How many people here actually build their computers?

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
The link works, it is the same one I used to price with. It offers more options than Small Biz, yes, but where is the $499 special with the 19" LCD and stuff? Did that deal end, or am I just not seeing it?

There's no single answer to how old my system is, or how much it cost. Once it's done doing the sort of lava-lamp-style merge-&-separate thing with my other A64, and they both emerge from the metamorphosis, it will have the old X15-36LP SCSI drive I got way back in '00, the 6600GT, 1GB of ValueSelect 3200, the K8N-E Deluxe, the Clawhammer 3000+ and the TruePower 430, probably in ...ergh, can't decide which case I want to put it in

Uh oh, gotta jam. More later.

Looks like they don't offer 2gb of ram on a $500system I guess it makes sense, after all I wouldn't spend $376 on memory on a $500 rig.

As far as which system is better/faster it's impossible to say without knowing how much you spent, if we both spent the same it would be a toss up speed would be close etc... The one thing that would draw me towards Dell is that it's suppliers will give Dell the most durable/stable parts and these configurations have been tested by countless systems for countless hours.

In the end you are happy with your rig and I am with mine.

Now if you would just admit that I'm right and your wrong we could end this thing ;P


Tom

 

[han405]

i build my own since shopping for PC parts is a hobby... besides, there isn't alot of AMD PCs out there, you really have to build one yourself..
(down with intel)

 

[MazerRackham]

Just built this system last weekend. Love it!

 

[mechBgon]

My co-workers both missed out on getting a free printer thrown in the same deal a couple weeks ago.

A Dell printer? The ones where your only source of ink cartridges is, uh, Dell themselves? Speaking as a guy whose employer spends $500 every 6 weeks on wax-ink for our "free" Tektronix Phaser 8400, with a contractual obligation to buy from them rather than elsewhere, this sounds rather familiar.

The PS is NOT proprietary, and the mobo is made by Intel, as is the CPU. There's a name brand HDD included, and 2 SATA connectors to add more. PCI-E slot for wondrous "gaming" vid cards, and whisper quiet operation in a turn key solution. All shipped free for less than $500 INCLUDING a 19" LCD. Can you offer a better Hot Deal? The answer is clear alright...

Right. Well technically not right, since Intel doesn't actually make their own mobos, they buy them. But it appears to me that the guy blew something pretty thoroughly, so it's probably a moot point. Let's hope Dell covers it for him.

As far as which system is better/faster it's impossible to say without knowing how much you spent, if we both spent the same it would be a toss up speed would be close etc...

Naturally it depends on the task, but I can tell you right now that my oldest 15k drive still completes I/O-intensive tasks about twice as fast as my 250GB SATA II NCQ-enabled drive does (Office2000Pro AIP generation and test installs, if you want specifics). My Maxtor Atlas 15k II should blow away both my X15-36LP and my 15k.3, but that'll be in my work rig.

Video-card wise, a 6600GT ranges from 0% faster to 106% faster than a 9800 Pro (w/256-bit memory bus) in Anand's gaming benchies, other factors being equal: I hope you don't like Doom3 much, see first table.

You are also dodging the question about the length of your warranty, I noticed. Fess up, boy :evil: It was a 1-year one, wasn't it.

Actually I don't mind that you like your system, but the poll results and the remarks by others in this thread clearly indicate that up-front cost of a computer is not the only criterion being considered by a lot of Forum readers. The option to choose AMD. The option to choose SCSI. The option to choose everything else just exactly how we want it, ranging from cooling to lights to cases to any sound card under the sun, and to change it later at will. Warranties on individual parts. Fast free tech support at the Forums (not that we don't try to help the Dellers too).

So it's annoying to have Ferengi preaching that up-front cost is the only consideration, and that we should all lower our standards to where we don't mind giving up the perks I listed above. I guess *I* ought to be very accustomed to it, having been a bicycle mechanic for 12 years. Ask Brutuskend what I'm talking about Huffy, Pacific, Mongoose... I wish I had a dollar for every time I've done a repair estimate and had Mr. Cheapskate exclaim that That's More Than I Paid For The Whole Bike.

