Is it just me or does the TS Budget Box seem like a poor value?

[oldikes]

Does the TS budget box seem like a not so good value?
I mean, you can get a phenom II quad core 3.2 GHz for 130ish. Throw that on a mobo that has some usable integrated graphics (until you are able to add a decent graphics card) with 4 or 8 GB of ram, and a hard drive of choice, and a cheap yet solid case, and finally a DVD drive and you are probably around 450-500ish.

I dont know, it just seems like using the A8 for anything but laptops or micro (or other small factor) ATX is pointless.
Just my thoughts.

 

[DKRON]

they are pretty much designed for graphic card replacements (not anywhere near yet though) and very low power use so yes good for laptops but not for desktops at the moment

 

[Matthew DeCarlo]

We specifically recommend the A8-3850 if you don't plan to use a dedicated graphics card and we have an entirely separate recommendation if you do. The A8-3850 is more than capable of handling everyday tasks -- including some light gaming. I can't really address your other comments without a more specific list of components. Saying you can build a better machine (which is subjective anyway) for the same price is one thing, doing it is another.

 

[oldikes]

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313086

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182076

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161387

mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280

Optical drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151243

Not counting a hard drive, which are currently unjustifiable, i counted that in my head to be around 445ish. Unless i left out something else big, which i might have because im tired.

Oh, and that doesnt count rebates, but i dont think the budget box did either.
And this should be capable of fast computing and pretty high gaming performance.

My point being that you could easily cut 30 bucks off this for a 6750 GPU, and get a cheaper mobo, 4GB instead of 8 etc.

 

[Matthew DeCarlo]

That's $128 over the standard Budget Box (without storage or peripherals, just like above) and the only noteworthy benefit is the HD 6770 (you doubled the RAM but that's a matter of ~$10). In other words, the center of your question boils down to: why doesn't the Budget Box have discrete graphics? The answer: the stock build is meant for someone who doesn't need discrete graphics -- nor 8GB of RAM.

For folks that do, there is an alternative route provided -- not to mention the Entry-Level Rig, which is a slightly upgraded build. On that note, if you were to add the Budget Box's storage and peripherals to your build, the price would be north of $750 if my math is right. That's a pointlessly narrow gap between the Budget Box and Entry-Level Rig. The Budget Box is supposed to be around $500-$600.