Good, cheap barbones?

[johnnysmitch]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=713514&Tab=2&NoMapp=0

$20 after rebate barbones - seems like it would make a fine computer for a MAME cab.  Just thought I'd pass the link along in case anyone needs it.

[Sylentwulf]

Tigerdirect has these a LOT. My opinion - rebates - blech.
I bet if you include rebates you could build one HELLOVA top end computer for around $50 these days. Of course, you'd have to wait 6-12 weeks for your refund to arrive....

[JustMichael]

The major problem I see is it still has no cpu, heatsink&fan or even ram.  Lots of people would have no idea how to install these themselves.

[Sylentwulf]

Well, yeah, but that's what a barebones kit is

[Ed ONeill]

HOLLY COW ...WHAT A DEAL!

This could possible be the best compter kit for MAME !!


I just built a  computer in Jan/Feb using this same case and I paid $40 after rebate for the case, keyboard,mouse,  and  speakers. No mobo

If you add HD, cpu/fan, memory, cd rom you talking under $200

Anyways here is why I say it is possibly the best computer kit for MAME......This case has 3 switched outlets on the back, so if you hacked the computer on button onto the front of your cab you  would be ble to turn on ecverything in your cab with  1 button .

Just my 2 ccents
Ed

[ani]

Yea, but are there any opinions as to how these compact cases hold up in the heat of a mame cabinet. I can't imagine something that cheap can dissipate heat that well.

[Ed ONeill]

ani...you mis read it's not a compact case it's a mid tower and the board is an mini-atx. I am running a mini atx board and have no heat issuues.

CCurrent temps
cpu 48 C or 119 F
system 42 C or 108 F

Just my 2 cents
Ed

edit.... the complete kit with everything you need is only $139 (after rebates) but ends today! here is the link http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=904338

[RoboG2]

Same here.  Even though I got it for free  , I has a 2 Ghz celeron (kinda sucks... but it was free), 512 megs pc 2700 ram, mini atx mobo, radeon 9000 pro w/ s-video output (to go to the tv in my cab... duh), all in a mid tower.  It runs at 26 degrees Celsius (I think like 75 degrees farenheit).  No complaints.

[Kremmit]

I ordered one of these (the cheap-o version with no processor/memory, etc) last night.
Thanks to johnnysmitch for the heads up!

PS- Hurry!  rebates expire at midnight Eastern time tonight (Jul 9)

[CthulhuLuke]

Asus Via series are such crap, I wouldn't buy that thing on that reason alone.  I was working on my parents computer and I had a Asus A7V8X-X motherboard *via series*, it wouldn't read information correctly, kept having faulty errors, windows xp install would go half way, etc.   It was just messed up, so we return it to get a new one, the new one won't read the chip!  It claims the chip has incorrect chip speeds, and would beep like a mad man.   Then we got an Asus A7N8X-X , the nvidia2 series, worked beautifully, absolutely no problems, no weird quirky crap, just pure bliss.

[pointdablame]

Just a little FYI... tigerdirect is notoriously bad with rebates.  I don't trust them at all anymore, and don't buy from them anymore.  There is a good chance all will go well, but there is also a pretty good chance you'll get a lot of crap, and thats just not worth it to me anymore, so I take my business elsewhere.

[crashwg]

PS- Hurry!  rebates expire at midnight Eastern time tonight (Jul 9)

I'm not seeing where it says that...  Everything I'm reading says something about purchases before 7/18.  Am I just not seeing it?  I hope so, because this is one sweet deal if you ask me and I'd love to get at least one.

BTW, yes I know there's a limit on the rebates, but that's what parents, and their addresses are for...  

[Kremmit]

PS- Hurry!  rebates expire at midnight Eastern time tonight (Jul 9)

I'm not seeing where it says that...  Everything I'm reading says something about purchases before 7/18.  Am I just not seeing it?  I hope so, because this is one sweet deal if you ask me and I'd love to get at least one.

BTW, yes I know there's a limit on the rebates, but that's what parents, and their addresses are for...  

One of the $20 rebates expired on the 9th.  However, I just checked back, and it's been replaced by another $20 rebate, so the net price is still the same.  Looks like you (& your parents address) have got more time!

As for whether it's a good purchase or not- as long as the mobo runs, it's good enough.  I'm not gonna be overclocking or running a server here, just emulating Pac-Man.  The case & it's cooling ability isn't a factor, since I'll be mounting the mobo directly to the cab, with no case.  