--the other Tom

 

[Chelsey]

My fairly new system, built by me of course

Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Retail
Corsair 2x512 MB Value Select PC3200
MSI GeForce 6600 GT 128 MB PCI-E
Sound Blaster Live! Value
Samsung 120gb 7200rpm 8mb cache SATA hard drive
Black Lite-On 52x32x52x16x combo drive painted silver
Black NEC 3520A 16x DVD+RW/-RW drive painted silver
nVidia 10/100/1000 NIC
v.92 56k PCI modem
Enermax 485W PSU
12" and 6" blue cold cathodes
Master of Sentences says:
Antec Super Lanboy case
Logitech Elite keyboard
MS Blue USB mouse w/modded blue LED
Altec Lansing 45.1 sound system
Sennheiser HD-280 Pro headphones
Samsung 710N Black 17" LCD

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.theapplecollection.com/Collection/MacAquarium/index.shtml

 

[lavagirl669]

I built my own, however I refer a lot of people to Dell
because it saves $ and I don't have to provide them
tech support...Dell does

 

[Cerb]

Dell can be cheap. For people you don't want to support, it can be especially cheap.
People here, though, are likely to be tweakers. There's only so much upgrading and tinkering you can do with a major OEM PC.

 

[Ornery]

A Dell printer?

Doesn't matter what printer. Two weeks ago, they could have had the EXACT same configuration for the EXACT same price WITH a printer thrown in for good measure. You could use it as a text only printer on a second PC, sell it, or throw it out, but for the same money, I'd just as soon take the freebie as not.


My fairly new system, built by me of course

No price, of course :roll:


What's with all the Dell talk???

It's annoying to have fanbois preaching that gaming performance and benchmarks are the only consideration. There would be no Hot Deals forum if 99% of the people on this site weren't consumed with getting the best deals.

 

[Red Dawn]

I use too but now building/upgrading computers is more of an annoyance and a bore that I wouldn't bother.

 

[WT]

Roll my own .... no fun in shopping for someone else's definition of my ideal 'gamer' PC. The only problem is maintaining four PCs to be able to play the games that I like. Thats tends to eat up any cash reserves that I have in quite a hurry.

 

[Pabster]

Always hating on Dell, aren't we

I'm not a big fan of pre-built PCs, but Dell does a good job. And for laptops, Dell really rocks.

That said, I'm still a geek, and I like to assemble a few of my own toys as well

EDIT: Intel doesn't make any motherboards. But they make some fine chipsets. Dell uses Foxconn boards.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: Pabster
Always hating on Dell, aren't we

I'm not a big fan of pre-built PCs, but Dell does a good job. And for laptops, Dell really rocks.

I don't limit my hate to Dell. I hate on anything that is over-hyped and over-rated.

Case in point, the Dimension 4700 Hot Deal previously mentioned in this thread includes the following:

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 520 w/HT Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
256MB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (1x256M)
90 day On-Site parts and labor, 90 day phone technical support
$100 Mail In Rebate
Dell Quietkey® Keyboard
Dell 2-button scroll mouse
No Productivity Suite - Corel WordPerfect® word processor only
No Security Subscription
No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
40GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Single Drive: 48X CD-ROM Drive
No Floppy Drive Included
19 inch E193FP Analog Flat Panel
Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Photo Album? SE Basic
6 Months of America Online Membership Included Dell Recommended

Anyone that has any computer knowledge knows the following:

* Pentium 4 is choked with single channel RAM
* DDR@400 is faster than DDR2@400
* onboard video eats system RAM
* 256MB RAM is not enough RAM for even basic systems anymore (especially systems with onboard video)
* CD-ROM drives cannot do basic tasks such as write CDs or read DVDs
* Keyboard and mouse offered with this system is substandard
* AOL is horrible (yet is being pimped by Dell!)

This basic "Hot Deal" is crippled several times over and is obsolete even before it ships. The "computing experience" this system offers is substandard and requires expensive upgrades to fix it. While you can "upgrade" the system components when you order it, making for a decent yet still very basic system, it will cost ~$800-$900 after MIR! On top of all that, it doesn't even have basic Virus protection!

Dell uses their flat-panel monitors and the "latest" Intel technology to sell junk, and IMO, Dell is doing a disservice to the consumer by offering that junk at any price. Dell's only saving grace is that their flat-panel monitors and laptops are good - for the price.

 

[Ornery]

The "computing experience" this system offers is substandard...

What a load of stinkin' shlt. You CAN'T match that deal building it yourself, and it's 3 times the speed and stability of computers that are being replaced by it! Those wondrous machines being replaced WERE custom built, and NOT worth upgrading at all right now. BFD to that logic. The Dell deal IS upgradable, despite previous attempts to discredit it, and for the EXACT same prices you'll pay to upgrade a custom machine, because the parts come from the same source!

Honestly, a few FPS in a GD video game only worth so much, and I've YET to see anybody mention how much they've actually wasted in that pursuit.




/me looks at the poll results... hmmm, the message is clear

If you can, or regularly do build computers, but bought off-the-shelf for some reason, I suppose that qualifies as a yes.

