Need new gaming desktop 700-1000 $

Gaming Desktop!

Ok so im currently on the lookout for anything between 700 and 1000 dollars.

Perhaps a second question (that i think i already know the answer) cheaper to build it? My current desktop is built but is slowly becoming out of date... Fallout 3 is my main goal at this point for full on graphics.
Current Specs:

Fallout 3 is just Oblivion. You shouldn't have too much trouble building a machine that can run it well.

My cheap recommendation:

Core 2 Quad.
2.5 GB of RAM (I put the .5 if you like to play GTA IV)
500 GB HD
Nvdia 9800 GT 1 GB

These simple specs should be able to run it on at least high and save you a lot of money :3

Might as well spend a cpl hundead more if 1000 is your limit go up and get the best so you can enjoy it longer and play newer games as they are released instead of having to get new hardware or a new computer >.>

Most RAM requirements go for 3GB+, so 2 or 2.5 doesn't seem to cut it anymore. Core 2 Duo is okay, but I've had problems integrating it with video games, so something like the Quad is a better bet. Hard drive space isn't as necessary, but it's always good to have 20+GB of free space. I think the video card is the most important factor. Make sure it's a recent version that also packs its own RAM and processing.

I am not going to build one for you, but my brother managed to make a rig for just barely under $1000 with a Core i7 and Radeon HD 4890. Remember, the better you build it now, the longer it will last before it gets outdated. i7's don't look like they are going to be replaced too soon.

Look up the intel i9 processor that's in the works and tell me that the i7 won't be obsolete soon. Word is that once the i9's come out Intel is going to cease production of the entire i7 line.

-EDIT-
If I were you, I would wait for another year or two for Intel to fully unveil the new 'Core-family' line of processors. they plan to have four (or three, if they do decide to scrap the i7 production line when the i9's hit the market) branded unit types; the i3, the i5, the i7(?), and the i9. It will basically ascend in a "good, better, best, plain-and-outright-badass" kind of hierarchy, with the i3's being more basic entry-level units and the i9's being uber-shweet gaming desktop type units. (cool tidbit of info for y'all; supposedly the i3 processors are going to be primarily for laptops and low-end desktop units and will have an interesting feature: they are built as a quad-core unit, but only two of the four cores are to be used for CPU processes. The other two cores will be part of an integrated GPU system that is part of the processor itself. In other words, you won't have to pay extra for a fancy GPU unit because the main CPU will also be doing the functions of the GPU via a 50/50 split of the four cores. Interesting, no?)

Motherboard
RAM
CPU
HDD
PSU
GPU

This is a build Ive sort of made on newegg. You have an i7 @2.8GHz, an SLI/Crossfire motherboard should you want another GPU, 4GB of DDR3, 500GB HDD, 650W PSU, and a GTX 260, which -combined with the i7- is more than enough to run Fallout 3.

I didnt do the math, I kind of rushed it, but this comes out to about $950 to $1000 (tax not included).

Also, youll need to buy another case if you go with this unless your current form factor is ATX. If you need to buy a new one, this'll put you over your budget by about $200. (all depending on which case you get)

Here's a really good one from Antec, but it's pretty expensive.

Antec Twelve Hundred Case

Though I will have to say, Im not including an OS with this because thats I kind of expect you to have. Im just assuming you already have an OS disc with you to install since you have a year old computer.

If you need thermal paste, use Arctic Silver 5

Alienware is overrated imo.
You still don't get bang for buck it's just an overpriced Dell.

Might as well build your own system catfish's system is an excellent setup.

I can't agree more with this comment.

Building your own PC will save you some money, assuming you know how.
My last system I saved about 200 bucks doing it myself(shipping can get pricey).

HOWEVER, if there is a problem with any of the many components you get, it is your problem.
Something goes wrong, first you need to find out what, where, and why. If you can fix it yourself, if you can send it back for a new one, if sending it back will even solve the problem, and so on.
For this reason alone(ignoring the days of research to see if all the hardware works together, being here it's already done here), I'll never make my own computer again. It can be a ass load of fun, or total frustrating hell.

Buying one from a company removes those problems. They research it, make it, send it, and If something is wrong, send it back or send someone to you to fix it.
Well worth the money.


On the Alienware note:
Yes they are expensive, however compared to any other true gaming computer company, which there are not many, I have not seen an increase in price. Dell or HP computers often don't have graphics cards. Meaning cheaper power supply, motherboard, and 100-500 bucks off for the lack of a card. THAT is why they cost more.

I don't want to argue specifics, because I don't want to look around and compare over something I doubt will change many minds.
Alienware is owned by dell, however I have not seen a disadvantage to that fact yet. They still test and tweak the computers before sending them out, they still have great Tech Support(best I've dealt with to date). The only difference is they can pump out a computer in around 10 days rather than 30.