I can't link to the Dell equivalent directly, since I had to upgrade from the basic OptiPlex 380. Start here, then:
Upgrade PSU
Upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium
Upgrade CPU to E7500
Upgrade to 4GB DDR3
Upgrade to 320GB HDD
Upgrade to DVD+/-RW
Remove KB & Mouse
All of these are perfectly reasonable upgrade choices; I'm not doing anything "extreme" to fuck with Dell's system. It's just that the basic starting point is a Celeron with 1GB of RAM... If you'd rather I put up a Newegg system closer to that, I'll see what I can do.
This one isn't exactly equal to the Dell because I couldn't get the 2.2GHz single-core Celeron 450, so I went with a 2.4Ghz dual-core Celeron instead. Oh noes.
What you are neglecting in your Newegg builds is the case. The Dell is 100% silent. The Dell also is very very small. It also has a really great cooling mechanism where the cpu cooler is channeled straight out the back of the case other than out a hole on the side. Oh, and even though it sucks, Dell does offer a warranty which is worth at least $1 if not $2.
What you are neglecting in your Newegg builds is the case. The Dell is 100% silent. The Dell also is very very small. It also has a really great cooling mechanism where the cpu cooler is channeled straight out the back of the case other than out a hole on the side. Oh, and even though it sucks, Dell does offer a warranty which is worth at least $1 if not $2.
What you are neglecting in your Newegg builds is the case.
And what you're neglecting is that that Dell you're standing behind as awesome will never play games worth a damn cause you can't put a decent video card in it.
And seriously, what's with your obsession with "silent?" My PC is "whisper quiet" and it'll blow this "silent" PC to the weeds.
And what you're neglecting is that that Dell you're standing behind as awesome will never play games worth a damn cause you can't put a decent video card in it.
Dude, How are you suprised? Scott's made his pick on what's better, and it doesn't matter if the Dell can't even play Tetris, and murders orphaned kittens while you're not using it, by christ, it's the right computer to pick and you're obviously an idiot if you select something else.
Dude, How are you suprised? Scott's made his pick on what's better, and it doesn't matter if the Dell can't even play Tetris, and murders orphaned kittens while you're not using it, by christ, it's the right computer to pick and you're obviously an idiot if you select something else.
Go compare the Dell XPS to Newegg equivalent and see what you come up with. Just remember to make a fair comparison. It's not good enough to just match the Dell on spec, you have to match the whole package. That includes the quality of the case (Dell cases used to suck, but are now mostly very nice), the power supply, etc. Also, try comparing others like Acer, HP, Lenovo, etc. Newegg doesn't save you that much money on a normal computer. What it does allow you to do is save money by skimping on some things in favor of others. Get a gaudy $25 crap case and spend that money to upgrade video card. Also, even though Newegg gives you the system builder's edition of Windows, any manufacturer gets you a copy of Windows for basically $50.
If it has adequate room, cooling, and doesn't dissolve into a pile of rust in a week, That's sufficient quality for a desktop that's going to move rarely.
the power supply
Are you really saying that Dell is providing superior PSUs to the selected Corsair with their PCs?
Go compare the Dell XPS
He's not buying a Dell XPS. He's most likely buying A Dell Optiplex 380 or equivalent. I could Compare a Cray to the nearest equivalent that newegg could offer, and it wouldn't matter, because that's not what he's going for.
Example case and PSU, aiming for quietness: Antec SOLO $85 (One of Antec's best quiet cases) Seasonic S12II 380B $52 (80 PLUS BRONZE certified, and Seasonic is the most renowned maker of quiet PSUs). The Corsair was good, but this one is a little cheaper (without the rebate) and is probably a little better. I would think that the two of these are vastly superior to what Dell has to offer.
I'll modify my list with these two components instead: Updated listing. The price is up to $592, but remember that that's up against $768 from Dell - it's a whole 23% cheaper. The truth of the matter is that Dell's pricing isn't bad as long as you minimize the upgrades - that's where they really make money off you. As such, an Optiplex 380 is a bad starting point. Even so, the price of a Dell computer compared to an equivalent from Newegg will range from slightly more expensive to a lot more expensive.
Additionally, a lot of students can get free versions of Windows (MSDNAA or otherwise) and so they won't really value the ~$100 that the Windows you get with a Dell is worth.
So, I switched the build to accommodate an i5 quad-core at 2.66Ghz, and now I'm looking at this motherboard. However, I have no idea how to tell if it is all solid state; I know what the two different types of capacitors look like, but that board has some protrusions which could be electrolytic capacitors or might not be. Can anyone help me out?
