Need some advice!

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dcgc5

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Hey guys so I'm looking to get more serious into sim racing. I really want to give iRacing a go. Just a little back ground I've raced go karts and cars for most of my life. I haven't raced in a while because I'm 24 and did other things I wanted like work for Disney World moved to a few states. But now I'm looking to slow my life down and get into college so I can make money. What I miss though now that I'm not always going to theme parks or parties, or whatever the case may be, is racing.

So I knew pretty much iRacing is the top dog. I know it's expensive but I don't really mind paying for things that are worth it and it's no where near an actual racing expense. I also used to play A LOT of GT4. Never with a wheel but I want to play GT6 with a wheel later this year. So I was looking around on craigslist the other day and found what seems like a steal. This guy is selling a computer, triple monitor set, cockpit for the set, a G930 Wireless Head set, and a G27 Wheel for 1100 American dollars.

My question is, Is this a steal? It seems like almost too good to be true, he lists these specs for the computer.

Computer is custom built that includes 8 gigs of memory, GTX 660 2GB Video Card, 4.1 GhZ AMD quad core processor.
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Should I jump on this? At the current time I don't have a PS3 I was going to get one around Black Friday when the sales come and also get a G27 to use for GT5...until 6 came out. But should I get this and focus my efforts on iRacing until the GT6 PS3 bundle comes out? I know the PS4 is coming out but I won't get that until Christmas 2014 just for personal reasons.
 
Considering the computer and monitors could be over 1100 by themselves, yeah, that's a great deal.

Think about it like this, you're going to want to have this kind of setup eventually right?
While it may seem expensive, try pricing everything together separately, and comparing it to the 1100.

It'd be nicer to just get it all in one go.
 
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The wheel is usually 200. The graphics card (non TI) is $170 on a deal. The CPU is probably junk but without more details I can't confirm. Everything hinges on the monitors. If they are 22" you can get Dell's for $100 each. Ram is dirt cheap these days 8 gb will cost $50.

So I would say you could build it today for around $920.

You are not getting a steal. Being on Craigslist though just tell him about how you could build it for less and he may be willing to deal.
 
ibuycheap
The wheel is usually 200. The graphics card (non TI) is $170 on a deal. The CPU is probably junk but without more details I can't confirm. Everything hinges on the monitors. If they are 22" you can get Dell's for $100 each. Ram is dirt cheap these days 8 gb will cost $50.

So I would say you could build it today for around $920.

You are not getting a steal. Being on Craigslist though just tell him about how you could build it for less and he may be willing to deal.
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They are 3 24". (He linked them)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008A3KFB8/?tag=gtplanet-20

Not a name brand I recognize but to be honest I'm sort of out of the loop on monitors. I've used laptops for so long and for TVs I'm pretty loyal to LG.

The cockpit is Obutto. What I'm honestly concerned with is spending 1100 dollars on below average equipment (though I'm sold on the G27 either way) when I could wait and spend 15-1600 but get equipment that will last in the long run and is decent quality.
 
I tried to post a reply just now but it had links in it (to the monitors and cockpit) but maybe a mod has to approve it since I'm new. So I'll say the Cockpit is an Obutto Ozone gaming cockpit with the 3 monitor mount and the screens are 27 in but they are "ViewSonic" brand.
 
dcgc5
I tried to post a reply just now but it had links in it (to the monitors and cockpit) but maybe a mod has to approve it since I'm new. So I'll say the Cockpit is an Obutto Ozone gaming cockpit with the 3 monitor mount and the screens are 27 in but they are "ViewSonic" brand.
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Yah with 27" monitors and an Obutto that is a good deal. Not a steal when you consider it is used but a good deal. I would still push for a lower price. You could easily discount the obutto saying that it is too large for most people and he won't find a buyer.
 
