Budget new comp

[ycchan]

So I'm thinking of getting a new desktop but I want to keep costs down. I usually build my own comps but now a bit out of touch with new technologies. Dell is offering the Insprion 530 for $~750USD.

Specs are:

Intel Core 2 Quad Procs 2.4GHz Q6600 (G33 chipset)
Windows Vista Basic SP1
No monitor (don't need one anyway)
4GB DDR2 800MHz SDRAM Memory
320GB SATA 7200rpm HDD
Dual 16x DVD-ROM + 16x DVD+/- RW with dual write
128MB PCIe ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro w/TV-out
Integrated 7.1 Audio

I don't game that much but occasionally play BF2 / CS. I'm thinking of using it mainly for video editing. Theres an option to change to Core 2 Duo E8200 2.66GHz 6MB L2 at no cost. Do you think I should go for Q6600 or E8200?

Would it be cheaper if I build my own comp with similar specs?

 

[dhc014]

You can get an Inspiron for much less than that. Dell has them on sale all the time. http://www.gotapex.com/ usually has the current deals. Stick with the Q6600 over the E8200 for sure, especially for video editing use.

You can definitely build a better computer for $750, and prices are continuing to go down.

Dell deals are usually cheaper than building yourself since we tend to have to pay a lot for a case, and Windows OS. If you already have an OS and a case then you could easily throw in some nice components for a comparable price.

 

[Dangman]

That Dell is a decent deal. But you could build a similar system for roughly the same price but will have overclocking capability, better cooling, better OS and a slightly more energy efficient PSU.:

Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1 OEM - $110
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU - $200
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $37 & Retention Bracket - $7
Gigabyte GA-P35-S3G Intel P35 Motherboard - $75
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $80
Asus EAH3450/HTP/256M Radeon HD 3450 256MB PCI-E Video Card - $35
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $62
Samsung SH-203N 20X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner - $27
Antec NSK4480 ATX Case with Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU - $80
----
$713 Plus tax and shipping

With that said, like dhc04 has said, check www.gotapex.com for Dell Deals. There's usually a deal every week or so on a quad-core PC for $500 or so

 

[engiNURD]

...Dell is offering the Insprion 530 for $~750USD.
...
Intel Core 2 Quad Procs 2.4GHz Q6600 (G33 chipset)
...
No monitor (don't need one anyway)
...

... With that said, like dhc04 has said, check www.gotapex.com for Dell Deals. There's usually a deal every week or so on a quad-core PC for $500 or so

Here's this week's version:

$499: Inspiron 530 Mini Desktop with Core 2 Quad Q6600, 3GB DDR2, 500GB HD, and Vista Home Premium, expiring 11/19/08 at 11:59PM CT: DELL INSPIRON 530 VISTA DESKTOP DEAL

Though, the only thing I don't like about Inspirons is that they're BTX.

If you have $750 to spend, then Danny's build would be better simply for the OC'ing capability.