Need help deciding between two computers; I don't want to make the same mistake three times...?

Question

I need help deciding on two computers
One is this Dell computer built from the website for $850 Total (shipping and Tax included). The reasoning for the low end hardware is because it's cheaper to upgrade afterwards than it is while building it.

PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6550 (4MB L2 Cache, 2.33GHz, 1333 FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition (will upgrade to XP Pro)
MONITOR: No Monitor
MEMORY: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2DIMMs (Will upgrade to 4GB)
HARD DRIVE: 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ (Will upgrade)
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD+/-RW Drive (Will buy addition drive later)
VIDEO CARD: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 (Will upgrade to Nvidia GeForce 8600 GTS 512MB RAM)
SOUND Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio (Will upgrade to Sound Blaster)
FLOPPY & MEDIA READER: Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader

The other is an HP Pavilion for $1230 Total (with tax)

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory: 2GB DDR2 at 667MHz
Hard Drive: 640 GB
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 8400 GS 256MB
Integrated soundcard


What do you think? The only thing I see different is the quad core processor compared to the dual core; at everything else, the Dell obliterates the HP: mainly the FSB for the RAM as well as the processor.


I can save $200-$200 on future upgrades with the Dell than with the HP. I want to upgrade the video card and sound card, both which would be cheaper to buy afterwards.

Answer 1

I'm wondering why you don't build your own if
1. you already planned on spending that much and
2. you are already planning on upgrading so many things

If you built your own you might even save a little plus pre-built manufacturer's computers usually don't upgrade too well.

ex:
power supply: $75
(asus/abit/msi/gigabyte) motherboard + CPU(e6750 or the quad core 6600): ~$300
case: $100
2GB ram: <$100
300GB - 500GBhard drive: $100
windows XP: $100
8800 gts 384mb video card: $300
Optical drive: $50

Look at this build less than $1150 AND i have been very lenient on the pricing...it could be less but you won't be paying more than 1150 + tax. On top of that video card/processor/ram will be better than what you have selected or even play to upgrade to.

If you opted out the video card for an integrated one and same cpu, the price would be cheaper the dell one AND still be a better computer overall. I helped a friend build a computer last week so these prices are very accurate.

Since you already know how to install windows, and video card/hdd I strongly urge you to build you own, it'll be a fun learning experience and it's not that harder than what you already know.

Answer 2

I've been tracking computers lately, because I want to upgrade this Christmas. I've been looking for the same capability that you are, and even though I own a Dell now, HP offers you more for the money. Until recently, the HP M8100 was a better deal than the Intel Core 2 Duo that you priced above, because HP gives you 3GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, but lately, there are HP models that are even better for ~$800.

For example, check out Circuit City's HP Pavillion A6152N: 2.4GHz, 8MB level 2 cache, 3GB RAM (8GB max.), 400GB hard drive, on sale for $800. Beats a number of the Dell specs for $50 less (and Dell's support sucks).

I'd avoid Dell, for price if not for service.

Answer 3

Dude, do not custom make on dells website they are **** and use **** brands.
You need a good motherboard eg. Asus p5n32 or EVGA 680i
You need a good brand gfx like ASUS or EVGA at least an 8800gts 320mb
You need a good cpu Intel Q6600 only $350AUD
You need good ram pc6400 800mhz at least go for Corsair or OCZ
You need a well cooled case eg. Antec Nine Hundred $165 AUD
HDD and OS is up 2 u.
Just go with the system i described and get a technician 2 build it for you. Its not just about the speeds of the product, its about the brands and their quality.

Answer 4

for that price, you should build your own
you could get a amd opteron third gen (barcelona)
for $400, 2gigs of ddr2 6400 (800mhz) ram for $70, the motherboard for $200, the case and psu for $120, and a radeon hd 2900xt for $380.
overclock the opteron to 2.5 ghz, and it'll crush both of those computers
and it costs $1270
more upgradability as you could put 2 opterons in one motherboard
and you could put another hd 2900xt on select motherboards
stuff like dvd/cd readers/writers and sound cards can be added for an additional $60


(third gen opteron beats core 2 duo and is quad core)


if you choose this, email me

Answer 5

Go with the cheaper and upgrade later. Though I have to say, I went and configured that mode myself just now and mine only came to about $750, not sure why the difference. Anyways, definately go with the cheaper one, you have the right idea. IM me if you can, as I think I can help you configure it a little less expensive.