Okay, I'm keeping my venerable P4, 3.4GHz, 2MB RAM, GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB system with Win XP3. It runs everything, including Crysis, Far Cry2 and ARMA 1. More importantly, it runs all the old stuff like the Tom Clancy R6/Rogue Spear/Ghost Recon/GRAW1&2 goodness, and I have every title installed. It also runs Grand Prix Legends, NASCAR Racing 2K3, RFactor, GTR2, GTR Evolution at very high frames and resolution. Most of my installed sims at set at 1920 x 1200 x 32 (I have a 24 inch widescreen LCD).

But I can't run DCS: Black Shark, LOMAC, and FSX at max rez and I want to. I also want to be able to run the newest stuff, the games/sims that seem to require at minimum a Dual Core machine like OpFlash 2.

So my plan, again, is to line up my venerable old P4 with a new machine for Christmas. To ensure that I have it for Christmas, I need to order it in advance. I will not build my own machine. I don't have time to do that any more than I have time to make my own clothes. I could save money doing that too. I'm thinking of something along the lines of a Windows 7, Intel Core i7 Quad, 4-6GB RAM, 1 terrabyte HD (7200 rpm), single Nvidia GTX 295, DVDRW + CDRW (combo is fine), 1000 PSU, totally upgradeable of course. An advanced Soundblaster card is favored over integrated sound. That's about it, I guess.

I want to order. I'm tired of Dell, but I don't know the best boutique builders. I see a lot of ads in gaming magazines but which company is truly good and reliable? I don't know anything about ehe companies or anyone who has ever ordered from them. I've always ordered from Dell solely because of the price (and they have stood behind their products when I've had a problem). So, I'm asking for recommendations for alternatives to Dell.

I've been looking at Alienware, which I know is owned by Dell, and Digital Storm. Right now I'm leaning in the Storm's direction, but I'm open to other suggestions. Who is the best? Who puts out a rockin' gaming PC with Windows 7 and Intel? No AMD, please. Not negotiable. Intel only. Thanks.

well, if price isn't an issue then www.falcon-nw.com will suit all your needs and have tons of awards; but expect to pay upwards of 3k for their 'modest' systems (which will still blow most systems away). They have a really good customer support and warranties.
also, www.cyberpowerpc.com is a really good one from what I hear, and probably less pricey. I'm sure there are others but I can't think of them right now lol

With a monitor that size and high resolutions, chances are you'll have to go with an ATI 5xxx series, or go SLI (which can be a hassle sometimes.) The fastest nvidia cards gtx280/295) could probably run it; but they are in short supply right now

Thank you for your comments, NUFaN. I've heard of Falcon but haven't checked them out for years. I didn't know about Cyberpowerpc, so will check them out. As far as my monitor goes, my current 8800 GTS 640MB already runs it beautifully at max res. Since I got it, I've enjoyed a spectacular improvement over my old CRT. And I do mean SPECTACULAR. Playing racing and flight sims on this monitor at 1920 x 1200 is indescribably better than my old 19" CRT. I can't believe what a difference a monitor makes.

I don't own such a system (my current flagship is custom-built, and any other desktops I have will always be custom-built unless they happen to be pre-builts bought from a thrift store at rock-bottom prices), but I do know someone who is pretty satisfied with an insane Digital Storm setup which, IIRC, includes a Core i7, Tri-SLI GTX 280s, everything water-cooled, and a price tag most people could never afford to blow on a single computer.

As for monitors, an upgrade there can, indeed, make a pretty big difference. One of my thrift store scores a while back had me replacing an old 19" shadow-mask CRT I've been using since around 1999/2000...with a Dell P1110 21" Trinitron/aperture grille CRT. Works great, especially when tweaked up with WinDAS (I still need a colorimeter, though), and I have absolutely no desire for an LCD of any sort now (unless it's some ultra-high-end one like a Dell 3008WFP-HC given to me free of charge or sold for a mere six US$ like this P1110).

http://www.velocitymicro.com/ I bought their gaming system a year ago and have had zero problems. Tech support is top notch. They only use the best of the best componets and at resonable prices.

Velocity, eh? Thanks, I'll check it out.

I was in the same boat. My 7 y.o. Alienware was showing its age. I did a lot of research on custom builers and narrowed it down to 3.
Falcon Northwest
Maingear
Digital Storm

I ended up buying a Digital Storm about a month ago. Couldn't be happier!
Check the Digital Storm forums, very few problems with computers they build and if there is
one the take care of it quickly.
Their customer/technical support is handled in house, not outsourced to India or Costa Rica.
They have an A+ rating with BBB.
I've owned 3 Alienware computers over the last 13 years but the last one was not up to standard IMO.
Digital Storms attention to detail is second to none. Haven't had a hiccup since I bought it and it runs like a cat on crack.
LOMAC, IL2, BF2, CoH are all set at the highest settings and run smooth as butter on my mid range Digital Storm.

I do not work for DS, just an extremely satisfied customer.

Good luck in your quest.

All of the companies mentioned will build an excellent machine. IMO Maingear offers outstanding quality, service, support and value. I have prchased form Falcon in the past which was a great experience. Maingear offers a similar experience at a more reasonable price point. Buying my recent system from Maingear saved me about $600 over the comparable Falcon NW system. My system is beautifully made and the purchase and support experience has been first rate.

If you want an Nvidia card, consider waiting for the G300 DX11 card. It "should" be faster than the G295 without the SLI issues. The G300 may launch in the next few weeks with limited availability. Thing is, it may not be in time for Christmas.

If you must have it by Christmas, consider the ATI HD5870 DX11 card which is already on the market with limited availability. It is faster than the G295 in some tests without the SLI or Crossfire issues. And, its DX11 which may matter if you are keeping your system for a couple years. Or, if you want the fastest regardless of cost, the HD5970 dual-GPU DX11 card is due out this month.

HD5970 Coming Soon

I just built my own gaming pc from the ground up so i could grab a little more "PC knowledge" and i admit....just to say ..."I did it". But i didn't save enough money to stand up and yell..."i did it cheaper!" When i consider the money & time i put into it....next time ill just buy from one of the good "I'll build it for you" vendors.

building my own was fun though....idk .....maybe ill do it again someday .....idk.....no...vendor...no build my own....oh hell...that decision is now a good 4 yrs away....I'll have an answer for u then.