There are some Microcenters in NY, here's some prices for what I'd probably build on that budget (save for the fact that I'd be ordering from newegg or directron)
Processor $119.99
AMD® Boxed Sempron Processor 3400+
http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=234228
motherboard $84.99
K8N Neo3-F nForce4-4X Socket 754 ATX Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=224900
Memory $119.99
Value Select 1.0GB Dual Channel PC-3200 DDR SDRAM Memory Kit
http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=209012
graphics $219.99
e-GeForce 7600 GT CO 256MB GDDR3 PCI-E x16 Video Card
http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=237020
hard drive $129.99
Caviar SE16 250GB SATA 2 Hard Drive
http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=229382
which leaves you about $100 for a case and powersupply. you'll have to use onboard sound. and you'd have to provide the OS yourself...
Total : 775 (Add Xp Pro OEM and its a flat 900.
Date: April 2006.
Edit: An Xbox 360 absolutely kerbstomps this machine. (even counting for the lack of games at the time)
Equivelent PC specs to an Xbox 360.
- Athlon X2 2.8ghz (just a rough guess)
- 1gb Ram
- Geforce 7900gtx
Tease.
