Need suggestions/help

[stealthshadow]

Hey guys I am new here and I need your help.

Im considering buying a new PC, and after searching the web I decided to buy this gateway PC

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...yId=pcmcat73200050029&id=1130986103611

Can you please tell me the positives and negatives for this PC? I plan to play a lot of games and just use the computer normally.

I plan to upgrade the graphics to a Nvidia 6800 GS from EVGA to make it a good gaming PC. THe only problem is that the PC only has 300 watt power supply is that ok for this graphic card?

THe other thing is that I was wondering if the harddrive is good enough? It says that it is only 2mb cache, is that REALLY bad, will that bottleneck the system? I do'nt know anything about harddrives so if someone can explain to me how that will affect my system that would be great.

Last thing is that i have around 1400 and am trying to get the best gaming computer possible without actually building one, so if you know any other models (preferabbly AMD) please suggest.

The main issues id like you to answer though are your thoughts about the computer, the hardrive issue, the powersupply issue, and whether i will be able to run all the current games on everything on high?

THank you for your time.

 

[Bobthelost]

Well if you don't want to build it, but you can act as your own tech support htne monarch will put it all together for you and test it before shipping it out.

The one you linked to is pretty good except for the lack of a graphics card. The PSU would almost certainly handle a graphics card. I don't know what it's like for value for money though.

 

[Bozo Galora]

prebuilts, at least by the major brands, are made by the thousands and are specifically engineered for a specific price point, with the components (when bought in quantity) that afford the best profit.

so, in a $1100 OEM you are not going to get a name brand 500W PSU, or high performance RAM like Corsair low latency, or even a separate vidcard. You will be getting stuff that looks good to the novice in specs, but is the bare minimum. When you add a very high wattage PCI-E video, you have wrecked their careful packaging/engineering. It is unknown even if the PSU has the extra molex for the card.
What I find disturbing is that it says in ad that its MICRO BTX form factor, which doesnt seem to be necessary by the fairly roomy case. I cant tell if its just micro BTX "cooling" or micro BTX MOBO and cooling. Perhaps its just a mis print.
http://www.gateway.com/dw/features_benefits/btx_tech.shtml
I cant tell if 6800 card would CHANGE airflow they have figured on.
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/reviews/article/1773/

Win MCE really isnt a good starter O/S for a newbie, since you will be exposed to virtually every media codec and format known to man. Thats a lot of learning all at once.

Once you buy the PC it becomes problematic to ship back to Gateway (and dangerous - UPS) so a newbie would have to buy the added $200 "carry in" warranty.

My advice - if you want a 6800, buy a PC with it already in, use Win XP Pro until you get a little experience, and buy from a local mom and pop builder that you can quickly drive over to with the PC.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Or if you are lucky enough have a friend help you build it. Not do it for you, but someone who knows what he or she is doing watch and guide you and explain things as you go. Then you learn something and can replace a part easily if you have any trouble.

I know you didn't want to build it, but you can find the best deals and get alot more quality if you do it this way. The plus side is you may learn some nice things and get to hand pick the parts that fit you.

 

[daniel49]

not to bad looking of a system other then the graphics and puny power supply.
You would probably have fun with it and learn a lot.
I bought a couple of prebuilts like that when I first started out.
Would not buy one now because I enjoy building a system to my own specs and needs.
The biggest problem I have found with oem machines is they tend to only work with oem parts.
ie if my compaq motherboard goes out I can't buy motherboard xyz to put in my case because the case and mb are propriatary not standard.

power supply may also be proprietary, bios usually are very limited in how thwy will configure for the individual learner.
but for someone just starting out , simple is usually better till you get your feet wet.

 

[stealthshadow]

more opinions would be appreciated

 

[stealthshadow]

bump