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paulj

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I have a friend that has $1000 - $1200 to spend on a system. He wants a P4 system. He has been looking at the Dell systems 2700 DDR Ram. He can get one w/ a CD R/RW for just under $1000.

I tried to see if I could find the parts to build one for less. I don't think I can. I come up with prices in the $1200 range. Of course I am using Asus mobo and other name brand parts I am familiar with and trust. However, I don't know what parts Dell is using on some of their components.

Does anyone have any input on this subject? Is the Dell system a good one? Seems that the price is unbeatable.

Thanks for your input.
 
what is the rpm speed of the HDD? what model video card ? what brand cdrw? what is the wattage of the psu


I bet this setup I just now threw together beats whatever they offer and although there is no monitor mouse or keyboard it is still only 835.00 inc shiping to new york, from california



Cases PC - ATX - Mini/Med Tower
ANTEC SOLUTION SERIES MODEL SLK3700AMB w/ANTEC SMART POWER 350W P4/AMD POWER SUPPLY ATX12V - RETAIL
Offering a large 8-drive capacity in a convenient mini tower. This cost-effective new Super Mini Tower comes in an attractive color - Antec Metallic Bronze - with the features and quality you expect from Antec.
Specifications:
Driver Bays: External 4 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" (Tool-less Drive rail system for 5.25 Devices) - Internal 5 X 3.5" (Quick Release Drive cage for 3.5" Drive bays)
System Board: Standard ATX
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots
USB/IO: 2 X USB (front)
Optional Fans: 2 X 120mm (front & rear)
Case Dimensions: 18.6" (L) X 8.25" (W) X 18.3" (H) more info>
N82E16811129122 $73.00



CD Recorder/Rewritable Drive
Lite On 48x24x48 CDRW Model LTR-4824S OEMBuffer underrun error free & automatically adjust writing strategy plus running OPC to meet various burning condition.
Specifications:
Speed : Recording 48Xmax CAV Re-writing 24X High-Speed CLV Reading 48Xmax CAV
Interface : ATAPI-E/IDE, support up to Ultra-DMA Mode2 33.3MB/sec
Access Time : 80ms (typical)
Buffer Memory Size: 2MB
Operating System : Windows 95/98/NT/XP/2000/ME
MTBF : 70'000 Power On Hours with 25% Duty
OEM (Comes with .Manual and Audio cable.) more info>
N82E16827106188 $57.99



DVD ROM
LITE-ON LTD-166S16X DVD ROM Drive - Retail48X CD-ROM Access all format DVD-ROM/R/RW ,CD-ROM/R/RW title & disc Comes with Audio Cable, Manual and Power DVD Software, more info>
N82E16827131104 $45.00



Hard Drives
Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM Hard Drive Model # 6E040L0 OEM, DRIVE ONLY
Diamond Max Pluss
Specifications:
Size: 40 Gigabytes
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA133
Seek time: <10ms
RPM:7200
Cache 2MB
OEM(Drive alone) 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty more info>
N82E16822140133 $83.00



Memory - PC (DDR)
CORSAIR MEMORY XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series 256MB PC3000 DDR RAM 370MHz - OEM
CMX256A-3000C2 DDR, PC3000 32x64, Non-ECC, 184-Pin, CAS2 -Unbuffered Requires DDR supported Motherboard - Lifetime Warranty. more info>
N82E16820145402 $112.00



Motherboards - Intel
ASUS P4PE/L Motherboard for Intel P4 478 Retail w/ Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, Onboard LAN, SoundMAX Digital Audio System
***1st Intel chips that TRUELY support DDR333 PC2700***
Specifications:
Supported CPU: P4 Socket 478 1.4 GHz ~ 2.53+ GHz
Chipset: Intel 845PE
FSB: 533 / 400 MHz
RAM: 3 x184-pin DDR333 PC2700/PC2100/PC1600Max 3GB
IDE: 2 x UltraDMA 100/66/33
Slots: 1 x AGP 4X 6 x PC
Ports: 1x LPT, 2x COM, 2x PS/2, 1x RJ45, Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: ADI1980 6-channel CODEC
Onboard LAN:BroadCom 10/100 Mbps Ethernet controller more info>
N82E16813131429 $125.00



