I've Created a Monster

[Jaimie]

My desktop is like 4 years old (q9500 quad core), I need (ok want) to upgrade. Should I go for a $600 i5 3570k, or a $1,600 iMac ?

[Lumia]

My desktop is like 4 years old (q9500 quad core), I need (ok want) to upgrade. Should I go for a $600 i5 3570k, or a $1,600 iMac ?

I built my own tower with i7 for just over $1000.

[Charmin]

My desktop is like 4 years old (q9500 quad core), I need (ok want) to upgrade. Should I go for a $600 i5 3570k, or a $1,600 iMac ?

I don't want to derail the thread, but as Lumia said you can build your own rig much more inexpensively and to higher quality than buying one pre-packaged (especially a proprietary Mac but I'm not going into Mac vs. PC stuff here). That is what I did, too, and you can do a great job. Just keep your warranty books because most if not all manufacturers that you'd buy parts from will offer you a replacement or refund guarantee should they zonk. Shop around at places like NewEgg, Tiger Direct, Amazon, and eBay and you should be able to run ARR in HQ+1 mode!

Back on topic, this thread inspired me and I think I will start a thread based on couple gamers or at least playing with IRL friends. I'm happy you could inspire your girlfriend to play, OP!

[Molic]

My desktop is like 4 years old (q9500 quad core), I need (ok want) to upgrade. Should I go for a $600 i5 3570k, or a $1,600 iMac ?

Like others said you should defiantly check out newegg you can a higher-end PC for fairly cheap, and you can always get Mac on a PC or PC on a Mac, if you cant decide which one to buy, so just go for the cheaper more powerful one .