Check out this deal - Good?

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 1:00 pm

Here is a deal I'm looking at.....
This will replace my 733 MHz PIII Dell with 512 MB PC 133 and a GF2 Pro. XP Pro and only a DVD-Rom (CD burner died) and 20 GB HD

PIV 3.06 GHz HT at 533 FBS
XP Home
512 MB DDR PC333
keyboard and mouse
120 GB Serial ATA HD
16x DVD-Rom
48x CD-RW
17" CRT
Integrated 5.1 sound
Integrated 10/100 ehternet
1 yr warrenty
9800 Pro 128 MB Video card

Total $938

Now, I thought I was going to build my next computer, but is this just too good of a deal to pass up???? It's a Dell 4600. Should I bite on it, or wait? I will turn my 733 MHz PIII into a nice server in the basement.

Thanks.....

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 1:09 pm

Hmm...

I would imagine you'd be able to build a system atleast as good for the same amount, if not less...

Mytflyguy · Post by **Mytflyguy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 1:52 pm

You might be able to build a system that good for that price ... If so you'd have much mor econtrol over everything and have the ability to overclock later if you so desired .... Depends on you rlevel of PC saviness and willingness to fix a problem on your own if you have one instead of relying on Dell Tech support ....

If you prefer the Support option and trusting Dells Bios , MB and all other hardware I'd say go for it ...

Evilone · Post by **Evilone** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 2:53 pm

I had a p4 2.4 dell, never had any problems with it. I had it for about a year, paid $999 for it. I just now got my new computer i put together myself. I probably never get another computer from a company already built b/c making your own you have so much more freedom to get what you want.

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:13 pm

Yes, I agree, building is much more fun. I built my kids computer. The only thing I don't like about the Dell is the 533 FBS on the PIV. The 800 FBS would be better, but it's not an option here. Heck, though, anything is better than my 733 PIII I have for my desktop. I pretty much use my laptop (2.4 GHz PIV) for everything except games. Gaming kinda blows right not on my desktop.

I don't plan to overclock the proccesser. Not something I like to mess with. I just like to tweak other Windows things instead.

I really doubt I could build a computer for any cheaper with all the extras (CRT, mouse, keyboard).

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:17 pm

Well, you'd probably be able to, I can try to put something together.

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:29 pm

Originally posted by sludge
Well, you'd probably be able to, I can try to put something together.

Feel free. I can go either AMD or Pentium. No real preference. I own two P's and one AMD.

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:43 pm

I'm not exactly "The Man" when it comes to computer hardware, you'd probably be able to find things at a cheaper price, but this was just for an example.

Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail...$185
Seagate 120GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model ST3120026AS....$105
Crucial 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200...$46 x 2(dual channel) $92
ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL...$295.00
GIGABYTE 848P Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU, Model "GA-8I848P-L" -RETAIL...$68.99
KDS XF-7BK 17" Xtreme Flat CRT Monitor –RETAIL...$112.00
Lite-On Black 48X24X48X16 Combo Drive, Model LTC48161H BK...$47
Some case for $50.
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a...$92
Add a few bucks for periphials and some S&H

All from NewEgg

So, we're at about $1000, or a little over that. Granted it is a little more expensive, I think it would performance wise be better...Not too sure.
Now, I know some of these things wouldn't be the best, or even for the money, but I really don't know what would be the best. Just use it for example.

Some of the futures of this little diddy:
Dual Channel Memory configuration
Custom Case
Flat CRT(not sure if that one is or not)
Although the CPU is a little slower, it is 800MHz FSB Northwood C
ATI 9800Pro
6 Channel sound
Ethernet

Of course, no warrent except on the retail things.

Umm, just my two cents?

Mytflyguy · Post by **Mytflyguy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:50 pm

Could get the Saphire ATI 9800 Pro ( Newegg ) and save about $70 Put that towards a better CPU or more memory

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:52 pm

Originally posted by Mytflyguy
Could get the Saphire ATI 9800 Pro ( Newegg ) and save about $70 Put that towards a better CPU or more memory

See? No clue what I'm doing...So that's either les money or more RAM, better mobo, bigger HD, I'd go for more RAM but...Whatever...

[edit]You could put that towards XP Pro?

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:54 pm

sludge - what about teh PSU?

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:00 pm

Originally posted by BaLa
sludge - what about teh PSU?

Yes, I was thinking about that...

Either get a case with a PSU or takethe $70 you saved by getting the Saphire on one...Or maybe just spend a little more...

Mytflyguy · Post by **Mytflyguy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:08 pm

I'd say get a cheaper case without a PSU ( Since most PSU's that come with the cases suck monkey balls ) and put it towards a GOOD PSU

Also is that combo drive a DVD read CD-R ???

I would think at minimum you would want atleast a DVD read drive and a CD-R so you could watch DVD's and copy from disc to disc ....

I'd also say that unless you plan do do some SERIOUSLY large file storage ( Like Video Editing ) the 120 Gig Harddrive is over kill ....

Hell I'm running 2 80 gigs ( mainly for back up purposes ) and only using about 30 gigs total of my 160 and I have 2-3 Full system back ups along with 1500 songs and lots of various files ....

an 80 gig 8meg cache I would think would be more than enough ... then in a year or two if it's starting to get full , slap in another one and have dual Drives ....

Could save a few bucks there too ...

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:10 pm

Originally posted by Mytflyguy
I'd say get a cheaper case without a PSU ( Since most PSU's that come with the cases suck monkey balls ) and put it towards a GOOD PSU

Also is that combo drive a DVD read CD-R ???

