Newbie looking for guidance

[toons]

I am looking for a new system. And I would appreciate your input.

This is going to be used by the family. Upgrading from an old AMD Athlon System.
Used for:

Gaming: Rollercoaster Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon, Medal of Honor
Photo Editing, DVD Editing
Email
Net surfing

Budget of $500 to $600

I have found the following 2 systems available:


Gateway GM5485E Quad Core DVDRW 400GB 2GB
Manufacturer: Gateway
Model: GM5485E
Processor Brand: Intel
Processor Class: Core 2 Quad Q6600
Processor Speed: 2.40 GHZ
Memory: 2 GB
Hard Drive: 400 GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm
Optical Drive: DVD±RW/-RAM Dual Layer
Media Reader: Integrated
Sound: Integrated 8-Channel High Definition
Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
Network: 10/100
Monitor: Not Included
Keyboard: Included
Mouse: Included
Speakers: Not Included
USB Ports: 8
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Additonal Features: TV Tuner
Condition: Refurbished


Gateway FX7020 Refurbished Desktop PC - AMD Phenom 9600+ 2.3GHz, 3GB DDR2, 500GB SATA II, NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT, Analog/Digital TV, 10/100 LAN, DVDRW Labelflash, Vista Home Premium
Condition: Factory Refurbished
Operating Systems: Genuine Windows® Vista™ Home Premium
Platform: PC
Orientations Allowed: Vertical
Form Factor: Minitower
Bays: 2 - 5.25" Drive Bays
1 - 3.5" Drive Bays
Internal Bays: 2 - 3.5" Drive Bays
Available 3.5" Drive Bays: 0
Available 5.25" Drive Bays: 1
PCI Slots (Total): 1
PCI Slots (Available): 0
PCI Express X1 Slots (Total): 2
PCI Express X1 Slots (Available): 1
PCI Express X16 Slots (Total): 1
PCI Express X16 Slots (Available): 0
Expansion Slots: 4
USB Ports: 6
Processor Brand: AMD
Processor Class: Phenom
Processor Number: 9600
Processor Speed: 2.30GHz
Processors Supported: 1
Processors Onboard: 1
Memory Type: DDR2
Memory Size: 2 x 512MB, 2 x 1GB
Total Memory: 3.0GB
Memory Speed: DDR2 667 (PC2-5300)
Memory Slots (Total): 4
Memory Slots (Available): 0
Maximum Memory Supported: 4.0GB
Interface: SATA II
Capacity: 500GB
Speed: 7,200RPM
Optical Drive Type: DVD±RW Dual Layer Labelflash
Type: Media Reader
Capacity: 15-in-1
Audio Description: Integrated Audio
Audio Chipset: High Definition
Channels: 7.1
Graphics Description: PCI-Express x16 Video Card
GPU/VPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Video Memory: 512MB Memory
Video Interface: S-Video
2 DVI
Graphics Description: PCI Express TV Tuner
Video Interface: S-Video
Stereo Audio
Coaxial TV
Coaxial ATSC
Communications Description: Integrated LAN Support
Interface Type: RJ-45 - Ethernet Connector
Chipset: Intel 82562V
Data Transfer Rate: 10/100 LAN
Communications Description: Integrated 56Kbps Modem
Interface Type: RJ-11 - Phone Connector
Protocols: V.92
Power: 400 Watt

The systems seem close, but AMD phenom vs Intel Q6600 and the different GPU's.
The more I read the more confused I get. Maybe I even have to much CPU for what we will be doing and could just use a dual core.

Any advice appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[cjl]

The AMD system has a significant disadvantage in the CPU department. Despite this, it will still flatten the Intel machine for games, as the 8800GT is about a hundred times faster than the 8500. The Intel would win for photo editing and the like, and by a decent margin, but it isn't near as much of a difference as the video cards are.

Of course, building it yourself is the best choice IMHO.

 

[megamanx00]

The thing about the AMD system is that it is using a 9600 instead of a 9650. If the BIOS has the TLB bug fix enabled performance is going to be pretty bad. If there is an option in the BIOS to turn off that fix then performance is going to be pretty darn good. Even so considering that the AMD system has more RAM, a bigger hard drive, and a better video card I recommend just buying the AMD system. Since it's ment for gaming it should have the option in the BIOS to turn off the TLB bug fix, but if not you can get a Phenom 9650 or 9750 pretty cheap now adays and the system will be good to go

 

[englandr753]

I would rather see you take that 600 bucks and build it yourself. Its sooo much easier than you would expect and you will get a much better system without the bloatware that the pc manufacturers like to put on thier operating systems.

Heres your instruction guide and thank me later when you are done:
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1444

If you are interested in doing this just simply ask, or better yet make another post of what components you need for the budget you want to spend and you will get several suggestions and you can make a decision from there.

Cheers!