Why not to build a computer piece by piece.

[FlutterPwn]

I started out my days with a Dell inspiron 1525, sitting on my couch with a TV table playing low end games like Combat Arms. I lagged all the time but got used to it to the point I could play with lagg. One day I stumbled on a video of the Devs playing that game and saw how much better the graphics looked. From there on I wanted a better computer. After saving some money and still knowing nothing about computers I bought a Dell Inspiron 560 desktop for $300. I thought it was the best computer ever because it could run Combat Arms maxed out. It wasn't until I started to find better games. I then realized that my computer was crap. I was broke and still in high school with no job. I really wanted a new computer but had no way to afford it. I did small things to upgrade the computer like more ram and cheep GPU and more fans. It didn't do much. One day my friend slammed an application in my face saying that they were hiring and I better apply now. I got the job and still thank him to this day. I'm amazed how having an income makes you feel rich, or at least when you don't have bills to pay. First thing I did was get a new graphics card. A EVGA GTX 560. I saw a boost in performance but I still felt like it wasn't enough for the money I spent. I pretty much wasted every pay check I earned on my computer and my parents hated it. Several times I had to buy something and tell them I won it so they wouldn't think I was spending my money. So after 8 months of having a job, heres my rig. Sadly I still don't have a car, and have to borrow my parents when they're not using it and riding my bike to work (which was another money pit). So I hope you enjoy. The build is horrible for the money. If I had the chance to get all the money back for it and build a computer from scratch all over again I bet i could have a better rig right now. But this is because I bought everything piece by piece over a long period of time.
My Custom Computer

Intel Build
Nvidia Build

Computer Cost: 1225.26 (Gross: 1475.26)
Setup Cost: 936.84

Total: 2162.10


CPU: Intel i7 3770k
$229.99 ($359.99)

Mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme4
$134.99 (154.99)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i
$129.99

GPU: EVGA 02G-P3-1469-KR GeForce GTX 560 Superclocked Video Card 2GB
$189.99

PSU: Corsair CX750M
$89.99 (119.99)

HDD: WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7,200 RPM
$99.99

RAM: Corsair Vengence 8G DDR3-1600 CL10
$39.99 (69.99)

Ram: Corsair Vengence 8G DDR3-1600 CL10
$46.99

(Edit)Monitor: Asus VG248QE 24" 1ms 144hz (Monitor: BenQ GW2750HM 27" LED $229.99) I returned the BenQ due to a ghosting issue it had and decided to go for performance instead of size and my next buy.
$269.95

Mouse: Razer Mamba 2012
$120.06

Table: Walker Edison Soreno 3-Piece Corner Desk
$130.53

Sound Card: Asus Xonar DS 7.1 PCI
$49.99

Headset: Razer Tiamat Elite 7.1
$173.30

Keyboard: Saitek Cyborg
$70.99

Mouse Mat: Corsair Vengence MM200 XL
$21.99

Third Monitor: Acer S200HLAbd Black 20" 5ms LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 ACM 100,000,000:1 (1000:1)
$109.99

Lighting: Logisys CLK6UV2 UV Cold Cathode Duel Lamps
$6.99

Extra Fans: Rosewill RFX-120 2X($6.99 Each)
$13.98

Extra Fans: Noctua NF-P12-1300 120mm sso 2x(18.19 Each)
$36.38

Case: AZZA Genesis 9000w (CSAZ-9000W)
$159.99 (179.99

TV: RCA LED24A45RQ 24" Class LED HDTV - 1080p, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, 800:1 Dynamic, 6.5 ms, HDMI, VGA, Energy Star
$189.98

My early setup

Gallery:

 

[sheroo]

Dude, all your components seem pretty decent - what's not to like? The case wouldn't be my personal choice - but if you like it then that's what matters.

 

[Mark3Max]

I agree with sheroo , I looks good to me. I don't understand the title to this thread,"Why NOT to build a computer piece by piece" , it looks like you did a pretty good job to me. The video card is a bit dated by todays standards , but the rest is pretty good. It does cost a bit more to build one yourself , but when your done you know you have good stuff.

 

[garih]

i think the title refers to the wasted money building up to the end product. essentially, buy cheap, buy twice. but its not that easy to save up and buy all in one go

 

[barnsley]

I still have the majority of my inspiron 580 xD. Never buy dell.

 

[FlutterPwn]

I agree with sheroo , I looks good to me. I don't understand the title to this thread,"Why NOT to build a computer piece by piece" , it looks like you did a pretty good job to me. The video card is a bit dated by todays standards , but the rest is pretty good. It does cost a bit more to build one yourself , but when your done you know you have good stuff.

If I took the money I spent. I could build a computer with that ammount that will out perform this one.

 

[FlutterPwn]

Planning on getting the Gigabyte Windforce GTX 770 as a upgrade to keep up with the new games that are comming out this year. I hope it ends up being worth every penny that I will have to spend for it.

