Need advice to buy a new gaming PC

[rai]

My first post.

I'd like to thank anyone in advance.

I am not looking to build a PC, I want to buy a system. I like to buy a fairly nice PC and keep it 4-5 years so I don't mind paying some more up front to have a longer life (ie. future) built in.

I play some FPS or RTS, I'd like to have a great looking and performing PC for this and also do some video/movie stuff.

I am not a PC wizard so I just want a system that's more or less plug in and go.

I have a budget of $2500 to $2700. I could pay a bit more but like to keep it somewhat in that range for everything including shipping and monitor. I have a old CRT monitor so I'd need one anyway.

I was thinking of Alienware or Falcon NW seem to get good reviews. I think maybe Falcon is a bit more money is that true (is either one better?) and should I look at other makers instead?

I was thinking of Intel but what's the good recomendation of speed and hard drive etc..

Also what's the best type of monitor size etc. I should be looking at for FPS?

Thanks.

[Ajmukon]

1) Alienware is DELL performance PCs, and Falcon NW has no parent company...
2) INTEL IS THE KING PERIOD END OF STORY
3) Gaming you say? Crysis?.... if you can, get VISTA 64-BIT, and try to get 2x2GB of ram (for a total of 4GB of RAM)

this one should be good (Alienware)
http://www.alienware.com/Configurator_Pages/area-51_7500_r5.aspx?SysCode=PC-AREA51-7500-R5&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT
and for Falcon:
i am having some difficulty getting the configurer to work
give me a moment.

[Ajmukon]

and i got it to work, took some time, it needs IE to work!
http://www.falcon-nw.com/config/build.asp
this one is good

[stepfinder]

1) Alienware is DELL performance PCs, and Falcon NW has no parent company...
2) INTEL IS THE KING PERIOD END OF STORY
3) Gaming you say? Crysis?.... if you can, get VISTA 64-BIT, and try to get 2x2GB of ram (for a total of 4GB of RAM)

this one should be good (Alienware)
http://www.alienware.com/Configurator_Pages/area-51_7500_r5.aspx?SysCode=PC-AREA51-7500-R5&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT
and for Falcon:
i am having some difficulty getting the configurer to work
give me a moment.

That Alienware is a good suggestion.