Advice on Shopping for a new PC

[ajmrowland]

So, I go out to the store, and I've got my eye on a PC that would be a pretty decent dedicated gaming system. I want to get animating, with gaming on the side. The guy tells me this particular model is good for my price-range.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Esse ... Id=1243294

According to the specs, it's storage excels. Naturally, the i5 processor seems like a great one, and 6GB memory is much more than my semi-old, broken laptop. What I'm not entirely sure of is the 64-bit OS(despite being assured that nearly all programs will run), and the Intel Graphics Card, which doesnt specify if it's dedicated or integrated. It just says Intel HD.(might purchase an NVidea down the line. Maybe even the 3D one)

I'm gonna upload the specs to the Dell and Gateway websites to see how much it would cost for a build-on-demand computer.

Edit: Meanwhile, this Gateway is about the same price and seems pretty good with the specs. AMD Phenom II Quad-Core Processor, Integrated ATI Radeon HD graphics(may be better to purchase separate GPU), A memory Card reader that reads 16 types(including Memorystick, SD, etc.) 10 USB Ports(same as the former), and 1TB HDD(same as the former)

http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668811.php

The former has a save $50 deal running through the 15th. what do you think? Any Advice?

Edit: title changed.