Either of these desktop systems worth it?

[ip]

1) Systemax (from Tiger Direct) for $999 after $100 rebate

Operating Systems
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition SP2

Form Factor Learn More
Tower


Bays Learn More
2 - 3.5" Drive Bays
4 - 5.25" Drive Bays


Processor Specifications


Processor Brand
AMD


Processor Class
Athlon 64


Processor Number
3400


Processor Interface
Socket 754


Additional Technologies
HyperTransport Technology

RAM Memory Specifications


Memory Type
DDR


Total Memory
2x512=1.0GB


Memory Speed
non-ECC
DDR 400 (PC-3200)

Hard Disk Drive Specifications


Interface
SATA


Capacity
160GB


Speed
7,200RPM

Optical Drive Specifications


Optical Drive Type
DVD+/-RW Dual Layer


Interface
IDE

Optical Drive 2 Specifications


Optical Drive Type
DVD-ROM


Interface
IDE


DVD Read Speed
16x

Supplemental Drive


Type
Floppy


Capacity
1.44MB


Media Types
Floppy Disk

Supplemental Drive 2


Type
Media Reader

Audio Specifications


Audio Description
Integrated Audio


Channels
6

Graphics Specifications


Graphics Description
AGP Video Card


Video Memory
256MB Memory


Video Interface
VGA


Rendering Ability
2D/3D Graphic Acceleration

Communications


Communications Description
56Kbps PCI Modem


Interface Type
RJ-11 - Phone Connector


Data Transfer Rate
up to 56Kbps

Power Management


Power
350 Watt

Included Additional Software


Productivity Applications
Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003 Trial Version
Microsoft Works 7.0


Utility Applications
CA eTrust Anti-Virus 7.0

Mouse Specifications


Mouse Type
Optical


Buttons
3


Scrolling Capability
Vertical


Color
Black

Keyboard Specifications


Keyboard Type
Multimedia


Connection Type Learn More
PS/2


Power Source
PS/2 Connection

I'd look for a separate monitor.




2) Dell 8400 for $1212 with 17" LCD after 25% off coupon

Dimension 8400 Pentium® 4 Processor 540 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB) S328H [221-5711] 1
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional WPXP [412-0409][412-0688][463-2282][420-4838][420-4927] 11
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x512M) 1GB5 [311-3978] 3
Keyboard Dell Quietkey® Keyboard QK [310-1582] 4
Monitor 17 in E173FP Flat Panel Display E173FP [320-4172] 5
Video Card 128MB PCI Express? x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon? X300 SE X300SE [320-3934] 6
Hard Drive FREE UPGRADE! 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) 160SP [463-0993] 8
Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices No Floppy Drive Included NFD [340-8442] 10
Mouse Dell 2-button scroll mouse SM [310-1871] 12
Network Interface Integrated Gigabit Ethernet IN [430-0742] 13
Modem 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem DFAX [313-2279] 14
Document Management Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0 AAREAD [412-0705] 15
CD ROM/DVD ROM Single Drive: FREE UPGRADE! 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/dbl layer write 16DVDRP [420-5079][463-4681] 16
Sound Card Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio IS [313-2758] 17
Speakers Creative I-Trigue? 2.1 3300 Speaker System IT3300 [A0428061][463-5644] 18
Productivity Software WordPerfect®, Powerful Word Processing CORELM [412-0701] 22
Security Software No Security Subscription NS2 [412-0754] 25
Digital Music Dell Jukebox - easy-to-use music player and CD burning software MMBASE [412-0741] 27
Digital Photography Paint Shop? Pro® Studio trial, Photo Album? Starter Edition DPS [412-0744] 28
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr Technical Support S111OS [950-1260][950-3337][950-9797][412-0360][960-2800] 29
Dial-up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included AOLDHS [412-0585][412-0625][420-3224][412-0687] 37
Tracer Skus Award Winning Service and Support D84F3 [463-5443] 82
Dell Media Experience Dell Media Experience? DMX [412-0749] 115


Either one worth the price? I'm looking for a good all-around system that'll last me at least 3 years. No gaming but I will do a decent amount of video editing on it.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Pciber]

Both are good systems, i'm not sure about the price on the Dell, though...

The first system, from tigerdirect, doesn't say much about its graphics card - just that its 256mb... That doesnt say much, I think they make 256mb Radeon 9200s. As for the Dell's video card, it isn't much better. It shouldn't matter too much, since you won't be doing much gaming, just a heads up.

Only other thing I can complain about is hard drive space.. Once you get heavily into video editing, you might find yourself running out of space, fast.


Also, i have to mention... cheaper to build your own... and you get the exact specs you want

 

[Blain]

Too much scrolling... I refuse to play!

 

[halfadder]

If you're not going to read the post, then don't bother replying.

Both systems look like OK deals. And any GPU is better than onboard chipset graphics. But if you're going to get an LCD, consider spending a little bit more for a model that has DVI. That low end Dell LCD has analog VGA only. There's a pretty significant difference in quality, especially when you compare analog vs digital side-by-side.

