Dude, I got a dell!

I've got a dell too, they make good computers.

So what is under the hood? SInce you say you are into gaming, I am curious as to the specs (video, RAM, MB, Processor, etc.).

I use to buy whitebox PCs for my customers, but in the past 2 years, I have only bought Dells. And I have not been sorry yet.

I can't believe yours acually works. They come loaded with so much crap when I first saw a brand new Dell there was so much crap on it my pants must have fallen down.

Wipe and re-install windows only.

Processor: Offers The New Intel® Pentium® 4 processors with HT Technology - 500 sequence processors - Up to 3.4-GHz speed. The processors include Hyper-Threading Technology which can handle multiple productivity and multimedia applications simultaneously including productivity, gaming, music and movies.

Operating System: Comes standard with Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition.
Upgradeable to - Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

Memory: The Dimension 4700 offers DDR2 Memory (256MB up to 4GB) that enables clock speeds at 400MHz for exceptional PC performance.

Graphics: The new 128MB PCI ExpressTATI RadeonT X300 SE graphics card for a true to life video and game experience.

Chassis: A new chassis design features side venting for improved component cooling.

I'm actually glad that this one works. I know that there are alot of people that don't like (or have had bad experiences) with Dell products, but mine works fine. Compared to the piece of shit I had last. It could barely play pong.

Reply By: SSG Geezer "Wipe and re-install windows only"

Done it.

Ah yes, just got my dell not to long ago and love it! Just did a complete reformat minus all the crap and it runs great!

Well I didnt get a dell , but I got a pretty cool Compaq Presario computer for $600 at Sams Club. Came with the following :

AMD Sempron 3000+ Processor
512mb DDR PC2700 Ram
120gb 7200 rpm Ultra DMA Hard Drive
CDRW/DVD Combo drive.
17 inch Flat CRT Compaq Monitor

Now heres the thing that sucks , it came with a built in IGP and Audio device ...

Went to newegg and purchased parts to make run snappier:

MSI Geforce MX4000 64mb 8x AGP Video Card ($33.50
AOpen 4channel Sound Card ($7.75)
Sabrent PCI TV Tuner with FM Radio and Remote Control ($33.99)

So all and all its not a bad little computer , the motherboard does have 8x AGP on it unlike some budget computers out there with a maximum of 4x AGP

Im happy. It does what I want it to do. Play causal type games , download wb skins . surf the net. etc.

No name PCs are much cheaper and infinitely better for games.

If it was me and i had to choose a mass produced PC I would have got a compaq - for one simple reason -

AMD!!

Of course I have a system I built myself. Home built sytems will always be cheaper.

I go Gateway.

I built my first computer 5 years ago and I will never buy a brand name computer again. Not saying that brand names are bad, if your not computer savy its recommended, but the part shopping, picking the exact hardware that you want, and finally the assembly, the inevitable problems and the problem solving is just too much fun. The system customization and component by component upgradablity is well worth it as well. Understandably though, not everyone has the computer knowledge or even wants the computer knowledge needed to build there own pc.

Dudes and dudettes, I just bought a Dell a few minutes ago.

Dell 8400 System
3.2 ghz HT processer
1 gig 533 mhz RAM
SB Audigy sound card
256 mb video card
20.1" ultrasharp wide flat panel display
5.1 surround speakers
duel DVD/DVD-RW drives
160 HD

Maybe now I can get back to the business of graphics, skinning, GIS mapping, CAD, etc. without being bogged down by my relatively ancient Dell XPS500 machine. Life is good

but the part shopping, picking the exact hardware that you want, and finally the assembly, the inevitable problems and the problem solving is just too much fun.

I totally agree with that!! And the best thing is: you know what's in your machine, you know what to do if something goes wrong and you don't have to rely on some lousy customer service!!

I rely on my son. He's always bailed me out after customer service has failed me miserably.

I wish I had the time and inclination to build a machine. But, I don't. So, Dell it is. They've served me well before. Just that they load so much shit onto the drive before they ship it. All I do for the first few hours is clean off the useless software. Maybe I should just reformat. That way, I can partition the 160 gig drive the way I want it. Start with a totally clean slate. Good suggestion.

dabe - In my opinion you could have got alot more bang for your buck had you built a system yourself.

A friend of mine bought a Dell from the Warehouse $999.00 (N.Z dollars)
they advertised "ready to play" don't quite know what they meant???
He got it home and tried some games on it (which would'nt play)
He asked me to look at it for him, so voiding the warranty i peeked inside
there was no A.G.P slot so it could'nt play the games he had bought.
so it only gets him on the internet and plays music on two channels so he has stereo
at least... ...oh and he has microsoft paint i guess.
nothing bad about your Dell you've got some mean specs. but his one is a paper wieght.
my advice is if you want a real computer build it yourself, if you can't build it yourself, find out how, most fun i ever had, the finding out

dabe - In my opinion you could have got alot more bang for your buck had you built a system yourself.

Kona, I know this. But, first of all, I'm not "techie" enough to do so comfortably. I'm a user, after all. Secondly, I've had Dell's in the past, and I've never had problems. I did some major shopping around for built systems, and for the money, I got a good screen with it. Lots of other systems do not include a screen in their prices, and they cost as much.

As for the $999 Dell, I think they suck you in with low prices for a basic machine. By the time you configure it, you're upwards of $2K. One thing going for me is I'm a federal employee, and they have a federal employee purchase program. I knocked just under $600 right off the top. That's what made it more affordable, so the system I got cost only (only11??) $2,000, including tax and free shipping. And, I know it will be the last system I'll buy for many years. Hell, I'm replacing an XPS T500, fer cryin' out loud. Major, major leap.

So Kona, don't go burstin' my bubbles.

So Kona, don't go burstin' my bubbles.

Sorry that was not my intent. I was just trying to point out you could have saved some bucks by doing it yourself. You don't need any schooling to learn how to put them together the motherboard manual shows you how.

Anyways enjoy your new Dell. Congrats on the choice. Dell is the best in the pre built systems.

Anyone have an opininon on a good Video Card. I've been looking for a Pci express and found a couple Sapphire 600x to 700x pros around 70-125 bucks. Are those pretty good cards and are they the equevalent to a radeon 9700-9800?

Any feedback would be most appreciated.

-MX-

If you ever get a computer , and it doesnt come with the stuff you want , you can always go to Newegg and get it for almost next to nothing. Im tired of dealing with stores like Frys and Best Buy , etc. I went into Frys once , so many people on the floor to supposedly help people , but in reality , unless you know what you want and what your looking for , they wont help otherwise.

Retail stores suck.

Retail stores suck.

I couldn't agree more, not only are the people not that helpful, the merchandise is expensive.

I've been to Newegg and seen some pretty good deals, but yeah, I'm not dealing with retail ever again.

-MX-

I've only had good experices from DELL, that's what we had at work. And most importantly, they have GREAT customer support. I've bought my own computers from little corner computer stores, and I've always regretted it. I've ALWAYS had problems with these computers, and I've ALWAYS had problems getting some good service after. They always tried to blame it on me. DELL never once even hinted that the problems were our fault.
Good purchase dabe, enjoy your new toy!

So far my compaq computer that I bought from Sams Club is really working nicely. '

Im happy for once. Screw Gateway. They did nothing but point the finger at me despite owning over 3 gateways , all breaking within 1 year

Thanks, paxx. I'm still waiting for it to arrive.

I also have Dell's, both at home and work. I did contemplate building one, I did contemplate another company, etc., but when it comes down to warranties and customer satisfaction, Dell is the best. That was truly a selling point for me. Yet again.