budget build: pre-built vs. custom build

[roaming_builder]

Ok, I have a friend who was asking me to build her a computer. She wants it for just everyday use and for the internet. She wont be much of a gamer or need anything too extreme. She will need a keyboard and mouse and the whole setup. What I was wondering is whether I should try to set up something that I could build myself, or If I should just order herr one thru dell or a similar company. Here is one I put together really quickly on dell:

Dimension E510




Date 9/12/2006 8:55:58 AM Central Standard Time

Catalog Number 29 Retail 19



Catalog Number / Description Product Code SKU Id



Dell Dimension E510 Series:
Pentium® D Processor 805 with Dual Core Technology (2.66GHz, 533FSB) CZ805H [222-3917] 1


Operating System:
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition with re-installation CD WMCEM [310-7143][412-0688][412-0721][420-4927][420-5460][420-5476][420-5646][420-5769][420-5924][463-2282] 11


Memory:
512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x256M) 512M5 [311-5499] 3


Hard Drive:
80GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ 8MB cache 80S [341-3256] 8


CD or DVD Drive:
Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability 16DVDRW [313-4120][420-5781][420-5790] 16


Monitor:
17 inch E177FP Analog Flat Panel E177FP2 [465-7130] 5


Video Card:
128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory X300SE [320-4309] 6


Sound:
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio IS [313-2758] 17


Mouse:
Mouse included in Wireless, Laser or Bluetooth Package N [310-1966] 12


Adobe Software:
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0 AAREAD [412-0914] 15


Network Card:
Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet IN [430-0412] 13


Miscellaneous:
Award Winning Service and Support E510E14 [465-7112] 82


Future Operating Systems:
Windows Vista™ Capable VISTAC [465-4663] 118


Speakers:
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system) N [313-2198] 18


Keyboard and Mouse Bundles:
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse EKOM [310-8025][310-8030] 4


Floppy Drive and Media Reader:
13 in 1 Media Card Reader MCR13 [341-2773] 10


Modem:
56K PCI Data Fax Modem DFAX [313-3840] 14


Office Software (not included in Windows XP):
No productivity suite- Includes Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD DWRK [412-0912] 22


Security Software:
No Security Subscription NS2 [412-0850] 25


Dell Digital Entertainment:
Starter pack- Basic and trial products from Corel and Yahoo SEP [412-0865] 399


Hardware Warranty:
1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support S111OS [950-3337][950-9797][960-6200][960-6380][983-2207] 29


Dial - Up Internet Access:
6 Months of America Online Membership Included AOLDHS [412-0687][412-0787][420-3224] 37


Discovery Channel's Cosmeo:
Discovery Cosmeo - Monthly Subscription (30 Day Free Trial) DISCMON [465-5908] 156

I think that would suffice for her needs and it comes up to just over 700 dollars. I can also save another 12% thru my work, which would bring it down even further. The thing that I wonder about is that I have never had a problem with a computer that I have built. It seems like they are far and above better than mass built systems that you get from companies.

I just wonder whether or not I could build a comparable computer with mouse, keyboard, and monitor for around this price, and if I could, would it be good enough that I would be comfortable giving it to this girl. I am not the kind of persom that likes to skimp on price and I always go for the best, but she wants something cheap that will work and she wont be testing the limits of her computer nearly as hard as I do. now i am just ranting on......

I am going to start putting a build together on newegg now and see how cheap I can get it.

Another reason I wanted to build it myself is because if she has a problem with it, i will be able to help her. Also, if she does want to upgrade it later, it will be alot easier to do so if it is not using all dell components or whatever (not having to buy their RAM, etc.)

thanks for any ideas or comments,

Roaming_Builder

//end e-book =)

[glc]

No, you can't build one for that price. You don't have to use Dell components to upgrade a Dell. The E510 is an excellent machine for general use and LIGHT gaming (the video card isn't very strong) and should be very reliable. You can get a program called PC Decrapifier to remove all the preinstalled Dell shovelware.

I believe the motherboard in a E510 is a Foxconn-built BTX board with an Intel 945G chipset.

[roaming_builder]

thanks for the reply GLC

I did put one together on newegg:

parts are as follows.


