Hi, im just stuck deciding which is better comp for me, the gateway FX or the alienware auroara 7500. I will be using it for gaming for games like Counterstrike source and others. these are the specs for them, the alienware doesnt include the monitor or speakers which I will buy for both from another website merchant(so add $260 and they will both equal) but the gateway, i just included the 19 inch monitor and logitech X 140 speakers from them . they equal to a total of my $1700 budget including a monitor , speakers and everything.(confusing lol but just look at the specs)


Alienware Auroara 7500 specs:

Alienware P2 Chassis: Alienware® P2 Chassis with AlienIce™ 3.0 Video Cooling - Space Black
System Lighting: Alienware® Standard System Lighting - Astral Blue
High-Performance Liquid Cooling: Alienware® Standard System Cooling
Power Supply: Alienware® 750 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
Graphics Processor: Single Graphics Processor - 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800 GT
Processor: AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5200+ Processor w/ HyperTransport and Dual Core Technology
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Motherboard: Alienware® Approved NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI Motherboard
Operating System (Office software not included): Windows Vista® Home Premium – DirectX 10 Ready!
Desktop Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 250GB SATA 3Gb/s 7,200RPM 16MB Cache
Optical Drives : Single Drive Configuration - 20X Dual-Layer DVD±RW
Enthusiast Essentials: Dual High Performance Gigabit Ethernet Ports
Sound Card: High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio - Standard
Monitor: No Monitor
Keyboard: Alienware® USB Full-Size Keyboard
Mouse : Standard Optical 3-Button Mouse with Scroll Wheel
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
AlienContact: Added Bonus with any AlienSupport Selection
AlienContact - Remote Alienware Support
Security Software: McAfee® VirusScan Plus – 30-Day Free Trial Factory Installed!
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mesh Cap
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mousepad
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Desktop Binder
Alienware Extras: Owner Identification Card
Alienware Extras: Internal Wire Management

TOTAL:$1,437 including tax and free shipping plus 260 for monitor and speakers=about $1700



Gateway FX530XG:

Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (32-bit)
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (2.40GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 8MB cache)
Memory: 2048MB 667MHz Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2-1024MB modules) .........[-$60.00]
Hard Drive: 250GB 7200rpm Serial ATA II/300 hard drive w/ 8MB cache
Optical Drive: 16X Super MFDVDRW/DVD-RAM+/-R Double Layer
Video: Gateway(EVGA)GeForce 8800 GTS 320mb
Sound: Not Included .........[-$79.00]
Media Card Reader: 9-in-1 Memory Card Reader
Additional Software: Adobe® Acrobat Reader® 7.0 and Google Toolbar
Application Software: Microsoft® Works 8.5
Backup Media: Cyberlink Power2Go (for Windows Vista® Home Premium and Ultimate)
Chassis: Gateway® 7-bay BTX tower case
Chipset: Intel® 975X Chipset with DDR2 Support and Intel® Core™ Duo support
Color: FX Logo Accent - Copper Core
Expansion Slots: (3) PCI Expansion Slots, (1) PCI-E x4 Expansion Slot, (1) PCI-E x16 Expansion Slot.
External Ports: (7) USB 2.0 (2 in front, 1 in media card reader and 4 in back), (3) IEEE 1394 Firewire (2 in front and 1 in back), (2) PS/2, (1) Microphone, front audio ports
Internet Service Provider: 90-day America Online® Internet access
Keyboard: Gateway® Elite Keyboard (Windows Vista® Certified)
Motherboard: Intel® 975X Chipset with DDR2 and Intel® Core™ Duo support
Mouse: Soft-touch USB Optical Wheel Mouse
Network: Integrated Intel® 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) Ethernet
Operating System Backup Media: Windows Vista® Home Premium Backup Media (32-bit)
Power Supply: 700-Watt Power Supply
Security Software: McAfee® 90-day Internet Security Suite Complimentary Subscription with VirusScan, Personal Firewall Plus, SpamKiller & Privacy Service v. 1.2 (for Windows Vista®)
Software Documentation: End User License Agreement for Non-Microsoft Software
Warranty: 1 Year Value Plan (Tech Support - Parts - Factory Labor)
Monitor: Gateway® 19" Widescreen Ultrabright High Definition LCD Display .........[$239.00]
Wireless Network: PCI Wireless LAN 802.11 b/ g Broadcom 4318e .........[$25.00]
Modem: 56K PCI Data/ Fax Modem



TOTAL with tax free shipping etc. with monitor and speakers, about $1700


So which do you think is better? Thanks for your help

The Gateway has a better CPU and video card. The Alienware is really overpriced given it's running an AMD X2 5200+ CPU. You could build the Alienware with the AMD X2 5000+ Black Edition that you can easily overclock for for around $1000 to $1200 depending on some of the components, e.g., case, PSU.

the alienware has a 8800gt better than the 8800gts either way they both suck!

My mistake on the video card Agree, could build a better machine for a lot less money but if the OP wants to buy, the Gateway would be better for the money

Will the ALienware mobo last longer?As in if a new proccessor comes out in like a year or so will that mobo fit the socket type or will they change it?Im probably just gunna get the alienware for i already ordered that gateway on the 10/13 and they delayed TWICE, i was supposde dto get it on 11/6 but after the second delay its supposded to arrive 12/14, lol they could delay that too, For Gateway service sucks and the staff on the phone are dumb, plus ima buy a better monitor than the gateway monitor, but the Alienware isnt a super bad choice compared to the FX right?

The Alienware mobo should handle to new AMD quad core CPUs so you could upgrade. The problem with that computer is that it is really expensive for an X2 5200+ processor. Suggest you go to newegg.com and create a wish list of the parts in the Alienware just to see how much more your spending. If you don't want to put it together your self, you could likely get a local shop to build it for $75 to at most $100.