Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests I think I might build a computer ...

Originally posted by PA 3L SVT:

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Two questions:
1) RAM. Gotta go with a top tier manufacturer, which pretty much leaves Kingston and Crucial as far as I can tell. I read the Kingstons tend to get hot (but are a bit cheaper). RAM heatspreaders are recommended - anyone want to comment on RAM cooling? The heatspreaders I saw looked pretty flimsy; I suppose they work to cool a few degrees. I'm not sure if active RAM cooling is appropriate for my setup ... don't want to go overboard.

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2) Vid card. I don't see spending $100 for a high end - I just want middle of the line. How are the GeForce FX 5200 cards? Gainward looks to be a reputable brand, and that card is priced well for what it has. I definitely want something that is 8x AGP capable.

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The FX5200 cards, especially the non-Ultra cards, are junk. Just look at the prices of the last generation Ti 4200s and the current 5200's. Right now, AGP 8X is more of a marketing thing than a performance thing. And when it does become a performance thing, the 5200 won't be able to take advantage. Don't let that be a selling point.

Keep an eye on the Newegg refurb section (it seems they do updates around 3:30 - 4:00 on weekdays), you can really get some bargins on video cards. I ended up getting a GeForce FX 5900 for $153. Also got 2x256 Kingston HyperX for about $80.

The SLK3700AMB is more of a bronze color, while the BQE is black. The BQE is an updated version, I think they rotated the hard drive cage 90 degrees. I'd hold off on the extra fan until you get the system together and look at the temps. May not need it, and it'd keep things quieter. Both are good cases with excellent power supplies. They have doors, so you won't see your mismatched drives anyways Part of the reason I went with the Sonata.

Double check that you can't get Windows and Office from your school. I was able to get em for about $10 each at Ball State... We even got Norton Anti-Virus Corporate Edition for free. You've already paid for it with your tuition!

Originally posted by APT:

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Originally posted by auiotour:

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blah...blah...blah...Now back to Dell. Give me any computer they have, and I could build a system for way cheaper then they sell them for...blah...blah...blah....

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I built my computer and at the time saved some decent money vs. if I had just typed in www.dell.com and configured a similar system. I used pricewatch as my guide, but actually beat many of them by buying locally with rebates. Pricewatch is a good place to start, but it is not the best deals. Anyway, I recommended getting a Dell hot deal, not just any configuration you want. Tell me that you can beat these prices:

#2
Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.66GHz with 533MHz front side bus ($186 - Pentium 4 2.6GHz with cpu, fan )
Case ($20 - Full ATX 400w)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition ($89.99)
Mail-In Rebate Offer: $200 MAIL-IN-REBATE!
256MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 333MHz (2x128M) ($34 - PC2400 DDR 256MB 1 Stick!)
Dell® Quietkey® Keyboard ($6.95)
Dell® 2-button scroll mouse ($2.00)
Free Palm Zire 21 ($99 retail value) ($96.00)
Productivity Pack including WordPerfect® and Money® ($15.00)
Dell Security Center by McAfee w/ VirusScan, Firewall and Privacy, 90-day, (Free Download on www.mcafee.com)
FREE UPGRADE! 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive ($63.00 with 8MB Cache, Dell only has 2mb Cache
3.5 in Floppy Drive ($1.50)
Single Drive: 48x CD-RW Drive ($35 - EIDE 54x32x54, just a bit faster then their piece)
No Monitor
Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2 (Never want integrated graphics! BTW on motherboard! Much better, you can even play 3D games unlike most onboard graphics cards, $44 - RADEON 9200 128MB )
Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 (D) Card with Dolby® Digital 5.1 capability ($23.00)
No Speaker Option
Dell Jukebox powered by MUSICMATCH (Who would want it, just use Windows Media Player, its free! and way better)
Dell Picture Studio (Junk very many non-dell versions out there), Paint Shop Pro Trial (should I be impressed), Photo Album Starter (not the full thing, and sure is a dime for a dozen CDs of that)
Dell Media Experience (It has on board, what less could you want to expierence, motherboard I added has much better)
RealOneâ?¢ Player, with 14 day SuperPass trial (download at real.com, ohh a trial I have to pay for!!! with my comp)
No ISP requested
No Modem Requested
Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet (on board)
Purchase is not intended for resale. ( I dont mind if you resale)
1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year On-site Service (all parts come with 3 year warranty), i dont charge you more)
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= $649.00 (My total price $614.45)
- $64.90 (10% off SB orders email exclusive)
+ $5.50 Shipping (Shipping included)
+ $41.28 Tax (No tax)
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Total Price1 $630.88 Total Price $614.45. If I used a motherboard with onboard video, I could have knocked it down $44.00 more, so that would put it at $570.45. For a savings of $60.43. Wow I feel good, Should I attemp the others now.


And the examples could go on forever. Look at Jason's current PC and what his uses are. In my experience, he can get a decent Dell P4 (not cely) 2.5-2.8GHz system with a 17" quality LCD for under $750.

Jason,

I bought a re-badged Lite-On 48x CDRW for $20 after rebates. I also bought soem other brand 52x CDRW for $10 after rebates. Unless you are obsesses with black, it is cheaper to get drives locally, CD, DVD, and HDD. Keyboards and mice (cheap ones) are often free after rebates. Check your weekly flyers for BB, CC, Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc. 17" CRT is only $50-70 about once a month locally. 19" flat screen is in the $150 range for an okay one, under $100 for non-flat.

Aaron

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Originally posted by sigma:

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You forgot one thing, auiotour....

Dell's $200 rebate on that system.

The final price of that system was $425.38, shipped to your door.

Your price was $614.45, plus you have to ship it to these guys at probably $50 shipping.

Difference of $239.07 in favor of Dell.

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agreed - unless you're looking for some absolutely custom deal - you CANNOT beat DELL's pricing structure! (when optimally configured)

Originally posted by 24vHO:

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For me price really wasn't the consideration for building. It was to pick and choose the internals I wanted and just for the fun and satisfaction of assembling it. I agree that you can't beat some of the major's deals. And even if you could, in 3 months you can buy more for less anyways.

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BING BING BING ... Give this man a Cupie Doll. I've got Frankenmotor, why not have Frankencomputer?

Originally posted by sigma:

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Also, your $20 case complete with PS has to be one heck of a POS. Can't be nearly as good-looking as a Dell box. Cases like that, with a PS, run $60 easy.

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Here's a $21 case I can get w/ a 350W PS and front USB. Might be cheating though, since it's from a distributor I have an account with.