The poll is idiotic without a choice for, "I would NEVER buy an off-the-shelf box." As it is, the majority in the Yes column could easily answer, "I can, and have built PCs of many configurations, but am smart enough to buy a pre-built when they're practically being given away!"

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: Ornery
The "computing experience" this system offers is substandard...

What a load of stinkin' shlt. You CAN'T match that deal building it yourself, and it's 3 times the speed and stability of computers that are being replaced by it! Those wondrous machines being replaced WERE custom built, and NOT worth upgrading at all right now. BFD to that logic. The Dell deal IS upgradable, despite previous attempts to discredit it, and for the EXACT same prices you'll pay to upgrade a custom machine, because the parts come from the same source!

Honestly, a few FPS in a GD video game only worth so much, and I've YET to see anybody mention how much they've actually wasted in that pursuit.

No, I can't "match" that basic deal by building it myself. I tried and the price was $787 - $70 MIR for a total of $717 shipped (all purchased at Newegg.com). I could, however, build a much better system for roughly the same price as that basic deal after upgrading the Dell to modern day standards (either system would cost $800-$900 after rebates). I personally, would never even consider buying the "Hot Deal" in it's most basic form, because it is inadequate for even my basic needs, gaming excluded (for future reference, I never stated that any of these systems would be good for gaming).

Let me share my experience with my dad's first computer:

It was a Gateway, P3 933MHz, 128MB PC133 RAM, 30GB 5400rpm HD, DVD-ROM, onboard Intel Extreme graphics, Sound Blaster PCI sound card, Windows ME, ~$1800 new in 2000. It was crippled from the factory and the hard drive failed after 3 years (big surprise). Dad bought a new Dell to replace it (spent ~$1100 for a decent Dell with free printer that he promptly tossed aside). I took this basic Gateway "appliance" that he was happy to throw away and added 256MB RAM, 80GB hard drive, CD writer, and GF2MX graphics card (unlike most basic Dells, this computer had an available AGP slot). After reinstalling Windows ME (and Mandrake 10 ), this appliance was very snappy and nowhere near obsolete. My dad raved about how snappy his new Dell was, yet my wife said it didn't feel any faster than the one I just breathed new life into. The computer went to my Sister-In-Law for her first computer, and she is more than satisfied with it.

That Gateway computer (in it's revived state) offers a better computing experience than this Hot Deal, and I will never buy a Dell "Hot Deal" or any other subpar OEM computer.

 

[Ornery]

Let me share my experience with my dad's current computer:

It's a Dell that was purchased in November 2002 for $340. There is NO WAY I could build a similar one for anywhere near that price. He's still using it today without a hitch. It's had one CDRW drive added to it since then. Oh, my in-laws bought one at the same time, and theirs is also running perfectly to this day. Again, it would have been a huge waste of my time and their money to have built one instead.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

If buying strictly by price, then Dell is the hands down winner. If buying the most well-rounded computer for the task/s it will be used for - priced within a reasonable budget - you would likely be better served elsewhere. Yes, the Dell works, but with a fair share of trade-offs.

IOW, if someone asked me to help them buy a $500 computer I would send them to Dell (with disclaimer), but if they asked me to help them buy a computer best suited for < insert random task > I would have no choice but to have them look elsewhere. When I need a new computer, you can be damned certain I will build my own.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Let me share my experience with my dad's current computer:

It's a Dell that was purchased in November 2002 for $340. There is NO WAY I could build a similar one for anywhere near that price. He's still using it today without a hitch. It's had one CDRW drive added to it since then. Oh, my in-laws bought one at the same time, and theirs is also running perfectly to this day. Again, it would have been a huge waste of my time and their money to have built one instead.

It's simple really.

If you want a plain PC that you cannot do anything with BIOS settings etc, you get a pre-made assembly line machine like a Dell although I don't like them because they are Intel only. I would buy and use Dells if they had both AMD and Intel choices.

If you want a machine that you can customize and crank up for BIOS and extreme gaming etc you build it.

It will suck when customized machines are no longer allowed.

It's getting closer to that point than most realize.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Ornery
Let me share my experience with my dad's current computer:

It's a Dell that was purchased in November 2002 for $340. There is NO WAY I could build a similar one for anywhere near that price. He's still using it today without a hitch. It's had one CDRW drive added to it since then. Oh, my in-laws bought one at the same time, and theirs is also running perfectly to this day. Again, it would have been a huge waste of my time and their money to have built one instead.

It's simple really.

If you want a plain PC that you cannot do anything with BIOS settings etc, you get a pre-made assembly line machine like a Dell although I don't like them because they are Intel only. I would buy and use Dells if they had both AMD and Intel choices.

