Looking for new PC suggestions

I need a new PC badly. I want to spend around $1500. I need it for gaming really and just internet/email.

I can build, but I thought it would save me some headache by buying a XPS system.

I could save money by skipping a new widescreen LCD and keeping my 19" that I have.

Are the XPS' worth it? Would I get a better system by building my own?

Still stay away from Vista?

thanks!

The base XPS system is the only one near your 1500 mark and it's not that great of a system. You could build a better one on your own.

-LG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black IDE Model GSA-H42LK BK - OEM

-Antec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

- Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

- EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

- CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply - Retail

- Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

- ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

- Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6420 - Retail

Price: 1448.93 - 50(Instant rebates) - 130(mail in rebates)= 1268.93 w/o tax
If you want links let me know.