Building PC ~1k$ USD

[PrayerKid]

So I have no idea how to build a computer so i'm looking for a good priced pre-built system from any good online company.

I'm looking at getting the "Digital Storm VANQUISH" pc, and if you look here, and scroll down, i'd choose the level 3 "Best"

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/vanquish.asp

Could someone give me a hand and tell me what I should get? Looking to use the pc for work, as well as gaming/streaming

 

[Cas]

I like the overall specs, I hate the fact there is no SSD in the mix.
I'd say get similar specs, with a SSD and you're golden.

 

[PrayerKid]

I like the overall specs, I hate the fact there is no SSD in the mix.
I'd say get similar specs, with a SSD and you're golden.

so for pre built, it's not that bad of a buy? How much better would the PC be if i got all the parts myself? How much do you think a person loses in a buy when getting pre built?

 

[Cas]

so for pre built, it's not that bad of a buy? How much better would the PC be if i got all the parts myself? How much do you think a person loses in a buy when getting pre built?

It's pretty solid tbh.
I'm not sure how much it'd cost you in USD, as I work with localized webshops only, and that's not for USA users

For reference, I paid €800 for my self-built pc (had a friend put it together for 20€).
If I were to buy that exact pc prebuilt it'd be ~€1200 or more at that time.

 

[PrayerKid]

It's pretty solid tbh.
I'm not sure how much it'd cost you in USD, as I work with localized webshops only, and that's not for USA users

For reference, I paid €800 for my self-built pc (had a friend put it together for 20€).
If I were to buy that exact pc prebuilt it'd be ~€1200 or more at that time.

Would that pc be able to handle streaming/gaming with no problem?

 

[Cas]

Would that pc be able to handle streaming/gaming with no problem?

Along with an SSD hell yeah.
I'm rocking a GTX 660, i5, 8gb RAM and a 120GB SSD.
That works pretty much hardcore with most games.

so you should be good on that setup, be it with a SSD with it.

 

[PrayerKid]

Along with an SSD hell yeah.
I'm rocking a GTX 660, i5, 8gb RAM and a 120GB SSD.
That works pretty much hardcore with most games.

so you should be good on that setup, be it with a SSD with it.

Why a SSD over the hard drive?

 

[Sir Louis]

Along with an SSD hell yeah.
I'm rocking a GTX 660, i5, 8gb RAM and a 120GB SSD.
That works pretty much hardcore with most games.

so you should be good on that setup, be it with a SSD with it.

I personally have the same specs as above ^. You'll save atleast a good $200 buying your own parts and putting it together yourself. And in the end it can be more reliable .

 

[SuF]

Why a SSD over the hard drive?

SSDs are much faster than a traditional hard drive since there are no moving parts. However, they are also much more expensive. Buy one for windows and the programs that you use most often. It will VASTLY increase boot times. One of the best investments I made this year.

That said, it is not particularly needed. It is a good addon since you can get a 120GB one for fairly cheap now.

 

[Cas]

I meant the SSD as an addon, as SuF explains above.
It's basically used as a boot drive and for important programs and such.
It'll increase boot times by a load.

for comparison, my current pc would boot in about ~10-20 seconds depending on some factors, but is now ~4-8 seconds.
Also photoshop CS6 boots in ~20 seconds insteaf of ~60-80 seconds on the HDD.

 

As far as pre-built pc's go, digital storm is never a bad way to go.

 

[PrayerKid]

I think if I don't get any other reviews, i'm going to go with this.

Is there any other custom gaming PC places like digital storm that anyone would reccomend me buy from? and if so what computer to get? my budget is about 1k-1.2k-ish

 

[PrayerKid]

anyone else have some input on this

 

[Swan]

Why a SSD over the hard drive?

Install an SSD in tandem with a regular HDD, install Windows on the SSD along with any commonly used (esp. large) programs. Everything else can go in to partitions on other hard drives.

You can pretty solidly build your own PC quite cheaply if you know how. The one I'm planning on building is only going to cost about AU$600, when I've seen premade packages for like $1000 that are similar.

Although I did a quick estimate on a local parts store that I use and found that the price for the "Best" configuration at least is actually not too bad (I roughly estimated AUD$1200 = ~USD$1063). It looks to be pretty solid, so if you think it'll do you good then go for it.

 

[PrayerKid]

I would absoloutly love to build my own, but I tried that with a friend and it ended up being nothing but trouble. I know i'd be able to build a better pc with 1000.00 just buying parts, but for that system is seems for what comes in it, is pretty close to what i'm paying for the system.

If I knew someone that could put the computer together for me, and have it perfectly running no problems, i'd build my own.

 

[Rockerr]

See if you have an PC shops near by that assemble for you, however they'll have a fee of course. You may save a little and be able to add that SSD into the mix also.

Like the others have mentioned a SSD will be really beneficial. I picked up a cheap one for 95$ and have installed Windows and programs here and will install a few games when I get them. I also have currently ~60GB left on it. You'll see a massive reduction in load times and it just runs faster and smoother. Thereafter just save all your media and document files on the HDD.

 

[szskateman22]

The specs listed are pretty much on par. They might be $200 less if you have a local computer store which you can put into better specs.

Local computer stores pricing slightly better specs: $1063.78 (after taxes) -- $1027.81 (before) -- Not including $20 in MIR!


Upgrades that were included on my build:

Ultra silent case (minimal-no noise)
Modular PSU 600w
120GB SSD
CPU AIO Liquid Cooler
Blu-Ray Drive
Windows 7 Pro* (I prefer 7 over 8.1)

Everything else is blow-for-blow the same.