Hi, I am looking at two PCs that are both around the same price.
I was wondering if someone could tell me which is the better machine, I'm planning on running GTA IV and Flight Sim X at 1440x900.


first one is..
:Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 2.66GHzx4cores
:Graphic Card: Nvidia Geforce 9500GT 1024MB Dvi/Hdmi Dual Link
:Intel G31 Chipset Motherboard.
:2X2GB high quality DDR 800 Ram, Dual Channel memory architecture
:8 channel, High Definition Audio
:10/100 Ethernet, Broadband Modem ready
:4X300mb/s eSata
:6 USB ports
:High speed 2X2GB DDR2 800 RAM
:500GB, highspeed SATA2 Hard Disk
:CD/DVD Writer/Dual layer.
:Tower Case with front 2Xusb ports , 2XAudio Jacks, 420W Power Supply.

and the second..
:AMD Quad Core Processor Phenom x 4 9650 2.3GHzx4cores
:Graphic Card: Nvidia Geforce 9500GT 1024MB Graphic Card DVI/HDMI
:4X2GB high quality DDR 800 Ram, Dual Channel memory architecture
:7 channel, High Definition Audio
:10/100 Ethernet, Broadband Modem ready
:6X300mb/s eSata
:8 USB ports (2 at front)
:1TB(1000MB) highspeed 32MB BUFFER SATA2 Hard Disk
:24XCD/DVD Writer, Dual layer.
:TowerCase with front 2Xusb ports , 2XAudio Jacks, 420W Power Supply.
:with asus express gate within a few seconds of powering on you can start web browser (Internet), Skype...

Thanks in advance

Are they two pre-built systems you are looking at?
My advice is build it yourself, post a budget and where you are from then I, and others will be able to help you a lot further.

Im in New Zealand, willing to spend up to around $1000NZD
Is building yourself something easily done by anyone? I have a reasonable knowledge of whats inside a computer but not how to make one.

Building one by yourself shouldn't be too difficult. The manuals that come with all your components should provide you with all the required know-how to put together everything. If it seems too challenging, then at least buy all the components yourself and get someone to assemble it.

Here is something I put together. About $1200NZD. (I'm presuming you don't require a new monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.) Check the link below.

Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case, Black : $156.79

AMD Phenom II X2 550 CPU, 3.1GHz, Socket AM3, Black Edition : $200.09

Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P Motherboard : $257.94

Corsair XMS2, TWIN2X4096-6400C5, 2x2GB, DDR2-800 : $129.67

Western Digital Caviar Black Hard Disk Drive, 500GB : $121.37

LG Electronics GH22LS50 DVD Writer : $79.39

HIS HD4850 IceQ 4 Video Card, Radeon HD 4850, 1024MB : $249.17

Total : $1,194.41

All prices from : http://www.ascent.co.nz/index.aspx

In case the above exceeds your budget, you may replace the motherboard with the Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 that costs $181.67NZD and the case with a Cooler Master CM690 ($144.65). You can also cut down on the HDD and Optical Drive if you please. Then your total would be around $1100.

Ok, thanks for that advice

Yeah, putting together a PC is like playing with Lego, although you should be a bit more careful, it's quite easy.
If you get stuck there is plenty of information around the Internet, and people here will be able to help you.
Building yourself is a lot better, you have a lot more control of what goes into your machine, quality/brand/cost wise and once you have the finished product up and running you have a machine that is yours and you put together, not Dell or Acer.

Just look up some NZ online PC stores and pick all the parts you need that you're wanting. If you want any advice on a system you choose just let us know.

dont get the 9500gt :P i have it and i cant even play GTA IV at 1440x900

Agreed. If this is going to be a gaming rig a better video card should be a consideration. Ritwik7's choice is a good one.

ive heard that the Radeon 4770 is also a really great card , matching the performance of 4830 and its cheaper