$850 budget...

[JustaGeek]

Noobtastic,

If you decide not to upgrade the motherboard, stick to 667MHz memory.

That ASUS motherboard might not work with the 800MHz Super Talent!

 

[Noobtastic]

Ok, here is my updated build:

DVD burner: LG - $30

C5 Case: $50

SG 320 gig Hd: $80

Sapphire x1950pro 512mb: $160

FSB 500 watt PSU: $85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16817104934

Headset x2: $15

Super talent 2gb DDR2 800: $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16820609026

edit: Will I have to manually set the voltage for this memory? Is that hard for a noob like myself?

Abit IP35-E mobo: $119 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16813127031

CPU: E4400: $130

Total: 847.71 shipped!


As you can see, I didn't upgrade the PSU. After reviewing several newegg products (including the recommended enermax and antec psus) I felt that this FSB is still a better choice. The suggested enermax was $110, and the antec PSU had some unattractive reviews (one mentioned a short lifespan, while another complained about loudness.)

I don't have time to RMA back parts, even if there is only a slight chance.


What do you guys think?

 

[dclive]

I think for $699 you can get a new Dell 9200 with better parts AND a 20" monitor, AND you won't have to worry about bad parts or putting it together. Add $150 or so for your graphics card, and you're right at $850 - WITH a nice 20" monitor, fully legal XP (I presume you could search a bit to get it with Vista..), and a fully built system and a faster CPU than what you're spec'ing above - and it will come fully built right out of the box (you'd said you were under a time deadline). Now granted, it's only an 80GB drive, but drives are cheap and easy to exchange and copy, so that shouldn't be an issue. Aside from that, it's a great case, 2GB of RAM, 965 chipset, and overall, a very good - and warrantied - design. If you go off to college somewhere else and need to get this stuff fixed, no matter where you are, Dell will fix it the first year - that's a significant benefit.

That's $850 with the nice gfx card in the Dell vs. $850 (your # above) plus $125 (you'd said that was for 'build', so I assume someone is building it for you) plus $100 for the OS (Vista Basic?) plus $250 for the monitor - so it's $850 for Dell vs. $1325 for the parts you've specced... is the monitor change to a 20" and the HDD switch to 80GB (easily replaced!) plus a faster CPU in the Dell worth saving $475 of your $$? Building it yourself, in this case, appears to cost almost 50% more....

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: dclive
I think for $699 you can get a new Dell 9200 with better parts AND a 20" monitor, AND you won't have to worry about bad parts or putting it together. Add $150 or so for your graphics card, and you're right at $850 - WITH a nice 20" monitor, fully legal XP (I presume you could search a bit to get it with Vista..), and a fully built system and a faster CPU than what you're spec'ing above - and it will come fully built right out of the box (you'd said you were under a time deadline). Now granted, it's only an 80GB drive, but drives are cheap and easy to exchange and copy, so that shouldn't be an issue. Aside from that, it's a great case, 2GB of RAM, 965 chipset, and overall, a very good - and warrantied - design. If you go off to college somewhere else and need to get this stuff fixed, no matter where you are, Dell will fix it the first year - that's a significant benefit.

That's $850 with the nice gfx card in the Dell vs. $850 (your # above) plus $125 (you'd said that was for 'build', so I assume someone is building it for you) plus $100 for the OS (Vista Basic?) plus $250 for the monitor - so it's $850 for Dell vs. $1325 for the parts you've specced... is the monitor change to a 20" and the HDD switch to 80GB (easily replaced!) plus a faster CPU in the Dell worth saving $475 of your $$? Building it yourself, in this case, appears to cost almost 50% more....

Too.

Much.

Hassle.


seriously, I already commented on this issue. I'm never, ever going to deal with retail computers again. This especially includes Dell.

I'll be paying someone else to build my computer (I have no time) so no matter, $150 is added to my overall budget, regardless the computer is prebuilt from Dell.

 

[roguerower]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Anyways, what should I do with the extra $50?

Buy almost half of a Vista Home OEM disc?

Hehe, that's included in my software budget.

