im not sure if id void my warranty by installing the cdrw myself... i should think so though cuz what if a total moron tries to do that and screws up the computer somehow... the company shouldn't really have to pay for the repairs cuz it wasn't really their problem or something. im just speculating though.
The reason im getting an OEM processor is cuz i dont want the stock fan and heatsink but if it is indeed only $20 more then i suppose its worth it gettin the retail box for the warranty...
as far as the building is concerned:
Barebones Assembly & Testing - $65
Assembly, Benchmarks, 72 hour burn-in and Software Installation - $175
I'm not sure which to chose cuz IMO that reads:
Half-assed rushed job - $65
Decent, tested job - $175
I particularly like the 72 hour burn-in cuz that kinda ensures that nothing will go wrong. How often have you built a computer and run it fine for a couple hours, then the next morning its just weird for no apparent reason and there goes your day trying to fix it?
Not everytime I hope but everyone gets this at least once or twice and I don't really want to bother myself with any hassles...
I'll send them an official budget request and see just how much above they'll charge and depending on whether or not its above $1500 I'll have to do the CDRW myself and then perhaps I'll do the same with some other non-essential parts for setting up a computer, like Sound, NIC and anything else I can think of...
I'll post back as soon as I get a reply from them.