Geek Squad

[Argot]

Need to replace the home computer. Would like to stay under $1000

I need a new monitor and windows student edition office software that is included in this system.
Gaming is a must. Don't need speakers.

Where can I save money...where should I upgrade?


*BASE_PRICE: [+485]
BUNDLE: None
BLUETOOTH: None
CARE1: Ultra Enhanced Packaging Solution - Protect Your Dream System During Transit [+19]
CARE2: CoolerMaster Thermal Fusion 400 Extreme Performance CPU - Thermal Compound Optimized for Thermal Dissipation [+10]
CARE3: Professional Wiring for All WIRING Inside The System Chassis - Minimize Cable Exposure, Maximize Airflow in Your System [+19]
CD: LG 22X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Dual Layer Drive (BLACK COLOR)
CD2: None
CAS: Azza Orion Gaming Mid-Tower Case with See-Thru Side Panel [-26] (Silver with Blue Lightning)
CASUPGRADE: None
CS_FAN: Maximum 120MM Color Case Cooling Fans for your selected case [+15] (Blue Color)
CPU: AMD Athlon™II X2 250 Dual-Core CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology [-36]
FREEBIE_CU1: Three-Pack of Games Coupon - Dragon Rising, Grid, And Dirt
FAN: Asetek LCLC 120 Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Extreme Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA) [+20]
FREEBIE_RM: None
FA_HDD: Vigor iSURF II Hard Disk Drive Cooling System [+21] (1 x System)
FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
FLOPPY: None
HEADSET1: Connectland™ Stereo Headphone with Microphone [+8]
HDD: Single Hard Drive (500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+10])
HDD2: None
IEEE_CARD: IEEE 1394 CARD AND DRIVER [+19]
KEYBOARD: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
MODEM: None
MULTIVIEW: Xtreme Performance in SLI/CrossFireX Gaming Mode Supports Single Monitor
MONITOR: 19' TFT Active Matrix LCD Display [+141] (Brand-Named LCD Display)
MONITOR2: None
MOTHERBOARD: Asus M4A78T-E AM3 DDR3 790GX Chipset CrossFireX Technology SATA RAID MB w/Integrated ATi Graphic [+68]
MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module [+63] (A-Data Gaming Series with Heat Spreader [+19])
NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
OS: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium [+104] (64-bit Edition)
PRINTER: None
PRINTER_CABLE: None
POWERSUPPLY: 800 Watts Power Supplies [+65] (CyberPowerPC XF800S Performance ATX 2.0 Power - Quad SLI Ready)
RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
SOFT1: Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 [+149]
SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
SOUND: Creative Labs SB Audigy SE [+30]
SPEAKERS: 120 Watt Stereo Speakers [-2] (Black Color)
TEMP: Thermal Temperature LCD Display with 3X Fan Controller [+12] (Red Color)
TVRC: None
USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
UPS1: (Recommended) OPTI-UPS VS575C 575VA/345W Uninterrupt Power Supply [+46]
UPS2: (Recommended) GigaByte Lightning Guardian Angel LAN Surge Protector [+29]
USBHD: SuperSlim USB2.0 2.5in External SATA Hard Drive [+62] (320GB 5,400RPM [+16])
USBX: None
VIDEO: ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB DDR5 16X PCIe Video Card [DirectX 11 Support] [+140] (Major Brand Powered by ATI)
VIDEO2: None
VC_PHYSX: None
VC_GAMES: None
VIDEOCAMERA1: Logitech C200 Webcam [+29]
WNC: None
_PRICE: (+1535) - 185 (Rebates) $ 1350 TOTAL from CyberPower PC.
_view_: d

[Matt]

need a new desktop too. However, I'd go the cheap route.

Tigerdirect is a canadian company that has competitive pricing.....or used to atleast.

http://Tigerdirect.com

[markc]

One thing I noticed is that the monitor may be a bit pricey for a 19 inch. Dell right now has a 21.5 inch HD monitor for about the same price, and new egg might have even a better deal.

I haven't really kept up with cpu and video card specs/prices

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/s...TFY3P-YDOYW-v1

[Argot]

nice find Mark.

[Cringer]

Do you really need a top of the line video card? You are pairing it with a decent but not great CPU, I would cut back on that a little. Even get no video card and get one on your own to install. I would say doing that would also let you cut back on the power supply to save even more money.

Do you really need the external hard drive? If not then that is money saved. If yes then look around for a better bargain.

I like this site http://www.cpubenchmark.net to compare CPUs and Video Cards, good way to find something cheaper yet still suitable to your needs.

edit: Oh and I would cut out the Creative Labs sound card, but thats just me. This is assuming the motherboard has integrated audio like most, which to me is fine.

[morellomre]

I just built my own in November for the first time and I loved it..you can tailor your computer to your exact needs.

If you want to go the retail route, i recommend checking out deal news:
http://dealnews.com/categories/Compu...lter=c:47;&e=0

I got my parents a new Lenovo retailing at $550 for $299. There are midrange mainstream rigs (around $1000) that you can usually get for a couple hundered less every week or two. However you need to check back often - the deal I found only posted for about 6 hours before it sold out.

Good Luck.