Building a Computer or just buying a new one??

Please go easy on me guys, I am a complete scrub and noob when it comes to this stuff. I know literally nothing about building a computer, but I have been told that might be a better alternative to getting a pre-packaged computer.

Basically what I am looking for is a custom built desktop...it does not have to be the most powerful piece of machinery ever to grace the planet .

Here are the games I'm looking to play on it:
HTML 5 Runescape ( I understand the requirements probably aren't high for this, but I also want to play highest detail RS..something that inexplicably makes my computer choppy).
World of Warcraft (my computer, again, makes it a little choppy, I want to play WoW flawlessly on its highest settings).
Skyrim on highest settings possibly
Basically I want a reliable build that will be built as far into the future as possible, which I understand is hard with things being constantly made better.

What's a good way to go about this guys? I want it to be a powerful machine but it doesn't have to be godly. As you can see the 2 games I prioritize (RS and WoW) probably are very weak specification requirements towards the other games you guys like playing.

And if building a computer isn't the way to go, I'd really appreciate some links to machines that you feel would flawlessly run these titles. I'd like it to be inexpensive if possible, but don't let money deter your search...just find stuff that you know would run these. I know this sub-section is filled with incredibly intelligent individuals regarding these topics, so that's why I posted here. I hope I can get some help.

 

What's your budget? I think building would be a great option.

 

Budget isn't a huge issue as I don't have a lot of bills or outstanding bills and work 2 decent paying jobs. What would you recommend I do bud?

 

Building is always the better option, regardless of budget (providing you or someone you know is able to actually build the system.)

If you'd like assistance with creating a build, you'll have to give us a ballpark estimate on what you're willing to or able to spend, and not just a vague "budget isn't much of an issue" answer. That's unhelpful as someone could consider that as a $500 budget whereas someone else could consider that a $5000 budget....

 

I'd say 500-1500 would be good/ manageable. Sorry I wasn't more clear.

 

Well, with what you want it to do, you definitely will spend more than the $500. Max settings on Skyrim can be a little taxing on the system. I'll try and get around to piecing together a build for you soon unless someone beats me to it.

 

Thanks man! No rush, I understand you're one of the busiest members around Sythe so whenever you get to it it's cool. If you want to base it more off of WoW at max settings that'd be just as good too, since I already have Skyrim on 360 completed it's not top priority.

 

Honestly unless you really know what you're doing you'd be better off buying an already built PC. It may be somewhat more expensive, but you have to keep in mind companies like Dell, Toshiba, w/e, usually do hundreds of tests on the equipment to ensure it will work the best it can.

Again, unless you really know about PC's, what i'd recommend is getting a prebuilt one, and perhaps just buying an upgrade for the GPU and possibly RAM on it so it can run the games and things you'd like to the performance you would want it to.

Otherwise, you need to buy an appropriate case for what your needs might be, if you're thinking of upgrading in the future, making sure all components you plan on buying will be compatible within each other, etc...

 

500$-1500$ will get you a very decent gaming rig.

 

$260 27" 120hz or reuse your current one
$110 3tb hd. or buy a 3tb hdd and remove the enclosure. make sure you buy 3.5"
$200 mid level sandy i7
$100 extreme 3 mobo + 8gb ram
$70 case+psu
$100 650 ti

max fuckers out for ~$700

 

Would you recommend any pre-built ones that you'd know would be okay running WoW at max or near max settings?

Sweet, I was hoping so man

Awesome, thanks man!

 

If you want your computer to last well in the upcoming years then spend around $1200 on it.

Damn why is everything in the US so cheap compared to AUS pc parts.

Here's my recommended build:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1fRCy

Doesn't include building price, you would have to go find someone for that. It doesn't come with Windows 7 either, I suggest that you pirate it yourself because its expensive.

 

awful advice.

120hz is nice, but not necessary, save $130ish, grab 1080p 23/24".
haswell i5(4670)
Any sub $100 H87/B85 board.
8gb 1600mhz
any $40 or so case.
corsair/seasonic/antec/silverstone 600/650W PSU(probs missing a few brands but owell, http://www.jonnyguru.com/ < good for PSU reviews).
1tb/2tb HDD
GTX660Ti/AMD 7950, if you have enough can bump up to 760/770.
If you have enough money an SSD is really nice and worth it IMO, but not necessary.
nfi what that works out to from newegg or anything, but its like $1000 here in aus.

All in all, just research.

 

Thank you Noodles!

 

recommends inflexible haswell cpu
generic $40 case
calls my advice bad
do you have downs?

 

he doesnt need to OC, nor does he know how from the sounds of things. the gains from ocing is only a few fps for games, + you save a bit of money.
did i say generic? no. there's always sales and such and can get a decent case for 40-50ish.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_1171&products_id=18416
^ I recommend that case for most builds under $1kish, and I assumed it'd be a tad cheaper in the US, cbf checking, confirm/deny?

Now please, go neck yourself you fucking half-wit.

 

Telling somebody to purchase a sandy bridge cpu is a pretty terrible idea. For one sandy bridge cpus aren't that much cheaper than haswell. Second socket 1155 is dead, and third haswell is a newer architecture so a i5 4670 @ 3.4 ghz will out preform an i5 2500k overclocked to 4.0 ghz.

Just want to point out too that you told him to spend $70 on a case + psu so you have no room to talk.


@op noodles build is pretty solid