EA and Crytek have to really be careful here. A 600-800 dollar machine wont run Crysis, but from all the previews and interviews i've read, Crytek is claiming that such a machine will run Warhead silky smooth at max settings. Clearly, they're investing a lot into quality assurance with a move that basically bridges the gap between their product and any potential skepticism towards purchasing it. Imagine what would happen if thousands of people purchase these machines, only to find out that certain graphical settings STILL cant be maxed out without compromising framerate. The added disdain of knowing that for the same 800 dollars they could have put together a much better machine by themselves, would simply spawn so many detractors of EA and Crytek, that not only would the franchise be ruined, but the companies themselves would lose whatever fragile credibility they have left at this point.
I hope this doesnt happen because i really liked Crysis (despite the terribly unoptimized engine) and i like Crytek's corporate vision, and the product they release. But this is really thin ice theyre walking on. Somehow, i suspect that EA will find a way to cut costs on the hardware which will result in the exact sort of blow-up that i described. I hope im wrong.