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iBuyPower: Any Good?Follow

#1 Aug 13 2013 at 2:54 PM Rating: Good
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So I was doing a bit of talking to a Friend, and he mentioned this brand name I've never heard of: iBuyPower.

I did some rooting around on Newegg and the prices look somewhat competitive: $900 or so for a PC. When comparing prices of the parts bought separately I found that the difference was only about $100 or so on comparable parts.

The only problem is that they use their own motherboards from what I can tell, and this has always been a sore subject with me, I'm not sure I like people using proprietary hardware.

But yet these PCs are specifically designed for gaming and not general internet use.

So my question is... are these any good as gaming machines? How good is the value?

I normally build my own computers, but I always worry whether or not I'm getting enough cooling, if the cases are good, etc.

I'm looking into getting an upgrade here soon, as some of the games I play nowadays are kinda hard on my PC... and I'm thinking that this is starting to look attractive, I wouldn't have to worry about messing around with hardware, it would surely have enough PSU and cooling to keep the thing running cool...

Worth it or no?
#2 Aug 13 2013 at 5:20 PM Rating: Excellent
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Ibuypower is decent, but they tend to use mid to low end components wherever they can get away with it recently except on their top end builds. You'll end up paying about $150 for labor which is fair, make sure you watch the power supply and motherboard choice, as recently thats been the area they have edged a bit lower than you want. The ibuypower motherboards are actually gigabit or asus boards usually, though again they tend to use a lower end board than I would generally pick for a build, but again that really varies by whatever tier you are looking at purchasing. They do still use the good stuff on their higher end builds.

If you are familiar with building your own computers though, and your only concern is cooling, I'd say build your own. If you buy a case such as the Cooler Master Haf X (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225) with it's very large 230mm fans, you will never ever have a cooling problem (or a noise problem since bigger fans are quieter) unless you decide to overclock substantially, and even then you could always add a water cooling kit.

I'd rather spend the extra $100 on a better video card than pay someone I don't trust to build my PC for me, but thats just me
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#3 Aug 13 2013 at 8:48 PM Rating: Good
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*looks at the link*

Pricey but nice. I might go the self-built route again. I checked IBP's website and not only would it be about $150 for labor.....but ALSO $75 shipping while newegg shipping is like....$20 or something lol.

Thanks for the advice!
#5 Aug 14 2013 at 8:15 AM Rating: Excellent
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Yeah, that one is one of the more pricy cases out there, but it's also one of the best ones. The way I look at it, is the case is the 1 piece of your computer that you will have the longest even if you regularly upgrade the internals, so you'll probably get at least 6 years of use out of it, and it's the first thing anyone sees, so it's probably worth spending a bit more if you plan on continually upgrading. The best case in existence in my opinion is the Cooler Master ATCS, which they discontinued, which is basically that, with a slide out removable motherboard tray.

There are plenty of other case options out there. The budget case would be a cooler master CM690 III once they are released for sale here in a week or two. That's got a 200mm intake, 2 120mm mounts on the top and a 120mm rear, plus space on the side panel and floor, and will run around $80. Thermaltake also makes decent cases, though some of them are more um, flashy than others. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133194 the overseer for example has good airflow and is only $120ish when it's in stock, or the Antec 1200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100

If you want a really good overview of all the current cases out there, go here: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=103&zenid=c6e8f56a606ffad4f86d2849f2f5bade they also offer case line sleeving services, which cost a bit but are worth it if internal looks are important in your computer builds.
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#6 Aug 14 2013 at 8:46 AM Rating: Good
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That reminds me... do they make any "reversible" cases?

In nearly every case I have ever looked at, when you're looking at the front of the case, the side fan ports are on the left, the mobo tray on the right.

In my house, my desk is up against a left wall, not a right one. The only way I can make this work, is to stick the computer in behind the monitor, so that the side ports are blowing air at the monitor, or if I move it to the side a bit, blowing the air out past me (which I can feel the warm air coming out).

