How can they build so cheap?

[VirtualLarry]

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/sys/1508366807.html
Claims to be able to build an E8400 system for $380 (not including video card, but including OS).

How can I compete with that?

I just built a system for a client for $380, but it was an E5200 rig.
E5200
Gigabyte G31M-ES2L
2x1GB DDR2-800 6-6-6-18
WD 320GB SATA HD
9600GSO
22X DVD burner with LS (IDE)
52X CD burner
micro-ATX case
500W Enhance PSU (Geeks.com special, cost me about $15, charging client $25 for it)

An E8400 at Newegg is $167.99 alone.

 

[Ika]

Pirated OS, probably no video card quoted in that price.

So what he's got:
CPU, mobo (~200?250?)
HDD - maybe 320gb - $40
case + PSU - ~$60
memory - ~20-30

 

[Firsttime]

I bet he is using cheap PSU's and Mobo's particularly.

 

[Blain]

Are any of the parts used?
The ad doesn't mention specific part numbers, except for the CPU.
The "Windows XP Pro or Windows 7" could easily be academic versions.

Milton: "I will the parts to meet your processing needs" < Think Uri Geller

Call the guy and ask about the specifics of his "new custom desktop", that he's selling "for about $380".

 

[postmortemIA]

it doesn't say it's new, so he might have leftover CPU (E8400) and some other parts

 

[VirtualLarry]

Here's another one, although I think my build beats his in functionality, and especially in price. He is using a Smilodon case, which is flashy, my build has a more sedate Rosewill Micro-ATX case. But other than that, my build has a 9600GSO, which blows away an 8600GT, and an Enhance 500W PSU that's 80+ certified, not some Apevia piece of junk.
RAM, DVD burner, and HD are the same as my build.

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/sys/1508772763.html

 

[Zap]

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/sys/1508772763.html

I don't build crap. I choose premium components

LOL@Apevia PSU