[QUOTE="Bozanimal"][QUOTE="codezer0"] The Dell's board could potentially accept a Core 2 Duo, which would perform a lot faster obviously.
However, if you can only accept between these two and are unable to upgrade for quite a while (as in, foreseeably at least another year), then I would go with the AMD because it'd be much faster htan that Pentium D, and you're more likely to be able to get one of the AM2-based Phenom processors to work on the system; by comparison, you'd already have to throw away and start new on the intel side, as they're making it so that the Penryn core chips they're coming out with will only work on that new P35 chipset with DDR3 RAM.
Also, what are the video choices with each of these systems? The intel one could very well be stuck with some intel GMA stuff, which would effectively kill any performance it might have had. Even a Core 2 QX6800 looks positively worthless when it's paired up with some intel GMA 950 video.
tubbyc
Codezer0 makes some good points for a system builder, but tubbyc sounds more like an end-user to me. While many people build their own PC, it can become time-intensive and frustrating when you put in all the research and potential troubleshooting involved. Plus, you have no support if you can't figure out how to get it to work outside online forums (the manufacturers like to blame other components, like calling the MoBo manufacturer to be told its the graphics card, the Graphics card manufacturer to be told its the memory, etc.).
tubbyc, based on what you have said so far, I would consider a specialist, unless budget is a major factor. Alienware or IBuyPower are going to have higher quality internal components that you can build off of if you decide to do some tinkering yourself later on. Dell and Compaq have custom motherboards and it can be difficult to find specification on them if you want to make any modifications inside, such as using the unlabeled USB headers (argh!). Make sure they have strong customer support and the specs you want.
If price is a major factor, consider buying a HP from Best Buy or Circuit City. The company itself has relatively good customer support, you can return the PC to a physical store (which can be easier than RMA'ing), and HP has dirt cheap prices. You sacrifice some component quality, however, so be sure you know what you're getting. Best of luck.
The topic title and original post are kind of misleading now. At first I was looking at the "recommended" requirements for Crysis and so I figured a Pentium D should be all I want. But after getting some feedback here and doing some more research, I have decided to play it safe and go for something much more powerful, so I don't end up disappointed. The cost is not a factor at all.
I wouldn't trust myself to build a system. The computer I described in my first post on this page is what I'm heavily leaning towards. It would be extremely powerful don't you think? I have found that Dell have good customer support as well.
I would strongly dissuade you from the Dell retail line if you are going to go hardcore with the system specs. Consider a Dell XPS system, which has better build quality and customer support. I would also re-recommend an Alienware system. They are pricey, but you get what you pay for. Read more over at HardOCP regarding the build quality of various suppliers (click the Main Menu, then choose "Gaming Systems"). Good luck.
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