Build specs

[lavagirl669]

Ok...
Please compare and tell me what you think. This build is for a lot of photo editing and graphics.

Yes I know the first is a Dell, but it looks decent
and for the price, it comes with a 17" LCD Monitor
which is just what the users need anyway as their monitor just died.

Dell

Order parts from NewEgg and custom build:
Case: Antec Performance Series II Mid Tower w/350W PSU -
$75.50
CD-RW Drive: Lite-On 52x32x52 Internal IDE -
$23.49
Heatsink: Thermalright XP-90 -
$49.99
Fan: Panaflo 120mm -
$14.49
Seagate 2 x 80GB HDD -
$124.00
Seagate 200GB HDD -
$116.00
1GB RAM - OCZ Performance Series, dual channel, DDR PC-3500 (512MBx2) -
$209.75
Mobo - Asus P4P800 SE I865PE Chipset Intel Socket 478
$90.50
CPU - Intel P4 3.0E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, HT
$189.00
Win XP Pro- OEM version
$143.00
Vid Card - ATI Radeon 9600XT 128MB DDR, 128-bit, 8X AGP
$160.50

Total = $1282.02 shipped for all components
Priced 17" flat panel $299 shipped
so Total price comes out almost the same as the Dell.
I'd prefer to do the custom build for users, but tell me what YOU guys think, thanks!

 

[globalcitizen]

Custom build is probably the better way to go because you are getting standard parts unlike proprietary Dell parts. The case of the Dell is quite small and it will be hard to upgrade and swap, so again get the custom build

 

[lavagirl669]

I tend to agree with you on the custom build.

I don't like a lot of things about Dell's, esp the proprietary parts.
Not too keen on that WinXP Media 05 OS either.

Warranty might be good on the Dell, but being that this rig will be for my family business
I would say that puts me in a position of "Lifetime" warranty *sigh*

If I go custom, can I get some opinions on how the component list looks please?

 

[LordPhoenix]

Custom Build

Tip: $160 for 9600 XT when you can get a MSI 9800 PRO that performs near a 9800 XT and SMOKES the 9800 XT for $185? I don't think so!

 

[Gnoad]

I recommend against the 3.0E, as its too expensive for its performance and is outclassed by a much cheaper A64 or even 3100 sempron. Well, the sempron might be slower but only by a hair and its about $60 cheaper.

 

[lavagirl669]

appreciate the feedback, but I'd like to go with P4 on this rig.

 

[Hajime]

Why P4?

 

[lavagirl669]

I think it would be better for the user's needs.

AMD tends to be better for gaming, etc.
P4 for graphics stuff/editing

I don't want to start the old AMD vs Intel debate here and don't get me wrong, I love AMD's too.

 

[MadMan2k]

Why the expensive heatsink? Will it be overclocked?

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: lavagirl669
Ok...
Please compare and tell me what you think. This build is for a lot of photo editing and graphics.

Yes I know the first is a Dell, but it looks decent
and for the price, it comes with a 17" LCD Monitor
which is just what the users need anyway as their monitor just died.

Dell

Order parts from NewEgg and custom build:
Case: Antec Performance Series II Mid Tower w/350W PSU -
$75.50
CD-RW Drive: Lite-On 52x32x52 Internal IDE -
$23.49
Heatsink: Thermalright XP-90 -
$49.99
Fan: Panaflo 120mm -
$14.49
Seagate 2 x 80GB HDD -
$124.00
Seagate 200GB HDD -
$116.00
1GB RAM - OCZ Performance Series, dual channel, DDR PC-3500 (512MBx2) -
$209.75
Mobo - Asus P4P800 SE I865PE Chipset Intel Socket 478
$90.50
CPU - Intel P4 3.0E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, HT
$189.00
Win XP Pro- OEM version
$143.00
Vid Card - ATI Radeon 9600XT 128MB DDR, 128-bit, 8X AGP
$160.50

Total = $1282.02 shipped for all components
Priced 17" flat panel $299 shipped
so Total price comes out almost the same as the Dell.
I'd prefer to do the custom build for users, but tell me what YOU guys think, thanks!

Why not PC3200 ram? And maybe a 2.8C w/ the old northwood core and you can OC that to 3.X . it'll run cooler. If he's doing video editing etc will a CDRW be enough? Will a 9600XT be enough? What exactly are his storage needs, seems like you can do some shifting since you have 3 different HD's right now.

 

[lavagirl669]

Originally posted by: MadMan2k
Why the expensive heatsink? Will it be overclocked?

because the 3.0's tend to run really hot and I'm going with an OEM version anyway
so I'd rather go with something other than the stock HS/Fan

 

[lavagirl669]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: lavagirl669
Ok...
Please compare and tell me what you think. This build is for a lot of photo editing and graphics.

Yes I know the first is a Dell, but it looks decent
and for the price, it comes with a 17" LCD Monitor
which is just what the users need anyway as their monitor just died.

Dell

Order parts from NewEgg and custom build:
Case: Antec Performance Series II Mid Tower w/350W PSU -
$75.50
CD-RW Drive: Lite-On 52x32x52 Internal IDE -
$23.49
Heatsink: Thermalright XP-90 -
$49.99
Fan: Panaflo 120mm -
$14.49
Seagate 2 x 80GB HDD -
$124.00
Seagate 200GB HDD -
$116.00
1GB RAM - OCZ Performance Series, dual channel, DDR PC-3500 (512MBx2) -
$209.75
Mobo - Asus P4P800 SE I865PE Chipset Intel Socket 478
$90.50
CPU - Intel P4 3.0E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, HT
$189.00
Win XP Pro- OEM version
$143.00
Vid Card - ATI Radeon 9600XT 128MB DDR, 128-bit, 8X AGP
$160.50

Total = $1282.02 shipped for all components
Priced 17" flat panel $299 shipped
so Total price comes out almost the same as the Dell.
I'd prefer to do the custom build for users, but tell me what YOU guys think, thanks!

Why not PC3200 ram? And maybe a 2.8C w/ the old northwood core and you can OC that to 3.X . it'll run cooler. If he's doing video editing etc will a CDRW be enough? Will a 9600XT be enough? What exactly are his storage needs, seems like you can do some shifting since you have 3 different HD's right now.

yeah I was thinking the same on the RAM and could not locate a 2.8C northwood on NewEgg.
I'm trying to keep everything on NewEgg because shipping costs here to Hawaii KILL us.

 

[RichPLS]

That PSU is not the TruePower series.
I would upgrade the PSU to a TruePower 430watt