ExtremeTech suggested a sub $500 gaming rig: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0%2C2845%2C2346481%2C00.asp

I think the specs are really good but, in my opinion, the rub is that they quoted prices from many different retailers. They didn't calculate shipping or the fact hot deals go fast.

I also think they could save $22 off the price by not including the optical drive. I would just use a mapped drive from another computer or get a DVD-ROM for $15.00 (if'ing I didn't just have a stack of them laying around.).

What do you guy's think?

That looks like a pretty decent system. Much better than the one I use for gaming! I'd game on it!