New computer

[Shakka]

Im thinking about getting a new computer sometime this year and was wondering when a good time to do it was. I heard of the new nvidia 9800 series or whatever they release it as and will probably wait for that. Should i wait for intel's new processors being developed and released sometime later in the year, or just get a midrange penryn chip when they start shipping them? Also, is there anything else to wait for?

[itsFrontside]

Get a computer like my moms. It runs ultra fast. Only takes 5 minutes to bring up start menu.

[eclyps]

I would wait for the 9x cards. If you can afford it, get a 9x card. if not, get an 8800GTX bc they'll be mucho cheaper. quad cores are also coming down in price A LOT.

[leoftw]

I love building computers :)

First off I would get

DFI X38 Board (257 Shipped) http://www.motherboardpro.com/DFI-LanParty-LT-X38-T2R-X38-Motherboard-Socket-775-ATX-p-405.html

Intel E8400 Overclocked to 4GHZ :) (200 Shipped) or a Q6600 (270 Shipped)

Tuniq Tower (55$)

Gskill Ram (50) 2x1GB

HD3870 x 2 = 400 @ microcenter.com

PSU of your choice

Thats a great machine

I built mine fora bout a 1000 :)

[Ganwen]

Ive always bought my own, but the next computer I get Im really going to do some research and try building it myself. Well atleast buy the gear and have my brother help me build it. He works for Sweetwater and has to much tech gear lying around his house.. :)

He turned his basement into a home theater all his movies are on a custom built PC with 4TB of Memory that holds all his movies... FUN STUFF!

[eclyps]

it's REALLY simple to build one yourself. You should definitely try it. It's fun :)

[leoftw]

The hardest part is waiting for the parts to come in .

[Shakka]

the building is easy, selecting parts that'll be considered good for more than a month is the challenge

[Enlightened Viet]

I think the BIOS and partitioning would be the hard part for me.

[leoftw]

I think the BIOS and partitioning would be the hard part for me.

lol that the easiest part for me .

[BADog]

I think the BIOS and partitioning would be the hard part for me.

Nowadays that is easy.

Raid 5 3 physical 500gig drives, and that will give you 1 terrabyte (the 3rd is for Raid), and don't sweat it.

I've built over 90 machines for myself to date...and the last one was the easiest and the most sexy.

[N3CKCAR]

Dont be afraid of it. I didnt learn how to deal with bios, partitioning, or even working with drivers and overclocking util I tried. Give it a go!!

[Phlake]

Seems like every one is on the Build it your self band wagon. 8 Years ago when I said i built my own computer ever one OOOOed and Ahhhhed. Now is like cool so did I. lol

[Sir Zolofto]

Seems like every one is on the Build it your self band wagon. 8 Years ago when I said i built my own computer ever one OOOOed and Ahhhhed. Now is like cool so did I. lol

I agree with that. When I built my machine, I spent maybe 3weeks of total planning. Sad thing is, I still use it. Now 5 years old, it runs just about every game still around 30-120FPS (Most games are on high settings).

If I was going to build a new one (if i had the money)
I would aim for the best processor out on the market right now. THis way you won't have to upgrade constantly. Also try to get the best GPU available. keep most of your RAM banks open. 2048 is all you'll probably need unless you are into modelling/rendering. So 1024x2. Also keep your PSU above 550w, this way you can prevent your machine from being underpowered. But don't go overboard and buy the behemoths of a PSU, like a 1.3kW PSU. Unless you really do need it. Get a few harddrives, 1TB is all you'll need. (If you can afford it, get Solid state harddrives). Then to prevent upgrading every year or so, I suggest getting a good cooling method. A phase changer or liquid cooling would do the trick. They do have a risk though, with phase changing this will drop the core down to around -40oC. This can cause condensation, so keep your stuff insulated well. Maybe put some insulation around the piping from and to the phase changing plate. Water is good, but if it leaks, it pours, and your machine is dead. But this can really help you on heating issues, and give you more yield for overclock. Air should be your last consideration, as with newer technology, it doesn't do the trick anymore. If you are going to aircool something, do it different units. Like the north chipset, your RAM, and possibly your harddrives (If you don't have SSD's)

CPU, I suggest Intel. I am an AMD Fan, but Intel has such a better processor.
GPU, I would wait for the 9 series to release. From what I hear they will feature the Physx PPU. ATi cannot compare.
RAM, Anything that is system compatible. Also keep stuff dual channeled. Like 1024x2 (2048) or 1024x4 (4096).
Harddrives, 1 SSD for important stuff. These things have a life expentency of about 100 years. They don't feature platters for information to store. The rest, I suggest a SATA 2 RAID. Just 2-3 drives. About 300-500GB each.

[Phlake]

I Sell Solid Disk Drives (SSD) if any one wants a good deal PM me. Also Nvidia has bought out Ageia physx and we should see some cool stuff soon. Yes thats a GPU and a PPU (Physics Processing Unit) on the same card. Proof: http://http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/04/nvidia-to-acquire-ageia/ Also I have read that Nvidia will soon release interchangeable GPUS!!!!! Could this be also applied to interchangeable PPUS? Only the future holds the answer.