Found this package deal Dell Desktop System at my local Sam's Club.

Dell Model # i560-5355NBK
Desktop Computer System {Inspiron 560}

* 23" Dell Widescreen LED Flat Panel Monitor
* Intel Premium Dual-Core E5800 (3.2Ghz, 2MB * L2 cache, 800MHz FSB}
* 6GB Memory
*1TB Hard Drive
* DVD+/-RW Drive {plays/creates CDs & DVDs}
* Integrated Intel HD Graphics
* Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio & Dell Speakers
* Media Card Reader
* Dell USB Keyboard & Dell Optical USB Mouse
* Windows 7 Home Premium{64 Bit}
* Microsoft Office 2010 Preloaded {purchase product key to fully activate}
* McAffee SecurityCenter {30 day trial}

** Sam's Club price $698 **

Going to the Dell site and customizing the same base computer :
Dell Price $802.98

I know I will change the keyboard/mouse for wireless
and most likely upgrade the Video Card,
though not sure which one yet
I have a set of Bose Companion II speakers I will use for now.

Thanks Vic, was wondering about the sound card.

Input appreciated!

Sorry I can't help you, katbear, not much of a tech specialist. But rest assure Jenny or someone else will be along to offer an opinion.

Hi Katbear, definately get a separate videocard - the best you can afford, as the videocard if cheap/old tends to be the one that causes problems as new games come out with fancy shadowing etc. it also will mean your system will have more longevity. NVidea or GForce are the usual ones to choose from. Do a quick google using the name of the soundcard you are thinking of; you can do a basic search first to check you enetered the name of videocard correctly, then use also the word error or similar word, and the more searches that come up the worse that sound card may be (works for me anyhow). Also go to forum of you favourite newest game (the most demanding of graphics) and search that with the name of the card - there are known issues with certain cards for certain games that you should avoid.

Soundcard also a good idea to get a good one rather than the basic one the system comes with if that is an option to upgrade as you will get fewer sound problems with games and you are obviously concerned with sound quality or you would not mention bose speakers!

The Inspiron 560's I looked at all had 300 watt power supplies - your choices will be extremely limited if you intend to upgrade the video card to something faster. Nearly all midrange add-in cards will require a minimum 450 watt PSU.

katbear, It looks to me as though by the time you upgrade the power supply and get a good video card, you will spend more than the Dell website price.

Another thing to consider katbear, if you go with Dell or any other name brand you get their extras loaded on the HD. Sometimes this isn't a bad thing and other times it's a pain.

Have you considered having someone, or computer store, build you a system instead of buying a name brand?

Maybe ask cazziejo about her experience with having ecollegePC build her a computer. She has a thread here in Glitches about it.

* About the extra 'baggage' Dell will pre-load on there,
I totally agree.

* I looked into a custom-build before, and buying 'ala-carte' proved
to be the most expensive way to go.

* This will be my 3rd desktop,
and I have found thru experience,
it was best to find a pre-packaqed-deal closest to my wonts
then take it from there.

Feedback???

If you look at cazziejo's thread, you will find she she saved quite a bit of money by having ecollegePC build her computer for her. She priced one at Dell with the same specs as the ecollegePC computer for several hundred dollars more. Plus, ecollege has a 3 year warranty for no extra charge.



But, sometimes it's best to stick with what you know and what you are comfortable with!

Hi katbear, I've just bought a new system minus monitor & speakers which I already had (Dell) - I didn't buy my system from Dell but before I got a recommendation I would have considered one of these:

Dell

I don't know what the techies here think?

I'm always getting emails from places like CompUSA
offering do-it-yourself kits for an unbelievable price...
CompUSA Barebones Desktop DIY Kits
but as you may remember, I'm a very blonde g'ma
FEEDBACK?

I went to ecollege web page and right off the bat I saw this: I think I would go look at their site... and then ask for help putting one together
Intel Core i7 950 3.06Ghz CPU
• GIGABYTE X58-USB3
•6GB DDR3 1333Mhz Memory
•500GB 7200RPM SATA300 HDD
•22X LG SATA DVD+/-RW w/Nero
•1GB GeForce GTS 450 DVI/HDMI
•1Gbit Ethernet Adapter
•8-Channel HD Audio
•Antec Black Dark Fleet DF-30
•550watt Power Supply
•6 USB 2.0 / 2 USB 3.0 Ports
•3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty

$899
Here is the link
ecollege

Or this one... for $502. I don't know a lot about the on-board graphics in the CPU core and how they work with gaming, but you could throw in that Nvidia 450 for another $129.

3.06Ghz Intel Core i3-540 4MB Cache Dual-Core
Stock Intel LGA1156 Heatsink and Fan
BIOSTAR TH55 HD (Intel H55 Video HDMI, DVI, PCI-E, 6xSATA2, 4xDDR3)
4GB (2GBx1) PC3 10666 DDR3 1333Mhz Memory Lifetime Warranty
500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA300 (Major Brand)
22X LG SATA Dual Layer DVD+/-RW/CDRW w/Nero
Onboard Video
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CoolerMaster Black Elite 430 (3 5.25, 6 3.5) Fan, Audio/USB
550watt Stock Supply
Onboard LAN included
Onboard Sound included
Wires and Cables neatly tied up away from fans
3 Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty