Your thoughts: Dell $599 vs. Upgrading

[Don]

I'm looking to get a new pc and am tempted to just say "to hell with
it" and buy one of those $599 Dells. Given my situation (described
below) is it worth it to do it myself?

I'll use what I already have: Monitor, case, or cdrw/dvd, OS, mouse,
kybd, etc. I'd be looking to upgrade the following components:

mobo
processor
hd
ram
psu
graphics card
fan(s) for processor and graphics card

I hate to spend $$$ on "all that other stuff" that I just don't need.
I figure maybe I can save some money and get a faster processor,
better video card, more ram, etc.

With the idea of spending no more than $600, think it's worth it?

Thanks all,
Don

FWIW, I'm totally comfortable building my own pc.

 

[JAD]

Its the graphic card selection and your purpose for the machine. That will cost as much if not more the the MOBO and cpu. fan for
graphics because you intend to OC? most if they need a fan come with fans..same for CPU...

 

[jmnugent]

If your totally comfortable building your own PC...then why ever consider
buying one?
However...getting the parts you need, below a $600 price point might be
difficult depending on what your considering buying.
Your 2 most expensive items are (potentially) the CPU and Video card....

My suggestion would be a ABIT IS7 motherboard, P4 CPU, Crucial Ram, Enermax
powersupply, and a ATI Radeon 9600 Pro video card.

--jmnugent

 

[Matt]

mobo Biostar M7NCD Pro $72 newegg
processor AMD Barton 2500+ Retail w/ HSF $92 newegg
hd WD800JB $85 newegg
ram Kingston 512 PC2700 $40 after rebate this week OfficeMax
psu Antec SLK3700AMB case w/ 350W PSU, $70 accupc.com
graphics card Nvidia FX5200, $70 newegg,
or M7NCG Pro mobo with integrated graphics $99,
fan(s) for processor and graphics card

shipping charges included.
better warranties than Dell's
easy overclock to 2800+
saves you $200

But if you can wait, Dell will sell for less than $599:

*Dell P4-2.4Ghz/800 Desktop $429,* /Aug 4/

Dell Small Business <http://www.techbargains.com/j/9.htm> has this
desktop which uses the latest P4 chip and DDR400Mhz Memory for max
performance <http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030521/800fsb-16.html>.
It costs only $30 more than the P4-2.4Ghz-533Mhz/333Mhz Memory version
but is faster than P4 2.8Ghz/533Mhz!

Dimension 4600 <http://www.techbargains.com/j/9.htm> desktop
P4-2.4Ghz/800Mhz Bus/HyperThreading, Intel 865 chipset, 256MB Dual
Channel DDR400 memory/40GB 7200 HD, 48x CD, Free Office XP Small
Business, No monitor, 6 months ISP, XP Home $579 - $150 rebate
<http://www.dell.com/downloads/us/bsd/bsd_rebate_form.pdf> = $429
shipped free.

 

[Ric]

I'm looking to get a new pc and am tempted to just say "to hell with
it" and buy one of those $599 Dells. Given my situation (described
below) is it worth it to do it myself?

I'll use what I already have: Monitor, case, or cdrw/dvd, OS, mouse,
kybd, etc. I'd be looking to upgrade the following components:

mobo
processor
hd
ram
psu
graphics card
fan(s) for processor and graphics card

I hate to spend $$$ on "all that other stuff" that I just don't need.
I figure maybe I can save some money and get a faster processor,
better video card, more ram, etc.

With the idea of spending no more than $600, think it's worth it?

Thanks all,
Don

FWIW, I'm totally comfortable building my own pc.

if you're asking this question, chances are you'd be better off with the
dell.
i like tweaking my systems and i'd always build my own: but if you're not
the type who doesn't mind troubleshooting etc then probably best buy one.

on the other hand, if you're interested in this kind of thing, it's a great
learning experience.

 

[AJ]

I'm looking to get a new pc and am tempted to just say "to hell with
it" and buy one of those $599 Dells. Given my situation (described
below) is it worth it to do it myself?

I'll use what I already have: Monitor, case, or cdrw/dvd, OS, mouse,
kybd, etc. I'd be looking to upgrade the following components:

mobo
processor
hd
ram
psu
graphics card
fan(s) for processor and graphics card

I hate to spend $$$ on "all that other stuff" that I just don't need.
I figure maybe I can save some money and get a faster processor,
better video card, more ram, etc.

With the idea of spending no more than $600, think it's worth it?

Thanks all,
Don

FWIW, I'm totally comfortable building my own pc.

$200 of that Dell price is for their BS handholding tech support. If
you know what a floppy drive is then save $200 and get an emachine at
Walmart. This guy on the radio(Scott the engineer) got a Dell and they
conned him into paying $99 extra for fast answer tech support. Two
nights in a row he waited on hold for 3 hours and they never picked
up. *** If they do pick up they can only answer the most basic dumbass
questions.***

 

[Serial # 19781010]

Hello, they are paying their tech people peanuts, can't keep good help
around for that.

Personally, I'd build my own but i love troubleshooting, makes ya
think sometimes

 

[alvin york]

Hi Don!

Bear in mind that when you buy a Dell PC WYSIWYG!
What You See Is What You Get!

Dell does not build PC's that can be easily or economically upgraded. For
example, they come with a small PSU that will handle what they included in
the assembly.

So do not buy a Dell assembly with the idea that you are going to gradually
upgrade it.

You say you are familiar with building computers so build your own PC.

I assume your present case is for an ATX board and has ample room inside,
not a mini-atx.

 

[alvin york]

Hey Don!

E-Machines are even tougher to upgrade than Dell PC's, and not of equal
quality.

 

[Sumedh]

$200 of that Dell price is for their BS handholding tech support. If

Im a bit tired of people bad-mouthing Dell. And its not just cos I
own a dell!
First of all, there is no truth to the idea that Dell's are not
upgradeable. They use all standard parts, including standard PSU's.
So, you can upgrade the PSU if you want. (Apparently this was not
possible in some previous Dell's).
The PSU's are 250W, but are rated at a maximum of 345W. In fact, the
high end Dell 8300's run 2Xoptical, 2XHD, sound card, radeon 9800's on
this same 250W PSU.

I've upgraded my video card, and will soon be getting a new HD. It has
two 3.5" and two 5.25" bays, which is quite normal.
And you dont HAVE to pay 200$ for tech support if you dont want it.
You'll get better tech support in this NG anyways.
I bought a Dell 4550 w/ 2.4Ghz P4, and 256MB (added 256Mb more later)
w/ cd-rw plus 17" monitor for just 650$. Added a radeon 9600 pro
later on. its fast, stable and quiet. i dont need anything else.
I think Dell's are great deals.

mcl-tribe