Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
Originally posted by: firewolfsm
Built computers, if done right, are much more reliable than anything from Dell (unless you're buying their servers)
If you are even the slightest bit interested in building your own computer do it, not that difficult and the community is a powerful resource for troubleshooting. The satisfaction of having a machine that does what you want it to do and can be tweaked to your liking is very rewarding.
(P.S. you'll save a boatload of money)
(P.S.S 9800GT is faster)
^ all of this.
HOOfan 1's already done most of the work. Personally, I'd go with a 100 less mb, a 100 less cpu and 100+ less gpu (you'd need better cooling with the 280gtx). For $1200, you'd have 300 'free' that, if you get into a spot that someone here couldn't help, you could take it somewhere and have a 'pro' complete it. If you have the least bit of 'tinkering' desire, building your own pc is rewarding. Plus, you'd want to immediately reformat the dell to remove the crapware anyway.
If there's no desire or time to build your own, just order a dell or hp. I believe newegg sells complete systems. If you've got time, shop for a special. As an alternative, micro center can custom build one (at least they used to) for you. If going this route, use whatever is within easy driving distance. You could even pay the neighborhood geek to build it for you.
Either way, there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on anandtech forums itching to help (along with a few wiseasses, but just ignore them).