Is this Gateway FX530XG a good deal?

[DeusDeus]

I'm shopping around for a new computer. This is a setup from Gateway. Will be doing some gaming on it, but I want it to last me a good two-three years like my current PC has. I can get this one including shipping and taxes for $1,400. I'd like to stay in that price range. I don't really have brand preference, but from what I'm seeing as opposed to when I got this current system three years ago, Intel is the way to go. I do not intend on using any of my current parts. I will NOT be doing any overclocking.

Pricing out the individual main parts on newegg comes out to $1,200. Plus I'd have to pay someone to build it, cause I don't know how. Plus the gateway comes with a 1-year warranty, and no payments, no interest for one year.

I've been out of the hardware scene for some time now. Is there supposed to be a new Geforce 9-series coming out next month that will affect the 8-series prices by a whole lot?

Appreciate any advise, thanks in advance.


Gateway® FX530XG
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1014387R 1 $1,320.99 $1,320.99
Instant Discount (reflected in unit price, limited-time offer) -$100.00
Customized Options
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (32-bit)
Processor Intel® Core? 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (2.40GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 8MB cache)
Memory 3072MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2-1024MB modules & 2-512MB modules)
Hard Drive 250GB 7200rpm Serial ATA II/300 hard drive w/ 8MB cache
Optical Drive 16X Super MFDVDRW/DVD-RAM+/-R Double Layer
Video NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS w/ 320MB, Dual DVI-I Dual link TV Out (Factory Overclocked) w/ VGA adapter
Media Card Reader 9-in-1 Memory Card Reader
Speakers No Speakers Selected
Application Software Microsoft® Works 8.5
Backup Media Cyberlink Power2Go (for Windows Vista® Home Premium and Ultimate)
Chassis Gateway® 7-bay BTX tower case
Chipset Intel® 975X Chipset with DDR2 Support and Intel® Core? Duo support
Color FX Logo Accent - Black Steel
Keyboard Gateway 104+ Elite Wireless Keyboard & Mouse (Windows Vista® Certified) [$15.00]
Motherboard Intel® 975X Chipset with DDR2 and Intel® Core? Duo support
Mouse No Mouse Selected [-$15.00]
Network Integrated Intel® 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) Ethernet
Operating System Backup Media Windows Vista® Home Premium Backup Media (32-bit)
Power Supply 700-Watt Power Supply
Security Software McAfee® 90-day Internet Security Suite Complimentary Subscription with VirusScan, Personal Firewall Plus, SpamKiller & Privacy Service v. 1.2 (for Windows Vista®)
Software Documentation End User License Agreement for Non-Microsoft Software
Warranty 1 Year Value Plan (Tech Support - Parts - Factory Labor)
Quote Estimate: $1,320.99

 

[DeusDeus]

Also, just from a CPU stand-point, how much of a difference will I see from my current setup:

AMD Athlon 64 3400+
Geforce 6800 Regular 128MB
2GB DDR RAM

Obviously there will be a big difference from a gaming point of view, but just from doing things on Windows. My current PC handles 90% of tasks with ease. But you notice a little slowdown with something like iTunes (loading it, and using it with a large playlist).

 

[DeusDeus]

HIPPOPOTAMUS! :thumbsup:

 

[jjanders]

I hope you realize when you do the whole "no payment, no interest" deal, if you don't pay it off within the time period (1 year), you get charged the accrued interest from the PURCHASE date, right?

 

[DeusDeus]

Originally posted by: jjanders
I hope you realize when you do the whole "no payment, no interest" deal, if you don't pay it off within the time period (1 year), you get charged the accrued interest from the PURCHASE date, right?

Fudge, wasn't aware of this. Thanks for the heads up. Although, I'm sure I will pay it off before the year is up.

 

[DeusDeus]

Hey guys,

I just found a VERY similar system on Best Buy's website.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] ductdetail

The only negative difference is in the graphics card which is a 8500 GT 256 MB. The price is much cheaper though. The system in the OP is direct through Gateway and it will cost me $1,400 TOTAL including shipping and taxes.

This one on BB website is $979.00 NOT including taxes. Even if I upgrade the card to a 8800 GTX, for $280 through Newegg, I still come out at $1,260 total. This one from Best Buy also has a bigger HD (500GB vs 250GB).

SO....what do you think? I know buying pre-built HP's and Compaqs from big retail is not a good idea, but what do you think of buying a Gateway through big retail? This one seems like a better deal, but I would appreciate your opinions. Thanks.