$1k desktop, VM, HP or ...

[wahoogeek]

First, awesome site and forum... I found it by googling "XPS 400" :eek:

I am in the market for a new desktop with around $1k budget for the box by itself. It will be used for surfing, music, and my new venture into video editing (home movies, new DV camcorder so convenient firewire connections are mandatory). I am not a gamer but don't want to get a box that would preclude me from enjoying a game now and then. I want a machine I can upgrade as needed so I'm looking beyond the big name OEMs but their prices keep pulling me back.

Based on the reviews and comments here, I've been looking at the Velocity Micros. The Gamer's Edge 1000 with A8N SLI mobo, 3700+, 256 eVGA GeForce 6600, 1GB ram, 200 GB hd, DVD burner is $1100. The Vision GX with A8N-VM mobo, 3700+, integrated nvidia 6100 video, everything else the same is $900. I live in VA so I'd have to pay sales tax.

You can get an HP or Gateway with X2 4200+, Dual DVD drives, 250GB hard drive, 1GB ram for $800. Even though I hate bloatware, the specs look nice plus saving money is always a good thing.

So, any advice, comments, recommendations? I've priced other builders (monarch, etc.) and they are same or more than VM. Thanks y'all.

[sbowen2]

I have a Vision-GX and I must say it's good bang for the buck. I did upgrade the PS to the Antec 550 watt for $70.
Be aware that you should order it w/ 512MB of Ram and then order two 1Gig sticks. I made the mistake and have 4x512 and it clocks down to 333MHz for stability. Only populating two slots will give you the 400MHz.
I also had a 6800GT 512MB that I added. I love FPS's; Quake, F.E.A.R etc, and this thing games quite well for a system that was $1009 shipped. If SLi is of interest to you then I would highly recommend the Gamers Edge 1000.

[batmanwcm]

I'd go with whatever gives me the best performance for the least amount of money. I'd suggest you get the HP or Gateway with the X2 4200+.

[steveak]

First, awesome site and forum... I found it by googling "XPS 400" :eek:

I am in the market for a new desktop with around $1k budget for the box by itself. It will be used for surfing, music, and my new venture into video editing (home movies, new DV camcorder so convenient firewire connections are mandatory). I am not a gamer but don't want to get a box that would preclude me from enjoying a game now and then. I want a machine I can upgrade as needed so I'm looking beyond the big name OEMs but their prices keep pulling me back.


Puget's certified home/office starts (without any upgrades) at $916.
See http://www.pugetsystems.com/certified_sys.php?sys_id=18

steve

[artificer]

Wouldn't something like this be pretty good bang for the buck:

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4707299?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Paired with one of the new 7600GT video cards from nVidia? That gives you the dualcore AMD 4200, along with a decent card. The HP does have an open PCI-E slot, so it seems like it should work and would bring the system in right around $1000.

I'm thinking about doing this, myself, because my antiquated system is in dire need of replacement.

[steveak]

Wouldn't something like this be pretty good bang for the buck:

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4707299?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Paired with one of the new 7600GT video cards from nVidia? That gives you the dualcore AMD 4200, along with a decent card. The HP does have an open PCI-E slot, so it seems like it should work and would bring the system in right around $1000.

I'm thinking about doing this, myself, because my antiquated system is in dire need of replacement.

And not only that, you'll be able to sign up for every ISP in the world!

Online Services
* Easy sign-up to major dial-up and broadband Internet Service Providers:
* AOL dial-up (trial service included)
* AOL for Broadband (trial service included)
* AOL for Small Business (trial service included)
* AOL Latino (trial service included)
* Netscape Internet Service (offer included)
* MSN dial-up (offer included)
* MSN Premium (offer included)
* EarthLink dial-up (offer included)
* EarthLink High Speed (offer included)
* SBC Yahoo! DSL (offer included)

[Jason_Wall]

And not only that, you'll be able to sign up for every ISP in the world!

Online Services
* Easy sign-up to major dial-up and broadband Internet Service Providers:
* AOL dial-up (trial service included)
* AOL for Broadband (trial service included)
* AOL for Small Business (trial service included)
* AOL Latino (trial service included)
* Netscape Internet Service (offer included)
* MSN dial-up (offer included)
* MSN Premium (offer included)
* EarthLink dial-up (offer included)
* EarthLink High Speed (offer included)
* SBC Yahoo! DSL (offer included)

Mmm...I started to feel bloated just reading that. ;)

[HappyJack]

For $1k, I'd still take the Velocity GE 1000 (http://www.velocitymicro.com/wizard.php?iid=31) over the OEM. Sure, the "specs" are better for the HP, but how a system is built and supported, plus upgrading in the future, will all give you a more satisfying experience if you go with a known brand like VM. Beside, look at Cnet reviews to see that VM can make a faster system with better, allbeit slower models of parts than an OEM any day because of the way they build and test them. Also, the default 3800+ on the VM is actually a faster CPU but just isn't dual core, so many games will actually run much faster. You'd probably be hard pressed to see the diff anyway.

