Well I have 2 choices, a Dell or a self build. I can get 40% off the Dell which means Ill get a 6800 256MB, 1GB RAM, P4 3.0GHz for a little under $1000 and the rest of the computer. I dont know what to get if I do a self build any help or ideas?
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Dell or a self build
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Re: Dell or a self build
If you already have a monitor and some of the basics ie dvd/cd, HD, than go with self build, but If you are going from the ground up get a pre built. Not neccesarily a Dell, there are lots of companies out there. The monitor is a big expense that you can get thrown in with pre-builts.
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Re: Dell or a self build
Ok, don't get dell, i got a better comp than the dell config for only 934 bucks. My proccesor beats the P4, my memory is on par, and i got a much better vid card than a 6800. Don't buy from companies, always build a comp, all you get from a company is cool cases (not dell, like an Alienware maybe) and a brand name. I would go for these specs:
Mobo: At least a Nforce 4 PCI-e motherboard, got mine for 84 bucks on newegg.com
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ or a 3500+
Memory: Atleast 1 gigabyte, memory is cheap now, got my 1gig stick for 80 bucks.
Hard Drive: 160-250 GB hard drive, i got a great deal on a 250GB hard drive, it was only 125 bucks.
SOund Card: If you care about sound get at least an Audigy 2, but sound cards arn't too much better than integrated.
Video Card: X800Pro-X800XL for ATi, from nVidia, a 6800-6800GT.
And the rest is all stuff that you should configure like optical drives, mouses, keyboards etc.
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Re: Dell or a self build
I have a monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse. All I need is a computer. Heres what I'm thinking,
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
eVGA 6800GT 256MB
160GB SATA HDD
Apex Black Case w/ 420W PSU
Some Abit motherboard
1GB OCZ Gold Ram
Sony DVD Burner
SB Live 24-Bit???? <-- would get better but I dont have the best speakers.
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Re: Dell or a self build
Check out www.ecollegepc.com
I got:
AMD Athlon 64 Socket 939 3200+ Venice
Motherboard in my sig
MSI GeForce 6800 Ultra PCI-E x16
2 GB Corsair PC3200 RAM
For 1076, free shipping and no tax. They have really good prices...check them out.
Also, I haven't had any problems at all with it, or else I wouldn't even recommend them to you.
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Re: Dell or a self build
self building is fun depending on one's comfort level with that. You might try www.cyberpowerpc.com if you are looking to get a built system. I've bought a PC from there before as well as at least 6 people I know. No one ever had a prob.
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Re: Dell or a self build
dell i love for laptops, but if u want a desktop, self built is pretty much gonna be cheaper, that coupon is only gonna really be worth it when u get really expensive, like a xps 600 or something. dell desktops have parts only dell can replace (powersupply etc) pretty much forcing u to buy from them when u replace or upgrade, so thats kinda screwy. only bad thing is that when u self build, u dont get a warrenty, unless all the parts are individually covered. as for difficulty of building, its not that hard. theres a lot of good guides out there. try ign gear's department, they had a pretty comprehensive guide. the think eludes me however...
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