Need new computer-Dell 8400-any good??

PHOEBISIS · 12-19-2004, 08:21 PM

I need to get a new computer,and it can't be too expensive.The main requirement(for my son) is that it be able to "play" the newest video games that require a video card that is at least the equivalent of"GFORCE 3 with 64 mb of RAM".I can get a 4700 from Dell-just the tower and keyboard with an add-on video card for $650 delivered.I can get a Dell 8400 on Ebay for about $700 delivered and it has more of everything than the 4700.Is the 8400 "good".Is $700 an OK Ebay price-they go for about $600 with close to $100 shipping and insurance.Help??Thanks.Charlie

*COTitan* · 12-19-2004, 09:09 PM

Well my 8400 works for me well i have had it since july and paid $1000 for it. i got it for the faster front bus speed and procceser for microsoft project spreadsheets. If games is your only concern i would get the 4700 with fast video card and ram. If you want to learn more this is my brother in laws web site message board where he describes with it importent for each user.

(http://www.owensperformance.com/cgi-...ct=ST;f=10;t=2)

pagerdaddy · 12-19-2004, 11:10 PM

Charlie,
I'd rather pick my own components than buy one of the "brands". The last
custom computer I bought was from ibuypower.com, and you can pick what
you want, or see if one of their specials matches what you are looking for.

I had to do a return on mine when it started locking up. It turned out to be
a bad driver for the motherboard. They did a call tag with FedEx on it, and
got it back to me quickly.

They have some holiday specials now with free shipping. The one for $514
looks pretty good. Maybe you could take the specs on the Dell and compare
features. Only drawback I have found on the custom route is the time delay
on how quickly they will build it.

**CaliforniaTitan** · 12-19-2004, 11:33 PM

Running 2 dells ourselves...Mine has the 'added' extras (memory, flat panel etc etc) that I got for $1200 and momma is running the $399 special they had a couple months ago....Both work just fine. I too normally build my own, but with work I didn't have the time so I just bought the both.

Chris

Brons2 · 12-19-2004, 11:48 PM

I only build computers for myself anymore, everyone else I tell to buy from a reputable vendor.

Dell is as good as any. We are considering switching to them at my work for desktops and laptops. We are sticking to HP for our servers though, that will be changed over my dead, stiff body.

keiffers · 12-20-2004, 04:16 AM

Working for Dell, I don't even buy them. Not that I think they are crappy machines, but because I don't want to have to sit through talking to a tech in India reading from a script on how to fix a minor problem. I've enjoyed the Dell's that I have had, but have a Compaq Presario laptop now and love it.

And in regards to the Dell build process, there isn't much of a delay most of the time, and if there is, it is because a supplier hasn't provided the parts necessary to build the machine...one of the drawbacks of doing it the way Dell does it, but Dell is pretty picky about that stuff, if a supplier can't provide the items in the time Dell allots, Dell just takes their business elsewhere. Sales should be advising an 'estimated' time for delivery, not a specific, as that would be a violation of the mail order rule which Dell has already gotten burned on once for violating. Anyway, there are different variables that come into play that could delay a system.

Good luck on whatever you decide to get

Brons2 · 12-20-2004, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keiffers

Working for Dell, I don't even buy them. Not that I think they are crappy machines, but because I don't want to have to sit through talking to a tech in India reading from a script on how to fix a minor problem. I've enjoyed the Dell's that I have had, but have a Compaq Presario laptop now and love it.

You think any of the other manufacturers source support differently?

(hint: no)

wareagle · 12-20-2004, 05:18 AM

the most important thing to look for is a good video card and decent porcessor. The processor should be at least a 2.8ghz, with at least 512MB ram, and the video card should be at least NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT or higher, unless you want to upgrade in a few months. The higher the video card the better. You can check out tomshardware.com and see a thorough comparison of all the video cards speed with various games. Your kid is going to want the latest games at the highest resolutions and the games are only getting more demanding on the systems. Future proof a little and make sure the system has PCI express for the video card or you will be stuck with an obsolete gaming system in about a year that you can't upgrade. If he wants to play the newest games and you want to future proof as much as you can get a geforce 6800 or higher or a radeon x800 or higher. You will save alot of time and money if get a little slower processor and a lot better video card b/c that is what really pushes the graphics. I may get some stuff for saying that from so called computer experts but take it from a gamer and someone who builds and fixes computers and graduated from college with an MIS degree (like that really matters it's all about experience).

