Any thoughts on this system?

[KentState]

I was wondering if anyone had an thoughts on this system? A family member needs a prebuilt system and this is about the best deal I've found so far. Dell doesn't even offer DDR with the P4 2.0A and the older 2.0 system is even more than this one.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

 

[KentState]

Ok, that last post made little sense. The Dell system in the hot deals section is very lame and uses PC133 memory, plus the cases are very limited for future upgrades. I also stated that I already checked Dell's website and I couldn't find a similar system even with a 10% discount for close to that price. And I don't understand that hand holding statement that you made. Who cares if Dell, Gateway, Micron, or Best Buy sells you the computer as long as it is what you need.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

 

[KentState]

<<

<< Ok, that last post made little sense. >>

must resist ...

<< Not available for delivery at this time. Not available for store pickup. >>

what part of the BB website is not making sense there as it stated item is unavailable unless your local BB has it .

<< BB for a comp okey

>>

means that paying full retail at BB is great for

<< only if they who buy it need all the BB handholding (i.e. extremely new PC users or fumblers) >>

that means those who are inclined to be frequenting BB's tech/customer service section or Dell's vaunted call center which of course they will not in your case be doing. <EDIT>nm >>



Well the second post is starting to come together, but it really still lacks a lot of sense. It not being available at BB website doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. There are 10+ stores in the area which gives me many options on picking one up. Being a retail purchase dosn't really bother me since it's for a family member that will require tech support on occasion. Not everyone in the world is or cares to be a computer junky so hand holding may be important. Plus the you do not offer anything to my original question, hence your post made little sence, because it did not apply to the original post.

 

[WarCon]

If they are going to game on this, they may be very unhappy with the video card choice. It is very slow for the money. Heck for $1400 (no monitor, speakers, keyboard or mouse unless it says it somewhere else), I could build a beast of a system with high-end video and audio. Why does it have to be a prebuilt? Almost all the components in a system you build have at least a one-year warranty and dealing with parts manufacturers is easier for me than OEM's.

Anyway, If it has to be a prebuilt stick with Dell.

 

[KentState]

The main reason for prebuilt is the fact that no one is going to be able to help/fix if the system has any problems. I'm the closest tech support and I'm 300 miles away. I went to Newegg and the system would roughly cost $1542 using the same parts from their site, though I only went for the major pieces and may have left some things out.

Newegg

Ram $160
Intel MB $114
Intel 2.0A $368
Case/PSU $100
Logitech Optical Mouse/Keyboard $50
Video/Sound $100
Pioneer DVD $60
Lite-On CD-R $100
WD 120 $240
Firewire $50
WinXP $200

Total: $1542

Best Buy system: $1300 including 3 yr inhome warranty (Don't reply saying it's 1 yr only, I have a free 3 year on home coming for free)

I couldn't find a better system through Dell for the same price and I can't even build the same thing that cheap through Newegg if that was an option. I can't find another company that offers Athlon based system even in the same price range. There will be a small amount of gaming on the system, but mainly when I'm in town to visit and a GF3 200 could always fix that problem in the future.

 

[MikeMike]

kent state here is a dumb ass ? u go to Kent state right? so they live sumwhere in Indiana iowa michigan? hehe oh yeah you know the saying for Kent state right?

cant read
cant write
Kent State

What's up with that nourdmrolNMT1? Do it again and you'll be taking a week off to try and remember that this is General Hardware, not Off Topic

 

[spamsk8r]

If I were you I would go with Athlon XP 1800+ and an Epox 8KHA+ motherboard, that way you can save about 300 bucks and get a good sound and video card

 

[WarCon]

I went shopping too at Newegg and this is what I came up with.

ANTEC Model SX1030 $88
AOPEN CRW2440 24x10x40 CDRW $87 (Lite-on was on auto-notify, but similar price.)
LITE-ON LTD-163 SPEED - RETAIL16X DVD $53
VANTEC GSN-7025. For Intel P4 socket 478 $14
SONY 1.44MB 3.5 INCH INTERNAL FDD DRIVE $9
MAXTOR 120.0GB $189
Microsoft 114 keys (10 internet Hot Keys) Internet Keyboard PS/2 $17
Creative Modem Blaster V.92 PCI 56k Modem $25
Asus P4B266-C Intel 845D $117 (No firewire, but I think this model has 4 2.0 USB ports)
Microsoft Intelli-Mouse Optical $21
3COM 905CX-TXNM PCI 10/100 network card $32
Intel Pentium 4 2.0AGHz 512K Socket 478 $330
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition $88
CREATIVE LABS SOUND BLASTER LIVE! 5.1 $32
CREATIVE INSPIRE 5.1 5300 SPEAKER AND SUBWOOFER $81
CardExpert GeForce2 MX 400 64MB $65

Grand total with shipping to OHIO, was $1325

With my personal choice of saving a few on the processor and then overclocking to get them back. I would buy a 1.6A and overclock it to 2.0 with a decent cooler. And spend the difference on a nicer video card like a Gainward TI450 (overclockable TI200)

Intel Pentium 4 1.6A GHz 512K $148
Thermaltake DRAGON 478. Heatsink + Dual Ball-bearing 701X70X25 mm fan $25
WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 100GB 7200RPM $218
& Gainward/Cardexpet GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB $182

With these parts replacing the others in the above setup the price is now $1300 shipped to OHIO.

I didn't include a firewire card, because unless he already has firewire devices he needs to support. I think USB 2.0 is probably going to be the more accepted standard. (I could be wrong)

Anyway..............


The spelling errors are from Newegg, not me............. Also, what speakers come with that tower?

 

[KentState]

I actually found a system at Dell that is roughly the same price but has Rambus instead of DDR with a 2.2a P4. With a 17" LCD it came to $2100 after shipping with my parents 10% Dell discount. It actually has a GF3 Ti200 with it so that will be an improvement plus it has the 3 year in home warranty which is a must for my parents since I can't help them out first hand if something does go wrong. I'm almost tempted to build the system that you recommended Warcon, but when you add Ram it jumps up $160+ which brings the total close to $1500 with shipping. On top of that, I would need a 17" LCD (space reasons, plus very little gaming) which raises the total to around $2300. I really do appreciate your help, and I'm going to shop some more at Newegg and try to find a Athlon XP system and maybe go that route if it's a lot cheaper.

BTW, nour, don't insult someone's level of education when you spell somewhere (sumwhere LOL) wrong. Though, it was a great way to share a laugh.

 

[WarCon]

I swear I had memory in that, but I guess not. Oops......... I still wish I had the money for a new mobo and memory and chip. I would love to try a Northwood and see how it runs.