Is buying a Dell 8300 stupid?

[JackHawksmoor]

I've been toying with building a new system, and right now with the rebates and 15% off codes Dell's 8300 is actually a couple hundred bucks cheaper than what I can build one for with similar parts.

Is that really stupid to consider? The 8300 only has a 250 watt PSU, but presumably it works okay since they're selling the things with Radeon 9800 Pros.

Does Dell still use proprietary motherboard connectors/PSUs? Or can you drop in a different motherboard and/or PSU at a latter date?

I can't buy from NewEgg yet anyway, since they've ALWAYS got one or two parts I need out of stock

Can't believe I'm actually looking at a Dell...

 

[John]

Originally posted by: JackHawksmoor
Is that really stupid to consider?

No.

Does Dell still use proprietary motherboard connectors/PSUs?

Yes, however only the front panel connector is proprietary. Have a look inside

Or can you drop in a different motherboard and/or PSU at a latter date?

Absolutely. However you will have to cut up the front panel connector to fit the new motherboard.

Can't believe I'm actually looking at a Dell...

Stereotypical are we?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Buying from Dell isn't stupid, if they have the parts you want (I wanted DVD + and - R they only offer +), especially if you want a legal OS.

can't buy from NewEgg yet anyway, since they've ALWAYS got one or two parts I need out of stoc

That, on the other hand, is stupid. Just buy those last two parts from MWave.com or ZipZoomFly.com

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Buying from Dell isn't stupid, if they have the parts you want (I wanted DVD + and - R they only offer +), especially if you want a legal OS.

can't buy from NewEgg yet anyway, since they've ALWAYS got one or two parts I need out of stoc

That, on the other hand, is stupid. Just buy those last two parts from MWave.com or ZipZoomFly.com

Dell is definatly worse than if you made one yourself but look on the bright side, it isn't E-machines.

 

[tart666]

definatly, definatly... (rainmain)

srry couldn't help...

 

[dartworth]

get the Dell...you'll be happy.

 

[tallman45]

A couple of friends have picked up 8300's dirt cheap, for the price they are hard to beat especially considering that the os is included, but you could definately build something better for comparable dough.

They use Intel 865 mbs, which are pretty standard. No OC'ing though. Your upgrade path is severly limited though, add a second HDD and and a Optical drive and that is about it.

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: tallman45
A couple of friends have picked up 8300's dirt cheap, for the price they are hard to beat especially considering that the os is included, but you could definately build something better for comparable dough.

They use Intel 865 mbs, which are pretty standard. No OC'ing though. Your upgrade path is severly limited though, add a second HDD and and a Optical drive and that is about it.

1) 8300's use 875 motherboards.

2) And as a matter of fact, you can overclock some of them.

 

[JackHawksmoor]

Thanks for the info! I'll definitely consider it. (Although first I have to decide whether I?m going to start using one of my own systems at work-I?m stuck on a 1GHz P3, and most of the components in it are mine, just to make it useable, but I?m hesitant to start using my own stuff, because I do want them to provide SOMETHING).