Need help deciding..DIY or premade

[engineno9]

I've built a couple systems but my knowledge is based on building what others have suggested and the feedback they've gotten...so I know very little but here's what I have in mind.
I can buy one of two premade systems:

Gateway FX4710-UB003A Core 2 Quad Q9300(2.50GHz) 6GB DDR2 640GB NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit - Retail (about 1050.00 from newegg)Link to Newegg
Or for the same price
iBUYPOWER GS-925 Core 2 Duo E8500(3.16GHz) 4GB DDR2 500GB NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit - Link to Newegg
Or for about $125 more I can build this (and use my old windows XP home instead of Vista 64
GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model HH80562PH0568M - OEM

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

SAPPHIRE 100243L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W Power Supply

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N

NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - (Plus mounting bracket)


This is someone else's build (which seemed good and stretches my $ to it's upper limit)Here's the link to the builder's post in another forum
So here's my concerns... (BTW I am doing mostly Photoshop, video editing and some gaming....)

Will this system be as effective running XP as Vista?
Should I use DDR3 memory
Is it really worth it (I am NOT going to OC anything...) or should I just buy the premade one and call it a day (I haven't purchased a system like that since 1995!!! Aleays been skeptical of them...)



I really appreciate your input- I'm working off my laptop and it bites

 

[DarkRogue]

Pre-made systems usually cut corners somewhere, so I wouldn't trust them. Given a choice, I'd definitely pick custom build, but that's just me.

If you're not too sure about building, then buy a pre-made one.
If you are fine with it, then I'd suggest you go ahead and build it, but pick some cheaper parts.
For starters, dial down the RAM to DDR2-800. You're not going to OC, so any benefits to getting that 1066 RAM is wasted. Even DDR2-800 will get you respectable overclocks.
You do not need a 4870 unless you're going to game with it at high resolutions (1920x1200.) Save a hundred there and go with a 4850.
You also do not need such an outrageous power supply. A good 400-500W PSU will suit that system just fine.

Your system will be just as effective running XP as Vista, some may argue it will be even more effective.
There is no good reason to use DDR3 right now, as it is way too expensive for the performance they bring.
Is it worth it - that's for you to decide, it's your wallet!

 

[engineno9]

Cool- thanks... I'm leaning towards the build... I could use my old power supply and get the 4850 -then I could get XP media and a spiffy remote

Anyone else?