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General discussion

Tower Without Monitor and keybord etc.

Jun 11, 2005 11:11AM PDT

Hello all, I was just wondering, I have an LCD monitor and a keybord and mouse. I am using a labtop connected to them, but the time has come for me to get a tower. So I was looking around at dell and gateway but they seem to only sell packages with monitors and the rest. Is there any companies out there ( good ones I hope) that provide me with just the tower????
Many thanks in advance.

Layth

Discussion is locked

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eMachines
Jun 11, 2005 11:46AM PDT

when not on sale, it is just the computer for $579. Comes with AMD 64 Socket 939 and a PCI-Express x16 slot.
Roger

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Build it yourself...
Jun 11, 2005 1:49PM PDT

Just build it yourself, it's easy! You get to save a ton of money that way...

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Build?
Jun 11, 2005 6:34PM PDT

I seriously doubt you could build an emachine T6212 equivalent yourself for $579! I spent months trying to cofigure a rig and could not even get close. I bought an emachine T6212 and am finding it easy to upgrade one step at a time as I can afford it, starting with more memory and a good PCI Express graphics card. Next will be an SATA HDD and a full version Win XP.

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well you have to consider a few things
Jun 13, 2005 5:03AM PDT

eMachines is using:

A) low grade PSU
B) low grade cooling
C) low grade/inexpensive case
D) low grade motherboard
E) low grade RAM

basically everything is low grade
it works, but it's bottom of the barel
and their getting it at low costs

for around $1200-$1500 I can build a dual 6800nU system
and for around $1700 those can be 6800GT's

for $600-$900, with no monitor/package deal gimmicks as eMachines includes
I could probably throw a faster more powerful system together, and given my level of boredom, i think I shall, just to see if it's possible...

using Newegg.com
and emachines.com for reference
I will configure a comparable, and hopefully more powerful system together

I will then attempt to use Futuremark's ORB (Online Result Browser) to see roughly what level of performance can be expected from my home brew...

Basic motherboard (with the same chipset)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135191

AMD Athlon64 3200+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535
(with fan)


ok, currently i'm at $311
I have to make or undercut $629.99
OR go a few $$$ over and give far better performance (at max $30 over, but performance must be noticeably better)

i'm not going to assume their rebate as the actual cost, as it's not permanent

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820161625

Hard Drive-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144184

currently i've got 40GB more storage

DVD RW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827140115

and a faster CD Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827101130

now the one thing i'm seeing that will push the cost of my machine higher is WindowsXP
eMachines (like all OEM builders) have access to WindowsXP at far cheaper prices than I can purchase it at OEM prices


currently i'm at just over $500
have yet to put WindowsXP, the multi-reader, a modem or MS Works

so i'm looking at $130 in MS software
$15-$20 for a media reader
which would stick me at around $650
well, let's push the envelope a little further, say $700 and it'll perform better

added a Radeon X300 for a bit more performance over integraed (note, not an SE, a full version X300)

$703
it offers 40GB more hard drive space
a faster gfx card
and you own WindowsXP on CD...

so for $70 i'd say this is better

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well you have to consider a few things
Jun 15, 2005 1:48AM PDT

True, Emachines are ok, and are well known for their skimpy PSUs.
But if you are planing to upgrade then just build it yourself, will cost less in the end.
I agree with ozos when you build you GET WHAT YOU WANT,
not the lowest cost parts that some one else put in there. So if you want to build just repost and there is a lot of help here. John