Expert: Bobbert - 8/28/2011

Question
Hi

Im looking to buy a high end desktop computer. I want this to last a few years atleast. It should be capable of playing games too ad should be able to do basic things like web browsing, office working etc. The specs I thought would be good are:

Intel CE i5-2400 3.10GHz 6MB L3 Cache Processor
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit)
6GB 1333Mhz Memory
Single nVidia GTX 460 1x1GB Graphics
1TRB SATA Hard Drive

These specs seem like they should last me a few years. I also looked up some pc's and here is the one


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-Alienware-R3-5477-Desktop-2400-3-1GHz/dp/tech-data/

I was really impressed with the alienware and tried the customise tool to find my pc costing about 1300pounds with my custom specs (including monitor) It also looks very cool.

I do not want to go down the road of building a pc

What is your advice? is the alienware aurora a good choice? do you have any other suggestions?

Answer
That system should work, although I'm not sure you're getting the best value for your money. The GTX 460 is somewhat dated, I'd prefer to see the newer 560/570 series hardware. Otherwise you're looking at the latest and greatest OS from Microsoft, more than enough RAM, and a good Intel processor. Disk capacity is relative to your needs, but 1TB is generally more than most users will need, so that should be suitable as well.

Regarding "future proof", there are no guarantees, but if recent trends are any indication, we should not be seeing any dramatic or substantial changes in the demands of new applications (at least in the short term (1-3 years)). As long as your new system comes with a quality power supply and PCI Express capabilities (the Alienware should have both), you can replace the graphics card as demands change over the next few years (without changing any additional hardware). Whether or not this is even going to be required is hard to say; older schools of thought would advocate a new graphics adapter ever 12 to 18 months (to ensure compatibility and performance with newer 3D titles), however recent trends (last 2-3 years) have counter-indicated this - graphics cards from years ago are still relevant. Eventually that will change.

All other tasks, such as web browsing and word processing, are easily handled by machines ten years old - this is not likely to change, so anything you purchase that is capable of gaming, will have absolutely no trouble with those kinds of tasks.

I would suggest checking Dell's direct retail website (www.dell.com), and comparing the XPS systems to their Alienware offerings; you can probably save a bit of coin by dropping the premium branding.

-bob