Well alright, but Windows Vista is great. If your going with a computer like this, you would better off get Vista to use DX10. With XP you can't use DX10.
But after I changed it to a quad core, changed the Ram, and changing the OS, I get . . .
$2,471.35 With Tax and Shipping
The parts would be:
Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146777
Great Timings
Operating System:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116378
64 Bit XP, I would still highly recommend going Vista. If you don't, no DX10 for you. That means you can't run Crysis on Very High settings, or some other games in a DX10 mode(Which looks A LOT better than DX9)
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
It is an Old CPU, bit it is still good. If you want to spend a little more money and get a bit more performance I would get a Quad core from the Yorkfield family. The differences are a higher FSB speed and 4Mbs more L2 Cashe. That CPU would be thing one right here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041
Totals with shipping and tax are:
Total with The Q6600 is: $2,471.35
Total with The Q9550 is: $2,610.45
Still saving $400 when you get better Ram and a Quad Core CPU, which is quite a steal from the Alienware. What is this system on Alienware's website cost? Probably a lot more due to the Ram and Quad Core.
ALSO! HOLYSKY
Please tell me why you would go with that GPU?
Look here, the VANTAGE 3Dmark GPU score is 14017 while the 260GTX has a GPU score of 8408? That's almost double!
Look at the Pic here:
And here, in the first coloum is a single card being run, first row.
You just posted evidence that that GPU is worse than the 4870X2!