Just have to give some props to the three companies I built my computer through. I ordered my case along with an extra 120mm fan on the same night I ordered my new PSU. The case and fan came just ONE day after I placed the order (I placed the order around 10pm on Monday night (midnight where ComputerBrain is located). They packaged and shipped the order the next day and it arrived the day after that - WEDENSDAY. Today, the PSU arrived from YesMicro - just two days after I ordered it. Both were shipped via UPS for very reasonable prices (I ordered from the stores that had the lowest overall price - item + shipping + tax).

As for Monarch Computer, I sent them a question regarding a case I was considering getting and they responded the next day. I also built my combo and saved it as a "quote" on their site (quotes are good for 7 days). Apparently, they get a copy of every quote saved and today I received an e-mail letting me know that they are available at all times to answer any questions I might have regarding my quote (they must not have noticed that I ordered the quote last night as well). They also have kept me updated regarding my order status quite well and I think everything should ship next Monday.

So please, visit the fine people who helped me put together my kickass computer for about $1300.

MONARCH COMPUTER
COMPUTER BRAIN
YES MICRO

URL: YesMicro.com: Home Page

Well, MonarchComputer.com just got a nice chunk of change for me. After getting my Antec P160 case today (in a very fast time from ComputerBrain.com), I just couldn't resist putting the rest of the computer together. Hopefully all pieces will arrive close to my first day of vacation (next Tuesday) and I can get it put together quickly and start enjoying the whole system over my vacation. I can't wait!

Order 1:

Pre-Tested and Setup AMD Athlon 64/FX (939) Combo
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI Premium nForce4 SLI Audio/GB
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1MB 90nm Rev. E San D
Memory: DDR (400) 3200 - 2 GB (2 pcs 1GB) Corsair
Far Cry Promotion: FREE Full DVD Version of Far Cry 64/32
Half Life 2 Promotion: FREE Half Life 2 Full Version Coupon
TOTAL: $751

Western Digital 74 GB SATA 10K Raptor (WD740GD)
TOTAL: $175

$751+$175+$7.89 shipping = $933.89

Order 2:

eVGA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/DVI (Retail Box)
TOTAL: $165

BenQ 1620PRO DVD±RW Dual Layer 16x4x16x-DVD±RW (Grey) (OEM)
TOTAL: $51

$165+$51+$6.80 shipping = $222.80

Note: I couldn't save by combining orders on shipping, so I just split it up between my credit cards (most will be paid off immediately).

New computer tally: $1,366.11
Projected price: $1302.45

Difference between actual cost and projected - the BenQ 1620PRO. I wanted to keep the DVD-RW in my current computer and I'll most likely transfer over the CD-RW (I use it for ripping). So I needed a new DVD-RW and the general consensus is that the BenQ 1620PRO offers all the features you'd be looking for in a DVD-RW at the current time at a cost of only $51 (similar LiteOn products (my preferential brand) cost about $80-$90).

So now, the waiting game begins. I have the case and the extra 120mm fan. The NeoPower power supply is on the way (should actually arrive tomorrow). Hopefully the fine folks at Monarch can put together my combo system tomorrow and ship it Friday. That way it can move across country over the weekend and hopefully arrive at my door Tuesday or Wednesday. That's being very optimistic though as I don't expect it until the 22nd. But that gives me a weekend to set it up and a full week off to play with it. I CAN'T WAIT!

URL: MonarchComputer.com: BenQ 1620PRO DVD+-RW Dual Layer 16x4x16x-DVD+-RW (Grey) (OEM)

If you're still not watching, there's still time to get involved. Today's stage was absolutely amazing as Team Discovery completely annhiliated the rest of the field. After the team pulled away, Lance was left with just 3 other riders which he took to the top. Those riders don't figure to compete for the GC (General Classification a.k.a. Yellow Jersey) so powering through with them was no threat - the riders that mattered - Vinokourov, Ullrich, Basso and Landis - all got dropped. Vinokourov, considered Lance's biggest threat going into the Tour is now six minutes back after dropping a whopping 5:15 on the last climb today.

