Build vs Buy...but can anybody beat DELL's prices?

[Tom_O]

I was really wanting to build a system, partly for fun and partly to
be able to customize certain things. However I'm very surprised to
see how competitive DELL is with pricing and discounts these days.
They practicly give 1/3 of the machine away with various online
rebates and promotions each week.

I did a little comparison shopping at some independant computer stores
in my area for a base system.

Bare bones System:

Pentium 4 2.4GHz
Med Tower Case
300W power supply
Intel D845EBG2L 533MHz BUS
Intel Fast Ethernet 10/100 / AC97 Sound
256MB DDR RAM
COST: $700

THINGS I WOULD ADD (prices from MicroCenter superstore):
GeForce4 MX-440S 64MB 8x AGP Graphics Card $180
17-inch CRT monitor .25 dp (NEC or Viewsonic) $180
Maxtor 40GB HD (7200 RPM) $89
3.5" floppy $19
DVD-ROM Drive $50
CD-RW (48x12x48) Drive $70
Altec Lansing 2-piece speakers $30
Internal PCI Modem $40
Keyboard $20
Mouse $12

TOTAL COST:: $1390 !!

Similiarly Equipped DELL Dimension 4600 system $939

The DELL system even includes free shipping (this week anyway).

Is this pretty much what you would expect? I know I could shop around
and get the components cheaper, but not so cheap that the difference
would be less than around $300.

Tom

 

[Chris Simpson]

No, but that is not the point.... Here is the system I am going to buld

Asus A7N8X B with AMD XP 3000 CPU $399
512 PC 2700 DDR RAM $85
Case Not Sure with a 400 W Power supply about $75
Video Card GF4 Ti4200 128 MB RAM $139
Hard Drive 40 GB Maxdor $70
CD CD-RW + 16X DVD Combo $79
Monitors 17" CRT about $150

So we are looking at about $920

How does Dell Compare?

 

[Hawkeye]

You are probably right, but Dell does include stuff that I don't need or
want and there is no way to delete the stuff. Stuff like speakers,
keyboard, mouse, software that I don't want, etc.

And I was never satisfied with the last high-end Dell that I bought. It
just never seemed to perform like I expected. And every time I talked to
Dell about it, they said to delete all software that wasn't shipped
with the system. Yeah, right.

I now have a custom system from Multiwave that came with exactly the
hardware and software that I wanted. I had Multiwave assemble and test
the system because I didn't want that much "fun".

I couldn't be happier with my custom system.

Regards, Hawkeye

 

[Al Dykes]

No, but that is not the point.... Here is the system I am going to buld

Asus A7N8X B with AMD XP 3000 CPU $399
512 PC 2700 DDR RAM $85
Case Not Sure with a 400 W Power supply about $75
Video Card GF4 Ti4200 128 MB RAM $139
Hard Drive 40 GB Maxdor $70
CD CD-RW + 16X DVD Combo $79
Monitors 17" CRT about $150

So we are looking at about $920

How does Dell Compare?

You forgot an operating system, keyboard, mouse, maybe an antivirus
one year subscription, and maybe some bundled apps that don't have any
value to you. This might be as much as $200 included in the Dell package.

 

[JAD]

We have had this discussion many times, the days of building cheaper
were over awhile ago. However, quality of hardware, the ultimate in
designing a machine just for your purposes, satisfaction of doing it on your
own, warranty is way over rated, as most hardware comes with a warranty
(3years in some cases).And above all EXPANDABILITY! I haven't even looked
at a pre built since my PackardBell Pentium 75(oh that Navigator GUI, what a
....no word to describe it). There is no way to beat a commercial built
machine on the price. Simply, they have the buying power. I came close when
I worked for a distributor of hardware. Buying at cost helps in a major way.

 

[Dogbert]

I always prefer to build my own. It is more expensive but I know exactly
what is in the system, I have all the manuals, and all installation CDs. I
have troubleshot other pre-built PCs, and it is amazing how little info a
lot of companies give you. My systems are more expensive, but having all
the info at my fingertips is easily worth it.

 

[Wayne Phillips]

OK, another opportunity to gloat ...

