| Go to the Dell outlet and pick up an XPS Core 2 system with 2 gigs of ram, ATI or Nvidia video and all kinds of other goodies for not much more than $600. Same as new, Same Dell warranty. Is it the best system? No, but a very, very good machine for the money.
I've been a self-employed IT consultant for 12 years. Though I don't build boxes much anymore other than for myself using the spare parts around the office, I've built more PC's than I can possibly remember since the early 90's. Rarely is a custom built box quite as tight and quiet as a good Dell/HP/IBM/etc. Rarely is it a better buy either. Just order it and plug it in when you get it. Building can be fun if that's what you want to do and it's easy until something goes wrong such as memory compatibility issues or ID'ing all the front panel case leads. Getting tech support or an RMA from some of these Chinese parts companies is an exercise in futility although some are okay. Don't bother. That's my five cents. |