Curse

Darkmane · Apr 01, 2005, 04:06 AM // 04:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mss Drizzt

I quite agree. I came across the same thing last year. It was cheaper and faster to buy it from Dell for my Co. then it was for me to build. The only thing I dislike now is that they do not offer AMD cpu's as they are cooler and faster than Intel. But don't lease BUY.

This may work for a business environment. But lets face it. Theres no frikin AGP slot on the motherboard on these nice cheap computers. Theres also no PCIx (PCI Express) slots. How do you expect to upgrade to any modern video card without one of those two. You cant. When you build it yourself you can come VERY close to 500.00 .. for pretty good components and at least an onboard video that can share 64 meg instead of the crappy 8 meg the dell gives you. So, for gaming you guys are blowing loads of smoke up peoples asses with this .. 'get the dell crap'

Yeah I got this crappy dell I'm using to type to yall on.

Ps. It was I that stated it was a 80 gig wd raptor 10k rpm.. you are right .. its only 74, and yah I said 80 just cuz- well- 74 is a strange number..

PhineasToke · Apr 01, 2005, 04:32 AM // 04:32

Quote:

So, for gaming you guys are blowing loads of smoke up peoples asses with this .. 'get the dell crap'

So you think a Dell 2.8GHz/800 bus 1gig 3200 sdram with a 256 5200 ultra is "blowing smoke up people's asses"?

Get real kid, we could sit here all night and play who's is bigger, but the fact remains that the min/recommended specs on the game box is what most people who have a life (other than playing computer games) need to worry about, not the need to have the latest and most expensive toy thrown at us by the PC marketing departments.

On edit,

One more thing, there are a bunch of nice 128MB pci video cards out there by Gainward and a few others for those 'crappy' computers you seem to be such an expert at.

Darkmane · Apr 01, 2005, 04:53 AM // 04:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhineasToke

So you think a Dell 2.8GHz/800 bus 1gig 3200 sdram with a 256 5200 ultra is "blowing smoke up people's asses"?

Get real kid, we could sit here all night and play who's is bigger, but the fact remains that the min/recommended specs on the game box is what most people who have a life (other than playing computer games) need to worry about, not the need to have the latest and most expensive toy thrown at us by the PC marketing departments.

On edit,

One more thing, there are a bunch of nice 128MB pci video cards out there by Gainward and a few others for those 'crappy' computers you seem to be such an expert at.

Give me the link to this 500 dollar dell with 256 Ultra in it.

PhineasToke · Apr 01, 2005, 04:56 AM // 04:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkmane

Give me the link to this 500 dollar dell with 256 Ultra in it.

It didn't cost $500, but you seem to take most comments out of context, so we'll leave it at that.

Darkmane · Apr 01, 2005, 05:01 AM // 05:01

Then why did you make your comment to begin with. I am not usually one to go on some type of forum rampage here. And I try and only post what I know to be the truth. I read the posts about some 500 dollar dell having what every gamer should want. I posted that I know of no 500 dollar dell that can come close to what you could build on your own and be much more powerful. So .. what are you saying? And thanks for the kid compliment.... I feel much younger now.

Mss Drizzt · Apr 01, 2005, 05:03 AM // 05:03

here is a link for you

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs

$804 with no monitor.

Darkmane · Apr 01, 2005, 05:07 AM // 05:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mss Drizzt

here is a link for you

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs

$804 with no monitor.

Ok I guess i'll let the link speak for itself.. simply you cannot get a 500 dollar dell with a good video card on it.

I'm done posting in this thread... I've obviously pushed some peoples buttons.

Mss Drizzt · Apr 01, 2005, 05:12 AM // 05:12

Your right you can't. But I also don't think you could build one either.

That was why I recomended a Dell. I don't think you could build the exact same Dell for any cheaper than they are selling it for.

P.S. I have not look up the indiv. cost on all those components. So don't hold me to it. I'm to tired right now.

Lansing Kai Don · Apr 01, 2005, 05:19 AM // 05:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virtuoso

You're right, they don't. He must have just been rounding it off. You have a Codegen PSU? Wow, I hate those things with a passion.

-Virt

I posted in another thread I picked one off of AMD's recommended list. IF you ever look at a PSU circuit board you will notice it is not complex and not worth that much money (the large capacitors are the only expensive item on it). So I refuse to pay the gobbles amount of money others are. I had a PowMax that came with the case

trust me there's worse out there. It is a bit loud for my taste though.