Are there "left hand" cases where the air vent is on the right, mobo on the left? That way I could stick it near the left wall, and have it blow air across the back of the monitor and put a small fan on my desk that blows all that air out towards an open window in the summer. That alone would probably help quite a bit with cooling.

I've not seen any yet, 'cept for one on that page you linked that claims to be "fully customizable", a lanparty case or something like that.

EDIT: Nevermind, doesn't Look like you can swap sides with that one either.

Edited, Aug 14th 2013 10:57am by Lyrailis
#7 Aug 14 2013 at 9:30 AM Rating: Excellent
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If you can find one, a LIAN LI PC-A05NB would work. The pci express slots end up on top and upside down in that configuration though, so long term you might theoretically have trouble with video card fans, as most of them are designed with bearings optimized for a fan that is right side up. Not a huge issue as fans are replaceable, but one to watch for. Here's some pictures of one of them. http://www.overclock.net/t/709953/lian-li-pc-a05nb-water-cooling-need-advice

There are a couple other Lian Li cases that fit the bill, but they are rare and i'm not sure they are currently manufacturing one. The old crappy AeroCool Coolview SLVR also could accomodate a left hand motherboard, but that case was a pain in the *** to work with.

Another option would be something like the Silverstone Raven II or fortress II where the motherboard actually mounts 90 degrees up so the "back" ports are actually at the top of the case. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163213

or you could move your desk.
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#8 Aug 14 2013 at 9:31 AM Rating: Good
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If you flipped the mobo to the other side of the case, you'd also run into all your slots being on the wrong side though, right? (Front to Back reversed). You'd need a left hand case and a left hand mobo...

Edit:
Oh, I see you could also flip them top to bottom, I didn't think of rotating it on that axis. Still seems like a bit of a headache.

Edited, Aug 14th 2013 11:32am by TirithRR
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#9 Aug 14 2013 at 10:19 PM Rating: Good
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Hmmm.

I tried looking at those cases too, but they are incredibly rare/hard to find and even then, fairly pricey.

The problem is that I simply cannot move my desk; it is in the corner, with the wall being in front of me and on the left of me (we actually have two desks like this at my house).

I wonder though -- could a sort of duct be jury-rigged and attached to the case so that even a normal case could be put up somewhat close against the wall (maybe about 4-6 inches clearance)?

If the side-fan were an intake fan like that very first case you linked in this thread, you'd still get plenty of air, surely, especially if you rigged a case fan up on the other end of the duct?
#10 Aug 14 2013 at 11:12 PM Rating: Excellent
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If you have big enough fans on the top and front intake, it won't really matter at all. You case needs to be a minimum of 3 inches on side, and 4 inches at the rear from a wall regardless of what case you use, otherwise you'll get overpressure, but as long as you have that clearance and the front and top are not obstructed, you'll get good airflow with anything larger than 140mm for certain. Dual 120's would also be adequate. If you go with something like the Haf X with that huge fan in front and the 200mm's on top, you could probably get away with even less clearance, though it would be noisy because of the backpressure.

You can rig a variety of ducts with varying degrees of success. the longer the duct the more dust it collects, and the more static electricity it potentially generates. It would be much less effort to just flat out water cool the case. The main purpose of a side fan is to offer additional cooling to video cards. if you have enough front intake flow, the stock fans will likely be able to keep up just fine. Another thing to think of is going with a solid state main drive instead of a heat producing rotational drive, which will save you 80-ish watts worth of heat production.
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#11 Aug 14 2013 at 11:30 PM Rating: Good
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Hmmm. Okay. I was a little worried about putting that side duct too close to the wall. So as long as it is 3-4 inches away from the wall, it'd be good, then. Well, that's good to know.

I know I sound like a newbie with all of these questions... I know how to put a computer together, but yet the last couple computers I've made run a little warmer than I'd like so I'm looking at better cases/cooling/etc.

We'll see how this new one goes, even when placed at the left side. Worst-case scenario I'll have to put it behind the monitor again or something, or think of something else.

Thanks for the advice and such, maybe I'll do some pics or some such when its all done.