ViewSonic are one of those cheap Korean 'brands' like Catleap and... I don't know, ones with letters that don't actually stand for anything. They're decent as they use the same components as more expensive gear but they're B-grade stock; basically the LCD panels Apple, Sony, etc. reject get bought by these people so they can make cheap gear. It's a bit of a gamble, the reason they're rejected is because they may have failed a dead pixel test or have some other out-of-spec characteristics which may mean they live a short life or develop faults sooner. I know a lot of people on various forums who buy these sorts of things all the time and seem to have few problems, but you get the odd one or two who regret their decisions...
 
neema_t
ViewSonic are one of those cheap Korean 'brands' like Catleap
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Really? Viewsonic used to be The brand for monitors. At least way back in the day. I used to have a massive 21"(?) Viewsonic CRT. Worked great but I have no idea how viewsonic is now.
 
ibuycheap
Yah with 27" monitors and an Obutto that is a good deal. Not a steal when you consider it is used but a good deal. I would still push for a lower price. You could easily discount the obutto saying that it is too large for most people and he won't find a buyer.
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So if he's at 1100 what number would you honestly pay? I'll try and low ball him to start but where do you think I should consider getting it? 700-800?

neema_t
ViewSonic are one of those cheap Korean 'brands' like Catleap and... I don't know, ones with letters that don't actually stand for anything. They're decent as they use the same components as more expensive gear but they're B-grade stock; basically the LCD panels Apple, Sony, etc. reject get bought by these people so they can make cheap gear. It's a bit of a gamble, the reason they're rejected is because they may have failed a dead pixel test or have some other out-of-spec characteristics which may mean they live a short life or develop faults sooner. I know a lot of people on various forums who buy these sorts of things all the time and seem to have few problems, but you get the odd one or two who regret their decisions...
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Right see this is what worries me I don't mind paying for things but I want things that are worth the money. Let's say I do get it what screens would you say for me to get? I like LG as a brand but I've never used it for computers though I'm assuming it would be good quality like my TV is.
 
neema_t
ViewSonic are one of those cheap Korean 'brands' like Catleap and... I don't know, ones with letters that don't actually stand for anything. They're decent as they use the same components as more expensive gear but they're B-grade stock; basically the LCD panels Apple, Sony, etc. reject get bought by these people so they can make cheap gear. It's a bit of a gamble, the reason they're rejected is because they may have failed a dead pixel test or have some other out-of-spec characteristics which may mean they live a short life or develop faults sooner. I know a lot of people on various forums who buy these sorts of things all the time and seem to have few problems, but you get the odd one or two who regret their decisions...
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I Have 3 korean crossovers and zero dead pixel, a+ panels. Accessorieswhole is only person who sells a+ panels on ebay. As they are the only top seller and highest rated seller of korean 1440p monitors. Don't buy from any other seller and save hundreds over a name brand 1440p monitor as they are lg panels anyways
 
For what its worth I had a Viewsonic 24" and I loved it, great picture and I only sold it to go bigger. I will also eventually going to triple screens and Viewsonic will be my first port of call. Very impressed by them especially for the prices.

Evo
 
neema_t
ViewSonic are one of those cheap Korean 'brands' like Catleap
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Viewsonic is still a good brand. You don't know what you are talking about.

dcgc5
So if he's at 1100 what number would you honestly pay? I'll try and low ball him to start but where do you think I should consider getting it? 700-800?
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Check when it was posted in the top left. The longer ago it was posted the harder you can hit them on price. Also set up a meet to go see it and then start making offers. It is harder to walk away from cash in hand. You can also get clues as to why he is selling. If he is moving or his wife wants it gone those are easy ways to get a price break. If it is just in the garage it may be harder to make him budge.

I think offering $800 will probably lead to getting it for $900. If any of those other factors apply you can probably get it down even lower.
 
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I know pretty much he just wants a new hobby I got off the phone with him told I have about 700 cash and I'd like to come look at it. He agreed but said he didn't know if 700 was enough but I'm going to see it tomorrow.
 
dcgc5
I know pretty much he just wants a new hobby I got off the phone with him told I have about 700 cash and I'd like to come look at it. He agreed but said he didn't know if 700 was enough but I'm going to see it tomorrow.
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The sight of a bundle of cash can be a very effective subliminal persuader to clinch a deal like this. Just take the 700 in small bills for a bigger bundle. It takes a strong person to look beyond this illusion. 👍
 
Thanks for the advice everyone (even the ones talking about the monitors they all have me excited about getting it) my plan is to take 900 with try to get it for 700 but if he demands another amount I'll drive around the corner for about 10-15 mins "going to the ATM" and tell him 800s all I got anything more and I may try to just build my own system with my own new stuff.
 
So just an update I went and saw it today. Its a pretty cool setup he let me drive a few laps on his iRacing account sense he doesn't want it anymore anyways, one of the monitors got dropped when he was trying to place it and its damaged. The H shifter on the 27 didn't work he didn't really seem to know why. So I had to use the paddle shifter to shift. 900 was the lowest he was willing to go but he said he really wants 950.

