Is this worth it......The PC I mean

[mavric240]

Just looking for input from those who are in the know. I am looking at a PC but I don't think it is worth the $1000.00 price tag. I come to you is it worth the price, what say you? Here are the specs (leaving brand name out on purpose):
Specifications


Condition: New
Operating Systems: Genuine Windows® Vista™ Home Premium
Platform: PC
Orientations Allowed: Vertical
Form Factor: Mid-Tower
Bays: 1 - 3.5" Drive Bays
5 - 5.25" Drive Bays
Internal Bays: 4 - 3.5" Drive Bays
Colors: Black
Silver
PCI Slots (Total): 2
PCI Express X1 Slots (Total): 3
PCI Express X16 Slots (Total): 2
PCI Express Slots (Total): 5
Expansion Slots: 7
Processor Brand: AMD
Processor Class: Athlon 64 X2
Processor Number: 5000
Processor Speed: 2.60GHz
Processor Interface: AM2
Processors Supported: 1
Processors Onboard: 1
Additional Technologies: HyperTransport Technology
Dual-Core Technology
Memory Type: DDR2
Memory Size: 1GB
Total Memory: 2.0GB
Memory Speed: DDR2 800 (PC2-6400)
Memory Slots (Total): 4
Memory Slots (Available): 2
Maximum Memory Supported: 4.0GB
Interface: SATA II
Capacity: 250GB
Speed: 7,200RPM
Interface: SATA II
Capacity: 250GB
Speed: 7,200RPM
Optical Drive Type: DVD±RW Dual Layer Lightscribe
Interface: IDE
Optical Drive Type: DVD-ROM
Interface: IDE
Type: Floppy
Capacity: 1.44MB
Media Types: Floppy Disk
Audio Description: Integrated Audio
Audio Chipset: Realtek ALC883
High Definition
Channels: 7.1
Graphics Description: PCI-Express Video Card
GPU/VPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Video Memory: 512MB Memory
Communications Description: Integrated LAN Support
Interface Type: RJ-45 - Ethernet Connector
Data Transfer Rate: 1000Mbps
10Mbps
100Mbps
Power: 585 Watt
Mouse Type: Optical
Buttons: 3
Scrolling Capability: Vertical
Connection Type: USB
PS/2
Keyboard Type: Premium
Connection Type: PS/2

[Methodiom]

Looks to me like its very well worth the price. I'm no expert but if you can get all of that for a grand..then I say jump on it.....only thing I would suggest is at least another gig of RAM with Vista.....but other than that..thats a great system

[El Tanakh]

No, it's not, though it has a good processor, its GPU isnt worth it. And it is grossly overpriced, a guildy (which runs here under the name of Morganfaye) just got the same processor + 1 gig of ram and a 8800gt card for somewhat along $600 bucks.

TL;DR - Don't do it man, go and check Newegg, they probably have better deals.

[Absalom]

I'd agree.. You are on the right track with Dual Core / 2gig memory / and a PCIe Video card.. though If you are doing the typical web surfing/ MS Office / and WoW routine, you can get a better video card for less money.

As a personal preference, I'd grab an Intel chip with an Intel chipset.. but that is because of my own history getting burned with AMD and VIA or nVida chipsets. Your miles may vary.

I believe you have until June 30th before places drop XP as an option. I'd grab XP before they do that. Vista is complete trash.

And the system almost looks like a Dell ;)

[KJ]

I have built my own systems for YEARS. My mobo went out about 2 weeks ago and I just didn't have it in me to rebuild or replace my mobo so I went to a box store and acted like a tool and let the guy do his job and sell me a computer. I htink I got a decent system for my money, but I also had my monitor, powersupply (needed to change that out to upgrade my video card) and video card.

If you have the drive(Motivation) try building your own, I had a blast the first few years but with more kids, more back injuries and less patience, it was just better for me to "Buy" a system this time.

And on a side note, I freaked when I realized I had vista 64 bit, almost walked out actually after they said they wouldn't install XP Pro (With my disks) but they made me an offer to try vista and if I hated it I could bring the system back.

The ONLY Issue I have had with Vista is my Opera internet broswer freezes up on this websight and Flash doesn't have a 64 bit plug in yet. So I use IE 32 bit. I Miss my opera and it's security but I don't browse the net much on this pc anyways so ./shrug.

And please remember.....always negotiate! These box stores will budge on price just like anyone else. I certainly didn't pay "Sticker price" for my system, (Althought for my system I thought it was a fair price)
http://www.gateway.com/systems/series/529598054.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negotiation

[RomaGoth]

It doesn't look all that bad for the price, but the processor is outdated. I would go with an Intel rather than AMD personally. You can probably find a better deal, like someone above said, go to Newegg (I never liked Tiger Direct personally).

The three most important things in a computer you are looking for as far as gaming goes are:

1. Video Card (Clock speed and memory are important)
2. System memory (RAM - at least 2Gb, preferably more)
3. Processor (go with dual core/core2 duo)

After those three things, look at how many expansion slots are available, how many PCI express slots are present, size/speed of the hard drive (I always go with Western Digital they have never let me down), and then everything else.

*** Information added 3 Minutes and 8 Seconds later... ***

Originally Posted by KJ

I have built my own systems for YEARS. My mobo went out about 2 weeks ago and I just didn't have it in me to rebuild or replace my mobo so I went to a box store and acted like a tool and let the guy do his job and sell me a computer. I htink I got a decent system for my money, but I also had my monitor, powersupply (needed to change that out to upgrade my video card) and video card.

If you have the drive(Motivation) try building your own, I had a blast the first few years but with more kids, more back injuries and less patience, it was just better for me to "Buy" a system this time.

And on a side note, I freaked when I realized I had vista 64 bit, almost walked out actually after they said they wouldn't install XP Pro (With my disks) but they made me an offer to try vista and if I hated it I could bring the system back.

The ONLY Issue I have had with Vista is my Opera internet broswer freezes up on this websight and Flash doesn't have a 64 bit plug in yet. So I use IE 32 bit. I Miss my opera and it's security but I don't browse the net much on this pc anyways so ./shrug.

And please remember.....always negotiate! These box stores will budge on price just like anyone else. I certainly didn't pay "Sticker price" for my system, (Althought for my system I thought it was a fair price)
http://www.gateway.com/systems/series/529598054.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negotiation

I know what you mean. I was all about building my own computer but with 3 kids and work and stuff the time just isn't there now (especially if you want to actually play a game on said computer ).

Yes yes yes always negotiate if you buy a boxed computer. Just like with a car, don't pay sticker price.

[Absalom]

I've always built my own systems as well. I'm actually about to replace a motherboard since the one I got seems to be on it's way out.

If you want something with more power you can probably find a motherboard with an X38 chipset for a better price than I did since they are being replaced by the X48 (and soon the X58)... though honestly, if you don't need that you can probably do really well with a P35 or something.

[Purson]

Find out what the chipset is to ensure they're not dumping some old motherboard on you. Since it's SATAII, I think not. Do not get a motherboard with the nForce4 chipset. It's old and creates sound popping if you get more than 3GB of RAM.

[Absalom]

yes.. nForce4 boards tend to have strange poltergeist type behavior to them.. I'd stay away from them as well

[mavric240]

I know the mother board is BioStar, which I am not a big fan of(I prefer ASUS). I will research which one when I get home. I used to build systems myself but have been out of it for awhile and like anything else when you leave it for a spell, my knowledge has been out dated. So I will take the above information and put it to work, Thanks for the help.