Which system to buy- Advice from Clan Brothers

[TSgt Maverick]

Ok brothers...(I'm new to the clan) let me preface my question with this comment. I am not a heavy gamer..the only games I really play are DOD (S) and other Source games, Battlefield 2, 2142 and maybee the new CoD....

I am a family man with a family of 5 so our budget is something we have to be aware of when making important decisions on a purchase such as this one. I have toiled over this decision for two weeks and purchase time is this Thursday when I get my bonus from my state job (a miracle in itself!) and one of the biggest things was the graphics..I'm going to get one of the two systems I'm pasting info about below and YES I know about Integrated graphics and my choice I to have make is one system is Intel Quad 2 Duo but with the Intel Intel? Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 (system has 220 watt power supply ) and the AMD X2 dual core which has 6 gig ram and the Radeon HD 3200 Hybrid graphics (which I have hear ALOT of good things about) this onboard chip would be able to play everything I play now probably on HIGH BUT if for some reason I needed more power I could stick a 512 Radeon 3400 series PCie 2x card to boots the power using the hybrid stuff (both discreet and IGP working together)..so maybe I've just convinced myself to go with the latter BUT WANT TO POSE THE SPECS OF THE TWO and see if you all agree. Please provide me feedback by Wednesday...ALSO PLEASE do not say you need to invest 300.00 more / build your own..etc I have already been made aware of this but need feedback on these two choices..... here is the info on each system... Thank you friends.


GATEWAY Model: DX4300-05 $429.99
?
? AMD dual-core technology
Enables you to work or play with multiple programs without impacting performance.
? 6GB DDR2 SDRAM memory
For multitasking power.
? SuperMulti DVD?RW/CD-RW drive
With double-layer support records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R DL or DVD-R DL media. Supports DVD-RAM and Labelflash direct-disc labels using compatible Labelflash media.
? 512KB x 2 L2 cache memory for efficient system processing
AMD Balanced Smart Cache for a smooth multitasking and multithreaded experience.
? 640GB Serial ATA hard drive
Provides plenty of storage for your data.
? ATI RADEON HD 3200 hybrid graphics
With up to 512MB shared video memory and built-in HDMI port.
? Multi-in-1 digital media card reader
Supports CompactFlash Type I/II/Plus, Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, MultiMediaCard, MultiMediaCard Plus, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo.
? Also supports SmartMedia, xD-Picture Card and Microdrive. Supports mini Secure Digital, Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC) and MultiMediaCard Mobile with optional adapter (not included).
? 1 IEEE 1394 port and 8 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
Both front and rear accessible for fast digital transfer and easy connection of peripherals.
? Built-in 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet with RJ-45 connector
Along with a high-speed V.92 data/fax modem for easy Internet connections.
? Amplified stereo speakers
With support for high-definition audio (7.1-channel support) deliver crisp, clear sound.
? Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system
With Service Pack 1 (SP1) preinstalled for a stable operating platform.





Gateway - Desktop with Intel? Core?2 Quad Processor
Model: SX2800-01 | SKU: 9352336

COMES WITH

Gateway - 20" Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HD Monitor
Model: HX2000 | SKU: 9350711 | Customer Rating:
THE WHOLE PACKAGE COMPUTER AND 20? MONITOR FOR $479.00

? Intel? Core?2 Quad processor Q8200
Features 4 processing cores, 1333MHz frontside bus, 4MB L2 cache and 2.33GHz processor speed per core.
? Four powerful processing cores
Let you get into gaming, communicating and running multiple applications simultaneously.
? 4GB DDR3 memory
For multitasking power.
? Multiformat DVD?RW/CD-RW drive
With double-layer support records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R DL media; supports DVD-RAM; also supports Labelflash direct-disc labels using compatible Labelflash media.
? 640GB SATA hard drive (7200 rpm)
Offers spacious storage options and fast read/write times.
? Intel? Graphics Media Accelerator X4500
Delivers intense images with stunning detail.
? Multi-in-one digital media card reader
Supports Compact Flash Type I/II, Compact Flash +, Microdrive, MultiMediaCard, Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO formats.
? IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface and 9 high-speed USB 2.0 ports (5 front)
For fast digital data transfer and easy peripheral connectivity
? Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN
With RJ-45 connector and 56 Kbps modem for quick and easy wired Web connection.
? Amplified stereo speakers
With 6-channel high-definition audio create a lush soundscape.
? Built-in device holder
Provides a convenient place for your camera, MP3 player or camcorder.
? Photo frame button
Lets you turn your monitor (not included) into a slideshow of your favorite photos.
? Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition operating system
With Service Pack 1 (SP1) preinstalled provides a stable platform for word processing, Web navigation, gaming, media storage and more.

 

[BootyTang]

Whats your budget? I could throw something together for around $500.

 

[reflex99]

if those are the choices i would choose the Gateway

i have a Notebook with a HD 3100 IGP and it runs CSS at max at 50 FPS so i would assume that the desktop 3200 would do better

my mom has an intel GMA x4500 and it plays css at like 20 fps on low

also if you feel comfortable with building your own system that would be the best way to go

 

[Rogue Sniper]

Go for the Core 2 Quad system, for 50$ its a lot better than the dual core system

Thus youll be able to run CPU intensive games better. And in the future upgrade your video card you'll be sitting fine for a while.

 

[Tidus]

Core 2 Quad! Because it owns! =D

 

[Waddle Dee]

The core2 quad all the way!

 

[FreakingHell]

Go for the Core 2 Quad system as others have said. But that model doesn't support Virtualization, which would be a major issue for me! Chances are it won't matter one bit to you though.

 

[TSgt Maverick]

Core 2 Quad System

So guys you all would go with the Core 2 quad system even thought IT ONLY HAS a 220 watt power supply? it i were to add a video card it would not run properly with that little power supply UNLESS there is A radeon that would be ok with that>>i read about one...

so then still the core 2 vs the AMD x2?

Go for the Core 2 Quad system, for 50$ its a lot better than the dual core system

Thus youll be able to run CPU intensive games better. And in the future upgrade your video card you'll be sitting fine for a while.

 

[PewPewBangBang]

The problem is that none of these systems are really future proof, i wouldnt really expect any of these systems to run the new CoD either unless u run at an extremely low resolution.
IMO the Core 2 quad has a lot more potential even with the low watt PSU. You can always get a very cheap PSU for under 50 bucks and it has around 500 watts, enough to run almost any single card solution.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
This PSU is a great deal right now and its modular so you dont have to have all the power cables plugged in (for example, if ur not using one of the PCI connectors, u can disconnect it) this saves room and isn't as messy.
You can always get a very cheap vid card also like a 3850 or lower.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102794

That amounts to around 100 bucks for a pretty decent setup?? but im not exactly sure what your budget is so im guessing a lot of these upgrades will change.