In a somewhat unexpected move, budget computer maker Gateway today took the wraps off a new FX530 line of high-end desktop systems clearly aimed at the PC enthusiast, gamer, and digital content creation market. The new systems come with Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Extreme processors, high-end storage and video capabilities, and—for the first time—factory-enabled overclocking capabilities.
"The Gateway FX530 Series delivers so many leading-edge technology options in the four areas that impact performance most—processing, graphics, storage and system reliability," said Gary Elsasser, Gateway’s VP of platforms. "Customers can choose the features in their PC that will have the greatest impact on what they’re using it for—such as high-end graphics for gamers or high-capacity storage for digital creation enthusiasts. Plus, advanced features like over-clocked processors and RAID hard drive storage ensure customers are getting a high-powered system that also meets their strict reliability requirements."
The new FX530s support a new tool-free chassis design (which may bring to mind members of Dell’s XPS series) with colored metallic side panels, and sport Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Extreme processors from 2.66 to 2.93 Ghz—the two high-end units (The FX530XT and FX530XL) will support Intel’s quad-core processors when they’re available. All FX530 systems ship with 2GB of memory, Sound Blaster X-Fi sound cards, a 9-in-1 media reader, and sport a PCI Express x16 slot, a PCI Express x4 slot, and three standard PCI slots. For video, the systems ship with ATI Radon X1950 XT CrossFire XT graphics with 512 MB of video memory, DVI and VGA output, and TV out; the system also support optional TV tuners. For storage, users can support up to 2.25 TB of storage using 750 MB perpendicular hard drives; using an additional drive bay would let folks expand out to an even 3 TB. Of course, the systems offer gigabit Ethernet and an 8× double-layer DVD burners, with the additional nicety of a secondary CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive.
Gateway says the systems are available now direct from Gateway, although at the moment they don’t seem to have product or ordering pages online. Base configurations range from $2,499 for the FX530XG to $3,999.99 for the FX530XT and $4,999.99 for the FX530XL, although the latter two configs include a (new) Gateway 24-inch widescreen LCD display.
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