New "reliable" computer needed, Dell?

[techwanabe]

I've had various computer problems including video card go bad 4 times now, and now a power supply looks like its flakey and going bad. This is my current system:
-AMD Athlon 2500+ Barton
-Epox 8RDA+ Nforce 2
-512 mb stick of Geil PC3200 value memory
-20 gb Western Digial 7200 Rpm
-ASUS v9280 Geforce 4 ti-4200 128 mb video card
-Antec Lanboy case with 350 Watt Smartblue power supply
-WinXP pro

My folks have given me $1000 to buy a "reliable" computer - they suggest Dell. Naturally since I have been building computers for 4 years, it isn't an option that I'd prefer, but I have to look into the Dell option, esp because I don't care for Gateway, Compaq or HP. Dell have been difficult to self service in the past but they seem to be getting better.

Any suggestions for Dell? General comments?

They come with flat panel monitors in many current systems, are they any good for casual gamers?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Invest in power conditioning and a good powersupply.

I think the biggest benefit manufacturers provide to people (besides the chance to learn foreign languages) is a good PSU.

 

[techwanabe]

Well,

I have an older computer with a "computer show" cheap case I bought, ABIT ST6 motherboard and Celeron-T processor - I have had that case/PS for 4 years now and used it solid for over 2 with no problems where I live. I'm thinking that Antec isn't as good as it has been made out to be. I bought an Antec case to build a computer for a friend and the P/S was bad right off the bat. I've had issues probably which can be traced to mine now - how can I have a memory stick fail once and video card fail four times? I replaced the motherboard and the video card is failing again (4th time). Only thing left is the power supply.

Anyway, the money was given to buy a new "reliable" computer so I want to make an effort back in that direction. Besides, my 17" Samsung monitor is getting long in the tooth (4 years old now) and showing signs of age. A new system with new monitor would be a good idea in some ways. Dell seem to be reliable - many companies and Universities rely on them.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Well,

I have an older computer with a "computer show" cheap case I bought, ABIT ST6 motherboard and Celeron-T processor - I have had that case/PS for 4 years now and used it solid for over 2 with no problems where I live. I'm thinking that Antec isn't as good as it has been made out to be. I bought an Antec case to build a computer for a friend and the P/S was bad right off the bat. I've had issues probably which can be traced to mine now - how can I have a memory stick fail once and video card fail four times? I replaced the motherboard and the video card is failing again (4th time). Only thing left is the power supply.

Bad power supplies happen. There are members on this forum that use Antec PSUs in more computers than I own, and have had no issues.

Anyway, the money was given to buy a new "reliable" computer so I want to make an effort back in that direction. Besides, my 17" Samsung monitor is getting long in the tooth (4 years old now) and showing signs of age. A new system with new monitor would be a good idea in some ways. Dell seem to be reliable - many companies and Universities rely on them.

Dell would be a fine choice for a reliable computer. Beef up the warranty and you shouldn't have any real issues.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Well,

I have an older computer with a "computer show" cheap case I bought, ABIT ST6 motherboard and Celeron-T processor - I have had that case/PS for 4 years now and used it solid for over 2 with no problems where I live. I'm thinking that Antec isn't as good as it has been made out to be. I bought an Antec case to build a computer for a friend and the P/S was bad right off the bat. I've had issues probably which can be traced to mine now - how can I have a memory stick fail once and video card fail four times? I replaced the motherboard and the video card is failing again (4th time). Only thing left is the power supply.

Bad power supplies happen. There are members on this forum that use Antec PSUs in more computers than I own, and have had no issues.

Anyway, the money was given to buy a new "reliable" computer so I want to make an effort back in that direction. Besides, my 17" Samsung monitor is getting long in the tooth (4 years old now) and showing signs of age. A new system with new monitor would be a good idea in some ways. Dell seem to be reliable - many companies and Universities rely on them.

Dell would be a fine choice for a reliable computer. Beef up the warranty and you shouldn't have any real issues.

-Epox 8RDA+ Nforce 2

have been known to have capacitor issues..

 

[OMGoddess]

Didn't read entire thread but why not build your own?

 

[Wingznut]

Dimension 8400: 3GHz (800FSB), 1GB DDR2, 160GB, X800SE, 16x DVD+-

All for $1038, with free 2nd day shipping.


From the Hot Deals forum.

 

[piroroadkill]

Listen the guy who said about the capacitor issues on your mobo.

