Blackbird 002 gets a little cheaper for the holidays, now starting at $2,399

The Blackbird 002 has always been a little pricey, but HP is taking a little of the sting out for the holidays, letting gamers score the base model of the high-powered system for $2,399 instead of the usual $2,700. The limited-time deal includes a liquid-cooled 2.66GHz E6750 Core 2 Duo, 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT graphics, 2GB of RAM, and a Logitech gaming mouse and keyboard. HP is also throwing in a copy of Valve's The Orange Box, and you can bump the OS up to Vista Ultimate for free if you're so inclined. There's no word on how long this price will last, however, so interested gamers might want to start shaking out their couch cushions sometime soon.

[nerrrrrrd @ Dec 17th 2007 2:40PM]

I would pay extra for them to keep Vista off the machine.

[Chebwa @ Dec 18th 2007 8:17PM]

Wow. ZING!

[Blake Bowen @ Dec 17th 2007 2:45PM]

Is it just me, or does two gigs sound a little light for such an expensive machine?

[Backlin @ Dec 17th 2007 3:01PM]

That's what I'm thinking. But, if you offer four gigs and XP, you'll only be able to use 3.7 of it :(.

[fred @ Dec 17th 2007 3:55PM]

"That's what I'm thinking. But, if you offer four gigs and XP, you'll only be able to use 3.7 of it :(."
much less than that after sli or simply 1 512mb video card

[mrvyze @ Dec 18th 2007 12:11AM]

you can use more than 3.7 gb's.
There is a work around to that.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/virtualserver/2005/proddocs/vs_operate_Best_practices.mspx?mfr=true

[Chino B @ Dec 17th 2007 6:28PM]

Unless you have a Windows XP 64-bit... NOOBS

[undersaur @ Dec 18th 2007 3:39AM]

The memory limitation is from 32-bit x86, not Windows.

[shanoboy @ Dec 17th 2007 2:46PM]

Here's a loaded question! Is PC gaming really so much better than console gaming that you'd drop $2500 for a computer to run the games.

I've always been a console kind of guy and never got into PC games due mainly to how expensive hardware is. Outside of the ability to play MMORPGs (since console games really lack a similar experience), are the games really that much better? Is it really worth all that cash?

[Alex @ Dec 17th 2007 2:51PM]

It's pretty much the same 'game', but it's a different 'experience'. Plus you do SO much more on a computer than a console it negates the price difference. Consolers are paying aprox. $400+ to play games and watch movies, then the new ones come out 3 yrs later and you get that, not to mention if you buy all the consoles.

[WhyFi @ Dec 17th 2007 2:58PM]

As utilitarian as PCs are, I think that it's more fair to compare the price of the console to the price of the graphics card - $250 bucks gets you a great GPU.

[Toadlet @ Dec 17th 2007 3:02PM]

One doesn't *have to* spend $2,500 on a gaming machine, but it helps. :) The biggest thing that keeps me away from consoles is the inflated game prices; PC versions of the same game are usually at least $10 cheaper.

[S @ Dec 17th 2007 3:11PM]

Is this post a sign that engadget is owned in part by HP?

Good point, however I'd like to add that not only is computer gaming hardware ridiculously overpriced compared with consoles, but it is also obsolete just about every half year, which comes to another point:

This computer is a ripoff even at this reduced price, I don't even care if it is liquid cooled. For that much coin, I would expect at the MINIMUM a q6600, 4gb of ram (which is DIRT cheap nowadays, but computer makers like dell/hp still think they can charge an arm and a leg for it), and a HEFTY discount, not some measly $300 off a nearly $3000 computer.

[JJV @ Dec 17th 2007 3:30PM]

Also, Computers have Graphics capabilities that are light years ahead of consoles, mainly for the fact that you can upgrade them. Consoles aren't upgradable, you want better graphics on a console, wait for the next gen.
That is the best thing about PCs, the mix and match feature. You want this and this and it makes it (Duh) much more of a Personal computer.

[Tonicboy @ Dec 17th 2007 4:39PM]

You can build your own gaming computer for about $1k. One with similar specs to the Blackbird would cost about $1300. And you save a lot of money on games by downloading on bittorrent. Or so I hear.

[daaper @ Dec 18th 2007 2:44PM]

Are you saying that you can save a lot on games by stealing them? If you are, that is some seriously flawed logic...

[Austin @ Dec 18th 2007 4:14PM]

And so we learn that loaded questions are indeed... loaded.

[thatguy @ Dec 17th 2007 3:01PM]

Consoles usually have a 5 year life span and the ps1, dreamcast, ps2, xbox, gamecube, wii all launched at under $400.

[troof @ Dec 18th 2007 12:51AM]

You're right, they build these in Canada...

[BigD145 @ Dec 17th 2007 3:04PM]

This just shows the kind of markup they have on their machines not made in America. I wouldn't set my wallet anywhere near a Compaq(HP) desktop or laptop.

[James Cameron @ Dec 17th 2007 3:14PM]

What a ripoff. You can put together a better system with their pricing.

