People with computer knowledge, please read.

[drftmark]

Quad core is pretty cheap now, you might as well go with that over duel core.

Buy from newegg.

I helped my roomate build his computer and he went with a Asus P5Q-E mobo with a Q6600 processor. Also with a 9800 GX2 video card. And of course you could just buy the next up from him if you have the money.

His computer runs games with no problems at all with video settings on max etc.

I can't remember what RAM he got but last I read ddr3 is still sort of prototypey. Just do some research on the RAM.

[drftmark]

I would like to add that I do not agree building a PC isn't worth it anymore. It is DEFINITELY worth it. Going to Best Buy to compare specs isn't very accurate. Best Buy or anywhere else will just say "4gb of ram." They provide no brand name, timing values, etc etc. Not to mention that you get a warranty on each part(if you build one) without having to send the whole computer off or anything like that.

With any computer you buy, you have to deal with all the bullshit of everything being compatible with each other and you can't just upgrade whenever you want if you feel it is going to slow for your needs or w/e.

[Matej]

Originally Posted by drftmark

I would like to add that I do not agree building a PC isn't worth it anymore. It is DEFINITELY worth it. Going to Best Buy to compare specs isn't very accurate. Best Buy or anywhere else will just say "4gb of ram." They provide no brand name, timing values, etc etc. Not to mention that you get a warranty on each part(if you build one) without having to send the whole computer off or anything like that.

With any computer you buy, you have to deal with all the bullshit of everything being compatible with each other and you can't just upgrade whenever you want if you feel it is going to slow for your needs or w/e.

It's not hard to look up what memory or any other components companies use in their systems.
I was going to build a system last winter, the added up cost would've been a little over 3K$. Then, before I was about to start ordering everything, I visited all of the computer stores, and decided it's not worth it to build my own, and ended up buying a system that actually by far exceeds the specs I was aiming for, while it cost over 1K$ less.
And why wouldn't you be able to upgrade a bought system? I've just added a third hdd recently. It's a pc, you can upgrade every single component when you want to, it's not like they encase it in concrete to keep you from opening it up. If you're talking about voiding the warranty, most of the components that people like to upgrade usually have a separate warranty. But I can care less about warranty anyway, if something goes bad I'd rather upgrade it with a newer more powerful component, not the same part.

[SixSpeedSleuth]

Originally Posted by drftmark

Quad core is pretty cheap now, you might as well go with that over duel core.

Buy from newegg.

I helped my roomate build his computer and he went with a Asus P5Q-E mobo with a Q6600 processor. Also with a 9800 GX2 video card. And of course you could just buy the next up from him if you have the money.

His computer runs games with no problems at all with video settings on max etc.

I can't remember what RAM he got but last I read ddr3 is still sort of prototypey. Just do some research on the RAM.

It's funny you mention newegg because I was just on that site looking around. How do these processors fit my needs?
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

I apologize if I seem ignorant regarding specs, but I'm not sure exactly what the difference is between dual core/quad core, ect. Thanks for everybodys help so far.

[drftmark]

Originally Posted by SixSpeedSleuth

It's funny you mention newegg because I was just on that site looking around. How do these processors fit my needs?
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

I apologize if I seem ignorant regarding specs, but I'm not sure exactly what the difference is between dual core/quad core, ect. Thanks for everybodys help so far.

Ya, you could use all of those, it just all depends on your budget. In fact, I still have my roomates build setup saved, so if you want you can PM and I will link you to it. We built it around 6 weeks ago also.


And about the guy saying he was making a build for 3k in the winter, buying one is better etc... That has never been the case with any computers I have seen in any of the local chain electronic stores.