Getting a new computer... Need help..

My parents recently said that they might buy me a new computer because my mom wants this one for work or something. They said I have to sell my 360 if I want to get it and then pay them the money I make from it... But anyway, the computer has to be under $1500. My dad said I cannot build it, because apparently he is not aware of the fact that it is much cheaper that way...

Does anyone know any good manufacturers of computers that have reasonable prices? I want to get a 8800gtx with my computer if possible...  I want to have at least 2 gigs of RAM as well. If my expectations seem to be going beyond the price, please tell me so. I want to get an awesome computer that will max out games like UT3, but idk if that will be possible due to the price limit.

Yeah, you can get all that for under 1000 easily if you build it. You're just going to get ripped off big time otherwise. Tell your dad the difference in price and try to convince him otherwise. I mean, if your dead set on spening 1500, build your own and go dual 8800gtx or something. Lanto

LMAO, Dual 8880gtx? Umm, sir, please look at the price of that card once more. If I get two 8800gtx's, I will be able to spend about $300 more on a CPU, case, RAM, PSU, and everything else necessary... I already stated that I CAN'T build it, he absolutely won't let me. 

your best bet would be a small computer shop that would build the computer for you I guess....kidkit

No, it's not that he doesn't trust me physically building it. My dad just said that it doesn't save that much money and getting it from a manufacturer is less of a pain because reformatting (which I do a lot) and support and stuff is easier. I just want to know if there are any reasonably priced manufacturers. 

[QUOTE="Lanto"]Yeah, you can get all that for under 1000 easily if you build it. You're just going to get ripped off big time otherwise. Tell your dad the difference in price and try to convince him otherwise. I mean, if your dead set on spening 1500, build your own and go dual 8800gtx or something. Zorbrak

LMAO, Dual 8880gtx? Umm, sir, please look at the price of that card once more. If I get two 8800gtx's, I will be able to spend about $300 more on a CPU, case, RAM, PSU, and everything else necessary... I already stated that I CAN'T build it, he absolutely won't let me.

Yeah they're kinda of expensive now because there is no compitition and they can sell it for whatever they want. But when ATI / AMD released their dx10 cards they will drop significantly in price. Which is imo the best time to buy a new pc.

Edit: you'll be left with 500, 180 for an e6400 which can be easily overclocked by 50% and ram is incredibly cheap right now, around 100 bucks for 2 gb's, really its not that far fetched.

http://www.microexpress.net/prodcustom.asp

try adding the  geforce 8800 gts
450w silent fan power supply
home vista premium
the price should come around $1.482,-

that's a pretty decent price for
Intel core2 duo e6400
2048MB ddr 2 ram
250 GB space
dual layer dvd burner
and Intel audio card.... u gotta use your old speakers and screen though

but I'm sure allot of people can agree that that's a very reasonable Price for a PC that would handle any of the upcoming directx10 games at medium settings alright :D

good luck!! 

[QUOTE="kidkit"]your best bet would be a small computer shop that would build the computer for you I guess....Zorbrak

No, it's not that he doesn't trust me physically building it. My dad just said that it doesn't save that much money and getting it from a manufacturer is less of a pain because reformatting (which I do a lot) and support and stuff is easier. I just want to know if there are any reasonably priced manufacturers.

go to alienwares site, pic custom PC, pic the parts you want

go to newegg.com, pic the parts you want, add them to card

show your dad the diffrence in price and that should convince him 

Alienware?! Are you nuts? They are one of the more expensive pre-builts!

My vote goes to Cyberpower

There you can pick everything from the mobo, PSU, ram type, cooling unit, neons, etc..

Their prices are pretty reasonable...

Also check out ABS.

oh my god you guys aree killing this kid!! dude, trust me on this one, go to www.ibuypower.com. I just built a bad ass system with them. liquid cooling on an e6600 core 2 duo, evga 680i, 8800gtx, wd raptor hd's. i get 11,000 on 3dmark06 and its not even overclocked yet. that system cost me 2200 so you can easily build a comparable one. get the e6600 if you go core 2. the 6400 does not have 4mb l2 cache x2. get the e6600 and maybe a 8800gts. save your money on the mobo and hd. they have some great deals and the systems are super fast!!! sgtfernando

no, if you absolutley cant build one, then defintly DONT go with ibuycrap. overpriced and they have terrible tech support. cyber power is much better than it, while still inferior to building one 

Ive purchased from these two places, happy with both transactions.

www.cyberpowerinc.com and www.wydan.com

Wydan was the company I found to be the cheapest pre-assembled computers and also the most customizeable. Its still a small company so naturally the customer service is awesome and very personable. I definately reccommend Wydan.

Thanks for the support mistergrieves. :D We strive to provide all gamers with a fully customized system they way they want it. Best of all, its at an affordable price.

It's great to know that we are mentioned in forums such as these. If any one has any questions or concerns in regards to PC's, we'll be more than happy to assist you.

Daniel

Wydan.com

Why don't you tell your dad to get a quote from a PC store and then compare it to something from Dell or Gateway?

Also inform him that they'll give you all of the discs and drivers that you need, it won't be any easier or less easy to reformat your PC if you buy a custom built one or build your own.