Looking to replace old XP computer with I5 - Are these parts decent?

[steve6884]

I have Dell computer running Win XP that I bought in 2007. I am finally looking to replace it with a new desktop. I am looking to get one with Windows 7 instead of 8. I am not really a gamer but I mess around with music, photos and video.

I was looking at a Dell Inspiron 3000 with the following specs.
I5 Quad
4460
8 gig ddr memory
1 TB hard drive
300 w power supply
with Windows 7
price right around $600

I went to Micro-Center and a guy there was telling me that I am better of building one myself because I will get better parts for the money and it will be easier to upgrade if needed in the future. I am decent with computers but not sure that I want to try and build one myself. Microcenter will build it for another $130 if I want.

The salesman recommended the following parts and I am hoping somebody here can tell me if the parts are worth it compared to what comes in the Dell

Asrock z97 pro4 atx lga 1150 $60
intel box intel core I5-4690K $200
Crucial 8GB 4x2 D3 1600 Dimm $60
WD 1 TB 3.5 Mainstrm Blue hD $50
EVGA 600W 80+ Bronze PSU $65

The entire system with case, Win 7 and a CD-DVD drive is about $760

Like I said it would be another $130 to have them build it. I am not against spending the money if the parts are decent and better than the Dell. I have always bought Dells but now it seems like the parts included arent as good as they used to be

I was also debating adding a 250 Gig Samsung solid state drive for another $125

Thanks for any help or suggestion

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Hello

At this price level, you can get a better computer for your money if you build it yourself, but if you pay someone $130 to put the parts together, a reasonable price, you lose most of the cost advantage and are left only with a 'perfect' system that contains exactly the parts you want or need. My Middle School students build computers (with my guidance). With our help, it is pretty easy if you do a simple build.

Here's what the parts in your Dell would cost

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($27.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($13.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.89 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.69 @ OutletPC)
Total: $545.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-01 04:49 EDT-0400

The main difference is the PSU. The 300W Dell PSU is decent, but will not allow much future expansion.

The salesman is selling you more than you need, although the prices are very good. $260 for that motherboard and CPU is a good price and I would buy it, unless the i5 4460 and that board were at least $30 cheaper.

I can't quite see where the $730 comes from (unless there is a monitor involved). The case, OS, and CD/DVD should cost another $150 or so, if you look at the prices I have provided.

This has a good PSU for future upgrade. PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($13.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.89 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.69 @ OutletPC)
Total: $600.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-01 04:58 EDT-0400

The EVGA B600 is OK, but I would want something a little better. A 250G SSD for OS an applications is a good idea and the prices are good at the moment.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($110.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($13.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.89 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.69 @ OutletPC)
Total: $711.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-01 05:00 EDT-0400


All from MicroCenter (Wish I had one nearby)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($29.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $429.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-01 05:01 EDT-0400

Not all parts are available.

 

[steve6884]

Thank you for the response. The case, OS and DVD drive are about $155 more. The $760 total also includes $125 for the 250 gig solid state drive so I would be somewhere around $600 without that.

I would be happy to pay teenage kids to build it instead of the store but I have no clue how to find somebody. I am not about to trust anybody on Craigs list either.

I am new to this site so I want to make sure I understand your reply because I think I am a little confused. The first list of parts is similar to what is included if I bought the Dell right?

Your 4th list are all parts I could get at Micro-Center and bring the price down?

Are the 2nd and 3rd lists you posted just different options if I bought all the parts online at various sites?

Thanks again for the help and suggestions

 

[DonkeyOatie]

The first list is supposed to show what the equivalent Dell parts would costs if you went for the best prices, give or take a bit.
The second list shows what the MicroCenter build would cost if you went for best prices, making a couple of changes to ensure a good build.
The third list adds an OS SSD.
The fourth list shows what MicroCenter should charge for the same parts.

You can build your own. It's not that hard.

If you get MicroCenter to put your parts together, it may cost a little more, but you will have a better system than the Dell if you choose your parts wisely, and you will have MicroCenter to stand behind it. You can also build 'upgradeability' in if you want.