 

[jterrell]

I'd stay away from tigerdirect period. Their quality has severely fallen off over the years. The last pc I bought from tigerdirect had to be RMA'd twice

If you want a Dell look for a 25% off coupon. Search in google or hot deals here or at fatwallet.

You might try ibuypower.com for a gaming pc.

 

[Edward Lee]

I heard bad things about Tigerdirect, never bought from them however.
I'm sorry I didn't even read the Dell system after I saw the price.

Here's how I see it:
AMD 64 3400 S754 + MOBO = $300.00 (modem, usb, LAN, sound, all included in MOBO)
1 Gig 2x512 Corsair VS DDR 400 PC-3200= $140.00
120 Gig IDE HD = $50.00 (on sale now!)
16x DVD-R = $60.00
Thermaltake Tsunami Case + 400W PSU = $130.00
Floppy = No Need

Grand Total = $680.00

Add Samsung 710N 17" LCD monitor from Best Buy = $250.00 (on sale now!)

Grand Total with Monitor = $930.00

OPPS forgot the graphics card. Get a Geforce 6600GT for $190.00 or a Geforce 6800 fro $268.00

Your choice both are 128 MB.

 

[AznSensation]

I just ordered my system for $1250 but it's got more potential (overclockability & upgradability)

here it goes

Asus Nforce 4 SLI motherboard $186.99 + $9.50 shipping (www.buy.com)

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 90nm Winchester core Retail $207 + free shipping (www.zipzoomfly.com)

Zaalman 7700-CU massive heatsink $44 + free shipping (www.zipzoomfly.com)

Logysis 500 Watt powersupply with 2 blue LED's and clear box $42 + free shipping (www.zipzoomfly.com)

Thermaltake Tsunami Dream $122 + free shipping (www.newegg.com)

2x512mb (1gig) PQI DDR 500 (3-4-4-8 timings) $180 + $3.90 shipping (www.newegg.com)

Western Digital 74 gig Raptors $180 + $4.95 shipping (-$25 mail in rebate) (www.newegg.com)

MSI GeForce 6600 GT 128mb video card $192 + $2.49 shipping (www.newegg.com)

Thermaltake voice-controlled blue cathode lights $9.95 + $3.95 shipping (www.newegg.com)

NEC 3500A DVD burner $65 + free shipping (www.newegg.com)

Samsung floppy $6.99 + $2.79 shipping (www.newegg.com)




all for around $1250... great overclocking potential/ upgradibility

 

[ip]

Hey thanks for all the tips.

I thought about building my own but I've never done it before and I don't really have the time for anything to go wrong. Also, it didn't look like the price would be much better if at all. Like Edward Lee showed, I'm still looking at ~$1100-1200 including graphics card and monitor. Plus he didn't include a dual layer DVDRW in his setup.

Thanks for the heads-up on Systemax and the DVI-input LCD. I didn't think I'd need it without gaming but it makes sense to still try and get it.

I do have a Dell 25% off 1499 coupon which is what brought it down to $1212. It just seeems like there's no great deal at Dell Home right now and the coupon (Dellf) expires on Jan 5. They have a nice 8400 setup in the "Holiday Bundle" Home but the coupon can't be applied to it.

Any more thoughts?

 

[w00t]

Make you own system we will help you

 

[Edward Lee]

Sony Internal 16X DVD+/-RW / Double Layer Drive Black, Model DW-D22A-B2, OEM $65.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=27-131-239&DEPA=1

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK, OEM $62.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-152-032&depa=1

For the record. The parts I mentioned above are "high line" brand parts. (as opposed to Dell's generic parts) For less than you would pay for a Dell you can build a nicer computer with upgradable hardware. Dell parts are proprietary and difficult to upgrade and cheap.

In this case paying more won't get you better.

Quick FAQ...
Yes, there will be some trouble shooting involved.
No, it's not that difficult if you're patient.
Yes It's a lot of fun when you're done.
No, the chances are you won't mess up your computer the first time.
Yes, you will have a very nice system that you built with components you want at a great price.

 

[ip]

ok ok. I think I'll give it a shot to build my own. I'll take a look around and start asking questions in another thread. Expect a bunch but you asked for it...

 

[BurnItDwn]

One other thing ...

the video card in the Dell (the X300) is VERY low end ....
Since the systemax ad doesn't specify what video card Chipset it is, it too could be a Rather lowend card.

If you wanted to build a comparative system, you would be looking at sub $100 video cards.

Edward Lee's suggestions are generally better, though a 120GB drive is kinda small if you want lots of room.

Right now when it comes to performance, in Generally, most PATA and SATA drives perform about the same, however, there are some SATA drives that are substancially faster.

I would purchase regular PATA drives as they generally cost less. (I am a loyal SEAGATE customer since they have 5 year warranties on all of their drives)

If you want a faster hard drive, and don't care if it's louder (it won't help with framerates in any games, however, it will help with load times) The WD 74 GB Raptors that AznSensation recommended are very good. They don't have much room, but they are very quick.