Advice on gtx 1080 PC Pre-Build

[RadAct1000]

I have been trying to find a very good desktop for gaming and light content creation for a while. I recently got a summer job so I'm hoping to have enough money by the end of July to buy or build something. I was leaning toward building something (since most people seem to have negative opinions about pre-built systems), but then I found this deal: 

 

https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16883102269

 

It seems fairly well priced and I figured the difference between this and building my own PC would only be maybe $50-100, but then I went and built a comparable pc on pcpartpicker and it's actually a little more expensive than buying it prebuilt. 

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/RadAct1000/saved/m6PwP6

 

Obviously there are differences. First, when picking parts, I couldn't find the exact parts they were using in the ABS build. I may have overshot the price of some parts or undershot them (probably overshot--I'm assuming the build uses the cheaper options for every part). This also isn't including warranty for the prebuilt system which will add another 100 or so. I'm not sure if the pcpartpicker one has many warranties but I'd get them if they didn't. 

 

The newegg one also comes in a bundle which includes a wifi card and a new monitor, $140 total. But the bundle actually drops the price down to 1525 or so, which sweetens the deal that much more. 

 

What are are your thoughts/opinions on this? I'm leaning toward the pre-built system, especially since I've never built a system. The reviews have been pretty good for the system too. It just seems like the better deal, even if I don't have the pride of knowing I built it myself. Thanks in advance!

[GrayTech]

I would build my own PC. You don't know much about the quality of the PSU, SSD and the cooling. And since you already spend that much money on a system I think you should make sure that you have a decent PSU and a good GPU/CPU cooler. But I can't look at your pcpartpicker build at the moment since the website is currently in maintenance. 

[MrJarhead]

i wouldnt get that psu if youre building one, get something better. but no i wouldnt get that prebuilt, if you actually put every single part together you can with the exact same spec, you will actually see the cost.

 

edit- as you say, it doesnt even tell you the wattage or anything, i wouldnt waste my time.

[MrJarhead]

oh jesus you can actually click on the on the little dots next to the pictures you can see everything inside, that psu is appalling and the motherboard is cheap.

 

that psu is a none rated 600 watt from some company called hec.

[DocSwag]

If you're scared of building your pc for whatever reason, that prebuilt looks ok.

 

If you're not and are fine with building a pc, I suggest you build your own. The CPU cooler and gpu they're using could be loud, they might be using a bad ssd and hdd, who knows what kind of a power supply is being used, and imo the case is a bit ugly.

 

I priced out the list a bit better and ended up with this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($326.49 @ OutletPC) 
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($42.44 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: ASRock - Z270 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($109.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Team - Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($114.89 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: SK hynix - SL308 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($77.89 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($66.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB DUKE OC Video Card  ($504.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: NZXT - S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.98 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $1378.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-25 13:15 EDT-0400

 

The CPU cooler is better, gpu is better, ssd is better, psu is wayyyyy better, case is better imo. You can get windows from Reddit or kinguin for $30 or so, if that's too shady for you you can just not use a product key (you just can't change the background and a few other small things) or go and buy a full copy for $90, which still leaves $80 or so for peripherals. I doubt the keyboard and mouse it comes with is great anyways.

[DocSwag]

1 minute ago, MrJarhead said:

oh jesus you can actually click on the on the little dots next to the pictures you can see everything inside, that psu is appalling and the motherboard is cheap.

 

that psu is a none rated 600 watt from some company called hec.

HEC is an OEM for power supplies, I believe evga uses them in some of their units, for example.

[MrJarhead]

Just now, DocSwag said:

HEC is an OEM for power supplies, I believe evga uses them in some of their units, for example.

im guessing the cheap ones? i hope so anyway.

[DocSwag]

1 minute ago, MrJarhead said:

im guessing the cheap ones? i hope so anyway.

Probably. 

 

I searched up the unit they're using and you were incorrect, it is 80+ rated.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339041

 

However, it's just 80+. No bronze or anything.

 

It is 80+ so most likely it won't be bad enough to explode, but it's still probably poor quality so I wouldn't expect it to be quiet or last that long. It also won't be anywhere near as good as the G3 I used in my list, and may result in some other components degrading quicker.

