To build or not to build? Which of these?

Sacrinyellow5 · 10-31-2006, 09:04 PM

I'm thinking about purchasing or buying a new computer, but I'm not completely sure on what route to take. I'm not apposed to building a computer nor would I mind buying a pre-built.

Here are my three options I'm debating about. I'm really looking for something to do multi-tasking work and some light gaming. I work as a graphic designer and would also like to do some light video and music editing on top of my design work. I will also be downsizing from having 3 computers to 1. I am not apposed to spending a decent amount on a computer, so it is not outdated in a few years. Expanding on it and upgrading is not out of the question either. I'm really looking for a good work computer, which also can support future games and programs and not be obsolete in a few years

Pre-Built 1
-------------------
Dell XPS-410
Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 (2.4Ghz 1066 FSB)
XP Professional with free Windows Business Vista Upgrade
2 GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 667 Mhz
250 GB HD (7,200)
DVD-R/CD-R Combo (Dual-Layer)
256 Mb GeForce 7900 GS
Intergraded Soundblaster Audigy (HD Software Edition)
USB Key Board & Mouse
Microsoft Office Basic
----------------------
Around $1700

-- I don't think the price is terrible on this, but it also includes a 1 year warranty and some other useful aps, which might take up money in a custom build.
-- I'll be using a DVD-R, 250 GB HD, and 19 LCD monitor, which I already own to complete the System
-- I can also put this on a payment plan and possibly get a work discount.

Custom Build 1
-------------------
Case -- (Still Deciding - $150 Budget)
PS -- ATX 12V StarTech 450 Watt PS -- May not need it Case has PS
Mobo--Gigabyte Technology GA-965P-S3 ATX Socket 775 Motherboard, for Intel Core 2 Duo / Pentium 4 / Pentium D Processors
Processor -- Intel Viiv Technology Core 2 Duo E6400, 2.13 GHz, 1066 MHz
OS -- XP Professional
Memory -- 2 x Kingston HyperX 1GB PC2-5400
Main OS HD -- Western Digital Raptor 74GB Hard Drive (10,000rpm)
Video Card (Still looking any suggestions would be great -- 200-250 budget)
Sound Card (30-50) still deciding
----------------------
$1650 or so (Some parts will have rebates)

These are all parts, which I can find at my local computer store or order through them.
I'm not big into ordering online and waiting, so I figured I would find parts locally.
-- I'll be using a DVD-R, 250 GB HD, and 19 LCD monitor, which I already own to complete the comp.
--No payment plan here, just charge the majority of it and using the money I receive from selling my other comps.
-- Any performance or price saving suggestions would be great!

Pre-Built System 2
-------------------
Mac Pro Tower "Going back to the Dark Side"
Two 2.0 Ghz Dual Core Intel Xeon Processors
2 GB DDR2 @ 667Mhz Ram
160 Gb (7,200 rpm)
ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512 MB
One 16x Superdrive
No Display
Mac OS X
Apply Care Protection Plan 3 Years
-------------------
2,918.00

-- I like this option a lot, because of the payment plan and a possible student discount.
--Expandability of up to 3 Extar HD's and an extra Optical Drive
-- I can also use Boot-Camp to load an XP Partition to run for games and other Microsoft based applications.

I will be selling my 3 other computer and using some of my work bonus to pay for any of these choices. This will cut the prices down drastically as well.

I guess I want to know who would pick what and for what reasons. I want a great comp and something, which won't be outdated for a while. So let me know what's overkilled and what's not up to spec on these rigs.

I'm leaning towards the custom built rig, but I would really like the Mac Pro, it seems ideal for upgrading and expansion over a long period of time.

GodTom47 · 10-31-2006, 09:40 PM

Xeon processors are more for servers if I'm not mistaken.

jp198780 · 10-31-2006, 10:25 PM

yeahh, they are God..

but i would say Custom Build 1..

Emperor_nero · 10-31-2006, 11:37 PM

custum build 1 and I would't go with macs, macs BAD

Sacrinyellow5 · 11-01-2006, 04:53 AM

Thanks for the info "God" it's the only processor that they provide.