Tomorrow, the Tour heads farther into the Alps with two HC clims (beyond category - most climbs are rated on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being the hardest - two of them tomorrow are so long, so steep, and so high up there, they can't even be categorized into the 1-5 scale). If Lance can dominate in the mountains like he has in the past, I think you can write the tour off. Barring a catastrophe, there'd be no catching Lance as he heads for retirement, with seven straight TdF victories.

URL: ESPN.com - OLY/TDF2005 - Lance in yellow again after dominating in Alps

Well, we're getting there. I just ordered the case for the new computer plus an extra 120mm fan for $110.45. I also ordered the power supply for $98.97. Everything else will come from Monarch, so we'll see how that all goes when the time comes - maybe with this next paycheck, maybe with 2 more. I just made a large investment into my IRA, so my disposable income will go up with the next couple paychecks, thus enabling me to get the necessary parts. What fun...I'm on the way.

New computer tally: $209.42.
Projected price: $1302.45

URL: Antec Inc -P160- P160 Swivel front control pane - Computerbrain.com

The plan has been modified yet again. Instead of having Monarch put all the pieces together, I can get the motherboard, CPU and RAM put together and burned in (no chance of getting a CPU or RAM DOA) and then I can shop around for the rest of the computer, case from thenerds.net, power supply from YesMicro, video card and hard drive from Monarch as well. The whole thing put together by Monarch would have cost $1,430.50 after all the various costs while if I put it together myself, I can route the cables how I want and set it all up to my standards and it comes out to $1,302.45 - a nice savings of $128.05. I also considered upgrading from the Athlon64 3700+ to the AthlonX2 4400+, but it will cost another $220, sending the cost up to $1519.45. The board is easily upgradeable in the future to the X2 when the prices drop and I can just drop in another video card or two in the future if need be and there's room for another 2 GB of RAM. All in all, this computer is EASILY upgradeable and will keep me on the cutting edge for quite a while.

Mobo Combos		Monarch	Newegg
MOBO	ASUS PREMIUM	179	195
PROC	AMD XP64 3700	310	325
RAM	TWINX2048	254	250
	FAN/SINK	8	0
TAX		0	55.82
SHIP		7.90	3.50
TOTAL		760.90	829.27
ANTEC CASE	102.57@thenerds	863.47
eVGA 6600GT	165@monarch	1028.47
Neopower 480	98.98@yesmicro	1127.45
Raptor 74GB	175@monarch	1302.45
ALT PROC 4400 X2	529@monarch mobo+proc+ram	977.90
+case +vid +P/S +HDD		1519.45

URL: MonarchComputer.com: Pre-Tested and Setup AMD Athlon 64/FX (939) Combo

Since the Lian-Li PC-V1000 and 1100 are not offered at the moment at Monarch for my computer, I did a bit of research and finally decided on the Antec Performance One P160. It's a good looking case with plenty of room to work with, a quiet design, and good cooling via two 120mm fans (only one is included with the case though). It's also only $125 which is less than the $190-$210 I had planned to spend previously. For more information, here's a great review from AnandTech. The only downside is I'll have to purchase an additional 120mm fan which should be 1600rpm and rated at about 28dBA.