 

[JR23]

I hear what your saying and i've done a very similar thing myself, started out with a P67 sabertooth and a pair of GTX570's I built with my friend. Between then and now i've just been through everything upgrading every time i've managed to save a bit of cash. I've kept everything stock and each time I upgrade I sell my old components very well. I'm always lying to my parents and myself to justify the next piece of hardware, I know they are right but i've started now and i'm going to finish it as I want it with no expense spared and then completely draw the line.

Before I started I had a Dell Studio XPS16 which I used to game with, that was my first PC and to be fair it could handle itself. I bought a Macbook Pro 13 for university and then sold the Dell to fund my rig. My MBP13 angered me with its beach balling and then the HDD died so I sold it and bought an Alienware M14X, it was so cool but the least practical thing i've ever owned. Not long ago I sold it for a Dell XPS13 and that is awesome although it doesn't have much game it's actually portable. I will never get a 'big' laptop again.

So I will say do what you want to do, keep everything stock and clean so you can sell it on well and finish what you started.

 

[FlutterPwn]

I hear what your saying and i've done a very similar thing myself, started out with a P67 sabertooth and a pair of GTX570's I built with my friend. Between then and now i've just been through everything upgrading every time i've managed to save a bit of cash. I've kept everything stock and each time I upgrade I sell my old components very well. I'm always lying to my parents and myself to justify the next piece of hardware, I know they are right but i've started now and i'm going to finish it as I want it with no expense spared and then completely draw the line.

Before I started I had a Dell Studio XPS16 which I used to game with, that was my first PC and to be fair it could handle itself. I bought a Macbook Pro 13 for university and then sold the Dell to fund my rig. My MBP13 angered me with its beach balling and then the HDD died so I sold it and bought an Alienware M14X, it was so cool but the least practical thing i've ever owned. Not long ago I sold it for a Dell XPS13 and that is awesome although it doesn't have much game it's actually portable. I will never get a 'big' laptop again.

So I will say do what you want to do, keep everything stock and clean so you can sell it on well and finish what you started.

My issue is the selling part. Most of my old parts are worthless and selling them would maybe get me $100. Which seems like nothing compared to what I have to spend to buy one component.

 

[Mgutierrez33]

I have the exact same video card and with the core boosted to 930 Mhz and the memory clocked at 2200 Mhz it still chugs along with most all modern games (albeit at some reduced settings depending on the game, and I re-TIM'd the card). The only thing that was confusing about this whole post was that your parts in the pics seemed to jump around a lot from an AMD based rig to an Intel rig, then back to the AMD rig, then back to the Intel rig with no mention of the AMD parts included.

 

[prole33]

I think if you are working on a budget then a 670 would beat a 770 on price to performance hands down. Got myself a second 670 for sli for just £200 New! Compared to a 770 which is around £350 which is on the same gk104 chip and not a major improvement, that's allot of difference, personally go for a 670 or if you can now stretch the budget and grab a 780

 

[FlutterPwn]

I have the exact same video card and with the core boosted to 930 Mhz and the memory clocked at 2200 Mhz it still chugs along with most all modern games (albeit at some reduced settings depending on the game, and I re-TIM'd the card). The only thing that was confusing about this whole post was that your parts in the pics seemed to jump around a lot from an AMD based rig to an Intel rig, then back to the AMD rig, then back to the Intel rig with no mention of the AMD parts included.

I didn't really organize the picture correctly. I'll have to do that later today. I orginally had a AMD 8120 with a Asus M5A99X Evo R2.0 motherboard and a corsair H60. I gave that setup to my brother for $200 and I got the i7 3770k, ASRock Extreme4 and corsair H100i.

 

[X4K4]

the set up is amazing except of the card, is kinda dated, okey, try some o/c on it
+++ please check the upper braket if its metal make sure it doesnt get in contact with the pcb pins at the back of the card cause it might shortcut and fry it^^

 

[FlutterPwn]

I finally got my Gigabyte 770

 

[AlienALX]

I gave up buying cheaper hardware about ten months ago now and I don't regret it.

A mid range card has a shelf life of about six months before there's one better and up until I bought my 7990 I was forever changing my rig and ditching quite expensive parts by the bucket load.

What made it worse was my outright refusal to sell any of it because I hate human nature and greed. So now I have a large pine wardrobe heaving with hardware that all falls out when you open the doors :S

Unfortunately the PSU in my step son's Alienware Area 51 ALX went pop and is not easily replaced with a stock unit (working on that, might do a rebuild log) so I gave him another one of my rigs.

So, that leaves me with pretty much everything to rebuild the Alienware nicely and I have a choice of GPUs too (Titan Black, 7990 etc).

But yeah, with hardware save your beans and buy the best you can as that way you will be satisfied with it. Mid range hardware is kinda like a Macdonalds. I mean, it is a meal, but one burp and you're left hungry and regretting it.