Looking to buy/build new computer...need help

[MattRiddle]

Okay, so I've been waiting for a long time to get a new computer. My current computer is VERY old (like 2000 old) but it's done be well and played all the new games (like WoW) and let me use Photoshop to my heart's desire. But I need a new one for more complicated projects like Adobe Premiere and Blender 3d. So I'm looking to buy a new computer that can meet my requirements or build one (even though I've never done it before). Here are the specs I am looking for. I got most off of Adobe's website.

http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/systemreqs/

* 2 GB Ram
* DVD+-R burner /ROM
* Intel Pentium 4 3.4GHz
* 32-bit video card fully supported by Adobe (http://www.adobe.com/products/premie...raphic&format=)
* Windows XP
* Decent size hard drive.

I already have a monitor that is flat screen and is nice and large. And I plan to give my old computer to my mom to use, so I can't take any parts out of it.

My budget is probably $700 if that is do-able. If you can find better parts for that budget, be my guest, but it needs to work with Adobe Premiere (main goal).

If anyone can help me, I'd be so appreciative.

Thanks so much

 

[lostandwandering]

Take this to the homebuilt section. They will be able to piece a good system together for you.

 

[MattRiddle]

Can a mod/admin move this thread there please? Thanks!

 

[MattRiddle]

I went to dell.com and this was a computer I was able to come up with:

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6550 (4MB L2 Cache,2.33GHz,1333 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT-DDR3

All together, this would cost me $859. It's a bit over budget, and I have no idea if it would meet the requirements of what I posted above. Processors CONFUSE me how some with lower GHz perform better than some with higher GHz and how certain RAM is better than other. I can't tell which would be better.

I know I could make a computer for cheaper than above, but how much cheaper?

 

[lostandwandering]

How much cheaper? About 50 bucks. I pieced one together on newegg and went fairly cheap and my total was about 800. The one you built on Dell's site will do fine.

 

[darkangelism]

i know a dell sales rep that can help you out, pm for contact info

 

[MattRiddle]

Is that a good processor? Will that work for what I need? I don't know how good it is compared to what I listed that I found on Adobe's website.

I REALLY don't want Vista, but there is no way to unselect it.

I REALLY don't need a 320GB hard drive. I'm sitting quite snug in my 40GB hard drive at the moment and I could maybe see a 100GB, but 320? WHAT?

Is the video card good? Is 256MB low? Is that a good brand and class of video card?

Thanks all

 

[lostandwandering]

Yes, the Core2 E6550 will eat a P4 alive.

Try this instead: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=brcb4gi&s=bsd
It's a little bit more expensive, but you get to choose your OS (XP or Vista) and it doesn't come with the bloatware of the regular systems.

Most people like to have HDD space for games, music, movies and pictures. The 8600GT isn't the best card, but it will handle what you want to do.

 

[MattRiddle]

Intel® Core™2 Duo Proc E6550 (2.33GHz,4MB L2Cache,1333FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Home
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz - 2DIMMs
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™Single Drive: 16X DVD-ROM Drive256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600GT

This came out to be $10 cheaper than the above offer, but I don't understand why it was almost as expensive. It has 200+ less GB hard drive space, and no DVD burner.

Why was this one more expensive? Better case?

 

[lostandwandering]

You know all of the annoying trial software that pre-built systems come with (like AOL and netzero)? Those companies pay Dell to put that stuff on the system as advertisement and as a result, lowers the end-users costs. The business lines don't come with any of that crap installed so your prices increase slightly. I would also imagine it has something to do with the different case. I would upgrade to the burner if I were you, just so you could back-up your files onto disk.

 

[MattRiddle]

Somebody on another forum posted this:

Parts can be found atNewegg.com

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: CAC-T05-WW
Item #: N82E16811119077

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate $54.99 -$8.00 Instant $46
MSI K9N SLI Platinum AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: K9N SLI Platinum
Item #: N82E16813130048

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock EVGA 512-P2-N747-LR GeForce 8500GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 512-P2-N747-LR
Item #: N82E16814130285

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate $99.99 -$5.00 Instant $94. $124.99 -$5.00 Instant $119.9

COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RP-550-PCAR ATX from factor 12V V2.01 550W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: RP-550-PCAR
Item #: N82E16817171016

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock $69.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADO4200CUBOX - Retail
Model #: ADO4200CUBOX
Item #: N82E16819103741

Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

In Stock $74.99 $74.99 CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail
Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400
Item #: N82E16820145590

Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate $90.00 $90.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD3200AAKS
Item #: N82E16822136074

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock $79.99 -$5.00 Instant $74.99 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write and LightScribe Technology Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model LH-20A1H-185 - OEM
Model #: LH-20A1H-185
Item #: N82E16827106055

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock $31.99 $31.99
Subtotal: $603.93

That doesn't include any operating system. XP pro will run you 286.99 at newegg

The processor meets the AMD requirements from Adobe (SSE2 enabled) and $600 is a nice price for it all (even though I'd have to spend money on a OS too).

What do you all think? Could I do better?

 

[lostandwandering]

If WOW is the only game you want to play and photoshop is the only other requirement, it should be fine. If you want to play better games than WOW, I would consider a better card.

 

[MattRiddle]

I looked through dell and found this.

PROCESSOR : Intel® Core™ 2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition with re-installation CD
MEMORY: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
HARD DRIVE: 320GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
OPTICAL DRIVE: Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
VIDEO CARD: 256MB nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS

It would cost me $1149

Is this worth the money?

 

[StevieD]

I looked through dell and found this.

PROCESSOR : Intel® Core™ 2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition with re-installation CD
MEMORY: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
HARD DRIVE: 320GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
OPTICAL DRIVE: Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
VIDEO CARD: 256MB nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS

It would cost me $1149

Is this worth the money?

Yes.

Somebody is going to say no.

Look at this issue this way (just quick rough numbers with apples to apples comparision):

A basic PSU and case will cost you $100 or so.

The Q6600 can be purchased for just under $300

MB is going to be $110 or so.

WinXP will cost you $90 for OEM, $190 for Retail.

A HD will cost $80

The RAM might cost $60

The burner will cost $35

The Video card is what $160

$935 for DIY. $214 Premium for the Dell (which includes shipping, some basic support, a warranty for those minor things and that real big screwup the eats the CPU). Of course the $935 for DIY does not include shipping costs ($40-$50 easily) plus your valuable time to assemble it yourself.

Would I buy the Dell? Yep. Sure would. You know what you are getting. The price is fair. And if the sucker is a dud you get another one from Dell under the warranty exchange. I would not buy that particular unit as I would only buy a computer that was preloaded with Vista, but that is my personal opionion and not a critical must have for many people.

Just a word of advice. Avoid Dell upgrades. Another 2GB of RAM could cost you $200 or more from Dell, yet that same Kingston RAM can be bought for $60. Which raises a question, on your Dell system, is the 2GB of RAM included or is that an upgrade? If an upgrade, just accept the basic RAM and install your own sticks of RAM and save a few $.

 

[lostandwandering]

^I agree actually. With the lower end system, Dell is tough to beat with their prices. It's when you get into the higher end that Dell's prices start to get ridiculous. I say go for it. Dell has yet to let me down with 3 desktops, 2 laptops, 2 TV's and a monitor.