Buying a new PC - Can I game on this thing???

Okay, here's what I'm tentatively looking at buying. The reason I am looking at something mainstream is because I want a really good service plan in case anything happens to it. I've been keeping up my own PCfor the past 4-5 years, which I originally bought as a gaming PCmaxed out, but now it's basically completely shot and I'm tired of things dying in it and not being able to fix them. So I figure a mainstream company's going to have better customer service than those more obscure custom PC sites. Secondly, my needs have changed and I know I won't be gaming a whole lot. I'll mostly be downloading stuff, burning DVDs, and doing basic tasks. I'd like to use Avid to do some video editing as well.

So what I'd like to know is if this PC will be able to run the current hot titles and those coming out in the near future at max or close to it? I am not willing to dish out the money to buy a serious gaming machine, but I'd really like to play BioShock and some other cool looking games that have come out since my PC died. Additionally, does this look like a good PC in general? The price will be about $1150.00 total, but that includes the 3 year parts, labor, and on-site warranty as well, which is around $250.00. Thanks a lot, I hope to get some good feedback!

Dell Inspiron 530:
Intel® CoreTM2 Duo Processor E6550 (4MB L2 Cache,2.33GHz,1333 FSB)
Operating System:
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
Memory:
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
Hard Drive:
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst CacheTM
Video Card:
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT-DDR3

plus dual-layer dvd burner, etc.

Play em? Sure. Maxed out? No.

Good processor, good memory, but that video card will hold you back fro "max" settings. Mid/High settings should be within reach on many titles but to max it out you have to be "willing to dish out the money"

Get at 8800gts video card. It will be worth it, that card there is a bottleneckkruesader

The problem is, Dell doesn't offer it with their Inspirons. It does with the XPS, but only the 768MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX is offered, nothing smaller/less expensive. This is unfortunate. I'd love to see a compromise. But given the cost to upgrade to that beast I'd rather just buy an XBOX 360 to be honest. Oh well, last time Iwent overboard and spent $3,000 on a gaming PC only to not fully utilize the power.It's so tempting togo allout, butnow I've got rent andother unfortunateobligations so it looks like the 8600 unless someone can offer me another solution (I'd sure be grateful!!!).

Thanks a lot for all the responses! Love the feedback and please keep it coming!

that computer should be fine, to run anything in the next few years, although you wont be able to run at max settings. however its a bit overpriced for a dell. as the previous poster said, go to a website like fatwallet or do a google search for dell coupons. you should be able to at least get the price down to around 1000 or less with the service plan. If you can afford to wait, dell usually has great sales around november for the christmas season.

Okay, here's what I'm tentatively looking at buying. The reason I am looking at something mainstream is because I want a really good service plan in case anything happens to it. I've been keeping up my own PCfor the past 4-5 years, which I originally bought as a gaming PCmaxed out, but now it's basically completely shot and I'm tired of things dying in it and not being able to fix them. So I figure a mainstream company's going to have better customer service than those more obscure custom PC sites. Secondly, my needs have changed and I know I won't be gaming a whole lot. I'll mostly be downloading stuff, burning DVDs, and doing basic tasks. I'd like to use Avid to do some video editing as well.

So what I'd like to know is if this PC will be able to run the current hot titles and those coming out in the near future at max or close to it? I am not willing to dish out the money to buy a serious gaming machine, but I'd really like to play BioShock and some other cool looking games that have come out since my PC died. Additionally, does this look like a good PC in general? The price will be about $1150.00 total, but that includes the 3 year parts, labor, and on-site warranty as well, which is around $250.00. Thanks a lot, I hope to get some good feedback!

Dell Inspiron 530:
Intel® CoreTM2 Duo Processor E6550 (4MB L2 Cache,2.33GHz,1333 FSB)
Operating System:
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
Memory:
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
Hard Drive:
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst CacheTM
Video Card:
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT-DDR3

plus dual-layer dvd burner, etc.

zekezamn

Dude Ok your going to pay another 250$ for a warranty(service plan) why?? What is there that you can't 'fix' on a pc?The PC you listed can be built for $700 on you own. For $1150.00 you can get 6750 or AMD x2 6400+, better RAM 800mhz, Windows Vista Professional $115.00 and an 8800gt or GTX off of Newegg(no sales tax) The 500gb drive you listed can be bought for less than $100.

You don't "fix" anything on a PC anyway. You replace or upgrade. If your MB or Pwrsupply goes out then you just remove and return it replace it and get a new one. Don't throw money away to Dell when you don't have to.