Picking a pc to build from....

[flynntargart]

Hello all, I'm getting ready to build a new PVR, and I was really hoping to get some advice on building a system.
I would like to use something along the lines of a Dell Optiplex GX620, which comes in a few different styles. I would like the smaller the better to fit in with my DVD player and PS2 and the like.

So my question is this:
If I went with the small form factor - http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/c...0smin&fb=1
Is there a low profile card that works with gbpvr, and more over, is there a good one?
Or if I went with the smaller desktop model - http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/c...&c=us&l=en
would that be preferable?

I know more or less what I want in terms of speed, and in terms of building a system I've got a lot of experience, I just wanted a few other opinions on the smaller pc, to see if it was worth it...

Thanks all~!

[rowle1jt]

Newegg.com stocks the low profile PVR150MCE. The PVR150MCE is probably the most popular card used with GB-PVR.

I would go low profile if you want the Small Form Factor.

[najames]

I joined to reply to this one thread. I would NOT buy a Dell. As a matter of fact I don't even want one if you offer to give it to me for free.

I tried to order a monitor from Dell. I went to check my account, could log on but someone elses name was on my account. I called about 10 times, attempting to get it fixed before the other guy started billing stuff to me. Finally, they tried to tell my that it was MY JOB to call the web master and work with him to resolve the problem. I gave up, closed the account, and canceled the order.

IT is stupid at work and blindly order Dells as if they are the Pied Piper and we're transfixed. I have an Optiplex G280. It has been the biggest POS I have ever seen. The first one's video died amost immediately, the second one had a motherboard failure, the third one's hard drive mysteriously died. I can't play a MP3 CD or the PC locks up. My managers died too last week when he accidently pushed the power button instead of the CD drive button. Second level manager's Dell is always borked, and I get called to try to fix it even though it isn't my job. IT simply can't keep up with Dell repairs. They drop like flies everywhere.

Dell quality or lack of. The 280s use blow torch, doggy, 2.8ghz Prescott (PresHOTT) chips, crappy power supplies. I measured the computer power draw, 75W at idle 138W under load with 512MB (504 after video), a CD ROM, floppy disk, and one 30GB drive. My AMD 3200 with 1GB, a Nvidia 6600 only uses 65W and 115 under load without cool and quiet or anything. Measured to 0.2% tolerence.

Do yourself a favor and build your own PC. It is easy, fun, and you CAN do it. Get a buddy to help out if needed. You will learn. Look on Newegg, sort by reviews to get good parts if you don't know about them. Just don't blindly buy a Dell from Hell. Look for a new AMD X2 or single core if you don't want to spend as much, Intel only get something like the invisible Conroe, low power with performance.

[cliffodell]

Here's what we used for a case and MthBd; no low profile cards necessary; room for 3 HDDs and a DVD burner.

[cliffodell]

(Forgot to Paste it!)

Quantity Product Name Part Number Each Total
[PG] Asus P4S800D-X Socket478/SIS655FX/FSB800/DDR400/SATA/A&L/ATX Motherboard MB-P4S80DX $56.84 $56.84
Super Talent ST372BS 400W 20/24pin Desktop Case (Black Case, w/Silver Trim) CA-ST372BS $33.99 $33.99
Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz 800MHz 478pin 1MB CPU, OEM 3.0E-8001M $83.95 $83.95

[cliffodell]

eWiz; (free shipping when we ordered.)

[rowle1jt]

I build my own as well, then you can choose EVERY component that goes into it.

[nitrogen_widget]

I have seen similiar problems with Dell's also.
The gx-260/270's seem to be the most stable & have the least problems in my company even though there was a motherboard recall.

Their small & silent but do require the low profile.

[zed]

Well, I have several Dells, both laptops and desktops, along with a couple HPs, a Compaq, and a few I built myself. I haven't had any problem with the Dells beyond normal wear & tear on the laptops. We have literally thousands of them at work and I don't know of any unusual issues with them. Dell's customer service was really bad for a while (outsourced to India) but supposedly they've improved it somewhat. The couple times I had to contact them were not that bad, no worse than others I've dealt with. But building your own is probably the best route because you can control what goes into it and you know what you have. If you buy a Dell or an HP or a whatever you gotta be sure you understand what you're getting. But you're unlikely to save any money, esp. when you consider your time. Most GB-PVR users are probably tinkerers at heart, tho, so rolling your own PC is a big part of it. Otherwise, you'd just buy a (gasp!) TiVO and be done with it...

[flynntargart]

Hey guys, I just got back from vacation and checked this post. Wow, thank you all for the good info. I think I will look into building my own box with all your advice. Thank you.