Thanks for all your input on this topic. It was all very helpful and I was able to make an informed decision.
At first I was looking at the systems Directron was offering.
Specifically the i5 processors, but then I remembered that through work I can get a special deal on Dell machines through some sort of employee discount thing. So I looked in to that and learned that I could actually get slightly more machine for the buck if I went with Dell. Plus then, I would get the Dell support and warrantee. (I'm getting basically an identical machine but with a 1TB drive instead of a 500GB drive for $9 more. Plus it comes with a new keyboard and mouse.)
My only regret is that I didn't go with a SSD. With both Directron and Dell, I didn't see any way to have them build me a machine with a SSD, and I didn't feel like building one myself. Maybe I'll try doing that in the future, or maybe my next machine in 5+ years will come with a SSD.
Anyway, I ended up ordering this for $549 plus 2 day shipping and tax:
Quote:
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron 660 INSPIRON 660
Operating System: Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
Processors: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5-3330 processor (6M Cache, up to 3.2 GHz)
Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 2 DIMMs
Keyboard: Dell KB113 USB Wired Entry Keyboard - US
Monitor: If accessories are purchased, they may ship separately
Video Card: Intel® HD Integrated Graphics
Driver: Dell SRV Software 1506
Hard Drive: 1TB Hard Drive, 3.5", 7200rpm, SATA
Chassis: Inspiron660Chassis,MT,Blackw/8:1mediacardreader
Color: Bezels Black Bezel
Mouse: Dell USB Optical Mouse MS111
Network Card: Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Adobe Software: No Adobe Reader Selected
Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW Tray Load Drive, 16X, SATA
Sound: Integrated 5.1 audio
Speakers: No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Wireless: Dell DW1506 (802.11 b/g/n) WLAN half mini-Card
Power Cord: US Power Cord
Documentation: Documents,Inspiron 660,English
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Microsoft® Office Trial
Ship Material: Shipping material for DAO, Inspiron 660
Security Software: McAfee LiveSafe 12 Month Subscription
2nd Software: Additional Software
Option 2: No PDVD
Support: 90 days Premium Phone Support + 1 Year In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis
Retail Software: Dell.com Order
Miscellaneous: PCmover Home – Free
FGA Module: MHMT1403_009/BTO/C3
TOTAL: $548.79
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Oh, this is also going to come with some bloatware installed, which is a bit of an annoyance, but I can go through and clean it up a bit.
I also discovered that I can get a legal copy of Microsoft Office Professional through my work for only $9.99, so I'll get that once the PC arrives.
It there anything I should do first with it? With past PCs I've just plugged them in and started playing, but should I perform any maintenance on it before I get started?