If all you truly need is a decent new Socket A mobo and maybe a shiny new TFT, buying a new Dell PC would be a complete waste of your money.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
Dimension 8400: 3GHz (800FSB), 1GB DDR2, 160GB, X800SE, 16x DVD+-

All for $1038, with free 2nd day shipping.


From the Hot Deals forum.

That looks like a pretty sweet machine and a nice big flat screen too.

edit: The link is dead - is this deal off now?

 

[techwanabe]

Didn't read entire thread but why not build your own?

I have been "rolling" my own since summer of 2000. But my folks sent me money because they have heard me mention my woe's with the video card failing 4 times, the memory failing and now the computer just shuts down randomly once in a while. I've had the motherboard sent back and replaced, the video card has been replaced 3 times, going on 4, and the P/S may be to blame for all these past woe's? Not sure. My first computer I built with a Computer show case, ASUS P3V4X, PIII 550E and Micron memory - it worked great for almost 2 years, then I replaced the motherboard/CPU with the ST6 and Tualatin 1.0A @ 1.3ghz for a speed boost in the same case. It has been very reliable too. Last Sept 2003, I built a totally new computer based on the Antec Lanboy, Athlon 2500+Barton, 512 mb DDR, Epox8RD+ and have had the problems I mentioned above.

I'd prefer to build my own, but the folks gave me money to buy a "reliable" system. If I spent the money to build another computer and had issues with it - I'd never hear the end of it. I feel confident with my hardware skills - I've built some 30 computers at my last job and they were all great. I just have had a run of bad luck with the last machine - and tracking down the source(s) of the problem has been a long process and I"m still not sure if the power supply is to blame - 4 video cards, 1 stick of memory in one years time. The mobo was replaced by Epox but they said the only thing wrong with the original was a memory slot was found to be bad.... no capacitor issues as has been raised by others.

The funny thing is my first computer I built in 2000 with ASUS P3V4X/PIII550E, and the upgraded version using the ABIT ST6 and Tualatin 1.0A were both overclocked an ran that way most the time, the former at 733 mhz and the latter at 1.34 ghz. The computer I've had all the problems with has been run at stock speed. I guess thats a good thing because I haven't voided the warranty on the video card, CPU etc... go figure. But I am getting pretty tired of RMAing my video card ever couple months!

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: techwanabe

Originally posted by: Wingznut
Dimension 8400: 3GHz (800FSB), 1GB DDR2, 160GB, X800SE, 16x DVD+-

All for $1038, with free 2nd day shipping.


From the Hot Deals forum.

That looks like a pretty sweet machine and a nice big flat screen too.

edit: The link is dead - is this deal off now?

not that I'm aware of..try this link ..remember there is a coupon involved..

 

[slinky22]

If I had your system and $1000 I would buy a really good PSU for around $150 (Antec, OCZ, Enermax, Forton etc), a 6800 GT for around $400, 1gig Crucial Ballistix memory for around $300 and then a new CPU such as a retail AMD 64 3000 for $160 or so. Then you could sell your old parts and use the remaining money to buy lots of ice cream.

Mmm, ice cream...

 

[techwanabe]

ScrapSilicon,

I've never purchased from Dell before being a scratch builder - how do those coupons work?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
ScrapSilicon,

I've never purchased from Dell before being a scratch builder - how do those coupons work?

they are applied at checkout..but read the thread

 

[Markfw]

Well, if you want to BUILD a reliable system, thats easy for $1000. Just let us know, and it will blow that Dell out of the water for gaming. How about this ?

ANTEC Life Style Series Black Case With 380W Power Supply, Model "SONATA"
Item# N82E16811129127 $95.99

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK
Item# N82E16827152023 $69.99

Seagate 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST3120026A, OEM
Item# N82E16822148022 $88.50

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail
Item# N82E16820146219 $156.00

CHAINTECH nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 Athlon 64 CPU, Model "VNF3-250" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16813152043 $78.00

AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail
Item# N82E16819103484 $235.00

eVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB GDDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "128-A8-N343-AX" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16814130202 $285.00

Total (Before tax): $ 1,008.48

 

[Wingznut]

Markfw900.... Don't forget about Monitor, WinXP, Keyboard, Mouse, etc.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Well, if you want to BUILD a reliable system, thats easy for $1000. Just let us know, and it will blow that Dell out of the water for gaming. How about this ?

