Where should I buy a barebones kit?

[radhak]

Nice place here, and lots of information - after reading so many posts and all the stickies, I am feeling woozy with all that data overload ! But the one thing I did not find, was a sticky that listed the places y'all go to for buying hardware. Off and on I see mention of Microcenter, Newegg and TigerDirect; are there others?

And what'd you say to kits sold as a whole? Newegg has this combo, while Tigerdirect has many like this kit; Tigerdirect is easier to search at, while that combo at Newegg I found just because somebody had posted here in a post. Microcenter does not seem to have such kits, just a-la-carte. How is CyberpowerPC?

I was looking at kits just because I am being lazy about ensuring compatibility etc, and hoping for a deal. The problems crop up when the kit has something not quite great; I don't want anything less than 8GB ram, but am unsure if I really need a dedicated graphics card (might as well get it, right?). A HDD should really have 7200 rpm; the 5400 is really old.

Background : I am a long-time software professional, but have not built a pc from scratch for years (actually decades, but don't want to sound too old). My home desktop is showing its age (Dell Dimension 8300 from 2003), and while I have upgraded it somewhat along the way (3GB RAM, Windows 7 Pro, SSD hard-drive), I now really need to start afresh.

The windows 7 is working great, particularly because I added the SSD drive just for the OS when I upgraded from XP this January. As I see it, I should be able to get a new machine with no OS, and move this 128gb SSD to it, to end up with a SSD drive with the OS pre-installed, and use the much larger regular HDD for data and stuff.

I did fill in the form, FWIW :

1. PC will be used for : Nobody here is a 'gamer'. my girls play internet games, or maybe one of those Harry Potter type of games. It will be a primarily 'work' machine, with some occasional simple games thrown in. I'm sure that might change slightly when they get into their teens next year, but not to any extent 'hard core'.

I am an avid photographer, and am angling to get the latest photoshop (CS5) as a gift soon, so that might be the biggest load on it.

2. Budget : Not too rigid, but $500 seems a sweet spot. Could go to $600, but at $700 I will be thinking, "Do I really need that?". (unless you can convince me that I do).

3. What country : Live in Miami, FL. So mostly online.

4. brand preference: none; just thought AMD might be cheaper.

5. Intend on using any current parts : can't think any beyond my 128gb SSD drive that already has windows 7 pro installed.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. : yes, most of them. Feel free to point me to any I might have missed - I won't feel insulted; particularly if you don't feel like repeating anything - I'd feel the same if I were you!

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds : I am willing to learn about overclocking, but for my needs, I am guessing I may not need to.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with : I already have a 19" LCD (1600x1200) that I might upgrade to larger; but not for gaming; maybe for Photoshop CS5.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it : immediately, depending on the deal; ie, I am willing to wait for labor day only if it promises a huge drop in price; but not till thanksgiving!

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned : so long as you don't insult my momma... !

 

[DaveSimmons]

Bundles often include a few junk parts that the vendor wants to get rid of or that have some over-inflated list price to make the deal look better. A "$100" case that should be $40, a second-rate Seagate hard drive instead of a Samsung Spinpoint, a third-rate PSU, etc.

There are a bunch of $500 - 650 build threads here. Since you don't care about gaming you could look at the $600-650 builds and either skip the video card or get a cheap one.

For intel sandy bridge / socket 1155 the onboard video is fine, but not all motherboards will let you use it so be careful about that. Check for a VGA or DVI port on the motherboard unless you are buying a separate video card.

 

[piasabird]

A lot depends if you want to play intensive video games or what have you. I stream video to my TV and I am using an Integrated Video motherboard. If you dont purchase a video card you need to look at what kind of video is supported by the motherboard. It varies quite a bit. You have to match up the monitor plugs with the plugs on the Motherboard/video card. You also have to look at the spec's. The new Intel processors have the video on the CPU but the motherboard still has to have the matching plugs you need to export it.

Video types: (simplified)
VGA
Digital (DVI) 2 TYPES - 1 TYPE WORKS WITH ADAPTER.
HDMI (Video and Audio)

There are some sites on the Internet that custom build computers. Some sites favor Intel or AMD, or they may favor certain brands like Antec or MSI motherboards. Sometimes looking at some of their builds you can get an idea of the parts they are using.

I sometimes buy computer parts from this site. I like it because they build computers with standard available Parts that anyone can purchase on the Internet. You can buy your parts from anywhere. Many people like www.newegg.com because they have fast shipping fair prices and a good return policy. However, they do not custom assemble computers. This site does both. Compare both the price and the shipping price.

www.directron.com (Favorite Site)
www.newegg.com
www.dell.com

I purchased my last monitor from DELL and I thought it was a good price and good quality. From time to time they have Items on sale prices. Sometimes it is worth the wait for a sale or free shipping or manufacturer rebate. The rebates sometimes take forever to get to you.

