New Rig: Errr... Should I Return It?

[applesseed]

Got a new Dell 8300 - Opened box, took out computer from the box, looked at the inside, never hook it up ...hesitating whether I should return it or not. Last day... March 3, 2004.

Here's the specs:

[*] MS Windows XP Pro
[*] Pentium 4 @ 3.0GHz w/HT Technology
[*] 1024MB DDR SDRAM @ 400MHz
[*] 128MB DDR ATI RADEON 9800 PRO
[*] 120GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
[*] 3.5in Floppy Drive
[*] Intel Pro 100M Integrated PCI NIC Card
[*] 56K PCI Data Fax Modem
[*] 16X DVD-Rom Drive
[*] 48X Max CD-RW Drive
[*] Factory Installed Audio
[*] Sound Blaster Audigy 2 THX Sound Card with DVD Audio
[*] Microsoft Office 2003 Professional
[*] Dell Media Experience
[*] Dell Quiet Key Keyboard
[*] Dell USB Optical Mouse

SOFTWARES:
[*] Dell Application Back-up CD, Factory Install
[*] Cyberlink Software Decoding for DVD Drives
[*] Norton Antivirus 2003, Trial Version
[*] Dell Jukebox powered by Music Match
[*] Dell Photo Album Standard
[*] Real Network RealOne Player Basic, Version 6
[*] Money 2004 Standard (FREE)
[*] Microsoft Plus Pack Digital Media Edition ($30)
[*] Turbo Tax 2003 (FREE)

No Speaker
No Monitor
1 Year Limited Warranty

I must be one of the damn craziest (and stupidest) person on Anandtech but I paid over $2K. Shipping was $100, Tax was $8.50 - had a 10% off from regular price. :disgust:



After I made my purchase, the price went down and with the same configuration with added Media Center, was even cheaper than I paid for.


So I'm wondering if YOU were in MY shoe... would you:

1.) Keep the system, add a cheap TV Tuner
2.) Keep the system, add an All-In-Wonder Radeon 9600 Pro or above
3.) Return the system, get a Media Center by itself
4.) Return the system, get a Media Center, take out the only given choice of 64MB ATI All-In-Wonder 9000, and install an AIW 9600 Pro or above
5.) Return the system, wait until there's a huge sale

I'm tired of having computers built by my friends and family and always crashing/dying on me.

I heard that computer components are becoming cheaper these days, especially Q2/Q3. When exactly is Q2? I heard it's March/April? True?

Things that I do...

[*] Video Editing/Videography
[*] Transferring Hi8/VHS tapes to burning media
[*] Burning CDs/DVDs
[*] Web Page Design
[*] Computer programming - C, Visual Basic, Perl
[*] Counter Strike/Half Life 2 (once it comes out)


Thanks in Advance.

 

[NokiaDude]

Definitely return it and get the Media Center Edition. It's sweet. Oh, and stick an AIW Radeon 9800 in there too!

 

[ectx]

Originally posted by: applesseed


I'm tired of having computers built by my friends and family and always crashing/dying on me.

I'd return it. You should build them yourself or have better friends. DIY Computers should run faster and could be as stable if you select parts properly.

 

[applesseed]

When's a good time to buy a new computer? Now or later (when)?

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

As far as a good time to buy a computer...um...back to school (August) and graduation (may/june) might be your best bets. I'm not entirely sure. Oh yeah, black friday is good if you don't mind shopping at 2am and dealing with a horde (literally) of people.

I wouldn't get an All-in-Wonder card like some might suggest. When it's time to upgrade your graphics card you lose your tv tuner as well. Just buy a separate tv tuner...I'm certain someone could suggest an excellent model.

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: TheBoyBlunder
As far as a good time to buy a computer...um...back to school (August) and graduation (may/june) might be your best bets. I'm not entirely sure. Oh yeah, black friday is good if you don't mind shopping at 2am and dealing with a horde (literally) of people.

I wouldn't get an All-in-Wonder card like some might suggest. When it's time to upgrade your graphics card you lose your tv tuner as well. Just buy a separate tv tuner...I'm certain someone could suggest an excellent model.

whats black friday ? so I dont know, big deal

I'll second the dont buy an AIW
suggested stand alone tv tuner - ati (non-ve) or asus (comes with nice remote and all the cables in the world)



D

 

[bigshooter]

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. You can normally find some really good deals on mainstream hardware.