Total budget - 1,500

Core components - 850

Software - $100

Monitor - $250

Build - $125

Inpute devices - $90

Games - $50

What kind of monitor are you getting. I have bought 2 Acer 19" Widescreens, one for me at school and one for my family. They both work perfectly and are nice to look at here's the link: Monitor

What is the build money for?

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Ok, here is my updated build:

DVD burner: LG - $30

C5 Case: $50

SG 320 gig Hd: $80

Sapphire x1950pro 512mb: $160

FSB 500 watt PSU: $85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16817104934

Headset x2: $15

Super talent 2gb DDR2 800: $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16820609026

edit: Will I have to manually set the voltage for this memory? Is that hard for a noob like myself?

Abit IP35-E mobo: $119 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16813127031

CPU: E4400: $130

Total: 847.71 shipped!


As you can see, I didn't upgrade the PSU. After reviewing several newegg products (including the recommended enermax and antec psus) I felt that this FSB is still a better choice. The suggested enermax was $110, and the antec PSU had some unattractive reviews (one mentioned a short lifespan, while another complained about loudness.)

I don't have time to RMA back parts, even if there is only a slight chance.


What do you guys think?

also, throwing in a different gpu into a dell computer VOIDS the warranty.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: roguerower

Originally posted by: Noobtastic

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Anyways, what should I do with the extra $50?

Buy almost half of a Vista Home OEM disc?

Hehe, that's included in my software budget.

Total budget - 1,500

Core components - 850

Software - $100

Monitor - $250

Build - $125

Inpute devices - $90

Games - $50

What kind of monitor are you getting. I have bought 2 Acer 19" Widescreens, one for me at school and one for my family. They both work perfectly and are nice to look at here's the link: Monitor

What is the build money for?

paying someone to build it.
\

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
also, throwing in a different gpu into a dell computer VOIDS the warranty.

Wow - that's not true! Who told you that? Any PCI cards / PCIe cards / RAM / etc. are considered user-upgradable parts, and you're free to change them at will....with no warranty repercussions.

Now granted, if you break the system because you plugged a PCI card into it while the power was on, and then you tell the Dell rep that, he may or may not support you for free, but otherwise, you're fully covered for the first year under warranty.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
also, throwing in a different gpu into a dell computer VOIDS the warranty.

Wow - that's not true! Who told you that? Any PCI cards / PCIe cards / RAM / etc. are considered user-upgradable parts, and you're free to change them at will....with no warranty repercussions.

Now granted, if you break the system because you plugged a PCI card into it while the power was on, and then you tell the Dell rep that, he may or may not support you for free, but otherwise, you're fully covered for the first year under warranty.

9200 isn't what I'm looking for, plus I would prefer a system for newegg.


anyways, can you comment on my current build listed above?

much appreciated.


edit: the dell 9200 would cost me 750 shipped + 150 for desired GPU.

Not exactly a stellar deal, even with the warranty and dell service.

 

[dclive]

You're buying from NewEgg, but you have to pay someone $125-$150 to put it together? And you're going off to school so you won't have him around to support it anymore? Do you really think that's wise? Dell will support you no matter where you are, and it's 33% less money than the home-built PC.

I just don't understand your logic.

Comment on the build? Well, it's too much money compared to the Dell, obviously, but aside from that, if you're OK with spending money, it's a fine system. It will be louder than the Dell (the 9200 is their high end and quite quiet line), and if anything goes wrong it will be up to you to fix, and if you're weak in that regard (you're questioning how to set voltage in BIOS...) so that's a significant risk. If one thing that's shipped to you goes bad, you've blown your entire time table.

I'm all for building PCs (I've got a E6300 running at 3.2 that I made) but when Dell has deals this good and it's this much cheaper than doing it yourself (and especially if you aren't comfortable at doing it yourself!) I can't imagine why you'd do it yourself. Dell saves you money, will have the entire thing on your door in under a week, and will warranty the entire thing against all problems for a year (and you can expand that to 3 years if you like, plus buy with a credit card that gives you another year for free quite easily, too.)

