just priced up a new dell, Q6600 core 2 quad 2.4ghz, 2gb ram, 2x160gb HDD in raid 0, 256 mb ati radeon 1300 pro graphics card. all this for €780. i thought this was exceptional value for my needs (photo and video editing as a hobby. flight sim games web surfing etc) until i read the comments on here. i would appreciate peoples comments, views on the above system. if you think this is a poor deal then a part list to build my own would be appreciated(i have neither the time or the technical knowledge to spec a system).

Not worth it at all, especially with that X1300. You won't be playing any recent flight sim games, maybe old ones back from 2000

thanks for that but would you mind explaining in more detail why its not worth it. i'm not a serious "gamer", i play them to relax in frequently. main use will be photo and video. perhaps you could tell me the components you would use to build a suitable system. i have looked quickly at MB's etc and i think i would be spending a lot more, especially when the Dell includes a 19" ultra sharp flat panel.

the numbing inevitability of a pre built computer is they always ALWAYS pair a good processer with a s***** gfx card, and I really do mean a bad one (that isn't playing any recent games on even medium gfx)

The ram is not necessarily high quality ram, same for the motherboard. Power supply is probably barely your system (This is normal for all OEMs), and the X1300 is a horrible card (Even for your needs).  
 
Here's a build for 796 euros without a screen, but will prove to be FAR superior in any way to that build you're thinking about  
 
Western Digital Raptor 74GB WD740ADFD 10,000RPM SATA 16MB
 
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] 7-WD&group id=701&catid=14&subcat=167
 
Coolermaster Black Centurion 534 - No PSU
 
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/114826
 
Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 NCQ 750GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM
 
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] -HI&groupi d=701&catid=14&subcat=940
 
EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI
 
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] -EA&groupi d=701&catid=56&subcat=927
 
(Two of these for 4Gigs) G.Skill 2GB DDR2 NQ PC2-6400 (2x1GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit
 
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] -GS&groupi d=701&catid=8&subcat=813
 
Gigabyte GA_P35C_DS3R (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 & DDR3
 
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] 6-GI&tool= 3
 
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) -
 
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =CP-143-IN
 
Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU
 
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] -CS&groupi d=701&catid=123&subcat=823
 
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket 775)
 
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =HS-017-AR
 
That Dell might prove to be cheaper, but you won't get half the quality and performance of the products that Im listing here.

thanks for that, i will certainly look at the parts. i am not desperate to get a new system so by spreading the cost i may justify the extra investment.
good to meet someone who is willing to spec parts like that for a novice instead of the usual who just seem to slag off the OEM's without giving an alternative option.
many thanks
 
Dazk