After downgrading my old Vista test computer back to XP, I was in need of a Vista test computer. Additionally, I wanted to have a nice beefy system on which to run computer games. After much searching I found a delightful and surprisingly well-made computer system that cost me only slightly more than it does to fill my car’s gas tank. And get this: It’s a Dell!

I began my search by looking exclusively for a game machine. That type of computer has graphics and sound abilities far beyond that of your typical, mortal e-mail/web/word processing PC. It also sports a beefy power supply to power the graphics and keep the system cool. Expansion options must be available for multiple drives and expansion cards.

Second, I shopped price. I don’t recommend that for everyone; service and support are more important than price — especially for someone who doesn’t care how the computer works. But for me, I wanted to come in at a price less than $2,000 — if I could.

Some serious game hardware can be had for the $5,000 range. That money goes into the graphics adapter: such a machine typically comes with two graphics adapters, both of which are packed with about 1GB of video RAM. I didn’t need that much oomph, so instead I opted for a 512MB nVidia card.

For memory, Windows Vista requires 1GB. Ha! You need 2GB. (I was lucky; Dell was running a special on memory, so I got a 3GB machine for the price of 2GB of RAM.)

Hard drive size is 500GB, which is what I would recommend for anyone these days.

All told, the system, a Dell XPS720, cost under $1800.

I was blown away its size when the machine arrived. This thing is a beefy tower, with a chrome case and fancy colored LEDs on the front and back (which you can manipulate to change the PC’s color). The side of the case pops off easily. The box’s insides are roomy: there is space for 4 optical drives and 4 SATA drives with the wiring and power supply already in place. I like that.

Overall I’m pleased with the purchase. Games really fly on the thing and I’ve not had any issues with the computer. I am backing it up religiously. And it’s pulling game, test, and webcam duties like a champ.

In my computer-owning travels, I’ve had several Dell computers. I’ve only phoned Dell tech support once, back in 1991. (It was a nightmare.) If I have to contact them again, rest assured that I’ll write about it here. Until then, the XPS is a system I can recommend to my game playing friends, as well as folks who want a snappy computer beyond the run-of-the-mill PC.