Help me not get ripped off!! Buying a custom build

[Magusigne]

Hey guys, I am buying a custom build from a guy on craigslist
I need to know if this mobo is going to be upgradable in the future and if perhaps its not worth the money.

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz E6600 - Bought May 2007 - Blazing Fast Processor, one of best in market.

Gigabyte 965P-DS3 - One of the best and most stable boards available. Great for overclocking and has all solid capacitors for longevity of product. Quad Core and Penyrn ready. - NEW

2X512 = 1GB Corsair XMS EPP Memory - TWIN2X1024-6400C4 - NEW High Speed Gaming RAM

250GB 7200RPM Seagate SATA Drive 3.0Gb/S - NEW

20X LiteON DVD - Writer with Lighscribe - NEW

600W Ultra X-Connect Power Supply - Chrome Finish - Dual 80MM fans - NEW

Linksys Wireless PCI Adaptor w/ Antenna - NEW

PNY Nvidia GeForce FX5200 256 MB Directx 9 Video Card - Bought May 2007

Custom Computer Case with 3 Fans for maximum cooling and airflow - NEW

(antec 900 case i think)

What do you think? How much is it worth?

 

[AmberClad]

- Not much RAM. You'd want to add at least 1GB.
- The video card is absolute crap -- I can't believe anyone would buy something like that in 2007. Where did the guy find it, collecting dust in some back room at Best Buy?
- Nice CPU, board, and case.

 

[Magusigne]

I have RAM to throw in there. The case might not be an antec, (Im hoping it is)
I also have a 7800 GT OC for it.

Is the PSU Ok?

The Mobo is going to have the newer chipset in it? Will it OC well?

Thanks

 

[InflatableBuddha]

The PSU is garbage. Antec Earthwatts 430W would be a good replacement.

Given what AmberClad posted too, I would forget this computer and start from scratch.

 

[AmberClad]

I think the jury is still out on whether the P965 chipset will eventually support Penryn. But that motherboard is a nice OCer, if I recall correctly, and that CPU should be able to do 3.0 Ghz, so it may not be worthwhile to switch to a Penryn quad.

The eventual Nehalem CPUs will use a completely different socket, so it's pretty much a moot point for all current LGA775 motherboards.

I'm not too sure about the quality of the PSU though. Some of the Ultras are quite decent. Others, not so decent. You may want to ask about it in the PSU subforum.

 

[AmberClad]

I'm with InflatableBuddha on this one. There's really only two or three decent components in the system in question, and it's used. Out of curiosity, how much does the guy want for it?

 

[Magusigne]

Well here is the thing.

Im Currently running a Nice Pentium D 2.8 system..sucks

Got shafted at best buy royally when the 199.99 22" Samsung went onsale.

The upgraded me to the new 24" which was 499.99 for free

Was trying to trade it for something like this. So I am working on some deals.

My System Is a Dell 9100 with upgraded RAM to 4gb and a 7800GT OC

 

[Magusigne]

Basically my Wife put the squeeze on my wallet. Can't really spend any money so basically my dell got me as far as i can go, the Pentium D is a DOG

So need to upgrade to a mobo and case, was just going to pop in my D until I saved enough for a C2D

The fact that this came with all that other stuff is kinda extra

 

[AmberClad]

What about just buying a new case, PSU, motherboard, and CPU yourself? And transferring the rest of the parts from your Dell into it?

I don't think it's a good deal to trade a monitor worth $500 for that Craigslist system. Here's my approximate appraisal of how I would pay for his system:

CPU: ~$170, because you can buy a E6750 for $190.
Motherboard: ~$70, because you can get the P35 version for $90.
RAM: essentially worthless since you'll be using your own RAM (plus DDR2 is dirt cheap these days)
Hard Drive: $60 (but your Dell already has one)
Optical Drive: $30 (but your Dell may already have one)
Video Card: $0
Wireless PCI Adapter: ???. On a desktop?
PSU: ???. unknown quality PSU
Case: $50 if it's really the Antec 900. It normally retails for $100, but I've seen large rebates on it.

 

[Magusigne]

Yes. This is true, but getting someone to pay for my new monitor might be difficult

 

[AmberClad]

Well, I don't really have a good answer for you . If you do decide to do the trade, then at least the system will be worth more than the $199.99 you paid for the monitor, regardless of the market value of the monitor you actually got.

Ideally, there would be a way where you could keep the monitor and eventually save up and buy only the parts you really need for a new system.

 

[Magusigne]

Well the 24" monitor really is overkill to tell you the truth, its huge.

I can put the parts from my dell and swap them with the sucky parts of the computer.
Sell the dell for profit.

Dell with a Pentium 2.8 D, 1gb of that ram, 120gb HD, and that sucky video card should yeild
200-300 dollars.

Hmm...tough decision..

 

[Magusigne]

Well, hmm....

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Ebay the monitor, start it at $250-275 and it will likely sell for $350+ maybe more ebay is crazy like that.

Then get

P35 mobo $100
E2180 cpu $100
Antec sonnota III w/500w earthwatts PS $125 (you can find it cheaper or with rebates if you look around)

You will likely come out ahead on $'s, spend $50 more on a good aftermarket HSF and overclock the CPU to 3.2-3.5ghz.

I reccomended the E2180 because of the higher multi and lower FSB which will give you more overclocking headroom with the 4gb of ram in your dell which is likely DDR2-667

 

[greengrass]

I think the cpu ,mobo, and the case are quite good ,the other parts are not so good .

 

[BladeVenom]

What can of CPU upgrade can the Dell accept? Can a Dimension 9100 accept a C2D if you update the BIOS?

 

[Magusigne]

Unfortunately not. Dell mobo is locked into the P4 and Pentium D due to some voltage problems.

I'd have to like buy a dell mobo from a 9200 and of course expensive as hell..no real point

 

[Old Hippie]

I am buying a custom build from a guy on craigslist

Make SURE you get what you pay for!