[Warhaven]

I have the money for a new system, ~$1800, and the option to buy an iMac from my work for ~$1750 (20" iMac, 256MB x1600 radeon, 2GB Ram, 250GB HDD, AppleCare), and consolidate on a single computer for both my Windows and Mac needs, (here it comes...) but I just can't get past how cheaply I could build this PC -- which would slaughter the iMac in every way (except the DVD, but I think I might splurge on the 20x burner for $5.00 more).

Here's the system I came up with on NewEgg:

Code:
Acer 20" Widescreen LCD .................. $169.99
OCZ Platinum 2GB RAM DDR-1066 ............ $149.99
Samsung 18x DVD±R Burner ................. $29.99
Sapphire Radeon HD 2900XT 512MB .......... $389.99
Antec Performance One Case + 850W PSU .... $328.99
AMD Athlon 64 x2 6000+ Windsor 3.0 GHz + 
EVGA Socket AM2 nForce 590 SLI Mobo ...... $275.99
500 GB Seagate HDD ....................... $95.98
TAX ...................................... $104.47
Shipping ................................. $53.69

Mail-In Rebates .......................... ($160.00)
---
$1432.12

Can anyone think of a reason why I should get the iMac over this PC? Outside of the obvious, which is the ability to run OS X.

[OreoCookie]

Being able to run OS X.

[cSurfr]

Sure. . . Mail in warranty as opposed to being able to have Apple send you the parts next day air, or being able to call someone for Tech Support. . .

Oh, and looks.

[Dakarʒ]

[/thread over]

[peeb]

Right. I mean, if the speed at which it runs Windows is your main criteria, then get the PC. If you want to run OSX, get the Mac. I can't understand why you would make this comparison, it's like comparing a warehouse with a house and saying 'which should I buy? The house is nice, but the warehouse is bigger.'

[Tomchu]

Hardware-wise, the PC kills the Mac -- no doubt about that.

... But you'll have to deal with Windows. While Windows does have some virtues, are you absolutely sure you'll be happy? :-P

[nonhuman]

Well you could run OS X on it, quite well in fact... Not that I'd know about such things...

[wallinbl]

Clearly you and I have different priorities. For one, running OS X doesn't seem to matter to you. It does to me. Windows just causes me grief. For two, why on earth would someone pay that much for a video card? For three, why on earth would someone pay that much for a case? For four, why would you spend that much on a case and a video card and skimp on the monitor? Your eyes have to look at it all the time.

Also, unless you live in CA, I don't think NewEgg will charge you tax.

You can get a refurb 20" iMac from Apple for $1299 - why is your work charging you so much?

[KeriVit]

There's also labor, virus software and updates, as well as time and money spent on it in the future. I currently have 3 Adobe apps open, 4 internet and Word and nothing is whining. I have not restarted or shut down in 6 months.*


Oh and agreed on the refurb iMac at 1200 or so- Best of both worlds?!?!?

*Now it's going to melt.

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by Warhaven 

Can anyone think of a reason why I should get the iMac over this PC? Outside of the obvious, which is the ability to run OS X.

• Saving $400
• Better product warranties (lifetime on RAM, five years on hard drive, etc)
• Expandability to add future technology (new video card, faster DVD burner, faster processor, etc)
• The satisfaction of building your own machine to your exact specifications and desires

The only thing you'd be missing out on is one place for all your tech support (instead of from individual vendors), but if you're already considering building your own rig, I'm guessing you've got enough computer knowledge to figure out your own problems without using an 800 number. It's a no-brainer IMO.

One word of advice - if there's a Fry's in your area, see if you can get some of the components there. That way, if there's a problem, returns will be much easier. Even if it's $5 or $10 more to get it at Fry's, it might be worth it just in case.

[Mastrap]

You're comparing Apples and Oranges. If you want a PC, cheap or otherwise, do whatever you have to do. Buy a kit from newegg, buy from Dell, whatever flats your boat. It's a PC, it'll do PC things and if that is what you need it'll probably make you happy and you can move on.

If you want a Mac, get a Mac. You're buying a whole lot more than just a bunch of parts that may or may not play nicely with each other an an OS that works with you, not against you. For me that's worth the extra $$$, for you it might or might not be.

Your choice.

[OreoCookie]

Oh, wait, you forgot to add a Windows Vista/XP Professional licence -- which reduces the price advantage a little.

