Getting a computer built, is this a good deal?

Question

These are the specs he sent me. I would like to see what other people think about this and if its worth it for me to have him build this computer for me. Why or why not? Or what would you change?

Computer Parts and Software List

* LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA - $23.99

* Sunbeam Freezing-Storm IC-FS-BK Black SteelComputer Case - $53.99

* Western Digital Caviar 160GB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $41.99

* BIOSTAR NF520-A2 SE AM2 NVIDIA nForce 520D AMD Motherboard - $49.99

* SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 2600PRO 512MB PCI Express x16 Video Card - $34.99

* hec ACE-580UB 580W ATX12V Power Supply - $49.99

* Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400 Desktop Memory - $36.69

* AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ 2.6GHz Socket AM2 Dual-Core Processor - $66.00

* Windows XP Professional SP3 - $69.99

* Subtotal: $427.62

* Shipping: $47.12

* Total: $474.74

Computer Modification List

* 12in Dual Green Cold Cathode Kit - $6.99

* Shipping: $2.55

* Total: $9.54

Assembly and Work Charges

* Assembly - $20.00

* Modification - $10.00

* Software Installation - $10.00

* Testing and Burn In - $25.00

* Shipping: $0.00

* Grand Total: $550.00

The Modification required is a Plexi Glass Window Cost of Plexi Glass Has Been Docked

Due To Having Enough in stock, Shipping Arrangements Will Be Made After Payment.

Payment must be clear before parts are ordered.

PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BEFORE PARTS ARE ORDERED.

Answer 1

You can get better computers for cheaper. You should buy your own parts and get him to put it together (unless your already doing that).

You can get some really sweet deals at sites like Newegg.com.

And the site Slickdeals.net is a great resource for RAM and processors and fully built computers.

You can get the price lower, it might just take a little longer.

Answer 2

i have that exact same dvd-r

Answer 3

it is overpriced.

Answer 4

Are they a very large company?  Reason I ask is, the retail price of WinXP SP2 is $140:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...

And they're selling for half that.  Seems a little fishy unless they're huge enough to get discounts that deep. You can find out by asking a few questions:

Will it have a Certificate of Authenticity sticker on it?

Will you get the Windows CD?

If they get defensive when you ask that, then beware.  

Another thing I don't see is virus protection.  Will they install that too? Will you get the serial number so you can get support for it, and renewals?

Otherwise it seems like a very good deal.  

Answer 5

disregard what the other guy said it seems like a fair price if all the parts used are brand new the only way i can see getting any cheaper would be upgrading a  existing single core machine and reusing some parts or by buying some used parts off e-bay.  

Answer 6

Very low budget list of supplies. I would go and get one from Wal-mart with about the same configuration for about the same if not, a few dollars less. It will have your better grade processor and monitor included plus a very good warranty and it is already delivered to the store, ready for pick up! Payment must be made before parts are ordered is enough to tell me no!!!