[MrJarhead]

Just now, DocSwag said:

Probably. 

 

I searched up the unit they're using and you were incorrect, it is 80+ rated.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339041

 

However, it's just 80+. No bronze or anything.

 

It is 80+ so most likely it won't be bad enough to explode, but it's still probably poor quality so I wouldn't expect it to be quiet or last that long. It also won't be anywhere near as good as the G3 I used in my list, and may result in some other components degrading quicker.

thats what i meant 80+ just not rated as in bronze etc

[MrJarhead]

im putting a build together for him because i wouldnt even bother with a 7700k, ryzen 1700 would be better.

[DocSwag]

Just now, MrJarhead said:

thats what i meant 80+ just not rated as in bronze etc

After a bit of further research, hec has some decent and some bad units.

 

HEC is also the OEM behind EVGA's B1 series psus as well as their w1 PSUs. Considering this is only 80+ rated, if I had to take a guess I'd say that the evga w1 PSUs are based off of this unit. The w1 is tier 6 and not very good at all which makes this unit not very good at all.

[DocSwag]

1 minute ago, MrJarhead said:

im putting a build together for him because i wouldnt even bother with a 7700k, ryzen 1700 would be better.

But why?

 

If it's a gaming pc 7700k is better.

[MrJarhead]

Just now, DocSwag said:

But why?

 

If it's a gaming pc 7700k is better.

i know for gaming it is but the 1700 is cheaper, has much better multi threaded performance and has a better upgrade path.

[DocSwag]

Just now, MrJarhead said:

i know for gaming it is but the 1700 is cheaper, has much better multi threaded performance and has a better upgrade path.

But does the multi threaded performance matter that much for gaming?

 

Upgrafe path might be a bit better. However, op might keep the CPU for 3-4 years by which time am4 will be seeing its last new CPUs, which would probably make a full system upgrade to whatever Intel or amd has then more viable (and by amd I'm referring to what comes after zen, not am4)

[RadAct1000]

Oh wow this blew up much faster than I ever anticipted. Thank you very much for all the input. Like I said, I was still torn and was leaning toward this prebuilt for the good reviews and good price. I am not opposed to building my own but I am just naturally a little concerned since I've never done it before and I'd hate to screw something up and waste money. I'm going to keep researching, but I just wanted to again say thanks for all the input. 

[MrJarhead]

1 minute ago, DocSwag said:

But does the multi threaded performance matter that much for gaming?

 

Upgrafe path might be a bit better. However, op might keep the CPU for 3-4 years by which time am4 will be seeing its last new CPUs, which would probably make a full system upgrade to whatever Intel or amd has then more viable (and by amd I'm referring to what comes after zen, not am4)

i can always put two together for him and see what he wishes to do, i mean atm this ryzen build is looking better, better psu, better ram, better 1080, better wireless pcie card.

[MrJarhead]

this is the ryzen build, it could be cheaper considering you can get windows for much less than 90 dollars.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 1700 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($294.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($24.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: MSI - B350 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($101.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($119.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($81.99 @ Best Buy) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($66.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB AMP! Edition Video Card  ($518.10 @ Amazon) 
Case: Cooler Master - MasterCase 5 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.98 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($18.69 @ OutletPC) 
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($89.89 @ OutletPC) 
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte - GC-WB867D-I REV 4.2 PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter  ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Keyboard: Cooler Master - CM Storm QuickFire Ultimate Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($35.00) 
Mouse: Razer - DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse  ($30.00) 
Total: $1561.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-25 13:31 EDT-0400

[RadAct1000]

1 minute ago, DocSwag said:

But does the multi threaded performance matter that much for gaming?

 

Upgrafe path might be a bit better. However, op might keep the CPU for 3-4 years by which time am4 will be seeing its last new CPUs, which would probably make a full system upgrade to whatever Intel or amd has then more viable (and by amd I'm referring to what comes after zen, not am4)

Yeah, I was intending to keep the 7700k for a pretty long time. Ultimately my intention was just to get something and keep it for a good while, maybe only updating the GPU every now and then. Which I know probably isn't the best way to maintain a PC since technology is ever evolving, but I don't mind that, especially compared to what I have now. 