I just built my first system and would never build another commercial system
(laptops excluded). I spent about $1200 including 2 I have a very fast
machine with a top of the line NForce2 MoBo, 512 MB RAM run at agressive
timings (2-2-2-5), a 420 watt Antec PSU, and a beautiful aluminum case with
side window and cool blue and red lights! (He he he). And I now understand
all the components and BIOS settings well enough to easily upgrade.

I expected to move a lot from my old computer to the new one but the only
things I'm re-using are the mouse, keyboard, and a tape drive.

I always enjoy something I build myself more than something made in a
factory.

 

[Chris Simpson]

OK I would use MS Office 2000 about $60 a keyboard and a mouse would be
about $25 and speekers about $50. All parts are warrantyed for 2 years
at the place where I get my parts. So we are about even...

 

[Chris Simpson]

So I did but that stuff should not run over $160...

 

[Ed Light]

I wonder if a Gateway wouldn't be better? Last time I looked, I seem to
remember that you could delete alot of stuff. Plus you can chat with them
online.

 

[Ed Light]

On prebuilts, be sure it has a case that isn't proprietary - that can take
generic upgrades, such as an atx motherboard.

 

[jaster]

No, but that is not the point.... Here is the system I am going to buld

Asus A7N8X B with AMD XP 3000 CPU $399
512 PC 2700 DDR RAM $85
Case Not Sure with a 400 W Power supply about $75
Video Card GF4 Ti4200 128 MB RAM $139
Hard Drive 40 GB Maxdor $70
CD CD-RW + 16X DVD Combo $79
Monitors 17" CRT about $150

So we are looking at about $920

How does Dell Compare?

A XP3000 runs about a P4 2.4 pace. I Dell fliers in the mail touting their
ability to custom build PCs.

 

[jaster]

I was really wanting to build a system, partly for fun and partly to
be able to customize certain things. However I'm very surprised to
see how competitive DELL is with pricing and discounts these days.
They practicly give 1/3 of the machine away with various online
rebates and promotions each week.

I did a little comparison shopping at some independant computer stores
in my area for a base system.

Bare bones System:

Pentium 4 2.4GHz
Med Tower Case
300W power supply
Intel D845EBG2L 533MHz BUS
Intel Fast Ethernet 10/100 / AC97 Sound
256MB DDR RAM
COST: $700

THINGS I WOULD ADD (prices from MicroCenter superstore):
GeForce4 MX-440S 64MB 8x AGP Graphics Card $180
17-inch CRT monitor .25 dp (NEC or Viewsonic) $180
Maxtor 40GB HD (7200 RPM) $89
3.5" floppy $19
DVD-ROM Drive $50
CD-RW (48x12x48) Drive $70
Altec Lansing 2-piece speakers $30
Internal PCI Modem $40
Keyboard $20
Mouse $12

TOTAL COST:: $1390 !!

Similiarly Equipped DELL Dimension 4600 system $939

The DELL system even includes free shipping (this week anyway).

Is this pretty much what you would expect? I know I could shop around
and get the components cheaper, but not so cheap that the difference
would be less than around $300.

Tom

Hmmm???? Save $160 + taxes on $160, you get similiar parts, loads of
software, warranty, tech support and the PC works out of the box? No
assembly or installation headaches you say? Only need to call or surf one
vendor if you do have a problem?

I say go with the Dell, build your own when you have parts left over or you
are upgrading.

Also, I think your MX is double cost so it's only $80 savings and I would
still go with the Dell.

 

[Tom_O]

We have had this discussion many times, the days of building cheaper
were over awhile ago.

I agree. And I was not really wanting to build to save money, just
wanted something I have control over what goes into it, and is easy to
upgrade later on. Mainly I was surprise at the larger than expected
difference in costs. I didn't even factor in a $50 DELL rebate, plus
the cost of the OS alone. That factored in, the difference is well
over $500, for what is a pretty basic system.

 

[Adrian]

...However I'm very surprised to

see how competitive DELL is with pricing and discounts these days.