EDIT: Also, I was looking over lackofcheese's build, and between the case I wanted, the videocard he suggested, and the i5 I had already picked out, I will likely wind up with a build almost identical to his.
Oh man, you guys are so lucky with your super upgraded computers. I should have listened and paid $300 for that crazy ATi video card. The new games coming out these days have such high system requirements. My old 8800GT just can't cut it. I mean, look at these requirements for Starcraft 2. They're so crazy high. I made a big mistake saving my money.
It was nice the other night to start playing Bioshock again with a perfect 60 fps that never dropped and all of the prettiness turned all the way up.
L4D is also a LOT easier without framerate stutters that I often had with the old computer.
Which card did you end up with Rym? The 260?
Yeah, L4D2 is a lot nicer now with my 5770. My 3870 was really struggling with my monitor's 1080P native res, now it runs at full settings with no issues. I really need to find my copy of Bioshock, it's around here somewhere.
I should have listened and paid $300 for that crazy ATi video card.
Except no-one at all was discussing $300 video cards. Also, Starcraft 2 is an RTS; those don't tend to have particularly high requirements compared to FPS.
Also, Starcraft 2 is an RTS; those don't tend to have particularly high requirements compared to FPS.
Also the article was edited after he posted it to say they are not the real specs and on top of that Blizzard always makes games that work on junk computers.
All this talk of new computers is getting my technolust going. With some luck, I'll order the parts and the monitor from Newegg on Monday and have the machine built by Friday. However, the monitor I want is sold out, so it might take a bit longer.
EDIT: The HIS 5770 I wanted just sold out as well. Is another brand an okay substitute? I might just change the monitor and the card for something with an identical panel and a different 5770.
Comments
- Upgrade PSU
- Upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium
- Upgrade CPU to E7500
- Upgrade to 4GB DDR3
- Upgrade to 320GB HDD
- Upgrade to DVD+/-RW
- Remove KB & Mouse
All of these are perfectly reasonable upgrade choices; I'm not doing anything "extreme" to fuck with Dell's system. It's just that the basic starting point is a Celeron with 1GB of RAM... If you'd rather I put up a Newegg system closer to that, I'll see what I can do.EDIT: Cheaper alternative:
For the Dell equivalent, go to the OptiPlex 380 again, and this time:
- Upgrade PSU
- Upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium
- Remove KB & Mouse
Newegg - $366; Dell - $372This one isn't exactly equal to the Dell because I couldn't get the 2.2GHz single-core Celeron 450, so I went with a 2.4Ghz dual-core Celeron instead. Oh noes.
I'd also like to point out the first newegg system had a 1333 MHz FSB and RAM, where as the Dell only had 1066.
And seriously, what's with your obsession with "silent?" My PC is "whisper quiet" and it'll blow this "silent" PC to the weeds.
All the components come with around a 1yr warranty anyway, and if they fail after that you probably want something newer and better anyway.
Antec SOLO $85 (One of Antec's best quiet cases)
Seasonic S12II 380B $52 (80 PLUS BRONZE certified, and Seasonic is the most renowned maker of quiet PSUs). The Corsair was good, but this one is a little cheaper (without the rebate) and is probably a little better.
I would think that the two of these are vastly superior to what Dell has to offer.
I'll modify my list with these two components instead: Updated listing.
The price is up to $592, but remember that that's up against $768 from Dell - it's a whole 23% cheaper. The truth of the matter is that Dell's pricing isn't bad as long as you minimize the upgrades - that's where they really make money off you. As such, an Optiplex 380 is a bad starting point. Even so, the price of a Dell computer compared to an equivalent from Newegg will range from slightly more expensive to a lot more expensive.
Additionally, a lot of students can get free versions of Windows (MSDNAA or otherwise) and so they won't really value the ~$100 that the Windows you get with a Dell is worth.
EDIT: Also, I was looking over lackofcheese's build, and between the case I wanted, the videocard he suggested, and the i5 I had already picked out, I will likely wind up with a build almost identical to his.
NOT.
L4D is also a LOT easier without framerate stutters that I often had with the old computer.
Yeah, L4D2 is a lot nicer now with my 5770. My 3870 was really struggling with my monitor's 1080P native res, now it runs at full settings with no issues. I really need to find my copy of Bioshock, it's around here somewhere.
EDIT: The HIS 5770 I wanted just sold out as well. Is another brand an okay substitute? I might just change the monitor and the card for something with an identical panel and a different 5770.