Here's an updated price list:

		Monarch	Newegg	ZipZoomFly
CASE	Lian-Li PC-V1000B	189	205	N/A
	Lian-Li PC-V1100B	219	250	N/A
	Antec Performance One P160	125	110	95
PROC	AMD XP64 3700 "San Diego" Core	339 (retail) 315 (oem)	325 (retail)	325 (retail)
RAM	TWINX2048-3200C2PT	254	250	250
	TWINX2048-3200PT	243	237	237
MOBO	ASUS A8N-SLI DELUXE	173	162	164
	ASUS A8N-SLI PREMIUM	179	195	185
HD	Raptor 74GB 10000 RPM	175	186 20 MIR thru 7/10	175
POWER	Antec NeoPower 480	99	109	113
GFX	eVGA GeForce 6600 GT 128 MB	165	169	170
	eVGA GeForce 6800 256 MB	280	264 20 MIR	280
	eVGA GeForce 6800 GT 256 MB	340	345	350
	eVGA GeForce 7800 GTX	620		600
SUB-TOTAL	BASE PRICES - NO VIDEO (GREEN HIGHLIGHT)	1171	1155 AR	1143
TAX		0	91.06	88.58
SHIPPING		45.50	~34	0
BUILD FEE		49	0	0
TOTAL		1265.50	1280.06	1231.58

Prices for the overall systems have come down a little bit, but not much over the past month. With the change in case, the price drops about $60 there and overall prices have dropped about $20 more, so a savings of $80 over a month - but the system will still end up costing a little over $1400. The price difference between Monarch and ZipZoomFly was only $20 last time I priced which was a nominal price to pay for the assurance that all parts will work when they get to you. However, that price has now jumped to $34. Still, not that much, but I can easily put this thing together myself and I can also route the cables the way I want and put my own touch on the system from the get go rather than modifying it at a later time. Since I still have a little bit of saving to do, we'll see what options open up at Monarch and we'll see how prices come down. Also, in the computer magazines I receive, there have been $50 coupon codes for Monarch, so that would just cement my choice if they still exist when I place my order.

URL: MonarchComputer.com: Antec Performance One P160 ATX Mid-Tower No PS

While I'm still planning and saving for my computer, I took the step today to order Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (for the nice Athlon 64 I'll be getting). I've done some research on the pros and cons of going to 64 bit, and while the cons do stack up, and might not even outweigh the pros, there's one big reason I want it - for the enthusiast in me. I read an article while at work today about whom (I think that's the correct grammar) the x64 edition is designed for. It's not for the standard user, but rather the enthusiast. The one who wants to be on the cutting edge, playing around with the most advanced system. So yes, I'll probably not be able to run everything I want to run, I might have to upgrade some of my peripherals (printer, scanner), but in the end, I'll be able to play with x64 far before the mainstream.

To get the x64 edition, I had to install my copy of XP Pro on an older computer (used the old MAME computer) to get a Product ID code to plug in for the free "Technology Advancement Upgrade." Microsoft now deactivates my version of XP Pro and they are sending me a free copy of XP Pro x64. Just one little problem. Apparently, it's REALLY expensive to send a CD to someone. So you've gotta pay $12.00 for shipping. And then, they charge you tax on the shipping charges - what kind of bunk is that? So I'm getting x64 for $12.93. Considering XP Pro cost me $0.00, it's still a fair bargain, but really...$12.00 for shipping a CD?

Oh yeah, here's the basics of the computer as it stands now - Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego Core, 2 GB Corsair XMS RAM (easily expanded to 4 GB when I have another $200 to spare), ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe motherboard, nVidia 6600 GT graphics card, new Lian-Li case, Western Digital 74 GB 10k SATA Raptor Drive and a couple other odds and ends. But it's still hovering around $1500 though my savings are starting to get dangerously close to the price point.

On another unrelated note, on Friday I built a new computer for my dad. Budget: $500. Ended up getting a sweet little Shuttle case bundled with an AMD Sempron 3000 for $279 at Fry's. Threw in a $20 DVD-ROM, 512 MB of RAM for $25 (after $25 MIR) and a wireless card and he's set for $440. So now my dad has a faster computer than me in a smaller case that runs about 10 times quieter. My new computer will trounce his though.

Note to self: remember northbridge heatsink to replace fan.

Note to self part II: go with ASUS A8N-SLI Premium - just $6 more right now at Monarch. Look for new case - PC-V1000B not an option at this time. Bah.

