Q6600 system for $579 (no monitor) at Costco

[Washoe]

Costco link

Seems pretty good deal to me, here's the full specs:

Operating System:
* Microsoft® Windows Vista Home Premium

Processor & Memory:
* Intel® Core? 2 Quad Processor Q6600 at 2.4GHz
* 8MB L2 cache
* 1066MHz Front Side Bus
* 4GB DDR2 667MHz SDRAM memory (2 x 2GB)

Drives:
* 500GB (7,200RPM) 16MB Cache Hard Drive
* 20X DVD±/RW Drive
* 15-in-1 Multimedia digital card reader

Graphics & Video:
* NVIDIA GeForce 7050 graphics

Communications:
* 10/100 Mbps LAN network interface

Audio:
* Integrated Realtek ACL662 6-Channel High-Definition Audio Codec
* Multimedia Stereo Speakers (2 pieces)

Keyboard & Mouse:
* ZT Desktop Keyboard
* ZT Optical Mouse

Expandability:
* Two 5.25" Exposed (1 occupied)
* Two 3.5" Exposed (1 occupied)
* Four 3.5" Hidden (1 occupied)

Ports and Slots:
* 6x USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 rear)
* 1x 6-Channel Audio I/O jack
* 1x RJ-45 connector
* 2x PS/2 connectors
* 1x Com port
* 1x VGA port
* 1x PCI-E 16x slot
* 1x PCI-E 1x slot
* 2x PCI 2.2 32-bit PCI bus slots

Warranty and Support Information:

* Hardware Warranty: 2-year limited hardware parts and labor from date of purchase
* 24/7 toll-free phone support
* Email Support from 9am-6pm EST
* Fax Support from 9am-6pm EST
* For information , visit

www.ztsystems.com/support

 

[Washoe]

As a comparison, newegg is offering this:

iBuyPower Gamer PC with similar specs for $649. Same graphics card too.

 

[dakels]

Doesn't seem bad but just FYI, you can get a similar system from Dell for $499. Or a Q6600 with 24" LCD for $749.

 

[Washoe]

hey thats pretty good too.. 1GB less RAM and integrated graphics card though. In the end the Costco system might edge out that Dell build. Close call though thanks for the heads up on that.

 

[Odeen]

Originally posted by: Washoe
hey thats pretty good too.. 1GB less RAM and integrated graphics card though. In the end the Costco system might edge out that Dell build. Close call though thanks for the heads up on that.

1) All 32 Bit OS'es are limited to about 3GB of RAM, no matter how much memory is installed. In order to use 4GB of RAM or more, you have to have a 64-bit OS. Vista 64-bit has a few issues that could be important to a gamer, such as inability to use unsigned drivers. Those leaked beta Forcewares that let the latest hot game run 50% faster are a no-go from the get-go.

2) nVidia Geforce 7050 IS an integrated graphics chipset.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: Odeen

Originally posted by: Washoe
hey thats pretty good too.. 1GB less RAM and integrated graphics card though. In the end the Costco system might edge out that Dell build. Close call though thanks for the heads up on that.

1) All 32 Bit OS'es are limited to about 3GB of RAM, no matter how much memory is installed. In order to use 4GB of RAM or more, you have to have a 64-bit OS. Vista 64-bit has a few issues that could be important to a gamer, such as inability to use unsigned drivers. Those leaked beta Forcewares that let the latest hot game run 50% faster are a no-go from the get-go.

2) nVidia Geforce 7050 IS an integrated graphics chipset.

Wrong about 32-Bit OS'es. You've got the right idea kind of, but it's not all 32-bit OS'es. Windows XP 32-bit limits your system mostly due to poorly written drivers not supporting PAE properly. Windows Server 2003 32-bit can use much more then 4GB of ram, as well as the stock Linux 32-bit kernel can use more then 4GB of ram.

 

[tbogstad]

cpu $210.00
ram $60.00
MB $75.00
HD $75.00
case/ PSU $50.00
dvd+-rw $25.00
card reader $15.00
KB/Mouse $15.00
speakers $15.00
Vista Prem $100.00
total $640.00

yeah, so not bad.

2 year warranty is nice too.

course if you built it your self the parts warranties would be like 3 years on most of the parts, still not bad, especially if you don't want to build yourself.

course you build it yourself and you could probably overclock to 3GHZ or more.l

 

[CosmosRewind]

I've got 32-bit XP with 3.25gb available on a BIY 4gb system (256mb video card). Whatever the loss, I figure since it's a new system I'll likely upgrade the OS at some point and I'd prefer to have that extra memory in the future rather than not. 3.25gb was a lot more than the 1gb I had on my old system.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

also + shipping on that system from costco since it's not a local stock item in their stores.

 

[Jester666]

Originally posted by: Damn Dirty Ape
also + shipping on that system from costco since it's not a local stock item in their stores.

If you look closer shipping/handling is included in price. Plus tax though.

 

[shinson]

Originally posted by: dakels
Doesn't seem bad but just FYI, you can get a similar system from Dell for $499. Or a Q6600 with 24" LCD for $749.

How do you get this system with a 24" monitor for $749?
When I add the monitor it is $939.

Thanks!

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: Jester666

Originally posted by: Damn Dirty Ape
also + shipping on that system from costco since it's not a local stock item in their stores.

If you look closer shipping/handling is included in price. Plus tax though.

ahh so it 'tis... yea tax.. The costco website is a teaser to me, all this stuff but s/h and wait wait wait... I like the idea of seeing it on the site for delivery, but also being able to get most of what I see quickly.. same day..

"thousands of items not available at your local costco.."

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: shinson

Originally posted by: dakels
Doesn't seem bad but just FYI, you can get a similar system from Dell for $499. Or a Q6600 with 24" LCD for $749.

How do you get this system with a 24" monitor for $749?
When I add the monitor it is $939.

Thanks!

Actually it's a bit tricky. Techbargains listed the deal but it doesn't work they way they linked it.

I did this:
Dell home inspiron 530 with 19" monitor
Basically you need to get it up to $1000 to apply a -$250 off coupon.
MN3JCM14JDTSW?

How you do that is up to you. An example would be:
Add Q6600 $140
Add 24" LCD $250
Add Radeon HD 2400 PRO $60
Add USB keyboard and Dell Optical mouse $10.

Total $1009
After instant coupon = $759 FREE shipping.

 

[shinson]

Got it... Thanks!