Good deal on a Dell?

[Claytens]

Hello everyone I am new to the forums, after reading some of the past posts I see this is a better board for info than alot of the others. I am looking for a new PC the ole P3 650mhz just dont cut it anymore.

Because of money issues I will not be able to build my PC....However I did see a good deal at Dell, I just wanted to get everyones thoughts on this PC before I go in debt more.

Dell 8400

Chipset 925X
P4-3.4ghz
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x512M)
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability
3.5 in Floppy Drive
17 in 1704FPT Ultrasharp Digital Flat Panel
256MB PCI Express x16 Nvidia® GeForce 6800 GTO Graphics Card
Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS (D) Card w/Dolby 5.1, and IEEE 1394
Dell A425 Speakers w/Subwoofer
Dell Optical USB Mouse
56k modem
And all the other crap dell throws in there
$1488 and free shipping

what do you think?

 

[aixenv]

dude you can build cheaper then you can buy from dell...atleast in that price range for 1500

a few thoughts,

if it's for gaming go amd64, that wins hands down, if it is for other purposes the intel is ok

good video card, sound card, monitor might have low resolution for gaming a crt might end up being better; you wont know what kind of motherboard you're going to get brandwise, you'd honestly be better off trying to spec a systerm out on newegg.com and try building it, it's a fun thing to do and can be cheaper then buying from dell.

 

[Tbirdkid]

No doubt, you could build a monster for that....

 

[Claytens]

Well right now I dont have the means to build one right now. The only way I can get one now is to go through dell. The original price of the PC was over $2,000 with the coupon 30% off dropped it .

 

[aixenv]

what do you mean the means? are you using a dell credit card or going through their financing plan and that's the only way you can get a new system? if so then by all means go that route, but if you have a credit card with 1500 on it, take our advice and build your own system, you obviously are more knowledgeable then the average joe because you're researching and on this site, you definitely could install your own system even if you had never done it before it's not that daunting a task, please elaborate if you can, and anyone here would be happy to help you along the way im sure

 

[Claytens]

If I go dell I would set up a financing plan. Credit card is almost done for the wife got ahold of it for christmas. I would like to build my own system with AMD 64 with the 939 pin set and PCI-e which I read PCI-e mobos are coming out soon. I just need a new system my current one is pushing 5 years now choose to 6. I am just have new computer fever maybe I should just try and wait. I dont know those darn dell deals are tempting.

 

[aixenv]

ok well we use dell/ibm@ work and i am impressed with their business class systems/servers

you should be fine with what you proposed try and stay nvidia on the video card and see if they have an amd64 solution if not go with what you have, either way it's lightyears better then your current system

enjoy!!

 

[Claytens]

Ok I am back, with some new number for you all to look at and give me some advice (trying to save money here.

Dell 4700

P 3.2
Window Xp Pro
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz
17 in 1704FPT Ultrasharp Digital Flat Panel Display
128MB PCI Express? x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon? X300 SE
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
3.5 in Floppy Drive
Dell A425 Speakers w/Subwoofer
Dell Optical USB Mouse
56k modem
Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability
And all the other crap dell throws in there $1167

I know its down sizing but I can alway add a new PCI-e card later when the prices go down.
Then again I think for 300 and some more dollars I get all the extra, then i think more money, then I think the less i spend now the more I will have to build my own pc in the years to come

 

[Frew]

Originally posted by: Claytens
128MB PCI Express? x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon? X300 SE

:frown:

 

[LordPhoenix]

Nooooooooooooooooooo

 

[imported_TimJ]

Don't get the X300... that's complete garbage. The 6800 GTO is NOT a 6800 GT by the way.

 

[w00t]

dell is bad.
"your not getting a dell"

 

[Claytens]

Hello thanks for all the advice, well after some serious thought, I think I am just going to save money and build my own system. It will take some time to do so but then I can get what I need.

Not to mention when you buy one all the crap that is preloaded on them is such a nightmare. So when the time comes I hope you all will be so kind to get me throught it .

Thanks

 

[Longkid]

I know this thread is a bit cold but I thought I'd drop you a reply on an 8400 I got for under $1300. Ive build alot of systems but using some dellf coupons I "think" i was able to get a decent system for a good price. The 25% off $1499 coupons are plentiful on forums or just from playing on the dellf. Worst case buy one off ebay for $2. The $1 LCD TV is about impossible to find. I was lucky a roommate of mine got one and didnt want it. Depending on the deal you can get this setup with a free LCD monitor anyway. Visit xpbargain.com for the stackable coupons (differ from week to week).

 

[nick1985]

what the hell is the 6800 GTO? is pontiac enetering the video card market?

 

[EmoHawk]

To be honest Dell are the best of the bunch. My family has had a couple over the years, before I had a clue about computers, and they have served us well but don't buy off the shelf unless thats your only option!!

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: nick1985
what the hell is the 6800 GTO? is pontiac enetering the video card market?

Basically slightly underclocked 6800GT with 12pipes instead of 16. It's sort of like 6800 but GTO has 256 DDR3 memory and faster clocks. OEM card. Early batches you could easily unlock the remaining 4 pipes for full 16 and do minor overclocking and you had full blown 6800GT. I've heard reports that Dell caught on and started to hardlock the pipes,but I don't know if that's true or not.

 

[DGath]

Figured I'd post the question... is there any point in getting a PCI-E Dell? You can't upgrade it and I don't think the cost justifies the performance gain. 2-3 years you are just going to have to buy a new system anyways. I dunno, that's just the way I see it. They're probably trying to unload their 865's which could probably be had for really cheap.

Not sure if you bought yet or not, but that is something to think of.

 

[Longkid]

Originally posted by: DGath
They're probably trying to unload their 865's which could probably be had for really cheap.

The mobo handles PCIe, which to my knowledge would immediately eliminate the 865 chipset. From what I know the 8400s are based on the 925X chipset.

Why not get PCIe? Now the graphics card I got bundled with the system will be able to be used in later SLI configurations. To say that just because its a dell its not upgradeable makes no sence. There are plenty of open expansion slots (3 PCI, 1PCIe 1x) as well as an extra IDE channel and open SATA headers. There are also two open DIMM slots to add more RAM should I need it. I guess what Im trying to say is there is no difference in upgradablilty from this system compared to any other.

With the deals available a PCIe setup seemed to be the only rational path to take, unless of course you have an excellent AGP graphics card you want to continue using. I still have a RADEON 8500 that im anxoius to retire.

Thats just 2-cents from a noob