Hi,
I only once used to build my own PC but ever since (6years ago) I kept buying complete systems from crappy vendors (DELL etc.) because I was on a budget every time and it seemed to be a better deal - well moneywise...

I need a new one preferably a barebone since I don't need all the bells and whistles. I am not a gamer and I need the performance to run Adobe Creative Suite and other memory intensive software. I assume I don't need a high-end graphics card but I am looking for 2 GB of RAM and an Intel with the 2 cores or whatever the hell is pretty up to date. I never knew how well the HT technology was working out but I believe that the newer generations do perform much better anyway.

Furthermore I need to buy from a local dealer (Miami - who I can yell at, in case something goes wrong) or a super-reputable online place where I will get a valid warranty.

I pretty much know what I want, I am just too unsure what exactly to get since the RAM itself has now so many different types, the frontbus operates at different speeds on certain boards bla bla. It's just too much to consider.

I would like to have:
- Case
- Power Supply
- Motherboard
- CPU
- Sound onboard
- Graphics for now onboard later I will see
- 200-300 GB HD
- min. 2 GB RAM
- Ethernet onboard (standard I guess)

I don't want to spend more than $800 and I bet most of you just start rolling on the floor but that's all I have. Could someone of you just check TigerDirect.com - Buy Computer Products at Discount Prices! to look at their barebones and let me know if there are good ones available? I'd greatly appreciate it. OH btw, I don't need gimmicks like illuminated cases just to watch how much dust it collects.

Thx

Hello bad_ufo,

Welcome to PCHF.

I don't think I can help you with this one, since I always recommend Dell. The reason for this is that they are cheap for what you get, support and waranty is one of the best I've seen. You can go to their web site and customise your system, so that you can have exactly what you want. I've only been able to find one downfall with Dell PC's, and that is that they are not very expandable. Until recently, Dell has the leading sales of computers, until HP has overtaken them in the last week or so!

The link you provided doesn't have very much to offer, and I don't think you need spend $800 for what you need.

@ madmonkey

Thanks for the swift reply. I did buy DELL and I just never spent more than $500 for a system which left me basically with low quality doo doo. Sorry to be so grahic but I am just so sick of it that I thought there must be something better out there. I think DELL has what I am looking for but then I have to pay way more for it. I can run a test customization and see what it spits out.

I am just confused about those new Frontbus speeds and different RAMS and internal cache and whatnot. Sometimes I know from experience they post stuff that doesn't really matter and in the end you get what you pay for...

However if someone else is out there to check the Tigersdirect website for barebones I would appreciate a comment!

I have only one comment about Tiger Direct's barebone kits- I have actually bought and assembled one (for a friend on a budget) it worked out great... but you aren't going to get top of the line RAM or power supply with them. A couple of the higher-prcied kits have some decent specs-- and if you aren't happy- with a component you can always swap it later on. my friends PC has abeen running daily for 2 years now with no major issues.

This one looks decent.
Detailed Specifications for Intel DG965RYCK Socket 775 Barebone Kit Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 OEM ATX Mid-Tower Case 500 Watt Power Supply at TigerDirect.com

BUT... no video card included



IMHO-- to find a system with that much :
RAM installed
HD space
even as a kit will take some serious hunting... and you'll need to be careful of compatibility issues , etc. There are a lot more choices now. (= more chances to screw up)

if you go here:Compare Prices and Read Customer Reviews at ResellerRatings.com
become a member (free + very useful)
You can use a service they call "my watch list"
so when you have an idea or 2 or 3 --of what exactly you want to buy-- you can put in all that gear and set up email alerts when the price drops to what you want... they have over 10,000 listed vendors all customer-rated.

To avoid compatiblity problems:
Start with your motherboard (and a basic idea what chip you want)
Motherboards' detailed specs will list what socket-type/Front-side bus (with AMD boards the FSB is often adjustible)/ RAM / Video card slots (you want PCI express-type, VGA is on it's way out) With your RAM needs I'd definitely suggest getting a 4 RAM-slot motherboard cheaper upgrades that way (2-slots stink-- every time you want to boost RAM you throw something away)
If you want to read up on hardware specs/compatibilties etc. go here:


Ars OpenForum 3.0b - Powered by eve community



Then go for the maximum RAM you can afford.
HD do you really need 300 gigs right away??
or could you buy 1 --150 gig now, and another later on -- most decent cases can mount up to 5 -6 HD's these days-- so you can add more space as you need it.

There is no point in getting the e6700 as it is just a slightly overclocked e6600 and there is ver little performance difference.

If you really want the e6700 then just buy a e6600 and overclock it can save you some money but you would be ok with an e6600 anyway.

Thanks to both of you for the replies - I really appreciate it! I guess I am right when I see that the barebone you referred to doesn't come with any RAM or HD... Then it'll get pricey (for me) even with a smaller HD and at least 2GB of RAM not to mention another graphics card maybe later on...

However I assume that the recommended barebone is somewhat of a good deal?

I don't want to wait much longer and is there any other online place that is worth looking at to buy a good barebone/system?

Just to get your opinion: DELL sucks right? I am asking since they always have promotions going on...

Thanks anyway!