Should I buy or should I build?

[SonnieP]

I'm considering the following computer from Monarch Computers...


Monarch Versall Custom Desktop w/DDR2 $59.00 (For them putting it together.)

Case: Lian-Li PC-61 Aluminum (Black) $115.00

Power Supply: PS 450W - OCZ OCZ45012U ModStream ATX 2.0 $75.00

Motherboard: Intel D915GAGLK Audio/Video/PCI-E/GB-LAN/ $110.00
Processor: Intel P4 630 3.0 GHz LGA775 2MB 800 FSB $258.00
Thermal Grease: Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease $14.00
Memory: DDR2 (400) 3200 - 1GB (2 X 512MB) REG ECC Corsair $216
Hard Drive: SATA - Western Digital (WD740GD) 74 GB/10 $175.00
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW: CD-ROM - Asus CD-S520 52X CD-ROM (Black) $26.00
CD-RW/DVD-RW: CD-RW - Asus 5232ASQT-BLK 52X32X52 CD-RW $45.00
Floppy Drive: Mitsumi 1.44 MB 3.5" Floppy Drive (Black) $20.00
Sound Card: On-board
Video Card: ATI (Connect3D) Radeon X300 128MB DDR/PCI $70.00
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/Servi $150.00
Warranty: 1 Year - Parts & Labor - Plus $15.00
CD-RW Software: Ahead Nero 6.3 Suite DVD+-RW Software $6.99
I-Rocks X Structure Keyboard (Black) (KB-6110) 1 $30.00

ViewSonic 19" VG910S LCD Flat Panel w/Speaker (Silver) 1 $375.00

Subtotal for your selected options: $1,354.99

I already have the Logitech MX-1000 Cordless Mouse

And I'll be adding this:
Logisys 20 in 1 Control Panel

I want a GB Lan which I understand this MB includes... or does it? Anything I have to add to make it work?

I'll be using this computer in my office and will run our finance program, Peachtree Accounting, MS Office (Word and Publisher) and I fiddle with our website a good bit... run Easy HTML, Paint Shop Pro, SecureFX. Then I surf the Internet a lot... forums, etc. I do not play any games.

I've never tried to put together a computer but I've installed a harddrive, memory, cd drive, power supply, etc... all along. I think I could do it, but will it really save me that much money. Monarch only claims to charge $59 to install everything, however I'm sure their prices on the hardware could be beat.

Looking for opinions on the items chosen and any suggestions as to improvements for what I'm doing and suggestions on building.

Thanks!

 

[SonnieP]

Well.... that quote above does not include the monitor... spiffy little trick I didn't catch on the cart.

Went to newegg.com and come up with what I think is a good system for much less...


My Saved Items:

RAIDMAX Astro ATX-268WB Black 0.7mm Japanese SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: ATX-268WB
$30.00

RAIDMAX RX-450KW ATX12V 450W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: RX-450KW
$39.99

GIGABYTE GA-8I915P DUO PRO Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 915P ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-8I915P DUO PRO
$112.00

Intel Pentium 4 630 Prescott 800MHz FSB LGA 775 EM64T Processor Model BX80547PG3000F - Retail
Model #: BX80547PG3000F
$225.99

Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD740GD
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$186.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT533D2 - Retail
Model #: VS1GBKIT533D2
$87.85

NEC Silver IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - OEM
Model #: ND-3540A
$43.99

AeroCool 841269042147 8-in-1 USB2.0 Silver Cool Panel Card Reader and Writer - Retail
Model #: 841269042147
$33.99

GIGABYTE GV-RX30128D Radeon X300 128MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: GV-RX30128D
$68.00

COOLMAX 18-Inch, SATA ( SERIAL ATA 150 ) Cable, 2-Head, BLUE Model SATA 18" 2H BLUE - OEM
Model #: SATA 18" 2H BLUE
$3.49

Antec UV rounded IDE Cable, ATA-133 Model A36UV-W ATA-133 - Retail
Model #: A36UV-W ATA-133
$14.49

Spire NeonBarII Cold Cathode NeonBar II, Blue - OEM
Model #: NeonBB
$4.99

Scythe SCKB03-SV 2-Tone PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard - Retail
Model #: SCKB03-SV
$4.99

ViewSonic VG910S Silver 19" 25ms LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: VG910s
$365.99

Total with shipping $1296.85

Now... if I can just put it together...