 

[radhak]

Thanks guys! I will look at the other builds here and see if I can figure out one for myself.

Directron is new to me - but does seem very handy. I think I'll go for a video card just so I'm not constrained later on. I can easily postpone the monitor purchase to later.

 

[mfenn]

For $500 and no GPU, I would honestly just hit up Dell outlet. There are Studio XPS 8300s out there for $550 with 6GB of RAM and an i5 2300. Dell saves you the hassle of putting it together and gives you a convenient warranty. They're the way to go for inexpensive basic systems IMHO.

 

[radhak]

For $500 and no GPU, I would honestly just hit up Dell outlet. There are Studio XPS 8300s out there for $550 with 6GB of RAM and an i5 2300. Dell saves you the hassle of putting it together and gives you a convenient warranty. They're the way to go for inexpensive basic systems IMHO.

I just checked, and the best there is a Core 2 duo with barely anything else for $729.

Anyways, I want to re-use my current Windows 7 Pro license, installed in my SSD drive (which also I want to re-use) - saves me all the installation hassles. This means I could save serious money by buying a system with no OS.

Also, any branded PC has a premium for the brand, and I calculated that going the self-built route I could have a much better machine for lesser cost : future-proofing for just a bit longer.

And the biggest reason - I've always found parts I don't like in pre-built (particularly those from big brands) : the motherboard is weak, or the memory could be more, or the graphics is limited, or something like that, and I end up regretting or upgrading. I might as well build with whatever exactly I want.

 

[piasabird]

All motherboards have their own UNIQUE Bios and impement the hardware differently. This is why even hard drives with an OS can not really just be moved from computer to computer seamlessly. Maybe it will work and maybe it will not. Maybe you should make some good backups before you start.

If you consider for instance a dell computer sometimes Wal-mart has pretty good deals from time to time. They often have both AMD and some of the Studio models. Wal-mart often puts the lowest costing cheapest AMD models on sale so you still have to read the fine print. Dell often has back to school sales on the internet as well.

 

[mvbighead]

I just checked, and the best there is a Core 2 duo with barely anything else for $729.

Anyways, I want to re-use my current Windows 7 Pro license, installed in my SSD drive (which also I want to re-use) - saves me all the installation hassles. This means I could save serious money by buying a system with no OS.

Also, any branded PC has a premium for the brand, and I calculated that going the self-built route I could have a much better machine for lesser cost : future-proofing for just a bit longer.

And the biggest reason - I've always found parts I don't like in pre-built (particularly those from big brands) : the motherboard is weak, or the memory could be more, or the graphics is limited, or something like that, and I end up regretting or upgrading. I might as well build with whatever exactly I want.

Well, as far as the OP, you don't have to get a combo to find compatible pieces. That's what a majority of guys come in here for is to recommend builds. So, rather than pigeon-hole your build as needing a barebone, why not ask for feedback on what you should be looking for?

From reading the OP, it sounds like the following would be a significant upgrade for you:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151235
CD/DVD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042
Case - Antec 300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185
HDD - Samsung F3 1TB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371034
PSU - Antec 430Watt

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424
Memory - 8GB GSkill Value

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.717509
MB/CPU Combo - i3 2105 plus Z68 Biostar MB

No discrete video, no extra crap to hassle with. Price plus shipping at $461.89.

The i3 2105 includes the HD3000 Graphics chipset, so you can go without the discrete graphics card until you decide you need one.

One side note, it appears the following case/psu will be a shellshocker later today for $60, wiping $45 bucks off the above total:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129065

 

[radhak]

Wow, Mv! That's exactly right : I might as well make my own list!

Thanks for your list - looks like it's all that I'll need; I might even look around for a snazzy looking case.

Btw, how do I find out which of these are compatible? As in, as long the case and motherboard are micro-ATX, they'll definite fit, right? And of course

 

[mfenn]

I just checked, and the best there is a Core 2 duo with barely anything else for $729.

Maybe you didn't look at the XPS 8300 that I mentioned? Those are all i5s and there are plenty around $500.

Anyways, I want to re-use my current Windows 7 Pro license, installed in my SSD drive (which also I want to re-use) - saves me all the installation hassles.

Moving a Windows install from a 2003 machine to a 2011 one isn't going to happen, no matter if you buy a machine or build it yourself.

This means I could save serious money by buying a system with no OS.

