Vista & DX10 are a package along with the good and the bad. You don't get to pick and choose which parts you get so consumers look at it as a whole. Current adoption rates show that this package is not appealing. I don't know that anything more needs to be said...
I think the biggest issue with Vista is that its not really something one upgrades too. Its too new for mass business adoption - they NEVER upgrade in the first year or two. Hell, some of them are still clinging to windows 2000.
But new computers being sold to consumers, including gamers, are predominantly loaded with Vista. And that's all I really expect.
As for the PC you built spec'd. Well...first my 1k to 2k was targeting -gamers- not people trying to scrimp together a PC that can run games. And simultaneously, not idiots who buy the bleeding edge. But people who choose parts because they are the best value, not necessarily the cheapest.
In your system for example:
1) $77 for 4GB RAM is what kensington value ram? Its alright, but for a bit more you can get something overclocks well. And overclocking is how get fantastic value out of an inexpensive system.
2) the mobo... no complaints
3) cpu...no complaints. I'm partial to the intel chipset and C2D/C2Q, which I think are the better chips. Lower power consumption, lower heat - means quieter operation, etc. So my spec would run 50-100 more here.
4) video card - no complaints
5) p/s probably overkill, even if your planning SLI, but no complaints. Its nice that you didn't run with one of those $20 p-o-s units. props for that.
4) ick. I grant that $35 dollar case runs just as fast as a $70 one... but I like a little quality and style. I don't go in for those $250 cases, but I appreciate a good aluminum build that's solid with no burrs, and better access to the drive cage etc. But whatever, I'll leave it alone.
5) 320GB? I wouldn't spec less than 500GB given that its only 10 dollars more.
6) soundblaster audigy se? On a scrimper system I'd just run onboard sound; while if someone is willing to pay extra for sound, I'd probably spec something a littler higher end, with digital connectors, and the newest chipset. (Not the 'xtreme gamers fatal1ty elite platinum plus' but something lower down in the same family.)
7) LiteOn budget drive - ick. Noisy cheap drives. Functional, but for $12 more you can move into something much better made.
8) no operating system? Linux is great and all, but this is a gamer's PC right? I think you'll need to budget at least another hundred or so, say $130 (that'll get you into XP Pro or Vista Home Premium).
9) $30 mouse, $10 keyboard? wow. yeah, you can pay that much, but they suck. Ok, yeah, sure, if your scrimping they'll service. But a half decent keyboard is $30+, and a good gaming mouse $50+. Those high precision laser mice from Razer or even Logitech are worth it. The buttons click better, the scroll wheel moves better, there's just no comparison.
10) I'm not sure I agree with your theory about not buying a new monitor for 15 years. Are you using a 15 year old monitor? I upgraded from 15" CRT to a 17" CRT to a 19" CRT to a 19" LCD to a 22" LCD in the last 10 years. And a 22" at 249? I'd have a tough time choosing a 20" at that price that I'd consider to be good quality.
11) Speakers - yeah I agree one good set will last a while.
12) aftermarket heat sink/fan. boost your ability to overclock and bring the noise down at the same time.
Your PC spec is what I'd call decidedly adequate. Its not bad, and you've covered the most important areas to get excellent framerate, but you've cut all the extras, and sacrificed on quality on the peripherals, and while that won't affect framerare or image quality it will impact the enjoyment of your system. For just a few hundred more you can get a PC that's virtually silent, with premium peripherals, in a well built attractive case, with the potential to overclock. If I had $1000 ($880+ Windows) to spend I'd buy what you spec'd. If I had $1400 to spend, I'd buy what I spec'd.
