- Fast Dual Core Processor
- Low Cost
- 2GB Of Slower DDR2 Memory
- Lacks FireWire
- Gaming System Without a Dedicated Graphics Card
- Intel Core Duo E8300 Dual Core Processor
- 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
- 500GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 20x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
- NVIDIA GeForce 7050 Integrated Graphics
- HDA Audio
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Six USB 2.0
- Vista Home Premium
10/22/08 - IBuyPower's GS-900 desktop is really designed as a kit desktop system more than a stand alone PC. This is because the system is really a platform for a consumer to build a low cost gaming computer by adding in a number of upgrades. This makes the GS-900 kind of a mixed in how it could be used.
A processor is a key component to any gaming rig. A slow processor will hamper any high powered graphics rig. Because of this, the GS-900 comes equipped with a very strong Intel Core 2 Duo E8300 dual core processor that is not typically seen within the budget desktop segment. This provides it with a strong base platform but it is hampered by the memory used with it. To save money, IBuyPower has decide to only include 2GB of memory and slower PC2-5300 rather than more traditional PC2-6400. This is definitely the first aspect that users would want to upgrade.
One big thing required for any gaming system is a dedicated graphics board. To date, there has not really been an integrated solution that can be used for modern PC gaming at any quality detail levels. It is thus a mystery that no such card comes with the IBuyPower GS-900. This is where it is a platform more than a system. The low cost allows users to easily add their own $100 graphics card to the system and match the price of many other budget systems and yet make it capable of PC gaming.
Consumers should be wary of a system such as the GS-900 though. Overall, the system costs less than the parts used to make it. This generally means that there will be corners cut in the production of a system. In the case of the GS-900, the quality of the installation of the components within the system is less than one might expect from a system integrator.
