Pick My Next Computer

[Carver]

I've decided to replace my HP a1540n AMD64 machine with a new one.

I am cost conscious and have been looking at the following three machines:

HP p6310y
Gateway DX4831-01e
Gateway SX2840-01 (seems to be the same machine as the DX but in a smaller box)

stats:
HP Pavilion p6310y Gateway DX4831-01e
Price $599 $549
CPU 2.8GHz AMD Phenom II X4 630 2.93GHz Intel Core i3 530
Memory 6GB 1,066MHz DDR3 SDRAM 6GB DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics 256MB (shared) Nvidia GeForce 9100 integrated graphics chip 32MB (shared) Intel GMA HD integrated graphics chip
Hard drives 1TB, 7,200rpm 1TB, 7,200rpm
Optical drive dual-layer DVD burner dual-layer DVD burner
Networking 10/100 Ethernet LAN 10/100 Ethernet LAN, Gigabit Ethernet
Operating system Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)


more stats: (pls disregard the Apple)
Gateway SX2840-01 Apple Mac Mini (2.26GHz, 160GB, Fall 2009)
Price $559 $599
CPU 2.93GHz Intel Core i3-530 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7550
Memory 6GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM 2GB 1,067 DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics 64MB (shared) Intel GMA X4500 integrated graphics chip 256MB (shared) Nvidia GeForce 9400M integrated graphics chip
Hard drives 1TB, 7,200rpm 160GB, 7,200rpm
Optical drive dual-layer DVD burner dual-layer DVD burner
Networking Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n
Operating system Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

You can read all that right?

Will a 32/64MB Intel GMA chipset be able to run Civ well?

Civ and videos are the most graphically demanding things I do (no first-person shooters). I was worried when I saw the 32mb GMA chipset.


There are some machines that cost about $200 more with the AMD Phenom II Quad Core - but are those worth it?

Thanks.

 

[kdlancer]

I strongly recommend you get something with a better graphics card. The graphics cards (or chips in this case) won't be able to handle any current-gen games or any upcoming games very well.

 

[J.Rose]

Along this line of thinking, I am also thinking of getting a new desktop. What kind of things should I be looking for that will be necessary to play this game and newer games to come out. I would also like to keep it under $1000.00 or at least close. Or is there brand and model suggestion? Any input will be a help.