ANTEC Life Style Series Black Case With 380W Power Supply, Model "SONATA"
Item# N82E16811129127 $95.99

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK
Item# N82E16827152023 $69.99

Seagate 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST3120026A, OEM
Item# N82E16822148022 $88.50

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail
Item# N82E16820146219 $156.00

CHAINTECH nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 Athlon 64 CPU, Model "VNF3-250" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16813152043 $78.00

AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail
Item# N82E16819103484 $235.00

eVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB GDDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "128-A8-N343-AX" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16814130202 $285.00

Total (Before tax): $ 1,008.48

I would take that Dell deal over this.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
Markfw900.... Don't forget about Monitor, WinXP, Keyboard, Mouse, etc.

Well I assumed he had that already. The monitor is a bonus most people dont' need, but that system is way faster than the dell, especially in games, it will kill it.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Well, if you want to BUILD a reliable system, thats easy for $1000. Just let us know, and it will blow that Dell out of the water for gaming. How about this ?

ANTEC Life Style Series Black Case With 380W Power Supply, Model "SONATA"
Item# N82E16811129127 $95.99

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK
Item# N82E16827152023 $69.99

Seagate 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST3120026A, OEM
Item# N82E16822148022 $88.50

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail
Item# N82E16820146219 $156.00

CHAINTECH nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 Athlon 64 CPU, Model "VNF3-250" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16813152043 $78.00

AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail
Item# N82E16819103484 $235.00

eVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB GDDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "128-A8-N343-AX" -RETAIL
Item# N82E16814130202 $285.00

Total (Before tax): $ 1,008.48

Get rid of that garbage chaintech and you have a nice system there

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Markfw900

Originally posted by: Wingznut
Markfw900.... Don't forget about Monitor, WinXP, Keyboard, Mouse, etc.

Well I assumed he had that already. The monitor is a bonus most people dont' need, but that system is way faster than the dell, especially in games, it will kill it.

No it won't. Both are pretty comparable speed wise with A64 being little faster. X800SE is not slow videocard. It's faster than 9800XT and will give that 6800NU run for its money.

Dell comes with lot of extras. You can always sell that 19" LCD if you don't need it. But it sounds like the OP could use a new monitor.

 

[Pythias]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Invest in power conditioning and a good powersupply.

I think the biggest benefit manufacturers provide to people (besides the chance to learn foreign languages) is a good PSU.

Yep, power is the most overlooked component. However, the unwashed masses seem to be wising up.
Er...I hope!

 

[Adn4n]

Wasn't there just a post in the video forum as to why dell monitors suck? Or was that an LCD?

 

[DGath]

While Dell is one route to go, I'd really stray away from their proprietary components, go with another manufacturer that uses standard components. Someone on these boards has to know of a good computer manufacturer online that doesnt' use proprietary components with good customer service/warranty service. Depending on where you live, there should be a small performance computer shop near you as well which has techs and sales professionals who could steer you in the right direction if their prices are too high. Another option is to take your computer to a place like that and speak with the techs and have them give you reccomendations on which components to replace, they could also do full diagnostics to tell you which components might be bad. Troubleshooting problems yourself is always the cheapest option, but a place like that (NOT Best Buy, etc...) is commonly the easiest way though and should really only charge $45-60.

Check out www.monarchcomputer.com. I haven't heard a single thing about their computers or their service, but their a site I've seen advertised a few times and is what I'd be looking for in terms of an online builder. They appear to have a great selection of components and appear to know what they're doing, but check around for sites like that and you can get a pretty damn good computer, with a full warranty and onsite support for under $1,000 (no monitor).

However, if you do go with a Dell, first thing you do is wipe the drive and install from scratch and you shouldn't have any problems.

Good luck.

 

[Pythias]

Monarch is good, ABS is okay as well. They leave room for future upgrades.

http://www.abspc.com/index.asp

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: DGath
While Dell is one route to go, I'd really stray away from their proprietary components, go with another manufacturer that uses standard components. Someone on these boards has to know of a good

However, if you do go with a Dell, first thing you do is wipe the drive and install from scratch and you shouldn't have any problems.

Good luck.

That has always been my traditional beef with Dell... some say the newer computers are better than older. My folks and sister has/had Dell and I couldn't replace the mobo on one due to proprietary case plug etc.

Why the wipe and install from scratch?