Re: get part info


Ok, let me first say, in case someone doesn't read this whole post,
that I have nothing against Dell except for their Tech support, and
that is common with the other major players, not just Dell. I have
had Dell computers in the past, I still have a Dell at home. I
recommend, and am using Dell computers at work (matter of fact, I'm
using the 19" ultrasharp at work, which is what led me into all this).
So, this was never a slam at Dell (tech support aside). I had merely
mentioned that I could build my system for $200-$300 less (at this
past weeks prices), and that Dell ram is awfully expensive. A couple
of people asked me to post specs/prices, so I looked up prices, and lo
and behold, proved my point. HOWEVER, this was only to prove that it
*could* be done, not that it *should* be done.

>
><snip>
>
>
>Right. But you have your OS and software bundles and are moving integral
>hardware over (which is advised and what I'd do). So you're not building a
>system from scratch, you're actually planning a partial build, which is
>great.

That was my plan, a partial build, or an upgrade, whatever you want to
call it. I know we will argue about the XPHome, so go ahead and throw
in a copy of XPHome from Ebay for $61. (I just looked) and add it to
my cost. Would I buy OS from ebay or seriously recommend that anyone
else do so? Not hardly, but plenty of people evidently do. (I have a
friend that bought XPpro from ebay for $99 and has had no problems)

Software bundles......what software bundles? Other than burning
software, what software is included other than bloatware, trial or
lite editions; *at no extra cost*. I do not buy Office editions with
OEM computers. I buy retail upgrade editons, and yes, I do have the
qualifying previous versions. (I just looked, OfficePro2003 upgrade
is $273 at Amazon). Don't use wordperfect. Don't use trial editions
of paint shop pro or any of the other stuff. So, even if I bought an
OEM computer, I would still put retail office on it. Anti-virus is
trial, so you would still need to purchase it, with way you go.

Ok, I just thought of PowerDVD or WinDVD, I'll give you that. I never
watch movies on my computer so didn't think of that.

>It's not apples to apples.

I know, I said that. They only way a person could compare "apples to
apples" is to match "exactly", make and model, exact same
specifications. I wasn't trying to do that.

You've also not priced a case to mount all of
>this in, so far as I can tell, which may or may not include the power
>supply.

Actually, I did, its snipped out in your reply. With a 300W power
supply. Googlegear case, which is an antech. I have one now for my
existing system, although with a 400W power supply. $48, which is a
bit low, and yes, its out of stock, but still therotically available
on backorder.

>You're comparing a partial build to a full build OEM Dell (or Gateway, or
>HP, or whatever). It's all but impossible to build from scratch a total
>system including OS and software bundles and compete with the cost of most
>all OEMs. Period.

I believe I just did show that it is *possible*. I don't advocate
doing so, but it is possible. When you say "compete with the cost of
most all OEMs", it sounds like I'm saying its feasible for a small
shop to build their own and compete with a major OEM. That is not
what I was saying. I was saying that, *in my particular circumstance*,
I could "build up" my existing system for less than the cost of a
Dell. When challenged to "prove it", I did. Because I had made my
statement based partly on the actual cost of the parts I would be
buying, and partly on a guess as to what a person would need to buy
for a complete system, I needed to include all parts, not just the
parts I'm replacing, which I did, merely to illustrate a point. I am
not trying to talk anyone out of buying a Dell or any other major OEM.
But, a person *can* build a system for less, depending on what sales
are going on during a particular week, under certain circumstances,
what they want, etc. Will it match, exactly, the parts used in the
OEM computer? No, because I don't have the make/model numbers. But
reasonably close for comparasion purposes, yes.

The reason I was thinking along these lines for myself, is because I
would format the Dell, and install my own OS, my own Office and other
programs. Which made me wonder to myself "well then, why bother
getting a [insert major OEM]?

>Build. That board, btw, is essentially the equivalent (Intel 915) of the
>Dimension 4700.
>
>
>Stew

The 915 was/is a good choice for a 540 3.3ghz level cpu, but a 925
would cost very little more. And, I only looked at Intel, not any of
the cheaper (or any of the more expensive) brands.

Got a little (ok, a lot) long winded there.......again, this whole
thread started with an off the cuff remark, I guess I made the mistake
of providing specs/costs as asked. I believe I've provided evidence to
show that my remark was at least plausible.

One last time: I'm not saying you can compete with major OEMs...even
if you could undercut their prices, there's the little things called
overhead, profit margin. Nor am I suggesting anyone build their own
unless its to get exactly the configuration/brands they want.

My last post on this thread.



.

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