[dba-Tech] Build vs. Buy a PC

I looked at www.ExtremeTech.com to see what they had.  One of the PC's they
built seemed to be what I'm looking for - It's the one that the author built
for his girlfriend.  

So far, I can get a collection of components that are similar to the Dell I
selected and altogether are a little lower in price (~$950).  In a few
weeks, I'll post what I finally did.  

I am going to get an Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 Ghz processor ($280), and
probably an Intel MB ($130?) (there are many to choose from).  Intel's web
site seems to have a great deal of information, and they have a 3 year
warranty.

The most significant option is whether to get a Graphics card - the one I've
been looking at is great for gamers - EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB ($375 -
not included in the price above).  I don't need it for games - what I want
to do is do some 3D design work which involves rendering realistic surfaces,
light sources, shading, and quickly changing views.  I think I'll not buy it
initially - see how things go - and maybe get it later.

Dan

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of jwcolby
Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 7:12 AM
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Build vs. Buy a PC

Don,

>In this day and age, you can buy one for far less than building one on your
own.

At the low end this is definitely true.  At the high end not so.  Dell and
others want to make their money back off those who can afford high end
equipment.


John W. Colby
Colby Consulting
www.ColbyConsulting.com 
-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Don Bozarth
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 11:13 AM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Build vs. Buy a PC

In this day and age, you can buy one for far less than building one on your
own.  However, building one allows you to choose exactly what you want, and
it's a heck of a lot of fun.  Just built one here:

Asus P5K WS motherboard
Intel core 2 duo 3 Ghz
3 Gb RAM (dual channel 1333 FSB)
2 1x2 Raid 1 arrays.. one 300Gb, one 500Gb (all drives are SATA)
      (one drive from each array is accessible from the front panel -
Kingwin Hot Swap shelves)
2 SATA cd/dvd R/W
Asus PCI Express x 16 Video card Nvidia GeForce 7300 based (I'm not a gamer)
The MB has 8 Channel hi def audio on board The MB has dual Gigabit LAN
controllers The MB supports 12 USB 2.0 ports The MB supports 2 IEEE 1394
ports The MB supports 1 standard serial port I added a PCI Express x 1
parallel port card I have 2 unused PCI slots, 1 unused PCI Express x 1 slot,
1 unused PCIX x 1 slot Cooler Master Elite 330 Case

But it cost about twice what your dell is going for...

Don B.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Waters" <dwaters at usinternet.com>
To: "'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'" 
<dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 7:40 AM
Subject: [dba-Tech] Build vs. Buy a PC


>I need a faster desktop PC.
>
> Dell has what I would like for about $1140 (Optiplex).
>
> It would have:
>
> Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 Ghz, 4Mb, VT, 1333Mhz FSB
> Windows XP Pro
> 2 Gb RAM
> 160 SATA HD (I only use 30 Gb now)
> 48X32 CDRW/DVD Combo - with Roxio Creator and Cyberlink Power DVD
> 256 Mb ATI Radeon 2400 XT, Dual Monitor DVI or VGA
> Data/FAX Modem (I need to fax some documents)
> Audio Card (I assume)
> 3 yr on-site warranty
> No Floppy disk
> No Accessories
> No extra software
>
> Could I build a similar system for a lower price or build a better system
> for about the same?  I would enjoy selecting components and assembling and
> I've ordered a book on how to do this, but if the answer is no then I 
> should
> just order this from Dell and get it faster.
>
>
> Thanks!
> Dan
>
> _______________________________________________
> dba-Tech mailing list
> dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com
> http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech
> Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com 

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