Everyone has there preferences, as far as how to go about putting a PC together.
As I said before, and I'm sure most people agree, going the way of the 'pre-assembled Package' is definitely a no-no.
My Mrs went this way only three years ago. She went and bought a Compaq Pressario. At the time it was pretty much 'state of the art' as far as size,power and speed went, with 800 mb P3 and 128 mb Ram and a 20 gig HD. (it cost $A1899-00)
I didn't know much about PC's then. Don't know much now!
But I knew enough then to tell her to go to the local PC shop man and get the same (which may not be as 'spiffy' looking, but would be better in the long run).
Within 6 months we learnt that the case (moulded) was too small to take any really worthwhile upgrade, Compaq were going broke (HP took them over, I believe?) and the Ram strips that were used were still the old style (double sided) which were, even then, out of date and hard to get in the 256 size (it only has 2 Ram ports).
My local PC shop man is a nice bloke and a friend - but not to the point where I'd get any great discount - just free, honest advice.
He said to me 2 months ago, that he would build me a very good 'Flight Sim' tailored CPU (just the Case and content) no monitors or attachments for around $800 - $1000 (Aust dollar is about 0.66 US).
He was offering this (I still have it in his handwriting on the back of an Invoice for some Ram).
2.2 - 2.5 GB P4 (depending on brand)
512 Dual Channel DDR (2 x 256)
40 GB HD
400 watt Power Supply
CD rewrite (No speeds or anything listed)
10/100 lan connection
128 mb Graphics card (depending on brand)
Obviously, items such as the graphics card and Processor are the ones that will decide if it's closer to $800 or $1000, but I think that's a pretty good set up for general simming (and any of my Business office needs too
)
I know many people wouldn't be happy with this, but for the price (and the fact that I'm going to try and build it myself for around $600-00, using some bits I already have), it'll do me for a good while.
I wouldn't expect it to last me much more than a couple of years before I had to consider updating to the next 'BIG' advancement in processor or graphics etc. Let's face it, who knows what great leap may be made in the next year or two!)
I'm wondering, Mav, if you're not paying alot more than you normally would for equal performance, for the Dell name and their particular components, rather than 'generic' components that may be half the price.
But once again, each to his own. Everyone likes a nice new, shiny, really modern looking setup on thier PC desk, but that particular 'novelty' wears off after a short while. I (just me personally) can't see where there is $3000 value in any PC, especially from a company that 'specialises' in Packages, as such. I just couldn't trust them. ;D
I just think the local PC shop man has to rely on your return business and your referrals to other people. He can't afford to 'take you for a ride' like Compaq, HP et al.
P.S. One thing about the Mrs mistake! I've got all the software I'll need to make my new one work well for me. All I need is Norton Antivirus 2003.
It also showed me how much better Windows Me is than all the other 'silly' Op's ......................lol
Intel i7 960 quad 3.2G LGA 1366, Asus P6X58D Premium, 750W Corsair, 6 gig 1600 DDR3, Spinpoint 1TB 720
