Tips for buying a computer?

[Alexu]

Hi all,

I am planning on upgrading to a faster computer within the next month or so. If anyone is bored/kind enough to throw in some advice it would be greatly appreciated.

what I am looking for is:

2.9 ghz+ processor
6+ GB memory
500+GB hard drive

I am hoping I can find something like this under $300.

Is it cheaper to just buy parts and figure out how to put it all together? I am not very savvy on doing that kind of thing, but if I have to figure it out I will eventually.

The closest thing I have found is on techforless.com and eBay. Both sites will sometimes have something I am looking for close to my price range, but I have yet to find something that seems to be a perfect match in price and specs.

Any quick thoughts/comments?

Thanks! Happy hunting!