Need help on choosing a gaming desktop

[sagat231]

So I am thinking of buying the alienware x51 desktop for gaming.(To be able to play Planetside 2 on ultra or high with no lag)
So which one is the best...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienware---X51-Desktop---6GB-Memory---1TB-Hard-Drive/6912556.p?skuId=6912556&productCategoryId=pcmcat143400050013&id=1218812711766#tab=specifications

or...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienware+-+Desktop+-+6GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive/4819186.p?id=1218535466777&skuId=4819186&st=alienware%20x51&cp=1&lp=1


One has an 3rd gen i5 with a GTX 660 and the other one has a 2nd gen i7 with a GT 545.
I don't really know the difference so I would also like to know why it's better than the other.
(If theres a better desktop with prices around 1000 please tell,it also has to be in best buy.)

 

[johnsonjohnson]

Hi. The i5 with the GTX 660 is the best of the two and all desktop less than $1000 at Best Buy if you must buy one from them.

Edit: It's funny and sad that the next best GPU is a GTX 650 and a lot of GT 630 and GT 620. If you're willing to build one, you can get a much better desktop for that budget.

 

[sagat231]

Best answer selected by sagat231.

 

[sagat231]

Ok, thank you I'm going to buy it now .

 

[johnsonjohnson]

You're welcome. I can't help but feel a little sad inside.

 

[sagat231]

Why?

 

[tiny voices]

Why?

You can build a computer twice as good for the same price.

 

[johnsonjohnson]

What tiny voices said but I understand that not everyone can build a PC for various reasons.

 

[sagat231]

You can build a computer twice as good for the same price.

Ya, I would build it my own if I had any experience or help with it.

 

[tiny voices]

Its not very hard at all. There are many guides online to help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

 

[tiny voices]

With your budget you could build a computer that can max games for a while and a few years down the road still play games on high settings.

This alienware will only get you high settings within a year and won't be very upgradeable.

 

[johnsonjohnson]

It's not very hard if you're willing to try. Everyone has to start somewhere right? But you are entitled to make your own decision and we're just here to help. Here's a building guide with videos just so you get some idea of how it's done even if you're going to buy a PC. Who knows it might come in handy someday: http://techreport.com/review/23624/how-to-build-a-pc-the-tech-report-guide

 

[sagat231]

Ok, I'll try to look into it and learn some things.
If it really is easy then maybe I'll build it if not then I'll stick with pre-builds.
Thank you for all your help and recommendations.

 

[johnsonjohnson]

You're welcome and remember that we're here to help if you need it.