new pc

[dazk]

just priced up a new dell, Q6600 core 2 quad 2.4ghz, 2gb ram, 2x160gb HDD in raid 0, 256 mb ati radeon 1300 pro graphics card. all this for €780. i thought this was exceptional value for my needs (photo and video editing as a hobby. flight sim games web surfing etc) until i read the comments on here. i would appreciate peoples comments, views on the above system. if you think this is a poor deal then a part list to build my own would be appreciated(i have neither the time or the technical knowledge to spec a system).

 

[emp]

Not worth it at all, especially with that X1300. You won't be playing any recent flight sim games, maybe old ones back from 2000 😛

 

[dazk]

thanks for that but would you mind explaining in more detail why its not worth it. i'm not a serious "gamer", i play them to relax in frequently. main use will be photo and video. perhaps you could tell me the components you would use to build a suitable system. i have looked quickly at MB's etc and i think i would be spending a lot more, especially when the Dell includes a 19" ultra sharp flat panel.

 

[spuddyt]

the numbing inevitability of a pre built computer is they always ALWAYS pair a good processer with a s***** gfx card, and I really do mean a bad one (that isn't playing any recent games on even medium gfx)

 

[emp]

The ram is not necessarily high quality ram, same for the motherboard. Power supply is probably barely your system (This is normal for all OEMs), and the X1300 is a horrible card (Even for your needs).

Here's a build for 796 euros without a screen, but will prove to be FAR superior in any way to that build you're thinking about

Western Digital Raptor 74GB WD740ADFD 10,000RPM SATA 16MB

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-087-WD&group id=701&catid=14&subcat=167

Coolermaster Black Centurion 534 - No PSU

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/114826

Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 NCQ 750GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-033-HI&groupi d=701&catid=14&subcat=940

EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-029-EA&groupi d=701&catid=56&subcat=927

(Two of these for 4Gigs) G.Skill 2GB DDR2 NQ PC2-6400 (2x1GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-018-GS&groupi d=701&catid=8&subcat=813

Gigabyte GA_P35C_DS3R (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 & DDR3

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-086-GI&tool= 3

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) -

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-143-IN

Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-005-CS&groupi d=701&catid=123&subcat=823

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket 775)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-017-AR

That Dell might prove to be cheaper, but you won't get half the quality and performance of the products that Im listing here.

 

[dazk]

thanks for that, i will certainly look at the parts. i am not desperate to get a new system so by spreading the cost i may justify the extra investment.
good to meet someone who is willing to spec parts like that for a novice instead of the usual who just seem to slag off the OEM's without giving an alternative option.
many thanks

Dazk