“I’ve built my last four PCs. Seems like my average cost comes in around $700”
Oh yeah, where do you get the parts?
Usually a lot of research from online sources, looking for just behind the cutting edge technology, sales, free shipping, etc.
I don't buy e-bay type sources, because I want to avoid any "intermittent" problems that may have caused someone to want to sell-off hardware they have.
Sometimes I can find the same, or equivalent, hardware at local stores like Best Buy or Circuit City, etc., on sale.