Right now I am searching for a good computer for PC Gaming. Basically a High-Performance system, but I am not rich. Right now the best deal I've seen is:
Intel Pentium 4 Processor (2.8 GHz)
512 MB DDR-DRAM
Radeon 64 MB 9200
48xMax CD-ROM Drive

for

1,078$ at Circuit City.

If anyone has seen a cheaper pre-assembled computer that has just as high performance, tell me so.

I don't have that sort of money.

My computer is a piece of @#%$. I only keep it to play BioWare RPGs and the like that I can't get on my Xbox.

I used to be one of these "CONSOLES SUCK A @#%$ @#%$" people, but honestly, I just don't have the money to upgrade or the time to keep up with what's good and what's not, anymore.

I would build the computer from scratch, or base it off of a barebones system. Much more bang for your buck. But you said prebuilt...

"
Intel Pentium 4 Processor (2.8 GHz)
512 MB DDR-DRAM
Radeon 64 MB 9200
48xMax CD-ROM Drive
"

Crap. Don't give it a second thought.

Is $1100 your budget?

First of all, if you are looking for a gaming PC, you should even out your CPU and video card.

Lower your CPU to about a 2.4 Ghz processor and change the VGA card to some 128 MB card (I'd recommend GeForce over Radeon because I hear it is better for gaming, but Radeon is better overall in graphics in other areas).

Also, I hink the price is pretty high, I'd jsut recommend going with custom built computers becauses companies like circuit city really rip the consumers off. I think I could all those parts for:

2.8 GHz: $240
512 MB DDR: $80
Radeon 9200 128 MB: $60
CD Rom 56x: $19
Total: $399 - so let's say $400

I just pulled these prices straight off my dad's website. And if you think I'm lying, just search online on various websites for those specific parts. I'm sure you could find them cheaper on other sites too.

My suggestion to you is get these parts seperate and go to a smaller company and get a custom built computer. As you can clearly see, the price is much lower.

Even if you add the extra peripherals, monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, hard drive (which you failed to mention, and it is a key part of the overall price), you will still be in way blow the cost of $1100.

These prices are pulled off Pricewatch.com.

$027 Silver/silver Plated ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case upgradable 500W Powersupply
$136 M848LU 848LU Socket A 333MHz bus CNR 8xAGP 2 PS/2 ports DDR ATX w/ AMD Athlon XP 2700
$062 512MB PC2700 DDR 333 333MHZ 184pin DIMM MEMORY
$083 IBM / Hitachi EIDE 120.0GB 7200RPM Ultra ATA/100
$136 ATI Radeon 9600 256MB DDR AGP8X DVI+CRT+TVO powered by ati
$031 CREATIVE SB LIVE 5.1 (OEM) Creative Sound Blaster Live 5.1 PCI
---
$448

That's a computer I wouldn't mind having myself. (I may even order that case, it looks nice) I'm assuming you have an operating system disc (extra two hundred if you don't) and a monitor (extra hundred), keyboard and mouse (thirty bucks) and speakers (fifty).

Also, Alienware.com does low priced computers in batches. There was a review about it in PC Gamer awhile back... You can get them for about a grand. What happens is you order it, and then wait for Alienware to get enough orders (couple hundred). They then build them all at once, and ship it out... If you're lucky you'll be on the tail end of the batch. :)

The PC Gamer review was pretty good, nice machine for a decent ammount of money.

See what I mean?

Circuit City is ripping you off.

No @#%$, DS6. It's retail - you buy something, and sell it to people for more. That's how business make a PROFIT.

---

If you're looking for a good gaming system, I would save for for a while longer and go with Alienware. They're lower-end desktops go for around $1500 USD (which is not bad, considering) and are designed specifically for gaming.

Or you could get the same system custom built for half the price...why don't you decide.

$1500 or $750...

And I'm perfectly well aware of how the business works. I work every sunday from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM selling computer parts with my dad at computer shows. I know the business, and that is how businesses like Best Buy are still around. Cuz dumb shits go to their store expecting great quality @#%$ for a high price, when they can get that same quality @#%$ at a cheaper price.

Since you said prebuilt, I would look at http://www.ibuypower.com

I almost bought my current machine from them before I decided to do the DIY thing.

My computer doesn't even work. Period. The CD ROM is busted and the hard drive needs to be reformatted. It is also 5 years old and all the software is outdated.

So for now, I have to rely on my girlfriend's computer to post.