Oh, and Phineas, at my workplace (a subsidiary of LSI Logic Storage Systems) we buy Dell's too... more specifically I buy Dell's at my workplace.. mostly servers. So why does that mean I have to for home when I can customize my system? Especially since Dell uses less than product name parts or dumbed down product name parts. I understand the need for a business to have them, but Dell's ARE overpriced if you compared your system to mine... it would be plainly obvious to me. I don't have any problem with Dell, I bought a Dell Laptop and love it. I just think that people have their own choices to make and Dell isn't necessarily the best one for a computer, at least not an above-average one. But they do come with good stuff like the parts from the same place and a warranty. Both have Pro's and Con's and it is up to the user to decide what he wants to do.

Lansing Kai Don

P.S. I just wanted to add that if you look at some performance specs Phineas you will notice that your parts DO matter in gameplay.

P.P.S IN Phineas defense, MindBullets originally wanted "just" a PC and the one's he was looking at were prebuilt from HP and Sam's Club. He does ask if he could build one for cheaper... so Mind as always it's your individual choice, both have Pro's and Con's to worry about... and it's the tradeoffs that make your PC yours.

Lansing Kai Don · Apr 01, 2005, 06:04 AM // 06:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mss Drizzt

Your right you can't. But I also don't think you could build one either.

That was why I recomended a Dell. I don't think you could build the exact same Dell for any cheaper than they are selling it for.

P.S. I have not look up the indiv. cost on all those components. So don't hold me to it. I'm to tired right now.

I'm not holding you to it, this is just for information purposes only. I have a little time to kill before bed so don't take this as attacking you. By the way there is no GeForce 5200 256MB Ultra... only 128 I think. So I will go with the next highest price to keep people from saying that's not the same thing.

Each of these places I will rate at the end. And this is done quickly so if the specs are horrible someone else correct it, I am going to bed after this. Also ratings are out of four stars.

Video Card $70 FX5500 256MB (product box may have typos lol)
http://www.imagestore.us/product.asp...dept_id=06-005
4 stars got product quickly from them before a lil more communication needed

Motherboard $79 A7N8X-E (used in my system, but from ebay for cheaper)
Also comes with surround sound features (external is better but this is pretty dang good also, and I'm an audiophile)
http://www.compu-terra.com/store/product4.html
4 stars same as above, but does send confirmation emails

Processor $99 AthlonXP (2800+ 333Mhz Bus) w/ stock Heatsink/Fan
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...ctCode=80177-R
4 stars, bought HS/Fan from them (Zalman series) too long to ship 3 days when avg was 24 hours

Hard Drive $66 WD 120GB 7200RPM IDE (not SATA I know)
http://www.upgrade-solution.com/deta...ID=233&add=yes
3 stars, can't rate higher never purchased from before

Case w/ Codegen 400W PSU $45 (no I don't have a thing for codegen, just the cheapest I could find on short notice)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...182-057&depa=1
4 stars, even though newegg doesn't show negative reviews

Memory $110 Corsair Value Ram 2x512 (although I'd rather go with PDP this is a little cheaper and we're going with price)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-439&depa=1

Main System Total (I included shipping costs and rounded UP): $469

Floppy $8 (if you don't have it already) Mitsumi ... I know it's black.. look for beige if you want to I got tired of looking
http://www.acortech.com/.sc/ms/dd/10...%20DRIVE%20NEW
3 stars,haven't ordered from them

CD-ROM $14 (if you don't have it already)
http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product...oducts_id=3467
3 stars, haven't ordered from them but high feedback ratings approx. 95% on differing sites as with other 3 star seller has approx 92 percent

Completed System (rounding up and shipping included)=$491

If you want a burner instead of CD-ROM (not necessary but here is a cheap one, there are cheaper and usually slower which is fine cuz mine is an old Sony 24x, but like I said I did this in less than 15 minutes)
Burner $26 Mitsumi 52x
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...T=CD+Recorders

Completed System (yada yada, w/o CD-ROM w/ Burner)=$503

Lansing Kai Don

P.S. Please do not flame because these items are brands you don't like. I admit some of them I have not tried but if needed might purchase (usually I take a lot longer deciding on MY PC, because mine has to have character

). And I know the 2800 has only 333Mhz bus along with the Corsair RAM, to upgrade to the full extent of my system minus the video card you would add 24 dollars for the processor and 30 for the low latency RAM). That would make the main system that is VERY similar to mine equal to $523.

P.P.S Feel free to add to the system (maybe quote it and tell what you'd change). We're here to help MindBullets build the best possible system for his budget... by the way what is your budget?

