MooseMuffin

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My girlfriend is looking to get a new pc and has about 700-750 to spend. She has a dell picked out thats $740 including tax and shipping, but I was curious what I could build for the same amount. The most taxing thing she would use it for is photoshop, but would like to play the occasional game.

No need for monitor/speakers/input devices. What can you guys come up with?
 

drummerdude

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May 9, 2006
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Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 Power Supply $99.99

GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 $118.99

BFG Tech GeForce 7600GT $142.99 - $50 mail in rebate

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 $187.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) $74.99

Western Digital Caviar 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s OEM $74.99

SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner $32.49

Subtotal: $731.44 -$50 = $682

and your choice of os

good link to check out: here
 

MooseMuffin

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Oct 31, 2006
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The dell is a athlon x2 system, which is an inferior cpu and upgrade path, but it also has 2gb of ram which I think photoshop would benefit from greatly. The dell video card is garbage, a 7300le. Shes not really buying it to game on, but I was hoping I could budget a decent card in there if I built it myself.

I'm thinking she would see more benefit from the ram than she would from the cpu and 7600.
 

mr_fnord

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Very overclockable system with minimal video card. This should go to the max of the e4300, or over 3.5 Ghz. The video card will pay some games at moderate resolution, could upgrade to a very good card for another $100.

One problem you'll have with not buying a Dell is you'll have to get SW somewhere. Most builds will not include any software int he price, so you'll ahve to figure another $89 for Win XP/Vista Coupon.


LITE-ON 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write White IDE Model LH-18A1P-184 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106041
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$28.99


DYNAPOWER USA Titan C05.N17.M158 Black SGCC Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811138074
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$39.99


Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822144417
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $14.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $19.99
$69.99


Open Box: ASUS EAX300SE-X/TD/128 Radeon X300SE 128MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - OEM
Item #: N82E16814121538R
Return Policy: Open Box Item Return Policy

$26.99


SUPER TALENT INT-AIN1-C All-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader - Retail
Item #: N82E16820609198
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$6.99


Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Item #: N82E16835100007
Return Policy: Consumable Items Return Policy

$5.99


G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4S-1GBPK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231088
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $29.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99
$109.99


MASSCOOL FD06025S1M3/4 60mm Case Fan - Retail
Item #: N82E16835150054
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$0.60 Sale
$3.98
$2.78
($1.39 each)



GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128012
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

nMEDIAPC ICECONE 100mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835133008
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$5.00 Combo
-$8.00 Instant
$164.98
$151.98



Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E4300 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115013
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

UBISOFT Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter - OEM
Item #: N82E16800992001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$49.99 Combo
$224.98
$174.99
Subtotal: $618.68
 

mr_fnord

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Dec 20, 2005
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The dell is a athlon x2 system, which is an inferior cpu and upgrade path, but it also has 2gb of ram which I think photoshop would benefit from greatly. The dell video card is garbage, a 7300le. Shes not really buying it to game on, but I was hoping I could budget a decent card in there if I built it myself.

I'm thinking she would see more benefit from the ram than she would from the cpu and 7600.

People rarely upgrade computers, apart from adding a component like more RAM or a video card. I've never met anyone who changed a CPU in a Dell unless it was coz they bought 15 non-working ones to rebuild into working systems, or they managed to damage the CPU and needed a replacement.

The x2 will generally compete for the price unless you want to overclock. She might not be very amenable to OC, but if she is, an OC'd e4300/e6300 will make a $700-800 PC that will be competitive with $1500+ Dells.
 

NamelessMC

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Nov 27, 2005
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The dell is a athlon x2 system, which is an inferior cpu and upgrade path, but it also has 2gb of ram which I think photoshop would benefit from greatly. The dell video card is garbage, a 7300le. Shes not really buying it to game on, but I was hoping I could budget a decent card in there if I built it myself.

I'm thinking she would see more benefit from the ram than she would from the cpu and 7600.