 

[applesseed]

So what's wrong with AIW? Should I still return my system and get the Media Center or keep my system and buy a stand alone TV Tuner?

 

[Treyshadow]

Purchasing a AIW 9800 pro versus a regular 9800 pro and a Hauppage PVR-250 is a push in cost. The Hauppage is also media center friendly due to its Hardware-based MPEG2 decoder. For other tuner suggestions go to www.thegreenbutton.com

I would suggest that route for a future upgrade path. The TV tuner would be usable when you upgrade your graphics card again.

 

[egale]

If the price goes down within your return period, they will refund the difference. Just call them.

 

[applesseed]

Seems like I'm leaning toward on keeping the system and stick a tv tuner. I guess that makes it tad bit cheaper.

Unfortunately the ATI 9800 Pro in the Dell - doesn't have composite out like an AIW 7500 has (currently using; returning to bro if keeping Dell) - how the heck am I to transfer and edit videos via camcorder/VHS?

Not sure what I'm talking about? I'm using this to do the transferring. Now it's gonna be no use?

 

[high]

If you got the $$ and are too lazy to mess with it, keep it

 

[Rukkian]

They just had a sale on these the other day (posted on spoofee.com), a little smaller hdd, and lower vid card, but:

Dimension 8300 3.0Ghz HT P4 w/ 1GB RAM, 80GB HD, 128MB Geforce FX 5200 $649 shipped

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/pro...s=04&l=en&s=bsd

Click on Featured Systems (NOT customize it) under Dimension 8300 From $649

Now click on Customize It under Dimension 8300 $649

All of the options for the lowest possible cost are NOT already selected. Be sure to check the following:
--4X your memory for FREE! 1GB Dual Channel 400MHz DDR SDRAM
--FREE UPGRADE! 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive

Scroll to the bottom and click on Continue
Scroll to the bottom and click on Continue
Scroll to the bottom and click on Add to cart
Finish checking out. Ground shipping for the computer is free!

Borrowed from *******(Posted by: Lights)

 

[applesseed]

Originally posted by: Rukkian
They just had a sale on these the other day (posted on spoofee.com), a little smaller hdd, and lower vid card, but:

Dimension 8300 3.0Ghz HT P4 w/ 1GB RAM, 80GB HD, 128MB Geforce FX 5200 $649 shipped

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/pro...s=04&l=en&s=bsd

Click on Featured Systems (NOT customize it) under Dimension 8300 From $649

Now click on Customize It under Dimension 8300 $649

All of the options for the lowest possible cost are NOT already selected. Be sure to check the following:
--4X your memory for FREE! 1GB Dual Channel 400MHz DDR SDRAM
--FREE UPGRADE! 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive

Scroll to the bottom and click on Continue
Scroll to the bottom and click on Continue
Scroll to the bottom and click on Add to cart
Finish checking out. Ground shipping for the computer is free!

Borrowed from *******(Posted by: Lights)

Appreciated for the Dell link however it didn't work... link's dead (to me)

I tried going to Dell's website by itself; browsed mere 20 minutes - couldn't find the Featured Systems link.

Anyway... I wish I could get some more answers - I don't even know what the hell I'm supposed to do:

1.) Keep the system, add a cheap TV Tuner (Leadtek or Hauppauge)
2.) Keep the system, replace with an All-In-Wonder Radeon 9600 Pro or above
3.) Return the system, get a Media Center by itself
4.) Return the system, get a Media Center, take out the only given choice of 64MB ATI All-In-Wonder 9000, and stick an AIW 9600 Pro or above
5.) Return the system, wait until there's a huge sale or May/June/August

Possibly I won't get a new computer/upgrade in another 3-4 years if the Dell lives. I'm also looking for a good TV quality card - recording live shows or transferring videos.

 

[ZL1]

dude thats your decision, people did give you advice, but the final move is still up to you


D

 

[Boonesmi]

Originally posted by: ZL1
dude thats your decision, people did give you advice, but the final move is still up to you


D

yup

but personally i would return it

 

[dexvx]

Call them asking for a discout and just add a TV - Tuner in.