Suggestions for a new pre-built PC?

viewton

Senior member
Jun 11, 2001
811
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Hey guys....thanks in advance...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Looking for a prebuilt PC. Pretty basic needs (surfing, photo editing) but I plan on doing some video editing and I use a firewire cable for that. No games at all.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
I would love to get away with $300-$500, but I will spend up to $750 if needed.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from: N/A

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture: None

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are: I have a 19" Samsung LCD that works pretty good, but if it has to be a Dell prebuilt, I wouldn't mind upgrading to a thrown-in monitor. I also have a license of XP Home which I'm comfortable with, but I'm willing to try switching to Vista if it's already installed. Nothing else will really be kept other than a bunch of files/programs to re-install and maybe the firewire PCI card if needed.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. Yes, but when doing a search for "video" for the editing requirements I get almost every thread returned.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds: NO

8. WHEN do you plan to build it? would like to buy ASAP, I'm running an old Thunderbird AMD 2.2 Ghz with 1 GB of RAM and it's getting noticeably slow when trying to do something as simple as editing photos.

These are the options I came up with...which one should I go with, or do you have any other suggestions for different builds/brands, and can you talk me out of buying the most expensive option given my basic needs! :)

DELL STUDIO MINI DESKTOP (small business) = $460 after taxes/s&h
PROCESSOR Intel® Pentium® dual-core E5200 (2MB L2, 2.5GHz, 800FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
MONITOR: NONE
MEMORY 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
MONITOR No Monitor
VIDEO CARD Integrated Intel® GMA X4500HD Graphics
SOUND Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio


DELL VOLSTRON 420 TOWER (small business) = $645 after taxes/free s&h
PROCESSOR Intel® Core? 2 Duo E7400 (2.8GHz, 3M, L2Cache, 1066FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM FREE Genuine Windows Vista® Business Bonus w/ XP Professional downgrade Installed
HARD DRIVE 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?
MONITOR Dell 20 inch Widescreen 2009WFP UltraSharp? Digital Flat Panel Display
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz - 4DIMMs
OPTICAL DRIVE Single Drive: 16X (DVD+/-RW) Burner Drive
VIDEO CARD 256MB ATI Radeon HD 3450 -supports DVI,HDMI,VGA Connections
SOUND Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio edit


DELL STUDIO DESKTOP: $740 after taxes/free s&h
and "$320 limited time discount"
PROCESSOR Intel® Core? 2 Quad processor Q8200 (4MB L2, 2.33GHz, 1333FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
MONITOR 20.0" Dell ST2010 HD Widescreen Monitor
MEMORY 6GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 640GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
VIDEO CARD ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB
SOUND CARD Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
 

z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,009
65
91
2nd Choice will be your best bet I think. Good overall balance..not too expensive and you can hook up a 5.1 surround sound too if you ever wanted. I think the 3rd one is too pricey for what you want to do, but it will last you a good while considering you dont game. If your doing video encoding a lot, you might want to consider it though. Plus it comes with a monitor which saves you the hassel of going to find one if you go with the second option. So its kind of up in the air, you really cant go wrong with the last two.
 

krnmastersgt

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2008
2,873
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I throw my vote for the second option too, however if you chose to upgrade the ram and video card on it, I'd suggest you buy the system without them and upgrade them yourself (saves quite a bit usually).
 

M0RPH

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2003
3,302
1
0
If you can wait another month you can get a Windows 7 voucher. I personally like the 3rd choice because I think the quad core is better for general computing and video editing.

 

viewton

Senior member
Jun 11, 2001
811
0
0
Thank you guys...I think I'm leaning towards the 3rd choice simply because I want to get into more video editing in the next 3 years. I do a little right now, but I feel limited by my current PC. I also am drawn to the 3rd choice because I always seem to set a budget and then end up on the high range of that budget!

I upgraded a couple things on the 2nd choice to get it to $599 for free shipping (the dvd-rw, memory and monitor)..so the price ends up being pretty close to the quad cpu anyway.

The 30% off savings end on Friday, I would assume it still makes sense it hold out for the voucher even if I pay a little more for the 3rd desktop (M0RPH or anyone that might answer that)? I'm being a sucker, getting sucked in by the time limit they have on the "limited time 30% off offer!!!".
 

krnmastersgt

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2008
2,873
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Does the cache of the CPU have any effect in video editing? Because the Q8 series of quads had neutered cache sizes compared to all the other quads they've sold, for the second choice is a CPU upgrade not available as opposed to ram? Or maybe you should add on some software/peripherals as opposed to ram since upgrading ram via manufacturers is usually a big waste.
 

z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,009
65
91
Yeah upgrading memory through Dell is a massive waste of time/money. You will prob be better off going with the 3rd option anyways.
 

M0RPH

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2003
3,302
1
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The 3rd system strikes me as a pretty warm deal but not super hot. It bothers me that they are using the Q8200 and not the Q8400 as they should be.

If I were you I would not rush into buying that thinking it's a really hot deal. Better deals should come along, or at least the same deal with a better processor in another month.

And if Win7 pricing is anything like previous versions, that voucher will be near $100 value and would really sweeten any deal considerably.
 

z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,009
65
91
yep. That cpu is kind of weak. Not really sure if you can even OC if you wanted to. Anybody know?
 

krnmastersgt

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2008
2,873
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Originally posted by: z1ggy
yep. That cpu is kind of weak. Not really sure if you can even OC if you wanted to. Anybody know?

