I'm shopping around for a new computer. This is a setup from Gateway. Will be doing some gaming on it, but I want it to last me a good two-three years like my current PC has. I can get this one including shipping and taxes for $1,400. I'd like to stay in that price range. I don't really have brand preference, but from what I'm seeing as opposed to when I got this current system three years ago, Intel is the way to go. I do not intend on using any of my current parts. I will NOT be doing any overclocking.

Pricing out the individual main parts on newegg comes out to $1,200. Plus I'd have to pay someone to build it, cause I don't know how. Plus the gateway comes with a 1-year warranty, and no payments, no interest for one year.

I've been out of the hardware scene for some time now. Is there supposed to be a new Geforce 9-series coming out next month that will affect the 8-series prices by a whole lot?

Appreciate any advise, thanks in advance.


Gateway® FX530XG
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1014387R 1 $1,320.99 $1,320.99
Instant Discount (reflected in unit price, limited-time offer) -$100.00
Customized Options
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (32-bit)
Processor Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (2.40GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 8MB cache)
Memory 3072MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2-1024MB modules & 2-512MB modules)
Hard Drive 250GB 7200rpm Serial ATA II/300 hard drive w/ 8MB cache
Optical Drive 16X Super MFDVDRW/DVD-RAM+/-R Double Layer
Video NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS w/ 320MB, Dual DVI-I Dual link TV Out (Factory Overclocked) w/ VGA adapter
Media Card Reader 9-in-1 Memory Card Reader
Speakers No Speakers Selected
Application Software Microsoft® Works 8.5
Backup Media Cyberlink Power2Go (for Windows Vista® Home Premium and Ultimate)
Chassis Gateway® 7-bay BTX tower case
Chipset Intel® 975X Chipset with DDR2 Support and Intel® Core™ Duo support
Color FX Logo Accent - Black Steel
Keyboard Gateway 104+ Elite Wireless Keyboard & Mouse (Windows Vista® Certified) [$15.00]
Motherboard Intel® 975X Chipset with DDR2 and Intel® Core™ Duo support
Mouse No Mouse Selected [-$15.00]
Network Integrated Intel® 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) Ethernet
Operating System Backup Media Windows Vista® Home Premium Backup Media (32-bit)
Power Supply 700-Watt Power Supply
Security Software McAfee® 90-day Internet Security Suite Complimentary Subscription with VirusScan, Personal Firewall Plus, SpamKiller & Privacy Service v. 1.2 (for Windows Vista®)
Software Documentation End User License Agreement for Non-Microsoft Software
Warranty 1 Year Value Plan (Tech Support - Parts - Factory Labor)
Quote Estimate: $1,320.99


Also, just from a CPU stand-point, how much of a difference will I see from my current setup:

AMD Athlon 64 3400+
Geforce 6800 Regular 128MB
2GB DDR RAM

Obviously there will be a big difference from a gaming point of view, but just from doing things on Windows. My current PC handles 90% of tasks with ease. But you notice a little slowdown with something like iTunes (loading it, and using it with a large playlist).

I would really suggest building your own system, but if you can't or don't want to - this option seems ok. The RAM setup is kinda weird, but it'll be fine.

As for performance - this computer will probably kick yours in the balls. Dual Core + 8800GTS = Fantastic Pair, you'll see what I mean if you get it.

No, there are no 9 series cards coming out next month either. Just the 8800 GT which is SPECULATED to be more powerful than the GTS and use less power in the process, all the while being cheaper than it's GTS brethren.

That might be a good computer for someone who does not know how to build their own. As far as performance goes the price me be about 100-200 dollars more then you could build your own. When it comes to gaming computers major brands charge more then build your own, but when it comes to low end majors brands kicks ass. The ram and hard drive they really went cheap, also the 975x is last years models.

Thanks for the quick replies. Good eyes, I didn't notice the funky RAM setup, but your saying it will be fine?

What about the HD, is it going to be a big deal?

Same with the MOBO, I'm not planning on doing any overclocking, is this MOBO ok?

Again, I would like to be able to play the latest games, but I'm not going to overclock anything, nor will I freak out if there's a hiccup here and there. As long as it does the job, and does it well.

OH, and one more thing...I read on some threads people talking about the G0 and some other configuration of the Q6600. I guess there's two different makes of them? And one is supposed to be inferior to the other?

I would avoid gateway, I were you. Gateway just got bought out by Acer, so there is no telling what to expect in terms of support of that purchase.

The RAM will be fine, and unless you're upgrading to a 64bit OS, your computer won't recognize more than 4GB of RAM (usually less). If the RAM sucks, just buy a nice dual channel kit since they're pretty cheap now anways.

HD... Is meh... you can always buy a 2nd, higher quality drive for storage if you're worried about it. I really doubt it will just fail in the first year or so.

Motherboard - You can't really tell much about it because they only tell you the chipset. I'm guessing there is only a single PCI-E slot (so no SLI) again, not really a big deal unless you want to do it.

The G0 variety runs cooler and OC better. So nothing that you really need to worry about.

Looks Good.
If you fret about building your own, this looks OK.

Thanks guys. I'm looking at ordering this later tonight or tomorrow. Any other input?

Hey guys,

I just found a VERY similar system on Best Buy's website.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] ductdetail

The only negative difference is in the graphics card which is a 8500 GT 256 MB. The price is much cheaper though. The system in the OP is direct through Gateway and it will cost me $1,400 TOTAL including shipping and taxes.

This one on BB website is $979.00 NOT including taxes. Even if I upgrade the card to a 8800 GTX, for $280 through Newegg, I still come out at $1,260 total. This one from Best Buy also has a bigger HD (500GB vs 250GB).

SO....what do you think? I know buying pre-built HP's and Compaqs from big retail is not a good idea, but what do you think of buying a Gateway through big retail? This one seems like a better deal, but I would appreciate your opinions. Thanks.

If you buy the one from BestBuy, you likely will not be able to upgrade the GPU w/o buying a new PSU. The BestBuy model likely has a MUCH weaker PSU.

So be prepared to swap out the GPU and the PSU.

I think I would go with the first to avoide the mess of having to swap out the PSU and the GPU. The 8500 GPU is worthless for gaming.

My friend just got the one you saw. The exact same model. You should probably get this, and upgrade the VC and PSU after the new cards come out. The PSU, yes, sucks. 400W, I think 20-22A on the 12V rail. Replacing a video card and PSU is exceedingly easy, though, and you can ask for help if you need it. Don't act on just my advice, however.

Well, 400w is not all that bad.
I thought it may be worse.

I wager the 8800GT would work fine on a 400w PSU.

Neat, thx for the input. That sounds like a good plan, wait for the 8800GT to come out? I'm sure even an 8500GT is better than the 6800 Regular I have been using for years.

The RAM setup is normal among OEM's. Where I work, there are a few HP's, Gateway's, and a Lenovo that have the same ram setup (2X1GB, 2X512MB). It's mainly due to the fact customers don't know anything about 32-bit vs 64-bit OS's and will whine BIG TIME (as in lawsuits) if a machine did came with 4GB installed, but they can only can use 3.2GB. So, instead of facing a thousand complaints and legal actions, the OEM's are justing installing 3GB so not to upset the mindless zombies better known as customers.