10-31-2006, 09:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sacrinyellow5 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 916	To build or not to build? Which of these? I'm thinking about purchasing or buying a new computer, but I'm not completely sure on what route to take. I'm not apposed to building a computer nor would I mind buying a pre-built. Here are my three options I'm debating about. I'm really looking for something to do multi-tasking work and some light gaming. I work as a graphic designer and would also like to do some light video and music editing on top of my design work. I will also be downsizing from having 3 computers to 1. I am not apposed to spending a decent amount on a computer, so it is not outdated in a few years. Expanding on it and upgrading is not out of the question either. I'm really looking for a good work computer, which also can support future games and programs and not be obsolete in a few years Pre-Built 1 ------------------- Dell XPS-410 Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 (2.4Ghz 1066 FSB) XP Professional with free Windows Business Vista Upgrade 2 GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 667 Mhz 250 GB HD (7,200) DVD-R/CD-R Combo (Dual-Layer) 256 Mb GeForce 7900 GS Intergraded Soundblaster Audigy (HD Software Edition) USB Key Board & Mouse Microsoft Office Basic ---------------------- Around $1700 -- I don't think the price is terrible on this, but it also includes a 1 year warranty and some other useful aps, which might take up money in a custom build. -- I'll be using a DVD-R, 250 GB HD, and 19 LCD monitor, which I already own to complete the System -- I can also put this on a payment plan and possibly get a work discount. Custom Build 1 ------------------- Case -- (Still Deciding - $150 Budget) PS -- ATX 12V StarTech 450 Watt PS -- May not need it Case has PS Mobo--Gigabyte Technology GA-965P-S3 ATX Socket 775 Motherboard, for Intel Core 2 Duo / Pentium 4 / Pentium D Processors Processor -- Intel Viiv Technology Core 2 Duo E6400, 2.13 GHz, 1066 MHz OS -- XP Professional Memory -- 2 x Kingston HyperX 1GB PC2-5400 Main OS HD -- Western Digital Raptor 74GB Hard Drive (10,000rpm) Video Card (Still looking any suggestions would be great -- 200-250 budget) Sound Card (30-50) still deciding ---------------------- $1650 or so (Some parts will have rebates) These are all parts, which I can find at my local computer store or order through them. I'm not big into ordering online and waiting, so I figured I would find parts locally. -- I'll be using a DVD-R, 250 GB HD, and 19 LCD monitor, which I already own to complete the comp. --No payment plan here, just charge the majority of it and using the money I receive from selling my other comps. -- Any performance or price saving suggestions would be great! Pre-Built System 2 ------------------- Mac Pro Tower "Going back to the Dark Side" Two 2.0 Ghz Dual Core Intel Xeon Processors 2 GB DDR2 @ 667Mhz Ram 160 Gb (7,200 rpm) ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512 MB One 16x Superdrive No Display Mac OS X Apply Care Protection Plan 3 Years ------------------- 2,918.00 -- I like this option a lot, because of the payment plan and a possible student discount. --Expandability of up to 3 Extar HD's and an extra Optical Drive -- I can also use Boot-Camp to load an XP Partition to run for games and other Microsoft based applications. I will be selling my 3 other computer and using some of my work bonus to pay for any of these choices. This will cut the prices down drastically as well. I guess I want to know who would pick what and for what reasons. I want a great comp and something, which won't be outdated for a while. So let me know what's overkilled and what's not up to spec on these rigs. I'm leaning towards the custom built rig, but I would really like the Mac Pro, it seems ideal for upgrading and expansion over a long period of time. __________________ Harvey Pekar "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff" ------------------------------------------------- -Tower /AMD 64x2 Dual Core 4400+ (2.3Ghz) 3 GB DDR2/Geforce 8400GS/160 SATA HD/DVD-RW/Vista Home -Laptop /Core 2 Duo T6460 (1.66Ghz)/2 GB DDR2/Intel GMA X3100/250 SATA HD/Vista Premium -Server /P4 2.26 Ghz/1 GB Ram/GeForce FX 5200/80 & 250GB HDx2/DVD-RW/XP -MAC G4(Quick Silver)/768 Mb Rams/40 GB & 2x120GB HD/DVD-RW/OSX Go Cards!

10-31-2006, 10:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
jp198780 Diamond Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deptford, New Jersey Age: 17 Posts: 4,090	yeahh, they are God.. but i would say Custom Build 1.. __________________ My computer:Amd x2 4200+@2.20ghz 1gb ram 200gb 7200rpm hard drive X1950XT xp home

10-31-2006, 11:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Emperor_nero Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 2,301	custum build 1 and I would't go with macs, macs BAD __________________ I play Rugby, and no its not like it's sissy cousin with the pads.

11-01-2006, 04:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sacrinyellow5 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 916	Thanks for the info "God" it's the only processor that they provide. __________________ Harvey Pekar "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff" ------------------------------------------------- -Tower /AMD 64x2 Dual Core 4400+ (2.3Ghz) 3 GB DDR2/Geforce 8400GS/160 SATA HD/DVD-RW/Vista Home -Laptop /Core 2 Duo T6460 (1.66Ghz)/2 GB DDR2/Intel GMA X3100/250 SATA HD/Vista Premium -Server /P4 2.26 Ghz/1 GB Ram/GeForce FX 5200/80 & 250GB HDx2/DVD-RW/XP -MAC G4(Quick Silver)/768 Mb Rams/40 GB & 2x120GB HD/DVD-RW/OSX Go Cards!

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10-31-2006, 09:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
GodTom47 Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 19 Posts: 103	Xeon processors are more for servers if I'm not mistaken.

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