To Build or Buy, That is the Question

High End / Gaming





























































 Dell XPS Gen 4Build
Price$3,687 – $300mir* = $3,387$3,162.69
ProcessorIntel Pentium 4 EE 3.4ghzPentium 4 EE 3.4ghz
RAM1 GB Dual Channel DDR2 533mhz1 GB Dual Channel DDR2 533 MHZ
OSMicrosoft Windows XP ProMicrosoft Windows XP Pro
Optical 116x DVD +/- RW16x DVD +/- RW
Optical 216x DVD-Rom16x DVD-Rom
Hard Drive 174 GB SATA (10,000 RPM)74 GB SATA (10,000 RPM)

Hard Drive 2

250 GB SATA (7,200 RPM)250 GB SATA (7,200 RPM)
Floppy DriveYesYes
Monitor17 inch LCD17 inch LCD
Video CardATI 850 XT PE, 256 MBATI 850 XT PE, 256 MB
Sound CardSound Blaster Audigy 2 ZSSound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
Keyboard / MouseStandardStandard
Case / PSUStandard DellEnlight / 350 watt

*Mir = mail in Rebate
Link to build page: http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=1316649


Comparison


It appears that if you intend to purchase a gaming or very high end computer, building it is the way to go right now. The total savings are $224.31, even after a $300 mail in rebate from Dell and the fact that they throw in a free 17 inch LCD. Both systems are top of the line, with the newest PCI-Express video card from ATI, a very nice sound card to compliment the already wonderful onboard sound, and plenty of storage for those gamers who need it. The parts in this system are only needed by those who do extreme amounts of multitasking, video editing, graphics work, or do lots of heavy gaming.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Free eBook!

Like what you read?

If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:

Post A Comment Using Facebook

  • Pingback: Better to Buy or Build a Computer?

  • Pingback: Matt’s Weblog

  • http://www.thewinerypost.com Thomas Leonard

    You don’t address the issue of build or buy!

    Which makes your article “JUNK”.

    As a owner of multiple HP products and having to deal with their customer support more than once and one of those times it was a over 5 hours that their tech person helped me.
    One of the times it was help for a computer that was 2+ years out of warranty.

    NOW Whether to build or buy,
    THAT IS STILL THE QUESTION THAT WAS NEVER ANSWERED.

    • http://menga.net Rich Menga

      Congratulations, you just commented on a five-year-old article.

      Go buy a Mac. Apple people love it WHEN YOU TALK IN ALL CAPS LIKE A BLITHERING IDIOT. You’ll fit right in.

What’s Your Preference?

Daily Alerts

Each day we send out a quick email to thousands of PCMECH readers to notify them of new posts. This email is just a short, plain email with titles and links to our latest posts. You can unsubscribe from this service at any time.

You can subscribe to it by leaving your email address in the following field and confirming your subscription when you get an email asking you to do so.

Enter your email address for
Daily Updates:

Weekly Newsletter

Running for over 6 years, the PCMECH weekly newsletter helps you keep tabs on the world of tech. Each issue includes news bits, an article, an exclusive rant as well as a download of the week. This newsletter is subscribed to by over 28,000 readers (many who also subscribe to the other option) - come join the community!

To subscribe to this weekly newsletter simply add your email address to the following field and then follow the confirmation prompts. You will be able to unsubscribe at any time.

Enter your email address for
Free Weekly Newsletter: