(One of) my desktop PCs bit the dust a couple of weeks ago. It was a little over four years old.
My father jumped at the chance to replace it for me.
The thing about our family is that we do not walk into a store and point to a box--oh no. My father's hard-core. Here's how we shop.
- Pentium D 830 3.0g GHz processor: $133.86 ($50 rebate)
- motherboard to match processor: $49.13
- 1 gig RAM: $149.99 ($100 rebate)
- cooling fan: $18.99 ($10 rebate)
End result?
A spanking new computer with quite decent specs for $201.20 (includes $9.23 shipping and handling).
The only caveat? Assembly required.
He would've gotten me a double-layer DVD-burner to compliment my pre-existing CD-burner, but I turned it down. I also turned down a new monitor.
I did, however, accept a 1 gig Flash memory stick for $7.98 (after rebate).
I'm all tech'ed out for the season.
New desktop for $200
November 26th, 2006 at 06:24 am
November 26th, 2006 at 06:50 am 1164523804
November 26th, 2006 at 06:54 am 1164524080
November 26th, 2006 at 05:51 pm 1164563519
Say, if anyone wants links, I can post them. Last I checked, these deals are still available.
~mimi
November 26th, 2006 at 06:04 pm 1164564266
If I ever decide to get a new computer (although I'm not planning to), I would totally build it from scratch. It's lots of fun (to me) and you get the system exactly the way you want it.
The downside is that if screw up anything, you're liable for it, not the vendor.
Just slightly curious, but what kind motherboard, ram, and cooling fan is it?
November 26th, 2006 at 06:04 pm 1164564268
November 26th, 2006 at 07:13 pm 1164568437
buy a Dell.
I'm not kidding. Due to their incredible buying power, they can crank out desktops for $150-$300 cheaper than an equivalent system that you build yourself. They're also well constructed and come with a half-decent warranty. Never customize your system on their website though (i.e. adding extra ram, another drive) because that's where they get you. Stick with the base package and you can't go wrong!
November 27th, 2006 at 01:28 am 1164590912
- Intel Pentium D 830 3.0gGhz DT 800FSB Socket 775
- ABIT SG80DC Socket 775 Motherboard
- Ultra 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz
- Masscool 8W0141B Socket 775 CPU Cooling Fan 3.6GHz
The cooling fan was required, or else it voids the warranty on the processor.
carter: We never scrap anything unless it's truly busted. All of our old computers are stripped for parts, and we always build new computers from scratch.
For whatever reason, Dell has a bad rep among IT folks. I'm not the most well-versed in hardware (I used to be a web developer and tech support for software), so I can't say exactly why, but the sense that I get is that IT folks dislike Dell for the same reason they dislike Windows--it's good for the average user, but bad for the tech professional.
Dell is certainly one of the cheapest systems, but price doesn't drive all decisions. I still think that building your own system is the best compromise between price and quality--if you have the know-how and the motivation.
~mimi
November 27th, 2006 at 05:31 pm 1164648697
Socket 775 eh? Sounds about right for the price you paid. Nothing wrong with that of course. And yeah, I'd assume if you didn't add a CPU fan on there, you'd have more to worry about than just voiding the warranty.
The trouble with Dell is that it isn't the most reliable vendor around. As you have stated perfectly, it's good if you want one for yourself at a good price. However, when you have to service hundreds of these computers, the Total Cost of Ownership (plus time and money to keep them in service) just isn't worth the aggravation.
That's one of the main reasons why IBM's Thinkpads (now Lenovo) are so popular for the corporate world and power-users. They may not be the cheapest around, but they are very rugged and reliable. I have to say that, except for the XPS, I would never buy a Dell laptop. I've got friends who has them too, and they've found it to be too fragile. Desktops are OK though. In fact, my desktop work computer is a Dell.
November 28th, 2006 at 03:05 am 1164683133
The exception being the motherboard. Dell uses re-branded Intel or Abit motherboards that it orders in huge quantities. To save a penny for themselves, the manufacturers send Dell re-branded versions of an existing board, but with a couple components removed. They make up a cut for themselves by removing a capacitor here or a transistor there. This is what makes them slightly less stable than an off-the-shelf part.
Even if you end up replacing the motherboard during the lifetime of your computer, you're still ahead a few hundred dollars. Remember, retail computer parts fail too. Usually a couple days after the warranty expires!
November 30th, 2006 at 07:51 am 1164873060
DH once built his computer from a kit and parts, but nearly every part he bought was bad. Good learning experience, but it made it very hard to troubleshoot.