If you want a machine that you can customize and crank up for BIOS and extreme gaming etc you build it.

It will suck when customized machines are no longer allowed.

It's getting closer to that point than most realize.

tinfoil hat as firmly on as ever i see mate

 

[Ornery]

If you want a machine that you can customize and crank up for BIOS and extreme gaming etc you build it.

And, what premium are you willing to pay for this privilage? Nobody seems to want to share this information. Afraid you'll make Mac buyers look frugal?

 

[RagingBITCH]

This is one of the few times I gotta agree with Oldfart. On a price basis, you can't beat Dell. Especially considering software as well. I mean hell, how else can you build a $500 machine w/ a free 17" LCD monitor?

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
If buying strictly by price, then Dell is the hands down winner. If buying the most well-rounded computer for the task/s it will be used for - priced within a reasonable budget - you would likely be better served elsewhere. Yes, the Dell works, but with a fair share of trade-offs.

IOW, if someone asked me to help them buy a $500 computer I would send them to Dell (with disclaimer), but if they asked me to help them buy a computer best suited for < insert random task > I would have no choice but to have them look elsewhere. When I need a new computer, you can be damned certain I will build my own.

Dude most of us were where you are at now a few years ago until we realized that for our needs a basic setup from Dell more than served the purpose. Hell for most people a basic Celeron System would do as long as it had enough memory and a big enough hard drive.

To tell you the truth I would have thought by now Computers would be a lot smaller than they are and even cheaper than they are or would be included for free when you signed up for broadband much like the Digital Boxes you get when you get Cable TV

 

[Noirish]

not anymore.
sometimes when you catch a dell deal, it's way way cheaper than building your own.

for example, how much would it cost to build my rig:
2.8 HT
1GB DDR2
160 SATA
6800 256MB PCIE

sub-$400!

 

[Ornery]

...how else can you build a $500 machine w/ a free 17" LCD monitor?

It's a 19". Incredible deal!

I turned all our gaming over the the several consoles we have floating around here. Bought every one of them for less than the video cards everybody around here buys. They aren't noisy, and don't overheat or crash! Got my son's last mega expensive upgrade capable of playing Doom3, and that just sits collecting dust... :-/

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser

Originally posted by: Pabster
Always hating on Dell, aren't we

I'm not a big fan of pre-built PCs, but Dell does a good job. And for laptops, Dell really rocks.

I don't limit my hate to Dell. I hate on anything that is over-hyped and over-rated.

Case in point, the Dimension 4700 Hot Deal previously mentioned in this thread includes the following:

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 520 w/HT Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
256MB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (1x256M)
90 day On-Site parts and labor, 90 day phone technical support
$100 Mail In Rebate
Dell Quietkey® Keyboard
Dell 2-button scroll mouse
No Productivity Suite - Corel WordPerfect® word processor only
No Security Subscription
No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
40GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Single Drive: 48X CD-ROM Drive
No Floppy Drive Included
19 inch E193FP Analog Flat Panel
Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Photo Album? SE Basic
6 Months of America Online Membership Included Dell Recommended

Anyone that has any computer knowledge knows the following:

* Pentium 4 is choked with single channel RAM
* DDR@400 is faster than DDR2@400
* onboard video eats system RAM
* 256MB RAM is not enough RAM for even basic systems anymore (especially systems with onboard video)
* CD-ROM drives cannot do basic tasks such as write CDs or read DVDs
* Keyboard and mouse offered with this system is substandard
* AOL is horrible (yet is being pimped by Dell!)

This basic "Hot Deal" is crippled several times over and is obsolete even before it ships. The "computing experience" this system offers is substandard and requires expensive upgrades to fix it. While you can "upgrade" the system components when you order it, making for a decent yet still very basic system, it will cost ~$800-$900 after MIR! On top of all that, it doesn't even have basic Virus protection!

Dell uses their flat-panel monitors and the "latest" Intel technology to sell junk, and IMO, Dell is doing a disservice to the consumer by offering that junk at any price. Dell's only saving grace is that their flat-panel monitors and laptops are good - for the price.

I don't know where to start with your post....

Lets see 256mb isn't enough ram so.... you could buy another 256mb stick for $20, no cd burner .. buy a dvd burner for $45. "Keyboard and mouse offered with this system is substandard ", "AOL is horrible ".... wtf IT"S FREE No virus protection... well none besides McAfee and we have plenty of free one out there...

So we have cut down $300-400 worth of upgrades to under $75 shipped....

What is it that you expect from a $500 system???? 2gb of ram, dvd burner, 250gb hd, 6800gt, dual 19" lcd's?

Tom