$750 shipped includes the monitor and the build fee! You can easily slap the GPU into the Dell in 30 seconds - you'll save $250 (monitor) and $100 (OS) and $125 (build) fees! How can you not see the value?

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: dclive
You're buying from NewEgg, but you have to pay someone $125-$150 to put it together? And you're going off to school so you won't have him around to support it anymore? Do you really think that's wise? Dell will support you no matter where you are, and it's 33% less money than the home-built PC.

I just don't understand your logic.

Comment on the build? Well, it's too much money compared to the Dell, obviously, but aside from that, if you're OK with spending money, it's a fine system. It will be louder than the Dell (the 9200 is their high end and quite quiet line), and if anything goes wrong it will be up to you to fix, and if you're weak in that regard (you're questioning how to set voltage in BIOS...) so that's a significant risk. If one thing that's shipped to you goes bad, you've blown your entire time table.

I'm all for building PCs (I've got a E6300 running at 3.2 that I made) but when Dell has deals this good and it's this much cheaper than doing it yourself (and especially if you aren't comfortable at doing it yourself!) I can't imagine why you'd do it yourself. Dell saves you money, will have the entire thing on your door in under a week, and will warranty the entire thing against all problems for a year (and you can expand that to 3 years if you like, plus buy with a credit card that gives you another year for free quite easily, too.)

$750 shipped includes the monitor and the build fee! You can easily slap the GPU into the Dell in 30 seconds - you'll save $250 (monitor) and $100 (OS) and $125 (build) fees! How can you not see the value?

Well, I see where you're coming from - it's just that I've spent so much time and energy with newegg.

Will the 375 watt PSU handle an x1950pro or 7900GS or...?


I actually may go with the Dimension, but I think I might need a little more hand holding.


Will dell walk me through putting in a new GPU?


Also, their ram is at 667 speed, not 800...


I really appreciate your responses, you have definitely been the most helpful and persuasive.

I'm confused though, my E4400 is 2.0 ghz while their listed E4500 or whatever it is is 1.8, but is still more expensive..


Wtf?


Also, what about Dell monitors? The Dimension 9200 with Vista build doesn't seem to have a "no monitor" option. Instead, it has "will select large LCD monitor instead.."

What is this?


I rather buy my monitor retail than online, in case of dead pixels. Costco has a viewsonic 20' on sale for $200 with integrated speaker.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Well, I see where you're coming from - it's just that I've spent so much time and energy with newegg.

Will the 375 watt PSU handle an x1950pro or 7900GS or...?
I actually may go with the Dimension, but I think I might need a little more hand holding.
Will dell walk me through putting in a new GPU?
Also, their ram is at 667 speed, not 800...
I really appreciate your responses, you have definitely been the most helpful and persuasive.
I'm confused though, my E4400 is 2.0 ghz while their listed E4500 or whatever it is is 1.8, but is still more expensive..
Wtf?
Also, what about Dell monitors? The Dimension 9200 with Vista build doesn't seem to have a "no monitor" option. Instead, it has "will select large LCD monitor instead.."
What is this?
I rather buy my monitor retail than online, in case of dead pixels. Costco has a viewsonic 20' on sale for $200 with integrated speaker.

In order:
1. Time spent in research is sunk (lost) the moment it's done, and if you've found a better way to do something (ie Dell) then to go to another way (ie Newegg) just because you spent time in researching is counterproductive. The entire point in research is to learn the best way.
2. The PSU will easily handle anything you can stick in it. I have a 300W PSU from my E700 Acer box currently powering a Quad6600, 8800GTS/320, 4 HDDs, 4 1GB sticks, and much more. 375W is easily enough for that and much more.
3. We can walk you thru putting in the new GPU. If you can hold your hands steady in front of your face for 30 seconds, you can probably put the GPU in yourself. The entire thing's tool-less now anyway, so you can be a klutz and still do it in under 5 minutes.
4. Don't get tied up on RAM speed. It's not significant.
5. The E4400 is the budget line. The E6xxx is the better line because it includes newer technology. If you want to step up to the 2.13 Dell 6450 or whatever it is, it's something like $50 more - again, just do it if you want; it's not terribly significant.
6. Yes, Dell's 20" monitors are good. I don't think the risk is significant.