Processors
►Free Newegg T-Shirt!
How to Redeem: Buy this Processor and add a Newegg T-Shirt to Your Cart
(Limit One T-Shirt Per Customer, Credit Given At Order Confirmation)
Intel Pentium 4 2.4BGHz 512K 533MHz CPU Northwood P478 Processor Retail Box
Specifications:
CPU: Pentium 4 P4 2.4BGHz Northwood
Type: Northwood
Cache: 512K
BUS: 533MHz
Socket: P4 478
Retail Box (with Heatsink and fan) more info>
N82E16819116139 $189.00



LEADTEK GeForce 4 TI4200 64M /TV BULK
Specifications:
Chipset: Nvidia 4th-generation 256-bit GeForce4 Ti 4200 GPU InfiniteFX II Engine
RAM:64MB fast DDR Memory
8.8 GB/sec Memory Bandwidth
4.4 Billion AA samples per second fill rate
Integrated 350MHz RAMDAC, resolution up to 2048x1536, True Color @ 60Hz
Comprehensive AGP 4X support
Ports😀B-15 VGA + S-Video + DVI
OEM pack (Comes with Winfast Drivers/software and Video cables See pic) more info>
N82E16814122143 $136.00



Subtotal » $820.99
Shipping and Handling Charge »
$ 15.00
FedEx Express Saver Grand Total » $ 835.99



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That looks like a good system. It is similar to what I would have built. However, I am not familiar with the Lite-On CD writers and DVD ROMs. I would have used a Plextor or Yamaha writer. I don't know anything about Lite-On though.

In my system I included more items:
Windows XP Home
MS Works
speakers
floppy drive
modem
optical mouse
nice keyboard
17" View Sonic monitor.

Your price would be up around $1200 or more once you add in these items. This can be bought for just under $1000 at Dell. That is my question. Dell seems to be offering the same cheaper. I don't know what mobo (brand and model) and memory (brand, CL2, CL2.5, etc) they are using. In fact the brand and model are not indicated on most of the components.

I guess my question is why would someone spend $1200 for the custom system when they can get it for under $1000 for Dell. Below are the exact components I have specified. That should help anyone in their replies. Thank you for your assistance.

A00696 TEAC 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE (Bare Drive) Detail Specs $13.50 $13.50

A19007 ASUS P4PE/L INTEL 845PE CHIPSET ULTRA ATA100 ATX FORM FACTOR 1xAGP(4X)/6xPCI/3xDDR W/USB 2.0, LAN & AUDIO Detail Specs (CPU TYPE:INTEL PENTIUM 4 (533MHZ) - 478PIN) $122.96 $122.96

A08542 CORSAIR CM64SD256-2700CX2H 32X64 333MHZ 256MB CAS2 DDR DIMM W/HEAT SPREADER $106.00 $106.00

807647 ALTEC LANSING 221 3PC PC MUSIC & GAMING SPEAKER SYSTEM (Black) Detail Specs $35.97 $35.97

754222 MAXTOR 60.0GB L01J060G EIDE ULTRA-ATA/133 7200RPM (Retail) ($20.00 Mail-In Manufacturer Rebate Available till 12/28/2002) (*Special Offer Ends 11/06/2002!) $95.00 $95.00

A15020 TOSHIBA 16X-DVD/48X-CDROM EIDE INTERNAL #SDM1612 *2X DVD-RAM playback! (Bare drive) Detail Specs $45.00 $45.00

A18870 Microsoft Works suite 2003 (DSP)-MS Word/Works/Picture it/Money/Streets/encyclopidia **Must be Purchased w/Hardware!!* $69.00 $69.00

A16703 ENERMAX FAN006-FAB-B 80mm BALL BEARING FAN FOR CASE W/3 & 4PIN CONNECTOR Detail Specs $8.50 $8.50

A15440 Microsoft PLUS for Windows XP-Home & Professional (Retail) Detail Specs $39.00 $39.00

