ccfccf

After using my old PC (Athlon XP 1700+) for last 6 years, I have finally decided to have a new PC. Years back, I never thought about building system by myself before. With the plenty of guidelines available in forum like this and even in Youtube, however I think building up a PC would be a good option too in terms of saving money and futer uprades.

I am basically a non-game fan although I love speed like everyone else. Most applications with the computer will be E-mail, MS office, watching movie and editing pictures using photoshop. In fact, I spent many days learning how to build the computer. I selected parts to build my future intel PC. (E6750 / GA-P35-DS3L / 2GB G-skill DDR2 PC6400 / XFX 7600GT / WD 320GB / Coolmax 500W / Cool master case / DVD RW / Samsung DVD-RW). The cost was around $600 after rebate and I was almost ready to order those.

However, I've got a great deal from Dell like this;

Inspiron 530 (Vista home)
Cpu: E2160
Ram: 2GB DDR2 667
HDD: 500GB SATA II
Video: 128MB 8300GS
LCD: Samsung 20inch 204BW
For ~$580 (after tax and shipping) plus $100 gift card, which makes it same as $480 !!!

Now, I am in a kind of dilema. The dell spec is not as good as my build but the price is terrific. I am confused if the dell will be good choice for future upgrades, particularly without knowing the motherboard spec used.

Please help me decide right one. Any opinions will be very much appreciated.

imsati

If you simply want a system that will perform the tasks you mentioned above, comes with a nice warranty, has good support services, and like the price, then pick the Dell - ignore all the haters you'll hear from.

If you have a general computer know-how, want the bragging rights, and want to learn how to build and would like to ensure future upgradability, then go with the a self-built. One thing I noticed in the Build you priced out is that it's lacking an OS. Do you have a Retail copy of Windows you can install? If not, you'll need to purchase one.

If you like the Dell's price, but still want to go the self-built route, there are plenty of options you can do to both achieve a similar price-point *and* have a system that will both be better than the Dell and still maintain the functions you listed, as nothing you plan to do is CPU-intensive or requires the best and newest components.

Send me a Private Message or feel free to email imsati@comcast.net. Welcome to the Forums!

__________________
--Jay
Gigabyte EP31-DS3L | E4500 | Masscool HSF paired with AS-5
80 GB SATA2 x 2 | e-GeForce 7100 GS | CM Elite 330 (gorgeous!)
Triple Boot: Ubuntu 7.10/XP Home/Kubuntu 7.10

You do realize that everytime PC eye Posts, God kicks a puppy, and every time someone takes his advice, He smothers a kitten in front of a child, right?
http://www.computerforum.com/114761-...tml#post922619

oscaryu1

Actually a OK system! With the monitor and all, it's a steal! Now the GFX will DEFINITELY need to be upgraded, and possibly the power supply, which you'll have issues on...

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ccfccf

I am currently using Geforce 3 Ti500 with IBM L150 (15 inch) monitor.
There has been no major problem in running photoshop 7 although it does not run fast. Please excuse me for the lack of knowelege !!! Wouldn't Geforce 8400GS be good enough to watch movie and run photoshop? If not, then which GPU would you recommend for upgrade? What about PSU? Will 500W be enough?

Thanks

oscaryu1

Yes it would, but it would be VERY POOR at performance and any type of rendering or even simple gaming...

500W may be enough if it's not a crappy PSU...

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ccfccf

I think the next level of video cards can be 7600GT, 8500GT, and 8600GT.
Are there real differences among them? I selected some of them. Which one would be the better choice?

1) XFX PVT73GUGF3 GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150185


2) EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130062


3) MSI NX8500GT-TD512EH GeForce 8500GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127304


4) EVGA 256-P2-N741-LR GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130287


5) MSI NX8600GT-T2D256EZ GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127293

Please take a look the 500w as well.
1) Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU ATX 12V 2.0 500W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153052


2) COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817159040

For video card and power supply upgrade, I need to spend around $100. Then, I will end up spending ~$350 for the PC. Do you think it is still a good way to go?

Thanks