[DWells55 @ Dec 18th 2007 3:26AM]

I just finished ordering all the parts for my current rig and the specs seem pretty similar to this: Core 2 Duo E6750, 2GBs Corsair XMS2 4-4-4-12, 500GB SATA HDD, BFG 512MB 8800 GT, Cooler Master RC-690 case. Including all of the parts (mobo, DVD drive, card reader, CPU cooler, keyboard (but no mouse/monitor/speakers) and deducting the rebates from the total, it cost me roughly $850. Configuring a very similar setup to mine on HP's website (except theirs with a Voodoo Mouse, Orange Box, and Vista Ultimate) comes to $2,589. That's nearly $2,000 more than what it's costing me to build my own. Even without the deal hunting a rebates I'm doing, it's easy for someone to build that PC for well under half of HP's price. There's no excuse for this kind of price gouging.

[Kamokazi @ Dec 17th 2007 3:29PM]

I just wish they sold the case. I'd pay $300 or so just for that. Not so mucht the looks as the internal swapability and wire management.

[Stephen @ Dec 17th 2007 3:37PM]

You can build the same computer right now just using items found on pricewatch.com for less than half the price:

liquid cooled case: $265.11
turbo cool P/S: $29.99
processor/mobo (Dual core E6750): $238.70
2GB ddr2-900 RAM: $121.61
GeForce 8800gt: $368.75
SATA 500GB HDD: $87.00
Windows Vista Ultimate: Nevermind, your old copy of XP does just fine.

Total: $1111.16

So exactly why do I want to pay $1200 for an hp logo?

[Stephen @ Dec 17th 2007 3:42PM]

I'm sorry, I didn't realize the liquid cooled cases started at $3550. Thats almost $2500 off the HP price. Enough to throw in a top notch mobo and Kingston RAM and still enough left over to buy a PS3 on top of it all.

[cmonkey @ Dec 17th 2007 4:02PM]

Your numbers are wrong. A $30 power supply will explode if it ever manages to power that system, and $230 is not enough to buy both the CPU and the motherboard. A decent (nF 680i) motherboard costs at least $150. Also, an 8800GT costs $250.

Regardless, this rig is for people who have a lot of money, and don't care enough to build it themselves. Even then, its still a pretty horrible deal. If you don't want to or can't build a computer yourself, at least buy a normal Dell or HP and just stick a decent video card in it.

[BatteryAcid @ Dec 17th 2007 4:04PM]

Like an alienware it looks cool, it's name brand, and is basically pre-built. I agree with you though. If your going to buy that powerful of a machine, then learn to build it.

[Stephen @ Dec 17th 2007 6:10PM]

@cmonkey
I don't know where you buy your p/s (best buy maybe) but the one I listed is a 680W Chiefmax. If you need more than that you can get a HP 800W for $78. But you don't need more than that.

The CPU/mobo combo is with a basic mobo, but you can get the nF 680i mobo with the processor for another $150 ($400 total).

Your right on the 8800GT, the one I listed was a GTS. It has 650Mhz clock speed with 1.94Ghz memory clock, so slightly better, but the GT is probably more for the money. Stick with that.

You still save just under $2500, and if you can't figure out how to plug a few wires together yourself, you don't deserve that kind of a machine. You could always spend the money you saved on a few computer courses at the local community college.

[DWells55 @ Dec 18th 2007 3:31AM]

Like I said in a another reply before I saw this comment, I built a system very similar to the one they're offering. I have to deal with some rebates and I made sure to get sale prices, but all the parts were purchased over the course of two weeks and it could've been quicker were I not busy with finals.
CoolerMaster RC-690 Case - $30 @ NewEgg
ThermalTake 700W ToughPower PSU - $52 @ NewEgg
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R motherboard - $127 @ ClubIT
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 - $195 @ NewEgg
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro - $14 (combo w/ E6750) @ NewEgg
Corsair XMS2 4-4-4-12 - $35 - Fry's
Saitek Eclipse Keyboard - $32 @ ClubIT
Samsung Spinpoint T 500GB w/ NCQ support - $105 @ NewEgg
Samsung 20x DVD±RW SATA - $32 @ NewEgg
BFG 8800 GT OC - $209 @ Best Buy

Factoring in the occasional tax and shipping charge, it's roughly an $850 machine. A very similar rig from HP costs $2,600. What a ripoff.

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Dec 17th 2007 3:46PM]

I wouldn't use that computer if someone gave it to me. HP is garbage.

[Jon Doe @ Dec 17th 2007 6:16PM]

Jon, you sir are a moron. HP makes some of the best designed hardware in the world.

[ionman @ Dec 17th 2007 3:58PM]

Actually, that's $2,700 for an air cooled machine. You have to pay $3,550 to get the LC (Liquid Cooled) model.

[Naris @ Dec 17th 2007 4:11PM]

I couldn't give a damn what's in the computer, I just want that case!

