New computer - buy or build?

With my current system about to turn 5 (6?) it's time to upgrade.

I would like to be able to play some of the higher-end games with
reasonable resolution and framerates - but nothing bleeding edge. Sort of
a low-mid level gaming machine.

After much research, I've got most of my questions figured out.

But I'm not wholly convinced that it makes sense to build a system this
time, vs. buying one.

I've looked at Dell, because I've owned their desktops (and laptops) in
the past and they've been pretty good. However I've also looked at
VelocityMicro, which seems to have slightly better offerings than Dell
with regards to what I'm looking for in terms of parts and price.

I'm not looking to go to Vista at this time. XP and a decent video card
should do me for at least a few years at which time maybe Vista will
actually be worthwhile and stable.

So, the questions:

* Does Dell give you an actual XP install CD so I can do a clean,
non-Dell-cluttered installation if I choose?

* How is the XPS line for gaming, seriously? The last review I read
wasn't very kind, but that was mainly due to Dell's FUBAR software
configuration. I don't mind doing a clean install of XP.

* Has anyone had experience with VelocityMicro vs. Dell? Good and bad
stories welcome of course.

"Doug Jacobs" <> wrote in message
news:...
> With my current system about to turn 5 (6?) it's time to upgrade.
>
> I would like to be able to play some of the higher-end games with
> reasonable resolution and framerates - but nothing bleeding edge. Sort of
> a low-mid level gaming machine.
>
> After much research, I've got most of my questions figured out.
>
> But I'm not wholly convinced that it makes sense to build a system this
> time, vs. buying one.
>
> I've looked at Dell, because I've owned their desktops (and laptops) in
> the past and they've been pretty good. However I've also looked at
> VelocityMicro, which seems to have slightly better offerings than Dell
> with regards to what I'm looking for in terms of parts and price.
>
> I'm not looking to go to Vista at this time. XP and a decent video card
> should do me for at least a few years at which time maybe Vista will
> actually be worthwhile and stable.
>
> So, the questions:
>
> * Does Dell give you an actual XP install CD so I can do a clean,
> non-Dell-cluttered installation if I choose?
>
> * How is the XPS line for gaming, seriously? The last review I read
> wasn't very kind, but that was mainly due to Dell's FUBAR software
> configuration. I don't mind doing a clean install of XP.
>
> * Has anyone had experience with VelocityMicro vs. Dell? Good and bad
> stories welcome of course.

Dell does give you a real CD or DVD (depending on the OS). Wipe it clean
and it will be plenty fast. XPS are nice machines.

Can't help on the compare. Just have Dells

Tom Scales wrote:

Dell does give you a real CD or DVD (depending on the OS). Wipe it clean
> and it will be plenty fast. XPS are nice machines.

Can you get XP anymore?

Bob

"Bob Levine" <> wrote in message
news:n2Owh.19$yI1.1@trndny01...
> Tom Scales wrote:
>
> Dell does give you a real CD or DVD (depending on the OS). Wipe it clean
>> and it will be plenty fast. XPS are nice machines.
>
> Can you get XP anymore?
>
> Bob

Yes. You likely have to call, but you can.

Bob Levine wrote:
> Tom Scales wrote:
>
> Dell does give you a real CD or DVD (depending on the OS). Wipe it clean
>> and it will be plenty fast. XPS are nice machines.
>
> Can you get XP anymore?

From the "A Statement from Dell re Vista" thread:

"For customers that still want Windows XP, this operating system will continue
to be available on OptiPlex, Latitude and Precision Workstations for the next
12 months."

--
Notan

Ordering a full set of CDs is an option on the web when you
customize your order, be sure to look at all the pages, so
you get the OS, software and hardware you want.