Plus, I'm getting it for free!  My wife saw the picture of the case, & she wants me to put her desktop machine inside it- I told her I could get her one for $20.00

[independentthread]

Anyways here is why I say it is possibly the best computer kit for MAME......This case has 3 switched outlets on the back, so if you hacked the computer on button onto the front of your cab you  would be ble to turn on ecverything in your cab with  1 button .

Not to say you're lying, but are you sure this deal has the same power supply that you got with yours???  It doesn't say anything baout having outlets on the power supply, and there are pics that show a standard power supply with the spot for the power cord, the power switch, voltage switch, and a fan.  Like I said, not trying to call you a liar, but buyer beware, they like to stick cheaper components in package deals like these and make you think you're getting the same thing for a better price.

[8bit]

Rebates are too much of a pain to deal with unless they are an instant savings rebate.

[tcottle]

I bought this system for my mame cabinet and I am very happy with its performance.  Heatsink clearence is tight due power supply placement.   The stock heatsink that came with my boxed AMD 2500+ fits fine.  I purchased the CPU and ram from NewEgg.com.  If you can wire a control panel you will not have any problem installing the CPU, heatsink and ram

Mine does not have switched outlets in the back

[Kremmit]

Rebates are too much of a pain to deal with unless they are an instant savings rebate.

$2.00 rebates are too much of a pain in the ass.
$90.00 rebates are another story

[ErikRuud]

As far as I know, TigerDirect doesn't have anything to do with the rebates.  The rebates come from the manufacturers and you have to deal with whatever rebate clearinghouse they are using.

I bought a complete system kit from them about six months ago.  I am very happy with the system.  I will probably put in a seperate sound card as the on-board Via sound chip tends to making popping sounds during a few PC games.

The two rebates involved in my purchase were from the manufacturers.  One took 10 weeks, the other took 22 weeks.

[independentthread]

Rebates are from manufacturers, you can buy something from two different stores that actually have the exact same rebate sometimes.  Sometimes it's a store that talks the manufacturer into it, but most times it's that a manufacturer wants to move some units so they put together a rebate of some sort, and then the stores have to contact them in order to take part in it.  A lot of times it's something to the effect of "if you buy this many, you can offer this certain rebate."

Personally I hate rebates, because I've had bad luck with them.  I've actually gotten some from manufacturers that didn't have a customer service line for their rebates, and by the time I actually got them, the rebates checks were expired.  One was postmarked like 4 months prior to when I got it, so that was obviously a postal problem but it took a total of 7 MONTHS to get it.   The other one was just completely off.  It was dated for like a month after I bought the item, but didn't show up till 5 months after I bought the item and was only good for 60 days.  It took so long that I had forgotten about it.  The worst part was that it was postmarked like 3 days before the date I recieved it, so god only knows what was up with that one.

[pointdablame]

Rebates can come from either the manufacturer or the store, its a very common practice.  In fact, check pretty much any of your CompUSA circulars.  You will see $50 Mfr Rebate + $50 CompUSA rebate or something similar.  I have personally gotten quite a few rebates from the retailer or store that I bought.

TigerDirect VERY often does rebates themselves.  It is documented on quite a few deal sites on the net.  They are also notoriously bad at giving out rebates when compared with other vendors.  As I said in my previous post, you are likely to get them no problem, and I hope you do.  But for the people who said TigerDirect has nothing to do with rebates, you are incorrect.  Just a heads up.

[Ed ONeill]

Anyways here is why I say it is possibly the best computer kit for MAME......This case has 3 switched outlets on the back, so if you hacked the computer on button onto the front of your cab you  would be ble to turn on ecverything in your cab with  1 button .

Not to say you're lying, but are you sure this deal has the same power supply that you got with yours???  It doesn't say anything baout having outlets on the power supply, and there are pics that show a standard power supply with the spot for the power cord, the power switch, voltage switch, and a fan.  Like I said, not trying to call you a liar, but buyer beware, they like to stick cheaper components in package deals like these and make you think you're getting the same thing for a better price.

Hey I just looked at the pictures and from what I saw you're right it must have a diffrent power supply than mine. The only thing I originally looked at was the picture . My case is identical in every way but the power suppy.

I can't beleive they would change the power supply  within  a few months..oh well sorry everyone about the mistake .

Signed
Ed