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Alright, convince me why building is worth about $200-300 over a Dell

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Originally posted by: Steven the Leech
I would definitey be changing to athalon 64 if I were in the market for a new pc now, price is right and definitely the best performer nowadays. I would definitely think you could get a very nice system for 8-900 for sure as well as the full warranty that mech was talking about.
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:thumbsup: ...... especially if you are looking to cut the price a bit.
 
It looks like Athlon boards still use AGP/PCI with no PCIe? I'll look on Newegg. What will go in the nonvideo PCIe slots in the future, anyway?
 
Pay attention to your PSU connectors (20-pin versus 24-pin).

I'm on dial-up so I don't really have the patience to follow all your undescriptive links, but I did see one thing you'll be hung out to dry on: a WinXP Home Edition CD with no license. 😛 Buy the real thing, a CD with a license, from someplace that's trustworthy.

If it were me, I'd aim you towards an Antec Sonata (more power, lower noise with its 120mm exhaust fan), an Asus K8N, an Athlon64 3000+, a couple of 512MB Corsair ValueSelect PC3200 modules, a legit WindowsXP license and CD-ROM, and that Works Suite 2005 DVD I mentioned earlier.
 
I thought that looked a little fishy, mechBgon. I got these links from someone else. I was looking at this Chaintech NForce 3 board: http://www.newegg.com/app/view...tion=13-152-043&DEPA=1 , but your Asus at $84 sounds pretty nice! I noticed Asus only has a couple AMD boards - and for some reason I seem to trust nvidia chipsets more than VIA. So it does look about $100 cheaper for AMD.

So the Antec Sonata is quieter than that supposedly quiet one? Thanks, I'll check it out. Now how much is that ATI X700 in AGP...
 
Yeah, you don't want to get stuck like this guy. I'm not sure if the X700 Pro will ever be released in AGP, but if you want a PCIe board, then it would probably be prudent to hook yourself up with a 24-pin power supply. Suddenly a nice 20-pin Asus K8N with an AGP 6600GT and a Sonata sounds sort of sensible 😀
 
Hey, I just checked out that K8N thread and it doesn't sound too good - lots of problems! Too bad there's no AGP X700, since it does so well on Sims 2. I wonder why no one is using that P5DG1 for Intel?
 
The 6600GT is out for AGP ($220's the average price) and should perform better anyway, but I don't think Sims 2 even needs quite that much. If you'd like something cheaper, consider a used 9700 Pro.

The Chaintech you mentioned earlier is a great budget board for an A64, and is probably priced a little lower than the Asus (though I haven't heard of very many problems with the K8N or K8N-E... perhaps you're accidentally looking at a K8V or A8N-SLI thread?). It would make a good match with a 2800+ or 3000+.
 
The biggest reason not to buy dell is that dell combos are made for people that wouldnt even know how to make their own computer. Now because of that they have to make a profit on those deals. Which ties into the number one thing I've learned about computer hardware is that no matter what it says it is, you get what you pay for. Oh ya and dell is evil and turning into the hardware version of microsoft 🙂.
 
Originally posted by: RalphTheCow
Hey, I just checked out that K8N thread and it doesn't sound too good - lots of problems! Too bad there's no AGP X700, since it does so well on Sims 2. I wonder why no one is using that P5DG1 for Intel?
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What K8N thread would this be, the one where people are freaking because the first-generation K8N-E Deluxe doesn't OC past 220MHz bus speeds very well? 🙂

<--- likes his K8N-E Deluxe / 6600GT / Antec TruePower combo :heart:
 
Darn those pesky little letter suffixes! Yeah, that was the thread. On the regular K8N, there were two problems mentioned, sounds like with the onboard ethernet. I read that review where they talk about the hardware firewall that's in it.

So what are your thoughts on lifespan? Isn't that not the latest socket, 754? Of course in 3 years boards are usually totaly obsolete anyway. But what about lack of PCIe slots?
 
the number one reason i would buy a dell desktop is for how quiet they are. nothing, and i don't care who you buy your parts from, are as quiet as dells.
 
