Computer/Electronics stores in Texas -- McAllen/El Paso/Laredo area -- Please help!

[Coxis]

Hi everyone,

I need help, guys. I have a once-in-every-few-years opportunity, and that is, I'm going to the US (I don't live anywhere near the border and I don't have the cash to go often, so it's a big deal for me).

I've been wanting to buy a new computer since 2006, but have been painfully postponing it due to the fact that I want to buy it over there, else the cost of a computer this side of the border would be ridiculous. Think a $1200 (my budget) value computer in the US... That would cust you around $1700 here. We have a sales tax of 16% and we have to pay for importing fees and what not, it's not pretty.

My problem is that I don't know of any store in that area, I want to buy the components and build the computer at home. I don't know for sure, but big stores like Best Buy and (the now defunct) Circuit City have never been good for these kind of purchases, have they? I know Fryz but as far as I know there aren't any Fryz stores in Texas. Please, any ideas?

Given my ~$1200 budget, suggestions for my new rig would be greatly appreciated as well. I want it for gaming, I don't want a monster, just a capable computer. Thinking of an i7 with a ATI 5400+ card.

 

[nick09]

If you have some relatives or friends in the area then I could help you make a list of parts and you can get the parts in the mail. That is of course if you can stay there for long enough to receive shipping. If not then you have to rely on computer stores in Texas.

If you have to then I have found some results after searching here.

 

[wfooshee]

I have no idea what a Mexican citizen is allowed to bring back into Mexico after visiting the US, but I would think that when you take it back into Mexico you'll still be responsible for the duties. If you hide it you'll be smuggling and might get into some serious trouble.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Is that including monitor and keyboard, mouse, etc.?

There are some CompUSA's in that area. But if any of the components are broken you would have to make another trip to return them.

 

[Coxis]

@nick09: I wish I had relatives anywhere in the states. If I did, I'd go visit them somewhat often.

@wfooshee: We have a USD limit per individual without incurring duties which increases during vacationing seasons, i.e. right now (summer and christmas).

@ROAD_DOGG33J: I need the computer only. I have good peripherals back home (A G15, sidewinder mouse and two 23" HDMI monitors). Thanks for suggesting CompUSA stores though! I'll be sure to check them out, I've heard of them but I'm not really familiar with them.

If anyone has anymore suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

For $1200 you could build quite a little monster. What do you want to do with this computer?

 

[Coxis]

I want it mainly for flight/race simming. I'm not a hardcore gamer, be it console/PC nevertheless I like having an able computer. I get away with it with my current box but not with the best results, it's a little bit aged by now. I'm not very experienced with building computers.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Here's a general setup

i5-750 - $200
ASUS/MSI/EVGA P55 motherboard - $130-200
HD 5770 video card - $160-180
Corsair Power Supply 500+W - $80+
Case - $40-80
RAM 2x2GB DDR3 - $100
DVD writer ~ $20
Hard Drive - $60-80

 

[Coxis]

Here's a general setup

i5-750 - $200
ASUS/MSI/EVGA P55 motherboard - $130-200
HD 5770 video card - $160-180
Corsair Power Supply 500+W - $80+
Case - $40-80
RAM 2x2GB DDR3 - $100
DVD writer ~ $20
Hard Drive - $60-80

So far I am liking this set up, but I guess I'd rather go with an i7. Maybe even 6 GB of ram to run Windows 7... Who knows. Thank you so very much for suggesting CompUSA, I'll print maps for the stores in McAllen and ElPaso. 👍

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

So far I am liking this set up, but I guess I'd rather go with an i7. Maybe even 6 GB of ram to run Windows 7... Who knows. Thank you so very much for suggesting CompUSA, I'll print maps for the stores in McAllen and ElPaso. 👍

For gaming there's not much between the i5 750 and i7 860, except about $80. About the only thing the 860 brings is hyperthreading, which is useful for video encoding and stuff like that.

 

[Coxis]

Well, I'm leaving today. We're driving, it's a 14 hour trip so... Pray for me that I come back alive (i.e. not shot at point black by drug traffickers, or by fake army barricades), considering the state our roads and highways are in.

If everything goes well I'll post my system, I'll be back by Monday the 16th (hopefully!).

 

[nick09]

Well I hope you can enjoy the drive. Good luck with the drive and getting good parts.