[Swag]

Originally Posted by Pwnzilla

The GPU is the weakest component for both the Gateway and the HP systems. Proverbially the GPU is the weakest link in a pre-built budget box and regardless of how fast your CPU is or how much RAM you have, if the GPU doesn't have the cojones to run a game you're screwed. It is usually difficult to upgrade the GPU on a budget box as well as they usually are specced with a power supply that is just sufficient to run the system as purchased. If you do go the HP route I would recommend this configuration over the previous one that I just slapped together:

HP Pavilion Elite d5000z ATX series
Operating system Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Processor AMD Phenom(TM) 9550 quad-core processor (2.2GHz)
Memory 3GB DDR2-800MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024,2x512)
Graphics Card 1GB NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT, 2 DVI, HDMI adapter
Hard Drive 500GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
Front Productivity Ports 15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, 1394, audio
Sound Card Integrated 7.1 channel sound w/front audio ports
Security Software Norton Internet Security(TM) 2008 - 15 month
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
Speakers HP stereo speakers (2.0)
Keyboard and Mouse HP keyboard and HP optical mouse
Monitor HP w1907 19" LCD Wide Flat Panel Monitor
Total: $1,359.99

Changes cut 1Gb of RAM and the subwoofer, but adds a "real" gaming GPU that is capable of running any game out right now and the foreseeable future.

The price is a bit more, but if you're laying out $1200 for a new PC, it makes fiscal sense to go another $100 and get something that will not cause you frustration when it won't run applications right after you buy it. You could shave another $40 off the price by opting for the 17" LCD but the extra visual real estate a 19" adds is easily worth that additional cost.

so would this computer be better than the one pedro listed?