A Critical Question

T

tyR

n00b
Joined
May 5, 2006
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10
Okay, guys, I have a question.

My current computer is a Dell Dimension. Its basic specs are as follows:
- Pentium 4 2.44 GHz
- Windows XP Home
- DVD ROM Drive
- CD RW Drive
- 768 MB DDR RAM
- Radeon 9700 Pro

Since it's about 4 or so years old now, I have been looking into getting a new computer. Basically what I am asking is if it is worth it to get a new computer now with the current prices, or wait a little bit. I ask this since when I look at Dell's website (I get a 10% or so discount on Dells, and I have a stick of 512 MB Dell RAM), the $900 option barely looks like it would out perform my current system. Now, I could be completely wrong, and thats why I'm here. : p

I could go someplace else to get a computer, as I don't exactly like Dell, but its price would have to be pretty good with comparable or better specs, since again, I have that 10-15% discount. Building my own isn't completely out of the picture, since I have a pretty good knowledge of computer hardware, but I'd rather not risk it at the moment. :p I'm also in college, so portability is always an issue as well, and a laptop isn't completely out of the picture. However, I game a lot, and with the rapidly changing laptop world, I never know what is current and what is out of date. I'm afraid that if I get a laptop, it will be obsolete in a year or two.

I'd say my price limit is ~$1500-$2000 right now. Any suggestions or help you could give me would be great, thanks.
 
best advice i can give you is to build it yourself. i could/will never trust a prebuilt PC and it's just a lot more fun to build one yourself plus there is no cost of "labor'. also, you will be able to make a better custom pc for the same price as a lower-end Prebuilt pc *if you shop around*
 
cyks said:
Risk what?
Click to expand...
Fucking it up. I've never attempted it yet, so I'm not really familer with the risks, but I can imagine myself getting frustrated after ordering a wrong part, etc. I guess I can take a look around though, and I've took computers completely apart and put them back together, I'm just afraid of ordering the wrong stuff.
 
Check out Dell's outlet. Example of what's available there:

Dimension 4700 Micro-Tower: Pentium 4 Processor 540 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB)

Memory
512 MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz (2 DIMMs)

Hard Disk Drive
160 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

Media Bay
16x DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability


Price = $379.
 
well, prices will always get better if you wait a while, but eventually you're going to have to pull the trigger and get something. What are you looking for? as in - what's important to you in a builder? and what are you using this for? gaming and...
 
lovemyPC said:
well, prices will always get better if you wait a while, but eventually you're going to have to pull the trigger and get something. What are you looking for? as in - what's important to you in a builder? and what are you using this for? gaming and...
Click to expand...
I'm looking for a nice upgrade that will last me a couple of years.

Gaming is the priority. I also am frequently in programs such as Photoshop, but nothing too extensive. So, I'd say I'd need to splurge on things like the processor, vid card, and RAM. I usually use a lot of hard drive space, I'd like something pretty big, but nothing excessive. I know about that kind of stuff. The things that would screw me up would be power supplies, mother boards, what kind of cooling I'll need, if I need to buy more/seperate cables, etc. I have no knowledge of how this stuff ships and what comes with it. I know nothing about what kind of power I would need, and I have never kept up-to-date with the latest and greatest motherboards either. Cases I can figure out, but then again..I'd like something small, but a big guy with ample space to keep cool would be fine. I don't need a $300 sound card, either. Just something basic.

EDIT: Thanks for all the help. I think I'm gunna go ahead and build it myself. After browsing the forums a little bit and looking around at various shops, I definatly think I can do this. If you have any more tips/ideas feel free to post them though. I could still use help.
 
why was this moved? he was looking at pre builds... (edit) didnt notice his edit

Id recommend Velocity micro in your price range :D (i dont think anyone here wouldnt...) With a 7900 series card and an Amd Athlon X2 for the CPU :)

if you plan on getting a new monitor... *shrugs* i unno

And before this gets moved... those who say they dont trust pre builds, get your heads outta that mindset :p pre builds can be great :p
 
I did a little digging, here you go......