In all seriousness though I've seen people calculate the value of this particular PC on various forums, and frankly the markup isn't really THAT bad. You do get a full fledged 680i motherboard that can run SLI AND Crossfire, as well as all retail level parts. A desktop's lifetime may very well be ~5 or less, but something tells me you'd be able to use that case for a loooong time...

[DestroyerMTL @ Dec 17th 2007 4:25PM]

Correct me if I am wrong but a 680i Mobo will not run crossfire. That's ATI tech not Nvidia.

[Flyy (NDF) @ Dec 17th 2007 5:59PM]

Well..not officially, but the Voodoo guys at HP have a custom BIOS loaded on the motherboard to let it run Crossfire AND SLI on the NVidia chipset.

[Constable Odo @ Dec 17th 2007 4:41PM]

I agree. Nice case.

[casual reader @ Dec 17th 2007 4:42PM]

and while we are at it . . .

$45K for a Shelby Mustang? are you crazy?

4 tires from Costco - $137.50
cool rims from Walmart - $98.98
crate engine - $1200
Xcaliber fiberglass kit - $2100
brand new Chevy Aveo - $13,749 +TT&L

total - just over $15K it's just as good and I have plenty left over for a Vespa too!

$45K just because it looks great, runs great, has a warranty and is already put together?!?! what a rip off! Hey I wasn't born yesterday

[S @ Dec 17th 2007 6:01PM]

Apples to ummmmm.....cars?

FYI, the gt500 crate motor is $15,000, and rightfully so being essentially the same as the one in the ford GT.

The tires probably cost around $1000, more than that for the rims.

Sorry, your comparison sucks. You could build a computer with IDENTICAL components, not cheap pos ones, for $1000 less, not including the case of course but if you like that thing over a silverstone or lian li......

Lian li- $300
Ultra x3-$300
Q6600- $300
4gb ddr2-$120
500gb hdd$100
asus p35 $130
dvd/rw -$40
8800gt -$250
=GRAND TOTAL $1,540
for a system that will SMOKE the hp and is upgradeable down the road.

[wdelaney @ Dec 18th 2007 12:01AM]

S, you would never need a $300 PSU unless you are running a triple SLI board with a couple HDD's

That computer you made simple need a ~520w PSU for around $120

[Reasonable @ Dec 17th 2007 4:45PM]

better bang/buck with a Mac Pro in terms of hardware, which is saying something.

[Michael LaFramboise @ Dec 17th 2007 5:21PM]

Not really saying anything... :/

[Jon Doe @ Dec 17th 2007 6:21PM]

Yah until you want to upgrade your GPU and motherboard down the road.

[Ayle @ Dec 17th 2007 7:20PM]

4000$ for a config similar with the blackbird beside the cpu... Why does adding stuffs to workstations cost so much( it the same with every manufacturer)???

[murray @ Dec 17th 2007 7:07PM]

I checked the sofa and found 31 cents.

[Kevin @ Dec 17th 2007 7:25PM]

That case reminds me of the Banana Jr 6000 from Bloom County... http://www-i5.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/mbp/bloom/

[moe @ Dec 17th 2007 7:43PM]

what your paying for is a voodoopc for HP. it is the same deal as alienware but better quality. no prebuilt manufacturer has come close to the quality voodoopc puts in its systems. as to the psu you are a fool thinking any of those power supplies are god enough. the minimum you have to pay to power this kind of system is 75-80.00 and thats with a sale. the best brands are corsair, pc power & cooling and silverstone. there are a few other but they have been at the top for some time now. the corsair 620w is the best on the market.

[katie @ Dec 17th 2007 8:03PM]

HP computers are decent but hope nothing ever goes wrong with it, they tried to screw me out of 6 months of my warranty; their customer service is based in a foreign country where their english is choppy at best, you cant understand them and my husband knows more about computers than those idiots reading out of a manual.

[The Dude @ Dec 17th 2007 8:51PM]

I'll bite if they throw in "peth" to the case design.

http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk/downloads/opeth/Opeth-logo(low-rez).jpg

[rantanamo @ Dec 17th 2007 10:52PM]

LOL@ some of these comments.

- Mac? Stop it
- Leave Vista out? Obviously some of you have weak rigs and haven't played any games with DX10 turned on.
- Its a computer. I'm guessing you can go everything on your PS3 and 360 that you can do on a computer? Let's compare them to an 8800GT and controllers would be more accurate. The computer kills the consoles at that point.

[peternj @ Dec 18th 2007 12:36AM]

I own the Blackbird Dedicated Edition. It's simply the best computer I've ever bought. I used to be a Mac customer. This baby can play games and act as a work horse. Vista ultimate shames Leopard and given that Vista is a copy of OSX it's quite funny that Leopard feels like an MS product.
But back to the BB, some of us will reverse learn how to build our own rigs when we come to putting in a new motherboard a few years down the road. Having the old Voodoo team is a and added plus. Having it built from off the shelf parts is great...
Also the case is amazing. Well worth the cash. The first computer I have bought that did not bring on buyers remorse.
Just my opinion.