Not really. Dell pays basically nothing for a Windows license and doesn't charge much for it either.

Also, any branded PC has a premium for the brand, and I calculated that going the self-built route I could have a much better machine for lesser cost : future-proofing for just a bit longer.

And the biggest reason - I've always found parts I don't like in pre-built (particularly those from big brands) : the motherboard is weak, or the memory could be more, or the graphics is limited, or something like that, and I end up regretting or upgrading. I might as well build with whatever exactly I want.

Not really. As a case in point, see mvbighead's build. It is a fine machine all told, but it has a much weaker CPU than the Dell.

 

[mvbighead]

Maybe you didn't look at the XPS 8300 that I mentioned? Those are all i5s and there are plenty around $500.



Moving a Windows install from a 2003 machine to a 2011 one isn't going to happen, no matter if you buy a machine or build it yourself.



Not really. Dell pays basically nothing for a Windows license and doesn't charge much for it either.



Not really. As a case in point, see mvbighead's build. It is a fine machine all told, but it has a much weaker CPU than the Dell.

Don't get me wrong, not a bad idea here, but for an extra $55 he could have the same CPU in the build I listed,

It matches pretty darned close to the Dell machine, and, as far as I'm concerned, would give the OP better options for future upgrades. Since he already has his Windows license, and will be installing it on his current SSD... he may as well look at his options.

Personally, if it's me buying the thing, I'd go with the custom rig, as you gotta know the Dell doesn't have a Z68. His support for the machine may also go down the tubes if he decides to throw his own SSD in there as well.

Edit: And the cheapest I found of the 8300s was 519. For an extra $5 he gets a Z68, and a more customizable box.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

i would pay the extra 5 bucks if i were you. look under your seat cushion for some loose change!

 

[radhak]

mfenn, I had missed that XPS 8300 earlier. Gotta say, that is a fine machine, one that I cannot dismiss right off. If that ram was 8gig, it'd have been a prime contender.

That said, my thought process is this : the only reason I need to get a fully new system (as opposed to just upgrading the mobo/CPU) now is that I cannot do a piecemeal upgrade with the Dell. Even with my minimal needs, upgrade-what-I-need-when-I-need-it seems to be a good policy to follow. With a custom PC built for today I could go a bunch of years, then maybe upgrade the HDD / memory, and still later change the mobo, and not have to do a full-blown purchase again.

And yes, that windows install is not from 2003; I did the upgrade from XP to Windows 7 Pro in Jan this year, when I went thru the pain of reinstalling every software I need. Want to avoid that. And of course, I don't want to step down to 7 home from 7 pro.

I agree, the CPU could be better; and before I am done, I might end up stretching my dollars just to get the best possible CPU I can afford. that is one upgrade I want to postpone as far as possible!

I did have one query to all of you : when I purchase these parts, do I get the cables and fasteners and whatnot with them? Or do I need to also buy the SATA cable(s), the internal power cable(s), and the screws and nuts etc?

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you buy new not "open box" (customer returns), the case will come with screws and the motherboard will come with cables. An intel CPU comes with a perfectly good heatsink so no need to buy that separately either.

Newegg has pictures that show exactly what is in the box, unless it is "open box" where the items in the picture may be missing.

 

[mfenn]

mfenn, I had missed that XPS 8300 earlier. Gotta say, that is a fine machine, one that I cannot dismiss right off. If that ram was 8gig, it'd have been a prime contender.

That said, my thought process is this : the only reason I need to get a fully new system (as opposed to just upgrading the mobo/CPU) now is that I cannot do a piecemeal upgrade with the Dell. Even with my minimal needs, upgrade-what-I-need-when-I-need-it seems to be a good policy to follow. With a custom PC built for today I could go a bunch of years, then maybe upgrade the HDD / memory, and still later change the mobo, and not have to do a full-blown purchase again.

Fair enough.

And yes, that windows install is not from 2003; I did the upgrade from XP to Windows 7 Pro in Jan this year, when I went thru the pain of reinstalling every software I need. Want to avoid that. And of course, I don't want to step down to 7 home from 7 pro.

The age of the Windows install isn't the issue. It's the age of the hardware (particularly the mobo) that it's installed on. A 2003-era mobo is going to use vastly different drivers than a 2011-era one.

I did have one query to all of you : when I purchase these parts, do I get the cables and fasteners and whatnot with them? Or do I need to also buy the SATA cable(s), the internal power cable(s), and the screws and nuts etc?

The mobo will come with several SATA cables (2-4 usually, look at the pictures on Newegg), the PSU will come with all necessary power cables, and the case should come with plenty of screws for a reasonable config.