New Computer

[Spikes]

Yes, Windows 7 is the 64 bit version. Thanks again guys.

That's what I'd think...Dell runs with 64 bit nowadays thankfully.

[bat21]

i built my computer and it runs off a nuclear reactor and i still can't run water graphics, good luck vafIII, may the force be with you!!

[Dragon]

i built my computer and it runs off a nuclear reactor and i still can't run water graphics, good luck vafIII, may the force be with you!!

 

[vafiii]

Guncrasher, FYI, I priced comparable systems with cyberpowerpc.com and ibuypower.com as well as with Dell. All three companies within $50 of each other for comparable systems. Granted, the other companies offer more options and have a much cooler looking system but I will be using the computer for home and office use as well as gaming so a nice looking case is not as important to me. I appreciate your feedback. Thanks again!

[morfiend]

 while there may only be a $50 difference the biggest difference is in whats inside the machine!

 Dell uses many "Dell" only parts and as others have said it becomes difficult to upgrade at a later point.

 I understand that the comp is going to be for general use but whats that got to do with anything? you can still load any software or programs on any machine you have built.

 Thers's many places that will assemble and test your machine for a small fee,I paid $50 to have my last 1 put together and tested before it was shipped to me.This allows you to select the individual componets and gives you the best bang for the buck.

 ! other thing to consider Dell puts in only as much PSU as they need and often if you decide to change the VC you cant because the "Dell only" PSU just isnt up to the challenge.

 Hope this helps somewhat.

   

[guncrasher]

while there may only be a $50 difference the biggest difference is in whats inside the machine!

 Dell uses many "Dell" only parts and as others have said it becomes difficult to upgrade at a later point.

 I understand that the comp is going to be for general use but whats that got to do with anything? you can still load any software or programs on any machine you have built.

 Thers's many places that will assemble and test your machine for a small fee,I paid $50 to have my last 1 put together and tested before it was shipped to me.This allows you to select the individual componets and gives you the best bang for the buck.

 ! other thing to consider Dell puts in only as much PSU as they need and often if you decide to change the VC you cant because the "Dell only" PSU just isnt up to the challenge.

 Hope this helps somewhat.

   

yup as he said, the big difference between the dells, compaq etc and  companies like ibuypower or if you do it yourself is that later on you can upgrade without having to buy a whole new computer. like now your dell is limiting you to an nvidia 240 vc, what happens if you want something else later on, you could add it but, you most likely will have to add your own power supply, which with brand pc companies that is not always possible.  also the case cooling is not the best with the brand name computers.  but ultimately its your money, so do what you think it is best.  but If i was you I would try next time and build my own, its not as scary as it sounds.  good luck  .

semp 

[Dragon]

Guncrasher, FYI, I priced comparable systems with cyberpowerpc.com and ibuypower.com as well as with Dell. All three companies within $50 of each other for comparable systems. Granted, the other companies offer more options and have a much cooler looking system but I will be using the computer for home and office use as well as gaming so a nice looking case is not as important to me. I appreciate your feedback. Thanks again!

I agree with the above posts.  I have no problem with Dells, we use them at work.  I recently looked into an VC upgrade for mine to support 2 monitors as well as upgrading the 1 GIG of ram.  The choices were limited and more expensive because of the proprietary MB and power supply.  I did get the upgrades, because it's not my money, but if it was mine, I probably wouldn't have done it.

Cyber and Ibuy use non-proprietary boards and generally have a power supply able to handle an upgrade.  It might not be the highest quality, but they do have a good reputation and a warranty equal to the dell.

my .02

[vafiii]

Ended up purchasing a DELL XPS 7100, AMD Phenom II X6 processor, ATI Radeon 5870, 8 GB memory, 1 TB Hard Drive, THX TRU Studio Sound Card and a set of Logitech speakers and subwoofer. Total price with tax and shipping came to $1,498. Seemed like a good deal. We'll see how she performs. I've had Dell systems before and was able to upgrade memory and graphics cards after I purchased the system (to a certain degree). Not sure if I can upgrade this system or if I will even need to. Thanks again everyone.