Dell system (XPS 400):

Pentium D 940 (3.2 GHz)
Dell motherboard
1GB PC533 DDR2 ram
160GB SATA 3.0Gb HDD
Radeon x1900xtx
Integrated Sound Blaster X-Fi sound
16x DVD dual layer burner
Windows XP Home SP2
Dell Case
1 year on-site warranty
Total:$1780 ($1602 after your discount)

Velocity Micro system (Gamers Edge 1500):

Athlon 64 x2 4200+ (2.2 GHz)
Asus A8n SLI motherboard
1GB PC3200 ram
200GB SATA 150 HDD
GeForce 7900gt
Integrated Realtek 7.1 channel audio
16x DVD dual layer burner
Windows XP Home SP2
Velocity Micro Case with 500 watt power supply
1 year off-site warranty
Total: $1600

Build-your-own (all parts from newegg.com):

Athlon 64 x2 4200+ (2.2 GHz)
Asus A8N SLI motherboard
2GB Patriot Signature PC3200 ram
160GB SATA 3.0Gb HDD
Radeon x1900xtx
Integrated Realtek 7.1 channel audio
16x DVD dual layer burner
Windows XP Home SP2 OEM
Antec Lifestyle Sonata 2 case with 450 watt power supply
No warranty
Total: $1363.89

The Dell is probably going to be the fastest gaming pc, and at your price is going to be hard to beat. The Velocity Micro system would probably be the better bet for the money, but with that discount you'll get it's probably better to go with the Dell. It's a shame you cant get anything better than a 7900gt on the Gamers Edge 1500. The newegg Build-your-own will save you $238, so you have to decide if it's worth that much to go with the Dell, because honestly you are going to be hard pressed to see any differences if any at all in system performance, except in applications that will want more than 1GB of ram *cough*BF2*cough*.
 
no offense but that is the worst advice you could have given the guy. The dell is NEVER going to be the best option over a custom build because they don't use high quality parts and because they over charge. the 2gb of ram in the custom pc will completely obliterate the 1gb in the Dell and you will notice a significant gaming difference from that extra 1 gig of ram. especially in texture intesive games like BF2 and Oblivion. you also save a bit of money and the AMD x2 is much higher quality than any current dual core from intel....until the conroe *dum dum dum.....* once again, CUSTOM BUILD!!! =D
 
Honestly if it was me then I would be doing the custom build also, but there are other things to consider. The OP has already stated that he is uncomfortable building his own, which I can understand, not everyone has years of experience with building systems. Second, if he does get it all together, what if he has a problem? Warranties are highly important to people who buy systems, just read some of the reviews done by the [H] and then figure it out yourself just how important a good warranty is. Third I didnt explicitly reccomend the Dell, like I said the OP has to figure it out for himself if building it himself and not having support outside of what he or his friends know is worth the money he will save. The only thing I said is that with the prices he's looking at the Dell is better than the Velocity Micro (see the x1900xtx) and he needs to decide on the building it himself part.
 
Thanks for all your help guys. I'm really thinking of custom building it. I'm gunna look aroudn a tad more, but..

I've been looking around at various places/shops and seen some of the money I could save. Its nothing huge, but money is money. And I've got a real good friend whose a computer engineer who said he'd help me with anything I'd need if I can't figure it out the first time, so warranties really aren't that important to me.

Oh, and, I know Dell's shitty parts well. I've had first hand experience with their RAM, I just wan't sure how prices were. Thanks to you guys I know well. Plus, I want to try an AMD route this time. Once again, thanks.
 
I say custom build it. Plus you get to learn, so when you build your next computer you can save $$$, instead of giving to dell/hp/etc....
 
A few weeks ago, I built a computer for my sister. X2 3800+, A8N-E, 1GB RAM (I have 2GB but she doesn't NEED it ;)), etc. First time ever, although I was already pretty familiar with most parts of the system.

IMO, the hardest part will be applying thermal grease to the CPU (unless you use the stock heatsink), everything else is a piece of cake. :) Almost everything can only be plugged into one specific jack, so it's hard to mess up there. As long as you take precautions against ESD, you're pretty much set.

Just look around for some computer building guides, read them, have them open when you start putting everything together in case there's a problem. Personally, I used the one at the Corsair forums, it's got a lot of pictures and details.

If you decide to build- may the Force be with you!
 
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