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What I should do...

AA04
By AA04
in New Builds and Planning
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I know almost all PC gamers swear by building their own PC's, but at my budget I don't know if I can get much better than this.

I'm looking to spend about $475

The Alienware alpha for 440 has this spec line:

Processor: 2.9GHz Intel Core i3-4130T (dual-core, 3MB cache)

Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M (custom, 2GB GDDR5)

Memory: 4GB DDR3 (1600Mhz)

Storage: 500GB SATA (6Gb/s)

Connectivity: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 1x1; Bluetooth 4.0

Operating system: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64‐bit)

Ports: 2x USB 2.0 (front), 2x USB 3.0 (back), RJ45, HDMI-Out 1.4a, HDMI-In, optical audio out 

 

If I spent 30 bucks on another 4 GB stick of RAM can I get a much better machine building it myself.

Also the computer is smaller than an xbox one or ps4post-251821-0-99150600-1439509577.jpg

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I'm sure there'll be someone who can come up with a better PC. Most people don't like alienware lol.

#RIPTopGear  This is the best thread ever: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/53190-i-can-not-get-hard/ " French meetings are just people sitting in a semi-circle shouting at each other" -Dom Jolly  :lol:

My rig: 

   CPU: Pentium G3258 @ 4.5GHz | GPU: GTX 760 reference | PSU: Corsair RM750 | Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120V | Motherboard: Gigabyte B85M D3H | Case: NZXT S340 White | RAM: 8GB EVO Potenza @ 1600MHz | Storage: 3TB Seagate HDD, 60GB OCZ SSD, 620GB Toshiba HDD | Mouse: Steelseries Rival @1000 CPi |  OS: Windows 10 Pro | Phone: iPhone 6S 16GB  
http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/439354-why-nvidia/
 
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Boom.

 

 
CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($112.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($58.89 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($76.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Silverstone SG05BB-LITE Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($36.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Silverstone 300W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $472.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-13 19:56 EDT-0400
 
You'll love the SG05, I know I do. Faster CPU, faster GPU, SSD for storage. And a shoe box is bigger than it.
 
post-2597-0-83960300-1439510272.jpg
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Boom.

 

 
CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($112.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($58.89 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($76.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Silverstone SG05BB-LITE Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($36.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Power Supply: Silverstone 300W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $472.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-13 19:56 EDT-0400
 
You'll love the SG05, I know I do. Faster CPU, faster GPU, SSD for storage. And a shoe box is bigger than it.
 

 

My problem is that I need an operating system with that as well...

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My problem is that I need an operating system with that as well...

https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap

 

A little pocket change goes a long way, or if you're part of the Insider program for Windows 10 you can get a free license. Linux is becoming popular as well.

 

Bottom line is: It's easy to find excuses to not do something.

 

Forgot to tell you what that site is, you can get a Windows 7 key for $15 and upgrade to Windows 10.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap

 

A little pocket change goes a long way, or if you're part of the Insider program for Windows 10 you can get a free license. Linux is becoming popular as well.

 

Bottom line is: It's easy to find excuses to not do something.

 

Forgot to tell you what that site is, you can get a Windows 7 key for $15 and upgrade to Windows 10

What is the windows 10 insider program?

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What is the windows 10 insider program?

I'm not sure if you can qualify anymore but when Windows 10 was still in beta you could become an 'Insider' (means you test out the software and help MS fix bugs) and they would give you a copy for free once it came out. I got my Windows 10 licensing that way, and I like testing software anyways. Besides, Microsoft hasn't even rolled out anything too beta to us since the release. I recommend just buying the Windows 7 key for $15 and upgrading to 10 for free.

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I'm not sure if you can qualify anymore but when Windows 10 was still in beta you could become an 'Insider' (means you test out the software and help MS fix bugs) and they would give you a copy for free once it came out. I got my Windows 10 licensing that way, and I like testing software anyways. Besides, Microsoft hasn't even rolled out anything too beta to us since the release. I recommend just buying the Windows 7 key for $15 and upgrading to 10 for free.

