Thoughts on this MSI based System Deal

b2001

Junior Member
Mar 22, 2005
2
0
0
Hello all:

I just joined this forum tonight, although I've been reading posts for a few weeks. For reasons that I won't get into, I need to finance purchasing a computer, and I need to get a complete unit as opposed to the parts and building it. I'd like thoughts on the following deal - it seems to be very reasonable compared to what else that I've seen out there:

A system with:
MSI K8N NEO4 Platinum Motherboard nVIDIA® nForce4 Ultra Chipset
AMD Athlon 64 3500 2.2GHz 2000MHZ
Seagate 160GB SATA 7200rpm 8MB Hard Drive
Gigabyte GeForce 6600 256MB TV/DVI Video Card
Kingston DDR PC3200 400MHz 1GB (2 x 512MB) Memory
Lite-on SOHW-1633S 16x Dual Layer DVD+RW Drive
1.44 Floppy Drive
8 Channel Audio On Board
Dual Gigabit Lan On Board
RAID: 0,1,0+1 from 8SATA Ports
Up to 10 USB 2.0 Ports and 2 Firewire IEEE1394a Ports
Thermaltake Tsunami Silver w/400Watt Power Supply


$1130 plus shipping ($50); os is extra, keyboard, mouse, and speakers are extra ...

This is the link to the ebay store:

MPCSComputer

Opinions seem to be higher on MSI boards compared to ASUS boards, which pretty much the majority of most complete units that I've seen have - so I've been leaning towards MSI.

I'm not a gamer, although my kids are. Sims 2, Lord of the Rings - The Battle for Middle Earth, and Tribes - Vengence were purchased for them at Christmas by my significant other, hence my need for a new pc. I can't even load them on what I have now, much less get any kind of performance.

I doubt I make any changes to the system or overclock, at least during the warranty period of the pc - maybe not at all ... I've got several other pcs now in the 1 ghz range - I suspect that I'll eventually replace them and build the replacements ...

I'd appreciate any kind of advice on this deal or issues dealing with an ebay store - I've done a dozen or so ebay deals so I'm not afraid to do that, although this would be by far the most expensive transaction that I have done - the dealer seems to have a good track record ...

Thanks ...
 

mcjimbo

Member
Oct 18, 2004
122
0
0
Hi,

That seems like a good deal, the components are nice. I'm sure you could build for less, and scavenge around the net for the cheapest deals, however if your not that way inclined then this ones built, has a warranty and comes will all that i'd say go for it. This guide might help answer any questions you have:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1520618&enterthread=y

By the way for others, the link to the PC is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=52475&item=5178232648

Also one thing to consider, is a possible upgrade to the video card to an X800 XL 256mb... they are only about $100 more and pack a hell of punch over a 6600gt.


Cheers

James
 

ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
2,731
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0
I personally think that's quite expensive for only having a vanilla 6600 for video... you can also cut back on stuff like the RAM and board (try a really cheap S754 AGP, perhaps) and up the video if you want (6600GT). If your kids don't game heavily or don't care about running bleeding-edge graphics, you could get away with something like a 9500 or 9700 as the graphics card.

Look into places like Monarch, ABS, etc., being sure to check ResellerRatings for any other place where you've found a good deal but are unsure whether or not they're reputable.
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
31,204
45
91
I went to monarch computers and configured a similar system and the costs seems to be as good as monarch's.

I haven't bought a system from monarch but I know some people on this forum have with good results.

If you need to finance it and get a pre-built one, yours looks like a nice option. If I were building one similar I think the only thing I would change would be the videocard.

On the seller's list of upgrades in the barebones section, he lists:
Gigabyte GeForce 6600 256MB TV/DVI PCI-Express Video Card $180
Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce 6600GT 128MB TV/DVI PCI-Express $220

I think it would be worth it to spend the $40 to do this if he'll do it for you.

 

Melchior

Banned
Sep 16, 2004
634
0
0
No here is what I would do:

Monarch Combo w/ the same MSI mobo, 1 gb of Corsair VS, and a cheaper processor. 3000+ Winchesters easily clock to 2.4 ghz. Or 3500+ if you wish. You also get free Half Life 2 and Farcry (thats the kicker)

Get whatever case suits your fancy, cheaper is fine and get a QUALITY PSU. This is very important, since the ebay one has a crap PSU.

As for Video Card, the 6600s are only about 100 bucks on Newegg. 6600GT about 160 (newegg monarch zipzoom etc).

Get the BenQ or NEC burner from Newegg. (60 bucks) I suggest NEC just for reliability.

For HD. You get a 74 gb raptor or a HUGE one (check Circuit City, WD 250gb for only 70 bucks AR) from your savings above.

Overstock: Logitech MX Duo for 35 bucks.
Speakers: Theres some nice ones for 50 bucks, check around (not expert, never bought any good ones)

And put it all together and have fun :)


You'll save money and have better components, free games, faster, blah blah blah.

