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Who are your pre-built manufacturers of choice? **UPDATE**

Fingolfin269

Fingolfin269

Lifer
I want to avoid Dell because I live in TN and have to pay sales tax. That is unless the deal makes up for the difference.

With that in mind, what other manufacturers would you look into that have good quality/service backgrounds? I'll be using the PC for gaming but I have never been cutting edge so the mid-range is what I'm shooting for. To put it into perspective, I'm still using a 2100+ and a 6600GT. 😉

The other option is to go to a local shop and have them build a custom machine for me. There may be a cost premium over a major retailer but at least I know they are 5 minutes down the road if I have hardware issues.

One other note, barebones manufacturers may work as well. I have experience building PCs but just don't have as much time to do it as I used to. If I can save money popping in my own video card/ram myself then that's fine.

**UPDATE**

Thanks for the helpful advice guys! I just ordered:

XPS 420
(System Identifier: F5A223DG)

* XPS 420 Mini-Tower: Intel Core 2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
3 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (4 DIMMs)Hard Disk Drive
320 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)Video
128MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability

Got it for just under $600 after tax so after I switch out the vid card I'm going to have a pretty mean machine.

**UPDATE #2**
Picked up the 9600 GT 512MB from ZZF for $109 after rebate. Looks pretty good for around $700. 🙂 Thanks again for the help!
 
Honestly...you should build yourself one, best way to make sure you get the best bang for the buck and it tailored to exactly what you want and need instead of what some punk kid or marketing department wants to sell you.
 
you say you want to avoid Dell, but if you get a refurb from their outlet, you can get a really nice deal. right now they have a 15% off code, course their prices are a little higher too because of that though. But I have gotten an Inpsiron 530 desktop with a e2160, 250gb hard drive, dvd-rw, 1gb of ram, vista basic for 219 before tax and shipping.

I have seen the xps 420's as low as 539 before tax and shipping too (q6600, 3gb ram, dvd-rw, ati 2400)
 
Originally posted by: JWade
you say you want to avoid Dell, but if you get a refurb from their outlet, you can get a really nice deal. right now they have a 15% off code, course their prices are a little higher too because of that though. But I have gotten an Inpsiron 530 desktop with a e2160, 250gb hard drive, dvd-rw, 1gb of ram, vista basic for 219 before tax and shipping.

I have seen the xps 420's as low as 539 before tax and shipping too (q6600, 3gb ram, dvd-rw, ati 2400)
Click to expand...

I'll definitely check into that. Like I said, sales tax is the only reason I'm avoiding Dell but if the deal is still good with that factored in I'm okay.
 
it always seems that when they have a % off coupon available their rpices tend to be higher. The key is being patient and holding out for the price you want, may take awhile but you can definately get them at low prices. I have three inspiron desktops in my house and haven't paid over 239 for them (before tax and shipping, and of course before upgrading the e2160 in them too)
 
You could always look into the boutique pc builders. although they might be a little more pricey, but at least you know you would be getting a quality build.
 
Fingolfin269, send me a PM. I can assist you in finding a good deal on a Dell, if you don't mind replacing the video card.
 
Appreciate all of the help everyone. I'm digging through the Dell Outlet now after some pointers from a couple of people. 🙂
 
Thanks for the helpful advice guys! I just ordered:

XPS 420
(System Identifier: F5A223DG)

* XPS 420 Mini-Tower: Intel Core 2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
3 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (4 DIMMs)Hard Disk Drive
320 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)Video
128MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability

Got it for just under $600 after tax so after I switch out the vid card I'm going to have a pretty mean machine.
 
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