Taos Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 I'm looking to replace this piece of $hit I have for a computer. I think I'm going to get a Dell computer, but I was just wondering if anyone else had any reccomendations for something else. Should I get a "pre-built" one like a Dell or should I do it by components and piece it together myself? I don't know a whole lot about it......if I could get some pros/cons to each that would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerothorn Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 Dell's a good choice. The company has some downfalls(Limited in how much you can customize it, for instance- they only offer a few types of things, and MAKE you buy some things, like speakers, even if you already have perfectly good ones) but its made up for in price and reliability. My only complaint is when I bought one half a year ago the Audigy wasn't avalible, even though it had been out for a long time. Anyway, building a computer yourself is cheaper, but A. It requires knowledge of how to build it- unless your completely sure of yourself don't do it, and B. Even if you build it right, if you have a tech problem, you can't call any tech support, you have to troubleshoot it yourself. So unless your a computer whiz get a Dell one. I can give you some advice on particular parts if you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treacherous Mercenary Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 Or, I could help you out on biulding it LT. Whenever we talk again, I'll help and suggest some stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrackan Solo Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 go to http://www.delloutlet.com they have refurbished computers for cheaper than they would be new. most are top of the line and most are brand new people just sent them back because they didnt get what they wanted. i just got one from dell outlet and it is top of the line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Glorfindel Posted February 9, 2003 Share Posted February 9, 2003 I built mine, I found it cheaper cause u can buy a cheap tower and a power supply, and buying a good mother board is good idea. And if u r going to build it yourself, cannibalize your computer u have now, and get some stuff that are going to be good for u in your new comp, for example, sound cards, get the one out of your computer your using now and put it into your new comp, but if u like great sound, buy a new one, but I didn't. And if u have a 20 Gig hardrive and r going to upgrade to a newer one, keep the 20 Gig as a secondary or if u have XP on it already, just put the bigger hardrive as the secondary. (IF U HAVE A LESS THEN 20 GIG HARDRIVE U CAN NOT PUT IT INTO XP, CAUSE XP DOES NOT HANDLE UNDER 20 GIG HD's). O and u can just use your the tower u have now, just get rid of the motherboard and processer (if u don't want keep them) and then just put the new motherboard and processer right back in. Those three tips will save u 200 bucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Simpson Posted February 9, 2003 Share Posted February 9, 2003 Well, I built mine from scratch, without any real knowledge of computers. I just followed a few guides on the internet, and everything went smooth and nice. One of the advantages is that you can get exactly the components you want, for a pretty cheap price. A disadvantage is troubleshooting, you have to do it yourself. I thought it was fun building my own PC, and I learned a lot from it in the process. But if you want to be completely on the safe side, I'd buy a pre-built one. Alienware makes good PC's, as does Falcon. They're gaming oriented computers. Dell is an allright choice, but I'd rather go with any of the other two I mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aliasalpha Posted February 9, 2003 Share Posted February 9, 2003 Build it yourself. All package systems do is lump you with inferior & limited crap. In many respects, you can litereally get 50% extra power for half the price. Also building one yourself significantly reduces the intimidation factor. When a mate of mine showed me how easy it was to tinker in my crappy old celeron package system, I quickly got the the point where I now build/repair computers for other people. Course I don't get PAID for it but... Knowledge is cheaper than crappy tech support that deprives you of your system for a week only got get back a note saying "Gee, I dunno". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerothorn Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Alias- all they do is lump stuff together? No, they provide tech support. If you have a tech problem on a computer you build yourself and can't figure it out, your screwed. And I got an Alienware computer and it wasn't very good, super expensive but worse performance then my Dell. Hard drive crashed 5 times in 1.5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunClown Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Leemu, would it be possible for you to go to one of those 'corner shop' type stores and choose each of the components that you want and for a standard fee (probably ~20) they build it for you and install the OS?. Thats what I did anyway, works out a lot cheaper and you get exactly what you want. I would also recomend against getting a cheap power supply. They can cause problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treacherous Mercenary Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Hey, what about shopping online for parts, then taking it all to a shop to get it all done then eh? You could save abit more money that way too. Check out: http://www.googlegear.com http://www.newegg.