Buying new Dell System, plz help with advice

[GoreBaG]

I was planning on buying one of the new Dell 4100 Dimension Series, ive never built my own computer, and was wondering how well this system will perform for the money.
$1479

Pentium III 800EB
Intel i815e Motherboard
128MB 133mhz Memory
20GB ATA66 HD
GeForce2 GTS Video Card
SB Live Value Digital

I was wondering if i should buy this system because it is possible they cut down on a few system specs, for example, it has a 200Watt SoftPower power supply, and the motherboard seems like it may be cheap

 

[ForeverSilky]

You might want a 250 PS or maybe even a 300. You'll be getting an intel based motherboard. Seems like a good system for the price.

 

[aic]

Power supply is limited to 200. No way, no how, you are going to get by that.

I think Mr. Dell bought a billion of them and is going to use them until they are gone.

Bulk purchases are cheaper.

 

[Ulysses]

That's a fine system. You can't go wrong with Dell if you've decided to buy from an OEM. The only downside to an OEM system like this is that your overclocking or upgrade capabilities (which are treasured by the typical participants in these forums) will probably be limited. OTOH you have full warranties and a great customer support record (with Dell at least). People who are buying OEM and do their homework often end up with a Dell, and this has been true for years. They're a little pricey, but, heh, you're worth it - right?

Don't think about building your own system unless you want to do it as a hobby thing for fun or intend to overclock. In the end you would end up with the same basic system, spend only a little less, have to deal with warranty and operating problems on your own, and have spent a great deal of time learning how to do it. If you do want to overclock then you should look at a semi-custom PC vendor like maybe GamePC or Falcon etc. If they warranty the system and you think they'll be around to honor that, then that way can be smart option too.

 

[LXi]

aic: You're absolutely correct. I wonder why people always think that you can pick and choose the parts you like with an OEM like Dell. The thing is you can't because they only offer what they have.

 

[PCAddict]

While playing around on Dell's site, I wasn't able to duplicate your configuration/price. Closest I came was $1529 with no monitor.

 

[Dug]

I wouldn't buy a Dell for one reason.
You can't upgrade. And the cost to upgrade a Dell system is too much. Their power switches and motherboard connections are specific to their brand. I used to have a Dell before I started building my own. I first bought a new cpu to put in my old Dell system. Guess what? The bios wouldn't recognize it. I called Dell and they said they would not be releasing a newer bios for upgrading cpus. I bought a new motherboard and cpu to put in it. And guess what? I couldn't. I couldn't use the power supply, or the case because of connections. The only thing I could salvage was the sound, and video card, and cdrom.

So although Dell is cheap when you initially buy, in the long run it will cost you.

 

[andrey]

in my experience Dells are very upgradable computers, they don't use proprietary junk as Compaq or eCrapMachines. As far as power supply goes, if it is working, why bother, especially when computer is under warranty? If you still don't like 200W, you can always get a new one, 300W for example for no more than $25. It is perfectly exchangable on newer computers, so I'm pretty sure you won't have any troubles at all.

 

[dvch]

GoreBaG nice system at a reasonable off the self price. It will run well and do anything you want for a long time. Do not worry about the power supply, Dell has been using "under" powered power supplies for years with out any real problems. If they did not work for them they would not use them since they would be replacing hundred/thousands of them a year.

 

[FUBAR]

One other thing that no-one really seems to figure in is the cost of software. I know that if I had to go buy new software to go with a machine that I build, the price rockets up, but OEM's give the the stuff away cheap.

my .02

 

[DataFly]

My Dell has been very upgradable. I have replaced the video and sound cards with a power-hungry GeForce and an Aureal Superquad and have added a a Netgear NIC and a 30.7GB Maxtor HD to compliment my original 10GB HD. I will soon be replacing the P2 CPU with a p3, which many people have done successfully; check out Dell's forums if you don't believe me (http://delltalk.us.dell.com/). All of this is running on a "mere" 200Watt powersupply.

I don't see how you can go wrong with a Dell if you aren't quite ready to build your own computer.

 

[Windogg]

I guess some of us forget that the majority of people out there will never want to build their own system. As for buying an off the shelf system, Dell is tops in my book, excellent systems with excellent support. In terms of upgrades, Dells are pretty simple. Most Dell owners will never swap a mobo, instead they'll add another stick of memory or add another hard drives. Basic upgrades are a snap.

GoreBaG: I say go with it.

windogg

 

[Olorin]

For an off-the-shelf system Dells are among the best. I'm not sure if they are still using the proprietary power supply connection which precluded changing power supplies. Also, at least a couple of years ago I know they didn't really support processor upgrades. But besides those snags the parts used in Dells are good quality and make upgrading most of the hardware and OS easier than most OEM systems. Ever helped a non-expert install NT4 on a Compaq Presario?

But if you want to overclock, Dell uses Intel motherboards, which don't allow any overclocking that I know of. But if you're buying an off-the-shelf system because you don't want to build your own I would imagine you don't care about overclocking anyway. And why would you want to overclock a PIII 800 anyway?

And FUBAR makes an excellent point about the software. If someone doesn't already have it the software you get with an OEM system more than makes up for any money you would save building the system yourself. And last time I was involved with Dells they were still providing the actual install CDs for the included software, rather than just including a Restore Disk (I hate that! :|)

 

[rahvin]

The motherboard is made by Intel, it's a great middle of the road motherboard. Real stable, no modifications or extras.

Don't worry about the 200watt powersupply, one thing about the big name OEM's power supplies is that 200watts means 200watts. Most of the off the shelf ones you can buy rarely put out what they are supposidly spec'ed for.

 

[John]

andrey summed up my thoughts exactly.

 

[PCAddict]

I am suprised no one has asked why an Athlon system was never considered? I know Dell doesn't offer them, but I am curious as to whether an Athlon was even a remote possibility.

 

[sov05]

Gateway sells T-Bird Athlons. They seem a bit expensive, then again T-Bird just came out.

Also, Dell does have better service and support. Gateway has good support but not quite near as good as Dell.

 

[josphstalinator]

about $200-$300 overpriced, at least. if u dont care or arent confident enough to build a system yourself then go with dell.

 

[rahvin]

<<about $200-$300 overpriced>>

If you inlcude the cost of software DELL is going to be cheaper than anything you can build without getting a resale license and some suppliers. Not to mention the next day replacement if something breaks for 3 years. For example, my 19&quot; monitor died at 10:00 at night, the replacement shipped the next day and I had it the day after AND I repackaged and the broken one and called Airborne with the PREPAID ticket Dell provided with the replacment. My total out of pocket expense for getting a new monitor next day? $0.

 

[wonder mike]

don't

 

[Ulysses]

I was right, huh, GoreBaG. heheheheh

 

[hominid skull]

My Homemade athlon 500@700MHz beats my friend's Dell PIII 800 in compiling, On my machine a project takes 3minutes 51seconds and on the Dell 800 it takes 8minutes 16seconds. My machine cost half the price. :Q....

 

[Quickfingerz]

DELL? Why!!??? The only really good think about getting a DELL is it's service and support. These forums is all the service and support you need.