Jimellow

I bought a Dell a few years ago (2001 if I recall correctly), and since my computer has been starting to act up.

At the time, I was into PC gaming and spent $2000+ on a PC, excluding monitor.

I just bought a new monitor hoping to fix a PC-related issue (see my other thread in this forum), and since that hasn't fixed the problem, I am considering buying another Dell, this time keeping things under $1000 and focusing on a more basic PC, than a gaming (read, expensive) one.

Furthermore, instead of spending $300-400 on a comparable video card, I would rather spend $800-1k and "start fresh" this time building a system more focused on browsing the Internet, desktopping, and using a computer for word processing, and occasionally a basic game, such as DXBall, etc.

Basically, my PC is over 5 years old, and while I don't need cutting edge for gaming, I'd still appreciate a more updated PC in general. Even a basic 2.5 Gig processor is 3 times faster than I am running now..

I went to Dell.com just now and started customizing their Dimension B110 model.

The resulting model came out as follows:

The important thing for me, is that this is not a gaming machine. It will be a "desktop" and used by myself and my family for browsing the Internet, word processing, and basic games and video viewing.

I could put money into upgrading my current PC, but even spending $500 is half of this new PC, which is faster on all levels, except Video Card, which I won't be needing anyway.

My current PC is an 866 Mhz, with 256 MB RAM, a 60 GB hard drive, and Soundblaster Live! value. It's dated, and I have no desire to continue pumping any money into it.

My question you to all is: Do you think this computer will suffice for desktop/family use? The video card will likely be bare bones, but will that allow me to use a respectable screen resolution and watch movies? The sound card is nothing impressive, but will I be able to listen to MP3s and other online audio without problems?

I am at the point where I have no interest in spending large amounts of money to build a uber gaming system, because I don't PC Game anymore and I am trying to be more frugal/cost conscious in general as I start to get older.

Furthermore, I game on consoles, and intend to use my PC for everything but gaming from here on out, and just wondered if you think the system above will work well for me?

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Cynthetiq

seems fine for what you claim your usage would be.

I buy the least amount for the most amount and that's what I see here.

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spindles

I've used the Intel "integrated" graphics and sound stuff before and they are quite acceptable as an "office" machine. I think, for the use to which you are putting it, this machine will be fine.

My "database" machine - under the desk is using this kind of setup (onboard graphics/network/sound) - it is not my main desktop, but it certainly runs the native resolution of my lcd screen (1280x1024) without any problems.

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cyrnel

Jimellow, TigerDirect has a 3GHz Celeron D (345) with Intel motherboard and 512MB for ~$118. It uses integrated graphics too, but for $118 total who's going to complain. It would compare nicely to that new Dell, especially if you can bring along some of your old RAM.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=MCM-GVHZL-345

You'd have to ask someone else here if your Dell motherboard mounts would accept industry standard motherboards. Some Dells do, some don't. If not you could pick up another case at the same time and pull your old Dell HD, floppy, CD, etc. I just hate to see people buy everything over again when the problem isn't understood.

BTW, if you haven't already, download the latest video driver. Boot in safe mode, go to device manager and uninstall the current driver. Reboot, then install the new one. It does sound like failed hardware (vs. interference) but I'd give it a final attempt before giving up. It'd also be sad to toss things just because you have a gamma/driver mismatch. (which can happen when changing between driver versions without uninstalling completely)

Good luck however things fall.

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P-Naughty

I have a beef with Dell... They like using proprietary connectors and voltage for mobos and PSUs. It can make it somewhat (read: very) difficult to upgrade later down the road or just repair something like a broken motherboard without sending it back. You can't just go out and buy a motherboard or PSU from Newegg or ZipZoomFly that would be compatible.

Other than their use proprietary hardware, I can't really complain. They seem to make good, high quality machines from what I've seen. And for what you will supposedly be doing with your computer, it should be fine.

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cj2112

how about looking at ibuypower.com to get an idea what that configuration would cost built with off the shelf parts?

DEI37

Yeah, I think you'd do better going with a machine you build yourself. Probably for $200 less, even. If you do go with a Dell AND have a home network, I might advise you to upgrade to WinXP Pro, instead of Home.

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cj2112

for 200 bucks more you could build a screaming machine, and i bet for a couple hundred bucks less, you could build that machine yourself.

Jimellow

Building the PC myself is tempting, but I have no idea what I am doing, and know nothing about what parts are compatible, etc..

I mean, I've taken my PC apart numerous times today and switched around cards, but beyond that I am pretty clueless, and the task of building a PC from scratch seems pretty daunting.

__________________
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Plaid13

building your own pc is the only way to go if your on a budget. and its not as hard as you would think. for the most part the parts come with the instructions you need.


Just a quick trip through newegg.com to pick some nice budget minded quality stuff. to end up with about the same price as the dell you had picked out but a much nicer system. a video card that will play all the newest games but is still afordable and a sound card and surround speakers you know just to make those movies and mp3s that much nicer =) same sound card and basicly the same speakers i have and it sounds wonderful for both dvds and cds or anything else you would want to hear.
Now i didnt pick out a moniter because you said you had just bought one but everything else should be there unless you want to add another cooling fan or two for the case. or a 56k modem if you need it dunno if you do or not same with a floppy drive but thats like $5 and i dont think anyone uses them anymore anyway unless you need it for work or school or something. a much larger hard drive so you shouldnt have to worry about running out of space any time soon. The mouse i picked is the one i personaly use just because holding a cheap mouse just gets annoying as hell.

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Not the easiest list to read through but its early and im lazy =) of corse shipping will cost a bit but its basicly all there and its a nice system and easy to upgrade if you ever want to

Cynthetiq

While I used to enjoy building a machine, I don't think that the effort and time are worth it any longer.

Advantage Dell:

Push power button doesn't turn on. Call Dell.

No video on the screen. Call Dell.

Hard drive doesn't boot up. Call Dell.

Cannot connect to network. Call Dell.

For the above problems when you build it yourself, look in mirror. You can post your problem here, but maybe not if it's your only PC, but if you do it will take several attemps to help you via threads.

I'm going to say for the $200 savings since you aren't a technical person, BUY DELL.

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Chamaeleontidae

You can always save the couple of hundred, and still get a dell, by buying from the Dell Outlet...

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