Brons2 · 12-20-2004, 05:23 AM

Geez.

My 5700 and AMD 2000+ does okay in Doom 3.

PCI express? 6600GT? 2.8? maybe next year

I just got a new Titan!

logicjunky · 12-20-2004, 07:57 AM

PCI Express isn't necessary. New technology that while attractive is a bit of overkill. You can run any bleeding edge graphic-ed game on 8x AGP graphics cards like ATI 9200 (I have a 128mb 9250 that runs most everything), 9500, 9600, or a 9800 series card.

Dell is a good choice. I used to work for Gateway and they make decent PC's but in the price vs quality arena building your own is the best route. If not, determine how long you'll try and hold onto it and don't say 5-6 years b/c that won't float in today's tech world. Things change too fast...
A mom & dad local pc place might be a better answer then. Up to you really...it's hard to go wrong anymore.

Nuckle · 12-20-2004, 08:45 AM

I build my own but advice people to buy dell if they don't know how to build their own.

Nuck

pagerdaddy · 12-20-2004, 09:05 AM

I've never managed to keep up with the upgrade curve. It seems like every
time I've gotten ready to update a system, the technology has left me and
my outdated motherboard behind.

My present system will be three years old in April, and already the Soyo
Dragon Ultra mb is obsolete, since the latest fsb is 800, and mine won't
support beyond 533.

I figured out a long time ago that the "latest and greatest" seemed to come
with an ultra-premium price. When I ordered this one, the fastest chip cost
way more than the Intel 2.0 Ghz Northwood that I wound up with. I did
order a 128 mb Geforce 3 video card, and I hoped that would carry me over
for a few years.

The only upgrades I have done to my system have been increasing the ram
from 512 to a full gig of PC2700, a cd burner, and a dvd player. Recently
I changed the case out to a Cooler Master Cavalier 3 with a Raid Max RX470
power supply. My son and I are getting into adding colored led's other mods.

For Christmas this year, I got the wife a Canon 8500 photo printer to go
along with her digital camera that Santa brought last year. She's getting
me a Samsung 910T 19" flat screen lcd monitor. We've been ordering stuff
from newegg.com, and they are the fastest internet vendor I've ever done
business with.

I'm hoping to get a couple more years out of this system, then perhaps look
for a new motherboard combo. It still runs any new program or game we've
tried, so maybe I won't be tempted to do anything for a while.

So what's the best bang for the buck these days on board and processor?

Steve

Nuckle · 12-20-2004, 09:31 AM

Not sure the best band for the buck but I really like my new P4 3.2 800mhz FSB and dual channel DDR400 (1gig). I got the abit AS8 MB with the guru overclocking utility. I am very stable at 3,520mhz's.

I bought the nvidia 6800 GT and for $400 I am not that happy with it. I owned a radeon 9800 pro before it and it would not cut it for me. Counterstrike Source is a resource eating pig.

Nuck

rrumaner · 12-20-2004, 09:32 AM

I am in the process of waiting for my 8400 to arrive. I ordered it on the 13th for delivery on the 21st (tomorrow). Firday I received an email telling me it would not ship until 1/3 ??

After checking their useless website and talking to their almost as useless customer service people, I am about to give up on ever receivng it.

As of Monday the 20th) the website says it is in the PreProduction stage, yet the heading says it is scheduled to ship Last Friday and arrive tomorrow ??

Talking to the C.S. people gets me even more confused as they say that it shipped and that the website they tell you to check is not updated regularly ??

If it ever arrives, I will let you know how I like it.

FourMoBro · 12-20-2004, 09:51 AM

just make sure you get the dell cheap. i have several coupons which can be used for the purchase of a new dell. you might want to buy the tower separate from the monitor and other stuff as i have coupons for the other stuff too. keep an eye out on www.slickdeals.net. they always have pointers to dell stuff about everyday.