So what are your thoughts on lifespan? Isn't that not the latest socket, 754? Of course in 3 years boards are usually totaly obsolete anyway. But what about lack of PCIe slots?
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Since I've put my money where my mouth is, I think you can tell that I don't give a hoot if it's the latest socket or if it has PCIe slots 😀 Lifespan-wise, the next really significant step up, in my eyes, would be a dual-core processor, and I'm not absolutely positive that today's Socket939 boards will run them. We can always think optomistically, I guess. 😀
 
ASUS/MSI/Gigabyte/Chaintech Ultra $129 - ~$150 Futureproof.

AMD 64 winny 3000+ $155 Much better fore gaming and most other things (can be overclocked in the future when you learn more about it -- upto ~3500)

ACER AL1912b 19"
$314 .. This is a nice monitor. 16ms response time means its _very_ good for gaming. Plus its 19" (much better for future proofing the whole system) You might even want to keep this one for yourself. 😉

Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 - OEM $139

Seagate 80 GB Barracuda 7200RPM SATA II with NCQ $72 Leave NCQ off till the bugs are sorted out. It will be a nice feature.

Optorite 16X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive with Beige and Black Bezels $59 Futureproof.

Case $60 - Make sure the case comes with a GOOD POWER SUPPLY. 400Watts should be enough, and make sure the aps on the 12v line is at least over 18-20. Also, make sure its by a good company. Antec is a good one to start. You do not want to get a cheap powersupply. It may catch fire. Find a good one!

XP Home OEM $90 - You may want virus protection as well.
KB/Mouse $30
Leadtek nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT $195 Runs 1. Faster 2. Less noise 3. Less hot. than most other 6600GT cards

Under $1200 😎

This is just a combination I found in 10 min, there are MANY good ones. This one consist of a bigger, faster bright display that will last you till 2010. A Very fast reliable hard drive designed for SATA II for your SATA II equip motherboard that itself has good onboard sound (can be upgraded later) PCIx and PCI slots, plenty of room for more ram if the one gig of stable 3200 should even be too little, _the_ best price/preformance video card on the market and a 16X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive.

The CPU speaks for itself all over these forums.

You will never find a computer that is made by some company like Dell that will come close to something like this in performance and longevity at that price or even close.
 
Ooh, you are a good shopper, aeternitas! That sounds darn nice - definitely something to think about. I thought the NForce 4 chipset was too new to be affordable and available? I've always only considered Asus, but apparently Chaintech is also well thought of around here?
 
Dell's start low and end high. Ive seen a few good deals that can't be beat. In those cases I would buy a Dell. Like the guy who bought a P4 3.6 with an X800 PE 512 DDR2 RAM loaded for $1200
Otherwise Dells tend to fall fat when you upgrade to specific components.
 
There a quite a few misconceptions about dell here.

Firstly dell does not use "Sh!t" motherboards. They are based off the intel reference design (sometimes can even be flashed with intel bios proceed with caution)

 
I agree, Edward Lee. Some of those deals in dullard's post are very good. But on the regular site if an option such as an LCD isn't prepackaged, they really nail you for it as an option.
 
Originally posted by: RalphTheCow
Ooh, you are a good shopper, aeternitas! That sounds darn nice - definitely something to think about. I thought the NForce 4 chipset was too new to be affordable and available? I've always only considered Asus, but apparently Chaintech is also well thought of around here?
Click to expand...


Go for the ASUS if you can find an ultra under 150. Lots of people have them as they got the ball rolling. If you are used to them, go for it, i forget if they have more than one pcie, or pci, but im sure youll want 2+ of each. Reguardless of the ultra you get, youll find plunty of support for them here as they are all the rage. The Sli versions are no differant except the full second grafix card slot that runs as 8x pcie
 
Originally posted by: Edward Lee
Dell's start low and end high. Ive seen a few good deals that can't be beat. In those cases I would buy a Dell. Like the guy who bought a P4 3.6 with an X800 PE 512 DDR2 RAM loaded for $1200
Otherwise Dells tend to fall fat when you upgrade to specific components.
Click to expand...

Im not sure if his children need to run sims 2 at 200fps rather than 180 with tons more stuff. for the same price 😉
 
Alright, convince me why building is worth about $200-300 over a Dell
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Considering you can build a similar system for less money, a system $200-$300 more than a Dell would obviously be better because it would be faster. On top of that you get quality parts.
 
