Is costo a good place to buy a computer

I heard their unconditional warranty is nuts.

I have heard nothing but good things about them.

Cheapest? Probably not.

But the service is hard to beat.

 

If you're looking for a computer, this is a good place to ask. What's your budget and what do you want from it? A custom built computer can be more reliable/faster and is lighter on your wallet vs a Dell/HP etc.

 

If you have any computer knowledge building one is always better. I just built a pc for a dude up in Dallas (UPS'ed it yesterday).

The PC from a vendor would have easily cost him around $3000, instead it cost $1600. (this is a top tier pc btw....)

Buying the parts is always cheaper, when you consider what the end product is.

 

I build computers from time to time for myself and friends. My most recent one was just under 1k (not including monitor, mouse, keyboard, OS) and can run most games on highest settings. If you don't have the common paranoia associated with setting up your own computer, it's definitely the best and most cost effective solution. Like Uprising said, it could easily be half of what Vendors ask for.

 

Dude, you really do save a lot. I have dual 8800GTS's 640mb cards, 4gbs of ram, and (older now) E6400 CPU. When I built this system, it was around $1200. (back when DDR2 800 Ram was expensive [first 2gb's cost me $200]).

I built this about 2 yrs ago. Still running games full graphics and all.

Hey, I have an extra 22inch Samsung 226BW 2mili-second response LCD monitor if your interested.

I used to run dual 22's, but since I've gone with SLI I no longer have use for the 2nd one. (When you have SLI you can't run 2 monitors at once).

Been thinking about getting rid of it, it hasn't been used much at all since it's sat here on my desk since January or so when I got it. I had it hooked up to an HD DVR for a little while and watched tv on it. But that's about it. It's such a sexy looking paper weight right now....kind of sad.

 

Oh yeah, forgot to add. It really isn't hard to build. I guided (they didn't need much help) a few kids build their units this past month. I helped them online (teamspeak) put it together, mainly whenever they had a question I was there to help. It's not hard, neither of them had prior experience at building them.

If you want, you can send me or post the link to the shopping list to have it revised and commented on the choice or parts (it's what I did for them).

You really do save a bunch buying the parts from NE or TD sites, than going to stores. The only down side ofcourse is there isn't a tech support for the pc, but you do have tech support for your parts if you really need it.

The internet is really the only place you have to go to thought to get input.

 

I've been thinking about building another computer. What would you say it'd cost to build a new computer that's above average and just doing a bunch of hw on?

My current comp is 2.0 ghz and 2 gig DDR2 ram. I've had it for a few years now and I absolutely hate it. Where would you recommend getting the majority of the parts Uprising? Any particular online store or in-town store?

 

HW!? ... ok I'll bite anyways.

The best price/performance curve imo is this setup:

E8400 Intel Core2Duo [$130], one of Asus 775 socket MB's (P5Q series probably most standard, and I'll go ahead and pick another on the curve - P5Q Pro [$120], 9600GT 512MB [$100], X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card [$90], Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 250 or 500 GB [$55-70], 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2 RAM [$50], 700W Power Supply [$80], Case (antec?) [$100].

And then you'll need ethernet card, mouse, keyboard, monitor, OS, speakers. Without those, this set up will be $800 bucks and run pretty much anything you throw at it.

 

Costco is good for computers, but what sucks is they make you buy 10 of them at the same time.

 

You can't beat the rock bottom prices of Dell. Even friends of mine who build custom rigs, say for the average computer user a Dell is the best option if you are mainly looking at price.

You can get a quality Dell rig for about 500 bucks these days. Alot of times they throw in a free 20 inch LCD as well.

 

I highly recomend NewEgg.com. I've done 98% or all of my electronic purchases from their website. Ranging from computer parts, to my LCD tv.

If you want to go "in town" route (Houston?) go to Fry's. It's the next best thing to buying online. (Newegg and Tigerdirect are the best sites). But NEVER...ever buy an opened or previously returned item from Fry's....

 

Yeah, I'd be willing to get rid of it cheap. It's a top quality LCD. No ghosting for gaming, since it's 2ms response. It's just a waste sitting here, to tell you the truth. It's kind of sad seeing it sitting there.

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowI...W Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor

If you need help, it me up on my xfire some time if you have it. (it's in my sig).

 

yeah, but those monitors are typically the 5-8+ms response monitors. Unless they've changed their ways, IIRC...>Dell is like compaq, in that they pretty much make it impossible for future upgrades.

Although, for the casual user Dell is a great buy for the most part.

 

Is ghosting noticeable on 8ms LCDs?

 

Ethernet card isn't needed because most (pretty much all) motherboards have the ethernet built in.

The sound card is a waste of money if he doesn't have a proper set up to support it. If he's like most people with a 2.1 system, the onboard is good enough.

700 watt power supply is a waste on a 9600GT. For that rig, even a 450 watt power supply is sufficient.

The processor and motherboard is a good buy. The best bang for the buck cpu is the E8400 imo. They are great for OC.

 

Isn't Directron cheaper than both Newegg and Fry's? Its also local so you can pick up.