Edited, Aug 15th 2013 1:30am by Lyrailis
#12 Aug 15 2013 at 12:07 PM Rating: Excellent
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You're welcome! Good luck with it and let us know what you end up building!

Screenshot
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#13 Aug 15 2013 at 12:45 PM Rating: Good
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Okay, I snapped a pic of what my setup looks like, right now:

http://i.imgur.com/Fkb3l4F.jpg

The side port on the current case (an Antec 300) does not have a fan installed. I meant to get one, but never got around to actually doing that. It has, I think a 120mm on top (or it might be 140, not sure), and two smaller ones in the front, and one in the back as you can see from the pic.

It is hard to see, but there is a wall along the left side; I've got surge protector and a 4-port switch right next to a DSL modem that is hanging on the wall (which you can't see from that angle).

To the right is my bed (which you can see) and along that wall is the room's only window (the room itself is 9x9 foot roughly, with a 2-foot square indent for a furnace directly behind the PoV).

During the summer, I usually have a room air conditioner in that window, though I take it out for fall/winter months so I can open the window some.

I was actually standing in the doorway to my room when I took the pic.

What'd be the best way to set the new computer up to get the best circulation/airflow with this setup?

I can move nearly anything on the desk to anywhere, except for the alarm clock (you can't see it, but it is directly behind the box of tissues) and I obviously want the monitor/keyboard where they are now.

EDIT: I measured it with a tape measure, if I were to allow for a 4-inch clearance and put the computer along the left side... the monitor would be an inch or so away from the computer roughly.

Edited, Aug 15th 2013 2:46pm by Lyrailis
#14 Aug 15 2013 at 2:13 PM Rating: Excellent
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Where you have it is about the best spot from what I can see. You would ideally like the front intake pointed at the air conditioner cold air outlet during the summer if possible, but the most important piece is going to be making sure you have a big enough air conditioner to cool the room during the summer and adequate insulation in the walls, etc. If the interior room temperature is above 98 degrees f, you are going to start having computer operating problems regardless of what case you get. You could in theory consider running a dryer exhaust duct off the main exhaust fan through and out an exterior wall via an exterior dryer vent with a critter guard. there are some definite issues with attempting that, but it can be done.

The antec 300 is a nice and quiet case, but that thing is a pain in the *** to work inside, especially the older style where you had to take the faceplate off just to get to the hard drives.
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#15 Aug 15 2013 at 2:36 PM Rating: Good
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Well, my room averages about 75-80F if I'm not running the AC, assuming it is about 70F outside. This is probably because with the AC in the window, there's nowhere for the air to go other than out the door (and, past me while I'm sweating; I can feel the heat coming off the electronics).

Anything hotter than that, I turn the AC on.

The AC is more than large enough for the room (in fact it is too strong; its a 5500BTU for a 9x9 foot room. I run it on Low and sometimes it gets uncomfortably cold in the room, but yet turning it off means the room gets too hot because of the computer and monitor putting out heat). Just using the fan (without running the compressor) setting doesn't seem to make any noticeable difference whatsoever.

I don't think this is an early Antec300; I can slide the HDDs out the back of the cage without messing with the faceplate, but yeah that'd sound annoying. I do want a whole 'nuther case -- I was looking into maybe selling this computer that I'm using now about a month or so after I've ran the new one enough to verify that everything works properly.
#16 Aug 15 2013 at 3:54 PM Rating: Good
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Lyrailis wrote:
I was looking into maybe selling this computer that I'm using now about a month or so after I've ran the new one enough to verify that everything works properly.

Two words...NAS box.
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#17 Aug 15 2013 at 4:06 PM Rating: Good
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I don't really have a need for something like that, though.

Unless you mean that's what someone would buy this machine for.