EDIT:

I forgot speakers, and their my favorite part, someone else to it or else I'd pick something ghastly like this which puts us way out of the $500 limit... but I do recommend Creative

. I have their next better series and it sounds great... could use with a better volume adjuster.
Speakers $71 ? Creative Lab Multimedia Setup ?
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...ATT=Multimedia

NEWater · Apr 01, 2005, 06:07 AM // 06:07

I would change the video card to an ATI 9800 Pro though. Otherwise, pretty sweet stuff.

Goddamn hardware there in the States is cheap. Stuff here is expensive.

Lansing Kai Don · Apr 01, 2005, 06:16 AM // 06:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWater

I would change the video card to an ATI 9800 Pro though. Otherwise, pretty sweet stuff.

Goddamn hardware there in the States is cheap. Stuff here is expensive.

LOL, now it WOULD be my setup. I'm not convinced by the 9800 PRO but I got mine for $150 dollars so that would raise us $80 (and a wee bit over our current $500 budget). But great recommendation, I'm hoping it turns out to be as good as everyone makes it next BWE... especially you Virt. I play mostly older titles that wouldn't make use of it's features.

Lansing Kai Don

Lews · Apr 01, 2005, 06:25 AM // 06:25

I'm saving up for an X850 XT myself, ATI for life... I loved my geforce 2 but... well... it's old, and the FX series sucked. So yes, get a 9800 or 9600 xt instead of ANY FX, even if it's a 5950, get anything else.

Mss Drizzt · Apr 01, 2005, 06:29 AM // 06:29

You did forget the OS.

And the nifty Dell logo.

NEWater · Apr 01, 2005, 08:20 AM // 08:20

Speakers... hmm....

Even though Creative's from my country, I wouldn't recommend Creative speakers. The workmanship is kinda shoddy and it screws up quite easily.

Altec Lansing offers a cheaper alternative and the audio kicks ass.

Radeon 9800Pro would be my budget computer recommendation because of the high performance:cost ratio. Very value-for-money.

Sin · Apr 01, 2005, 09:00 AM // 09:00

http://www.geeks.com

They have a systems link and also have an auction area. I suggest you know what you want and see if they have it otherwise you might buy something based on price that isn't gonna meet your needs.

Cheers

Devil's Dictionary · Apr 01, 2005, 12:08 PM // 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mss Drizzt

You did forget the OS.

And the nifty Dell logo.

Download free Linux and use a Sharpie marker to sribble something

Lansing Kai Don · Apr 01, 2005, 05:57 PM // 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWater

Speakers... hmm....

Even though Creative's from my country, I wouldn't recommend Creative speakers. The workmanship is kinda shoddy and it screws up quite easily.

Altec Lansing offers a cheaper alternative and the audio kicks ass.

Radeon 9800Pro would be my budget computer recommendation because of the high performance:cost ratio. Very value-for-money.

I have something against Altec Lansing, after all they stole my name

. And your absolutely right Drizzt I forgot an OS. Seeing that I've never purchased one, it was an honest mistake of mine. I'd prefer to use Linux but for a Windows user, you have the following options (and a friend told me you could get Windows 3.1 or 95... preferably 3.1.. in some places it's free, then just buy the upgrade versions of the following flavors):

Windows 98 SE $54 + Shipping (Full Version)
http://www.trustprice.com/as/product...No=MS-WIN98-2A

Windows XP Home/Pro
Windows 2000

Someone else please look at this and find prices for the others... I can't rate any of the places on experience that I haven't had and don't want to give false hopes. When I get home from work I will try and do a more comprehensive search. If anyone else is able to contribute please do, then I will add all of the list (and suggestions) and make three PC's (a low end approx $500, middle approx $550, and high end approx $600) from our components. Try to stick near the budget (i.e. replace parts with a different part ) if you would.

Lansing Kai Don

P.S. I'm with Death at the Door... Red Hat 9, or FC3, there are many flavors in Debian etc...

Lews · Apr 02, 2005, 12:11 AM // 00:11

Red Hat + sharpie = > Dell x 2.

static deathbringer · Apr 02, 2005, 11:15 AM // 11:15

cheapest sytem/best sytem ive ever bought was a dell dimension 4600 for like 600$ on a 25$ a month payment plan, its 2.8ghz, 128 meg vid card( i think its a gefore or something 17 in. flat panel monitor, surround sound system dvd burner and cd rom plus an extrra 3 year warranty for an extra 200$ but they do also have cheaper system avail at or around 300-500

*edit* making your own comp is cool and all if you want to specify everything to your standards, but if you are on a budget, dell is the way to go, plus if you build your own you only get a 1 year manu. warranty on the parts and practically no tech support if you get stuck on a problem you cant fix yourself. oh and never buy a compaq, im an ex employee so i cant get into details as part of the NDA i signed but, i will say that they suck horribly, worse than all this waiting for the next BWE