[Sherman Homan]

Is your Window's license in the list? You will need that.

Edit: Drat you Oreo! I get up to get a nice cold beer and you jump in!
It isn't just the price difference or the legality (all important, I know...!) but the reality is you are going to need to skin that Windows install a whole lotta times.

[shifuimam]

An OEM copy of XP/Pro SP2 (which the OP would qualify for since he's purchasing a ton of hardware to go with it) is $140 from NewEgg. If you consider that the $1750 for the iMac includes OS X (a $130 value), then his now-$1570 computer is still $180 cheaper and still comes with better hardware warranties. If he's already got a legitimate copy of XP, it's a moot point.

If you want a Mac, get a Mac. If you want the most value for the least amount of money (along with the other reasons I already listed), build your own machine. Be a responsible computer user and treat XP nicely, and it will return the favor.

[OreoCookie]

… or if he wants a copy of Vista [insert flavor here], then he needs to shell out money again, too.

[Cadaver]

I have a good Mac to run OS X, a good PC to run Windows (Vista) and I keep the two separate.
Different tools for different jobs.

[loki74]

The time you'll lose waiting for the slightly slower processor you will more than make up for in the time you'll save not pulling out your hair, rebooting, installing anti-spyware/antivirus, installing firewalls, reinstalling Windows...

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

Be a responsible computer user and treat XP nicely, and it will return the favor.

What do I do if I'm out of condoms?

[peeb]

For most of us (non-graphics professionals) processor speed is not that important if you have a relatively modern machine. OS and app ease of use in terms of 'do I have to spend the morning troubleshooting' is far more of a time issue than whether a task takes 20 seconds or 40 seconds.

[highstakes]

Get the PC, then once you have the buyers remorse, you will learn your lesson

[besson3c]

I hope that the day comes that "get a PC" is not synonymous with "get a PC to run Windows". Of course, that would really complicate the "PC vs. Mac" dichotomy.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

If you want a Mac, get a Mac. If you want the most value for the least amount of money (along with the other reasons I already listed), build your own machine.

I question your sense of value.

[wallinbl]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

What do I do if I'm out of condoms?

Get her to blow you.

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

I question your sense of value.

Why? The hardware that's in a Mac is the same hardware you can buy on NewEgg - and sometimes, you can buy better hardware on NewEgg. There's nothing particularly "special" about Apple hardware.

When it comes to building your own rig vs. buying a Mac, you can get the same quality in the components you buy in building your own, for less money. The difference between that and a Mac is that a Mac is pretty, made by Apple, and can legally run OS X.

When it comes to buying an Emachines or a low-end Dell vs buying a Mac, you might end up getting cheaper components compared to the Mac, so the price difference is valid there. This guy, however, is looking at spending $1400 on a machine he builds himself - I doubt he's going to buy low-end or inferior components if he's planning on spending that much money. Therefore, if he really wants to legally run OS X, he should buy a Mac. If he wants a computer that's comparable to a Mac in hardware specs (and can run hackintosh if he really wants), I see no justification in spending the extra money to get a Mac with worse component warranties (unless times have changed, OEM hardware from any manufacturer doesn't carry the same warranty as retail hardware).

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by wallinbl 

Get her to blow you.

I'm not sure he wants to risk removing the duct tape and letting her come to.

[Warhaven]

Originally Posted by wallinbl 

For two, why on earth would someone pay that much for a video card?

It's the near-top-of-the-line Radeon, and a hundred bucks less than the 8800GTX. i.e. I won't have to upgrade for a good long while.

For three, why on earth would someone pay that much for a case?

It's the 850w power supply that costs the money.

For four, why would you spend that much on a case and a video card and skimp on the monitor? Your eyes have to look at it all the time.

It's not set in stone. I wanted to go cheep, but still have a good video card and plenty of wattage so I can recycle the case/power supply later on.

Also, unless you live in CA, I don't think NewEgg will charge you tax.

Which I do.

You can get a refurb 20" iMac from Apple for $1299 - why is your work charging you so much?

The iMacs from work are all upgraded for the digital media courses: 256MB Radeon x1600, as opposed to the GMA950 integrated or 128MB Radeon, as well as 2GB RAM, and 2.33 GHz CPU. And includes the 3-year AppleCare.

… or if he wants a copy of Vista [insert flavor here], then he needs to shell out money again, too.