Sure, because they buy in the thousands, which gives them a great rate. You
may get a 2.4 GHz CPU for $200 retail, they'll likely get it for $130 as an
OEM, so long as they buy a thosand of them from Intel - for example.

They practicly give 1/3 of the machine away with various online
rebates and promotions each week.

Rebates allows them to pass your information to stastistical and marketing
companies, in return, Dell earns money selling your information. That's why
they can afford it.

Pentium 4 2.4GHz
Med Tower Case
300W power supply
Intel D845EBG2L 533MHz BUS
Intel Fast Ethernet 10/100 / AC97 Sound
256MB DDR RAM
COST: $700

THINGS I WOULD ADD (prices from MicroCenter superstore):
GeForce4 MX-440S 64MB 8x AGP Graphics Card $180
17-inch CRT monitor .25 dp (NEC or Viewsonic) $180
Maxtor 40GB HD (7200 RPM) $89
3.5" floppy $19
DVD-ROM Drive $50
CD-RW (48x12x48) Drive $70
Altec Lansing 2-piece speakers $30
Internal PCI Modem $40
Keyboard $20
Mouse $12

TOTAL COST:: $1390 !!

Still, a fairly nice system though.

Similiarly Equipped DELL Dimension 4600 system $939

Annoying, eh?

The DELL system even includes free shipping (this week anyway).

Free ground shipping? Or two or three day shipping? With select stores
like Newegg and Googlegear, you can get free shipping too buying your own
parts.

Is this pretty much what you would expect?

Sigh, yes. It's the "norm" I'm afraid.

I know I could shop around
and get the components cheaper, but not so cheap that the difference
would be less than around $300.

I'm sure you could get close, but I doubt you'd actually beat their price.
It's like I said, they can buy in bulk and get individual items much
cheaper. However, I still like to build my own.

~ Adrian ~

 

[Larc]

On 11 Jul 2003 08:48:16 -0700, Tom_O pondered exceedingly, then took quill in
hand and carefully composed...

| I was really wanting to build a system, partly for fun and partly to
| be able to customize certain things. However I'm very surprised to
| see how competitive DELL is with pricing and discounts these days.
| They practicly give 1/3 of the machine away with various online
| rebates and promotions each week.
|
| I did a little comparison shopping at some independant computer stores
| in my area for a base system.
|
| Bare bones System:
|
| Pentium 4 2.4GHz
| Med Tower Case
| 300W power supply
| Intel D845EBG2L 533MHz BUS
| Intel Fast Ethernet 10/100 / AC97 Sound
| 256MB DDR RAM
| COST: $700
|
| THINGS I WOULD ADD (prices from MicroCenter superstore):
| GeForce4 MX-440S 64MB 8x AGP Graphics Card $180
| 17-inch CRT monitor .25 dp (NEC or Viewsonic) $180
| Maxtor 40GB HD (7200 RPM) $89
| 3.5" floppy $19
| DVD-ROM Drive $50
| CD-RW (48x12x48) Drive $70
| Altec Lansing 2-piece speakers $30
| Internal PCI Modem $40
| Keyboard $20
| Mouse $12
|
| TOTAL COST:: $1390 !!
|
| Similiarly Equipped DELL Dimension 4600 system $939

I checked Newegg prices and came up with a similar system for about $874
including shipping. I say "similar" because I didn't have all the brands and
models you are quoting. Also, Intel doesn't show a motherboard with the model
number you gave. The closest thing is the D845GEBV2L. That already includes an
onboard ethernet connection, BTW, so you wouldn't have to buy a separate NIC.
It also includes onboard AC'97 audio and Intel Extreme Graphics video.