I think I might build this machine.  What are the tools needed and is there shipping costs on those parts because I LITERALLY only have 475 dollars and dont have an opportunity to get more money until the end of november

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I think I might build this machine.  What are the tools needed and is there shipping costs on those parts because I LITERALLY only have 475 dollars and dont have an opportunity to get more money until the end of november

Well the PCPartPicker link is showing the costs at the end of the shipping as well as rebates, so it will cost a little more at first but in the end, after rebates and such it will cost the same amount it says. All you need is a screwdriver and a video from Linus (if you need help at all). If you're young which I am assuming you are I would ask your parents to order the parts and tell them you will reimburse the extra charges once the rebates go through.

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That Alienware Alpha will get a lot of hate on forums but its not a bad unit. One of my friends has one so I got to mess around with it for a bit. Really not bad at all. But It would be better if you spend that $475 and build your own. Would be better bang for the buck. So other then the PC what else do you need? You already said OS. How about keyboard and mouse? Or game pads?

PC Audio Setup = Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro 80 ohm and Sennheiser pc37x (also for xbox) hooked up to Schiit Fulla 3

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That Alienware Alpha will get a lot of hate on forums but its not a bad unit. One of my friends has one so I got to mess around with it for a bit. Really not bad at all. But It would be better if you spend that $475 and build your own. Would be better bang for the buck. So other then the PC what else do you need? You already said OS. How about keyboard and mouse? Or game pads?

Well I figure with the machine he layed out, I would need a wireless adapter, a headphone jack adapter, an OS, a new mouse, and a biggie, GAMES so I would be more towards 600 than the 440 plus RAM on the Alpha then I would need the headphone adapter and thats it.  The one he said doesnt make sense for my budget at all really

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Well the PCPartPicker link is showing the costs at the end of the shipping as well as rebates, so it will cost a little more at first but in the end, after rebates and such it will cost the same amount it says. All you need is a screwdriver and a video from Linus (if you need help at all). If you're young which I am assuming you are I would ask your parents to order the parts and tell them you will reimburse the extra charges once the rebates go through.

When I add all the things I need other than the machine itself this wont really work on my budget

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When I add all the things I need other than the machine itself this wont really work on my budget

Well this machine from Alienware is really the only thing I would maybe consider buying from them. Even then I would only use it for a Steam Machine as the 860M isn't that powerful of a GPU.

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Well this machine from Alienware is really the only thing I would maybe consider buying from them. Even then I would only use it for a Steam Machine as the 860M isn't that powerful of a GPU.

Do you have any idea if it is possible to upgrade the GPU on it, because I might try once I can afford it.  Also, I believe the website I got the specs from list a different gpu than the alienware website I found out.  Alienwares website says graphics powered by a custom-built NVIDIA® GeForce® GPU 2GB GDDR5

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Do you have any idea if it is possible to upgrade the GPU on it, because I might try once I can afford it.  Also, I believe the website I got the specs from list a different gpu than the alienware website I found out.  Alienwares website says graphics powered by a custom-built NVIDIA® GeForce® GPU 2GB GDDR5

No I know that it's integrated into the mainboard. There's no way you can upgrade it like the custom one, and it's performance is similar to a GTX 750 (non Ti).

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No I know that it's integrated into the mainboard. There's no way you can upgrade it like the custom one, and it's performance is similar to a GTX 750 (non Ti).

OK.  Counting in costs of wireless and an OS can you help me pick parts.  I have no clue when it comes to this stuff.  I have a basic understanding of what I need but I dont know the importance and quality of each part.  

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OK.  Counting in costs of wireless and an OS can you help me pick parts.  I have no clue when it comes to this stuff.  I have a basic understanding of what I need but I dont know the importance and quality of each part.  

Sure, although I would still keep this PC in consideration, as it is not bad for the price. For $475 including an OS and wireless ($50 total) you will have a decent PC, although it won't be mITX at this price as that costs a little more:

 

 
CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($112.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($43.98 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($40.99 @ NCIX US) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit)  ($15.00) 
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($14.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $448.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-13 22:59 EDT-0400
 
Like I said you should buy the OS on Reddit, it's actually really trustworthy. The PC isn't mini ITX, but it's still not as big as a normal PC. I used to have the N200 and it's a great case. The PSU may seem sketchy but it's a high quality Delta PSU, @STRMfrmXMN likes it.
 
