

I just picked parts carefully.  No aftermarket cooler.

If I keep the CPU and motherboard like originally suggested, would it be better to upgrade the GPU to a 290? Or is what you suggested fine?

[stconquest]

If I keep the CPU and motherboard like originally suggested, would it be better to upgrade the GPU to a 290? Or is what you suggested fine?

 

Or, you can just add it:  The 280X is a great card.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($311.99 @ Mwave Australia)

Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($129.00 @ Mwave Australia)

Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($99.00 @ Mwave Australia)

Storage: Seagate SV35.5 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.99 @ Mwave Australia)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($409.00 @ Mwave Australia)

Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case  ($72.00 @ Mwave Australia)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($109.00 @ Mwave Australia)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($119.00 @ Mwave Australia)

Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor  ($179.00 @ Mwave Australia)

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($18.00 @ Mwave Australia)

Keyboard: Gigabyte GK-KM6150 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($12.99 @ Mwave Australia)

Total: $1545.97

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-24 12:46 EST+1100

[Kroftyy]

Any recommended pc build tutorials? Apart from that Newegg one...

[79wjd]

Any recommended pc build tutorials? Apart from that Newegg one...

[stconquest]

@Kroftyy  Linus has a bunch.  It is pretty basic actually. 

 

Assembling the PC outside the case first, on the motherboard box for a "testbench", is recommended so you can see if all your parts are in working order BEFORE you put everything in your case.  It also helps you understand the general componenets and how they interact without things like cable management getting in the way.

 

After you test the components onthe test bench, then you can take everything apart and start migrating it to your case.  First mother board, the the power supply.  Attach the case's wires for the power button and stuff.  Then take the power connectors and start running them to the right side of the case.  Bring each wire back to the left side of the case through the "best" or closest case hole to the component the power connector needs to get to.  Finally put in the video card, connect those wires and push the power button.

 

That was general, but essentially all it is.

 

btw, I have never used a test bench.  I usually just start putting it in the case.  Putting the CPU and cooler in is easier outside the case though.