"Doug Jacobs" <> wrote in message
news:...
| With my current system about to turn 5 (6?) it's time to
upgrade.
|
| I would like to be able to play some of the higher-end
games with
| reasonable resolution and framerates - but nothing
bleeding edge. Sort of
| a low-mid level gaming machine.
|
| After much research, I've got most of my questions figured
out.
|
| But I'm not wholly convinced that it makes sense to build
a system this
| time, vs. buying one.
|
| I've looked at Dell, because I've owned their desktops
(and laptops) in
| the past and they've been pretty good. However I've also
looked at
| VelocityMicro, which seems to have slightly better
offerings than Dell
| with regards to what I'm looking for in terms of parts and
price.
|
| I'm not looking to go to Vista at this time. XP and a
decent video card
| should do me for at least a few years at which time maybe
Vista will
| actually be worthwhile and stable.
|
| So, the questions:
|
| * Does Dell give you an actual XP install CD so I can do a
clean,
| non-Dell-cluttered installation if I choose?
|
| * How is the XPS line for gaming, seriously? The last
review I read
| wasn't very kind, but that was mainly due to Dell's FUBAR
software
| configuration. I don't mind doing a clean install of XP.
|
| * Has anyone had experience with VelocityMicro vs. Dell?
Good and bad
| stories welcome of course.

In the US, the CDs are now standard (since October)
"Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm> wrote in message
news:%sOwh.13717$...
> Ordering a full set of CDs is an option on the web when you
> customize your order, be sure to look at all the pages, so
> you get the OS, software and hardware you want.
>
>
> "Doug Jacobs" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> | With my current system about to turn 5 (6?) it's time to
> upgrade.
> |
> | I would like to be able to play some of the higher-end
> games with
> | reasonable resolution and framerates - but nothing
> bleeding edge. Sort of
> | a low-mid level gaming machine.
> |
> | After much research, I've got most of my questions figured
> out.
> |
> | But I'm not wholly convinced that it makes sense to build
> a system this
> | time, vs. buying one.
> |
> | I've looked at Dell, because I've owned their desktops
> (and laptops) in
> | the past and they've been pretty good. However I've also
> looked at
> | VelocityMicro, which seems to have slightly better
> offerings than Dell
> | with regards to what I'm looking for in terms of parts and
> price.
> |
> | I'm not looking to go to Vista at this time. XP and a
> decent video card
> | should do me for at least a few years at which time maybe
> Vista will
> | actually be worthwhile and stable.
> |
> | So, the questions:
> |
> | * Does Dell give you an actual XP install CD so I can do a
> clean,
> | non-Dell-cluttered installation if I choose?
> |
> | * How is the XPS line for gaming, seriously? The last
> review I read
> | wasn't very kind, but that was mainly due to Dell's FUBAR
> software
> | configuration. I don't mind doing a clean install of XP.
> |
> | * Has anyone had experience with VelocityMicro vs. Dell?
> Good and bad
> | stories welcome of course.
>
>

"Notan" <notan@ddressthatcanbespammed> wrote in message
news: ...
> Bob Levine wrote:
>> Tom Scales wrote:
>>
>> Dell does give you a real CD or DVD (depending on the OS). Wipe it
>> clean
>>> and it will be plenty fast. XPS are nice machines.
>>
>> Can you get XP anymore?
>
> From the "A Statement from Dell re Vista" thread:
>
> "For customers that still want Windows XP, this operating system will
> continue
> to be available on OptiPlex, Latitude and Precision Workstations for the
> next
> 12 months."
>
> --
> Notan

I'd bet you can still get Dimension/XPS with XP through small business

Tom Scales <> wrote:

> Dell does give you a real CD or DVD (depending on the OS). Wipe it clean
> and it will be plenty fast. XPS are nice machines.

I'm a bit confused by the XPS line. If I choose the same hardware, same
OS and same options, the XPS 710 is like $2k, vs. $1.2k for the XPS 410
vs. $1100 for just the pieces from Newegg.

Does not compute.


--
Win cash and giftcards just for clicking your mouse!
http://www.netwinner.com/?signupCode=amuro98

"Doug Jacobs" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Tom Scales <> wrote:
>
>> Dell does give you a real CD or DVD (depending on the OS). Wipe it clean
>> and it will be plenty fast. XPS are nice machines.
>
> I'm a bit confused by the XPS line. If I choose the same hardware, same
> OS and same options, the XPS 710 is like $2k, vs. $1.2k for the XPS 410
> vs. $1100 for just the pieces from Newegg.
>
> Does not compute.
>
>
> --

What doesn't computer. XPS700 has either a 750w or 1000w power supply.
Lots and lots of bays. Superior cooling. For $2K, it's likely dual video
cards.

Nice box, but pricey.