Amd / Ati systems is find for budget gamers which is what the OP is looking for.
Actually Dch48 my exact model retail for $2400 here and our dollar is still worth more than yours at the moment, you cant even get the g73 for the price that your saying unless your looking at one of the first released downgraded models. My model that i have blew the mx17 alienware out of the water at the latest benchmarks and that is three time the price.
I went halves with a friend in a container load of them, one off deal that i couldn't pass up.