I'm in the market for a new desktop that's up to playing Oblivion and Supreme Commander. I've been pricing parts on the internet, reading other people's posts on custom builds, and comparing PCs from the affordable guys (ibuypower, cyberpowerpc). I think I might end up going with a Dell and adding a new video card on my own.
The big reason why I think the Dell makes sense for me is that they throw in monitors for dirt cheap, and I need one - I'm working on a laptop now. Here's what they offer:
Intel E6420 (2.13mhz, 4MB L2 cache)
Vista (I'm going to call and ask for XP)
22 inch E228WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel
2GB DDR2 @ 667mhz
250GB HDD @ 7200RPM w/ 16MB cache
16x DVD+/-RW
3 Year Warranty
Total: $1009
If I throw in another $250 for a new video card, that still keeps it at under $1300. Does this seem reasonable? No other manufacturer has comparable prices, and I don't save much at all through getting the parts myself. I understand that the RAM isn't 800mhz, and the mobo is an unknown, but do those outweigh the cost savings in my situation?
Thanks!
The big reason why I think the Dell makes sense for me is that they throw in monitors for dirt cheap, and I need one - I'm working on a laptop now. Here's what they offer:
Intel E6420 (2.13mhz, 4MB L2 cache)
Vista (I'm going to call and ask for XP)
22 inch E228WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel
2GB DDR2 @ 667mhz
250GB HDD @ 7200RPM w/ 16MB cache
16x DVD+/-RW
3 Year Warranty
Total: $1009
If I throw in another $250 for a new video card, that still keeps it at under $1300. Does this seem reasonable? No other manufacturer has comparable prices, and I don't save much at all through getting the parts myself. I understand that the RAM isn't 800mhz, and the mobo is an unknown, but do those outweigh the cost savings in my situation?
Thanks!