Best gaming desktop for 1500ish

[markymrk720]

Hello all...

I am looking to purchase a good gaming desktop in the next few weeks for around the 1500 dollar price point. (+-150ish)

I have been looking at dell xps, alienware, velocity micro, etc...and was wondering what you all recommend?

Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you can use a screwdriver you can build one yourself and save $300+. See the General Hardware forum and read the stickies before posting if you want to try that.

With Dell you probably can't get a GTX 260/280 or 4850/4870 at a sane price. For $1,500 I'd expect at least a GTX 260 or 4870, and preferably a 280 or 4870x2.

IBuyPower.com has some systems cheaper than Alienware.
The IBP "Gamer Fire 480" for $885 is a decent deal for a pre-built, and the Gamer Paladin 885-MX at $1259 can be upgraded to a GTX 280 for $1,535.

If you wait a month you can get a system with an ATI 4870 x2 dual-GPU card.