 

[JustaGeek]

dclive,

With all due respect - I can't believe that you have just recommended Dell to someone capable of building their own computer!

Underpowered Power Supplies, Dell-specific components non-interchangable with ATX standard, missing PS/2 ports in their latest offerings, and BIOS' totally un-adjustable.

I personally would not buy and other major brand than HP-Compaq. They use quality off-the-shelf components (ASUS, Seagate etc.) and their driver support website is second to none. Motherboard layouts and technical specs, BIOS updates, drivers, software. Just go and type Pavilion a250n, my first "serious" machine I kept upgrading with extra memory, VC's and PS'. My wife used it until April 2007 with BFG 7800GS.

I even found a Repair Manual in .pdf for my laptop, with instuctions how to replace the CPU and take the whole computer apart!

I have worked on Toshiba, Acer, tried to find drivers on Dell website, and nothing comes even close to HP.

Anyway, didn't mean to offend anyone, but Dell...?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Noobtastic,

It is easy to adjust memory timings/voltage in BIOS - if you have problems, just come back here, or PM me and we'll figure it out.

Good luck!

 

[dclive]

He isn't capable. That's why he's spending $125-$150 to pay someone to build it. And that's why he isn't sure how to add a GPU.

But even if he could, if he could save $ buying a Dell, I'd tell him to buy a Dell. It's quite simple, really. And there's also the warranty factor...

Your power supply comments don't make any sense. Dell's got the best power supplies in the business. And if you head over to the PSU forums, the need for massive 500W power supplies has been debunked. Heck - read Anandtech's articles - Core2Duo machines WITH 8800GTXs - are using 200-300W, max, under full load. This Dell comes with 375W - easily enough and with mountains of room to spare, and the 1950 doesn't use close to the power of the 8800GTX.

"Missing" PS2 ports? C'mon - PS2 has been dead for a long time now. Apple removed legacy ports 10 years ago. Dell and lots of other normal vendors are getting rid of the ancient ports. If you want PS2 or the older ports, you've now got to explicitly *look* for them. Face it - they're obsolete. They were obsolete 10 years ago. Time to move on. If you still use it for some odd reason, buy a $10 adapter.

BIOS Un-adjustable sounds like a good thing for this guy. And face it - most people (even here) don't need to be messing with that - think of all the bluescreens, problems, etc. to be avoided if that were true.... if you aren't overclocking, you don't need to mess with it.

Please tell me what components aren't interchangeable. Dell switched to ATX some time ago for most models (I'm not aware of any that aren't) - but if you find one, spend $15 and buy an adapter (http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-.../std/sku=dellconverter - found in about 5 seconds of googling) - big deal. This is a nonissue - nobody cares about power supplies unless you need to replace it, and the machine is warrantied, and it's unlikely to be an issue anyway. This is silly.

I don't go to Dell for drivers; I go to their OEM, just as I did for Compaq machines. I get newer drivers that way. But Dell's WWW site is excellent and makes it trivial to find driver updates - plug in your model number, and it shows all of the drivers, BIOSs, etc. for that model - it couldn't be easier. Repair manuals as well are fully available - it sounds like you're most familiar with HP's website, but there's nothing wrong with Dell's either.

Yes, Dell. It's cheap, reliable, backed by a good warranty, has good support, gets good Consumer Reports ratings... I could go on.

 

[JustaGeek]

Hmmm..... I understand.......

We use Dell in our office, and we get discounts if we buy Dell. Every other employee owns a Dell machine - and yes, some are happy, some are not.

Dell laptops - YES. Dell desktops - NO.

Please go to the HP support website, and as I said type in "Pavilion a250n" - you'll be amazed.

Try to do the same on Dell website.... (not with the Pavilion, of course LOL)

 

[dclive]

I have. The Dell WWW site shows, as I said, all BIOS/drivers/documenatation/etc. for their product once you go to the right page. It's a wonderful tool.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you don't already have a way to keep ongoing backups -

Spend the $50 on an external USB housing and put an old drive into it and set up ongoing backups of your important data.

