Purchasing new computer - need advice

[Spikes]

That sucks Spikes, I hope everything works out well for you!

Gratz on you're first build!

Kazaa I'm not remembering if it was you or Bruv,  but the HD5770 is kickass! Of course this is upgrading from my X1650 and have yet to test it other than in AH2, but have everything now running full bore in AH.

[Brooke]

If you want to buy one instead of build it, I'd recommend Dells.  My process is to buy one for $400-$500, add a $100 graphics card to it, keep it until it's time to upgrade, then repeat.  I've owned a lot of Dells over the course of the past 15 years and have always been happy.

If I were buying a system today, I'd probably get a Studio Desktop with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 (about $500) and then get a GeForce 9600GT from newegg.com (or any other $100-ish choice based on Tom's Hardware's "Best Graphics Cards for the Money, November, 2009"  at http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2464.html ).

In the past year, I have liked the antialiasing quality of nVidia more than AMD.  But that's just based on a couple of cards that I've owned, not on a large sampling.

[Koendog]

Thanks to everyone for the info/advice, it's much appreciated.