Deal for those looking for a PC for a MAME system

[JDFan]

Just a quick post to let those that are currently looking for a low cost PC for a build -- Got an advert from Tigerdirect today that had an off lease $99 PC system which seems to be a pretty good option It is described as follows in the advert :

Samsung Magic Station DB-Z55 Desktop PC - Intel Pentium D 3.4GHz, 2GB DDR2, 80GB HDD, DVD-ROM, Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit, Mouse & Keyboard (RB-DB-Z55) (Off-Lease)

Clearly not a top end system but with all of that for the same cost as the copy of windows retails for might help a few looking for an option for a MAME build.

Here is a link to the ad for those interested  -- ( http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=7841919&sku=J001-10196 )

[rpgposer]

That is a good deal.  Looking at the specs, which are a bit vague, it appears to be using integrated video.  Probably intel, which has issues with emulators and linux.  If the motherboard has a slot for a discrete video card, you could spend 50 bucks and have a nice htpc/emulator box.
If it doesn't have a video card slot, and a lot of these low end business class workstations don't, caveat emptor.

EDIT:  GoogleFu has shown that the motherboard for these is an Intel Desktop Board DG41CN, which has a single PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot.  If these truly have this motherboard, IMHO they are a good deal and if you have an older NVIDIA PCI express video card hanging around, it would be a good mame/emu box.

[Drnick]

Add a set of Logitech LS21's for $9.99  too (after rebate of $10)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3832359&csid=_61

[michelevit]

You can easily beat the price and specs and save on shipping by purchasing used on Craigslist. I've bought systems with a flat screens, keyboard, mouse, speakers for less than 100 bucks. You can part it out to save even more dough. Ebay also is a good source if your just looking for the minimum (mobo, cpu)
Even thrift stores now have pcs capable of running a decent MAME setup for less than 100bucks.

[JDFan]

You can easily beat the price and specs and save on shipping by purchasing used on Craigslist. I've bought systems with a flat screens, keyboard, mouse, speakers for less than 100 bucks. You can part it out to save even more dough. Ebay also is a good source if your just looking for the minimum (mobo, cpu)
Even thrift stores now have pcs capable of running a decent MAME setup for less than 100bucks.

True enough - but personally I'd rather stick to legitimate retail vendors as you have a means of contact if a problem with any parts arises (plus we happen to have a retail TigerDirect outlet in town so no shipping costs here - either for delivery or any refund\repair during the warranty period) plus on the CraigsList\Ebay purchases at those low end prices the HDD is usually wiped so no OS is included or the included OS is often a pirated install so you have to be wary of keyloggers etc. being installed unless you wipe the drive and reinstall from a known good iso. (though that is not as troubling for a MAME build since no financial or personal info is going to be stored on the system anyway !)

[404]

I just got  two pentium D systems, one complete with case and windows COA for free.

You can buy refurb intel core quads for about 150. The link above seems a bit expensive IMO.

[michelevit]

Every used PC i've picked up on craigslist are just the orphaned machines from a previous owner who has upgraded to something more modern (often a laptop). No issues with OS, keyloggers or or virii. If its a Dell or other brand name you can easily to a system restore which restores it to a as new state.

[rpgposer]

I still think it's a good deal.  All you have to do is purchase it with your card, wait for it to appear on your doorstep, hook it up and turn it on.

[Thenasty]

usually a company that put cheap prices for product usually have 1 maybe 2.

If its a store that you can go to, and they advertised a really good deal on something, when you get there "They have NONE". 

[bkenobi]

True enough - but personally I'd rather stick to legitimate retail vendors

How times have changed!  I remember when TD was considered bottom feeders.  I didn't realize they were a quality vendor these days.

[roknrol]

IIRC, four or five years ago a holding company entity bought up the "brands" of Tiger Direct, Circuit City, and CompUSA and consolidated all of them under the same ordering/warehousing/shipping system. Buying from one is essentially like buying from any of the others.

[Nightbring3r]

TD are still bottom feeders.

$99 for a used Pentium-D is not a good deal. Integrated graphics and who knows what kind of expansion slots it has. Pass.

[Gray_Area]

Well, if you're not keen on torrents and all/you feel you must pay for an OS, and you want Win7, I think that's pretty decent.

[rpgposer]

Don't take this the wrong way.  I like to have a legal copy of windows if I don't plan to install Linux.

Compared to Craigslist TD is reputable. 
Look, I could purchase a pentium D box w/no HD or OS for $35 at state surplus, slap an old HD in it and install a dodgy copy of windows or linux for less than $100, but how much is my time worth?
The ONLY question (at least to me) here is whether or not the box has a pci-e expansion slot.  If it does, it's a good deal.  If not, it's not a good deal.