New Computer Advice

[Stormmaster]

I am in the market for a new computer in the upcoming future and just seeking some advice for what to look for primarily for a gaming/media type set up. Obviously something good for EQ (and other more graphic intensive games), but also good quality video capabilities for movies (and some TV watching like Hulu etc).

These questions are in no particular order, just random stuff I am curious about...

What is a good option for cooling? I have had issues in the past (I've had a couple graphics cards actually melt or fuse in the past). What is good for keeping a graphics intensive CPU/graphics card cool?

How much Ram does one need? I am currently have 8GB which seems sufficient, would I benefit from more?

What is the "best" graphics card? What brand? Is Nvidia or Radeon or something else best for EQ and other games?
What model number or higher is the min I should look for?

Power source? Clueless on this. What is the min I should look for here? Not even sure what it is measured in.

CPU brand? Intel or umm I forget the others. How many Hz would be min to look for? Any benefits from dual core/quad core etc?

To help with the advice keep in mind I am good with software but not with hardware, so I don't want to actually put it together myself so looking for something I can either buy already done or basically buy and have a couple upgrades installed into. I can probably go up to $3K for cost so something that would be less than that after completed with upgrades if needed.

Even if not specific advice if you have good website or resources for me to look to purchase something that would be good I would appreciate any advice. I know a lot of you are more computer savvy than myself so probably know what and as importantly where to look.

Thanks!
Storm

[Ergon]

Okay since you are going to buy a prebuilt machine and not build yourself, I'll avoid linking individual components.

1) Cooling is key in any desktop or laptop. Heat is your #1 enemy. Most computers are air cooled with fans and ventilation, but some are liquid cooled. A lot of liquid cooling systems require maintenance, but some of the brand new ones do not require any. However, I'd still reccomend air cooling. The key is to have a good case and an aftermarket CPU cooler. Cases by Silverstone and CoolerMaster are usually well ventilated and cooled with multiple fans. For aftermarket CPU coolers, I've had great results with anything by Xigmatec, though there are other good brands out there. This probably is not a compnent you would buy and install yourself though.

2) 8GB of RAM has probably been fine for you. However, RAM is really cheap right now, and you can never have too much. 12GB would be a good minimum.

3) There are 2 major companies in the graphics industry: Nvidia and ATI. They allow other companies such as EVGA, Sapphire, and Asus to use their GPU chipsets to make video cards. That's why you see so many different brands for the same model of card now days. I would not go any lower than a GeForce 460 from Nvidia or a Radeon 5870 from ATI. Each of those is about 2 years old, so don't go any lower than that. The current generation of cards are the GeForce 500 series and the Radeon 7000 series. Note that the Radeon 7000 series is still so new that most PCs would include a Radeon 6000 series card. Personally I have had great results from both Nvidia and ATI cards.

4) Power Source is one of the most important things for a gaming computer. The certification you want to look for is "80+ Gold," but even 80+ Silver and 80+ Bronze are worthwhile. They are measuered in both Watts and Amps but to keep it simple you would want to likely go 700+ Watts. Corsair and Silverstone make great powersupplies. This is also not something I'd install yourself unless building the entire PC.

5) CPUs are made by Intel and AMD. If an Intel chip begins to get too hot, it will throttle itself to prevent overheating. AMD chips will not do this. Intel is the better brand, but AMD can still be great for someone on a much tighter budget. A Quad Core or better would be fine. 3.0 GHZ+ from either the Core i7 or Core i5 line of processors.

Okay here's some links. Keep in mind they will come without monitors. Montiors are easier to buy and there are often outstanding deals on the Dell Factory Outlet online.
(The following are sold by Newegg.com but are made by the popular gaming desktop manufacturer, iBuyPower)

Mid-range
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883227379
This PC is actually liquid cooled but should require no maintenance on the liquid cooling system.

High End
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883227379
This is air cooled, but has the best CPU on the market, and more RAM than you could ever use. It's pretty elite for a desktop and I linked it to give you an idea of what the top end costs right now.

One thing to keep in mind is that when you buy a prebuilt PC is that you never really know what brand of motherboard or power supply it has. They are often proprietary.

[Stormmaster]

Thanks Ergon!

[Ronthorn Oakenarm]

for what prebuilt decent machine cost you can build yourself a super computer though storm

over 4 gigs of ram depends on your operating system as well, i see some saying well i got 16 gigs of ram but there on a 32 bit system.

[Stormmaster]

So I take it a 64 bit OS is the way to go (if there is an option)?

I'm wondering if there are places or people that you can pick what you want or give specs and they can custom build a computer for you.

I really see 3 options and I can't really decide the best method.

1. Get an OKish base system and add some upgrades (ie higher end gfx card, memory, etc)
2. Get a nice fully loaded system with no upgrades needed (so far seems expensive)
3. Have a system custom built, basically getting components and putting together

Option 1 seems middle of the road price wise, I just think for what I could buy a really nice predone system for it seems it could cost significantly less having roughly the same stuff in it but then I'm not sure about customer service or warranties if something is wrong.

[Ergon]

Windows 7 64bit is the way to go yes. If you're getting a prebuilt machine that has 4GB+ RAM in it, then it will come with a 64bit OS already on it.

[Ronthorn Oakenarm]

So I take it a 64 bit OS is the way to go (if there is an option)?

I'm wondering if there are places or people that you can pick what you want or give specs and they can custom build a computer for you.

I really see 3 options and I can't really decide the best method.

1. Get an OKish base system and add some upgrades (ie higher end gfx card, memory, etc)
2. Get a nice fully loaded system with no upgrades needed (so far seems expensive)
3. Have a system custom built, basically getting components and putting together

Option 1 seems middle of the road price wise, I just think for what I could buy a really nice predone system for it seems it could cost significantly less having roughly the same stuff in it but then I'm not sure about customer service or warranties if something is wrong.

there are places online that you can get a custom build gallowman used one but you will pay a extra to have this done. They do a good job though here http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

[Stormmaster]

Wow thanks Ron, cool site. Actually ALL of those are way cheaper than what I was looking at. I have about $3,000 to spend on a system so been looking at what I can get at that price point. The Alienware systems with roughly similar specs were quite a bit more than this place. Pays to shop around for sure, I may not even need to spend all $3K.

Oh and those FPS tests listed on those machines...is a higher FPS number better?? ...yes yes I'm a noob sorry for the nooby questions, but I do appreciate all the advice from you computer gurus out there. Thanks!

[lefous]

BUILD YOUR PC YOUR SELF IT BETTER YOU KONW WHAT YOU GOT AND WILL COST WAY LESS CASH oup cap on lol

lef

[Stormmaster]

I don't really have the skill nor the desire to build it myself, I would much rather pay someone to put it together for me. I totally don't mind paying someone, I have plenty of money so money not really the issue. Time/hassle > Cash (to me anyways)