Anyone else like cheap desktop systems?

[pxc]

I upgrade fairly often (every several months), but the point isn't to have the fastest system, just a good bang for the buck.

I know many people here hate Dell, but I've had very good experiences with several desktops (4550, 2350, 2400, 8250, 8400, 400SC) in the almost past 3 years. Then there's the ignorant FUD ("proprietary" nonsense) and grudges because Dell doesn't use AMD CPUs. I'm not trying to convert anyone, this is just an explanation of why i've been buying pre-built instead of building (mostly... i have built several systems in the last 3 years but also had at least 1 Dell). The systems are solid, stable, pretty quiet, and most importantly, cheap.

With that out of the way... here's an example of what I consider to be a cheap system, my current main $605 desktop:
Dimension 8400 (925x chipset, SATA RAID, 3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x16, 1 PCI-E x1, etc)
Intel 3.4F GHz CPU (this 8400 came with P4 530J, swapped out with old system so this was essentially free)
1GB DDR2-4200
floppy
Wireless keyboard and mouse
WinXP
$260 shipped from the Dell outlet (minus the downgrades below = $135 net)

Downgrades:
x300SE -$55
80GB Maxtor SATA -$50
16x DVD-ROM -$20

Upgrades:
Gigabyte 6200 128MB w/8 pipelines unlocked and o/c to 550/700 +$85 (refurb, came retail boxed)
Audigy 2 ZS +$45AR
external NEC ND-3500A +$50AR
internal LDW-811S +$40
2 x WD 1200JD SATA RAID0 +$110AR
WD800JB PATA +$35AR
WinTV PVR-250 +$105AR
-------
net cost: $260 - $125 + $470 = $605

I have another Dell outlet 8400 system that I got for $240 shipped: P4 630, 512MB, 80GB, MCE2005, ATI E-Home PVR (rage theater 200 based), x300 SE 128MB, etc. I bought a couple of refurb Asus 6200GE 128MB (128-bit, NV43... not TC) from newegg for $65 shipped each. With a $50 memory upgrade off pricewatch, that will be a sub-$310 entry level gaming system... even better if the video card unlocks.

I <3 cheap systems.

/dons flamesuit

 

[kirbyrj]

I tell people all the time if they are looking for cheap, they would be better off buying a Dell than having me build them one. I can't put a system together for those kinds of prices especially when they need WinXP. I might look into that if I need a cheap comp. They had those Celeron D systems for $280 I saw.

 

[PoisonedPawn45]

pcx, what is the trick for getting those cheap outlet deals? Just keep checking the site and clicking "refresh"? The best deal I have found on the outlet was for my wife's 8400, which came out to $433 shipped (p4 3.4, 512 ram, 80mb HD)