Simple answer (from a VM customer) is: Velocity Micro (http://www.velocitymicro.com).

[wahoogeek]

Thanks for the responses all.

re: the Puget system, once you beef up the configuration to get close to the VM its more expensive (not by much and probably a wash with sales tax) but thanks.

I'd like to hear more about the GX.... how's the noise level, any issues with the mobo (it gets some negative reviews) or bios? any negatives found so far?

The price diff between the GX and GE1000 is $200 with the GE1000 getting you an arguably better mobo plus graphics card.... is it worth it?

[lovemyPC]

I'd read the reviews of both - you can find them pretty easily with Google. If you're into SLI, than go with the GE 1000. My friend just got one and he's totally digging it.

For my money, I'd rather spend more on a system from Velocity than save money with an HP. The premium you're paying is for better quality components, better build, and real tech support. Buying from an OEM pretty much means supporting yourself.

I don't know about you, but my time is worth more than that...

[wahoogeek]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm gonna punt on the HP/OEMs and go for a Velocity. For me, the clean system (both software and hardware) is worth the extra money. So its now up between the GX and the GE 1000.

Any one have any comments on the Asus A8N-SLI versus Asus A8N-VM (CSM?) motherboards. Besides the obvious SLI.... which I wont use as SLI but it appears to be a superior board.

thanks again.

[Baredor]

Glad to hear you're going with VM. One of the problems with getting a HP or a VAIO or some such is that while you might get the name brand CPU (in this case a X2), they gimp you big time on the graphics card, which in a high end system is usually the single most expensive part in it.

[DigitalN]

the A8NSLI is a much better board

[Velocity_Micro]

I second the vote on the A8N SLI board - more flexible and a bit faster.

[jon67]

If video editing is going to be your main CPU-demanding activity, I'd recommend a dual-core system. Ran the Adobe Premiere Pro trial on a P4 HT, and both logical CPUs were fully utilized in periods.

Of course, with a 939 mb you can upgrade to dual-core later... there are reasons to believe that the X2 prices will drop considerably in about 6 months or less ;)

[wahoogeek]

I'd like to get an X2 but the budget wont support it, but its on my upgrade list.

I haven't purchased yet - on biz travel out west (its snowing!)

[HappyJack]

I'd still go with the SLI motherboard, and save up for a couple of extra weeks to get the X2 3800+ if you can. It's not a huge upgrade cost and you'll be glad you did.

[wahoogeek]

Done! I just ordered a Gamer's Edge 1000. Thanks to all.

Now to find a decently priced LCD....

[wahoogeek]

Thought I'd close out this thread with a mini-review on my new Gamer's Edge 1000...

Very painless order and delivery, I did everything online and received emails on the status as it progressed. Received PMs from Randy (CEO, poster on this forum) prior to the delivery, got the software bundles included even though they weren't being offered when I made the order (thanks Randy!). Unit came nicely packaged with no damage to the box.

Basically, it's pretty much the exact thing I was looking for -- simple, clean system with plenty of upgrade potential and sufficient horse power (for my needs). As stated in most reviews, the inside is very neat and orderly (more on that below). The only preinstalled software was the Nero suite I asked for -- I'm sure it was the default install so there were a few unnecessary tasks in the startup config that I later disable through msconfig. But that was it, no bloatware!

Tonight I added an old IDE drive from my previous box. Some semi-interesting observations from that process. The power connector bundle was so tightly bound and tucked out the way that it was a minor hassle to fish out a spare connector. I had to unclip most, if not all, of the tie wraps to get one. Also, the main power bundle coming out of the ps runs right next to a large capacitor on the upper right hand corner of the mb. After pulling and pushing the wires to get a connector, I noticed that the cap had been bumped and was slighty off vertical. No damage but a potential problem maker. It would be a cleaner setup if VM left at least one connector floating for upgrades.

Prior to powering up with the new drive, I decided to call support, more out of curiosity than need -- it was also 5 minutes to 11 PM, almost closing time. A very helpful lady named Ellen answered immediately. I asked her which IDE controller I should connect to and if there were any BIOS settings I needed to adjust. She knew the answers immediately -- no 37 scripted questions that DELL makes you go through only to get transferred.

From my experience so far, I highly recommend VM.

[Chris_Morley]

Great feedback, thanks for sharing it with us!

[lovemyPC]

wahoo geek - after a few days of torturing, how's the VM holding up?

[wahoogeek]

weather has been too nice so not much time spent on the PC!

so far no issues, its stable - no crashes ... kids love the blue light :cool:. I'm slowly adding up the programs I normally use (weather pending) so I'm not fully up yet. I did fire up COD2 and it was a blast (literally, I suck at it -- can't do the bull rush like in older FPS).

[HappyJack]

weather has been too nice so not much time spent on the PC!I'm wondering about your whole value system, man! Seriously, post a picture or two.