[Tigger29]

Ended up purchasing a DELL XPS 7100, AMD Phenom II X6 processor, ATI Radeon 5870, 8 GB memory, 1 TB Hard Drive, THX TRU Studio Sound Card and a set of Logitech speakers and subwoofer. Total price with tax and shipping came to $1,498. Seemed like a good deal. We'll see how she performs. I've had Dell systems before and was able to upgrade memory and graphics cards after I purchased the system (to a certain degree). Not sure if I can upgrade this system or if I will even need to. Thanks again everyone.

Vafiii, that system is going to be just fine for you and your needs... actually it's still overkill, but so what?  All of us could argue and debate all day long as to whether or not what you paid is a good deal, but the bottom line is that IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU GOT A GOOD DEAL, AND IF THE SYSTEM DOES WHAT YOU WANT IT TO, THEN YOU DID IN FACT GET A GOOD DEAL!

Personally I would have gone a different route altogether, but there's no point in arguing this as not everyone is computer savvy when it comes to hardware.  Do yourself a favor though and before doing anything else, uninstall all of the trial-ware and bloat-ware that will come pre-installed.  There will likely be a 90 day trial of some antivirus and firewall suite... get rid of it.  If it says 'dell support', 'helper', or 'updates' on it, it can probably go.  Windows itself has plenty of software built in to handle these things, and you can purchase whatever anti-virus software you want to use (or download a free one such as Avast).  All the Dell stuff does is run in the background, cause problems, and constantly nag you to 'buy' things...

If you need help doing any of this, feel free to let us know.

[morfiend]

Vafiii, that system is going to be just fine for you and your needs... actually it's still overkill, but so what?  All of us could argue and debate all day long as to whether or not what you paid is a good deal, but the bottom line is that IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU GOT A GOOD DEAL, AND IF THE SYSTEM DOES WHAT YOU WANT IT TO, THEN YOU DID IN FACT GET A GOOD DEAL!

Personally I would have gone a different route altogether, but there's no point in arguing this as not everyone is computer savvy when it comes to hardware.  Do yourself a favor though and before doing anything else, uninstall all of the trial-ware and bloat-ware that will come pre-installed.  There will likely be a 90 day trial of some antivirus and firewall suite... get rid of it.  If it says 'dell support', 'helper', or 'updates' on it, it can probably go.  Windows itself has plenty of software built in to handle these things, and you can purchase whatever anti-virus software you want to use (or download a free one such as Avast).  All the Dell stuff does is run in the background, cause problems, and constantly nag you to 'buy' things...

If you need help doing any of this, feel free to let us know.

  This is some good advice,check the tech support forum for some of Skuzzy's tip on streamlining your system.

 I totally understand your deciding to go the Dell route and there's nothing wrong in doing so!  Afterall it's your $$$.

   

[Spikes]

Good luck with the comp.

[cattb]

Ended up purchasing a DELL XPS 7100, AMD Phenom II X6 processor, ATI Radeon 5870, 8 GB memory, 1 TB Hard Drive, THX TRU Studio Sound Card and a set of Logitech speakers and subwoofer. Total price with tax and shipping came to $1,498. Seemed like a good deal. We'll see how she performs. I've had Dell systems before and was able to upgrade memory and graphics cards after I purchased the system (to a certain degree). Not sure if I can upgrade this system or if I will even need to. Thanks again everyone.

Nice PC, good luck with your new box.

[vafiii]

Appreciate the advice. Thanks again guys.

[Dragon]

Ended up purchasing a DELL XPS 7100, AMD Phenom II X6 processor, ATI Radeon 5870, 8 GB memory, 1 TB Hard Drive, THX TRU Studio Sound Card and a set of Logitech speakers and subwoofer. Total price with tax and shipping came to $1,498. Seemed like a good deal. We'll see how she performs. I've had Dell systems before and was able to upgrade memory and graphics cards after I purchased the system (to a certain degree). Not sure if I can upgrade this system or if I will even need to. Thanks again everyone.

Solid system.