I am currently looking for a new gaming computer, with a very small budget of $500. A friend of mine reccommended this computer:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4016612&csid=ITD&body=QA#tabs I would like to get your imput on this computer, as well as any reccommendations over this one.

The specs: Specifications

Form Factor: microATX
Processor Speed: E2200 / 2.20GHz
Memory Size: 2 x 1024MB
Capacity (GB): 160
GPU/VPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Form Factor: ATX Mid-Tower
Processor Interface: Socket 775
Memory Speed: 800MHz PC6400
Processor Interface: Socket 775
RAMDAC: Dual 400 MHz
Interface: Serial ATA-300


Compatible Motherboards: ATX
Micro ATX
Processors Supported: Intel PENTIUM 4 LGA775
Intel Pentium D 8xx
Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Core 2 Extreme, Intel Pentium D 9xx, Intel Core 2 Quad, Intel Celeron D 4XX
Processor Class: Pentium Dual Core
Memory CAS Latency: 4-4-4-15
Fill Rate per Second: 8.64 Billion pixels
Memory Type: Dual Channel DDR2
Processor Core: Allendale
Spindle Speed (RPM): 7200
Side Panel Type: Vented
Front Side Bus: 1333MHz
Cache Size: 1MB
Buffer Memory: 8MB
Pins: 240
Bus Speed: 800MHz
Power Supply: 450 Watt


Additional Technologies: Enhanced Halt State
Dual-Core
Enhanced Intel Speedstep
Intel® EM64T
Execute Disable Bit
Intel® Thermal Monitor 2


Additional Features: DirectX 10
OpenGL 2.0
SLI Ready
HDTV Ready
RoHS Compliant
Average Seek (msec): <8.9
Average Latency (msec): 4.2
Material: STEEL
Architecture: 65 nm
Track-to-Track Seek Time (typical read, ms): 2.0
Wattage: 65W
Full Stroke Seek Time (normal seek): 21.0
Core Stepping: M0
Maximum Resolution: 2560 x 1600 (Digital)
Fan: Not Included
Maximum External Transfer Rate (Mbits/sec): 300
Data Transfer Rate on Serial ATA: Up to 3000 Mb/sec
Northbridge: NVIDIA nForce 630i
Video Memory: 256MB
External 5.25" Drive Bays: 4
Southbridge: NVIDIA GeForce 7100
Memory Type: GDDR3
Bytes Per Sector: 512
Core Clock: 620 MHz
External 3.5" Drive Bays: 1
Memory Interface: 128-bit
INTERNAL 3.5" Drive Bays: 5
Memory Clock: 1600 MHz
Shader Clock: 1355 MHz
Expansion Slots: 7
Stream Processors: 32
Memory Bandwidth: 22.4GB/sec.
Number of Slots: 2
Interface Type: PCI Express
Front USB Ports: 2
Number of Pins: 240-Pin
Interface Speed: x16
Maximum Memory Supported: 4GB
Connector(s): Dual DVI (Dual Link)
HDTV/S-Video

Front Audio Ports: 2
Memory Supported: 800MHz DDR2
Multiple Monitors Support: Yes
Temperature, Operating (°C): 5 to 55
Channels: 8 Channels
Temperature, Nonoperating (°C): -40 to 65
Shock, Operating: 2 msec (Gs): 65
Shock, Nonoperating: 2 msec (Gs): 350
120mm Fan Ports: 2
120mm Fans Included: None
Video Chipset: Integrated VGA Engine in Chipset


Type: OEM
Dimensions: 1.028" x 5.787" x 4.0"
Supported Devices: 2
Hard Drive TYPES: ATA/100
USB Version: 2.0
USB Data Transfer Rates: 480Mbps
LAN Type: 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit
Port Type: RJ-45
PCI Slots: 2
PCI Express X1 Slots: 1
PCI Express X16 Slots: 1
PS/2 Keyboard Connectors: 1
PS/2 Mouse Connectors: 1
USB Ports: 10
USB Rear Panel Ports: 4
USB Onboard Headers: 3 - (expandable to 6 USB ports)
LAN Ports: 1
Audio Out Jacks: 2
LINE In Jacks: 1
Microphone Jacks: 1
Center Audio Jacks: 1
Subwoofer Audio Out Jacks: 1
IDE Headers: 1
FDD Headers: 1
Serial ATA Headers: 4
ATX Power Connectors: 1 24-Pin Connector
PC Power Connectors: 1 - 8 Pin
Fan Connectors: 2 x Chassis
1 x CPU
S/PDIF Connectors: 1 - Coaxial
HDMI Ports: 1
VGA Ports: 1
Length: 9.600 in. (24.5 cm)
Width: 9.600 in. (24.5 cm)

Welcome to the forum.
What kind of games do you plan on playing?
Do you already have a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and operating system?
And what's your computer knowledge like, would you be able to build a computer yourself?Thanks! My computer knowledge is rather small, but i am in the process of learning. My friend knows a LOT more than I do, and he often advises me. He has customized computers for a few other friends, and he has offered to help me. As for gaming, I plan on playing some more graphically advanced games than I do now. Currently i have a GeForce 7400 and am able to play most games at a low setting. I'm not planning on playing Crisis on high settings, but I would like to play World in Conflict and Company of Heroes at higher settings. I would like to play Mass Effect as well. I do not have a keyboard yet, and could use a better monitor, but i have a mouse and OS. Whilst that computer isn't great by today's standards, it would give you a good performance increase over that 7400.
I don't think you'll get any better for the price.
However, you might be better upgrading your build - can you tell us the rest of your specs?The Processor is 2.2 ghz, and I can't tell the power supply. This may not be the greatest machine available, but im just looking for something better than what i have now. My current build is a laptop, so upgrading is near impossible. This would be my first real desktop. As for the 8600 video card, i will probably end up buying an 8800 to replace it.Oh, it's a laptop . . . I should've guessed from the video card.
You're right, you can always upgrade the card later on.
By all means then, go for that deal.
Let us know.