Come on... help me out. What am I missing? Any cables I need? I have WinXP Pro I can install without buying since I'm doing away with the computer it's on.

Gimmie some feedback!

 

[ripken2004]

most of the cables come w/ the mobo so try to look at the pics of it to see whats there, and u need a certain WD Raptor cable

 

[Dropkickmurphys]

nice re-use of the clash song "should i stay or should i go"

 

[alanuofm]

since you doing any gaming you can easily build a computer for less than 600$. there is no need to build a pentium 6xx or need an ocz power supply. lemme check out some good parts for cheap

 

[flame1117]

your newegg one is much better, the other one is way overpriced IMO

 

[SonnieP]

Okay... Dell just put this unit up this morning... I can hardly pass it up:

Dimension 9100
Pentium® 4 Processor 630 with HT Technology (3GHz, 800FSB)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Unit Price
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
Keyboard Dell USB Keyboard
Monitors 19 inch Ultrasharp™ 1905FP Digital Flat Panel
Video Card 128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory
Hard Drives 80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Floppy Drive and Media Card Reader 9 in 1 Media Card Reader
Mouse Dell® 2-button USB mouse
Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Document Management Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD Single Drive: 48x CD-RW Drive
Sound Card Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Speakers Dell AS501 10W Flat Panel Attached Spkrs for UltraSharp™ Flat Panels
Mail-In Rebate $100 Mail In Rebate

TOTAL:$1,128.00

$1,028 AFTER MAIL-IN REBATE!

Anything less and I really won't be upgrading my old computer... I can take it to the house and replace that slow poke.

Out of curiousity... I wonder what motherboard Dell uses?

 

[alanuofm]

Raidmax Diamond 228 ATX-228SP Mid Tower PC Case (Beige) Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=168100

Gigabyte GA-K8NSC-939 nForce3 250Gb Athlon 64(FX) Skt939 DDR ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA Retail ***Free 2nd Day***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241799

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Processor Socket 939 Retail ***Free 2nd Day***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-2

Corsair VS256MB400 256MB DDR400 PC3200 CAS2.5 Value Select Memory Retail *** Free 2nd Day ***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80093-6

Western Digital WD Caviar WD1600JD 160GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive *** Free 2nd Day ***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101208-1

NEC ND-3520A 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Bare Drive (Beige) ***Free 2nd Day***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=172503

Sony FD MPF920Z161/131 1.44MB 3.5in Floppy Disk Drive (Beige) *** Free 2nd Day ***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=111002

Logitech Internet Pro Desktop Internet Keyboard & Optical Mouse Combo (Sea Gray) ***Free 2nd Day***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=211114

Asus A9600GE/TD Radeon 9600 AGP 8X 128MB DDR Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI Retail ***Free 2nd Day***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=324551

ViewSonic VA912B 19in LCD Monitor Retail ***Free 2nd Day***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=231784

grand total including shipping: 878.40$

then just get that card reader thing and you're set.

 

[alanuofm]

that dell probably has a 90 day warranty. after that you are SOL. most of the parts on zipzoomfly have 3 year warranties.

 

[SonnieP]

Actually it's a 1 yr warranty...

That's a whole lot less system to have to piece together.

I've had good success with Dell's in the past... having purchased 7 of them. The only reason I was considering elsewhere or building my own was because the above Dell system was $1600+ yesterday. For $1028... it's hard to beat.

 

[alanuofm]

personally even i saved 200$ i would go for it. building isn't that big of a problem. probably an hour to assemble and then install the necessary stuff. that system is pretty good minus the video card. building is fun though

 

[SonnieP]

Dimension 9100 for $996 (This has 3GHz processor + WinXP + additional 256MB of DDR2 memory - plus a few extra software programs that might be valuable to some - these are minimums with this system but they are over an above your $878 system)... and this system is put together and tested. INCLUDES 3-YR ON-SITE WARRANTY! (I have never needed a warranty with Dell myself - take this down to a 1-YR and the system is $869)

Processor:
Pentium® 4 Processor 630 with HT Technology (3GHz, 800FSB) SX630B

Operating System:
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Memory:
512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz - 2DIMMs

