The biggest issue? Forget the monitor, forget Vista, or the chair. Look at the video card. 2400pro. That's not even good enough for serious home theater usage, let alone gaming. Try velocity micro. Bottom end gaming system there will grossly out perform this Dell they're trying to sell.

OK, first of all, I'm extremely computer illiterate, but even I could have done a better job with this article.I bought my system new back in 1998 and am using it right now(sad,I know), however,I bought it from a salesperson and not someone who actually knew anything about computers themselves.This article brings back a ot of bad memories.My system has no way of being upgraded without replacing the entire motherboard and connecting components which would cost more than just going out and buying a new system,of which I'll be doing soon.So, I've been stuck with this beast all these years.As for the article,it does sound more like an advertisement than a tutorial on how to purchase and build your own system.The previous commentors gave invaluable advice and you should take their advice and run with it.I have a couple of supergeek friends(and I mean that with the utmost respect) who have concurred with the commentors here.All of them.I don't want to sound mean,I know your heart was in the right place,but you wouldn't hire a plumber to do your bypass surgery, would you?Your sources sound more like salespeople and the information they've given you is fine if you are only interested in helping them make a sale.However,if you really want to enter the world of hardcore gaming,you should listen to the people who actually walk the walk.This articles main problem is that it doesn't give the detailed information the readers need when purchasing equipment and why certain factors are important.And I must disagree with the one post that claimed you said you would show people how to build a system for under 1500 when,in fact,you never said under,you only said they could build it for 1500 and that you were implying an approximate cost not an actual one.I would also like to include that you did state at the end of your article to shop around and seek advice from those in the know(I guess some people didn't read the entire article).So yes,I understand your trying to help educate people and that you intended to help them save a few bucks,but next time,hire a geek,they won't steer you wrong.Thank you for your time.

1. Dell aquiring Alienware *obviously* means that Dell caters to gamers. Why else would their overpriced PC's only be available with VISTA? 2. Instead of selling a 20" HD monitor because it has onboard webcam & microphone. How about a good 22" HD monitor with better resolution & contrast (for about the same price)? 3. Way to be edgy by calling the soundsystem "kick-ass". You really scored points with the 15 year olds. 4. Real hardcore PC gamers just DO NOT USE wireless. Get a SteelSeries, or Ideazon keyboard/mouse. 5. You spend more time talking about a chair then a set of headphones? Headphones are vital to online play. They allow for a more emersive experience, and they come with a microphone(!). Headphones to many gamers are more important than the speakers (particularly for gamers who LAN often). 6. Seriously. Someone up there at AOL needs to start hiring GAMERS to write their GAMING blogs. This entire site belongs on failblog.org.

That pc blows go configure your own on www.cyberpowerpc.com , you can spend less if you use the Intel quad core configure from the drop down menu and still end up with a pc that is at least twice as good as what these schmucks payed for as long as you don't mind waiting a while for the thing to be built. I just got mine yesterday (for under 1k) and so far it has been running AoC on high just fine.

srsly, they KILLED that pc with vista. Vista was designed after Apple, and the only thing Mac's are good for is graphic DESIGN. plus all that ram you got? It's GONE with Vista running. You shoulda put XP in it considering XP runs on an EXTREMELY lighter RAM cost AND its much more reliable since just about everything out there is compatable with XP, while not as much can be said for Vista.

I still can't stop laughing at the tard who said he build a High End system for $300 A highend Graphics Card cost over $400.

This is just a freaking Dell commercial basically but if your a gamer rule number one DON'T BUY DELL because they are CRAP actually..don't buy dell no matter what you are >.> because no matter what or why you buy the computer you just got ripped off But seriously if your a gamer build it your self...or if you can't i'm sure there is a local computer shop somewhere around that will do it for you for a small price Around here a local computer shop will help you select the parts you need (or just give em a list) they will order it and assemble it and only charge 25-50 dollars more than the total parts cost to assemble it

yeah 1500+ for that system? By using Tigerdirect.com and Newegg.com you can make a much better system for less than 1/3 the cost. I built a high end system for 300. You can do much better, much cheaper than this crazy setup.

This article fails. First of all, wireless keyboard and mouse? It's not even a good mouse. Then you give one option for each. And a Dell surround system? You literally spent more time talking about the chair then you did the motherboard. You should go back to your desk, and after you hang your head in shame, you should do some actual research, and piece together a gaming rig and do it for under the amount you quoted. You can't build a $1500 computer when it costs more than $1500. Someone up there at AOL needs to hire me. I'm sick of this subpar content.

Although this article has a good concept, that rig is sub-par and will be obsolete in only a year or so. There are laptops out with a stronger setup than that now. And who the hell would go with a wireless mouse/keyboard setup for gaming. The reaction time is terrible.