Comparing Dell and new build for friend

[paJAMbla]

A friend's computer went kaput and I told him I'd build him a computer. I also told him it may be cheaper to buy a Dell in his price range: 500 to 600 dollars (just the box) for what he'd get. And the last computer I built was single core so its been awhile. He wants to be able to play games...mostly sims like IL2 Sturmovik....other than that just general use.

I'm thinking since IL2 has been around awhile...he might want to stick with XP?

Any opinions on a build at this budget....and Dell vs. home build?

thanks!

Edit: It seems to me this Dell would meet his needs (flight sims, etc.) and don't know if one could be built for that price with these specs. I threw up similar components on Newegg and it appeared to be a lot more when you add case, psu, etc. Couldn't find the same video card though.

Dell Studio XPS 8100 http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/deskt...s-8100-anav1~~
$649
Intel® Core™ i5-650 processor(4MB Cache, 3.20GHz)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
3GB1 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM2 at 1333MHz
500GB3 - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
nVIDIA GeForce G310 512MB1 DDR3
THX® TruStudio PC™

[glc]

That video card is a rebadged G210. Not a gaming card. You are going to have to upgrade it and that will probably bust your budget.

[paJAMbla]

Pretty tough building OR buying even a low budget gamer on 600 dollars?

[glc]

You would probably have to look at socket 775 or AMD to get a gamer down that cheap.

[Iamjosh]

Originally Posted by paJAMbla Pretty tough building OR buying even a low budget gamer on 600 dollars?

Remember the golden rule: " you get what you pay for.."

[Khalil]

You can build a solid gaming rig for $600 if you go AMD or Intel 775 but don't expect maximum frame rates or the best eye candy, it can be done and it would be leagues and bounds better than what dell makes. Decide if you want to build and we will give you part list.

[paJAMbla]

Thanks guys. We only see each other once a week and I didn't really get into what happened to his computer. Only that there was a power surge and he took it to someone who said you need a new computer. If its a piece of crap pc anyway, then we'll go from there. But if its decent...I want to find out if parts can just be replaced.

[paJAMbla]

Okay guys....I came across this on eBay. I asked the seller if he could upgrade the psu to something like Corsair 650w so there's a little more flexibility in the future. He said no problem...70 dollars more. He has good feedback but what do you guys think for my friends purposes (i.e. Microsoft FS and IL2 WWII sim)?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:X:RTQ:US:1123

[glc]

He needs to make up his mind whether it has a Foxconn or Gigabyte motherboard.

I'm frankly not terribly impressed with those components.

[paJAMbla]

Oh my...I didn't even notice that GLC. He has Foxconn in two places so my hunch is its a Foxconn, but I'll ask him. Yeah...that psu seems to be a bit of a stretch. What other components are you skeptical about...video card? As long as it can run those sims which have been around awhile. I like that its XP too because people have been having some trouble running the IL2 Sturmovik and its patches with Windows 7.

[Khalil]

Pile of ebay junk if you ask me, he doesn't even list what power supply brand it is.

[mjkovis]

I have to agree with GLC aand Khalil on this one... That hardware he has listed on the auction doesn't impress me one bit. You could do a lot better building one yourself.

[glc]

Originally Posted by Khalil he doesn't even list what power supply brand it is.

Yeah he does.

This computer has a Cooler Master 400 watt power supply

[paJAMbla]

I appreciate the feedback guys. I also respect your opinions and can't tell you how thankful I am for all the help I've been given on this forum. But I have to be honest. If this guy puts a higher wattage Corsair in this system, I'm not seeing why its so different than a budget build someone would put together right here on this forum. Even if he doesn't change the PSU....Cooler Master is on PC Mechs "good" list. Keep in mind it is between $500 and $600, which is my friends budget.

Please be more specific, if you don't mind. It will help me learn.

Thanks again.

[Iamjosh]

One of my "beefs" is that the motherboard is a 775 socket type (which in real; terms) and is already outdated. It will offer next to nothing for future growth and it will mean a new motherboard if your friend decides to upgrade. The new standard (even for lower cost systems) is a socket 1156 and for many who are just trying to "hang-in" with the most basic setup, it may be alright to go with a 775. For perhaps additional $30 or $40, one may find a better board.

[glc]

Get a quote with an Asus P5Q series motherboard and a Western Digital Caviar Black hard drive, and I'd be a lot more comfortable. I can live with the Coolermaster with that video card.

[paJAMbla]

I sure do agree that having it somewhat future proof is the way to go. I hate the idea of him putting money into something that's already yesterday's technology right out of the gate. I'm going to go ahead with a budget build with more up to date components and let him just pay me over a few months. Here's what I came up with...tell me what you think:

ASRock H55DE3 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157185

Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80616I3540
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115221

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341017

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145260

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073

XFX HD-477A-YDFC Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150369

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137

Total: 723 - 50 in rebates= 673 (Plus Windows 7)

Now I'm confused about the OS. Can I get the "system builders" version of Windows 7 or do I need the "Full" version since I don't do this for a living?

[glc]

Stay away from Asrock boards, and if you are getting a video card get a P55 board instead of a H55.

Asus P7P55D LX
i5-750
Antec BP550 Plus
WD Black, not Blue
Go cheaper on the video card for now, a Radeon 4650 will do basic gaming fine.
You forgot an optical drive.
OEM Windows is fine.

[paJAMbla]

Thanks GLC. Have a new DVD/RW I'll use

I made the changes. They were out of the WD Black, so just for pricing I put a $55 Seagate in there. Even with the less expensive video card it came to 862 with tax and shipping. $25 in rebates (if I'm lucky), but he'll never go for that price. What can I scale back?

[glc]

Well, you could do this:

P7P55-M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131605

A cheaper Coolermaster case - an Elite or a Centurion - or some other cheap case.

Antec Basiq 500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371004

Pentium G6950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116283

G.skill ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253

Video
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131180 - with the idea of upgrading later along with a CPU upgrade.