Go for the ASUS if you can find an ultra under 150. Lots of people have them as they got the ball rolling. If you are used to them, go for it, i forget if they have more than one pcie, or pci, but im sure youll want 2+ of each. Reguardless of the ultra you get, youll find plunty of support for them here as they are all the rage. The Sli versions are no differant except the full second grafix card slot that runs as 8x pcie
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Hey, the only problem appears to be that they are not in stock, at least not at newegg. You are talking about NForce 4 Ultra boards, right?

And did todays update on that Dell deals page in dullard's post near the top break the links for everyone else, or is it just me?
 
Originally posted by: RalphTheCow
Go for the ASUS if you can find an ultra under 150. Lots of people have them as they got the ball rolling. If you are used to them, go for it, i forget if they have more than one pcie, or pci, but im sure youll want 2+ of each. Reguardless of the ultra you get, youll find plunty of support for them here as they are all the rage. The Sli versions are no differant except the full second grafix card slot that runs as 8x pcie
Click to expand...

Hey, the only problem appears to be that they are not in stock, at least not at newegg. You are talking about NForce 4 Ultra boards, right?

And did todays update on that Dell deals page in dullard's post near the top break the links for everyone else, or is it just me?
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Yeah the only one in stock at the egg is the chaintech. Ask around, I know the Asus is out. Im hopeing by the end of this month more will appear at reasonable prices (or just appear). I would be willing to pay $200 on the fact that these boards will last many years longer than an agp one.
 
I don't know how you can beat this ralph from dell home: Search favorite coupon site for 25% off Expires: 1/19/2005

and free shipping total $1077

Dimension 3000 Qty 1
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology (3GHz, 800 FSB), (you must select it)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition Unit Price
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz 1GB4 (you must select it)
Keyboard and Mouse Bundles Dell Quietkey Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
Monitors 19 in E193FP Flat Panel Display E193FP (you must select it)
Video Card Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2 IV
Hard Drive 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive 80
Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices 3.5 in Floppy Drive FD (you must select it)
Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet IN
Modem 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem DFAX
DVD Drive Dual Drives: SAVE $40! 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+RW/+R w/ dbl layer write DV16DVP (you must select it)
Sound Card Sound Blaster® Live! 24-bit ADVANCED HD? Audio SB1024
Speakers Dell A425 Speakers w/Subwoofer A425 (you must select it)

Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr Technical Support

TOTAL: $1,077.00
 
Originally posted by: Zebo
I don't know how you can beat this ralph from dell home: Search favorite coupon site for 25% off Expires: 1/19/2005

and free shipping total $1077

Dimension 3000 Qty 1
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology (3GHz, 800 FSB), (you must select it)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition Unit Price
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz 1GB4 (you must select it)
Keyboard and Mouse Bundles Dell Quietkey Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
Monitors 19 in E193FP Flat Panel Display E193FP (you must select it)
Video Card Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2 IV
Hard Drive 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive 80
Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices 3.5 in Floppy Drive FD (you must select it)
Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet IN
Modem 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem DFAX
DVD Drive Dual Drives: SAVE $40! 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+RW/+R w/ dbl layer write DV16DVP (you must select it)
Sound Card Sound Blaster® Live! 24-bit ADVANCED HD? Audio SB1024
Speakers Dell A425 Speakers w/Subwoofer A425 (you must select it)

Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr Technical Support

TOTAL: $1,077.00
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"Video Card Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2 IV "
lol Are you kidding me? Thats at least $200 more for a real grafix card. Brining the base price of that system to well over $1200.

"Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology (3GHz, 800 FSB)"
The AMD 3000+ Would not only kill this in games, stock, but kill it in nearly everything else overclocked. Not to mention the AMD is less expencive.

"Hard Drive 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive 80 "
Depends on what drive. Even so, 80GB is not a good price/capacity stage. 120 is. A good 80 will cost 85 whereas a good 120 will cost 95, and will have a good chance at being faster due to data dencity.

I think that dell is nearly $300 short of compairing to the system I built in a few min.



 
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