I would think at minimum you would want atleast a DVD read drive and a CD-R so you could watch DVD's and copy from disc to disc ....

It's a combo drive, yes. That's one thing I didn't like, but I thought what the heck...

Mytflyguy · Post by **Mytflyguy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:12 pm

Originally posted by sludge
It's a combo drive, yes. That's one thing I didn't like, but I thought what the heck...

I would add a cheap CD-Rom then just to read CD's and copy from .....

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:14 pm

Okay...So that's what, $20 for a retail?

I think so....

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:19 pm

Two nice things for me....
I already have a copy of XP Pro.
A monitor is not a big issue. Since my old computer would be turned into a server, I could just run it through Terminal Services and use it's monitor. 17" LCD.

I can backup all the other computers at home on the server, so HD space is not paramount. 80 GB would be fine.

For a HD on the new computer, though, I'd like to go serial.

Mytflyguy · Post by **Mytflyguy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:20 pm

Probably ... Maybe around $25 ... If he drops to a smaller HD the money he would save could off set it .... Just seems like a more practical peice then such a large HD ....

( I realize though you were tryin gto match up the original deal ... )

Mytflyguy · Post by **Mytflyguy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:22 pm

Igf you are not getting a monitor and no need for XP ... Then by all means Build before you buy man ... You could get some really high performance stuff for that price ....

Again though as long as you can live with the lack of Tech support ...

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:22 pm

Originally posted by Mytflyguy
Probably ... Maybe around $25 ... If he drops to a smaller HD the money he would save could off set it .... Just seems like a more practical peice then such a large HD ....

( I realize though you were tryin gto match up the original deal ... )

I am against large hard drives, but yes, I was trying to match them.

If you didn't need a new monitor and you went with the smaller HD< no XP Pro, and the saphire you could surely get it for less. I'd recommend more RAM and I believe the 120GB was serial.

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:23 pm

Originally posted by Mytflyguy
Igf you are not getting a monitor and no need for XP ... Then by all means Build before you buy man ... You could get some really high performance stuff for that price ....

Again though as long as you can live with the lack of Tech support ...

Oh yes

.

Lots of RAM...Better mobo...faster CPU...nicer case...better psu...dvd burner...hee hee...(Well, maybe not all of that stuff, but some for sure...)

Mytflyguy · Post by **Mytflyguy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:38 pm

Originally posted by sludge
Oh yes .

Lots of RAM...Better mobo...faster CPU...nicer case...better psu...dvd burner...hee hee...(Well, maybe not all of that stuff, but some for sure...)

That's the one thing going back that I wish I would have changed ... I wish I would have gotten a cheaper less flashy Case .... Just something with Extremely good cooling and plenty of room .... Instead I had to go and get the Plexy glass wall server edition then had to add more money for the flashy little neon Blue lites and spend 3 hours prettying up the cables ... blah ...

Hell nobody see's my Pc but me , so why the hell did it matter ??? lol

Evilone · Post by **Evilone** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:46 pm

i got my case for $59 at a store here with 420watt psu, works great, has side window and fan. the psu works great too.

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:49 pm

Here is an idea....

Athlon 64 3200+ $282
MSI K8T800 $95
512 MB PC3200 Crucial $120
Litle on CD-RW DVD Rom $50
Antec Aluminum case with 350 watt PS $100
WD 120GB Serial HD 7200 RPM $109
Radeon 9800 Pro $227

Total = $983

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:56 pm

Originally posted by Dunster
Here is an idea....

Athlon 64 3200+ $282
MSI K8T800 $95
512 MB PC3200 Crucial $120
Litle on CD-RW DVD Rom $50
Antec Aluminum case with 350 watt PS $100
WD 120GB Serial HD 7200 RPM $109
Radeon 9800 Pro $227

Total = $983

Now you're talking!

Boy would I like a A64 in my rig!

Although, why is that RAM so expensive?

Mytflyguy · Post by **Mytflyguy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 5:08 pm

????????

Only $200+ for an AMD 64 ????? Holsy $hit !!!!! that was like $500 4-5 months ago !!!! Man ...... I might see my next upgrad coming sooner than I thought !!!!

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 5:11 pm

Originally posted by sludge
...Although, why is that RAM so expensive?

Memory has gone up in price recently. PC2100 is being phased out by manufactures. So, PC3200 will probably be the standard for the year. They are increasing prices due to that fact.

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 5:14 pm

Originally posted by Mytflyguy
????????

Only $200+ for an AMD 64 ????? Holsy $hit !!!!! that was like $500 4-5 months ago !!!! Man ...... I might see my next upgrad coming sooner than I thought !!!!

$282 at Newegg.com
AMD 3200+ with 1 MB L2 cache.

Word has it that AMD will be lowering prices next week. So it might be even cheaper.

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 5:16 pm

Originally posted by Dunster
Memory has gone up in price recently. PC2100 is being phased out by manufactures. So, PC3200 will probably be the standard for the year. They are increasing prices due to that fact.

But still, I got 2x256 by Crucial, not the cheap stuff, for $90. What type is that?

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 5:21 pm

512MB $105.99 (USD) CT6472Z40B DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • Unbuffered • ECC • 5ns • 2.6V • 64Meg x 72

at Crucial.com. I guess my $120 was a tad bit high. I'd buy one stick of 512, then add a second stick when I wanted to.