iBuyPower SBX Alternative

iBuyPower is a computer system manufacturer company that specializes in prebuilt PC machines, recently they introduced their new “console-like gaming machine.” The SBX Entertainment System with a starting price of $399.

However, the SBX Raw $399 version is as expensive as a console, but with weaker hardware, no controller, no close to metal optimizations, no Blu-ray drive and it doesn’t even come with an operating system.

These are the specs of the SBX Raw ($399)

I was curious to know what it would actually cost if someone decided to build their own iBuyPower SBX Raw system with similar specs, and here is what it came up to:

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 740 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($75.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A78M-HD+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard  ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($39.95 @ Mwave)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 250X 1GB Video Card  ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $321.14

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available)

It’s all about the margin with companies like iBuyPower. After you factor in shipping & labor for assembly, your margin gets a lot slimmer. Prebuilt PCs are for those who don’t want to or can’t build their own PCs.