Next generation hardware is around the corner for both AMD and Intel, so unless you really need to buy a new system now I would wait until the next generation is out, which is likely before the year is over.   If it has to be Alienware and you need one now, a previous generation system like an R10 when they go on sale would be my first choice. However, I would highly recommend to pass if any of the following items are included in that sale: - Air cooling. - Single memory stick configuration. - A previous generation video card.   If it has to be the latest generation Alienware, I would recommend an R14 over an R13 but only if it is on sale. The above stipulations would still apply.    - Don't forget to check your warranty agreement and ensure you get the warranty you think you will need. - Research what you purchase. This board is full of information from owners of Alienware systems and     a  very good source of information. - Know Alienware machines use OEM parts and not retail parts. There are pro and cons to that. - In the unlikely event you run into issues with your new machine, there are many people on this board who are skilled and can often resolve your issue within minutes.     I would also recommend to only buy Directly from Dell or an authorized Dell dealer, and not from Amazon sellers or private sellers because often the machines sold by them come without a video card as they were stripped for crypto mining purposes and replaced by a cheap aftermarket card or no video card at all. While those deals can look tempting, often those machines fail to boot properly due to the aftermarket card and installing an aftermarket retail card is not as easy as it sounds due to size restrictions. You might also have warranty issues should you need to access your warranty.
What would you suggest for a first time/ new gamer? Specs etc..
"DS:Interested in buying an AW Desktop Gaming system"