 

[Noobtastic]

I'm confused - HP or Dell?


I already currently own a refurbished 5 year old HP, and it hasn't stopped beating since.


But it's just a normal browsing computer, the gpu can't barely render flash games (.)


Will it void the warranty if I put in my own GPU? What if I blow something up in the process...?

With the builder, there is a 30 day labor warranty and newegg covers most of their parts (and RMAing is supposed to be hella easy with them.)


I'll need the computer done with replaced videocard before early August. I've been anticipating this computer for quite some time now, and I always thought everything was planned - but now this Dell thing came up.


Gaaaaahhh.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Hmmm..... I understand.......

We use Dell in our office, and we get discounts if we buy Dell. Every other employee owns a Dell machine - and yes, some are happy, some are not.

Dell laptops - YES. Dell desktops - NO.

Please go to the HP support website, and as I said type in "Pavilion a250n" - you'll be amazed.

Try to do the same on Dell website.... (not with the Pavilion, of course LOL)

this doesn't look that pretty:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...id=reg_R1002_USEN#N305

512 MB (2 x 256)

120 GB Ultra DMA

i like this though:

USB (2.0) Six (two front and four back)
IEEE 1394 Two (one front and one back)
6-in-1 media card reader One (front)
Serial One (back)
Parallel One (back)
PS/2 Keyboard One (back)
PS/2 Mouse One (back)
Composite Video One (back)
S-Video Out One (back)
Line-in One (back)
Line-out One (back)
Headphone One (back)
Microphone Two (back)
VGA Monitor One (back)

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
I'm confused - HP or Dell?


I already currently own a refurbished 5 year old HP, and it hasn't stopped beating since.


But it's just a normal browsing computer, the gpu can't barely render flash games (.)


Will it void the warranty if I put in my own GPU? What if I blow something up in the process...?

With the builder, there is a 30 day labor warranty and newegg covers most of their parts (and RMAing is supposed to be hella easy with them.)


I'll need the computer done with replaced videocard before early August. I've been anticipating this computer for quite some time now, and I always thought everything was planned - but now this Dell thing came up.


Gaaaaahhh.

If it's 5 years old, don't bother putting time and money into it - it's too old to be useful. Give it to a neighborhood kid, and get the new PC for yourself.

HP or Dell doesn't matter to me - can anyone show a better deal than $699 with 20" LCD and a competitive Core2Duo CPU?

Please stop worrying about blowing things up. Have you ever put in a light bulb? It's about that difficult - putting in a new card.

30 days labor? With Dell you get a year. There's no reason to bother with anything else. And NewEgg doesn't warranty the stuff - the OEM does. It can be a pain to deal with all the various vendors - with Dell, you have exactly one 1800 number you call.

As I said, Dell can have the PC on your doorstep, in fully working order, in a week. Slap in a new GPU in a minute or two, and you're then done.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Hmmm..... I understand.......

We use Dell in our office, and we get discounts if we buy Dell. Every other employee owns a Dell machine - and yes, some are happy, some are not.

Dell laptops - YES. Dell desktops - NO.

Please go to the HP support website, and as I said type in "Pavilion a250n" - you'll be amazed.

Try to do the same on Dell website.... (not with the Pavilion, of course LOL)

this doesn't look that pretty:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...id=reg_R1002_USEN#N305

512 MB (2 x 256)

120 GB Ultra DMA

i like this though:

USB (2.0) Six (two front and four back)
IEEE 1394 Two (one front and one back)
6-in-1 media card reader One (front)
Serial One (back)
Parallel One (back)
PS/2 Keyboard One (back)
PS/2 Mouse One (back)
Composite Video One (back)
S-Video Out One (back)
Line-in One (back)
Line-out One (back)
Headphone One (back)
Microphone Two (back)
VGA Monitor One (back)

That's an example so you can see how the search feature works on the HP website. I don't think he's suggesting you buy it.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: Noobtastic

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Hmmm..... I understand.......