Kinda overkill for something like that; the computer I'm using now while old is still rigged up as a gaming rig.
#18 Aug 18 2013 at 8:21 PM Rating: Good
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So... how does this look?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233 (HAF RC-912-KKN1 case)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131872 (ASUS M5A97 R2.0 Mobo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130827 (Nvidia GTX 650)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031 (Cooler Master 500W PSU)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568 (GSkill Ripjaws 1600 DDR3 2x8GB RAM)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286 (AMD FX-6300 3.5Ghz 6-Core CPU)

+140mm fan (for the side port), and two 200mm fans (to stick in front/top of the case), Win7, 1TB HDD, DVDRW.

Total: $780.

That a decent setup for the price?

Didn't order it yet, just have it sitting in the shopping cart, lol.

Took me awhile to decide which mobo; they all have a bunch of bad reviews about DOA boards, boards with loose components, etc... hope mine don't end up like that.

Edited, Aug 18th 2013 10:25pm by Lyrailis
#19 Aug 18 2013 at 9:59 PM Rating: Decent
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I'd go for a stronger power supply.
#20 Aug 19 2013 at 12:46 AM Rating: Excellent
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Power supply is a little low if you are thinking of going with SLI ever, and i'd aim for at least a 550 even for non sli. Also, you'll want to go with a 660 GTX over that 650 if you can. the 650 has half the bus of the 660 GTX. it's about $100 more, but well worth it in terms of performance. Motherboard should be fine, it's got 3 fan headers beyond the CPU fan, so you should be able to run a front top and rear fan without needing a controller. Asus has really good RMA policies too, though i've found that dead boards from them are rare. The last batch of 160 we built at my other job we ran into one dead out of the box board. The side panel you'll either want to get a controller to adjust speed, or just live with the noise of it running full blast connected via 4 pin molex. Something like this might be ideal to tune things though. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811992007

Another thing to consider would be adding a solid state drive in addition to the 1TB drive. Keep teh 1TB as a data drive, but put the OS and games on the SSD. they really are that much faster than a standard drive. $190 for the fastest 250gb SATA ssd in existance http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147248 If your budget can swing one, definitly reccommended. also would help with the cooling issue slightly since most of the operations would be on the SSD.
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#21 Aug 19 2013 at 5:05 AM Rating: Good
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Hmm, didn't catch that, thanks!

The SSD thing isn't really a huge priority, and I can always add one of those later (especially when prices come down some lol).

I did, however, swap the 650 for a 660 and swapped the old PSU for a 600W Power Supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121660

As for the fan controller, we'll see how loud the fan is when running it off a molex; I could always add that later too. It helps that I use USB Headphones as my sound device; they are noise-cancelling and when I'm wearing them I can barely hear my current computer running, and not at all when I'm in a game. I don't even hear the Window AC when I'm playing a game lol.

A little pricey at $908 total, but still do-able.


Edited, Aug 19th 2013 7:14am by Lyrailis
#23 Aug 21 2013 at 10:20 PM Rating: Good
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My God, I forgot how freaking FAST Newegg is.

I sent the order at 1800 EST on Tuesday (the 20th).

I check my email curiously, and the two packages are already in the same state, and the Estimated Delivery date is freaking today (Thursday, the 22nd) and I had the cheapest shipping put on it.

Jeez.

Nothing like two-day shipping for $15 on a couple large packages. I didn't even Rush the order either.
#24 Aug 22 2013 at 12:06 AM Rating: Excellent
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Yeah, newegg is great! If only I could get them to ditch thier stupid item order quantity limits. If you get your order in before noon pacific standard time, they usually are able to ship it out same day except around holliday times.
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#25 Aug 22 2013 at 5:09 AM Rating: Good
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See, that's the surprise.

I ordered at 1800 EST/EDT (1500 PST/PDT), without Rush, and they still shipped it same-day even at 3PM.

Not only did they ship it same-day, but it is going to arrive 2 days later, and not the 4-7 their cheapest shipping advertises. lol.

Not that I'm complaining.

I wonder how they can do that, and nobody else can...

Edited, Aug 22nd 2013 7:09am by Lyrailis
#26 Aug 22 2013 at 7:57 AM Rating: Excellent
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Magic box teleporter?
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