Dell or IBM?

[TROAB]

I'm comparing two systems that are both between $700 and $800. They each have integrated video and a PCI Express x 16 slot that I would fill with a 7800 soon after purchase. When all shipping, discounts , and tax is applied, the IBM is sligtly cheaper, though it has a slightly slower CPU. One other note is that I do have a Gigabit switch as the backbone of my home network.

Any opinions? Thanks!

Dell
Dimension E510
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 650 w/HT Technology (3.4GHz,800FSB)
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (4x256M)
Video Card Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelator 950
Hard Drive 80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?
Network Card Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet
CD ROM/DVD ROM Single Drive: 48x CD-RW / DVD-ROM Combo Drive
Sound Integrated Audio with Dolby Digital 7.1 capability

IBM
ThinkCentre A51 813135U
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 530 with HT Technology (3.0 GHz, 1MB L2, 800MHz FSB) (Standard) 1
Memory: ThinkCentre 512MB PC2-3200 DDR2 SDRAM (Standard)
Special offers: Free 512MB Additional Memory
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 (Standard) 1
Audio: SoundMAX Cadenza (Standard) 1
Hard drive: 80GB Serial ATA 7200rpm Hard Drive (Standard) 1
Optical device: 48X/32X/48X Max CD-RW EIDE drive (Standard) 1
Ethernet: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet w/ Wake on LAN (WOL) (Standard) 1
USB ports: 6 USB 2.0 (2 front,4 back) (Standard) 1

 

[TROAB]

I would build a system, but I can't afford what I truly want and won't be able to for some time.

Also, not sure I can build full system with compatable speed to this, 1gb ram, and a 256mb 7800GT for under $1100.

 

[ValuedCustomer]

not sure I can build full system with compatable speed to this, 1gb ram, and a 256mb 7800GT for under $1100.

You can do a lot better than that for under $1100.

 

[phaxmohdem]

Are you dead set on an Intel CPU/Chipset? also does that $1100 figure include monitor?

 

[TROAB]

I'd actually rather have an Athlon, and I'd ideally be under $1000

Those prices include shipping and tax being between $700-800. (I specced those system because I can get discounts at Dell and IBM through a family member)

No monitor, I already have a nice LCD

I've been trying to look at components and barebones kits, but the price keeps running up well over this amount.. mainly because I have trouble finding "acceptable" hardware. I know how to find the "best" stuff, but I have trouble differentiating "OK" from "crap".

I'd welcome any advice.

 

[TROAB]

None?

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Thought about something like this?

 

[bdww00]

id get that emachines /\ just get a new case lol

id get the dell cuz its got dem uba 1337 grapx celleraters (sp?) lol

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
Thought about something like this?

$600 for that? How can that be when the CPU alone costs $201 retail? AND it comes with a DVD-RW, 200GB HD, 1GB RAM and XP Media Center? You can hardly get that in seperate parts off Newegg for $600...

But yeah, you would be surprised at what you can get with $1100. You can do a hell of a lot better than either that IBM or Dell. I would draw up a parts list for you, but it's getting late. I'll tackle it in the morning unless someone else gets to it first.

Meh, heres a parts list:

DFI LanParty UT Ultra-D Motherboard ($125)
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ ($200)
2GB (2x1GB) Corsair ValueSelect RAM ($176)
XFX GeForce 7800GT Video Card ($360)
Seagate Barracuda 120GB SATA HDD ($90)
Lian-Li PC-7B ATX Mid-Tower ($90)
Seasonic 500W Power Supply ($130)

Total: $1171 USD

 

[TROAB]

Thanks Xanis, I appreciate the part list. That really gives me somewhere to start from.

So the Athlon 64 3500+ (Venice?) is better than the Pentium 4? I had assumed this anyways.

Is "value" RAM good? I'm wary of any RAM that appears to be discount as I've been burned by cheap RAM in the past. I understand Corsair is a reliable berand though?


On that eMachine, that must be too good to be true. I'm not sure I've ever heard much good about eMachines. Anyone know what the catch is?

 

[Budmantom]

I would go with the Dell 3.4 > 3.0.

The E-machine is tempting but it is an E-machine.


Tom

 

[Skyhanger]

Originally posted by: TROAB
Thanks Xanis, I appreciate the part list. That really gives me somewhere to start from.

So the Athlon 64 3500+ (Venice?) is better than the Pentium 4? I had assumed this anyways.

Is "value" RAM good? I'm wary of any RAM that appears to be discount as I've been burned by cheap RAM in the past. I understand Corsair is a reliable berand though?


On that eMachine, that must be too good to be true. I'm not sure I've ever heard much good about eMachines. Anyone know what the catch is?

I like Xanis' setup.

Value RAM is good. If you don't overclock, pretty much the only thing that matters is whether the brand is reputable and how many Gigs of RAM you get... all that premium stuff mostly benefits Intel's slow ass memory controller.

You can get a reliable Sonata II w/ 450w PSU for $100 combined. Antec builds solid cases and PSUs, just don't expect to overclock into the sky with that case and PSU.

If you can squeeze out a little more cash. The new dual core 939 opterons are only $300 or so. Those will be nice in a desktop...

 

[imported_dakota81]

Originally posted by: TROAB
Is "value" RAM good? I'm wary of any RAM that appears to be discount as I've been burned by cheap RAM in the past. I understand Corsair is a reliable berand though?

There is a big difference between major brand value ram, and "generic / house brand" ram. If you've been burned by cheap ram, you probably bought generic / house brand ram (no manufacturer label). On the other hand, value ram from Corsair, Kingston, Muskin, etc. are very reliable and all come with lifetime warranties, and they do stand behind them!

 

[TROAB]

That's good to hear about the ram.

I've been taking a closer look at that eMachine. I was initially very wary, but after some research I think it may good bang for the buck, plus it would save time.

I maybe be able to get a *better* system for more, but 1gb ram, athlon 3500, and maybe a 6800gs for $200 would keep the grand total under $800.

If I'm lucky I can find a deal on a video card on Black Friday.

Basically, because this machine won't be perfgect, if I can get good performance and save a good chunk of change, I can put that money towards the future purchase of components to build a really nice rig. Plus I could have this system up and running alot quicker, and time is money afterall.


The emachine has gotten quite good reviews and the threads I've found on the Anandtech forums regarding it are also very good.