Which Gaming Desktop is a better buy? Dell vs Gateway

[iOrigin]

Hello, I am currently debating between two potential desktops to purchase for gaming sakes and was wondering which one would be a better buy in the long run. Any help on which I should buy would be greatly appreciated :).
The debate is between the two desktops below here, one of which is a Dell, and the other a Gateway. I heard Dell was more reliable than Gateway though.


1) Gateway® FX6801-01 - Cost: ~$1800
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-950 Processor1 (3.06GHz, 8MB L2 Cache)
Operating System: Genuine Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1
Memory: 9GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory
Video Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 285 Graphics with 1GB Discrete Video Memory
Hard Drive: 1TB SATA hard drive
Audio: High Definition Audio with 7.1 Audio Support
Power Supply: 750W Power Supply
More specs can be found at: http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668285.php


2) Dell XPS 630 - Cost: ~$1500
Processor: Intel® Core™2 Q9650 (12MB,3.0GHz, 1333FSB)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs
Video Card: nVidia GeForce GTX 285 1024MB
Hard Drive: 500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
Audio: Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Power Supply: 750W Power Supply
More specs can be found at: http://www.dell.com/content/products...corp&~lt=popup

[floop12444]

They are both quite similar in the specs side, but if your willing to pay $1800 for a PC then i would go for the gateway. Partly because of the i7-950.

[5NIPER_WOLF]

Don't buy Gateway products, they break constantly. The only good Gateway products are $2500 or more.

The specs of the gateway, with Dell would be the best combination.

Try a custom vendor, www.cyperpowerpc.com www.ibuypower.com www.vigorgaming.com www.alienware.com

[iOrigin]

Would this computer (CyberPower Gamer Infinity 8800 Pro SE) be a better buy than the Dell and Gateway for gaming and reliability?

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/INF8800PROSE

[Zealex]

You should build your own computer, it's fun and you can customize it with your own parts. We have a section for building your own computer in our hardware section of the forum.

[5NIPER_WOLF]

I would recommend buying from the aformentioned companies if your are not going to build your own, as they are reliable, durable, powerful and cheap.

If you are going to build (probably the cheapest option, but the hardest) then refer to the building section of the Hardware Forum like Zealex said, look at 'PSU Information' in my sig.

[Zealex]

Also, if you decide to build a computer and are to scared to put it together because you may be nervous of putting something were it's not suppose to, break something or whatever the reason may be, you can check local computer stores and see if they build computers for a fair or good price. Should still be cheaper than buying one.

[iOrigin]

Yeah, I'd be too nervous/scared to actually attempt to build my own computer. So I'm just looking for a cheap, powerful computer, with a spending limit of $2000.

[Zealex]

Well, you can probably get an alienware for $2000, a good one too, but you can get a whole lot more out of $2000 if you build one, even if you pay someone to build it.
If you customize an alienware, ibuypower or something of such nature.
Be careful, for example if you leave the default parts in the alienware and decide you want a 1250 watt instead of the 800, I don't think they change that and that will fry your computer parts. I'm pretty sure to much watts...will burn your computer

[5NIPER_WOLF]

If you want, I can post a PC-Gamer Magazine approved, No Compromises $1500 PC that will run anything you want.

[iOrigin]

That'd be great 5NIPER. I'll take a look look into Alienware and iBuyPower.

Picking a desktop is hard ._.;, especially since it has to be the perfect one. (Plopping out $1500-2000 is a lot.)

From the looks of alienware, aren't the specs worst than iBuyPower and the other custom venders for a much higher price? Sorry, I'm not 100% sure about this.

[Mcninjaguy]

I would buy the custom parts and then go to a local PC shop and get them to put it together. You'll save a lot of money. Alienware, Dell, Gateway, Ibuypower are all overpriced.

[5NIPER_WOLF]

*sigh* I recommended those companies because of their cheap price, where else can you get a Core 2 quad with geforce 9800 GTX and 6 GB of RAM for only $760?

[Mcninjaguy]

That isn't too bad of a deal, 5niper. The PSU is probably garbage though.

[Zealex]

I remember I asked oldjoe(he gave me the parts for my future build) about ibuypower, cyberpower, etc. and he said that they were high end computers with low end parts.

[iOrigin]

So ibuypower isn't a good choice to buy a desktop? And I'm not sure I'd be able to pick a bunch of custom parts to build a computer, since I'd just pick a bunch of stuff and it'd probably end up unstable and explode. D:

[Zealex]

Like I have said before, we have a section for building computers. The techs there are very knowledgeable in that area and will give you a full build. I have a fuill build oldjoe has giving to me, it's cheap(money) and looks pretty sturdy


Edit: TSF building section

[simpswr]

If you are thinking about building . . I suggest you look at this for some ideas to get started

I can move this thread to the Hardware section if you would like.

[5NIPER_WOLF]

I don't know where people are hearing such bad things about ibuypower, cyberpower, Vigor Gaming YaGear or any others, me and many others have been using them for yeas without problems, hassles or dissapointment (though occainsonally things like PSU or the case are not that good)

[ebackhus]

If you can't or don't want to build it yourself then have someone else do it. Just don't waste the money on a pre-built. You'll over-pay and get crap parts or pay too little and end up with rubbish.