[MrJarhead]

this is the intel build, as you can see, with everything the same but the cpu and motherboard, it costs more. this is with a z170 rather than a z270 board.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($326.49 @ OutletPC) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($24.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: Asus - Z170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($90.88 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($119.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($81.99 @ Best Buy) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($66.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB AMP! Edition Video Card  ($518.10 @ Amazon) 
Case: Cooler Master - MasterCase 5 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.98 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($18.69 @ OutletPC) 
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($89.89 @ OutletPC) 
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte - GC-WB867D-I REV 4.2 PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter  ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Keyboard: Cooler Master - CM Storm QuickFire Ultimate Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($35.00) 
Mouse: Razer - DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse  ($30.00) 
Total: $1582.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-25 13:35 EDT-0400

[MrJarhead]

wanna know whats P*ssed me off, the fact that a 650 g3 costs only 70 dollars which is £54, and we have to pay £90...

[DocSwag]

24 minutes ago, MrJarhead said:

this is the ryzen build, it could be cheaper considering you can get windows for much less than 90 dollars.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 1700 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($294.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($24.88 @ OutletPC) 
Motherboard: MSI - B350 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($101.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($119.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($81.99 @ Best Buy) 
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($66.89 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB AMP! Edition Video Card  ($518.10 @ Amazon) 
Case: Cooler Master - MasterCase 5 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.98 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($18.69 @ OutletPC) 
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($89.89 @ OutletPC) 
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte - GC-WB867D-I REV 4.2 PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter  ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Keyboard: Cooler Master - CM Storm QuickFire Ultimate Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($35.00) 
Mouse: Razer - DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse  ($30.00) 
Total: $1561.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-25 13:31 EDT-0400

Why 212 evo when the stock is pretty much as good and rgb?  

 

Also ssd is bad.

23 minutes ago, RadAct1000 said:

Yeah, I was intending to keep the 7700k for a pretty long time. Ultimately my intention was just to get something and keep it for a good while, maybe only updating the GPU every now and then. Which I know probably isn't the best way to maintain a PC since technology is ever evolving, but I don't mind that, especially compared to what I have now. 

How long are you thinking for the CPU?

[RadAct1000]

Just now, DocSwag said:

How long are you thinking for the CPU?

I'm probably going to keep it for a good 3-4+ years. I'm in college right now and my intention was to get a solid enough build that I wouldn't have to really change anything until after college/grad school. I was leaning toward Intel for the processor because the desktop I have now has an i7-3770, and I've had this desktop for almost 3 years (it was at least a year or two old when i got it too), and the processor still runs about as well as when I got it (however it does have some obvious slow down after all this time, but for loading games and heavy internet use, its still pretty great). I've heard good things about Ryzen, but I was definitely planning to stay with Intel for the processor. 

[DocSwag]

Just now, RadAct1000 said:

I'm probably going to keep it for a good 3-4+ years. I'm in college right now and my intention was to get a solid enough build that I wouldn't have to really change anything until after college/grad school. I was leaning toward Intel for the processor because the desktop I have now has an i7-3770, and I've had this desktop for almost 3 years (it was at least a year or two old when i got it too), and the processor still runs about as well as when I got it (however it does have some obvious slow down after all this time, but for loading games and heavy internet use, its still pretty great). I've heard good things about Ryzen, but I was definitely planning to stay with Intel for the processor. 

If it's 3-4 years I think a 7700k will be perfectly fine.

[MrJarhead]

21 hours ago, DocSwag said:

Why 212 evo when the stock is pretty much as good and rgb?  

 

Also ssd is bad.

How long are you thinking for the CPU?

that ssd is bad? proof? i have a 480gb ssd plus and its absolutely fine.

 

i paid £95 for it brand new, most 480-512gb ssds now are atleast £130.

[DocSwag]

9 hours ago, MrJarhead said:

that ssd is bad? proof? i have a 480gb ssd plus and its absolutely fine.

 

i paid £95 for it brand new, most 480-512gb ssds now are atleast £130.

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7726/sandisk-ssd-plus-z410-sata-iii-review/index.html

 

Notice how scores are significantly worse than other budget SSDs like the Trion 150 and sp550 in pcmark.