Read the rules - Hey New OCer buying computer question.

Hey, my name is Steve and im brand new to the overclockers forums. I have been planning on buying a new computer for Christmas not having much of computer building experience or time to build one myself. I was wondering if this computer is worth the price for what it has in it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pa...rive/9919073.p?id=1218195230378&skuId=9919073

Just looking at the computer it does have a steep price tag but with the financing it will be alot easier to pay off for me. The computer has a x58 board which I read was very customizable and a decent i7 cpu in the 930 which again I read could be overclocked somewhat to perform better. The only fault I see in the computer would be the graphics card where I read was not up to par compared to Nvidia or ati's 5700+ series. However, i read you can use some software to overclock it 31%+. I may decide to upgrade the card depending if this is a good deal or not. (possibly to a Nvidia card or the ati 5870.)

What I plan on doing with the computer is playing Starcraft II, World of warcraft Cata (would like 30+Fps on good to ultra settings) also maybe a shooter like battlefield or black ops.

I'm looking for opinions because I see this site has some very intelligent people in it and would help me along the way to getting a nice setup computer that would last me.

I think you can do better for the $$$, those systems tend to be very proprietary and do not leave much room for upgrades in the future or OCing they have them pretty much locked down in the bios. If you don't want to or are unable to build a system yourself I would suggest that you compare that offer with the same thing at places like ibuypower or others.

The advantage of going with something else is the fact if you want to add to or change stuff later it is easier to do.

Yep, HP limits overclocking etc. It's not a bad rig. Depends on your usage. IF your a big gamer and want a 27" + monitor with everything on max res, keep looking and get a fatter wallet.

It's not bad. The CPU is fine, you should be able to step up the video card to something a bit better.

You can't do much except add ram, get a new GPU, add hard drives etc on this. HP smartly limits 'modding' to save billions on warrenty repair.

For your needs add $200 for a better GPU and your fine. Should last 2-3 years with a batter card.

Agreed, I would not expect to be able to do much with that mobo realistically, very limiting,

Thanks for all of the replies .

I thought with the x58 motherboard it would be more customizable with crossfire/sli etc? Or is it certain brands of x58 that really stand apart from this type of x58 like a premium model of it?

Also with the 5570 what would be the type of settings I could run on Starcraft II or WoW. I'm not sure where to go only chart I seen gave me a bunch of information like Gflops and how many shaders the card has not really easy to compare.

Another question what would be a better alternative to this computer. I looked up Ibuypower and cyberpower earlier today and it seemed decent but there were so many choices I really got confused on what to choose.

Again I really appreciate the help on this considering it is a Christmas/College graduation present. Thanks so much

I would still consider building myself, I was never gonna build a comp, then my budddy helped me, its not that hard, maybe you can find someone locally to help you otu for your first build?

Sure you can do SLI or Xfire if the mobo supports it, the issue is that you wont be able to OC the CPU very easily if at all..

With ibuypower I went in and configured a custom build using the i7 950 cpu, CM 922 case, 6G triple channel ram, 5770 vid, 1G hd, internal card reader and so on giving it the same or better than the HP system, Also using an Asus x58 board that will be much easier to OC and was coming up around $200 more in price. Also Win 7 and some other software installed.

The case the cooling and motherboard are going to make it easier to OC or upgrade than the HP system, plus you get to pick and choose how you want the system built.

Again really appreciate the help guys. I talked to a friend of mine as someone mentioned and they can help me build a computer. I have spent most of the day piecing together a computer that I'm wanting.

My hope is to be able to get it cheaper to around the price if not lower than the Hewlet packard computer I seen at bestbuy. However, the bestbuy one doesn't have a monitor or speakers.

Alright this is what I can come up with building my own computer to what I would want it to be im not sure if I am missing anything. Heres the link https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=14659085 if you cant see it here is what it has in it.

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Model #RW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #:N82E16827135204
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:SGC-2000-KKN1-GP
Item #:N82E16811119196
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD10EALX
Item #:N82E16822136767
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor
Model #:VH242H
Item #:N82E16824236052
Return Policy:Monitor Standard Return Policy

HIS H587FN1GD Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

HIS H587FN1GD Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Model #:H587FN1GD
Item #:N82E16814161329
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ...
Model #:CMPSU-650TX
Item #:N82E16817139005
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
Mail in Rebate Card17-139-005

Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System

Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
Model #:980-000023
Item #:N82E16836121014
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy

ASUS Rampage III Formula LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

ASUS Rampage III Formula LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Rampage III Formula
Item #:N82E16813131666
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
Model #:BX80601950
Item #:N82E16819115211
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$299.99 -$5.00 Instant $294.99
Subtotal: $1,452.90

I was hoping to have it 300-500$ cheaper since I would be building it myself. If anyone could help me make this cheaper but around the same speed also im not sure if I have everything on the computer that I need since I have never built one myself.

Again, thanks to all of you guys I might be able to have a great grad/christmas present for myself to play Starcraft II, WoW and maybe for the first time ever play a freaking awesome FPS on a computer haha .

Forgot to mention I'm shooting to have an i7 processor and also x58 motherboard as priority. I don't know much about AMD and their processor/mobo combos.

You missed RAM and aftermarket cpu cooler for OC'ing.

I also don't see an OS listed. Keyboard or mouse??

This is just comparing though, you have made a LARGE jump in price with the 5870 vid card and the Rampage III motherboard which is really going to eat into your $$$.

Odd well I guess the copy/paste didnt add everything. Here is the rest of the list. I have a copy of windows 7 ultimate and also a nice keyboard and mouse so I left those out.


DVD - ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Case - COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

HD - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136767

Monitor - ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

Video Card - HIS H587FN1GD Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161329]

Power Supply - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Speakers - Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014

Motherboard - ASUS Rampage III Formula LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131666

CPU - Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211

Ram - CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222


Subtotal: $1,452.90

Looks good, one thing left and that is an aftermarket cooler for the cpu since you plan to OC.

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