Buying a new pc, need some advice.

[riacg]

Hey i am planning on buy this computer:\
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5200527?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Specifications

Processor: AMD Athlon X2 5200+ Dual Core (2x1MB L2 Cache, 2000MHz System Bus, 2.6GHz Clock Speed)
RAM: 2GB (2 X 1GB DDR-667)
Hard Drive: 400GB (16MB Cache, 7200RPM SATA II)
Video Card: Nvidia 8800GTS 320MB (2 X DVI, S-Video)
Network: Gigabit 10/100/1000
Optical Drives: 20X DVD+/-R /RW/DL/RAM, 16X DVD-ROM
Modem: 56K data/fax
Card Reader: CF Type I/II, MD, MMC, SD, SM, MS, MS Pro, xD
Tv Tuner Card: Dual Tuner (HD and Analog) with QAM support
Operating System: Microsoft Vista Premium
Expansion Slots

5 x 5.25" Drive Bays (2 used)
2 PCI-E x16 (1 used)
2 PCI-E x1 (1 used)
1 PCI (1 used)
Port Connectors
2 x PS/2
6 USB 2.0
2 x 1394a
1 x VGA
1 x DVI
6 x Audio
2 x RJ-45
1 x eSATA
Accessories

Speakers: Creative SBS3280 2.1 with Volume Control
MCE Remote
Logitech keyboard and mouse
Microphone
Software

Microsoft Works 8.5
Showbiz DVD2
Greeting Card Creator
Panorama Maker 3
Collage Creator

for 1600 dollars.
my primary usage would be gaming and i was wondering if this would be a good gaming rig for a few years. i am not worried about playing games at the highest setting, just a long lifetime for a gaming pc.
if you dont think this is a good gaming pc could you please reccomend something in the same price range? include a link please.
thanks alot!

[saphalline]

We're more fans of building around here rather than buying, but if you can't build then you must buy! ;)

That being said, where's the customization in that rig? There are several components that I would change in that config, as well as needing some clarification on others, before I would plunk down any money.

The CPU clock speed is not divisible by 400, the RAM is not DDR2-800 speed and is of unknown brand and model number, the hard drive is of unknown brand and model number, the vid card should really be one of the 640MB versions, the optical drive is of unknown brand and model number, the modem should not even be in there (unless you're still on dial-up?), the TV tuner card is of unknown brand and model number, the OS of choice should really still be WinXP for compatibility with a Vista DVD for upgrade later, the keyboard and mouse are of unknown model number, the bundled software is nearly useless for a gaming rig (I would actually prefer them NOT to be installed by default), and there's no mention of the case or PSU or overall case cooling (which leads me to believe they are all lacking in quality).

When spending this much money on a box of electronics, it is not imprudent to ask questions and be absolutely certain of the value. The small amount of information on that page is hardly worthy of $1600 of trust! There needs to be more info and there needs to be some changes.

[riacg]

thanks alot saphalline your advice was really helpful, so i decided to check out hp where i was able to customize here:http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto/computer_customize_components.do

anyways i chose:
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor E6600 (2.4GHz)
2GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024) -this was the only thing that really bothered me, because you mentioned that i would need ram running at 800 mhz, so do you reccomend just switching down to 1 gb and then buying my own ram or just sticking with this?
320GB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive - again not sure about this, its not really a big deal to me cause i have another hard drive at home that i could add-on to the pc but feel free to comment on it.
LightScribe 16X DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive -no customization options here
15-in-1 memory card reader, 3 USB, 1394, audio -dont really need it buts its free
802.11 b/g Wireless LAN PCI Card -would like the pc to have wireless capability
FREE UPGRADE! ATSC-NTSC TV tuner w. PVR, FM,remote -free :)
640MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS, 2 DVI, TV-Out -you mentioned earlier that i should probably upgrade to the 640 mb version, so.....
Integrated 7.1 channel sound w/front audio ports -sound aint that big a deal for me cause i dont really got a great sound system at home.

totals up to:1779 bucks.
seems like a pretty decent deal compared to what other stores were charging me, so what do you think? and thanks again in advance.

[saphalline]

The customizer page has timed-out, but that's OK. The hardware specs so far look good. Now what about the software? HP isn't going to load it down with junk like they usually do, are they?

2GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024) -this was the only thing that really bothered me, because you mentioned that i would need ram running at 800 mhz, so do you reccomend just switching down to 1 gb and then buying my own ram or just sticking with this?The RAM is fine. The difference is AMD to Intel. With the AMD CPU's, the memory controller is onboard, making it tricky to match up all the speeds for maximum efficiency. It's a lot easier with Intel's Core 2 Duo's. DDR2-667 will be plenty fast for stock speed.

320GB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive - again not sure about thisThis is much more explicit because there are only a handful of 320GB SATA hard drives, and they're all excellent. The 400GB one from Fry's probably would have been fine, too, but I'm the type of person that likes to pick out computer parts down to the model number! :p So I'm very very picky about my hardware.

LightScribe 16X DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive -no customization options hereThis is not at all surprising. HP invented LightScribe. ;) HP optical drives have been quite good in the last few years. A bit expensive normally, but quite good. I'm sure this one will serve you well.


The rest of the hardware looks good or decent enough. With all the upgrades and changes vs the AMD-based Fry's system, this one will perform better with games. I don't suppose they mention anything about the case and PSU? With the link being dead, I can't look at the pictures or anything. It's probably good enough for now, with some room for improvement, but I like pictures. Also, does this HP system come with a monitor or keyboard or mouse or any other extras? And what version of Windows?