Overall I just wasn't impressed with it and its clear he hasn't taken care of it. I told him if he cant get rid of it to give me a call but I don't want to put 900+dollars into something and have to replace the G27 and a monitor. I have around 1200-1500. I could spend on building my own rig and I feel like I can get an equal or better system for 1500.
 
Is the monitor screen damaged or just the casing? For the G27 shifter, you could just buy a Thrustmaster shifter and run that with the G27 wheel. I don't know what the G27 shifter is like but I never used my G25 shifter because it was basically junk.

The more that I think about it the more that I'm concerned with the computer. The 660 might be fine running triples in iRacing but I suspect it would have troubles running triples in pcars or rfactor2 and might have troubles if iRacing starts adding things like weather. I don't know much about the amd processors but they generally aren't as well regarded as the intel ones. Who knows how good the power supply is.

But $900 isn't too much to get you going. An obutto will cost you $350 + monitor stand and the wheel itself will cost you a few hundred. Three 24" monitors around $450. A computer with an i5 3570K processor and 7950 video card about a $1000. So it does add up.
 
Zathra5_
Is the monitor screen damaged or just the casing? For the G27 shifter, you could just buy a Thrustmaster shifter and run that with the G27 wheel. I don't know what the G27 shifter is like but I never used my G25 shifter because it was basically junk.

The more that I think about it the more that I'm concerned with the computer. The 660 might be fine running triples in iRacing but I suspect it would have troubles running triples in pcars or rfactor2 and might have troubles if iRacing starts adding things like weather. I don't know much about the amd processors but they generally aren't as well regarded as the intel ones. Who knows how good the power supply is.

But $900 isn't too much to get you going. An obutto will cost you $350 + monitor stand and the wheel itself will cost you a few hundred. Three 24" monitors around $450. A computer with an i5 3570K processor and 7950 video card about a $1000. So it does add up.
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Its the actual LCD part of the screen its got a lot of purple cracks on one of the sides. Basically what I'm thinking though I would rather do a build by getting parts on black friday and for Christmas as well as purchasing some of my own. I have an Antec case and LG CD/DVD drive and 8GBs of RAM in my room. If I'm right I would need a MOBO Processor CPU and Graphic Card(s) right?

I would rather spend 900 of my own dollars on parts that I know are great and slowly build it into a triple screen set up and if he can't sell his cock pit he said he would give me a call. Even if that meant I had to run single screen for a while.

But with the position I'm in I have black friday I can finish my computer, Christmas I can get the G27 and February 3rd is my birthday. So in the coming months I could have basically everything but the cockpit and I can save up for it.
 
You really want the three screens to match so having to replace one isn't best. I'd put my own system together.

You'd want to make sure that your case has enough cooling and that your power supply is good enough. Then you'd just need video card, mobo, cpu (+/-cooler) and HDD or SSD.
 
Zathra5_
You really want the three screens to match so having to replace one isn't best. I'd put my own system together.

You'd want to make sure that your case has enough cooling and that your power supply is good enough. Then you'd just need video card, mobo, cpu (+/-cooler) and HDD or SSD.
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Thanks! I think I know enough about video cards cpus and SSDs to get that situated myself. Where I have no clue is the MOBO. Like I'm literally stumped is there anyway you could help me figure out what kind I need to get?👍
 
sounds better left alone. maybe if he is willing to part it out you could get the cockpit or something
 
Khyber
sounds better left alone. maybe if he is willing to part it out you could get the cockpit or something
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Yeah thats what I told him he said he might try and sell it all separately I told him to give me a call about the cock pit because I'm interested in it.👍
 
If it doesn't appear that he took care of the stuff your probably better off building your own. Buying used computers or parts always makes me nervous. You never know what they put them through before you got them.
 
dcgc5
Thanks! I think I know enough about video cards cpus and SSDs to get that situated myself. Where I have no clue is the MOBO. Like I'm literally stumped is there anyway you could help me figure out what kind I need to get?👍
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It had been a while since I'd bought a PC but what I did was follow the sales at sites like NCIX. I first decided on which processor that I wanted (i5 3570K) and then looked for motherboard bundles on sale. When I found a bundle with a MOBO brand that I knew (like Asus or Gigabyte), I checked out the specs and reviews to see if it was any good. That's how I did it but I'm sure others could give you better advice on what to look for.
 

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