Building from Dell, building from home

T

teedub

New Member
Let me start off by saying I know very little about computer components.

I've been struggling for the last few days trying to decide on a new computer. I've asked friends who know about computers and can't seem to get a solid answer. Opinions vary so widely it's frustrating.

All I want is an all around computer. Something for college work, web browsing, videos, and some gaming. When I say some gaming, I don't mean COD4. I'm not a dedicated gamer, but I do play old games like Counter Strike and wouldn't mind trying a few newer games.

The problem: I don't want to spend more than $500.

I can build a computer from Dell that would seemingly meet my needs (from what I've been told) for under $400, which would leave me room to upgrade the video card. Or I can upgrade the ram and/or processor and stay just under $500.

Specs on one that someone threw together from Dell's 'build it your way':
Inspiron 546

AMD Athlon™ II X2 215 (2.7GHz, 1MB)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4 DIMMs
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache


Now, I've noted that newegg is having some sales going on. Can I build something better, including an OS (preferably Win7), and stay under $500 that would beat a Dell?
 
PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189005

Case+CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.281773

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

Mobo+OS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.292739

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

ODD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131178

That would bring it to about $515 before shipping.



If you go with a dell, you cannot just upgrade the video card. You would also have to upgrade the power supply in order to handle it. Building your own you can get DDR3 memory vs DDR2, a faster CPU(the athlon II 215 only has 2x512kb cache), better motherboard and optical drive, etc. (Dell uses the cheapest materials it can for their computers)
 
bomberboysk said:
PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189005

Case+CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.281773

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

Mobo+OS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.292739

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

ODD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131178

That would bring it to about $515 before shipping.



If you go with a dell, you cannot just upgrade the video card. You would also have to upgrade the power supply in order to handle it. Building your own you can get DDR3 memory vs DDR2, a faster CPU(the athlon II 215 only has 2x512kb cache), better motherboard and optical drive, etc. (Dell uses the cheapest materials it can for their computers)
Click to expand...


I've dropped the idea of building the Dell as I don't have time to wait for it.

Everything you listed would make a complete system, correct? What would the computer be suited for?

jasonwow said:
build you own
Click to expand...

Thank you for the helpful information. :rolleyes:
 
teedub said:
I've dropped the idea of building the Dell as I don't have time to wait for it.

Everything you listed would make a complete system, correct? What would the computer be suited for?
Click to expand...

Normal activities(web/email/office programs), some light gaming(cod4 at medium/medium high settings, maxxing out older games such as CSS and such). Could also do some work in photoshop and such with it as well as light CAD work. Basically unless you want to run crysis maxxed or be running software like the new autocad or solidworks with large complex designs then it should suit most needs.
 
Ok heres the specs on my old rig, to this day it will play ANY game on high and most maxed. Windows vista 32 bit, duo core 2.66ghz, 3gb RAM, 8800gtx. Anything higher then that will get you just what you need.
 
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