I want to build a computer just because I heard its the cheapest way to get a gaming computer. I found this ad that has about the range that I am looking for. How do you think the price is for that computer? I've been picking parts for my computer and the ad looks about the same price as if I built it myself.
http://www.alxwebsolutions.com/gamingsyssite.html

Heres what caught my attention:

1. Sapphire Radeon X800 Pro PCI Express 256MB DDR3 Video Card w/TV-Out, DVI & Video-In

If your want to be doing heavy gaming, go with a board that has an agp slot. Pci exress just doesnt cut it.
http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=756
has an agp slot but not a video card that comes with it.

2. Seagate Barracuda 7200 80GB Hard Drive-ata/100 8.5ms

Bigger harddrive, reccomended but not required.

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All in all, i could find a better deal for you. My friend and i have better systems and mine was only 977 bucks.

You can't necessarily build a machine cheaper than you can buy one. But at least you can know what's in it and that you can easily replace with off-the-shelf parts and you can also upgrade it. Plus, you get a normal operating system that hasn't been "enhanced" with all kinds of unncessary junk.

I like ASUS motherboards - not too hot on Foxconn. And Techsomething's right - stay away from PCI graphics. You need AGP 8X.

but whats wrong with PCI-E 16x slots?