We use Dell in our office, and we get discounts if we buy Dell. Every other employee owns a Dell machine - and yes, some are happy, some are not.

Dell laptops - YES. Dell desktops - NO.

Please go to the HP support website, and as I said type in "Pavilion a250n" - you'll be amazed.

Try to do the same on Dell website.... (not with the Pavilion, of course LOL)

this doesn't look that pretty:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...id=reg_R1002_USEN#N305

512 MB (2 x 256)

120 GB Ultra DMA

i like this though:

USB (2.0) Six (two front and four back)
IEEE 1394 Two (one front and one back)
6-in-1 media card reader One (front)
Serial One (back)
Parallel One (back)
PS/2 Keyboard One (back)
PS/2 Mouse One (back)
Composite Video One (back)
S-Video Out One (back)
Line-in One (back)
Line-out One (back)
Headphone One (back)
Microphone Two (back)
VGA Monitor One (back)

That's an example so you can see how the search feature works on the HP website. I don't think he's suggesting you buy it.

I did the numbers, and the Dell would only be $100 or so cheaper with replaced GPU.


Is this really worth it??



My x1950pro is a HUGE card, and I don't know if it will fit into the Dell case (I'm not sure how they arrange their parts.)


Help?

 

[dclive]

Dell $699 plus $150 card = $850.

Your previous totals were about $1325. What are you now leaving out? Did you include Vista Home Premium ($150-ish OEM) in your quotes?

Anyway, you need to figure this stuff out. Obviously you aren't comfortable with hardware, so I'd steer as far away as I could from a homemade computer and get something from a major vendor, with serious 1-800 number support, with a *legal* version of Vista (just wait until MS unveils its' latest anti-piracy features on all the pirated versions of Vista...) etc...etc... There are serious benefits of going with Dell.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: dclive
Dell $699 plus $150 card = $850.

Your previous totals were about $1325. What are you now leaving out? Did you include Vista Home Premium ($150-ish OEM) in your quotes?

Anyway, you need to figure this stuff out. Obviously you aren't comfortable with hardware, so I'd steer as far away as I could from a homemade computer and get something from a major vendor, with serious 1-800 number support, with a *legal* version of Vista (just wait until MS unveils its' latest anti-piracy features on all the pirated versions of Vista...) etc...etc... There are serious benefits of going with Dell.

Well, the total would actually be 820 (320 gig hard drive, cd/dvd burner) + 150 (gpu) + 200 (monitor) + 90 (input devices, keyboard, mouse, and games..etc..)


Newgg build: 850 for parts, 200 for monitor, 150 for build, 100 for software, 90 for input devices and games.



I'm so confused.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic

Originally posted by: dclive
Dell $699 plus $150 card = $850.

Your previous totals were about $1325. What are you now leaving out? Did you include Vista Home Premium ($150-ish OEM) in your quotes?

Anyway, you need to figure this stuff out. Obviously you aren't comfortable with hardware, so I'd steer as far away as I could from a homemade computer and get something from a major vendor, with serious 1-800 number support, with a *legal* version of Vista (just wait until MS unveils its' latest anti-piracy features on all the pirated versions of Vista...) etc...etc... There are serious benefits of going with Dell.

Well, the total would actually be 820 (320 gig hard drive, cd/dvd burner) + 150 (gpu) + 200 (monitor) + 90 (input devices, keyboard, mouse, and games..etc..)


Newgg build: 850 for parts, 200 for monitor, 150 for build, 100 for software, 90 for input devices and games.



I'm so confused.

Use this link for the 9200:

http://deals.gotapex.com/?TMGJ9ZUX (Note: Get the real thing on GotApex; no, I don't get anything for this), or jump to Dell at http://www.dell.com/content/pr...?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd, but I'm not sure if that will be hot still...)

Yes, I get $839 with XPH, DVDRW, 2G, 320G, 7300LE, 6320 CPU, 20" Dell monitor. I don't see anything confusing there....add $150 for the GPU you want, and you're at $990.

Versus your own numbers - $1300 or so...