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leXX Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 I've had a Dell for a while now and it hasn't let me down once. Stick with the Dell Leemu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taos Posted February 11, 2003 Author Share Posted February 11, 2003 Thanks for all the help everyone! It is now time to put this into action. I'm going to a Dell store on Thursday, I can't wait to see what they have! If I don't like what I see, I'll try some other options that you have provided me with. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[KOC]Qui-Zan Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 Yea dell's good, but i have a message for everyone; DON'T BUY A COMPUTER FROM TIME! (it's a long story so don't ask ) If they haven't gone bankrupt by now But if you want to buy pc parts, i highly recommend skytronik.com I ordered my upgrade from them and they deliver pretty quick (Is you live in the UK) btw hey leemu, i've come to see what this place is all about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi Apprentice Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 I'd check out alienware computers. They're made specifically for gaming in mind. Worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerothorn Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 I wouldn't go with alienware- they cost an extra $500 or so for the same parts. Yes, you got a pretty painted computer, but thats about it- tech support isn't as good, and my computer came with a crappy loud fan I had to pay extra for. Then there was all the tech problems...crappy hard drives, short circuiting motherboard.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi Apprentice Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 Originally posted by Aerothorn I wouldn't go with alienware- they cost an extra $500 or so for the same parts. Yes, you got a pretty painted computer, but thats about it- tech support isn't as good, and my computer came with a crappy loud fan I had to pay extra for. Then there was all the tech problems...crappy hard drives, short circuiting motherboard.... Ahhh well, forget it then. I had just heard they were good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerothorn Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 Well I've heard from everyone they were good to- I guess I got a lime, and that my computer was the exception, not the rule. Still, its only for rich people- Are the slightly better? Probably. But only if you can afford to pay an extra $500 just for a little more customizability(You can choose from a larger selection of parts then dell) and nifty colors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treacherous Mercenary Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 Originally posted by Aerothorn Well I've heard from everyone they were good to- I guess I got a lime, and that my computer was the exception, not the rule. Still, its only for rich people- Are the slightly better? Probably. But only if you can afford to pay an extra $500 just for a little more customizability(You can choose from a larger selection of parts then dell) and nifty colors. You can get something better than Alienware if you look in the right places online though. The extra money could get you a liquid system for your PC to overclock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taos Posted February 20, 2003 Author Share Posted February 20, 2003 Ok, thanks again for all of your help. I decided on a Dell 4550. This one cost me a pretty penny, but it's my reward to myself for getting a new job etc. Specs are: 2.4 mhz p4 512 mb ram 60 gig hd 128 mb radeon 9700 ati graphics card 17" flat panel display I'm a total beginner to pc gaming...but I'm looking forward to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-s/<itzo- Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 nice specs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi Apprentice Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Thats a very nice comp you got there. Should last you quite a while. Did it have an 80 gig option though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taos Posted February 20, 2003 Author Share Posted February 20, 2003 Thanks, I'm hoping that it will last me quite a while. No, it did not have the 80 gig option.....after 60 it went to 120 which was another $150 bucks. I really needed to save where I could so I went with the 60.....I just won't leave too much on it at once. At least right now...that's the plan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jed Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Well, if you need space in the future, I saw a 250 GB external drive for $299. PC Connection always has a good deal on storage if you need it, an additional 80 GB drive would cost only $129. 60 GB is good though, that's what I've got on my Dell laptop right here. *pats hard drive* Leemu, you'll own everyone with that computer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Glorfindel Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 U own me in every department except in monitors, cause I have a 19 incher that I use for the net. But, ur computer still is going to rock!!! PS Leemu Just as a suggestion, an easy PC game to start on is JKII, and plus JKII is also a great game and great online/LAN play so its a double plus, easy and good MP (and it has a great SP also). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taos Posted February 21, 2003 Author Share Posted February 21, 2003 Thanks for the suggestion LG....to let you know, I went out and bough JO about a week ago - even before I had the pc on order! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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