business workstation

[KQFan]

I need to replace about 3 of them... I'd like to build; my only build has been a home box for around $1000 that's been a decent screamer for what we throw at it.

But what would the consensus be for low end business workstations (where integrated graphics, 80gb, low end dual core, 2gb max ever would be the target)? Try to build a few low ends for under $500 or buy a few under $500 Dells? (19" monitor included on both)

I see all kinds of threads for gaming machines but rare mention for this need. I wonder if I'd be cheating myself in the end to build on the lower end and then have nothing to upgrade. Or would Dell be doing the same thing to me and pile bloatware on top.

Just some opinions on direction you may have taken would be nice.

Also, short of alot of cut & pastes, how do contributors put their newegg spec lists in their messages? I'd like to select the entire cart and paste but I'm getting a pretty crappy looking display that I'm sure no one would want to read.

Charlie

[shadowpr]

For lower end computers, I would build if you already have the operating system and already have a monitor.

If you need both, then that will take up a big part of your budget. It's still doable, but at that point, you will seriously want to compare your build to dells.


When I post links for a build, I just post individual links to all the parts.

[Doom]

I'm starting up a PC building side business... and I did some price comparisons with Dell. Ultimately... once you start talking about a PC that only costs $500 or less, you don't come out as far ahead by building your own when talking just about price. What you do get are much better parts, and in some cases some better warranties. A couple examples:

- When I use the best possible parts (Corsair memory, Corsair PSU, EVGA or Sapphire Graphics Cards)... the costs of me building equal or exceed Dell.
- However, with a Seagate hard drive you get a five year warranty, which is better than the typical three years on a Dell. Registering an EVGA part usually means a lifetime warranty on the part... much better than anything you get with a Dell.

Also, your ability to customize on your own rig is much superior to Dell. Let's say you really need a good graphics workstation and start with Dell. If you want to upgrade the standard graphics card. You've usually only got two or three other options... and one of them is likely to be a GTX 280... the most expensive thing out there. What you don't get is the option to get a GTX 260... which is almost as good and costs up to $150 less. Dell oftens builds a huge profit on getting you to upgrade higher than you need. With a custom built rig you can truly set a per-machine budget and then squeeze every last cent out of that budget.

[glc]

Actually, the FIRST thing you need to decide is if you are going to want XP or Vista. If Vista, get Dells. If XP, build, XP is too costly from Dell, it's $99 more than Vista.

Here is a suggested cheap HIGH quality build:

Motherboard: Asus P5KPL-CM
Processor: Pentium E5200
Ram: Corsair Value Select 2x1gb DDR2-667
HDD: Seagate 80gb 7200.10
Optical: Lite-On SATA DVD burner, retail box
Case/PSU: Foxconn TS-001V-D350A

Peripherals of your choice.