Oh, and mostly free shipping too (save 50 bucks!)

I wouldn't trust Ebay for warranties either! So no, I say stay away from Ebay for your computer purchases.
 

boshuter

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2003
4,145
0
76
Originally posted by: Melchior
No here is what I would do:

Monarch Combo w/ the same MSI mobo, 1 gb of Corsair VS, and a cheaper processor. 3000+ Winchesters easily clock to 2.4 ghz. Or 3500+ if you wish. You also get free Half Life 2 and Farcry (thats the kicker)

Get whatever case suits your fancy, cheaper is fine and get a QUALITY PSU. This is very important, since the ebay one has a crap PSU.

As for Video Card, the 6600s are only about 100 bucks on Newegg. 6600GT about 160 (newegg monarch zipzoom etc).

Get the BenQ or NEC burner from Newegg. (60 bucks) I suggest NEC just for reliability.

For HD. You get a 74 gb raptor or a HUGE one (check Circuit City, WD 250gb for only 70 bucks AR) from your savings above.

Overstock: Logitech MX Duo for 35 bucks.
Speakers: Theres some nice ones for 50 bucks, check around (not expert, never bought any good ones)

And put it all together and have fun :)


You'll save money and have better components, free games, faster, blah blah blah.

Oh, and mostly free shipping too (save 50 bucks!)

I wouldn't trust Ebay for warranties either! So no, I say stay away from Ebay for your computer purchases.


For reasons that I won't get into, I need to finance purchasing a computer, and I need to get a complete unit as opposed to the parts and building it

 

ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
2,731
0
0
Originally posted by: Melchior
No here is what I would do:

Monarch Combo w/ the same MSI mobo, 1 gb of Corsair VS, and a cheaper processor. 3000+ Winchesters easily clock to 2.4 ghz. Or 3500+ if you wish. You also get free Half Life 2 and Farcry (thats the kicker)

Get whatever case suits your fancy, cheaper is fine and get a QUALITY PSU. This is very important, since the ebay one has a crap PSU.

As for Video Card, the 6600s are only about 100 bucks on Newegg. 6600GT about 160 (newegg monarch zipzoom etc).

Get the BenQ or NEC burner from Newegg. (60 bucks) I suggest NEC just for reliability.

For HD. You get a 74 gb raptor or a HUGE one (check Circuit City, WD 250gb for only 70 bucks AR) from your savings above.

Overstock: Logitech MX Duo for 35 bucks.
Speakers: Theres some nice ones for 50 bucks, check around (not expert, never bought any good ones)

And put it all together and have fun :)


You'll save money and have better components, free games, faster, blah blah blah.

Oh, and mostly free shipping too (save 50 bucks!)

I wouldn't trust Ebay for warranties either! So no, I say stay away from Ebay for your computer purchases.

He said he needs to finance, so I don't think he'll be able to do a whole lot of that.
 

Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
100% positive feedback. Decent price with quality parts. Looks like a pretty good deal to me.
 

Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
I just noticed Newegg sells complete systems. Only a few for sell now, but knowing Newegg their inventory will grow rapidly.
 

Duvie

Elite Member
Feb 5, 2001
16,215
0
71
Originally posted by: Ben88
dude get a dell


NEVAR!!!!!!!!!!!


Seems fine though I am not stoked about the PSU myself...that board can offer some nice OCINg options but that PSU could hold you back....

I also dont like the vanilla vid crad, but it should do for your needs...

the main thing is the price is about right for a built system....and if they offer financing go for it...Be careful about financing much more then 12 months since computers are worth crap ion a short period of time and you will be paying interest its starts to lose the nice price feel to it....


Why dont you shop around a bit more....Find a few more stores and see if you can do a bit better...get waht their financing package is and shop that around....
 

b2001

Junior Member
Mar 22, 2005
2
0
0
Thanks for all of the replies. Upgrading the video card makes sense and will be done. I?m also concerned about the psu and will be exploring alternatives with the vendor.

I don?t mind the ?build it yourself? advise, although I still don?t think I?ll be going that route ? I appreciate any advise.

I?ve got a better finance deal than the ?cc with no interest for 6 months? and its not with the pc vendor ? the vendor is just providing the pc at the stated ?buy it now? price. With this financing, I can buy units, just not components.

I?ve done a lot of looking, and really haven?t seen too many other better deals; duvie, can you suggest some stores? Other cheaper deals that I have seen usually have a half of gig of memory, or a lesser motherboard, etc?

I?m not considering a Dell ? I already have one, and the last time I looked, they?re not even close to being competitive ?

I really haven?t talked to the vendor yet. My first step was to get some opinions in this forum. I?ll have a lot of questions for them on everything that I can think of (support, warranty, psu, options, etc.) ?

Thanks, again ?