Qty. Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price

Update Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: SLK3000-B
Item #: N82E16811129152

In Stock
$54.99 $54.99

Update ASUS P5ND2-SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 4 SLI Intel Edition ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5ND2-SLI
Item #: N82E16813131578
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
In Stock
$85.99 $85.99

Update PNY VCG66256XPB Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: VCG66256XPB
Item #: N82E16814133154

In Stock
$59.99 $59.99

Update Intel Pentium 4 524 Prescott 3.06GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80547PE3066E - Retail
Model #: BX80547PE3066E
Item #: N82E16819116014
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
In Stock
$92.00 $92.00

Update CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB (2 x 256MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS512MBKIT533D2 - Retail
Model #: VS512MBKIT533D2
Item #: N82E16820145530

In Stock
$59.99 $59.99

Update Western Digital Caviar SE WD1200JS 120GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD1200JS
Item #: N82E16822144414

In Stock
$55.99 $55.99

Update Logitech Media Elite 967559-0403 Black USB + PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard - Retail
Model #: 967559-0403
Item #: N82E16823126178

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$26.98 $26.98

Update LG L1917S-BN Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: L1917S-BN
Item #: N82E16824005076
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
** Dead Pixels Policy: Replacement or Refund for 8 or more dead pixels only.
In Stock
$199.99 $199.99

Update Logitech Optical Mouse 931145-0403 Black 3 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse - Retail
Model #: 931145-0403
Item #: N82E16826104164

In Stock
$12.75 $12.75

Update Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
Model #: N09-01991
Item #: N82E16832116056
** Software delivered damaged and/or defective may be returned for an identical replacement.
In Stock
$87.99 $87.99
Subtotal: $736.66

With a total of 730 dollars, it doesnt look like too bad of a computer, plus will be somewhat upgradable in the future if she decides to. I am hesitant to buy another dell, cuz I have had problems with them in the past...

[glc]

I would not use that motherboard, video card, or processor. That case also doesn't come with a power supply. You are missing an optical drive. The Dell will outperform that build.

[lenny]

"Hello lenny it appears that you have not posted on our forums in several weeks, why not take a few moments to ask a question, help provide a solution or just engage in a conversation with another member in any one of our forums?"

In response to the above, I will do my best to explain. After trying to complete my first build, I realized I have made several blunders
during the process, mainly by accepting assistance from a friend who had dropped by and is well versed in building a computer.
I went as far as to put all the components on to the motherboard outside the case myself. The Motherboard, Processor and Ram
I purchased through Newegg.
motherboard>asus a8n-e socket 939 nvidia nforce ultra atx amd (newegg#n82e16813131530)
processor>amd athlon 64 3200+venice 2000mhz ht socket 939(newegg#n82e16819103535)
memory>ocz 1gb 184 pin ddr sdram ddr 400(pc3200) (newegg#n82e16820146969)
The components I purchased had manuals and I thought I understood its contents.
With no alibies intents, I took for granted the use of the case,without a manual, and other components,including a copy of
WindowsXP home which I had challenge its validity.
AS for the CD disk " How to build your own Computer" I purchased from PCMech, I had reviewed multiple times and I believed I
understood thoughly. It is a great informer. After completion,and using the computer I came to the conclusion that I erred in
accepting the assistance. All this I may have mentioned in part in one of my post on the Forum. All this I hope to leave behind
me since last Aug 13,2005, I injured my self in an attempt to pick up a large rock in 4 foot of water in the lake, thus being
hospitilized for 4 months in bed. After multiple series of therapy I am able to walk satisfactorily and preparing to leave the
Lake Region in New Hampshire to return to Florida to start my second build.
With the great help of many members of the Forum who have guided me through the selection of components listed, since as
always wish to be a low end user --"Thank You"
ASUS A8N VM Socket939 NVIDIA Geforce 6100 Micro ATX AMD motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3200+Venice 2000MHz HT 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB(2x512MB) 184-pin DDR SDRAM unbuffered DDR 400(pc3200) Dual Channel Kit System memory
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500ks 250GB 7200RPM 16 MB cache SATA 3.0gb/s harddrive
SAMSUNG Black 1.44 3.5 Internal Floppy Drive Model SFD321B/LB1
SONY Black 16x DVD-ROM 48x CD-ROM IDE DVD- ROM Drive
Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 black 104 normal keys 9 USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included
USR 56K/V 92 DATA/FAX HARDWARE MODEM #2973(*Upgrade of #2976)
Antec LifeStyle SONATA 11 Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower 450Watt Smart Power 2.0 ATX 12V V2 Computer Case
WINDOWS XP HOME OS

Hope I am posting this correctly --Thank you Lenny