It is time to get a new computer. The old one that I built has seen its last legs i'm afraid. There always seems to be something wrong with it, so figure I'll just have to dump it for now. But I still need a computer to do my occasional gaming with! So I am looking for a website where I can build a nice solid custom computer. I have been looking at ibuypower.com but I am not sure if they are the best place that I can find a reliable but inexpensive computer from. (I am trying to spend around 1000$ Give or take another 100 or 200.)
 
I don't game heavily anymore, so I am not looking for a super build. I just want something that I can play my games on reliably without it crashing every time.
 
Anyone has suggestions on where I can go or what kind of custom build I should get? I tried several build types on ibuypower.com and the price keeps hitting over 1500$. lol Any suggestions would be nice. Thanks

you can also try pcpartpicker and come up with your own as MSim said. 
If not, then orgin pc and cyberpower is two others to try. 

I know it's not a "custom built" computer, but if you really don't want to build it yourself (you should, it's pretty easy) I would just go with a Dell.   You have customizable options for processor, ram, graphics, hdd's, etc. so you can get what you want within reason.   Just uninstall their bloatware  when you get it and you are good to go.   Especially in the $1000 price range, I think it's hard to go wrong with their stuff.  Once you get into their Alienware line though it's a different story all together....waaaay overpriced.

I used NCIX for my first custom built pc and it came with a 1 year direct warranty with NCIX and the remaining warranty through the manufacturers. They do nice cable management and testing/install os for $50.

Still don't see why people don't build their own systems. It's half the fun and you can choose whatever you want to put in it. Building a system is not rocket science, a 10 year old can do it!

Many people will build you for free, but best if you look and help and you will see how much money you can save then.
On 2500-3000$ PC people pay at least 500$ more than need. It's not hard and complicate, only need to pay attention and easy...
Usually problem happen because sensitive parts not because mistakes. I first learn to replace memory, graphic card and HDD, after that PSU and at the end installation of motherboard and CPU. That's most sensitive parts... 

 
Moving to General Hardware.

i get why he might want it built. i have built a few myself, and there have been times i have spent hours trying to troubleshoot some pretty dumb things. for some building a PC is stressful, not enjoyable. let them deal with a bad part and trouble shooting.
 
plus if you buy it built you will usually get some sort of support from them for at least 90 days or longer. have a question just make a phone call. 
 
but if you have the time, you will save money buying a part here or there as they pop up on sale. join a few mailing lists, like TD, Frys, Newegg and within a month or 2 you will have a better PC for the same price.

cmoney408
i agree with building your own and using cyberpowerPC (its like ibuypower).... as in, have cyberpowerpc build the bulk of it, but don't buy everything from them. they have a slight premium on SSD's, GPU's, Ram, Optical Drives, etc.
 
just pick the case, CPU, Mobo, (1) cheap HDD, cheapest ram option, no cd, no g card, 
 
then look for deals on a SSD, GPU, possibly ram, BluRay, or any other add ons you want using "slickdeals DOT net" alerts.
 
i cant post links, go to cyberpowerpc DOT COM, select "Intel PC" up top, then in the drop down menu select "intel Z97 Gaming", then select the Gamer Extreme 1000 to modify
 
$780 computer:
4690k
8gb 2133mhz ram
500watt CX500m PSU - it was cheap to upgrade from the basic 350watt option
1TB HDD - only $8 more then their 500gb option
 
$780 + $200 (gtx 960) = $980, with room to spare for more ram, better mobo, blu ray, (now that i look at their site, they carry the 960 for $205 already. might just add it there to make it even easier for you.)

 
Yeah, what cmoney said, I have built my computer before and I loved it. But I made so many mistakes with parts not being compatible that it got really stressful figuring stuff out on it. It would feel really rewarding when I would get it working again but then it would break down a few months later. lol I am kind of tired of that happening. And I really don't have much time anymore to sit around figuring stuff out. I will try and down what cmoney says above. At least buying the base components and installing the other stuff on my own.

A site like pcpartpicker.com can also help in compatibility. It's simple to use and once you select your cpu or motherboard it will show you the compatible parts to choose from only and it will help keep track of how much it will cost to keep within budget.  

patchesanook

klawz6

cmoney408
i agree with building your own and using cyberpowerPC (its like ibuypower).... as in, have cyberpowerpc build the bulk of it, but don't buy everything from them. they have a slight premium on SSD's, GPU's, Ram, Optical Drives, etc.
 
just pick the case, CPU, Mobo, (1) cheap HDD, cheapest ram option, no cd, no g card, 
 
then look for deals on a SSD, GPU, possibly ram, BluRay, or any other add ons you want using "slickdeals DOT net" alerts.
 
i cant post links, go to cyberpowerpc DOT COM, select "Intel PC" up top, then in the drop down menu select "intel Z97 Gaming", then select the Gamer Extreme 1000 to modify
 
$780 computer:
4690k
8gb 2133mhz ram
500watt CX500m PSU - it was cheap to upgrade from the basic 350watt option
1TB HDD - only $8 more then their 500gb option
 
$780 + $200 (gtx 960) = $980, with room to spare for more ram, better mobo, blu ray, (now that i look at their site, they carry the 960 for $205 already. might just add it there to make it even easier for you.)

 
Yeah, what cmoney said, I have built my computer before and I loved it. But I made so many mistakes with parts not being compatible that it got really stressful figuring stuff out on it. It would feel really rewarding when I would get it working again but then it would break down a few months later. lol I am kind of tired of that happening. And I really don't have much time anymore to sit around figuring stuff out. I will try and down what cmoney says above. At least buying the base components and installing the other stuff on my own.

best thing to do if you build your own is to research the parts,get a list of the memory,motherboard,cpu that you would like to build with.
but before you buy any parts,get on the forums and start a thread. ask what the people here think  of your parts list.
that  should help with the compatibly problem.
hand a friend who bought a motherboard and cpu combo from a local retailer,they sold him a AMD motherboard with a intel cpu.

That is exactly what this site and it's members did for me concerning my 1st x99 platform build,I have overloaded these forums with so many questions but I had the "enthusiast" input that helped me with all my hardware choices.....

1sthurricane

patchesanook

klawz6

cmoney408
i agree with building your own and using cyberpowerPC (its like ibuypower).... as in, have cyberpowerpc build the bulk of it, but don't buy everything from them. they have a slight premium on SSD's, GPU's, Ram, Optical Drives, etc.
 
just pick the case, CPU, Mobo, (1) cheap HDD, cheapest ram option, no cd, no g card, 
 
then look for deals on a SSD, GPU, possibly ram, BluRay, or any other add ons you want using "slickdeals DOT net" alerts.
 
i cant post links, go to cyberpowerpc DOT COM, select "Intel PC" up top, then in the drop down menu select "intel Z97 Gaming", then select the Gamer Extreme 1000 to modify
 
$780 computer:
4690k
8gb 2133mhz ram
500watt CX500m PSU - it was cheap to upgrade from the basic 350watt option
1TB HDD - only $8 more then their 500gb option
 
$780 + $200 (gtx 960) = $980, with room to spare for more ram, better mobo, blu ray, (now that i look at their site, they carry the 960 for $205 already. might just add it there to make it even easier for you.)

 
Yeah, what cmoney said, I have built my computer before and I loved it. But I made so many mistakes with parts not being compatible that it got really stressful figuring stuff out on it. It would feel really rewarding when I would get it working again but then it would break down a few months later. lol I am kind of tired of that happening. And I really don't have much time anymore to sit around figuring stuff out. I will try and down what cmoney says above. At least buying the base components and installing the other stuff on my own.

best thing to do if you build your own is to research the parts,get a list of the memory,motherboard,cpu that you would like to build with.
but before you buy any parts,get on the forums and start a thread. ask what the people here think  of your parts list.
that  should help with the compatibly problem.
hand a friend who bought a motherboard and cpu combo from a local retailer,they sold him a AMD motherboard with a intel cpu.

That is exactly what this site and it's members did for me concerning my 1st x99 platform build,I have overloaded these forums with so many questions but I had the "enthusiast" input that helped me with all my hardware choices.....

I think that's his point. He doesn't have the time or energy to have to ask a hundred questions to get 10 answers each and then try to decifer the best answer. Sometimes I have to be on multiple forums to find answers, and I just wish someone could do it for me.

Origin PC is a very good company; albeit pricey.
 
I just pulled the trigger on my second build from them. It may not say it, but, their GPU's they use are primarily EVGA.
 
Again, it's pretty damn pricey, but, at least their customer service, and support tech is not outsourced and speak fluent English. Their warranty is absolutely fantastic too.
 
BUT THAT FRIGGEN PRICE MAN! >_<

1) the newer water coolers are very user friendly. just plug and play. they are safe and easy. i would recommend it. i have a h110i and it works great.
 
2) your mobo should be fine, but 1) i do not believe it supports SLI (if you plan to get another 960 in the future you would need a new mobo. 2) has 4 sata ports, (ok if you dont plan to add to many HDD/SSD or optical drives. i have always been a fan of Asus, there z97 pro with built in AC would be my choice for $160 more. it does support SLI, has a few more sata ports, built in wifi, also has 1 click overclock software makes it easy to OC and to manage fans; since you are getting a "k" processor that is water cooled, you might as well OC it a bit. i currently have a z87 deluxe, before that i had the p5w dh deluxe.
 
The ASUS MAXIMUS VII RANGER is a bit cheaper at $116 more, and has pretty much all the same features besides wifi and sata express. sata express seems to be the next gen hdd port, but unless you are an early adopter it wont really matter for a while.
 
3) 750w might be overkill, but for the $35 i would probably go for it too.
 
4) fans. i would not get there fans, and i would/have purchase(d) noctuas; the "NF-F12 PWM" to place on your water cooler. and 1 to 3 "NF-S12A PWM" for your case (you want more fans sucking into case then blowing out). only downside, noctuas are usually about $22-$25 each. but they are powerful and quite.

I see your system specs show you have a GTX 770. That is better than a GTX 960.
 
I highly recommend buying your own and putting it together. Newegg has a 2 part video on how to do it:


 
You get a lot more for your money if you go this route. Many of us can even help with questions you have... the information is free. You also get to take that information and continue to save on future builds, instead of having to rely on a company to put something together for you and take hundreds of dollars off the top for "service fee's." You also don't have to wait deal with sending in a whole PC for repair, you can RMA whatever part needs to be repaired because each part you buy has a warranty of some type. Like EVGA's video cards have a standard 3 year warranty on the majority of them and you can upgrade to a 10 year if you want. Power supplies are pretty much a standard 5 year, some are 7, even 10 years.