How hard is it to build my own computer?

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

Dell has a scratch and dent with core duo. I can't build a computer for $349.
Is the pentium dual core signifantly worse than the core 2 duo?

I understnad the c2d > pentium, but signifcantly?

Yes, significantly. Not just in terms of performance, but also in energy efficiency. Won't use as much electricity and won't make as much heat. It is all around significantly better.

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

So it's really 1.8 gHz x 2....?

Yes. The manufaturing scale is so small that they can fit 2 processors on one package. Giving you 2 processors each running at 1.8
On a quad core you get 4X(whatever speed)ghz. Crazy huh //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

you got to have a high IQ

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Yes. The manufaturing scale is so small that they can fit 2 processors on one package. Giving you 2 processors each running at 1.8
On a quad core you get 4X(whatever speed)ghz. Crazy huh //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

Indeed.

It makes a lot more sense now. I was thinking, why would I pay more for less performance.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

you got to have a high IQ

??

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

you got to have a high IQ

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

 

[Megalomaniac 5,000+ posts]

How come a Pentium 4 is 3.1 GZ and is cheaper than a Core 2 Duo that is 1.8 Gz. I thought more Gigahertz = faster???

I wouldnt say that. I discovered the rating system is different for every chip. with amd athlons 64 and intels p4, the amd would have a rating of 2ghz while the intels would say 3ghz. they both performed the same IMO. its just different the way there scales go i guess.

AMD is trailing now, maybe they will just rely on ATI for their income for now.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I am curious how this leaps and bounds in technology is not very reflected in the stock price?

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

I am curious how this leaps and bounds in technology is not very reflected in the stock price?

I'm sure no one has to tell you that tech advancement doesn't always directly reflect in stock prices.

Additionally, I will refrain from conversation with you right after you bring economics into play from now on. Not everything in the world or life revolves around the **** dollar.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I'm sure no one has to tell you that tech advancement doesn't always directly reflect in stock prices.
Additionally, I will refrain from conversation with you right after you bring economics into play from now on. Not everything in the world or life revolves around the **** dollar.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

I know...I know.... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/blush.gif.99bc659ee2012b7d826165e26fb5eebe.gif

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Just let me know, and I'll stop.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Inspiron 530s

Inspiron Desktop 530s Slim Tower: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4400 (2MB L2 Cache,2.0GHz,1066 FSB)

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

System Price : $369.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating System

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memory

2 GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Floppy Drive

1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hard Disk Drive

160 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Video

128MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1300 HyperMemory

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modem

56K DataFax Modem

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scratch & Dent

Scratch & Dent

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Base

Inspiron Desktop 530s Slim Tower: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4400 (2MB L2 Cache,2.0GHz,1066 FSB)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Media Bay

16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Software Upgrade

Roxio Creator 9.0 Premier

Microsoft Works 8.5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hardware Upgrade

USB Keyboard

Dell Optical USB 2-button Mouse

Can I build one for $369 that significantly improves this one?

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

I know...I know.... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/blush.gif.99bc659ee2012b7d826165e26fb5eebe.gif
//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Just let me know, and I'll stop.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Well, I will try my best to come up with a reasoning to your question.

My best guess would be that even though this technology is far superior to its last generation, many don't feel the need to have it. Their P4s with WinXP do what they need them to do and they feel no urge to upgrade. Back when PC hardware was selling like hotcakes it was because Buggy Win98/ME machines with celeron 300Mhz processors weren't cutting it for people. So they needed to try and speed everything up. The necessity was there. So while the Core2 Duo may be superior, the P4 will do everything the average shmuck needs it to do on a day to day basis with enough speed. However if you are in the market, it makes no sense to go to the P4. You just won't find averaghe Joe lining up to trade in his 3.1Ghz P4 for a shiny new 1.8duo.

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

Inspiron 530s
Inspiron Desktop 530s Slim Tower: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4400 (2MB L2 Cache,2.0GHz,1066 FSB)

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

System Price : $369.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating System

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memory

2 GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Floppy Drive

1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hard Disk Drive

160 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Video

128MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1300 HyperMemory

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modem

56K DataFax Modem

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scratch & Dent

Scratch & Dent

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Base

Inspiron Desktop 530s Slim Tower: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4400 (2MB L2 Cache,2.0GHz,1066 FSB)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Media Bay

16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Software Upgrade

Roxio Creator 9.0 Premier

Microsoft Works 8.5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hardware Upgrade

USB Keyboard

Dell Optical USB 2-button Mouse

Can I build one for $369 that significantly improves this one?

IMO, NO. When it comes to budget machines, I would stick with Dell. You don't see a significant savings or any savings at all in DIY unless you are looking to make a gaming or otherwise high end machine. The freedom to choose what you want is another plus, but in your case not important. That is a **** fine machine for the price.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

For the same price, I can drop the video card and double the HD space...

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

For the same price, I can drop the video card and double the HD space...

If you don't play games and need HDD space then that would be the route to go. It is the route I would take. That video card isn't all that great anyway, so a slighly lower model wouldn't make much difference.