Not true. CPU makes Photoshop open faster, render pictures faster, create files faster and apply changes faster. The only thing ram allows you to do is run more programs at the same time as Photoshop. That being said, I have a build for $700-750 that'll knock her out of her pants. (You'll thank me for it)

First of all, once you know, you don't always Newegg.

Not to be rude, but the SmartPower power supply someone suggested is a piece of junk. Tier 4 at best, if that. For a Core2Duo and Photoshop and light gaming, I wouldn't use anything less than a Tier 3. Also, that Smartpower wasn't even 600 watts and it cost $99.

Here's your Processor + Motherboard:
Gigabyte 965P S3 $109.18
Then on the right, for CPU options, select Core2Duo E4300 which is added on for $172.38.

Here's your Ram:
Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x 1GB) DDR675 Kit $189.67

Here's your Video-card:
EVGA 7900GS KO Edition 256MB $165.96 + $20 Rebate

Here's your Power-Supply:
OCZ 600W GameXStream 48.33A 12V rating $97.27

Here's your case:
Cooler Master Centurio 5 $45

This does go over your budget by about $45, but:
You get the best ram, a video-card you can upgrade for free, amazing stats, games at max settings and longevity. 3 years of playability.
 

MooseMuffin

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Its a little over budget and it also doesn't include any drives =)

Anyway, your parts are coming from a pile of different places which is going to jack up shipping costs, and theres no need to be springing for XMS class ram, or a 7900.
 

zjohnr

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Aug 19, 2006
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Anyway, your parts are coming from a pile of different places which is going to jack up shipping costs, and theres no need to be springing for XMS class ram, or a 7900.
Yes, there's that. People tend to leave out shipping costs because they're tedious to account for. But they can really add up. Especially watch out for the shipping charges on a case. Best bet is if you can find a "special offer" for a good case for a reasonable price and free shipping.

And there still remains the problem of paying for the operating system. :( (I'm assuming your lady's previous system was also a Dell or like-Dell and came with a distro version of XP which is targeted to that specific system, yes?)

-john
 

MooseMuffin

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Not concerned about OS. The college will supply it, with the choice of XP flavors or vista business. The dell would come with vista premium, so its not an issue either way.
 

Dr_asik

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Mar 8, 2006
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For that money I'd build an AMD-based system, not a C2D.

Look for at least an Athlon64 3700+ or higher, X2 if it's not needlessly more expensive, as they tend to be. Then choose motherboard depending on socket type of the CPU: either AM2 or s939. Both are fine, you're not going to upgrade on that technology anyway, just make sure the CPU and mobo sockets match. If S939 CPU then S939 mobo, If AM2 CPU then AM2 mobo. Hope I make myself clear. :D

Ok now if it's S939 look for 2x512MB of DDR400, if it's AM2, 2x512 DDR2-667. On the opposite of what you say I don't think you will benefit so much from 2GB of RAM in photoshop, except if you start loading hundreds of photos at the same time. If you really want to build a computer and optimize it for Photoshop then plan a Core 2 Duo system because the processor will be the main factor. Then you won't have much money left on video card. But I think the AMD - 1GB of RAM - good video card system is the best overall performance you can get out of 700$.

Antec Sonata II case is fine, no need for another PSU the integrated one is good.

Hard Drive: you want a Seagate Barracuda SATA HD, size is to your liking, ideally 250GB or 320GB.

Now you should easily have some good room left for a video card; depending on how much: 7600GT < 7900GS < X1950Pro < X1950XT
 

MooseMuffin

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Well that pretty much describes the dell: an am2 athlon x2 system. The dell is going to come with vista, so I'm much more comfortable with the 2gb of ram it has.

It sounds like the systems you're all describing are right in the same performance ballpark as that. If it were my PC, I'd build it, feeling better knowing I picked solid name-brand components that will be upgradeable in the future. But since its not mine, I think she'll go with the dell, feeling better knowing its dell and not her jackass boyfriend who made it =) mr_fnord brings up a valid point in that she's not likely to ever upgrade it anyway.
 

