Random question about a computer

[D4rkLigh7]

I'm thinking about buying this http://www.microcenter.com/product/442871/XPS_8700_Desktop_Computer computer. I would just like some opinions on it because I am not the best at putting together a pc. I'm open to suggestions to something else though.

 

[DefunctTheory]

That's a fairly lopsided system, assuming your getting it for gaming. A rather beefy CPU paired with a pathetic GPU.

May want to cut down on the CPU for a bigger video card to start.

I'll withhold the whole 'Don't buy Dell' speech, along with the stock 'build your own' speech. Mostly because their silly.

 

[D4rkLigh7]

I'm willing to buy the parts, just not very good at picking them out...

 

[Nailzzz]

Have to agree. The GPU isn't a good choice for gaming. It's a bit low end. You may be able to turn it into a gaming machine, but you will have to invest in a better GPU and more than likely a better Power Supply, since prepackaged systems like this tend to just give you the wattage to run them with little additional wiggle room. Your looking at probably another $200 in upgrades minimum to make it a good gaming machine. And that is of course assuming that you could even fit the larger components in that case which may be a challenge since dell machines tend to be pretty tight inside. I speak from experience, since I have converted systems like this into passable gaming machines for friends. Your better off looking for something better for $1300.00 since that's how much this one would run you anyway by the time you convert it, best case scenario. Though with some creative shopping you may be able to find better for less.

 

[Private Custard]

I'll withhold the whole 'Don't buy Dell' speech, along with the stock 'build your own' speech. Mostly because their silly.

Why silly? They're perfectly reasonable responses. Pre-built PC's from companies such as Dell, will contain cheap/unbranded parts in all the places you wouldn't want them. Have you ever seen what a shitty PSU can do to an entire system?

The usual comments regarding building your own, or picking specific parts and having someone else assemble it, are the most sensible you'll find.

You buy from a company like Dell, you may well find the BIOS locked down, making a possible future overclock unlikely. You'll also find yourself replacing numerous components at some point if you ever decide to upgrade the GPU.......if you can even fit a decent card into the case.

It's a false economy. Buy cheap.....buy twice.

EDIT: And this isn't even cheap. You could do so much better, just by picking your own parts.

 

[Asclepion]

It's still worth building, to better understand computers and to know exactly what goes into your system. Here is a good starting point, with an overview of the components of a PC and price guide for every level of builds:

http://www.logicalincrements.com/

May your fans be quiet, your draw distance far and the LEDs of GabeN guide you when all other lights are gone.

 

[DefunctTheory]

I'll withhold the whole 'Don't buy Dell' speech, along with the stock 'build your own' speech. Mostly because their silly.

Why silly? They're perfectly reasonable responses. Pre-built PC's from companies such as Dell, will contain cheap/unbranded parts in all the places you wouldn't want them. Have you ever seen what a shitty PSU can do to an entire system?

The usual comments regarding building your own, or picking specific parts and having someone else assemble it, are the most sensible you'll find.

You buy from a company like Dell, you may well find the BIOS locked down, making a possible future overclock unlikely. You'll also find yourself replacing numerous components at some point if you ever decide to upgrade the GPU.......if you can even fit a decent card into the case.

It's a false economy. Buy cheap.....buy twice.

Their silly because, for the most part, people capable of building their own PCs, and desiring to provide their own user support, ask questions about building their own PCs.

I've been in the tech business for a while. I built my own first PC well over a decade ago, and I spent years telling people to do the same. And what I found was that the vast majority of people who took my advice to get a good system cheaper were unable to maintain it, required frequent tech support, and generally had more issues then they should have with a personal system. Many of them damaged components.

Generally speaking, if someones uncomfortable specing a system out (Wether it be a computer, car, or anything else), the appropriate response is not 'Well why not build the fucking thing from scratch?' Especially when your not going to be there, standing beside him, to help.

 

[Nailzzz]

Ignore this. Was going to suggest other machines on that site, but they are not great for your budget tbh. Perhaps try new egg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229626&leaderboard=1

 

[Private Custard]

I'll withhold the whole 'Don't buy Dell' speech, along with the stock 'build your own' speech. Mostly because their silly.

Why silly? They're perfectly reasonable responses. Pre-built PC's from companies such as Dell, will contain cheap/unbranded parts in all the places you wouldn't want them. Have you ever seen what a shitty PSU can do to an entire system?

The usual comments regarding building your own, or picking specific parts and having someone else assemble it, are the most sensible you'll find.

You buy from a company like Dell, you may well find the BIOS locked down, making a possible future overclock unlikely. You'll also find yourself replacing numerous components at some point if you ever decide to upgrade the GPU.......if you can even fit a decent card into the case.

It's a false economy. Buy cheap.....buy twice.

Their silly because, for the most part, people capable of building their own PCs, and desiring to provide their own user support, ask questions about building their own PCs.

I've been in the tech business for a while. I built my own first PC well over a decade ago, and I spent years telling people to do the same. And what I found was that the vast majority of people who took my advice to get a good system cheaper were unable to maintain it, required frequent tech support, and generally had more issues then they should have with a personal system. Many of them damaged components.

Generally speaking, if someones uncomfortable specing a system out, the appropriate response is not 'Well why not build the fucking thing from scratch?'

There are plenty of places around that'll build a system for you, containing decent parts, as well as offering warranties. I've been inside enough Dell towers in my time to know that they're OK for offices, bought by the hundred, but that's about it really.

But this, for a grand, no way!

 

[D4rkLigh7]

I have taken the time and put together some part.

https://www.microcenter.com/InsiderAcct/members/account.aspx?wlID=73428

(don't know if that link will work)

 

[D4rkLigh7]

I'm guessing it did not work so I'll just post a link to each part that I picked.

HSF: http://www.microcenter.com/product/373900/Hyper_212_EVO_Universal_CPU_Cooler

PC case: http://www.microcenter.com/product/383015/Commander_MS-I_Epic_ATX_Gaming_Mid_Tower

memory: http://www.microcenter.com/product/385180/Ballistix_Tactical_16GB_DDR3-1600_(PC3-12800)_CL8_Desktop_Memory_Kit_(Two_8GB_Memory_Modules)

Power supply: http://www.microcenter.com/product/399158/CX_Series_CX750_750_Watt_ATX_12V_Power_Supply

CD Drive: http://www.microcenter.com/product/406773/DRW-24B1ST_Internal_DVD%C2%B1R-RW_Burner_-_OEM

HDD: http://www.microcenter.com/product/422867/Black_1TB_7,200_RPM_SATA_III_60Gb-s_35%22_Internal_Hard_Drive_WD1003FZEX

OS: http://www.microcenter.com/product/431191/Windows_7_Professional_SP1_64-bit_English_-_OEM

Motherboard: http://www.microcenter.com/product/433408/GA-Z97X-Gaming_3_LGA_1150_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

Processor: http://www.microcenter.com/product/434177/Core_i5-4690K_35GHz_LGA_1150_Boxed_Processor

Graphic card: http://www.microcenter.com/product/443973/GeForce_GTX_960_Overclocked_2GB_GDDR5_PCI-e_Video_Card