Make or Buy? Intel Corei5 System

[mrgrooms]

I'm getting ready to buy or build a PC system to replace my iMAC. I will use this machine to run office 2010, do photo editing, watch DVDs, stream videos. I won't be playing video intesive games.

I am planning to build/buy in the next week.

I can get the following build through Dell for $699 (EPP - tax & Shipping included):

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i5-750 processor(8MB Cache, 2.66GHz)
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 4 DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
VIDEO CARD ATI Radeon HD 5450 1GB DDR3
SOUND CARD Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
SPEAKERS No Speaker Option
KEYBOARD Dell USB Entry Keyboard
MOUSE Dell USB Optical Mouse
Inspiron 580 Inspiron 580
Media Card Reader Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
Network Card Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Modem No Modem Option
Optical Drives 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Security Software McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
Adobe Software Adobe® Reader 9.0

Is it worth it to build an equivalent machine? I'm sure I could get a better case, PS, RAM (faster speed)...but how much more would it cost me to build this vs. buy?

Through NewEgg I can get the following:
Intel Core i5-655K Clarkdale 3.2GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Unlocked Desktop Processor (Model: BX80616I5655K)
ASUS LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Motherboard (Model: P7P55D-E LX)
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (Model: F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (Model: ST31500341AS)
NZXT LEXA S Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (Model: LEXS-001BK)
OCZ StealthXStream 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply (Model: OCZ700SXS)
Above pkg deal for $571

Still need to add:
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders -$99.99
Kingston FCR-HS219/1 19-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader - $13.99
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL - $25.99
SAPPHIRE 100292DDR3L Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card - $49.99

Not sure how much shipping rates are...assume $15 for all of it

Total for new build through newegg = $775.96

Not sure what else I am missing.

So which is a better machine? Dell built machine for $699 or own built system for $775.96?

What things should I consider when making this decision?

 

[daship]

I would go for a custom machine.

Do you have a lot of Mac software? I build dual boot snow leopard, windows 7 PCs, you might want to check into something like that. I been doing it for a couple years. If your very computer savvy its not to hard. I would be willing to help you out.

Dell is junk.

 

[mrgrooms]

I don't have a lot of Mac software...actually that is the reason I want to build a PC. I've had an iMac for one year and miss much of the PC stuff. The kids love it and we need another machine so I thought I'd build a PC this time.

 

[duk3]

I would build a PC.

LG Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Kingston FCR-HS219/1 19-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134753

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

Combos:

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
and
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
* Promo code "ANT48" *
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432088

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750
and
ASUS P7P55 LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.446730

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
and
SAPPHIRE 100292L Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 1GB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready ...
*10$ MIR and promo code "VGA14876" *
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437534.14-102-876

Total (With shipping, 10$ Mail In Rebate and Promo codes VGA14876 and ANT48): $700.08

 

[mrgrooms]

Thanks for the other build...I'm amazed that it is down to $700 to match Dell...I'm going to give it a go and build my first machine. Thanks for the response.

 

[mrgrooms]

Best answer selected by mrgrooms.

 

[duk3]

Welcome.
Over $400 or so, you can usually get a better computer for the same amount of money.
Good luck with the new build!