Good PC builder websites with affordable prices?

[Cheerios]

I was looking for some websites that offer customizable computers, and the ones that stood out the most to me were http://www.cyberpowerpc.com and http://www.ibuypower.com . I'm in the market for buying a new computer for gaming (I don't really want to spend more than $1300), but even a $1300 computer from either of these is still expensive with the options provided.

Right now my basic PC specs are

Athlon 64 3400+
1.5 gigs of ram
Nvidia Geforce 6600
250 gig hard drive (SATA)

I just got a 28 inch LCD monitor, and I'd really like to put it to good use, but I also don't want to blow a ton of money on the PC. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm not looking for name-brand like Alienware/Dell/Gateway/Acer PC's, but if those are my best options, I'll take them.

I'd like to get at least a Geforce 8600 GTS and an Intel Quad Core processor.

[Furtwangler]

I orderd my Sager NP5790 from http://www.xoticpc.com. For what I got it was a decent price and they have pretty good customer service.

[Cjskater]

I wouldn't recommend ibuypower, I hear a lot of bad stories about them. Like sending broken computers, computers that aren't put together, screws that aren't even screwed in, etc. Plus they really overprice stuff.

[Epical]

I've also heard some bad things about iBuyPower. Try Maingear.

[Sigi]

Honestly, if you go to the Small Business section of Dell, you can find some really decent deals. I'd also check sites like Maingear or Newegg

[Cheerios]

Well, currently I have an Acer Aspire T160. Would upgrading my power supply, getting an 8600 GTS, and upgrading to a dual-core processor allow me to play some more modern games like bioshock at 1900x1200, or am I going to need something well over that?

[Furtwangler]

My comp currently has a 2.0 dual core intel 2gb of ram, and a geforce go 7950 GTX and it runs bioshock 90% of the time very well, idk about the dx10 cards and how it would handle it though.

[Grandcross]

IMO the 8600gts for Bioshock running @ 1920 x 1200 is asking for low fps. Get at least the 8800gts 320mb. 640mb version would be ideal.

[Cheerios]

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wi ... Title=Lawl is what I just configured for Bioshock/Crysis

[Cheerios]

I just got off the phone with newegg and the customer service rep said "Thank you for calling Newegg. Have an Eggcelent day."

Fail.

[viperlasson]

You may want to go with a more brand name power supply like Thermaltake or Corsair, 700w is plenty so you are fine there. All the other parts are excellent, maybe a gtx rather than a gts? What resolution are you going to be gaming at? Otherwise you are gonna have an awesome gaming computer!

[Cheerios]

You may want to go with a more brand name power supply like Thermaltake or Corsair, 700w is plenty so you are fine there. All the other parts are excellent, maybe a gtx rather than a gts? What resolution are you going to be gaming at? Otherwise you are gonna have an awesome gaming computer!

1900x1200 resolution. I'll wait for the Nvidia 9 series to come out before I get a GTX, and even then I'll probably just SLI some 8800 GTS's.

Unless the power supply blows up.

Quite frankly, this monitor kinda hurts my eyes. It's either too bright on everything, or just right for a web browsing and darker than shit for games. I'd probably feel bad for going to a smaller size, though (28 inches atm)

[viperlasson]

If you are playing the waiting game then wait for Intel's new Penryn 45nm quad, Q1 of 2008

http://www.tcmagazine.com/comments.php?id=16193&catid=2

Q9450 looks amazing. Prices will be a little higher retail; these are prices when bought per 1000. I might make a new desktop based off it.