Build or buy? Go for "discounted" specs?

[ssoni223]

I am starting to hit a wall. BIOS can't see more than a 30GB drive. Even the case's fans dont seem to work that well anymore. I only run USB 1.0, so an IPOD won't run w/ my system. etc.

Ok, I built my current system back in 1999. I'm an ex-programer, and know how to build a PC: How to partition my drives, install a new WIN OS, add/upgrade RAM and CPU, setting jumpers, install the apps and drivers I need, etc.

Question #1: Has the process for building a system changed much since socket7/win2000 ?

Currently, I run a Socket7 AMDk6/450, 512MB, 30GB, Win2000.
I pretty much run the standard email/web/ms-office type of stuff.
I am not a "gamer", but guess I'd nice ifI could play a game if I wanted to.

The slowest system a retailer bothers to sell would still be ages beyond my current hardware setup. So I am content getting the lowest on the rung.

Question #2: Should I buy a DELL or a barebones system ? If I get a DELL, I won't want to deal with all their bundled CRAP they add on top of the WIN OS. I almost perfer to just reintall a basic XP from scratch anyways.

Question #3: Should I try to find a system that is like 2 years old? Even a 800mhz CPU would be a massive jump for me. Remember, I am only upgrading b/c I am hitting a walll in terms of compatability, not performance. Or would I just end up paying the same for a 2GHZ chip as a 1GHZ chip? Same cost for a 40GB drive as a 80GB drive, etc. Point is, I'll sacrifice some performance if I get a non-trivial price break. Will I?

Again, judging by my current system, can anyone reccomend what I buy, and from where?

Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

[PsharkJF]

You can probably get more than a decent buy for the price of a 800mhz old machine.
Keep in mind, the older the machine is, the harder it is to find parts for...

 

[dmw16]

System building hasnt changed too much. You need to plug in an extra power connector for atlon64s and p4s, but that is pretty simple. So if you built one then you could build it now - esspecially since jumpers a pretty much a thing of the past.

However, if you are looking for the most bang for your buck, a Dell is the way to go. If you arent doing any gaming you can get a great deal. Let's see...a Dimension 4600 desktop w/ 2.8Ghz P4, 512MB DDR333, 80GB drive, DVD-ROM, CD-RW goes for $800. That comes w/ WinXP home, but i'd wipe and install an OS myself. As for upgrading to a used system. That is also an option, but comes w/ more headaches. I think the dell is the way to go. You can get them as low as $500 or $550, but if you dont upgrade often you may as well get something resonable, but a little faster to last longer.

 

[jpeyton]

You are a prime candidate for the next Dell 400SC deal.

For $299-$349, you get a nice stripped system without an OS. Add a little RAM, a bigger HD (if 40GB isn't enough), and a nicer video card (when you feel the urge to game).

You can also build a nice box for around $500, but you'll want to spend some time hunting for parts to get the best value for your money in that price range.

Computer Geeks also has decent prices on nice systems from Compaq, HP, and Gateway; not bad for under $400, even if it is refurb.

 

[ssoni223]

Seems like I'm not gonna get a huge deep discount building a system by hand. Yea, I do not want to spend a ton of time hunting for parts, or go TOO far out of my way for an older system. If it was the diff. b/w $1000 and $500, then yea. $100 wasting time there..

Is it straightforward to wipe the HD and resintall the OS without all the bundled DELL crap?
Do they give you all the drivers?

That said, is it safe to say "just buy a dell, (dude!)"
B/c this may be more than adequate:
Dimension 2400 2.66GHz 128MB 40GB $349 at Dell Business

 

[ssoni223]

I want to make sure I get a generic system.
No weird proprietary crap that I'm stuck with.
Is DELL like that? How about that Compaq you posted a link to?

 

[bcoupland]

Dells are ok. Not great, just ok. I think you will be much happier with building your own system. Some people have
shown quotes for systems based around the Athlon XP 2500+/ Shuttle AN35N-Ultra that are very well priced. Add
a 9800 pro and 512 Mb PC-3200 Ram, and you'll have a great system for about 800$. Note: I haven't looked around
for current prices and added everything up, just trying to give him a general idea. Also, you will want to stick with at
least 512 mb ram, Win. XP will be a lot slower and apps. in general will be a lot slower (with less than 512 mb.), 512 Mb is pretty much the
threshold. Good luck. If you do get a dell 2400, add at least 256 mb more ram.

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: ssoni223
Is it straightforward to wipe the HD and resintall the OS without all the bundled DELL crap?
Do they give you all the drivers?

the 400sc does not come with an operating system by defualt. yes they do give you all the drivers, they are just the stock intel ones that you can download from intel.com.

i believe that the only proprietary thing about the 400sc is how the motherboard is mounted.

dells are also very quiet - probably quieter than any system you can build without putting lots of time into the aquisition of quiet parts.

 

[trexpesto]

Another great option is getting one of the 500-600-850 $ systems from people in the FS/FT forums. Check they are somewhat established, either heat or at least semi long time members. And if noise is an issue, some of them may be blasters. Delta fans, Tornado, etc.

1.6 GHz Durons are $43, put it in a $50 or $60 mobo. This is what Zebo told me about good mobo for it. ( I will be overclocking )

As far as mobo the best is the Shuttle AN35N for only $55. Has all the mulltipliers, Vcores, Vdimm you'll ever need. And a rock solid nforce2 ultra 400 chipset.

Another option if you need video is the biostar "M7NCG 400" w nForce2 IGP which is basically the same board but with on-board GF4mx... about 6500 3dmark2001.

 

[ssoni223]

Dell 400SC: With 512MB, and 40GB
I'm getting a price of $646 on dell.com ($546 after rebtate)
I don't want to wait for a deal.

I think I am going to buy this:
Compaq S6000CL
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=S6000CL-R&cat=SYS

A lot of the work has been done for me.
And has better specs..
(Already has 512MB, 80GB, CDRW, USB2.0, WinXP installed)
Meets my needs exactly.

I don't want to f*ck around w/ rebates, etc
I just want to pull the trigger, and get the system done with.
For $379, I think it's as good a price I'm gonna find for these specs.

It seems well supported on the CPQ website too.
I think it was made in late '03. Pretty recent.

What do you say?
Good enuf ?

 

[CVSiN]

anytime you buy a premade system Dell, Compaq, HP,
you are going to be stuck in propietary land..
they use motherboards I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy..
no expandibility at all...
thier motherboards DO NOT use a standard ATX case they use a dell case that you cannot put a normal motherboard in becasue of less slots and a funky form factor
Compaq is still the same way..
steer clear of these big guys...
find a smaller local computer store that will build and warranty a new system of your choice.
youll make out better in the long run

 

[jacktesterson]

AMD Barton 2500+
Soltek/Shuttle/DFI Nforce 2 Board
80GB 7200RPM Drive
512MB Samsung/Value Select/ValuRam PC3200
ATI Radeon 9550
Windows XP

This can be had for $500 or less

 

[stevty2889]

Even on a budget I would never recomend a compaq to anyone, they pretty much cause constant headaches for anyone that wants a stable system, that they don't have to reformat all the time.

 

[jpeyton]

The Dell 400SC deal is back, check Hot Deals.

$350 after MIR for a 2.8 P4.

 

[ssoni223]

stevty2889,
Why reformat all the time? How does buggy hardware ruin the WinOS install? Its moot, b/c I went ahead and ordered the CPQ. For only $360, I can always sell it on Ebay and get most of my cash back. I guess I'll see how stable it is. But it would suck to spend all those hours configuring and installing stuf onto a PC that I have to ditch.