Ok, im sure there are plenty of computer savy people here. Some im sure some that may know more then me. Im not claiming to know it all.
I think everyone should know that buying premade computer systems, (Dell, HP, Alienware, ect.) is a joke. You could build your own computer system for a little more then half the price.
**note**
ok, actually let me just give a rule of thumb. if your looking for a really budget system (less then $800) then you can find a good deal buying cheap dells, ect. but you are getting what you pay for. its hard to build a computer for less then 800, but you can build a $2,000 system for 1,200 easily. Companys like dell and HP can sell these computers so cheap, because they mass produce them. And then when the new stuff comes out they have to get rid of all the excess old stuff they have. which is why its so cheap.
**note**
good places to get parts are:
http://www.newegg.com
http://www.tigerdirect.com
if you want really custom stuff.
http://www.crazypc.com/
I build computers in my spare time for friends, family, and sometimes money.
If you all have any computer parts/building questions, i would be glad to answer them as best as i can.
Maybe, ill show some example builds later if there is any intrest.
(ALIENWARES ARE CRAZY OVERPRICED!)