Note to self part III: Premium has no northbridge fan - just heatink + heatpipe. Sweet.

URL: Exchange Windows XP Professional (32-bit) for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition for a limited time

It's been a while, but finally a film watched in the movie game. And a severe beating in rummy to go with the film. Now to watch today's stage of the Tour and get ready for the 5 hour show airing tomorrow from 3:30am to 8:30am.

National Treasure (Don McManus and T.B.D.)
Hannibal (Frankie Faison and Don McManus)
Silence of the Lambs (Anthony Heald and Frankie Faison)
Red Dragon (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Anthony Heald)
Almost Famous (Rainn Wilson and Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Galaxy Quest (Jeremy Howard and Rainn Wilson)
Men in Black II (Brad Abrell and Jeremy Howard)
Men in Black (Will Smith and Brad Abrell)
I, Robot (Simon Baker and Will Smith)
Shanghai Noon (Lucy Liu and Simon Baker) [50]
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (Chia Hui Liu and Lucy Liu)
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (Michael Bowen and Chia Hui Liu)
Jackie Brown (Laura Lovelace and Michael Bowen)
Pulp Fiction (Linda Kaye and Laura Lovelace)
Reservoir Dogs (Steve Buscemi and Linda Kaye)
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Keith David and Steve Buscemi)
The Replacements (Faizon Love and Keith David)
Blue Crush (Michelle Rodriguez and Faizon Love)
S.W.A.T. (Benjamin King and Michelle Rodriguez)
Lethal Weapon 4 (John Harms and Benjamin King) [40]
Lethal Weapon 3 (Marian Collier and John Harms)
Lethal Weapon 2 (Patrick Cameron and Marian Collier)
Lethal Weapon (Paul Tuerpe and Patrick Cameron)
Maverick (Stephen Liska and Paul Tuerpe)
Conspiracy Theory (Christo Morse and Stephen Liska)
Hackers (Wendell Pierce and Christo Morse)
Ray (Rick Gomez and Wendell Pierce)
Three to Tango (John C. McGinley and Rick Gomez)
Se7en (Lennie Loftin and John C. McGinley)
The Sum of All Fears (Stefan Kalipha and Lennie Loftin) [30]
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Pat Roach and Stefan Kalipha)
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (Frank Marshall and Pat Roach)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (Alfred Molina and Frank Marshall)
Ladyhawke (Ken Hutchison and Alfred Molina)
Straw Dogs (Dustin Hoffman and Ken Hutchison)
Rain Man (Ray Baker and Dustin Hoffman)
Without a Paddle (Bruce Phillips and Ray Baker)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Stephen Ure and Bruce Phillips)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Katie Jackson and Stephen Ure)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Viggo Mortensen and Katie Jackson) [20]
Crimson Tide (Gene Hackman and Viggo Mortensen)
Superman IV (Christopher Reeve and Gene Hackman)
Superman III (Jackie Cooper and Christopher Reeve)
Superman II (Ned Beatty and Jackie Cooper)
Superman (Robert O'Neill and Ned Beatty)
Twelve Monkeys (Bruce Willis and Robert O'Neill)
Mercury Rising (Chi McBride and Bruce Willis)
The Terminal (John Williams and Chi McBride)
Star Wars: Episode VI (Anthony Daniels and John Williams))
Star Wars: Episode V (Peter Mayhew and Anthony Daniels) [10]
Star Wars: Episode IV (James Earl Jones and Peter Mayhew)
The Hunt For Red October (Stellan Skarsgård and James Earl Jones)
Ronin (Jean Reno and Stellan Skarsgård)
Godzilla (1998) (Ben Bode and Jean Reno)
Empire Records (Liv Tyler and Ben Bode)
Armageddon (Owen Wilson and Liv Tyler)
Permanent Midnight (Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson)
Keeping the Faith (Edward Norton and Ben Stiller)
Rounders (Edward Norton - Starting Film)

URL: National Treasure (2004)