Dell for gaming?

[Dorkenstein]

In May or June I will be on the lookout for a pre-built gaming pc. Is a dell with the junk software removed a good option? Thanks.

 

[Cygnus X1]

DELL SUCKS FOR EVERYTHING

 

[Dorkenstein]

Then which company that pre-builds has the buying power similar to dell?

 

[jkresh]

how much money do you want to spend. XPS are not bad as gaming machines, and are ok for the price, falcon, voodoo... and others are better but cost a lot more.

 

[Dorkenstein]

1500 or so. I had a Dimension 410 setup that was pretty good but I think they bundle it with software. Believe me, if there's another company I should look at I am all ears.

 

[Blain]

Dell's ok if you pick a good CPU good video card (no onboard) and at least 1GB of memory.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Cygnus X1
DELL SUCKS FOR EVERYTHING

You're just as bad as any other type of arrogant, ignorant fanboy. Dell systems at the lower end are great value, especially with the OS and monitor you can get in the bundle. Other Dell systems at mid-range are good if you buy them bare and upgrade RAM and graphics card yourself. Dell also have warranty support and a helpline unlike a PC you build yourself. Dell aren't the second biggest PC supplier in the world because they suck at everything.

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: Roguestar

Originally posted by: Cygnus X1
DELL SUCKS FOR EVERYTHING

You're just as bad as any other type of arrogant, ignorant fanboy. Dell systems at the lower end are great value, especially with the OS and monitor you can get in the bundle. Other Dell systems at mid-range are good if you buy them bare and upgrade RAM and graphics card yourself. Dell also have warranty support and a helpline unlike a PC you build yourself. Dell aren't the second biggest PC supplier in the world because they suck at everything.

Ditto!
I don't want dell myself but I do recommend them for my PC ignorant freinds, for gaming if your willing to pay yuo'll get a good system. With $1500 as Dorkenstein states I would suggest you build your own if you have a little ability and are willing to learn. For $1500 you can have a real gamer. I don't know if that "person" above has actually built a system but many like him have and are still clueless.
Dorkenstein, someone such as yourself, who has the knowledge to know better than spew statements you know nothing about but instead ask, I'm certain you can build yourself. If you get stuck there are many knowledgable people here to help. If your in my town I'll help in person, not to say I'm any good,,,, just willing. In the past year I built and rebuilt 3 of my own systems done repair and trouble shooting on several freinds and clients machines, I'm a carpenter , not a tech, but I do enjoy smokin' chips.

 

[piasabird]

The thing about Dells is they usually have a bare minimum power supply and are not built for expandability.

 

[krotchy]

Dell is the way to go until you spend up to about 800 dollars, IMO above that you are much better off building yourself. For 1500 you are going to get hurt by their gouging on the more expensive parts.

 

[Boyo]

If you are stuck for money, then Dell or HP is your best option. I think you can get more for your money at HP over Dell but better check on that. Just make sure you get a rig that has 2GB of RAM, a C2D CPU and a graphics card.

 

[newb54]

Dell is a fine way to go if you are buying a premade computer. Good premade bang for your buck.

 

[Roguestar]

Don't forget to check out the Dell Outlet :thumbsup:.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: krotchy
Dell is the way to go until you spend up to about 800 dollars, IMO above that you are much better off building yourself. For 1500 you are going to get hurt by their gouging on the more expensive parts.

I agree with this. If I were to recommend a prebuilt gaming system I would start off with Dell, but once you go over a price point you are better off buying components as they are of better quality. If you still want it prebuilt because you dont want the hassle of building it, then a reputable local computer shop can do it for you. You choose the parts and they will build it.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I chose the XPS 410 and upgraded it to the following:

My Components
Intel® Core?2 Duo Processor E6400 (2MB L2 Cache,2.13GHz,1066 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista? Home Premium
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
320GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?
Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ dbl layer write capable
20 inch UltraSharp? 2007WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel
256MB nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

My Accessories
Dell AS501 10W Flat Panel Attached Spkrs for UltraSharp? Flat Panels
Dell USB Keyboard
Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
56K PCI Data Fax Modem

Total: $1609

Not a horrible computer for the price. If you absolutely can't go over $1500, downgrade to an E6300, or a 250GB Hard Drive. Other than that, this should be a pretty solid build.

 

[fivetiger]

The problem with Dell is not their out-of-box performance - it's the fact that there really isn't much upgrading you can do. I've spent a lot of time on hardware forums trying to figure out what can be upgraded on my Dell.

With my last Dell, the RAM was insanely expensive. Although I was able to add a decent video card, I was not able to change the CPU, motherboard or power supply when they all got old. The reason for this is that Dell uses parts that are only compatible with other Dell parts (I don't quite understand this, but that's what I've been told).

The good thing about Dell computers is that they are reliable. I've owned two for 4 - 5 years each and never had a single problem or failed component. Note that the last 2 years on each were pretty brutal because of the inability to upgrade for new games, etc.

 

[MrBond]

I just had my sister buy a C2D system from Dell because after coupons, it was cheaper than I could build myself from components.

I opened it up to install a second hard drive, but the motherboard had no IDE connectors. Drives were all SATA and there was a connector for one more SATA drive, but this was an IDE drive. I had a spare IDE controller card and tossed that in there to get the drive going.

The other problem was while there was an extra power connector, it was up near the optical drives and not down at the hard drive caddies. That wouldn't have been a problem if it was a SATA drive.

I would have had no problems upgrading the video card, but the quality of the power supply may not have been enough for a superfast card.

I probably won't go with Dell for my own system, but then again I'll reuse some components like the drives/case so I won't need as complete of a system as she did.

 

[Gorrillasnot]

I've never bought a PC from these sites, but a couple ya might check out are http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm and http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

Dell might be cheaper and may offer better support though, I dunno.

 

[Dorkenstein]

I don't like the options for those two sites. Thanks though. Looks like I will be building custom again. I just get really nervous and frustrated when I do it.

 

[RebateMonger]

Like everybody else, Dell makes its profit from add-ons and high-end systems. Dell basically gives away their "bare" systems. I KNOW that some of the low-end Dell servers I've purchased on various "deals" cost Dell more than I paid for them.

It's hard to make a broad statement about ALL Dell PCs, since Dell gets components from a wide range of vendors and offers a wide range of systems. But, in general, I've found Dell's components to be first-class.

That said, I recommend that Dells and other major-brand OEMs be considered "non-upgradable". Other than a replacement hard drive, a video card, or more memory, there's not much you can do with them. There's often limited drive slots, non-standard power supply sizes, non-standard motherboards, and limitations on what will fit into the drive bays (other than drives).