If he builds a system with last years Tech he CAN save a lot of money but it
will cost him some effort in research.
WWW.pricewatch.com
WWW.resellerratings.com
www.newegg.com
www.mwave.com

check out these sites first though
~Eric


"jeffc" wrote in message
...

"x" wrote in message
...
Am transferred out of USA and want to take a reliable comp to download
and
watch movies, game, and email with a bit of work on the side using word
and
excel.

So, do I buy a Dell/Gateway/ etc or, following the advice I culled from
weeks of lurking, buy stuff from newegg and assemble at home, thereby
saving
tons of scarce cash.

I am not an experienced builder, but have been swapping out parts for
years.

You will NOT be saving "tons of scarce cash". If you really want to save
money, buy a used computer with last year's technology. There are tons of
these around for bargain basement prices that will do everything the vast
majority of people want to do. Next option is to buy an eMachine, or
Dell,
or Gateway - lower end model. Wait for free upgrade offers, free
shipping,
or rebates as they appear every few weeks. Next option is to buy a cheap
machine from a local computer store with some eggheads working there.
Last
and least is to build your own. Large cost savings (*any* cost savings)
is
not the reason to build your own.