A15060 Microsoft Windows XP HOME (OEM/DSP)*Must be Purchased w/Hardware!!* Detail Specs $89.00 $89.00

A02640 VIEWSONIC 17" E70F .25 1280X1024 FLAT SCREEN Detail Specs $145.95 $145.95

A03097 INTEL PENTIUM 4 2.4B GHZ (BX80532PE2400D) W/512K CACHE 533MHZ 478-PIN RETAILED (3 YEARS WARRANTY) Detail Specs $203.95 $203.95

859024 LOGITECH DELUXE ACCESS KEYBOARD Detail Specs $13.50 $13.50

A14363 ENERMAX CSX 3051L-S3A (SILVER) MID TOWER W/350W (PENTIUM 4 READY) ATX POWER SUPPLY & 80mm CASE FAN x 1 Detail Specs $75.00 $75.00

058411 LOGITECH OPTICAL MOUSE 3-BTTN W/SCROLL WHEEL USB/PS2 Detail Specs $16.50 $16.50

A08400 3COM 56K V.90 INTERNAL PCI FAX MODEM W/VOICE MODEL #2976 (OEM) $45.00 $45.00

A16870 ASUS V8170DDR GEFORCE4 64MB AGP4X MX-440 W/GAMES/TV OUT(Retail) Detail Specs $79.00 $79.00

Sub Total $1,202.83
 
I guess my question is why would someone spend $1200 for the custom system when they can get it for under $1000 for Dell.
Click to expand...
because the parts are a higher grade, you can upgrade easily without concern for proprietatry psu's and similar, I bet the vid card is not a 4400 or even the 440 that you list, probably an mx which is to be avoided and both of us chose to use a great name brand of ram.. something you can bet won't find its way into a Dell machine. btw lite-on drives are fantastic and currently make the fastest drives available. Most people looking for a machine like your friend also already have a good monitor keyboard and mouse ( I see I forgot a floppy drive though :frown: )

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That's true most people already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This is my friends first computer though.

I don't expect they will need a super fast computer. They won't use it like you or I might. So, for example, they probably won't care if they have RAM with CL2 or CL2.5. They will be concerned with reliability. However, I think a Dell computer will be reliable.

So in their case I am not sure that a custom puter will do them much good.

Hmmm........

I am just trying to do right by my friends. I don't want them to spend any more money than necessary. And I want them to have a reliable computer.

I know that if they were looking to spend $1500 or more and wanted as fast a computer as possible then I could seriously help them save money and get a killer computer. But, when they are on a low end budget and don't need a seriously fast computer, things get trickier.

Thanks for helping sort out these issues.
 
Oh, also I had not added in the cost of the CD Writer in my $1200.00 quote. That adds another $138 bringing me to about $1340.
 
dude Dells are not very good system you would be alot better to go ahead and build a custom one than buying a dell. or go with some place like flec but whatever you do dont get a dell.

Dude your not getting a dell, are you?
 
What specific things are bad about Dell computers (besides the commercials)? Thanks for your help.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by paulj on 11/06/02 07:51 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Dell computer have crappy componets. At least all ths Dell computers i've seen they are really really hard to work on. and alot of times the video card are such pure crap you cant hardly play any games over a 640x480 res and still get 60 FPS. If the motherboard dies then you will have to buy a very over priced motherboard. but other then that i guess they are great computers.
 
That is untrue. It all depends on the system you buy. You will get crap if you spend $700 on one. But if you spend the money, you can get a good system with some quality components.

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I have yet to see a Dell computer with a motherboard that Dell did not make. Plus they only use INTEL CPU's they aren't bad but i would reather have a AMD.
 
You think dell makes thier own motherboards now?

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You're a little off. I have a Dell that's been running for 4.5 years and it has a nice Intel BX board in it. It's proprietary, with propietary connectors, but it's still an Intel board. It's a solid machine. I paid $3000 for it though.

Here's what to expect if you buy a dell. Keep in mind this is only my experience from a 4.5 year old rig and you might want to hear from someone who has bought one recently. I doubt much has changed though.

