Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I need to replace my machine pretty soon. I don't need to have something right away, in fact was planning on waiting for windows 7.

I have been to new egg, but am overwhelmed by the choices.

I do want to do computer games, but don't need to have an uber machine. I also am a musician, so would like to have something that can process music files.

Any tips? or just throw me a link. I would liek to spend under $1,500.00 preferably around $1,000.

GG

If you have friends with Tech savvy best to buy the parts and have them build it for free (or in my case I charge 1 case of beer/hour).

Really hard to find prebuilt systems for around $1k that are any good. You can buy the components and build them yourself or have someone build it. It's cheapest and if you can get a knowledgeable friend or family member it might not cost a penny to build.

I can build my own for upwards of 70% less than buying a prebuilt.

Check Dell's website and look for the Alienware prebuilts or check Voodoocomputers.com. Both allow you to start with a base computer than customize depending on what you want to spend. Alienwares start at $1200 for desktops and can go up as high as the $6k mark.

Get on Dell's email list - they are continuously offering deals on computers. Wait for a killer deal on the machine you want - probably be cheaper than assembling it yourself (was for me).