Custom PC Builder

BeK

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I am looking to have a custom PC build but I have no idea who offers the best bang for the buck in terms of price/performance.
I want to use this PC primarily for gaming. I looking to spend roughly around $2000-$2500.
I also am not considering Alienware as they are ridiculously overpriced.
Can anyone reccomend a decent builder?
Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i5 4690K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z97 Gaming 5
    Memory
    G.SKILL*Ripjaws*X Series*8GB*240-Pin*DDR3*SDRAM*DDR3 186
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX-970
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Panasonic 50" Plasma HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD: Intel 520 120GB SATA III
    SSD 2: Crucial 64GB SATA III
    HDD 1: Western Digital 2TB 7200 RPM
    HDD 2: Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM
    HDD 3: Western Digital 500GB 7200 RPM
    PSU
    Antec*High Current Gamer Series*HCG-900*900W
    Case
    NZXT*Phantom*PHAN-001WT*Red Steel / Plastic Enthusiast*ATX*Full Tower Computer Case
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
    Keyboard
    Logitech G13 & Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810
    Mouse
    Razer Naga Epic Chroma
    Internet Speed
    75Mbps/10Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Case Fans 140MM (x1), 120MM (x3), 200MM (x2)

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Those look sweet and very good reviews! No experience with custom builders either, always did it myself.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
Thanks for the recommendations guys!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i5 4690K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z97 Gaming 5
    Memory
    G.SKILL*Ripjaws*X Series*8GB*240-Pin*DDR3*SDRAM*DDR3 186
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX-970
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Panasonic 50" Plasma HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD: Intel 520 120GB SATA III
    SSD 2: Crucial 64GB SATA III
    HDD 1: Western Digital 2TB 7200 RPM
    HDD 2: Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM
    HDD 3: Western Digital 500GB 7200 RPM
    PSU
    Antec*High Current Gamer Series*HCG-900*900W
    Case
    NZXT*Phantom*PHAN-001WT*Red Steel / Plastic Enthusiast*ATX*Full Tower Computer Case
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
    Keyboard
    Logitech G13 & Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810
    Mouse
    Razer Naga Epic Chroma
    Internet Speed
    75Mbps/10Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Case Fans 140MM (x1), 120MM (x3), 200MM (x2)
I concur on the do it your self. You'll have a great experience and learn something new. Not to mention...it is real easy and way simpler than it was 20 years ago.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASRock 990FX Killer
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    ASRock 990 FX Killer
    Memory
    32gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GTX 750i
    Sound Card
    Realtek (Stock on MB)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 27 HD Monitor & a 37" LCD HD TV Screen (For movies)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 250 GB SS hard drive for OS
    1 1TB hard drive for data / mirrored to a second 1 TB hd.
    PSU
    650W
    Case
    No name tower
    Cooling
    Enermax Liqtech 240
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    Dnload 10.48 Upload .48
    Browser
    IE 11 and Chrome when IE doesn't work
    Antivirus
    F-PROT
I never had a computer custom built I always went the route of a store bought system from a place like Best Buy or something like that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy 700-414
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4570 3.20ghz
    Memory
    12 gigabyte
    Graphics Card(s)
    INTEL HD 4600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Pavilion 22bw
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x1080
    Hard Drives
    2TB
    PSU
    460w
    Keyboard
    Hp Wireless cichlet style
    Mouse
    Logitech m 100
    Internet Speed
    Charter Cable Wireless
    Browser
    INTERNET EXPLORER 11
    Antivirus
    NORTON 360

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo g750
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    Some Chinese Crap..
    Memory
    8
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 755
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I also am not considering Alienware as they are ridiculously overpriced.
I've built computers for about 20 years now, but I started thinking I would just order one and save myself some time. If you are worried about anything being over-priced, then you'll just do it yourself. I changed my mind and decided to build it myself this time around as well. I couldn't find any builder who could compete on price, or give me the level of customization I can get doing it on my own.

In the end, it just doesn't seem worth it to buy one, especially if you want something in the performance category.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD3H
    Memory
    16 GB Patriot Viper 3 DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 470 GTX
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256 GB, WD WD20EFRX 2 TB
    PSU
    OCZ 700W
    Case
    Corsair 300R
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 and windows 10 insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    Intel i7 4770k @ 4.6 ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus z97 + armour
    Memory
    Rip jaws 16g
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD r9 270x
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 3d 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2ssd (1 OS drive, 1 for audio samples) and one HDD for games.
    Case
    Arocool
    Browser
    Chrome canary
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes premium
In the end, it just doesn't seem worth it to buy one, especially if you want something in the performance category.

I bought my current rig from a custom builder (it's been upgraded a lot since), and at the time I'd have saved about £70 buying the parts and putting it together myself. Seeing as I didn't have much free time I could easily justify it. If you look around sometimes you can find some very custom builders who aren't that much more expensive than self builds.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Pro x64 | Win8.1 Pro x64 VM | Win 10TP x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-4790k
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth Z87 (BIOS 2004)
    Memory
    8GB Kingston HyperX Genesis @1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 980 Classified
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S24B300
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel 520 Series 240GB SSD /
    Samsung 850 EVO 120GB SSD /
    2TB WD Caviar Black /
    2TB WD Caviar Black /
    2TB WD Caviar Green
    PSU
    Corasiar HX 850-80 Gold Modular
    Case
    Cooler Master Silencio 650
    Cooling
    Corsair H80i + 2x SP120s + 2x Noctua intakes
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Sidewinder X4
    Mouse
    Gigabyte M6900
    Internet Speed
    152Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    F-Secure
I'd just build a custom one.

Build something kind of like this PCPartPicker
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Kernel 4.x
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5 3570K
    Motherboard
    P8Z77-V LK
    Memory
    G.skill Ripjaw Z 2133MHz 9-11-10-28
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX770 4GB Dual BIOS
    Sound Card
    Audigy 4 Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" SAMSUNG HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 progressive
    Hard Drives
    10TB total
    3 RAID arrays
    3 single disks
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    Corsair R400
    Cooling
    Corsair H100
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    ~900mbps (~115MB/s) down, ~10mbps(~1.5MB/s) up
    Browser
    Firefox & Chromium
    Antivirus
    Common Sense
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