PCA Forums

Finally convinced the wife to let me buy a new computer It cost me a new fench for the yard but what the hell.

Anyway, I would like to put together my own machine but haven't built one from scratch before and I especially don't have much time to sink into another project so I am thinking about buying a Dell Dimension 8100 Series P4 1.3ghz. From what I can figure, it is a decent machine for about $1300 (w/ shipping). Here are the specs:

P4 1.3ghz
128 megs PC 800 RDRAM
20 gig Ultra ATA/100 hd
32 meg Geforce 2 GTS
8x/4x/32x CD-RW
SB-Live Value
HK Surround Speakers
no monitor - will buy 19" when I sell my old system

Am I throwing good money at bad and/or is there a better solution? I figure I won't buy another one for 4+ years again.

Thanks in advance.

You would be better off building your own. I used to buy HP comps, not any more.

man, roll your own. Not that difficult and then you can get EXACTLY what you want. Can save money if you pick up a few used parts, but buying all new would only be a little more costly then an OEM machine. There's a huge amount of good info on the web that will tell you how step by step, or get a techie friend to walk you through it. Just the personal satisfaction of watching it light up the first time is worth the effort.


sethpa

If you buy your parts at http://www.pricewatch.com and go with AMD you'll save huge $$$...

That is a great system. You might opt for the 1.5-1.7gig P4 if you can. Regardless it's going to be more than fast for anything you need and/or throw at it.

If you've never built a system and don't have time to build one, much less than deal with all the problems you're going to run into building one....this is a great deal from Dell then. You have a 3 year warranty and they are a great company. I've owned two Dells and still own an Inspiron laptop and they have great support and service. Plus their website has about everything you would want.

If you ever do have time, the funds, and want to start a project....building is definately the way to go.

juker, If you are not wanting to build it yourself I am sure someone on the boards would be able to give you a much better deal than Dell. It may cost a few extra samoleans but you will get exactly what you want out of the deal. As a matter of fact I will shoot you an email and see what I can put together that is comparable to Dell's machine, and add a few flairs and touches of my own.

still, unless your a big Divx fan AMD's out perform intel's on most benchmarks and applications.

depending on what you're doing...

I think you need more RAM, like 256 or 512.

Lots of RAM makes a huge difference, especially if you run the Linux or the Windows 2000.

Just my 2 sense!

even using divx encoders the tbird ant far behind. then if ya go dual it schools the p4.

Where do you live? maby some one off of here is near your house and can just give you some first hand pointers or walk ya threw it.

here is the system I would sugest for that price:

amd Tbird 1.33 - $180 (pricewatch)
2-256 meg dimms - $150 (kdcomputers) <----if keeping for 4 years Why not
Mellenium heatsink - $44 http://65.108.114.210/
30gig hd 7200rpm - $100 (pricewatch)
Iwill kk266 or asus a7v133 Mboard - $130 (pricewatch)
Case----you have to look for what ya like here about $60-90
Plextor 12x ide - $150 (pricewatch)
pioneer 10x dvd - $45 (pricewatch) wow that was cheap
floppy - $12 (kdcomputers)
ATI Radeon VIVO - $155 (Here)
Live value - $46(pricewatch)
speekers - once again you will have to look and test these on your own. we ofcourse can give U sugestions...Klipsch. say from $150-$300

the total I came up with is $1202 I guestamated with shipping in the earlier prices.

is the system you selected Bad. No. do I think you would be happier with this one in 4 years...Very much so.

if I missed something or what not lmk. I know I am perfect and all but some times im just lazy.

Greg

I just thought you were perfectly lazy Greg.

I really wouldn't advice buying from this board if you dont have time to build one, and the know how. That is a really bad option. When his HD or mobo goes bad, are you going to send him a brand new one overnight? Are you going to let him call you at all times of the day and night with computer problems? Buy from DELL...you can do all of the above and more. My 21" Dell Sony Trinitron monitor went bad after 3 days. The next day i had a guy onsite with a new monitor taking mine back (which was the only problem i ended up having with the computer..that was over 4 years ago). This is service! No one on this board is going to do that.

In the event you DO want to build...you can definately get some good parts here and on pricewatch.com. It all just depends on how much time you want to spend building it and getting everything working. It's a great opportunity to learn everything about computers. But you also have to realize what you buy here is "as is" and you get no support if it breaks in 3 days....you are SOL. This is why Dell and such is a good option for people...3 year warranties rock!

They are right about one thing....AMD is a good alternative right now. But you'd have to go with another vender (like compaq or something). Dell is ideally the best, but there is nothing wrong with Compaq, Gateway, Micron. You might see what other options you have through them by getting an AMD system?

buy retail parts. that ant hard 2 figgure out. and the Only thing I MENTIONED buying from here is a vivo. no one else really said here they ALL said Pricewatch. He is pritty obviousely atleast computer eliteriat making him Not needing to call you at all. 99% of the calls most those places get are dumb ass ones. Sorry ll your points are mute. really the only thing you need if you havent done a build b4 is half a day.

Greg

Absolutely Greg, I dunno, I bought one of those packaged things before...once...it was my very first computer and I realised what a rip off the whole thing is...they're so bloody expensive, and you don't know half the stuff they stick inside. Ever since I just built myself...and I taught myself how to build it being completely computer illiterate. It really boils down to how much spare time you have. If you really only have 30 mins then I gues you're out of luck and have to get one of those...but if you have a weekend, one day for assembly and one to install all your games then I'd go for buying the parts anytime...

Let's face it, who here ever needs to call customer support...or when we do, do they ever have the answer? They know less about PCs than anybody on this board...actually the best customer support you can get is on boards like this, so there's no need to ever pick up a phone, never mind paying a bomb for a packaged PC which offers this possibility.

KC

Greg, i was just giving him some friendly advice. You apparently need to go back and re-read what everyone has written. You said buy a part here. Hammer01 said "yourself I am sure someone on the boards would be able to give you a much better deal than Dell" Sethpa said "Can save money if you pick up a few used part" So why don't you lay off and mind your own post and quit telling others they are wrong. My points were very valid. He has a mind of his own and can decide for himself.

If you think my points were moot...then everyones was.

:Anyway, I would like to put together my own machine but haven't built one from scratch before and I especially don't have much time to sink into another project: He doesnt have time or want to do it. All he wanted to know was if it was a good computer or not.

It's a great computer for 1200, as you see...building it yourself will cost you just $100 less! Not worth the trouble and hassle of having to track all the parts down, build it yourself, and be responsible for anything that is wrong with it.

Go Dell...you wont be sorry. They are rated #1 for a reason

I dont think anyone said he would be calling tech support for stupid user questions. The point is he can call if anything goes wrong with the hardware. Dell also has a GREAT website with a ton of information, drivers, tech help. Plus the fact that you get a 3 year warranty with 1 year onsite makes it that much better. Building your own IS better, but you guys have to realize it isn't for everyone. I wouldn't tell my mom to build her own system 1300 for that system is great, compaired to the 1200 you'd spend building your own. Things aren't like they used to be, they aren't a rip off anymore buying OEM.