Fortunately, Stanford is part of the MSDN Educational Software Alliance. Which means I get a free copy of XP and Vista Business.

Thanks for the comments.

On that note, does anyone have any suggestions on what I might change? Such as, would I really need a 850W PSU?

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by Warhaven 

On that note, does anyone have any suggestions on what I might change? Such as, would I really need a 850W PSU?

Nope, you wouldn't, it's overkill. I think a 500 W-class power supply is sufficient. 850 W psus are necessary for people who want to use SLI.

Originally Posted by Warhaven 

Fortunately, Stanford is part of the MSDN Educational Software Alliance. Which means I get a free copy of XP and Vista Business.

Stanford? Don't they have a community college …




Just kidding, of course, have a look at my location

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by Warhaven 

On that note, does anyone have any suggestions on what I might change? Such as, would I really need a 850W PSU?

Here's the thing: the less you spend on hardware now, the sooner you'll have to buy upgrades in the future. If you can afford bleeding-edge technology, you might as well go for it, because in six months it'll be five models behind whatever the latest technology is. Similarly, if you buy a video card right now that's five steps behind bleeding-edge, then in six months you've got a card that's eight to ten steps behind.

If you're not looking for extreme graphics capability (e.g. you don't plan on playing the latest games on this thing), you'd be fine with a cheaper video card. My boyfriend's got a Radeon x1300 that works fine with Flight Sim X and general computing. If you want all the neat DirectX 10 stuff that Vista and the next generation of PC games will provide, you'll need a high-end video card (like the one you're planning on getting).

The 850W PSU might be overkill. Unless you're planning on adding more than a few hard drives in your rig, a 650W PSU should be adequate and save you a little money. You might also look at buying the case and the PSU separately - it might be cheaper overall.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

I hope that the day comes that "get a PC" is not synonymous with "get a PC to run Windows". Of course, that would really complicate the "PC vs. Mac" dichotomy.

Here, try some Chewlies gum.

[Warhaven]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

If you're not looking for extreme graphics capability (e.g. you don't plan on playing the latest games on this thing), you'd be fine with a cheaper video card. My boyfriend's got a Radeon x1300 that works fine with Flight Sim X and general computing. If you want all the neat DirectX 10 stuff that Vista and the next generation of PC games will provide, you'll need a high-end video card (like the one you're planning on getting).

The 850W PSU might be overkill. Unless you're planning on adding more than a few hard drives in your rig, a 650W PSU should be adequate and save you a little money. You might also look at buying the case and the PSU separately - it might be cheaper overall.

Yeah, I switched some things around, thinking that since I'm getting the SLI motherboard, I'll go with a cheaper video card and pair it up later if I need the extra video boost, which shouldn't be for some times since it's a pretty beefy card in its own right. Here's my new setup, let me know what you think:

Code:
Xoxide Purity Case ................. $86.18 (w/ shipping)
ASUS 18x DVD SATA burner ........... $32.99
Acer 20" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD .... $169.99
2 GB OCZ Platinum DDR-1066 RAM ..... $160.99
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB Video +
Rosewill 750W PSU (combo) .......... $394.98
AMD Athlon 64 x2 6000+ Windsor +
EVGA nForce 590 SLI mobo (combo) ... $275.99
Mail-In Rebates .................... ($80.00)
----
Total (w/ tax+shipping) ............ $1,149.68

[peeb]

It still looks like it's going to run Windows to me.

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by Warhaven 

Yeah, I switched some things around, thinking that since I'm getting the SLI motherboard, I'll go with a cheaper video card and pair it up later if I need the extra video boost, which shouldn't be for some times since it's a pretty beefy card in its own right. Here's my new setup, let me know what you think:

How many SATA channels are on that mobo? If you've only go two or three, I'd get an IDE DVD burner - the SATA won't make that much of a difference, since you're still limited by how fast you can (successfully) burn discs. You want to keep your SATA open for hard drives.

The only thing with the video card at this point is whether or not you want DirectX 10 capability right now. If you don't mind spending the money later for a new video card that can do DX10, then get the card you have listed - prices will always go down on this stuff, so you'll be able to get a DX10-capable card in the future for cheaper than they are now.

Other than that, looks good! You'll have to post up some pics when you're done building it.

[goMac]

An Athlon is just not as good as a Core 2 Duo.