I've been pricing out some computers lately (yes, I know, if I could build one, I would, but I really need the piece of mind with the warranty and I've heard too many horror stories about people messing up their CPU's and other components when building it themselves)...
Anyway, there are 2 different models that I'm looking at, and for all intensive purposes (slight mobo discrepancy), the specs are exactly the same: dual 8800GT's, 4gb ddr2 RAM, 500GB 7200 rpm hd, same sound card, etc etc etc...
The price difference between the 2 is just around $200. One of the computers has a q9450 in it, and the more expensive one has a QX6850 in it. As the charts on this site don't have the q9450 on them yet, it's hard for me to make a comparison between the two.
I'm going to be using the computer for gaming (especially flight simulator), photo editing, and DJ'ing, among other things. I plan on OC'ing the processor, but I'm not into hardcore nitrogen cooling etc...
Does the extra 200 bucks justify the performance difference that I would get?
Go for the Q9450, I would, overclocking will be a breeze and you might get another 600 or more MHz out of it! The QX6850 is faster stock and has an unlocked multiplier, but I personally would go for the Q9450 every time.
Companies often charge a lot to add extra RAM to a system. You might be able to save a few bucks by purchasing yours with only 2x 1GB of memory and purchasing another set to match and install yourself.
Go for the Q9450, I would, overclocking will be a breeze and you might get another 600 or more MHz out of it! The QX6850 is faster stock and has an unlocked multiplier, but I personally would go for the Q9450 every time.
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You may or may not even be able to overclock depending on the bios used. There is really nothing to worry about as far as building your own. There are plenty of people here and other resources on the web to make sure you do it right. If you build your own, you will know what ram is being used,ect, but the most important component, and this is my opinion, is the power supply that is used. There are too many prebuilts that come with CRAP power supplies, that will in turn damage other parts of the rig. I do agree if going with this, get the Q9450 , but you should also try a build, the satisfaction you will have when you get it going really makes it worth it.
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Opinions are like asses,everybody has one.
wait for the new lines of video cards to come out un 2 weeks.
i would buy a ps tester for about $20. trust me you want one. i built a $2500 system for my freind and i had a bad ps so it freid the mobo, cpu, video card, hard drives. that was a bad experience
there are countless guides that can help you get going. If I fail to convince you, then I would go with the Q9450. Just with the fact that the 45nm cores are about 5-10% faster clock for clock (depending on the app) with the obvious addition of L2 cache. As well as others said, just wait 2 weeks, twooo more weeks, and all will be right in the world. The GPU world that is. ^.^
If you believe you have the aptitude, patience, and and would enjoy it I'd have to agree to DIY.
If you just want an already working and warrantied PC ...get a Dell (or equivalent).
If you buy a prebuilt you'll soon see that the parts they put in it are likely of lower quality and more expensive than what you could have purchased, built, and took pride in. As long as you're cool with that then buying a pre-built can be, cough, cough, okay.
Message edited by halcyon on 06-03-2008 at 03:18:50 AM
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Yes, I use an Intel Quad. Sometimes its a little overclocked, sometimes a bit underclocked. Yet, its always nice and the virtualiztion is sick. And?
Also keep in mind that additional benefits of building are:
1. You know how it was put together and should have an easier time if you have to repair something, or if you just want to upgrade.
2. You can overclock for additional performance gains that you usually cannot do on a purchased rig
3. For the cost savings - don't forget that purchased warranties usually last no more than one year - unless you pay even more
4. The bigger cost savings come not with the first build but with the major upgrades - when you get an almost new system by upgrading just the mobo, memory, and cpu or when you build a "completely" new system but reuse many parts from the old - cases and drives. This can be a huge savings - right now I can rennovate an Intel, on the low end side, with a new DS3L mobo, E8400, and 4 GB of DDR2 memory for about $400 instead of buying a new comparable Dell machine for about $900.
5. The pride that comes with the accomplishment.
Never the less, don't byo unless you feel comfortable with it and are willing to invest a little time the first time. BYO is not for everyone.
Well I've been thinking of building my own computer for a while now, but the problem has been the family, who thinks that there's more piece of mind with buying a pre-built computer.
On the off chance that I do end up building one, can someone direct me to a web page or even book that describes at least the correct order for setting up the computer (especially software, drivers, etc)?
of course i had to help im i was in grade 9