Advice on new computer?

[flight17]

For my graduation present from my parents, they are buying me a new computer or my dad is going to build me one. The current computer is from Jan 2007, so quit a lot has changed since then. Im not that computer savy when it comes to hardware, so i need some help in "Building" my computer. My dad has spec'd out a dell, but i was just curious what you guys would build or have built since my dad looks at them from the more business side of computing. Price range is 1000-2000, but the cheaper the better.

Uses:
*Gaming- AH, FSX (future MS Flight) and more, plus i model aircraft for FSX so i have all those programs as well
*Photography- have lots of photos on my computer and editing software
*Music- have lots of music
*normal everyday tasks

We already have a copy of Windows 7 professional and office 2010. I know i want one of Intels' new core. My dad was spec'ing i5's but i think i want i7 (though i have no reason, just from what i remember others have said on another forum). As for video cards, again i dont know. We have traditionally used Nvidia, but i hear that ATI has really worked out all of the problems with their cards. So which ever one is the better one. It needs to be fast and have lots of storage available (my current computer is literally filled with memory... i couldnt even defrag it without deleting stuff). Good sound card (either through the video card or seperate). if i can get away with one hard drive that is ok, but im thinking about have dual hard drives. Needs to be able to stay cool when the house gets 90+ degrees inside also.

So all you computer geeks, tell me what i need

[AAJagerX]

In that price range, TilDeath could set you up very nicely. 

[CAP1]

In that price range, TilDeath could set you up very nicely. 

what he said. the guy is the best. hell, i called him with what i thought was a problem, over a year after i bought mine......he looked up what i had, and helped me out right there. you cannot beat that for service......plus he has one helluva great personality. 

[saggs]

My advice is don't spend the $1-$2K that you mentioned.

You can easily build a system that meets all your needs and then some for less then $1K.

My needs are similar to yours, I am a part time "pro" photographer, and occasionally play AH and FSX.   I built this system about 2 years ago for around $800.  I have a intel quad core 2.6ghz processor, 8gb RAM, 500gb RAID 1 mirrored HDDs for data, a 60gb SSD for the Win 7, Lightroom, Photoshop, Photomatix etc.  Later (about a year ago) I upgraded to a much better video card (silent, fanless ATI 4850) for about $110.  It all sits in a $40 Rosewill case that looks and works fine.  All told I think I still put less then $1k into it.

For $2k you could build one crazy computer.

[MaSonZ]

In that price range, TilDeath could set you up very nicely. 

this. IF you dont want to go through TD (not sure why, as stated hes a helluva good guy.) you can still build a good running machine for under 1,000. I did the math in a seperate thread, including extras ive added on just to say i have em (power supply and bigger case) I have just shy of 1,000 in it. base price was 794 or soemthing. Assuming you havea mouse, keyboard and moniter right now you can build a damn fine machine for 7 or 800. I have a 1TB HDD, a graphic card to run AH on (my moniters) top resolution with all shoadows enabled and barely hit below 55, and seldom if ever below 50 FPS.

I recommend TD though. hell of a guy to do business with, and why not support a small business that is well known for their product and customer support?

[Tac]

For my graduation present from my parents, they are buying me a new computer or my dad is going to build me one. The current computer is from Jan 2007, so quit a lot has changed since then. Im not that computer savy when it comes to hardware, so i need some help in "Building" my computer. My dad has spec'd out a dell, but i was just curious what you guys would build or have built since my dad looks at them from the more business side of computing. Price range is 1000-2000, but the cheaper the better.

Uses:
*Gaming- AH, FSX (future MS Flight) and more, plus i model aircraft for FSX so i have all those programs as well
*Photography- have lots of photos on my computer and editing software
*Music- have lots of music
*normal everyday tasks

We already have a copy of Windows 7 professional and office 2010. I know i want one of Intels' new core. My dad was spec'ing i5's but i think i want i7 (though i have no reason, just from what i remember others have said on another forum). As for video cards, again i dont know. We have traditionally used Nvidia, but i hear that ATI has really worked out all of the problems with their cards. So which ever one is the better one. It needs to be fast and have lots of storage available (my current computer is literally filled with memory... i couldnt even defrag it without deleting stuff). Good sound card (either through the video card or seperate). if i can get away with one hard drive that is ok, but im thinking about have dual hard drives. Needs to be able to stay cool when the house gets 90+ degrees inside also.

So all you computer geeks, tell me what i need

I'm actually helping a friend update a similarly old computer so I can tell you that you are able to upgrade into a nice rig for less than 500 bucks.

AMD quad core 3.2gzh
12gb ram ddr3 1600
msi motherboard
Nvidia Gt420 video card (you may invest a wee bit more here for a better card but it will run AH no prob)
600w power supply
1tb HDD 7200rpm westgate

This all runs around 450'ish dollars out of newegg. You'd be re-using your old cd/dvd drives, your computer case,keyboard,mouse,joystick.monitor and cables.

[Dichotomy]

In that price range, TilDeath could set you up very nicely. 

Completely concur.  Sure you could build it yourself but isn't it nice to know that if something goes wonky you've got someone who will stand behind their work and make it right for you? 

To be honest I don't intend to ever buy or build a computer without using TD again.  Dude has treated me totally right going on three years now. 

[PFactorDave]

Rich (TilDeath) built mine too.  Great machine, cleanest cable routing that I have ever seen.  Call him and tell him what your budget is and he'll hook you up.

[CAP1]

Completely concur.  Sure you could build it yourself but isn't it nice to know that if something goes wonky you've got someone who will stand behind their work and make it right for you? 

To be honest I don't intend to ever buy or build a computer without using TD again.  Dude has treated me totally right going on three years now. 

that;'s what i'm sayin........my next computer will come from him too.

[CAP1]

Rich (TilDeath) built mine too.  Great machine, cleanest cable routing that I have ever seen.  Call him and tell him what your budget is and he'll hook you up.

i forgot about that...it's almost scary how neatly he runs those cables.

[flight17]

My advice is don't spend the $1-$2K that you mentioned.

the 1-2k budget was for a custom computer lol... I will deffiantely get in touch with him and see what he says.

[Wildcat1]

the 1-2k budget was for a custom computer lol... I will deffiantely get in touch with him and see what he says.

Yep, find him in the "classifieds" forum on here. Havn't personally done any business with him, but from what I've heard, all the above statements are true

[guncrasher]

the puter that he has listed in the classifieds is nice.  give him a call.

semp

[Tigger29]

IF you dont want to go through TD (not sure why, as stated hes a helluva good guy.)

If I didn't love building them myself I would have definitely bought one through him.

[Mano]

I like building my own computer also.


recommendation:

mobo ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366
The overclock utility is really user friendly. this mobo should still be available at amazon or newegg.

cpu  the least expensive i7 available and overclock it.
the 950 is around $260.......can get a good deal at amazon or similar web page.

I also recommend the CORSAIR CWCH60 Hydro Series H60 to keep the cpu cool.
they run about 70 dollars....... way better than regular air fans.

6 gig of DDR3.....don't need to overclock the memory. the 1600 series is fast enough.

video card  Radeon HD 6850 or Radeon HD 6870 .... run the $170 range.

Shop around, you can build a really nice rig on a budget if you are patient purchasing the parts one piece at a time.

Good luck