Intel P4 2.4GHz 533MHz FSB CPU (Retail box) $166.00 + FREE shipping
Antec SLK1600 case with 300W PSU 53.99 + $15 shipping
Intel D845GEBV2L motherboard 117.00 + FREE shipping
256MB Kingston DDR333 (PC2700) RAM 38.00 + FREE shipping

ASUS V9180Magic Gforce4 MX440, etc. 58.99 + FREE shipping
ViewSonic 17" E70f flat screen CRT monitor 134.00 + $20 shipping
Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM model 6E040L0 HDD 66.00 + FREE shipping
Sony 1.44MB 3.5" internal floppy drive 8.00 + $5 shipping
Sony DDU1621 16x DVD-ROM drive 36.99 + FREE shipping
Lite-On LTR-52246S (52x24x52) CD-RW 45.99 + FREE shipping
Altec Lansing 3-piece speaker system 30.00 + FREE shipping
USRobotics internal PCI fax modem 36.00 + $5 shipping
Keytronic E03601MSE-C keyboard 10.00 + $6 shipping
Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse (USB) 16.00 + $6 shipping

That's about $65 less than Dell, but doesn't include XP Home of course. You'd
have to pony up about $34 more than the price for the Dell model to include
that. But by getting a little less expensive motherboard (and I think a better
one with the same features: the MSI 845GE Max-L for $95 + $5 shipping) and by
buying a $10 to $12 keyboard from your local Circuit City, you'd be more than
halfway through the difference for the upgrade version or the OEM.

If you're not going to need onboard graphics on your motherboard, you could get
one with an 845PE chipset rather than the 845GE and save some additional money
on that.

BTW, I'd buy 512MB of RAM rather than 256MB.

Larc



§§§ - Please raise temperature of mail to reply by e-mail - §§§

 

[BarryNL]

You don't build to save money - you build to get a PC that fits your
needs. A Dell is unlikely to do that - unless you really need a PC built
from the cheapest junk components that has no upgrade possibilities.

 

[Strontium]

Some people have very simple needs. Not that I'm one of them.

-
BarryNL stood up, at show-n-tell, and said:

 

[Wheat Muncher]

Tom_O Babbled on and on and on about:

I was really wanting to build a system, partly for fun and partly to
be able to customize certain things. However I'm very surprised to
see how competitive DELL is with pricing and discounts these days.
They practicly give 1/3 of the machine away with various online
rebates and promotions each week.

I did a little comparison shopping at some independant computer stores
in my area for a base system.

Bare bones System:

Pentium 4 2.4GHz
Med Tower Case
300W power supply
Intel D845EBG2L 533MHz BUS
Intel Fast Ethernet 10/100 / AC97 Sound
256MB DDR RAM
COST: $700

THINGS I WOULD ADD (prices from MicroCenter superstore):
GeForce4 MX-440S 64MB 8x AGP Graphics Card $180
17-inch CRT monitor .25 dp (NEC or Viewsonic) $180
Maxtor 40GB HD (7200 RPM) $89
3.5" floppy $19
DVD-ROM Drive $50
CD-RW (48x12x48) Drive $70
Altec Lansing 2-piece speakers $30
Internal PCI Modem $40
Keyboard $20
Mouse $12

TOTAL COST:: $1390 !!

Similiarly Equipped DELL Dimension 4600 system $939

The DELL system even includes free shipping (this week anyway).

Is this pretty much what you would expect? I know I could shop around
and get the components cheaper, but not so cheap that the difference
would be less than around $300.

Tom

Don't do too much shopping around, I have a hard time beating their
prices at cost, so I can't imagine you finding a retail outlet that you
can beat them with. If price is a big issue- go with the Dell. Dell sells
so many PC's, that the markup needed to turn a profit is so minute, that
it almost seems cheaper than the cost of building them.
Just keep in mind, a Dell is a Dell. I have worked on plenty, and when
they do go down, quite often you need proprietary components (floppy
drives come to mind) and they don't come cheap. They are also chock full
of second rate pieces. Intel boards (some will disagree, but I hate 'em)
Sapphire video cards or onboard video, etc. You get what you pay for. I
have found that Dell's are good for those who are accustomed to accepting
what is given to them, and being content with it. They leave little room
for customization or tweaking. Forget over-clocking- You would be able to
see the smoke billowing, flame spewing death spiral for miles ;-)

 

[bluestringer]

I was really wanting to build a system, partly for fun and partly to
be able to customize certain things.

There you go. That's the reason you build your own. Not to save money.

BTW........$180 for a MX card???? You can get one at newegg for about 50
bucks.


bluestringer