Computer/Tower suggestions

Looking for a PC, not sure which direction to take.

Currently looking into the Dell XPS 420 line

I don't know much about computers, so help NEEDED.

i have the dell XPS 420 and its a great computer....hands down

Learn to build one, you will never get a good system that was built for you for a good price.

On May 11 2008 20:02 alphablend wrote: Learn to build one, you will never get a good system that was built for you for a good price.

This. I'm sure if you spend $X on a computer from an online prebuilt place like dell, I can spent $0.4X and have an equally performing system. Or, another way of looking at it, if you spend $1k on a computer I can spend $1k and build a computer that is equivalent to the $2k ones you can buy from the same place you bought your computer in terms of parts and performance.

Building a computer is very very easy. It's not something you have to have done before. Check anandtech.com -> forums -> and ask questions there.

Also check ncix.com and click the sales graphical link in the top mid-left for good deals, or try directcanada.com

Question
When building your own computer, what's the easiest way in how to learn which components I want to purchase that will all work together with no configuration problems?

i.e. I want to have ___ cpu so I must have a ___ motherboard and can get ___ graphics card while the ___, ___ or ___ power supplies work best and it will all fit nice in a ___ case etc etc

On May 11 2008 21:35 tloapc wrote: Question When building your own computer, what's the easiest way in how to learn which components I want to purchase that will all work together with no configuration problems? i.e. I want to have ___ cpu so I must have a ___ motherboard and can get ___ graphics card while the ___, ___ or ___ power supplies work best and it will all fit nice in a ___ case etc etc

CASE:
There really 2 main type of case.. mini atx and atx.
ATX is the normal one.. the normal height,
mini ATX is really small like a gamecube.
Going for mini-ATX, you will sacrifice the flexibilty of hardwares and usually are not powerful.

CPU/MOTHERBOARD
If you have an Intel CPU then you must have a motherboard that supports Intel CPUs. Same goes for AMD.
Now.. there are many different type of Intel or AMD cpu... all you have to do is look for matching "sockets" which is stated under the specification. If it matches, it's good to go. However some motherboard are better than other (by features, and raw performances)

GRAPHIC CARD
There's really two important ones.. AGP and PCI-EX types.
Both are type of ports.. but PCI-EX is faster! PCI-EX has few version x4, x16.. usually videocard use x16.
Just make sure your motherboard supports the one you are going for.
Nevertheless.. some high-ends videocard require a great PSU(Power Supply Unit)... but specification should tell you

MEMORY
First... know the # of memory slots your motherboard have..
Then... know what type it supports and the maximum size for each..

prebuild pcs from dell and such arent that far price from buyin retail parts unless ur those ppl that stacks rebates all the time

plus last time my mobo got fried durin a t-storm and dell sent a technician to replace stuff rly fast and shit. free cuz its covered. if its from retail u gotta take things apart, mail dmged parts, wait for them to ship back etc etc...

my newest pc was bought from some ebay store and its overclocked and shit. i think its worth it.

I noticed on the website NCIX.com you can basically build your comp from the ground up and they'll build it at no cost. What am i looking for hardware wise? Comp will be used for Work, School, Poker, little Gaming.

Id agree with JYang, unless you want to spend time learning how to fix your own computer - or know some nerd who will do it for free you might aswell just buy one from Dell and enjoy the warranty.

Youll probably spend more if you buy it then pay a small-time IT guy running a local shop to build it for you.

You can upgrade and shit on Dell to pretty much whatever you want and theyll probably accomodate any requests youve got that arent already in the options.

All I know, is I would literally be embarrassed buying a factory built system. My very first system was a Micron back when I was 11, when I was 12 I built my own system on my own just using instruction from the internet. Leads me to believe it isn't that difficult.

building your own comp is def worth it so don't waste your money buying comps specially from dell =P I got a couple of friends who bough their comps from HP/dell about 2 years ago for around 2k and had to already buy new graphic cards and power supplies on the other hand I can still play COD4 in mid/high settings on my 1.4k comp without upgrading shit and I know that I can buy a graphic card withing the $400-$500 range without having to upgrade my power supply.