Dell X8500-4727BK Desktop: Core i7 3770 3.40GHz, 12GB DDR3, 2TB 7200RPM HDD, NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 1GB, WiFi N, Win 7 Home Prem $600 + Tax YMMV

Quote from UnixAdmin : What city is this at?

This is in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. They placed all the Win7 desktops on clearance on 10/24. I actually had to settle for the display model which I am currently using as they sold all the boxed desktops for both Dell and HP systems. The only one left is the Vizio AIO.

Quote from Mummel : Do you think its still cheaper to build one's own PC these days? I built one myself like 6 years back and really need a new one, but if I add up the latest components, it comes to like $2k (which would last me another ~5 years). I wonder if I'm better off buying 2 PCs at $600 over that same period? This Dell any good for encoding? TIA.

It's not cheaper to build it yourself. In my opinion, it's only practical to build yourself when:

1) The warranty on your model sucks and you don't have NBD on-site. You're comfortable with self-service and RMA turnaround, including potential RMAs on DOA parts, or you have spare parts on hand if a component fails.
2) You require certain motherboard features (overclocking, undervolting, certain RAID configurations, Crossfire or SLI, etc.) which are absent from a manufacturer's home user motherboard.
3) You want a larger case or superior PSU for device expansion, cable organization, and case modification.

The i7-3770 is a very good encoding processor since it's a hyperthreaded quad-core. The memory timings probably suck and the modules might not be setup for dual channel, but I think you'd only see a 5% performance hit for that on encoding tasks. If you're just backing up your DVD and Blu-Ray collections, this would be more than adequate. This would also be a solid gaming system if you just replaced the OEM card.

If you're trying to future proof, don't spend $2,000. This only hurts you because of diminishing returns. The average user shouldn't really be spending more than $1,200 on a system.

Quote from tremendazo : Wanted that Dell but my Costco has it for 900 +

Same results at two Costco's in the Chicagoland area. Has anyone confirmed this deal, or is this too good to be true (suspecting that the original post may be a Troll).

Quote from rjsheehy : Same results at two Costco's in the Chicagoland area. Has anyone confirmed this deal, or is this too good to be true (suspecting that the original post may be a Troll).

That's very strongly worded. Way to start your membership here. Based on how they explained the whole clearance process to me at my local Costco, the OP's explanation sounds legit.

Quote from alinski : This is in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. They placed all the Win7 desktops on clearance on 10/24. I actually had to settle for the display model which I am currently using as they sold all the boxed desktops for both Dell and HP systems. The only one left is the Vizio AIO.

See post 27 for the actual Costco price tag for the item.

I went yesterday to purchase the Dell, but they only had the display available and all the HP's were gone. Saw a display Lenovo 430 IdeaCentre for $300. Purchased that instead of the Dell and took it home. Very disappointed with it. Returned it this morning and glad that the display Dell was still available. Purchased it and now using it.

Quote from exaltare : It's not cheaper to build it yourself. In my opinion, it's only practical to build yourself when: 1) The warranty on your model sucks and you don't have NBD on-site. You're comfortable with self-service and RMA turnaround, including potential RMAs on DOA parts, or you have spare parts on hand if a component fails. 2) You require certain motherboard features (overclocking, undervolting, certain RAID configurations, Crossfire or SLI, etc.) which are absent from a manufacturer's home user motherboard. 3) You want a larger case or superior PSU for device expansion, cable organization, and case modification. The i7-3770 is a very good encoding processor since it's a hyperthreaded quad-core. The memory timings probably suck and the modules might not be setup for dual channel, but I think you'd only see a 5% performance hit for that on encoding tasks. If you're just backing up your DVD and Blu-Ray collections, this would be more than adequate. This would also be a solid gaming system if you just replaced the OEM card. If you're trying to future proof, don't spend $2,000. This only hurts you because of diminishing returns. The average user shouldn't really be spending more than $1,200 on a system.

Yeah, it's not like the old days. Building is now for enthusiasts. With all the sales from the big builders, you just can't beat their buying power. You could probably build the same system for the same price as they're selling it, but when you realize the quality of the hardware, you'd probably be happier buying big builder and pleading ignorant about what's inside. It's like eating fast food, it tastes pretty good until you start looking at what's inside.

The only real exception to the rule is workstation computers. I think you can still beat out some of the big builders when you're putting together a high end workstation.

Quote from alinski : See post 27 for the actual Costco price tag for the item. I went yesterday to purchase the Dell, but they only had the display available and all the HP's were gone. Saw a display Lenovo 430 IdeaCentre for $300. Purchased that instead of the Dell and took it home. Very disappointed with it. Returned it this morning and glad that the display Dell was still available. Purchased it and now using it.

Just for the record, check post #6. You are welcome.

Last time I bought a display from Costco, they gave me 20% off. Hope you got a discount too, but consider yourself lucky that at least the display was available. BTW, if you don't like it for some reason, consider selling it on eBay.

Quote from deelseaker : Just for the record, check post #6. You are welcome. Last time I bought a display from Costco, they gave me 20% off. Hope you got a discount too, but consider yourself lucky that at least the display was available. BTW, if you don't like it for some reason, consider selling it on eBay.

Thanks for the advice. I asked for a discount but they have already reduced it from the original price. I have gotten a discount before for other display items that were selling at the original price.

Quote from deelseaker : If I remember correctly, 657977 for the HP and 657978 for the Dell. The way it was explained to me, any $xxx.97 price is a clearance price. The clearance price gets lower and lower as the stock diminishes. Right now, my local Costco is fully stocked up with both models. Only the Dell is on clearance, but still at the $899.97 price. The entire area seems to still be at that price. I was told that when they get their stock down to a couple, they may lower the price further.

In my experience, regular pricing is $xx.99. First clearance pricing $xx.97. Final clearance pricing is $xx.00. Final clearance are normally hard to find as they are priced so low that they just fly off the shelves.

Quote from alinski : In my experience, regular pricing is $xx.99. First clearance pricing $xx.97. Final clearance pricing is $xx.00. Final clearance are normally hard to find as they are priced so low that they just fly off the shelves.

Yet you were taking your time on this one and are truly lucky to still have scored one.

No go in King of Prussia, PA. Still $899.97.

My Costco had one at $700, display model. Not quite $600, sadly. I asked the floor staff, the cashier, and the checkout manager if they price matched--showing them the $600 price tag posted here. Sadly, they do not. Prices vary from store to store and they mark down at their own discretion. But I still bought it. Haven't set it up yet, but 90 day return policy, 2 year warranty...this floor model is fine with me!

You can call Costcos in your area and give them the product number (657978) and they can check inventory. They won't have the marked down price in their database, but they have inventory count. But if they only have one or two at the location, odds are they have marked them down. They can also see if other nearby Costcos have stock. Hope that helps.