Buy this pre-built or build my own?

Sconsey

Hi,

Time to upgrade my PC, I want something for gaming but not top-of-the-line. Will not be doing 4K ray tracing or anything, 1080 gaming at best. There is little to nothing I can salvage from my existing device except maybe the case and I need to check if the PSU is sufficiently powerful.

I was looking at this pre-built on Amazon https://www.amazon.de/-/en/IdeaCentre-Desktop-i5-12400F-GeForce-Keyboard/dp/B09XVKBXQT/ref=sr_1_10?_encoding=UTF8&fst=as%3Aoff&pf_rd_p=6b0d0fe2-69a3-4411-b47d-ad9ab9585396&pf_rd_r=V5KEX8PB0ESES236N2B7&pf_rd_s=visualsn_de_pc-content-4&pf_rd_t=SubnavFlyout&qid=1689763298&rnid=4368988031&s=computers&sr=1-10&th=1

By my rough estimate I could pick up the components for in and around €900-950 to build something similar myself. The Lenovo spec does not describe the PSU or the montherboard, I have a feeling the motherboard would be very basic (max RAM 16Gb). Still, for that price the Lenovo looks like it might be a better buy than trying to order similar components to build my own.

What do you think?

Thanks

/Edit: forgot about cost of the OS

Dcully

I would concerned with no reference to motherboard and PSU?

SilvaMuppet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120871576#Comment_120871576

Yeah.

WIthout that info they could be very limited on how they upgrade or add to the rig over time? (is there spots for an M2 SSD or at least to get another SATA one on,....what are the RAM slots like re expanding). One of the question answers notes the MB is proprietry for lenovo...so i'd imagine options are very limited on what you can do with it.

Equally, if its close to the bone on power consumption , anything they add (be it a newer graphics card in a while... or whatever) could be hard to do

Also, i didn't see anything specifying fans. If they're gaming (and with a 3060 that would be my assumption they are ) it could get hot in there. The graphic with the blue waves and red waves with the spiel "Immer schön cool bleiben" suggests it can manage the heat, but it suggests it might have a single fan at front ...(i'd assume one at the back also).....but is that it? and what is the heat sync on the CPU like.

minitrue

The image of the back of the machine gives away that the PSU is certainly not a normal standard like atx or sfx. The price isn't that good, you could buy better/standard parts of the same core spec for about the same price with how much you spend on the OS likely deciding if you are a bit under or over.

Homelander

Perfectly fine for a pre-build and decent value.

I wouldn't worry too much about the PSU. It is non-standard in that model but if it supports an RTX3060, it'll be fine for an upgrade to a similar class, much better performing card in a future generation.

Also the motherboard will support a minimum of 32GB if not 64GB.

Talk of CPU heat sinks and overheating is exaggerated. These machines aren't designed to run enthusiast super cool, but they are designed for mass-market from a purely functional POV.

An RTX3060 and 12400F isn't going to generate colossal heat, as long as you have an exhaust fan which this most definitely would have, you are fine, and another can probably be added onto the side panel if really needed.

The 'proper' Lenovo Legion gaming PC's use off the shelf parts for everything but are a good bit more expensive.

Could get something like this which does use off the shelf parts.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ADMI-Gaming-PC-2400MHz-Windows/dp/B01GVMHZN0/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=rtx3060+pc&qid=1689850310&s=computers&sr=1-11