But this PC will still beat the hell out of that Alienware.
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Sure, although I would still keep this PC in consideration, as it is not bad for the price. For $475 including an OS and wireless ($50 total) you will have a decent PC, although it won't be mITX at this price as that costs a little more:

 

 
CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($112.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($43.98 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($40.99 @ NCIX US) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit)  ($15.00) 
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($14.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $448.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-13 22:59 EDT-0400
 
Like I said you should buy the OS on Reddit, it's actually really trustworthy. The PC isn't mini ITX, but it's still not as big as a normal PC. I used to have the N200 and it's a great case. The PSU may seem sketchy but it's a high quality Delta PSU, @STRMfrmXMN likes it.
 
But this PC will still beat the hell out of that Alienware.

 

Thank you very much sir!  I will look in to this.  Just one question.  Once I build this will it be very easy to upgrade? And also, how do you put the OS on the computer...

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Thank you very much sir!  I will look in to this.  Just one question.  Once I build this will it be very easy to upgrade? And also, how do you put the OS on the computer...

Oh yes, of course. These builds are meant to last since they are on a very good platform. When you buy the OS on Reddit, you can ask how to put the Windows installation files on a USB drive and install it from there. Normally they give you the serial key you need to put in to activate Windows, all you have to do is download the install files and put it on a USB stick. There's an easy guide for you here: 

 

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/9585/how-to-setup-a-usb-flash-drive-to-install-windows-7/

 

When you buy the OS key just ask where to download the ISO file and they'll point you in the right direction. And when you start installing the OS you just type in the OS key that you purchased. :)

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Oh yes, of course. These builds are meant to last since they are on a very good platform. When you buy the OS on Reddit, you can ask how to put the Windows installation files on a USB drive and install it from there. Normally they give you the serial key you need to put in to activate Windows, all you have to do is download the install files and put it on a USB stick. There's an easy guide for you here: 

 

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/9585/how-to-setup-a-usb-flash-drive-to-install-windows-7/

 

When you buy the OS key just ask where to download the ISO file and they'll point you in the right direction. And when you start installing the OS you just type in the OS key that you purchased. :)

What do you think about this?  I would just buy an external or internal hard drive to add when I get more money.  SSDs speed up the system right?

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9CDfBm

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Sure, although I would still keep this PC in consideration, as it is not bad for the price. For $475 including an OS and wireless ($50 total) you will have a decent PC, although it won't be mITX at this price as that costs a little more:

 

 
CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($112.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($43.98 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($40.99 @ NCIX US) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit)  ($15.00) 
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($14.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $448.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-13 22:59 EDT-0400
 
Like I said you should buy the OS on Reddit, it's actually really trustworthy. The PC isn't mini ITX, but it's still not as big as a normal PC. I used to have the N200 and it's a great case. The PSU may seem sketchy but it's a high quality Delta PSU, @STRMfrmXMN likes it.
 
But this PC will still beat the hell out of that Alienware.

 

It is a good PSU but it's low enough wattage to the point where, if he ever gets a nice GPU + CPU I would upgrade it.

My account is almost entirely dormant. Hope you all are having a grand time. Many years of fun were had here.

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What do you think about this?  I would just buy an external or internal hard drive to add when I get more money.  SSDs speed up the system right?

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9CDfBm

That's the only SSD I would stay away from. The V300 is not a good SSD, Kingston quietly downgraded the chips and now it performs like crap. At the very least a SanDisk SSD will do, try and get a Samsung 850 EVO if you really want the SSD storage. It won't be long though before you fill up that SSD.

 

 

It is a good PSU but it's low enough wattage to the point where, if he ever gets a nice GPU + CPU I would upgrade it.

Yeah, but it's just a budget build, might as well right? Like you said he can always upgrade, can't do that with that Alienware he was considering.

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