sell off or repair?

khankhan New
edited April 2005 in Hardware
So I have a Dell Dimension 8100, with a now-dead power source (I posted a thread on that earlier). Within is contained the 512 megs RDRAM (2x 256 sticks) and a 1.8 ghz P4 (for whatever socket the Dell uses). It would cost be about 85 bucks to replace the power supply, but then I'll still have a dell..something I'd like to avoid, kinda.

Any thoughts on if it would be better to tough it out, cough up the 85 bucks, and buy a new PSU, or try to sell the components piecewise on ebay, and then use the proceeds to buy a new computer? I'm looking to get something usable for my brother, who does not game (this could be because he doesn't have the equipment to do so), but is your standard surf/IM/email user. Thoughts?

Comments

  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited April 2005
    I'd say for a standard user, $85 seems like a good price for a functional computer. I'm slightly confused, though. Is this Dell for your brother, or for you?
  • khankhan New
    edited April 2005
    It's my computer now, but it broke. I can use my laptop till the end of the school year, so I'm in no rush to repair it. My younger brother is a freshman in high school, and using an 800 mhz celeron...so the idea was to give him my computer at the end of the school year, and then buy a new one for myself. If I could sell off the pieces and make enough money to buy a new system (like a barebones one from Fry's...I have the parts to fill one of those out) that would be better than this one, I'd prefer to do this just because this Dell has ****ted out on me so many times.
  • JustinJustin Atlanta
    edited April 2005
    I hate to tell you to pass the issues of Dell on, Especially in your family, but, you should be able to get a PSU for much less than $85 that would power that 8100 nicely. Then bump it down to your brother and make his day.
  • lemonlimelemonlime Canada Member
    edited April 2005
    Unfortunatly, Dell uses some propriatary connectors on their PSUs to prevent you from picking up a cheap PSU. PC Power and cooling does make Dell compatable powersupplies, but you'll pay a premium there as well.

    The parts you mentioned seem to indicate that this is a 'socket 423' platform. This was the first generation P4 platform, that uses rare and expensive RDRAM. You'll have a really hard time finding another mainboard to support your current parts these days. I would say $85 is worthwhile, as that is still a decent machine in most respects.
  • GargGarg Purveyor of Lincoln Nightmares Icrontian
    edited April 2005
    Tell your brother for $85 bucks the computer is his :D
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited April 2005
    I don't think you'll get much more than $100 for the thing now anyways. OK, maybe like $200, $300 if you find a sucker. Get the $85 from your bro, fix it and give to him.
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited April 2005
    Check ebay for a psu

    Tex
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited April 2005
    Look sorta like this one? (grin)

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3670&item=6761151442&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

    I bet you can get it for 25 bucks.

    Tex
  • khankhan New
    edited April 2005
    sweetness. I'm going to watch that auction, fix this sucker up, and donate it to my bro. thanks for the advice guys
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