BleepingComputer.com: Is this desktop a good deal?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?...671&topnav=

I've never done anything in terms of building a machine before, so I'm more inclined to buy a pre-built. I think this is a machine made exclusively for Costco, as I can't find anything about it on the web. Thoughts on the specs and price? To be used for general purposes (surfing, etc.), music recording and editing, and some light gaming.

Thanks for any help!

My only reservation would be the video card. But if you're not into high-end gaming or graphics rendering, then it should be more than adequate. Though you may want to add a couple hundred more gigabytes worth of hard drive, but that's entirely my opinion there.

I have to ask...who are you going to turn to for support?

My impression for anything described as a "boutique build" is that...no one is going to be accountable when things go wrong.

http://www.velocitymicro.com/

I may have just missed it, but I find it hard to have confidence in a manufacturer's website...that doesn't include any sign of support functionality for what is being sold.

Louis

The GT220 I'm guessing, is equivalent to the 9500GT which is close to pointless, considering today's options.
Take a look at this chart to find out how the GT220 ranks:
PassMark Software High End Video Cards

My suggestion would be to buy an AMD based quad-core system with integrated (or a poor gfx card) graphics and add a good graphics card (and PSU if needed) next.

How far on the budget are you willing to go, for the entire system?

This post has been edited by ReviverSoft: 30 December 2009 - 04:03 PM