The cost savings from building your own PC comes from reusing components. If you have to buy a case,powersupply and drives as welll as a copy of windows, you won't be saving anything.

ok, anyone reccommend a desktop within my budget?

Originally posted by Silvermink

The cost savings from building your own PC comes from reusing components. If you have to buy a case,powersupply and drives as welll as a copy of windows, you won't be saving anything.

Disagree. Of course, it all really depends on what components you buy and WHERE you buy them from...

but my most recent computer (EDIT: this computer is now a year old) is an intel e3110 on an Asus p5n32-e board. It had 2 gigs PC6400 DDR2 at the time of build, and a very powerful after-market CPU cooler. I also bought a new case, a new 750w power supply, and a brand-new 8800GTS graphics card. New copy of Windows Vista too. I DID however reuse the hard drive, but..

I spent around $800 US. At the time it was built, comparable shelf models (who tended to have lower quality RAM or mobos) ran  $1100-1200. I saved money AND had better parts,

Don't forget the Monitor and the Keyboard.  There are only a few system builders that are cheaper then building all yourself and they typically come with some problems where knowing how to build it yourself comes in handy.  If you don't know much about computers don't bother building your own system, there are alot of steps.  Usually you step into building your own system by replacing parts.  Eventually when you feel confident enough you build a complete system from parts.  Easiest option is to use NCIXUS.com to build a configured PC for you.

Originally posted by terrant

Originally posted by Silvermink

The cost savings from building your own PC comes from reusing components. If you have to buy a case,powersupply and drives as welll as a copy of windows, you won't be saving anything.

 

Disagree. Of course, it all really depends on what components you buy and WHERE you buy them from...

but my most recent computer (EDIT: this computer is now a year old) is an intel e3110 on an Asus p5n32-e board. It had 2 gigs PC6400 DDR2 at the time of build, and a very powerful after-market CPU cooler. I also bought a new case, a new 750w power supply, and a brand-new 8800GTS graphics card. New copy of Windows Vista too. I DID however reuse the hard drive, but..

 

I spent around $800 US. At the time it was built, comparable shelf models (who tended to have lower quality RAM or mobos) ran  $1100-1200. I saved money AND had better parts,

 750watt psu for that system?

You may have saved cash on the build but you are slowly eating away at that from the electric bill :P

ok thanks for the help

Originally posted by daylight01

 750watt psu for that system?

You may have saved cash on the build but you are slowly eating away at that from the electric bill :P

I know, I know.....

I was planning on SLI at one point. Plus adding in a ton of fans. But I decided in the end not to bother and wait for a new system. Although honestly, I haven't noticed a big jump in the power bill since I got the PSU. Modular PSUs are awesome.

lol its really hard to find a fully assembled Monitor and All PC that is the least bit descent for under $500 that has an upgrade future.

CPU = AMD X3 720 BE $163

Motherboard = Asus M4A78T-E $144

RAM = Corsair DDR3 $87

PSU = OCZ 600W $75

HD = WD Caviar Blue $70

DVD = LD DVD RW SATA $32

Case = Antec 300 $58

GPU = HD4770 $113

OS = Windows 7 RC free.

Total = $742

I assume you already have a mouse and can pick up a cheap keyboard. As for the monitor, if you need a new one then drop the GPU and use your Mobo IGP (3300) and buy something like this HP 20" $150. Bringing the total to $777, also I'd recommend buying something like this PC tool kit $32. Bringing the total to $809, then save up cash and buy a better GPU later, you can play just about anything with the IGP just not brilliant but it'll be fine until you get a better one. Hope this helped.