New PC (finally)

[Andres]

Well, I've finally decided to start watching out for a new PC

I really don't know much about hardware, but I have been told that a current promotion in our local PC shop is very interesting.

Here are the specifics:

Operating System : Windows Vista Home Premium
CPU : Intel QuadCore Q6600 (2.40Ghz)
Case : Aopen QF50D
Motherboard : Intel Dragontail Peak
RAM : DDR2 4GB
Hard drive : WD 500GB (7200rpm)
DVD Burner : DVDR+-RW+R9 SATA
Video card : GeForce 8600GT 512Mb PCI-E
Lan : 10/100/1000 Mbps
Sound : Audio 7.1 HD Audio
CardReader : All In One
Keyboard/Mouse : Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 110

It comes at 899,00 € (I live in Belgium) and frankly, that's about as much as I'm willing to spend on it.

Is this a good deal?

Note : I'm looking for something decent which allows me to 1) keep gaming for about 2 years without having to upgrade ; 2) a system that is upgradable.

EDIT : Here I am, wearing my shiny "infallible and perfect moderator"-suit, posting in the wrong forum LEN, can you discretely move this to the Hard- and Software forum?

[FactionHeir]

Hmmm that's a desktop right?
The prince looks about right, maybe a tiny bit high as the graphics card is relatively low end compared to what you can get nowadays. Note that the second part of its number (600) is what's really important. So a 7900 is for instance better than a 8600. Figure you can get an upgrade of that?

[Andres]

Hmmm that's a desktop right??

Desktop indeed. And I forgot to mention: it comes with a free copy of Assassin's Creed

The prince looks about right, maybe a tiny bit high as the graphics card is relatively low end compared to what you can get nowadays. Note that the second part of its number (600) is what's really important. So a 7900 is for instance better than a 8600. Figure you can get an upgrade of that?

So, my good ol' ATI Radeon 9800 is a better card?

They sell that system pre-assembled, but I know one of the guys who works there, so it should be possible to get something better, but it'll probably cost me more.

Any recommendations?

[FactionHeir]

Well, I have no idea about ATI, so can't answer that

But yes, generally you look at both the series and at the suffix (LE, GT, GTS, GS, and what not)

[Andres]

Ok, thnx for the tip

Now, the hardest part of this purchase will be convincing my lovely wife about the absolute neccessity of a new PC...

[FactionHeir]

Tell her you need it to run word better. Or convince her with the flashy new Vista (even though I think anyone would agree downgrading to XP would be better)

How many computers do you have at home though, if only one, then you can LAN up. If two, you got a home proxy now.