1. A good rig, only good, if you pay top dollar.
2. The minimum power supply they could put in there.
3. A proprietary motherboard. It's not made by Dell, but it makes upgrading a hastle.
4. Non-overclockable
5. Relatively quiet.
6. Their customer service is hit and miss. Sometimes, but very rarely you get a great tech that knows thier stuff. Most of the time you get someone who only knows what's written in the same manual they give you. No matter who you get, you end up on the phone for hours and hours before you figure anything out.
7. The case has proprietary connectors to the motherboard. This makes upgrading a hastle.

In most cases, where you don't spend top dollar, you'll get too little memory and a crappy videocard.

I should also note, that after 4.5 years, my monitor is starting to die. Just this last week it's been acting up and It's bound to die within 6 months.

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Go Dell and get a minimum 3 year warranty. Go to net and get idea of price. Then call a minimum 3 sales people and get the cheapest price. They offer gov or teachers a 5 % discount however it is a ploy to make you think you get a good deal. Got one cheaper than their 5% discounted price without having to be a certain type of employee. Cannot beat their pricing. Gateway was ridiculous in price. With a 3 yr warranty and lifetime phone support how can you go wrong.
 
Thank you for your repsonse. It seems to be well thought out and objective. The price range I am looking at is $1000. I can build something from high quality components (Asus mobo, Corsair RAM C2, etc.) for only about $200 - $300 more. Would you consider a computer from Dell that costs $1000 to be a bad purchase. I am only trying to help my friends get a decent computer. Thanks for your help.
 
Thanks for your response, but I don't make purchases just because they have a warranty. I want a reliable system. If I have a warranty, but have to constantly avail myself of it, I would rather spend more money and get one that requires no work.

I started building computers at work because the namebrands would eventually require repairs and/or upgrades. The proprietary hardware and lack of good service wasted too much of my time. Now that I build them using top of the line components I have next to no problems (caused by hardware). Still have user problems, :}, but no problems with hardware.

Besides, they don't give you a warranty because they believe in their product. They charge you extra for the warranty (insurance). Hmmmm.

Their prices do seem good, but I can't tell what components they are using to determine if it is what I would like.
 
This is up to you. Sometimes it's worth buying from Dell when you need the software. It might be worth in that case. In my opinion, the software is what's really affecting your decision.

However, what I would really recommend is just building an AMD system. With a budget that low you might as well. Make your money worth something.

If you buy that Dell system remember that it's going to be completely un-upgradeable. It's going to come with a GeForce4 MX, and personally, I think their keyboards are lousy. Add to that the proprietary parts and you're stuck with a $1000 paperweight in a couple years at best. The dell isn't going to have corsair memory, or an enermax powersupply, that's for sure.

If it's just price you're worried about, also consider buying a different brand of memory, like Crucial, and consider a different brand of powersupply like Antec. Don't forget that Lite-on is a cheap CD-RW. Consider an integrated motherboard. I bought a $55 motherboard from ECS and it's running strong. Don't let price fool you.


Start looking at a gigabyte motherboard for $90 and an AMD 2100+ for $115 or 2400+ for $180, and you've already saved $50 to $115. Then at the very least, you can stick a new motherboard and processor in there down the road without having to mess with the case and buy a new powersupply.

Nonetheless, another good argument, and possibly a final argument, for the Dell is that you can have him call Dell rather than you if he has problems. That time factor might make it worth your while to recommend Dell for such a low budget PC.

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Thanks. I have looked at an AMD system and can do a better in 2GHz/2000+ range (mobo and processor).

What is a good basic GPU? You say the MX are bad. Does that mean you would only recommend a NVIDIA TI-4200 with 64 MB or better?

As far as not having to do any work on the Dell. It is too good of a friend to say no. I would probably end up helping them anyway. That is why I want build it for them. I don't want to end up helping them with the Dell.

Thanks for all your help.
 
Is he going to play games though? If he's not then the graphics card really isn't that important. If he is then the MX just don't perform very well. For a budget PC, I would recommend a Radeon 8500 most likely. People seem to be happy with it and it only costs $90.

If he's not playing games then the graphics card really isn't that important at all. A MX will play DVD.


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