New PC?

[B_Level]

I’m in the market for a new desktop and was just seeking some advice, suggestions, preferences, etc. on what’s out there. I’m really interested in what people have/use as far as:
- Processors
- Memory
- Graphics Cards
- Sound Cards
I’d mainly be using the workstation for Game Dev and Music Production/Editing. I’m trying to stay in the $1,200 - $1,500 price range as well. I was considering going with one of the big manufacturers (Dell, Gateway, HP . . .) I realize I’m looking for some opinions here but any advice would help a lot. Thanks!

[RhinoBull]

Have a look at one of this Dell XPS - XPS 210 fits your budget and it's pretty decent machine: it allows upto
- Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo Processor E6700 (4MB L2 Cache,2.66GHz,1066)
- and 4GB12 Dual-Channel DDR25 SDRAM (533MHz, 2 or 4 DIMMs).

[rory]

You can build your own PC for much less than the cost of a branded PC .. and have many more options as well .. in the end you get a much better PC overall.

For around $1300-1400 you can buy the parts for:

Ultra Wizard Black ATX Case
650 Watt Silent PSU w/ 120mm fan
80 & 120mm Dbl Ball Bearing Case Fans - temp controlled
Full ATX Motherboard that supports Intel D 9xx, 3xx, 5XX, 6XX, D 8xx
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.40GHz / 4MB Cache / 1066MHz FSB / Dual-Core CPU
CPU Cooling Fan (Not Intel)
2GB Dual Channel (4 Dimms) DDR2 667Mhz Memory
ATI Radeon X1300 Pro 256MB DDR2 PCI Express Video Card
250GB Seagate SATA-300 HDD
HDD Cooling Fan
DVD±RW Drive
Viewsonic 19" Extreme LCD 2ms
USB Keyboard & Optical USB Mouse

Course you dont really need all that .. P4 3.4Ghz Dual Core with HT, 4MB Cache 800FSB and 1GB SDRram ... plus a decent video card .. should be more than enough, and would be more like 3/4 the cost.

[RhinoBull]

You will certainly save some money by building yourself, however if you have to replace hardware then you will be dealing with one of dozen of vendors rather than one. More ofthen then wouldn't even bother talking to you... so is it really worth saving few hundreed bucks? Not always, though.
Personally, I've done it both ways so I know the difference.

[Pradeep1210]

If you don't know much assembling, just buy from some good vendor.
The disadvantage is Once you buy from a vendor, you are bound by the terms & conditions and can't add/upgrade parts yourself.

In case you have some good hardware knowledge and frequently fiddle with your system, you would be happier assembling your own system, where you choose what you want (mix and match sort of) and no boundations of adding/upgrading parts.

Pradeep

[rory]

You will certainly save some money by building yourself, however if you have to replace hardware then you will be dealing with one of dozen of vendors rather than one. More ofthen then wouldn't even bother talking to you... so is it really worth saving few hundreed bucks? Not always, though.
Personally, I've done it both ways so I know the difference.

I build PC's alot .. I dont understand what you're getting at?
Hardware goes bad, we replace the part, very simple. Parts have warranties.
The most common piece of hardware to go bad is the Power Supply, especially Stock ones found in barebones or branded systems - so you install a good PSU from the start.

[RhinoBull]

...Hardware goes bad, we replace the part, very simple...

Sure is simple - it's just that not every vendor (and evn manufacturer) will honor it...

...The most common piece of hardware to go bad is the Power Supply....

You are kidding, aren't you? Everything goes bad - mother boards, memory, hard drives, you name it... and again dealing with returns could be a major task.

... so you install a good PSU from the start.

Good power supply is important but it's just one part of many...

[rory]

Sure is simple - it's just that not every vendor (and evn manufacturer) will honor it...

You are kidding, aren't you? Everything goes bad - mother boards, memory, hard drives, you name it... and again dealing with returns could be a major task.

Good power supply is important but it's just one part of many...

We build DVRs .. and yes the Power Supply is the most common part.
Motherboards and others rarely go bad, if they do, it is typically due to Power Spikes from Low Voltage, when not using a Voltage Regulator - or just damaged during delivery, or factory defect. NOTE. I have never seen a component go bad once the system was on a Voltage Regulator.

It seems like you think Dell makes their own components ...

Buy from a Reseller that honors warranties, unless you are dealing direct with the Manufacturer, then you dont have to worry about RMAs. Also, PC Parts are very inexpensive now, even for us in the Bahamas where we pay double after Shipping and Customs.

[RhinoBull]

...It seems like you think Dell makes their own components ...

You know rory, I had my first PC long before companies like Dell, Gateway and such were born so I know exactly how they build their systems.
I also have quite of few friends working for Dell so lets keep this part (about what I think) out...
If you are happy with building your own PCs be my guest - I personally preffer to deal with one PC manufacturer (note: PC not parts) as it si much simpler to deal with any returns, exchanges, upgrades, etc...

Best regards and good luck in your PC building business.