Custom Computer

[Jamie Smith]

Originally Posted by C_E_R_B_E_R_U_S

Well the thing is, Dell is expensive. I made a computer on the internet (didnt buy it though) that has even better specs than a dell thats more expensive. Dell computers are extra $$$ thrown in the garbage when you can make your own yourself.

Some can't though.

[pparks1]

Originally Posted by C_E_R_B_E_R_U_S

Well the thing is, Dell is expensive. I made a computer on the internet (didnt buy it though) that has even better specs than a dell thats more expensive. Dell computers are extra $$$ thrown in the garbage when you can make your own yourself.

Sometimes the Dells are more expensive and sometimes they are less expensive. Like I said above, it all depends upon what you need. It's not fair to make the blanket statement that I can always build it cheaper...10-12 years ago that really was true.

Let me explain and clarify a few things

#1). If you are building a high end gaming PC and comparing to a high-end Dell XPS...yes you can likely build cheaper all the time.

#2). On a middle of the road PC, it's possible to build cheaper. However, if it's done using dirt cheap generic parts you aren't really doing yourself a favor. The parts in a Dell really are decent and they are warrantied by Dell. They come in nearly silent cases, unlike the super cheapo ATX cases that have ridiculously loud power supplies and cooling fans.

#3). If you need an entire middle of the road or less computer....you will actually find beating Dell is hard in most cases. This means you have to factor in the cost of the computer, the keyboard, a monitor, a mouse and an OPERATING SYSTEM.


Trust me here. I've been an avid system builder and computer user for 20 years. I know the ins and outs. I'm employed as a systems admin for a very large multinational company. I'm not just some noob who doesn't know how to assemble a computer and just thinks that Dells are 'da bomb.

[pparks1]

Here is an example

Dell Inspiron 530
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor
Vista Home Premium with SP1
19" Widescreen LCD Flat Panel Monitor
3GB of Dual Channel RAM
500GB SATA Hard Drive
16x DVD Burner
ATI HD 2600 XT 256MB video card
7.1 channel audio
keyboard and mouse
Microsoft Works 9.0
1 yr in home warranty with 24x7 phone support

$839


Q6600 from Newegg $199
Vista Home Premium from newEgg $109
Cheapest 19" Widescreen LCD that NewEgg has $169
3GB of RAM from Newegg ~$65
500GB Western Digital SATA drive from Newegg $75
18X Sony DVD Burner from Newegg $32
Cheapest Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB that newegg sells $39.99
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 mobo from NewEgg $85
Antec Sonata III case with 500Watt power supply from NewEgg $99

*NOTE: after using many dells and building many computers with the Antec Sonata II's and Sonata III's...this is the closest case that I have found in terms of build quality and the level of quietness that the Dell case provides

$873


So, all in all...that Dell price really isn't all that bad. I certainly wouldn't list it as EXPENSIVE...considering that I consider NewEgg relatively cheap on parts and I went with the cheapest monitor, cheapest RAM and cheapest video card they had matching specs on the dell.

[C_E_R_B_E_R_U_S]

Wow, thank you so much pparks1. You really put some effort into helping me. I really appreciate it. For the record, I plan on building a high end gaming computer. The must-haves for me are 4gb RAM, 9800 GTX video card, and 1 terabyte hard-drive. I'm debating whether I want an AMD or an Intel processor. (Help on this issue would also be appreciated) Dell has that for around $2,000. An xps. That is a bit more expensive than buying and building it by yourself. But ofcourse I have to admit that Dell has really good financing and that they are REALLY good computers. But like I said before, its a bit more expensive than making it by myself. But in the meantime, I might consider going with Dell. But thanks pparks1. Also, what do you guys think is better, AMD or Intel?

P.s. I also work at a very large multinational company (ArvinMeritor) but im not systems admin. lol Maybe because I'm on these forums all day instead of working!

