Does this make sense?

[RalphTheCow]

I need a PC soon. The only demanding requirement is that it run Sims 2.

I'm really torn between building and buying; cost is a major issue.

The only real Dell deal now is a 4700 with 17" analog LCD, 256 MB and CD-ROM, shipped for $500. I think it has 3 DIMM slots, 1 PCIeX1, 1 PCIeX16 video, and 2 PCI slots, so it's at least a little expandable.

Since the cheapest standalone LCD is about $250 shipped, if I buy that system basically for the LCD, I also get the following components with estimated values:

case $30
Windows license $90
CPU $200
mobo $50
kb/mouse $30
HDD $50

Total value $450. Total cost $500 price-$250 for LCD = $250

So I have to add:
Nice PCIe video card $150
DVD burner $70
512 memory $70 (do I have to use DDR-2 in that system?)

My theory is that a system is only good enough to use for 3-4 years, so why extra spend money on things that just have to be pitched to be upgraded, like a mobo? I don't overclock or anything, so the standard Dell Intel mobo meets my main requirement for reliability.

I do get a legitimate license for Windows that can be used to upgrade down the road, or install on the next machine, don't I? Or is is not upgradeable with MS because it's Dell OEM
Total ~$800

 

[Melchior]

Hmmm. It all boils down to: How much money you want to spend vs how much TIME you want to spend. Is the software or the hardware more important to you?

If you'd rather not spend so much time figuring out and finding the best deals AND if a proprietary Dell mobo is OK with you, this isn't a bad deal. Time to many people are worth so muhc more than the couple hundreds dollars saved.

Or if you got some time on your hand and would like a system that is faster, more powerful, and better suited to upgrades in the future and perhaps being a bit cheaper there are definately alternatives.

I for one am probably part of the latter, but I can definately understand the former. I would never buy another Pentium 4 system however, and especially not from Dell. I have Dell systems from the time I didn't know how to build my own systems, but now that I do, you find you save more mone, get faster and more upgradeable things, but at the cost of time and effort.

Your choice really.

 

[AtlantaBob]

From my understanding (I've got an SC 240 or whatever; a similar server config from Dell) you do have to use DDR-2 memory in it. And, at the moment, that's expensive.

Also AFIK, legally, the XP licence is only good on the Dell; technically, I think it checks for a Dell BIOS before installing (also, it doesn't come with a CD key).

On the whole, I agree with Melchior; although if you have an hour or two to spend, Hot Deals might be a good place to look.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: AtlantaBob
From my understanding (I've got an SC 240 or whatever; a similar server config from Dell) you do have to use DDR-2 memory in it. And, at the moment, that's expensive.

Also AFIK, legally, the XP licence is only good on the Dell; technically, I think it checks for a Dell BIOS before installing (also, it doesn't come with a CD key).

On the whole, I agree with Melchior; although if you have an hour or two to spend, Hot Deals might be a good place to look.

Actually they get a "recovery" disk, not a normal windows disk and yes you DO get a cd key. But since its OEM its only licensed for use on the dell

 

[RalphTheCow]

What if I buy OEM with hardware? Is that the same thing? Would it be worth it to buy retail instead?

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Heres a quick rundown of the dif between retail and OEM windows

Retail you can install on your current machine and then if removed from that machine can be installed on another machine.

OEM, can only be installed on the machine that it was purchased with and not transferred to another. OEM also has no support

Thats why OEM windows can be had for around $80 and retail is 300-400

 

[RalphTheCow]

$300-$400! I thought it was ~$120! I guess that's just for upgrades. Wow.