Tagger

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Well, right now Dell is offering 25% off systems that are $1000 or more. Not a bad deal. I just put together a system for my sister to order and all in all, for the price, its a pretty good system. Not to mention I don't have to build it!

Base AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 4200+
Operating System Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Memory 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
Keyboard Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
Video Card 256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro
Hard Drive 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Floppy Drive and Media Reader 3.5 in Floppy Drive
Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
CD ROM/DVD ROM 16x DVD+/-RW Drive
Sound Cards Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Warranty and Service 1Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service


all this for only $813 ( thats including tax and shipping)
I know its about $70 more than you wanted to spend, but what the heck, it's not my money!
 

rockyjohn

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If you decide to stick with Dell, note that it often has some special prices that are not easily found on their system but are advertised at:

http://www.techbargains.com/

Look in the right column for their add - sometime some more are listed in the center section.

Note that the advertised units are often stripped down feature wise and you have to select better options, but the price is still lower than one might find on the regular site
 

zjohnr

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Aug 19, 2006
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Whichever way you go, I (for one) would appreciate it if you could post a few details about the system you eventually buy. I like to see how these stories turn out and what hardware (non-gamer) people finally end up using.

Just a thought. :)

-john
 

MooseMuffin

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Oct 31, 2006
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I think we're settling on:

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 4600+
Windows Vista™ Home Premium
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell 2-button Scroll Mouse
256MB NVIDIA Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
13 in 1 Media Card Reader
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Modem 56K PCI Data Fax Modem
CD ROM/DVD ROM 16x DVD+/-RW Drive
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Warranty and Service 1Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service

Dell has a coupon code for 25% off certain amd systesm over 999, so this comes to $770, including tax and shipping. That looks like a really nice machine for the money to me, and its only a decent video card away from being a nice gaming box.
 

Mondoman

Splendid
Case: Antec Solo black, $40 AR (free shipping):
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4895610

Power Supply: Antec TruePowerTrio 550w, $60 AR (free shipping):
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4991681

CPU: Core 2 Duo 6300, $180 (free shipping):
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4893640

Motherboard: MSI P965 Platinum LGA 775 Intel P965 Express Retail, $135 ($7 shipping):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130055

Hard Drive: Seagate 7200.10 (Perpendicular) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA, $90 (free shipping):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140

Video Card: BFG GeForce 7600GT 256MB PCI Express x16, $93 AR ($6 shipping):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143049

Optical Drive: SAMSUNG Black Dual-Layer 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache E-IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner - OEM, $30 (free shipping):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827151133

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) (free shipping):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145015

Keyboard/Mouse: Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM, $22 ($6 shipping):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823109156

Total including shipping: $839 (after rebates)

Every component is superior to the corresponding Dell part; bigger better hard drive, better graphics card, better CPU even w/o OCing, better RAM (that also works for OCing), faster better DVD drive, better case, much better PS (allowing future upgrades), better keyboard, gigabit ethernet (not just 100mbps), firewire, optical digital audio out, etc. You'll need to add your favorite flash car reader ($10 + $5 shipping) and arrange for the OS .
 

MooseMuffin

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Too late now unfortunately, and I'm not sure she would have wanted to stretch the computer budget that far, but thats a very nice build. Hell, we don't even need the keyboard/mouse so 28. Solid brand name stuff and shipping deals too. The purchase was made earlier today sadly, and the last thing I want to do is make her second guess it.
 

Heyyou27

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Jan 4, 2006
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You get the best ram, a video-card you can upgrade for free, amazing stats, games at max settings and longevity. 3 years of playability.
What games are you talking about? The 7900GS can't max any new titles while remaining playable. I have two eVga 7800GT COs and they pretty much can't play anything with SLI disabled these days.
 

itsbeenawhile

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If you are thinking about Dell, one aspect to consider is the warranty period.

The basic Dell Home warranty is 1 year. Many of the parts you buy individually have three years or longer (some video cards have lifetime or 'double' lifetime warranties, although I was never sure how one could use a double lifetime warranty). Three years is nice since that is usually the time that someone starts to consider the next upgrade.

Good Luck.