[Shike]

While Dells can be cheaper, I personally would never deal with the company again. It took them a month to send me a HDD for my laptop, even with my next business day parts plan. They talked down to me often and, in general treated me like a moron with them saying that there's no way the HDD could have gone bad. Final diagnosis when everything was said and done? The HDD had gone bad -_-'

Even worse, since I was on a trip for the BPA and supposed to just remote login to handle finals for our unix/linux class when it failed I couldn't. So those projects went shot real fast.

Lastly, when I called to talk about compensation for the troubles they put me through, since they didn't honor the next day parts plan (they even had the nerve to ship ground when they finally sent it) they refused to talk to me. They told me I was only allowed to talk to their legal department. Through snail mail. No email, no phone, just paper and envelope.

And for those saying "should've gone with Dell Small Business" . . . this was Dell Small Business!


Building your own, you usually don't have to put up with this shit. RMA for a part is usually simple and painless. Even if you pay more for a lower machine, you'll usually get better support.

[pparks1]

Personally, if I were building a machine today for performance it would be an Intel processor without question. They are simply ahead of AMD in the game these days. Whether you go dual core or quad core is up to you. I generally prefer the dual core Wolfdales...as they have faster Front Side Bus speeds and higher clock cycles for the same money as the quad cores.

My personal experience with Dell has been fantastic. Both at work and at home. I've had 2 problems with my Dell Dimension 8400. Dell handled both great.

1st experience. I bought the 8400 with a GeForce 6800 video card and that computer came with a 17" LCD. Well, I had an 18.1 UltraSharp Dell flat panel from my previous Dell 4550. So, I hooked up the new 8400 with my 18.1 monitor and I had some problems with the video card properly putting the monitor to sleep. When I called to complain, Dell immediately sent me a new Nvidia 6800 video card to replace the first one. When the problem continued, they offered to substitute an ATI Radeon X800XT for the 6800. That was a $200 video card swapped for a $500 video card when I bought this machine in November of 2004. This didn't cost me a dollar and resolved the problem.

About 3 months before my 3 year warranty expired on the machine, the fan on my ATI Radeon X800XT started making some noise. Called Dell and they just send me a brand new X800XT.

In both cases, it was fast, easy and handled very satisfactorily as far as I was concerned. Mine was purchased under the employer discount dell program which provides me with a slightly different support program number than standard purchases. At work, we have at least 1,500 dell workstations and laptops and the support has been just fine. Get all the parts fast, just report them online and get calls to let us know when we can expect them to arrive.

[Shike]

Originally Posted by pparks1

. . . Mine was purchased under the employer discount dell program which provides me with a slightly different support program number than standard purchases. At work, we have at least 1,500 dell workstations and laptops and the support has been just fine. Get all the parts fast, just report them online and get calls to let us know when we can expect them to arrive.

Translation:

Dell cares about businesses and its employees, not normal consumers

Still, I recently tried contacting Dell Customer Advocates to see what they have to say about the issues I've had with them due to some advice a friend gave. I'll see how it goes.

[pparks1]

Originally Posted by Shike

Translation:

Dell cares about businesses and its employees, not normal consumers

Well, I cannot comment on this as I haven't experienced them directly as a consumer. I have a few friends who have purchased from them as a consumer...but I don't think they have really had any support incidences as nothing is wrong with their machines.

[C_E_R_B_E_R_U_S]

Well, my brother has a dell. They only had vista for the computer he wanted so he talked with them and they put xp.

[MadMax08]

i just built my mom a new computer all from Newegg [i swear by that site] for <$700, but no monitor. here's the specs:
Q6600, 4gb Ram, onboard video since its for my mom, 250gb hdd, dvd-rw, 350w psu, wireless m/kb

its pretty easy to build a budget system, then throw in some better stuff as you get some money. what do you plan on getting it for? gaming, audio/video editing, basic use?

*durr* sorry, here's to me not reading the entire thread before i posted....