Dell Service & Support Plans:
3 Yr On-site Business Plan
$127 Mail In Rebate

Keyboard:
Dell USB Keyboard

Mouse:
Dell® 2-button USB mouse

Productivity Software Pre-Installed:
Corel WordPerfect®

Document Management:
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0

Hard Drives:
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™

CD or DVD Drive:
Single Drive: 16x DVD+/-RW with double layer write capability

Floppy Drive:
3.5 in Floppy Drive

Monitors:
19 inch E193FP Flat Panel

Video Card:
128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory

Sound Card:
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

Speakers:
Dell AS501PA 10W Flat Panel Attached Spkrs

Digital Music:
Musicmatch® Jukebox Basic

Digital Photography:
Photo Album™ SE Basic

Network Interface:
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet

Mail-In Rebate:
System Rebate
$100 Mail In Rebate

Not too shabby!

 

[Explode_ADX]

I would buy it and I would get the warrenty just incase

 

[SonnieP]

I bought the first Dell 9100 that I configured. Couldn't pass it up.

 

[Lax]

Generally speaking building your own is cheaper and you can customize it more towards your liking. Buying your own you don't know exactly what parts are being put into the machine and how cheaply they were made. So if you buy a dell you might be getting a cheaper computer, but it's just that, a cheap computer. For the extra 100-200$ you're going to spend on building your own you'll end up a lot happier because you know what type of parts are going in and what type of quality they are.

 

[SonnieP]

So are the Dell's parts that inferior?

This is on one of our Dimension 3000 low-end systems from Dell that we run in our office as a workstation.

MB=Intel® (Dell branded-not sure which model)
Processor=Intel® P4 2.8GHz 533 FSB
HD=Western Digital Caviar 40GB Enhanced Ultra ATA 100
RAM=ProMOS Technologies DDR SDRAM PC3200 400MHz
VC=Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2

Not sure on the CD-Rom drive (not going to the trouble of pulling it out).

The power supply is Dell branded.

Not sure who makes their cases but the 9100 appears to be a nice case. The 3000 is not half bad itself.

In the 9100's you step in several ways including a better video card in ATI.

In comparison to the system that alanuofm the parts don't seem to be that much different... or at least not so inferior as to call them cheap. Just my opinion though.

 

[SonnieP]

The Dell Ultrasharp monitors are very nice as well and I have those along with my Viewsonic... I can't tell any difference... they all are very nice.

 

[apj101]

Generally speaking building your own is cheaper and you can customize it more towards your liking. Buying your own you don't know exactly what parts are being put into the machine and how cheaply they were made. So if you buy a dell you might be getting a cheaper computer, but it's just that, a cheap computer. For the extra 100-200$ you're going to spend on building your own you'll end up a lot happier because you know what type of parts are going in and what type of quality they are.

well put. The prices you see in magazines and online for oem machines can lead you to think that you can't build a pc for cheaper due to their mass economies of scale. But lord anthrax is correct, they use cheaper lower quality parts. Build it your self and you know its all good

 

[SonnieP]

I suppose quality in computer parts is subjective. I've owned 7 Dell's (6 desktops and 1 laptop) over 7 years. Of course 3 of those desktops are fairly new, but the other 3 and the laptop I have never had a minutes problem. They have ran smoothly and trouble free. One of the old ones (a Dimension 8200) is still running very strong after 4 years. The other 2 were still running but after 7 years it was time to replace them... one of them is being taken home for use by an employee and the other we will probably sell or maybe give it to the school.

In my case, the Dell parts are of very good quality... as my experience has proven.

If I wanted to dig really hard and find the lowest prices on every part I could probably end up saving a buck or two, or I might even spend a little more to get Corsair memory over ProMOS, not that it would make much difference other than a name stamp. But then I have to put it together, which if I really wanted to take the time I could probably do with some help. Then if I have problems, it's my fault.

I suppose it all depends on what you are willing to do.

For me... the Dell option was more satisfying.

 

[apj101]

your quite right, with the task that you are doing i doubt youd really notice the difference between a oem, and a custom made. When you start talking about cpu intensive tasks and hard core gaming, the quality of your components will start to shine through.