Dell Dim8400 or Build from scratch?

A

aznstyl

Weaksauce
Joined
Dec 7, 2004
Messages
116
Pentium® 4 Processor 640 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB)
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz (2x512M)
E173FP Flat Panel Display
256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon™ X850 XT PE
40GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
IEEE 1394 Adapter
Dell Quietkey® Keyboard
Dell 2-button scroll mouse
TOTAL = $1,585.80
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with that kind of money (aprox. $1600) can I build a better system? or should I go with the Dimension 8400 from dell?

Also, can someone give me more details about the motherboard specs on the 8400? Aslo, who have purchase this Dim8400, can you tell me your experience on it (good or bad). Thank you.

EDIT: Is this box good for multitasking? I do a lot of burning, encoding,listening mp3s, watching movies (files & DVDs) and light gaming (HL:2 & SC) as well.
 
I would build the system from scratch. Dell use non-starndard components (ie ones they build themselves), making it very hard to upgrade, and you get better features and performance from name brand components (like ASUS for mobo, Western Digital for HD etc.). Also, the after market support from Dell is crap - you might think you are paying for it but in reality it doesn't really exist. Buy your components online or from a computer shop, and you can build a better computer with better support for the same or similar price.

The system listed out there is pretty good, its a good start. If you buy the components yourself and build it, it will be a killer system, no worries about that. Any P4 HT is good with muli-tasking, so thats a good choice until the dual core processors come out.
 
If I can build better and with that kind of money ($1500). What would it be? Can someone make a list and a linked to the product? Much appreciated if you do. Also this is my first buil. So go easy on me.

You can opt out the following below since I don't need an upgrade for it.
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I have Logitech MX DUO
I have M-Audio Revolution 7.1
I have Plextor DVD-r/+r writer and CDR-W
I have Klipse promedia GMX-D 5.1 (Don't need upgrade yet..but will with ULTRA version)
I have 2 Dell 2005FPW wide screen LCD
I have a 17in Samsung 710n
I have 2 Extra HD
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So basicly you can skip those. With ($1500) can someone list a killer rig for me? I want to be able to keep this for about 3 years, but still able to update if I have extra cash on me.

Thank you.
 
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