Is this desktop a good deal?

[BRP]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.as ... lang=en-US

Someone has been shoving this in my face constantly for the passed few days as I need a new PC. It looks cheap and imagine costco is somewhere you'd fine cheap prices. It isn't newegg or anything though. If not a good deal could someone point me in direction of one(600-800 dollar range)?(Also, not too tech heavy please. I don't trust myself with installing anything more complicate than a videocard or ram or something like it)

[Cephius]

Its crap, the video card is integrated (meaning there might as well not be one since it isnt going to run anything) the board itself is an old model, the ram speed is slow, the operating system is 64 bit which sucks for people who aren't computer-savvy, and there's no sound card. You could put together a better computer for cheaper.

[Isiolia]

It's not terrible, but, since it doesn't include a real video card (does have a PCIe-16x slot for one), it's really not a great deal. The CPU is decent, though dated, but most of the rest is just really standard integrated stuff. With a blue light.

Personally, I'd build one myself...you technically can go straight to the http://www.ibuypower.com website and configure one there too, though a video card + OS will start to bring the price up.

[Octavious]

Yea, as said 100x, lack of video card is a turn off + the CPU. Not terrible but not amazing.

edit: if you know how to format a PC I always suggest DELL, some ppl mock it but I got a pretty good deal on a desktop for $900 with a 22'' LCD Monitor. The only thing is like I said you'll want to Format it asap so order reinstall disks if you do get a DELL, because they load them wih some garbage applications.

[Killgannon]

like others have said its ok, but its not super, you can build one better for cheaper

@isiolia: when did a q6600 become outdated lol its still like the top quad core out there

[BRP]

When it comes to building, I only trust myself with simpler things(vidoecards, ram). So the idea buying a PC and adding a card or ram seems fine to me.

Anyway, for gaming I heard CRT is better. I should probably get one those instead of a LCD right? I have no preference personally and usually get LCDs anyway.

I'll take a look at ibuypower.

[Isiolia]

@isiolia: when did a q6600 become outdated lol its still like the top quad core out there

Since the 45nm Quads like the Q9450 came out? The Q6600 is still a very viable chip, don't get me wrong, but it's been on the market for a while and the new generation is out.

Anyway, for gaming I heard CRT is better. I should probably get one those instead of a LCD right? I have no preference personally and usually get LCDs anyway.

Ehhhh

-Technically- CRTs are still (generally) better for certain things. Gaming could be considered one, graphics work requiring accurate color would be as well. However, really, LCDs have come a looong way, and there's honestly no real reason to not go with one. Smaller, run cooler, use less power, don't strain your eyes as much... the pros vastly outweigh the cons.
Modern LCD screens have a good color range, and the average response times are low enough that they can keep up with 60fps gameplay. Just make sure you get a good one, if your budget allows (non TN panel, etc).

[BRP]

Okay, just a few more questions.

-I'm not sure how to handle power supply and cooling systems. Also cases come with a power supply too?

-Getting dual video cards seems to be a good thing right? Not sure which to go with... or maybe I should go with a single one?

Any other sites like http://www.ibuypower.com so I can compare? I guess alienware would be one.

EDIT: I'm willing to put down as much as 1k for a PC. Any good deals would be nice at this point.

[Isiolia]

-I'm not sure how to handle power supply and cooling systems. Also cases come with a power supply too?

Some cases come with power supplies, some don't. Either way, you want to make sure you get a good PSU, as it can greatly affect the stability of your system. If you're buying something like an Antec case with a PSU, it should be good. A no-name thing for $50 with a 500W PSU...and you're probably looking at replacing it within a year.

Generally, you need a PSU that can handle everything you want to put in your system, hence, higher rated power. There's rarely a need for a 1000W PSU or anything, most desktops are fine with 450W+, maybe 500-600W to be safe for the future. Can always get bigger, but quality + rating will cause the price to go up. You want 80+ certification, means the thing is energy efficient. Also check the "rails" and connections if building from scratch, to make sure you can plug in everything and have power split how you need.

Cooling varies, usually stock cooling and a few fans are fine for stock speeds. Unless the OEM cooler for that processor series -really- sucks, going after a different solution isn't necessary. If getting something different, always look at noise ratings. Some CPU fans will keep things cool, but sound like little jet engines in your case. Not pleasant.

-Getting dual video cards seems to be a good thing right? Not sure which to go with... or maybe I should go with a single one?

Personally, I say no for most cases. Two video cards requires a (more expensive) SLI motherboard. It requires more power and produces more heat. It can suffer from support issues that a single card doesn't. Plus, of course, it requires buying two graphics cards.
IMO, unless you are doing SLI with pretty high end cards, it's not worth it. Just go with a simpler setup and get a solid single card, like an 8800GT/GTS (GTS has a two-slot cooler that's a bit nicer for noise, along with being a little faster).
If you're doing two high end boards, then you break into performance that you can't get with just one...for six months or so...which may be worth it to you. For a $1k system though, I wouldn't go with it.

[mootsfox]

The Q6600 is the previous generation of Intel CPUs, but I say it's still the best for Price/performance. The Q9300/9450/9550 are all good chips, but they have a higher FSB which is not needed currently, and they get lower multipliers as a tradeoff, plus they are $100-250 more than the Q6600 and only return about 5% at best better clock for clock. (mind you, I'm slightly biased for owning a Q6600 and not wanting to upgrade until Nehalem rolls around in Q3-Q4).

That desktop is fine. It's not great, but if you throw a better graphics card in there it will be good for gaming.

The HD4850 comes out on the 17th, the HD3870 is about $130 now, the 8800 series can be had for $140 and up. All will do great for what you are looking for.

[Epical]

www.maingear.com

[mootsfox]

http://www.maingear.com

$763 for a computer less then half as powerful as the one in the OP...