You can, majority of Q8s overclock better (percentage wise) than something like my Q6600 does and with less heat, still neutered cache sizes though.
 

z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,009
65
91
Well..this is why its a Dell, and not a DIY project. I will always build my own PC's..for this very reason.
 

M0RPH

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2003
3,302
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Originally posted by: z1ggy
Well..this is why its a Dell, and not a DIY project. I will always build my own PC's..for this very reason.

And what reason is that? Overclocking? Believe it or not, many of us are more interested in having a stable system rather than trying to eek out a relatively minor performance boost at the cost of system stability.
 

viewton

Senior member
Jun 11, 2001
811
0
0
Thanks for the additional replies gentlemen. I will hold off until the voucher for Win7 becomes available. From what I found, you can buy after July 1st, is that correct, or is it still TBD?

Also, I would love to build my own system, believe me, but the last time I did that was 10 years and 2 kids (ages 3 and 2) ago...I just don't have any time or energy these days!
 

viewton

Senior member
Jun 11, 2001
811
0
0
Sorry, last question for now, I promise; I just found a 40% coupon for the 220...doesn't seem like it's that far off from the 420 but for a decent amount less...I didn't upgrade anything to keep the costs down:

Vostro 220 Mini Tower: $513 after taxes/s&h and $419 instant savings
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic, Service Pack 1
Intel® Core? 2 Duo E7400 (2.8GHz, 3M, L2Cache, 1066FSB)
Dell 21.5 inch S2209W Full HD WidescreenFlat Panel Monitor
1 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 1 Year NBD On-Site Service
3GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHZ - 1x2GB 1x1GB
Single Drive: 16X (DVD+/-RW) Burner Drive
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?
Integrated Video, Intel® GMA X4500HD
Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio

I can buy a 256MB ATI Radeon HD 3450 on Newegg for $30.

Is this system too weak? The price point looks great to me obviously :D Then again...there's still the point of needing to wait to buy until I'm eligible for the voucher...ack
 

in64tel

Member
May 12, 2009
28
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keep checking out deal sites the next few days, Dell has a ton of sales year round ya just gotta find the coupons. My friend got a Q6600 CPU + 2900HD Inspiron 530 a year ago with a nice 20" monitor for $800. If I were you I'd get a Dell Studio desktop, why mini? Q9550 is the way to go right now you could get a machine configured with it pretty cheap (last I checked). Main thing is to keep checking the deal sites... also keep in mind most of the promotions involve purchasing a monitor as well so maybe you should expand your budget a little and get a premium purchase which you won't regret for sure and supports the economy!

Good luck.
 

M0RPH

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2003
3,302
1
0
Viewton, the 40% off coupon is a good deal. Over the past month at least they've had similar coupons, before that is was 35%. The only thing I don't like is that you can't configure the 220 mini tower with a quad.

Actually, after looking again it seems that you are better off without that coupon. Look at the 3rd standard configuration for the 220 mini tower. It's the same specs as the system you listed but only $449 + tax. The instant savings is like 48% already.

 

z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,009
65
91
Originally posted by: z1ggy
Well..this is why its a Dell, and not a DIY project. I will always build my own PC's..for this very reason.

who says you cant OC a lot and be stable too? :)
 

viewton

Senior member
Jun 11, 2001
811
0
0
Thanks again guys...came to my senses and am holding off for a couple weeks until the vouchers go into effect.
 

viewton

Senior member
Jun 11, 2001
811
0
0
Ok, so I've spent a few days reading up on building your own PC. I think I can still do this! I was worried about screwing the mobo on incorrectly, applying Silver Arctic, etc, but I don't think I even need to apply Silver Arctic these days if I'm not OC'ing from what I've read....what do you guys think of this setup? I'll download Windows RC 7 to try it out for awhile and if I don't like it I'll go back to XP for awhile:

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail $119.00
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $109.99
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail $54.99
PS: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Retail $79.99
VIDEO: ASUS EAH3450/DI/256M Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Retail $30.99
CASE: Rosewill R5604-TBK 0.8mm Japanese Cold Rolled Steel Screw-less Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $44.99
DVDRW: SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM $27.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM $79.99

Price: $547.93
S&H: $21.04



Did I forget anything? Do I need a fan just for the CPU if I'm not OC'ing?

I can use my current monitor, keyboard and mouse for awhile. Kind of excited to try this out again after going so long without building one :D
 

KeithP

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2000
5,662
199
106
You might want to check out the Dell Outlet. Although the selection is limited, you can usually find a good deal.

The Dell Outlet has a Facebook page and a twitter account. They often publish 15% off coupons for the outlet through both of these sources.

-KeithP
 

heyheybooboo

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2007
6,278
0
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If you are headed in this direction the Phenom 720BE / Asus 790GX AM3 combo is $180 after rebate. I think 4Gb of G.Skill DDR3 1600 (on the Asus QVL list) is around $65 so you will still come out $30+ dollars to 'the good' on that one.

The stock fan on the retail 720BE might be good for 3.3GHz or so.

Don't forget about the Win7 RC possibilities for your OS...