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Jinn · 07-14-2006, 01:52 PM

You can buy a computer from a huge manufacturer that is just as fast and just as powerful as any machine you can build yourself. The only reason to go for a home-built one is PRICE.

When you buy a Dell, or an HP, or an Alienware -- you're paying for assembly. You're paying for the wages of the Tech Support people that you can call when there's trouble. You're paying for the warranty on your parts, or whatever. And you're paying for the software that they pre-install.

If you build your own PC (and I recommend it, and only do it) you have to remember that you are taking a risk. All the parts that you buy individually may or may not be compatible. Furthermore, if they break, you're likely on your own. No warranties. You might be able to RMA it, but I wouldn't count on it. Furthermore, any software that you need.. like Windows.. you're going to have to buy or ..borrow.

It's cheaper, but it's riskier.

Of the two boxes you have listed, I personally wouldn't go with the Dell. It sucks, and the machine you've laid out is much better.

The Build it:
Case: Apex PC-115
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro SLI 939 socket
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice nice chip
Memory: Corsair XMS 512 (x2 for 1GB) GOOD memory
Hard drive: Seagate Barracuda 80 GB
Video Card: ATI Radeon X1300 pro 256 mb decent
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster SB0570
Power Supply: Antec Smartpower 2.0 Sp-500
Monitor: Samsung 940b Cost:
Misc: Keyboard: Rosewill RKM810SLV
Disc Drive: Sony DDU1615

The Dell:
2.8 GHz Processor (Pentium D)
Windows XP Media Center do you really need to pay for MCE?
Nvidia Gforce 7300LE Turbo Cache 256 Mb There's a reason it's called the LE - the Light Edition it's a 60 dollar card and it won't be good in another 6 months..
1GB DDR2 SDRAM
250 GB Harddrive @ 7200 rpm
16x DVD Burner
19” Ultrasharp Monitor 1907FP Flat Panel
7.1 Audio
Keyboard and Mouse

07-14-2006, 01:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	You can buy a computer from a huge manufacturer that is just as fast and just as powerful as any machine you can build yourself. The only reason to go for a home-built one is PRICE. When you buy a Dell, or an HP, or an Alienware -- you're paying for assembly. You're paying for the wages of the Tech Support people that you can call when there's trouble. You're paying for the warranty on your parts, or whatever. And you're paying for the software that they pre-install. If you build your own PC (and I recommend it, and only do it) you have to remember that you are taking a risk. All the parts that you buy individually may or may not be compatible. Furthermore, if they break, you're likely on your own. No warranties. You might be able to RMA it, but I wouldn't count on it. Furthermore, any software that you need.. like Windows.. you're going to have to buy or ..borrow. It's cheaper, but it's riskier. Of the two boxes you have listed, I personally wouldn't go with the Dell. It sucks, and the machine you've laid out is much better. The Build it: Case: Apex PC-115 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro SLI 939 socket Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice nice chip Memory: Corsair XMS 512 (x2 for 1GB) GOOD memory Hard drive: Seagate Barracuda 80 GB Video Card: ATI Radeon X1300 pro 256 mb *decent* Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Power Supply: Antec Smartpower 2.0 Sp-500 Monitor: Samsung 940b Cost: Misc: Keyboard: Rosewill RKM810SLV Disc Drive: Sony DDU1615 The Dell: 2.8 GHz Processor (Pentium D) Windows XP Media Center do you really need to pay for MCE? Nvidia Gforce 7300LE Turbo Cache 256 Mb There's a reason it's called the LE - the Light Edition it's a 60 dollar card and it won't be good in another 6 months.. 1GB DDR2 SDRAM 250 GB Harddrive @ 7200 rpm 16x DVD Burner 19” Ultrasharp Monitor 1907FP Flat Panel 7.1 Audio Keyboard and Mouse __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel Last edited by Jinn; 07-14-2006 at 01:58 PM..