Dell prebuilt vs building that same myself

[unlv-grad-student]

Alright, so I decided to get a new computer for the release of Diablo 3. After spending close to 5 hours on the internet trying to figure out exactly the best bang for my dollar I kept straying back to Dell.

So long story short I purchased a Dell XPS 830 brand new for $870 with the following specs.

1 XPS 8300 Intel Core i7-2600 processor(8MB Cache, 3.4GHz)
1 8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4x2GB
1 Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard
1 AMD Radeon HD 6770
1 1TB Serial ATA 2 Hard Drive 7200 RPM
1 Windows Live Wave 4
1 You have chosen a Windows 7 System
1 Dell Resource DVD with Application Backup
1 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, English, No Media
1 Dell USB 6-Button Laser Mouse
1 Add 2 USB 3.0 ports
1 16x DVDRW Drive
1 THX TruStudio
Subtotal: $806.72
Shipping and Handling: $0.00
Tax Total: $63.96
Total Amount: $870.68

Now, I was bored so I figured I would see how much this same build (roughly) would cost if I were to build it myself.

$300 - Intel Core i7-2600
$120 - Half way decent motherboard
$100 - 1Tb harddrive (similar to the one it came with)
$100 - 8gb ram (similar to the one it came with)
$50 - case
$50 - power supply 500 watts (closest i could find to 460)
$110 - AMD Radeon HD 6770
$100 - for win 7
$80 - for extra wires, heatsink (if needed), and misc parts/labor
$20 dvd drive

Total - $1030 (not including shipping or tax)

Now, the reason I went and put all this up is because I wanted the community's feedback on the purchase. I also wanted to know why exactly Dell gets such a bad wrap and time n time again people say, "Save money and build it yourself!" when I think you can get a hell of a build from Dell for roughly the same price (if not cheaper).
So please guys let me know your thoughts on the matter. Feel free to check my numbers or even add your own computer build for comparison purposes.

-Justin

 

[Pyree]

We agree you win unlv-grad-student. Now move on. Pick a best answer so I can close thread.

 

[nekulturny]

Are you blind? Did you not read this part?
"nekulturny- I didn't ask you to build out your own personal system and then compare it to what a dell would cost. I asked you to build MY system at an equal or lower price, which you clearly did not. "
And still you clearly have not. lol.
I really think you are blind though considering my NAME is UNLV-GRAD-STUDENT lol and UNLV is clearly not a community college, nor is there ANY graduate level community college on the face of the earth, but good try.
Come back with the same build for less money or "it didn't happen".
btw i7 > i5 all day

Enjoy your system then. Clearly you are here to troll.

Come back when you have some benchmarks to back up your system performance. Mine is posted.

As for the college, I'm the one in the community college. So in theory, you have a higher education than I. I guess they don't have maturity 101 in a university either.

 

[KNO3]

Come back when you have some benchmarks to back up your system performance. Mine is posted.

The fun part here is that if he had the same system, but a k processor and an unlocked bios he could blow you out of the water. But..... Dell lol.

 

[unlv-grad-student]

Three Cheers for the invention of glasses! Thank you Salvino D'Armate for providing the world with wearable spectacles!
Go REBELS!!!

 

[nekulturny]

The fun part here is that if he had the same system, but a k processor and an unlocked bios he could blow you out of the water. But..... Dell lol.

No doubt, my friend.

 

[Pyree]

Fine, you made me do it.

 

[Pyree]

Best answer selected by Pyree.nnI would choose i5 2400 with a 6850 on the H61 mobo, but BA is close enough.